Will this set-up work, after Feb.17,2009? What if I add one of the Phillips hard drive recorders from Wal-Mart to the mix? Do they work with analog cable?

Thanks

Both units will continue to receive unscrambled analog cable channels the same as before. The EH75V's "TV Guide On Screen" (TVGOS) will probably go dead because it receives guide data via one of your local analog broadcast stations which serves as the TVGOS "host channel" for your area. Your cable company passes that data as part of its corresponding analog channel. After that station shuts off its analog transmitter, your cable company will convert the digital broadcast signal to analog for its analog channel, but it won't have the TVGOS data.

However, you'll still be able to schedule recordings by setting start and stop times, and setting the clock manually as necessary to keep it in sync.

There is a new version of TVGOS which uses a digital host channel. It's being rolled out now and is "live" in several cities. I suppose in principle, your cable company could convert that data so it's available on their corresponding analog channel, but I have no idea whether they'll actually do this.

The Philips also has the advantage of a digital QAM tuner and you might be surprised on the extra channels it might find. Possibly only the locals in HD but others report more. If you have a decent TV you should notice a much better PQ watching the digital HD channels.
Note some areas are switching to SDV and dropping many of their analog channels. If this is the case a STB may be in your future.

The Philips also has the advantage of a digital QAM tuner and you might be surprised on the extra channels it might find.OR, you might be surprised that it finds very few of even your locals, or even none - considering that it's a Funai tuner. ;)

(rgazzara's already returning his first 3576 because of it. And I'm just a Philips's "hater", right?)

OR, you might be surprised that it finds very few, or even none - considering that it's a Funai tuner. ;)

(rgazzara's already returning his first 3576, because of it. And I'm just a Philips's "hater", right?)
Since you asked, no, you're just a plain ol hateful, elitist dude, whether in this forum or others.

The time you posted "You don't hear about a lot of problems with Panasonics", then immediately deleted it before I could capture your post (ROFLing too long), told me volumes... at that time, there were 13 threads on the 1st page asking for help with Panny problems.

P.S. IF i hadn't been ROFLing so long, and I had captured your ridiculous post, my response was: "What are you smokin?"

No recorder is perfect. I've never said any were.

It may work fine for him or it may not. If you're getting it to depend on the QAM tuner you should be made aware of that.

Like I always advise about any recorder these days, just get it from somewhere you can easily return or exchange it if you have to.

Sorry if I'm just not "rah-rah" enough for you - I'm just being practical and realistic and actually trying to help people around here without an agenda.

If some people don't appreciate that, that's their problem.

So others don't think there's some unstated info on the Philips 3575 and 3576, there's been a dedicated "subject" in the Sticky thread on the major problems (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12309999&postcount=24) and even its operating idiosyncracies. No other DVDR has such info in one place.

Instead of posting everywhere about its problem(s), you could just refer them to that link... it'd save some time for you wherever you go and accomplish the same purpose, maybe even better!?.

Instead of posting everywhere about its problem(s), you could just refer them to that link... it'd save some time for you wherever you go and accomplish the same purpose, maybe even better!?.It's a sticky - I'm sure he'll find it.

I do refer people over there - I just didn't see the need yet in this case.

But when I do, I usually advise people to "read between the lines", which is no different from what I do when referring anyone to anywhere here.

There are a lot of shills around here (and fanboys, but that's nothing new), and I like to make newbies aware of that when I can. There seems to be a lot more than ever lately (especially in the Programming forum), and I've just been extra-conscious of it myself.

I'm still watching that 2180 thread intently, so I'm not above getting one of these. Never was.

If I ever see any of these models for a good clearance price, I'll most likely grab it, but I never have in this area like some people do in theirs (has to be from a local store, though). I just don't need or want it badly enough to pay full price. But I could always use it - I like to retire the ones I'm currently using before they get too old and worn.

There are a lot of shills and fanboys around here, and I like to make newbies aware of that when I can.
You'd better call yourself out, then ! :D

In fact, I can't believe YOU said that! :rolleyes:

You'd better call yourself out, then ! :D

In fact, I can't believe YOU said that! :rolleyes:? What am I an unabashed fanboy of?

I suppose some could call me a fanboy for Pannys, but anyone who has read more than a few posts of mine see I call Pannys on the carpet quite often for their quirky EZ series machines. While they aren't perfect by any means I personally haven't seen a DVDR that rivaled it's PQ. While everybody says PQ is important to them some people have a different eye for PQ than I do. I'm not saying they or I are right, but I know what I like that's for sure and when it comes to PQ I really prefer Pannys above every DVDR I've seen.
Now if someone places reliability or something like handiness of the HDD high on their list I'd be more than likely to suggest the 3575/6 above current Pannys. Personally I've had both the 3575 and a EZ-17 at the same time. While no one can argue with the usefulness of a HDD, to me it came down to recording quality, and on that point I kept the EZ-17. Which I later returned since it died (6 different EZ x7's:mad: you've heard it all before:rolleyes:) only to try a EZ-28 which proved to be more reliable that the x7s, at least for me) but still not up to the reliability of a Panny ES or Philips 3575/6(ok the QAM seems to be a problem, but I think less on the 76 that the 75).
Like Ramm I also have the CM-7000 and while I can't argue about the PQ(best of the CECBs I've seen) it too has it's quirks which I'm not above pointing out. Again if PQ isn't the top concern I too would probably suggest the Zenith over the CM. It's just more refined in it's operation.
Sorry to step into the fray and personally I've learned a lot from the both of you. We each have our favorite machines, some more than others;)

Sorry to ask a dumb question, but what is PQ, and how does it relate to the Panasonic and Phillips recorders? Can you edit on the current Panasonics, with any DVD types other than RAM? My computer won't play RAM, and that is where I play most of my DVD's.

Thanks

PQ=Picture Quality. Consensus seems to give Panasonic the edge. Editing on the current panasonics sucks. In case you're not already aware, the EH75 you have is worth it's weight in gold, and you should make every effort to continue using it, even if you have to get it it's own cable box. Everything that has come after pales in comparison. Hopefully reports from Wilmington will start rolling in about how TVGOS survived the analog shutdown today.

While everybody says PQ is important to them some people have a different eye for PQ than I do. I'm not saying they or I are right, but I know what I like that's for sure and when it comes to PQ I really prefer Pannys above every DVDR I've seen.I completely agree on this. A judgement of PQ also depends a lot on the type of display you are partial to and own. If you own and prefer a display that delivers a razor sharp picture (like Pioneer and Panasonic plasmas, among others) you will be very sensitive to PQ. DVDR's or DVR's that deliver a softer PQ to the display will seem like a step backwards and in worst case be unacceptable. If you already prefer a display with a softer PQ, it may not matter -- or conversely the sharp PQ of a Panasonic tuner may appear too stark for your taste. I think the point Rammitinski is trying to make is that these are the types of observations and opinions that need to be openly discussed without intimidation.

I, for one, have become very sensitive and demanding toward PQ issues after getting used to watching OTA HD on a 50" Panasonic plasma. I like tack-sharp and am grateful to posters like yourself and Ramm who have auditioned various devices on displays that are similar to mine and agnostically reported the "bad" as well as the "good". It is this kind of reporting that has steered me towards feeding my E-85 with a CM-7000 (which Ramm has demonstrated can be controlled by the ir blaster) and ignoring the functionally more desirable DTVPal. It is also reporting of this kind that has let me know I would most probably be unhappy with the ATSC PQ delivered by the 3575/6 -- and possibly the Magnavox, but currently much less has been reported to form a good opinion by. Given the state of the market and what may or may not appear for recording OTA HD, I may eventually have to buy one of these as a means of last resort. But if I do, at least I'll have a clear indication of what my expectations should be.

Can you edit on the current Panasonics, with any DVD types other than RAM? My computer won't play RAM, and that is where I play most of my DVD's.

Thanks

Editing on a current Panny w/o a HDD or a RAM disc is limited to deleting whole titles, changing the name of titles and changing the thumbnail. Not much better than a VCR.
Before I got a Panny w/hdd I'd needed to pause the recorder during recording to eliminate any material within a show, again similar to a VCR.

Editing on a current Panny w/o a HDD or a RAM disc is limited to deleting whole titles, changing the name of titles and changing the thumbnail. Not much better than a VCR.
Before I got a Panny w/hdd I'd needed to pause the recorder during recording to eliminate any material within a show, again similar to a VCR.Jjeff, are you sure on this? I thought you could record a title to DVD-R then before it was finalized, go in and effectively "edit out" commercials. I believe the process does not delete anything but marks the beginning and end of a commercial then flags that segment to be skipped upon playback. No space is recovered for additional recording as with RAM, you just hide the segments (commercials) you don't want to see.

Will this set-up work, after Feb.17,2009?

I'm not sure if you realize this, but that date ONLY relates to over the air broadcasting. It has NOTHING directly to do with cable broadcasting. Cable could go all digital before or after that.

Jjeff, are you sure on this? I thought you could record a title to DVD-R then before it was finalized, go in and effectively "edit out" commercials. I believe the process does not delete anything but marks the beginning and end of a commercial then flags that segment to be skipped upon playback. No space is recovered for additional recording as with RAM, you just hide the segments (commercials) you don't want to see.

Nope, you can't edit an -R disc that way. You can delete an rntire title from an unfinalized disc though. As you mention, disc space won't be recovered, and the title will still be there on the disc, just made inaccessible in the dvd's directory.

Thanks for the replies. This EH75V wants to finalize every DVD. How can I change that? Also, as a second, backup unit, would you choose a Phillips with a hard drive, or a Panasnic without?

Depends. If you want a backup unit with a hard drive, get the Philips or Magnavox. If not, get the Panasonic.

The hard drive is certainly easier and more convienient for editing.

The only other real difference between the units is probably the picture quality from the digital tuners, if you're planning on using those. The Panny's PQ is sharper and shows more detail, and the Philips/Magnavox's is naturally darker. But if your TV is small enough, you'll probably barely notice the differences, and you should be able to adjust for them to some extent. Some people may even find the Panny's PQ a bit "grainy" and actually prefer the Philips'.

Also, with the Panny, you can archive to DVD-RAM in full-screen 16:9. With the Philips, I think there's some kind of workaround, probably involving using your TV's stretch or zoom modes, but I don't know how good that really is. But with just recording to and watching from the Philips' hard drive, that isn't an issue.

For a backup, I'd probably just get the hard drive unit, in case the Panny ever breaks down, and just for the fact that the HDD models may not be around much longer.

Hopefully reports from Wilmington will start rolling in about how TVGOS survived the analog shutdown today.I don't understand why some people here are even asking this. If the analog OTA broadcast is shut down, those with analog-based TVGOS recorders will lose their TVGOS data. Simple as that.

(Except for maybe the Sony DVR's, which some people are reporting that they can receive the digital data with. But all other TVGOS models not built to receive the digital data will stop getting it, plain and simple.)

I don't understand why some people here are even asking this. If the analog OTA broadcast is shut down, those with analog-based TVGOS recorders will lose their TVGOS data. Simple as that.I think the question is being asked in reference to cable. Once the analog channels go and the analog cable feed is now a converted digital signal, will the TVGOS info still be inserted or will TVGOS be a blank on cable as well.

This EH75V wants to finalize every DVD. How can I change that?

If you use Advanced Copy (select Functions, then Other Functions), you are given the choice of Copy Only or Copy And Finalize.

John

I don't understand why some people here are even asking this. If the analog OTA broadcast is shut down, those with analog-based TVGOS recorders will lose their TVGOS data. Simple as that.

Understood. However when I had an EH75 connected only to a satellite box via s-video, I got guide data, believe it or not. So it was coming from the analog feed to directv, converted to digital for transmission, then back to analog for my svideo input, all guide data intact. The unknown in my mind is will it still work once the cable/sat source feed is all digital.

Thanks for the replies. This EH75V wants to finalize every DVD. How can I change that? Also, as a second, backup unit, would you choose a Phillips with a hard drive, or a Panasnic without?

Since you already have the Panny I'd suggest staying with one of those. This way you could do things like finalizing etc. on your cheaper non HDD Panny and save things like high speed copying for your EH-75.
Another reason would be the media. While both machines record to both + and - formats, Pannys are more native to - and Philips are more native to +R discs. If their both Pannys you can just stick to one disc type. Lastly and this may or may not be important, once you start recording something on a disc in one machine, that disc will not be usable in the other machine until you've finalized the disc in the first machine. In other words if you've recorded many discs on your EH-75 and not finalized them and it craps out you are SOL. If your second machine was another Panny, no problem, they will play and finalize in the other Panny just fine.
As far as your other question about your EH-75 wanting to finalize each disc, if you mean when you eject a unfinalized disc, that's a feature Panasonic added with the ES-15/25/EH-55/75. I don't like it but it's supposed to make it easier for people who don't know what finalizing is about. When you push eject on a unfinalized disc it always asks you if you want to finalize the disc. If you do, just hit REC, if not just hit eject again. I'm just used to hitting eject quickly twice in a row to bypass this annoying feature. I know no way to override the annoying question. I have never once used this feature. When I want to finalize a disc I do it in the functions menu. I usually title and change the thumbnail before I finalize the disc and right after I've done those things I select finalize from that menu.

If you're talking about after HS copying, Jmas answered that question, you want to use Advanced Copy.

I think the question is being asked in reference to cable. Once the analog channels go and the analog cable feed is now a converted digital signal, will the TVGOS info still be inserted or will TVGOS be a blank on cable as well.I don't know what's the matter with me, other than that it was 4:00 am.

As far as TVGOS and cable, some areas have re-inserted it, but it sounds like more haven't - at least so far. So it would depend on whether they are still sending the "pure" analogs or are converting the digital locals to analog and stripping and not re-inserting it.

I know that one person in the LG 3410A thread who lives here in Skokie (not in the city, but close) isn't getting it anymore through Comcast.

Are you guys in the Wilmington area? If so, then you should find out soon enough.

Understood. However when I had an EH75 connected only to a satellite box via s-video, I got guide data, believe it or not. So it was coming from the analog feed to directv, converted to digital for transmission, then back to analog for my svideo input, all guide data intact. The unknown in my mind is will it still work once the cable/sat source feed is all digital.There was talk way back when that the EH75 and EH55 would work when they switched. Some scoffed at me when I mentioned it. I think Kelson at least questioned the fact that "how could it work, if it doesn't have a digital tuner?". I really didn't have a good answer for him at the time (still don't, really), but that's what I had always "heard" (read), so maybe it will turn out to be true.

Possibly has some kind of D/A converter built-in (like the DTVPal was supposed to have).

Those SD models were the only ones that were reported to be able to do that. The Toshiba's which also had v9 supposedly wouldn't work (they also coincidently wouldn't work with satellite - only those two Pannies would).

I'm guessing you have DirecTV, right? Because I don't get any guide data from my SD Dish tuner, no matter which way it's connected.

(I know this information doesn't help Kelson any, though. But it might be of interest to jjeff.)

Thanks again, for all of the replies. Do you have to into Functions every time that you don't want to finalize, or will it remember your last choice?

If you're talking about high speed copy, no it doesn't remember what you did last. This is basically why I always use Advanced Copy vs. just Copy. Their you get the choice to finalize or not.

The Panasonic EH75 is probably the most hopelessly sought-after DVD/HDD recorder by members of this forum. Not by me, I've been using Pioneers for too long and TVGOS leaves me cold, but the general majority here firmly seems to believe the Panasonic EH55 and EH75 were the most compelling recorders ever made (Toshiba fans aside).

So the first order of business is, take a breath and smile that you got your hands on one while it was still possible under $1000:D. Enjoy the machine. Whatever happens with analog TVGOS will happen- nothing we can do about it. We're entirely dependent on cable companies to re-transmit the data, not their highest priority by far. I think a number of new transition products are being held back until February creates a big market for them: the TVGOS company fully intends to move ahead with an ATSC system and may have something up their sleeve like a co-branded ATSC box that converts digital pilot signals to analog for older recorders. This ain't over just yet...

I've got two Pannies, but the most special place in my heart is probably for my Sony RDR-HX900.

I'm not really such an editing freak that the Panny's and Toshiba's extra capabilities matter so much, and it's almost like having a top-end DVD player, that just happens to record and have a 160 GB hard drive in it (and TVGOS that works, of course).

That thing makes me smile just to look at it.