Polaroid DVD Recorder Model# DRM-2001G. With a 80 gig hard drive, LSI chipset
$219.88. Comming to Walmart ?
Joe

This might help. Maybe it will be a winner, who knows.

http://www.polaroid.com/global/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441764403&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032643&bmLocale=en_US

http://www.pr-inside.com/new-polaroid-dvd-recorders-deliver-ease-of-use-and-high-quality-personal-video-creation-by-incorporating-yesdvd-and-lsi-logic-technologies-r3177.htm

http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/132/42/

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4891345

http://reviews.mobilewhack.com/polaroid_drm-2001g_dvd_recorder.html

Great links Gratefull11! I added this to the list of 2006 HDD-models.

I'm definitely up to being a "guinea pig" for this one. I'm going to start checking WalMarts when one is nearby wherever I might be. Now if I could just find a .pdf Manual for this thing.

You're welcome for the links.

Great for anyone who wants to see their video develop instantly on paper before their very eyes. That's what that slot on the bottom front of the recorder is for...

...now we return to our regularly scheduled program.

Thanks for clearing that up vferrari ;) Yeah, I did happen to see this strange device appear at my local Walmart,,, very curious as to the quality, 80gig HD for $219!

Thanks for clearing that up vferrari ;) Yeah, I did happen to see this strange device appear at my local Walmart,,, very curious as to the quality, 80gig HD for $219!

Did they have it out of the box? Curious as to know if it felt like it was anything substantial
or more like a Cyberhome or Durabrand junker?

The price makes it an intriguing prospect. It may not be a candidate as the main recorder for some, but it could be a part of a virtual multi-tuner system!

Brand new to the Forum. Thanks to all for making it available.

Polaroid has posted the User Manual on their website. Some VERY interesting features.

... 2.5 hour record mode
... Component In (yes, both in and out)
... +/- R/RW
.... NTSC/PAL
... Lots of other fun stuff

All-In-All, not bad for a couple hundred bucks. As soon as they show up at my Wal-Mart, one is coming home with me.

On page 20 of the manual it DOES NOT list COMPONENT INPUT as one of the selectable inputs to record from.

This may mean nothing, couldjust be a typo error.

Until people begin to use this unit, we won't know for sure though.

Here it is from the manual:

Recording modes:
• There are various external signal inputs in the unit, including S-Video, composite video, TV tuning, DV input and
stereo audio input. You can select any group of audio and video signals from these inputs for recording.
• There are six available recording modes of different qualities, including SLP (6 hours), EP (4 hours), LP (3 hours),
SP+ (2.5hours), SP (2 hours) and HQ (1 hour).
• The unit has a function of timer recording. You can set up a recording schedule in advance. The unit will record
the programs that you select automatically.
Entering the recoding mode and menu description:
To enter the recording mode:
1. In the disc mode, press the “INPUT” button to enter the Monitoring Mode. The Monitoring Mode can be regarded
as a sub-mode of the Recording Mode.
2. The system will automatically enter the Recording Mode when the setup time is reached. For details about timer
recording, see “Timer Recording” for reference.
3. In the Recording Mode, press the “DISPLAY” button to show or hide the recording control bar menu.
Manual Recording:
Recording Source: You can select which video input the unit should record from. The following options are available: Rear
Composite, Rear S-Video, Tuner, Front Composite, DV, and YPbPr Input
• Press the “INPUT” button (repeatedly) to change the video source and select one of the above.
Note: If you are recording from a rear source, make sure your audio connections are connected to the rear audio inputs.
If you are recording from a front source, make sure your audio connections are connected to the front audio inputs.

OOOPSSS!!!!


JUST noticed the YPbPr input towards the bottom.

DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DOH!!!!!!!!!!! DOH!!!!!!!!!!!

Ignore the above 2 posts.

Sorry.

Very intriguiging product. I have a Panasonic e80h that is still going strong and love the PVR functions for time shifting and making dvd's of my favorites. Another unit that may actually be able to take a larger HD would make life even better....HMMMM!

I have browsed through the manual, I have not read it cover-to-cover. Here are some observations:

* Pages 18 and 34 seem to indicate that this model has a live time-shifting buffer and you have the option of keeping the buffer contents when you change channels. You can save all or part of the buffer. Buffer is 60 minutes long.

* The "TVGuardian" feature is Orwellean-scary!

* The manual is not perfect (I'm trying to be nice)

* Creates a YesDVD on +R/+RW with chapter picture creation and other bells and whistles including a DVD cover case sheet (!) - page 23

* It has Volume Control

* No mention of whether it supports -RW(VR) mode. This seems to be a + leaning recorder so that makes some sense. But it would get bonus points for -RW(VR) mode! Join the VRade!!!

* The manual is 48 pages but only 700K, mainly because it has very few and low-res pictures.


The Screen Saver function means that when the unit is idle (or without monitored output) for some time, some interesting
pictures will appear automatically on the screen as a screen saver.

This is my favorite line in the manual so far. Some "Interesting pictures" :-)

Fortunately, TV Guardian is by subscription. If you don't buy it, it isn't available and won't interfere with anything.

Any idea on when this is going to be available at the B&M Walmart?

I think I would go with the new Pioneer with 80gHD for $80 more, but since Walmart has a generous return policy, this may be a viable alternative if the Pioneers don't make it to market. Also the component input makes it very attractive.

Polaroid had the user manual for this model on their site, and sure enough, on page 4 outlining that back of the unit, #11 says component input.

http://www.polaroid.com/media/com/text/products/petters/drm-2001g_fa37.pdf

gotta check out this baby at my local Walmart this week, if available

Fortunately, TV Guardian is by subscription. If you don't buy it, it isn't available and won't interfere with anything. Are you sure of that? The Sanyo VCR's and DVD players that Walmart has sold over the years have had that feature, and it never mentioned anything about a subscription on the display cards. I think I even looked in one of the DVD/VCR's manual there once and it didn't mention that. I think it just told how it works and how to turn it on or off. I remember Radio Shack used to sell a standalone unit that had that in their catalog too, and it didn't mention needing any subscription. I could be wrong, though.

From looking at the specs in the manual, it looks like a Philips designed product or at least using the Philips designed chipsets.

The component inputs, recording speeds, media and even the YESDVD software are all common in Philips/Magnavox units. :D

Some Polaroid DRM-2001G clones from asia.

Search for Napol HDR228 and Hanil DRW-9000 recorders (i can´t post URLs...only after 5 posts...)


Roberto

Some Polaroid DRM-2001G clones from asia.

Search for Napol HDR228 and Hanil DRW-9000 recorders (i can´t post URLs...only after 5 posts...)


Roberto

You can post the urls without the http. They won't show as links but people can cut/paste the url name in their browser. And welcome to the board :-)

Are you sure of that? The Sanyo VCR's and DVD players that Walmart has sold over the years have had that feature, and it never mentioned anything about a subscription on the display cards. I think I even looked in one of the DVD/VCR's manual there once and it didn't mention that. I think it just told how it works and how to turn it on or off. I remember Radio Shack used to sell a standalone unit that had that in their catalog too, and it didn't mention needing any subscription. I could be wrong, though.

The user manual has a whole page on this feature. You have to pay $20 and activate the feature either online or via phone by getting a special code that unlocks it. That's what the user manual says. I have no idea what happens in practice since this has not been released yet :)

TV Guardian

http://tvguardian.com/gshell.php

Any idea on when this is going to be available at the B&M Walmart?

I think I would go with the new Pioneer with 80gHD for $80 more, but since Walmart has a generous return policy, this may be a viable alternative if the Pioneers don't make it to market. Also the component input makes it very attractive.

What the item # of the upcoming Pioneer? The only one that seems to be getting talked
about has a an MSRP of $399, Pioneer DVR-640H-S.

I guess it doesn't much matter. They arrived at my local Wal-Mart. I took it to the checkout.
They wouldn't let me buy it. Electronics manager was in the process of removing them from the shelf. Would only say they had been recalled, but didn't know why.

Think I will call Polaroid to see if I can get more info.

Knew it was too good to be true.

I guess it doesn't much matter. They arrived at my local Wal-Mart. I took it to the checkout.
They wouldn't let me buy it. Electronics manager was in the process of removing them from the shelf. Would only say they had been recalled, but didn't know why.

Think I will call Polaroid to see if I can get more info.

Knew it was too good to be true.

Probably bypasses the encryption or something they forgot to enable. If I find one I'm
going see if I can get by them anyway, of course I'm going to pay for it.

Went just now tonight to a 24 hour one and they had a spot, supposedly had some coming in, then he checked with another 24 hour one and was told the same thing, recalled :(
Think I'll do the same and call all the local ones and see if anybody missed pulling theirs. He was also told they had a bunch at the other store 2 days ago.

Just got off the phone with Polaroid support.

The recall only affected specific stores. Seems a large shipment was sent with the wrong user's manual. If your store was not affected, it should still be available. When the affected units are repackaged, they will be sent back to market.

There is still hope!

What the item # of the upcoming Pioneer? The only one that seems to be getting talked
about has a an MSRP of $399, Pioneer DVR-640H-S.

Check the 2006 Pioneer thread. Everybody is talking about the 160GB HD for $399, but there is supposed to be an 80GB HD model available (model 540 I think) for $299. I've always been partial to Pioneers, but the Polaroid certainly is tempting.

If anybody scores one these, please let us know ASAP.

I called almost all of the stores remotely close to me, 1 has 2 in stock but can't sell me one because of the recall, registers wont take the SKU even if I could have talked her into it and I tried...
I think they all are going back and hopefully in a week or 2 we'll have some available. They are even now listed as out of stock when you go to the online ordering page, last night it wasn't, but was in the new product part.

do you guys know if this model is coming to Canadian Walmart?

thx

Does the recall mean the price is going to go up to cover the costs of the re-packaging?

I have printed off the page from Wal-Mart's web site with the current price. If they try to raise it, I will complain to the store manager about "Always Lower Prices, Always" ;>)

I saw several today at Walmart. Some keys for this unit IMHO is; does it have divide and flex record function and will it do chase play? Also when I examined underneath the box ,where it had all the specs I did not see that it records to DVD-R or DVD-RW, just DVD+R and DVD+RW. I could be wrong, I was in a hurry. I did note that someone says the user manual above says it does do all four.

They won't show as links but people can cut/paste the name in their browser. And welcome to the board :-)

Thank you for the welcome end tip.

Napol HDR228
alibaba/catalog/11289018/DVD_Recorder_With_HDD_228

Hanil DRW-9000
alibaba/catalog/11393699/DVD_Recorder_DRW_9000_With_160G_HDD


Roberto

I saw several today at Walmart. Some keys for this unit IMHO is; does it have divide and flex record function and will it do chase play? Also when I examined underneath the box ,where it had all the specs I did not see that it records to DVD-R or DVD-RW, just DVD+R and DVD+RW. I could be wrong, I was in a hurry. I did note that someone says the user manual above says it does do all four.


And you didn't buy it? Somebody buy it and report back.

On Page 46 of the user manual (Specifications): Supported recordable disc functions: DVD+R/RW , DVD-R/RW

Man, with the component in, this is tempting. I wish my Walmart had one for purchase. I may have to look again. I wish the Pioneers would hurry up and be released (good luck).....

Check the 2006 Pioneer thread. Everybody is talking about the 160GB HD for $399, but there is supposed to be an 80GB HD model available (model 540 I think) for $299. I've always been partial to Pioneers, but the Polaroid certainly is tempting.

If anybody scores one these, please let us know ASAP.

Is this the Pioneer?

http://www.pioneer-eur.com/eur/product_detail.jsp?product_id=12224&taxonomy_id=42-125

It's on a european site but that's all I could find.

Is this the Pioneer?

http://www.pioneer-eur.com/eur/product_detail.jsp?product_id=12224&taxonomy_id=42-125

It's on a european site but that's all I could find.

If I'm not mistaken NA version will have 80Gb drive in it, there is already thread about it:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=646240

I found on the web one guy saying about Polaroid PQ to be very good, however the fun was lound...hehee..... I'm thinking about buying one too ;). I wonder if 80gb drive can be replaced with the bigger one. :)

Ok- I have some new info on this Polaroid from a very trustworthy and reliable friend here in Houston who picked one up today. It does have divide function(called split) on HDD recordings but confirmed NO flex record. And he said it definitely has component input. He also said it reminded him of past Philips HDD models - someone else on this board said this as well. Philips does license a lot of their technology to others. He said it is absolutey THE loudest DVDR he has ever experienced. He said it makes the noise from the 2005 Pioneers(which had a lot of complaints about EPG noise) seem like a mouse. He said the noise was continuous and constant even when you were doing zilch with the unit. He also said that when he bought it at Walmart it rang up "No sale allowed"(This was due to the recall). The clerk ran off with the unit ,came back and then manually overrode the register and sale complete ! I thought this was rather humorous.

PS- something that I forgot- he said he still is perplexed trying to find the right button on remote to ERASE a DVD-RW or DVD+RW(The unit did play both from other DVDRS he had.) The Manual is very confusing and arcane on this, could be the recall, Anyway more later this week. Oh also he said that on the actual unit LED screen that lights up for "S-Video Line" line was spelled Liue. I am not kidding.

I wish they would have done that for me here when I called the one store that hadn't sent back the 2 they had. I have a hdtv card, a panny e80h unit and several svhs machines but capping shows on the hd of the panny then editing later has been the easiest route for me so it's be great to get another one that doesn't cost almost 400 bucks, even if it is loud, and I bet it'll take a bigger drive, my panny wont :(

It may not have FR mode, but it has 2.5h and 3hr recording modes, which can be a reasonable compromise compared to Panasonic's implementation of FR, since Panasonic's FR always fills up the DVD unless you manually stop it. Of course we have to wait and see how good the recordings are at those modes.

The low price makes it very intriguing... But we have to wait for reviews and such first...

Well it sounds like some people are getting these things. Other than the obvious price difference and component in, are there any other features that this machine has that puts it above a comprable Pioneer or Panasonic unit ?

couldn't really tell from the manual, but I'd like to know if you could edit it/remove commercials from a recording on the HDD before burning it to disc

I just bought one for $140.00 from Craigslist. It absolutely has component in and out as shown on the users manual link posted on this thread and I am using both.

http://www.polaroid.com/media/com/text/products/petters/drm-2001g_fa37.pdf

I like the recorder a lot and have made great copies using SP on both HDD an on DVD-R Sony 16X disks. Works like charm and is an incredible value. Read the manual.

Tony

I just bought one for $140.00 from Craigslist. It absolutely has component in and out as shown on the users manual link posted on this thread and I am using both.

http://www.polaroid.com/media/com/text/products/petters/drm-2001g_fa37.pdf

I like the recorder a lot and have made great copies using SP on both HDD an on DVD-R Sony 16X disks. Works like charm and is an incredible value. Read the manual.

Tony

Tell us more! Tell us more! I think this is a unit that has a lot of interest, mainly because of the low low price.

I just bought one for $140.00 from Craigslist. It absolutely has component in and out as shown on the users manual link posted on this thread and I am using both.

http://www.polaroid.com/media/com/text/products/petters/drm-2001g_fa37.pdf

I like the recorder a lot and have made great copies using SP on both HDD an on DVD-R Sony 16X disks. Works like charm and is an incredible value. Read the manual.

Tony

Is it as loud as HoustonGuy's friend says it is?
Thanks

I just bought one for $140.00 from Craigslist. It absolutely has component in and out as shown on the users manual link posted on this thread and I am using both.

http://www.polaroid.com/media/com/text/products/petters/drm-2001g_fa37.pdf

I like the recorder a lot and have made great copies using SP on both HDD an on DVD-R Sony 16X disks. Works like charm and is an incredible value. Read the manual.

Tony

how are the editing capabilities, ie can you remove commercials from a recording on the HDD ?

On page 12 of the manual, it talks about fine tuning channel frequency. In the picture, it shows the current frequency of channel 034 as 607.30MHz. Does this "Fine Tuning" ability give an indication that this unit has a digital tuner?

So Tony, are you going to give us a review? It appears that a lot of people are waiting to hear about this model. Let's have it!

I have not used it as much as I have wanted to. Old herniated back is acting up ( injured while moving Runco 980 CRT ) I bought the pre recal Polaroid recorder, one of eight, new and in unopened box from a frustrated seller, who could not make them work and sold them all. Very unfriendly instruction manual.. It is not intuitive, The instructions manual and navigation commands menu's are worse than Joe Kane's menu's for locating anything on his discs.

The frustration reward however, is in the fabulous picture. Component in and component out in the SQ and SP mode are fantastic. The 6. 75 AVIA resolution circle and multiburst paterns have no aliasing, ringing or softness. Superior results by far, if compared to my Panny RP-91, Sony 9000ES, Yamaha 5750, Yamaha 2300, Pioneer DVD-09, Ppioneer DVD D-7400 industrial studio player, Panny E95, Panny E-80, Sony Sp S7000, Cyberhome and Yamakawa. My old interlace champ was the Panny RP-91, but has now been dethroned by the Polaroid.
The colors are also the best, with no visible hue or saturation differences using the blue filter and flashing patterns.

It will resolve blacker than black and the grey scale and gamma curve is very very good with uniform steps. There are no picture adjustments that I can find on the recorder and maybe that is the secret. Short electronic path. No Monster wires inside.

The fan is loud when on. It's off at standby. You can edit out commercials timed to 0.5 second accuracy, by viewing recorded program and segmenting it on HDD before dubbing to DVD. See Polaroid manual on their link. I am still learning about the unit and have not worked the frequency tuning.

I would be surprised if it would tune digital channels. Maybe it is for cable or multipath rejection? I will play around with the tuning and off air recording later, Primarily I record digital only off the air using a Sylvania HD tuner and feed 480i to my DVD recorder. I record 720p and 1080i using the LG HD tuner/ hard disc recorder

My Polaroid manual and remote button legend is slightly different than on the Polaroid link, although the functionality seems to be the same. My manual and instructions are so convoluted that I can see why Walmart returned the first shipments.

My home theater is configured to run all component interlaced video sources and digital audio into an Extron Matrix switcher and from there out via component to a Belkin wireless high bandwidth transmitter that sends digital high band width video with copyguard, macrovision and all that junk stripped off, with resultant higher quality to a Belkin receiver ( I think Belkin has changed all that after Sound And Vision did expose this fortunate piece of engineering ) and from there to a DVDO HD+ or Faroudja NR upconverted to 1080i and into my Runco 980 CRT projector. With 1080i I have absolutely no convergence drift, like I had with 720p and 960p.

The path is long, but the bandwidth is very high and any signal losses or distortions undetectable. with any of the evaluation discs.

Bottom line, to me it's a great value for the money and highly recommended if you can put up with some strange instructions and operating steps. Put it in a cabinet, if the fan is bothersome. Mine is a keeper and I will buy another when Walmart gets them back. If nothing else it is a great DVD player for the money. With it's hard drive recording you get icing on the fortune cookie.

Tony,

Thanks for the rundown on this unit. Many of us are waiting for them to be restocked. Do you have an indication of how well the Dolby 5.1 audio outputs work as compared to the usual 2 channel?

tonyjur, you said you have yours setup with component out. Does is upconvert to 720p/1080i over component ?

NorthJersey,

No, it does not upconvert. It outputs 480i and 480p on all its outputs, including component. I use component 480i out and upconvert to 1080i on my DVDO HD+, or 720p on my Faroudja NR. I prefer the output scalers, since I can do so much more with them, besides scaling.

It's a very good DVD player. It's a very good recorder and the component in feature and hard disc, makes it a rare combination at that price. These performance values can be measured, using AVIA.

It does have however, have a convoluted, difficult, user unfriendly operating structure and a poor remote with tiny buttons located in not the obvious places. If I have to change anything, I need a flashlight and the operating manual. I am so used to the Japanese recorders that this is very frustrating to me. But, then that may be just me. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

thanks for the info!

Tonyjur, thanks for all the feedback on this new Polaroid recorder! This sounds very promising given its price! Look forward to more of your comments!

I have one question: How do you find the other recording modes (2.5hour, 3hour, 4hour)?

I am getting spoiled by the dual-tuner Comcast DVR, so theoretically I could get two of these instead of one Pioneer/Panasonic for $400 so I can record in parallel.

I have not tried the other speeds or the 5.1 output. Will try to get to it later.

I am curious, is it just me or are the newer high tech products, with a few exeptions (i.e. Apple) getting more difficult to use with little regard to user needs? I ranted about the Polaroid recorder operating system and remote. Check out my sons new camera from Kodak, the CAMERA people. A pen based camera!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/131590814/

Any comments?

...
....
Bottom line, to me it's a great value for the money and highly recommended if you can put up with some strange instructions and operating steps. Put it in a cabinet, if the fan is bothersome. Mine is a keeper and I will buy another when Walmart gets them back. If nothing else it is a great DVD player for the money. With it's hard drive recording you get icing on the fortune cookie.
...


Thanks Tony, I wonder if the fan can be replaced, also it would be kewl if we could upgrade the drive to something like 300gb :eek: . I wonder what filesystem does it uses, fat32, ntfs or some flavour of linux..... maybe it will be as simple as swaping drives...hmm... can't wait to get my hands on that puppy. One question, when you record a show off an input (i.e. composite, with dishnetwork receiver connected to it) to hdd, will it grab the tiltle of the show/movie automaticaly or will I have to edit the title manually?

TIA :D

I have not tried the other speeds or the 5.1 output. Will try to get to it later.

I am curious, is it just me or are the newer high tech products, with a few exeptions (i.e. Apple) getting more difficult to use with little regard to user needs? I ranted about the Polaroid recorder operating system and remote. Check out my sons new camera from Kodak, the CAMERA people. A pen based camera!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/131590814/

Any comments?

Kodak, the japanese camera people, since all their digital camera design/etc is done in Japan :)

Kodak has been trying new things in digital cameras, so if nothing else, they deserve credit for thinking outside the (camera) box even if their initial implementations are not perfect.

The usability issue also depends on who is using the product., who is the target audience, who is the actual audience, etc, etc,.... For example DVD recorders are more confusing to the average consumer than VCRs, but for those with extensive experience in electronics they are fairly straightforward.

Is there a way to connect my sa8300hd to both my tv AND this polaroid recorder, both using component video cables ? If I run the cabling sa8300hd -> polaroid -> tv, the polaroid doesn't accept nor output HD resolutions ?

Any company make a set of component video cable(s) that splits off one on end, into a Y-cable, ie one end carries the source video, to two component video targets ?

If this existed, then I could connect the 8300hd to both tv and recorder at the same time; to send hd to the tv, use my current mode (passthrough of 720p/1080i); to send to the recorder, just set the 8300hd to output video at 480i. This way I wouldn't have to swap cables everytime I want to send something to the recorder.

My Sony directview had dvi, which has my Zenith dvd player connected to it; the 8300hd connected to one component input; the other component video input connected from a switch (xbox360 and ps2). I figure I'd send the component video output from the polaroid to this switch

Is there a way to connect my sa8300hd to both my tv AND this polaroid recorder, both using component video cables ? If I run the cabling sa8300hd -> polaroid -> tv, the polaroid doesn't accept nor output HD resolutions ?

Any company make a set of component video cable(s) that splits off one on end, into a Y-cable, ie one end carries the source video, to two component video targets ?

If this existed, then I could connect the 8300hd to both tv and recorder at the same time; to send hd to the tv, use my current mode (passthrough of 720p/1080i); to send to the recorder, just set the 8300hd to output video at 480i. This way I wouldn't have to swap cables everytime I want to send something to the recorder.

My Sony directview had dvi, which has my Zenith dvd player connected to it; the 8300hd connected to one component input; the other component video input connected from a switch (xbox360 and ps2). I figure I'd send the component video output from the polaroid to this switch

If you are actually disconnecting component cables, Wal-Mart sells a "component connection box" which has component input and (3 or 4 - can't remember) component outputs for about $20. Don't know how well it works, but appears to be a video router of sorts.

thanks, the "switch" I was referring to is actually a component connection box

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Just got back from Wal-Mart. The component connection box they have for $20 is a manual Phillips unit which has 4 inputs and one output. You can do any combination of composite, s-video, or component input/output.

Is there a way to connect my sa8300hd to both my tv AND this polaroid recorder, both using component video cables ?


http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103918

Vin,

I have read some reports of this box not supporting resolutions above 480p very well. Do you have any personal experience with this box?

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Just got back from Wal-Mart. The component connection box they have for $20 is a manual Phillips unit which has 4 inputs and one output. You can do any combination of composite, s-video, or component input/output.
The manual switch will also work in reverse, i.e., the output becomes the input for the source and the inputs become outputs to send the source signal to different devices, albeit, to one device at a time.

Vin,

I have read some reports of this box not supporting resolutions above 480p very well. Do you have any personal experience with this box?
No Dave, no personal experience with it.....maybe someone who has used it successfully for 720p/1080i will chime in.

tonyjur did you had a chance to play with it more to give us more feedback on this promising dvd recorder?

Also does anybody know the real reason why all Polaroid units were pulled out of Wallmart? and when is Wallmart expecting them back in stock? I believe Wallmart is the only retailer carrying them :(

TIA,

mc

I saw a stack of these on the shelf at our local WalMart last night.

I don't know if they are some that should have been recalled or some that have returned since the recall.

I saw a stack of these on the shelf at our local WalMart last night.

I don't know if they are some that should have been recalled or some that have returned since the recall.

Please keep us in the loop, I went with the new Philips hdd dvr myself, however it was bought on ebay (I'm still waiting for a reply from a seller :D ). I called my closest US walmart (north NY) 3 times last week and they didn't have them.

Last I checked (today) they were still listed as out of stock but they were outa stock back when they first showed up too. I just got a 250 gig cheap hard drive today too and was hoping they'd come back in soon so I could try it in one ;)

My local store refused to sell me one due to the recall, so I ordered it from Walmart online..
Had it hooked up and running just fine, realtime record and timesynch, the works (except DVD to HDD)
Until I tried to watch something on a HighDef channel and it was not compatable with the High Def signal..

One annoying thing about the box though...If it was powered off it did not default to the last selected output mode (in my case YUV) but back to coax.

I had hooked it up
HD Cable box ---Component cables---DRM-2001G----Component cables-----TV

No help from "customer service" either......

No current DVD Recorder can accept more than 480i. Unless you wait for a High-Definition Recorder, the next one you get will have the same problem.

Any more user comments on this model? The price is very tempting :-)

My local store refused to sell me one due to the recall, so I ordered it from Walmart online..
Had it hooked up and running just fine, realtime record and timesynch, the works (except DVD to HDD)
Until I tried to watch something on a HighDef channel and it was not compatable with the High Def signal..

One annoying thing about the box though...If it was powered off it did not default to the last selected output mode (in my case YUV) but back to coax.

I had hooked it up
HD Cable box ---Component cables---DRM-2001G----Component cables-----TV

No help from "customer service" either......


How did you order it from Wal-Mart online? It has been out of stock since it was first listed, and they won't sell it to me either. If you have knowledge of how to obtain this unit, please share....

Thanks.

Wal-Mart at Lynnwood, Wa has some. I picked one up in case I cant get my Pio 531 working again.

No current DVD Recorder can accept more than 480i. Unless you wait for a High-Definition Recorder, the next one you get will have the same problem.

I understand about it not recording HD but what about when recording 16:9 material,
how do you get rid of the gray bars on top and bottom? Why do DVD recorders do this?
My TV is 16:9 but it's like they record with a box all the way around the recorded
content. This may be a bad way to discribe it.

OK, I have unboxed and hooked this up to try it out. Looks like someone either misassembled it, or tried to pry it open, the front fascia wasnt seated properly in the case, and it caused the drawer to not open/close properly. I was able to pop it back properly tho. The remote is a pain, its very small and the buttons are small. Other than that, the only issue I see is that when a timer recording is scheduled, there is a small clock displayed in the bottom corner of the screen, and I cant figure out how to get it to go away, other than cancelling the recording, but that sort of defeats the purpose of the thing, for me at least. Anyone else have this issue, or figure out how to make it go away? I missed Polaroid customer service by 5 minutes, wil try tomorrow, but I dotn have my hopes up that they will know a fix.

OK, I have unboxed and hooked this up to try it out. Looks like someone either misassembled it, or tried to pry it open, the front fascia wasnt seated properly in the case, and it caused the drawer to not open/close properly. I was able to pop it back properly tho. The remote is a pain, its very small and the buttons are small. Other than that, the only issue I see is that when a timer recording is scheduled, there is a small clock displayed in the bottom corner of the screen, and I cant figure out how to get it to go away, other than cancelling the recording, but that sort of defeats the purpose of the thing, for me at least. Anyone else have this issue, or figure out how to make it go away? I missed Polaroid customer service by 5 minutes, wil try tomorrow, but I dotn have my hopes up that they will know a fix.

Does yours have an updated manual or is it the pre-recall user manual?

If it is a post-recall model, maybe the missassembly was because they tried to fix something inside? (or perhaps it was a return?)

Did you try any of the 2.5h or 3h or 4h modes? :)

I understand about it not recording HD but what about when recording 16:9 material,
how do you get rid of the gray bars on top and bottom?I understand your problem, and someone makes a Topic in this Forum at least weekly asking the same question. Take a look back through the Topics, many of them have 16:9 in their title. Also, the Sticky Topic at the top of the Forum has a thorough treatment of this problem. I alone have addressed it a half dozen times. Look for some of my posts with the word 'Anamorphic' in them.
Why do DVD recorders do this? My TV is 16:9 but it's like they record with a box all the way around the recorded
content. This may be a bad way to discribe it.DVD Recorders specifically DO NOT do this, you will learn that when you "read all about it" in the substantial amount that's already been written.

I understand your problem, and someone makes a Topic in this Forum at least weekly asking the same question. Take a look back through the Topics, many of them have 16:9 in their title. Also, the Sticky Topic at the top of the Forum has a thorough treatment of this problem. I alone have addressed it a half dozen times. Look for some of my posts with the word 'Anamorphic' in them.
DVD Recorders specifically DO NOT do this, you will learn that when you "read all about it" in the substantial amount that's already been written.

Bob - don't you agree we badly need a sticky on this?- I agree with everything you say- maybe you can write it and convince admin to post. Actually I just saw that we HAVE a sticky on this- maybe it is titled wrong. It should be something such as "16:9 Recording and Bars on your DVDR"-:)

Yes we definitely need a Sticky Topic on this subject. It's quite simple to explain, yet so many people have trouble understanding it.

When I get a chance (in the next couple of days) I'll commit my best explanation to a text file. Then either approach an Administrator of this Forum about posting it as a Sticky Topic, or, failing that, simply post it anyway, at least it can then be linked to in response to these questions.

I got mine at Wal-Mart, I literally had to talk them into selling it to me because it wouldn't ring through the register. One of the department guys called someone and they did an override so I got it. So far so good, I have a lot of things I want to do with it. I like it, the HDD is nice and clear and so is the Optical Disk I recorded.

I haven't noticed any motor noise, but I was concentrating so hard that I may not have noticed anything.

The manual is confusing. It took me forever to figure out how to Auto tune my channels (APS - duh). Make sure to set your subtitles to off from the set-up menu because I couldn't change it once a DVD was in the machine. I can't find any reference to using DVD-R/-RW only DVD+R/+RW, maybe that is on the more expensive machine.

The remote is difficult, you really have to make sure it is lined up with the sensor or it won't do anything and it seems like it is a really narrow window. I finally found that I can set my timer through the remote timer button easier than going through the set-up button and also the rec to button changed from HDD to Optical Disk to DV (don't have it) with a push of a button.

I have connected my VCR (plays and records through channel 3), and my DVD player (rear S-Video). I couldn't figure out how to change the video source until my nephew read on-line that you just keep pushing the monitor button until you get to the right source. I could probably hook up my VCR either in the back or the front but so far this is working fine.

I recorded to the HDD and to an optical disk. I used the segment feature (push the OK button in the middle) with the program to take out the commercials on the HDD and I found that you really have to hold down the button to make it work. I was just pressing it and I couldn't get it to come on. Of course with the size of the buttons you almost can't help but push another button at the same time. The nice part is that in the edit mode you can fast forward to make sure the segment has started or ended then go on. Also you can go back later and make adjustments to the segments before you save to Optical disk.

I haven't played with the Optical disk much yet, I just changed the chapter title picture. I haven't used the split or the time shift.

My biggest complaint: How do I get rid of the military time display? I have set the time for am/pm and all the programs have set up correctly but the front of the machine shows 24 hour time.

OK, just got off the phone with Polaroid, and no surprise, they dont know how to get rid of the timer icon. I have also discovered that this is onscreen even when watching a commercial dvd. Not good. If there isnt a way of getting rid of that, I cant see too many people wanting to keep the machine. Hopefully there is a fix. They are going to research it, and get back to me in 3-5 business days. I will have to see how the time shows up this afternoon to see if I have 24 hr time or not, I honestly didnt notice last nite one way or the other. Otherwise this seems to be a pretty cool little machine, and it seems pretty easy to use, not overly complicated like some machines.

I have no idea whether or not this unit will recognize different components, but the hard drive and burner are both 40-pin IDE units.

Before I hooked things up, thought I would peek inside. It appears well laid out and clean. The hard drive is a Western Digital Caviar 80-Gig unit. I did not take the shield off the burner, so have no idea what it is. The main circuit board is labeled LSI PVR-1000 if that means anything to those of you who understand these things. The remote is somewhat small/crowded, but it is still as good as, or better than most.

I basically wanted to know if the hard drive was user replaceable and unless it requires some service programming it appears to be so. The cover is back on and it is going in the cabinet. If the PQ is good, it will definitely be a keeper.

Are you having the same issue with the timer record icon staying on-screen?

I recorded a few things on the 3 hr setting on the hdd, and I thought they looked just fine.

Except of course for the icon that wont go away....

Are you having the same issue with the timer record icon staying on-screen?

I recorded a few things on the 3 hr setting on the hdd, and I thought they looked just fine.

Except of course for the icon that wont go away....


I'm afraid it will be a day or so before I get it completely connected. Grandkids currently have control of the TV. :D Perhaps another owner will be able to answer your question before that.

I just put in a commercial DVD and the only thing on my screen is the movie, no timer icon. So there must be a way to shut it off. I also put in something I saved on the HDD last night and the timer icon goes away right after it begins playing.

I just put in a commercial DVD and the only thing on my screen is the movie, no timer icon. So there must be a way to shut it off.


Did you have a timer recording scheduled when you did this?

My Icon is still showing, regardless of what we are watching. I do have timer recordings scheduled continuously (weekly) tho. I am wondering if your icon is going away after a one time event. If not then I must have a defective machine or something. I must say tho, that otherwise, the more I use this, the more I like it.

No, I have only scheduled 1-time events so far. I'll probably start using it for everyday recording once a couple of the cable shows start up with their new episodes again just so I can play with it some more.

Any chance you could schedule and event for weekly, of for two weeks from now, see if you get the icon all the time, then cancel the timer and report back? I also found last nite that I am getting 24 hr time on the display clock as well. Hmmm. That one is a minor annoyance but I can live with it.

I have no idea whether or not this unit will recognize different components, but the hard drive and burner are both 40-pin IDE units.

Before I hooked things up, thought I would peek inside. It appears well laid out and clean. The hard drive is a Western Digital Caviar 80-Gig unit. I did not take the shield off the burner, so have no idea what it is. The main circuit board is labeled LSI PVR-1000 if that means anything to those of you who understand these things. The remote is somewhat small/crowded, but it is still as good as, or better than most.

I basically wanted to know if the hard drive was user replaceable and unless it requires some service programming it appears to be so. The cover is back on and it is going in the cabinet. If the PQ is good, it will definitely be a keeper.

Great post! Thanks for giving us an insight to its ...insides :-)

I set the timer for weekly and there is a little square timer icon in the bottom right of the screen. It is actually less obnoxious than the ones the stations put on their screens, so it probably won't be an issue for me. I canceled the program and the icon went away.

Now the subtitle button is working.

Oh, the trials, LOL.

Hmm the first dvd we played came on with subtitles too. Had to go in and turn them off.
The problem I have with the Icon is that is is always there, even when watching a dvd, or a hdd recorded program. There has got to be a way to shut it off. I hope.

Hmm the first dvd we played came on with subtitles too. Had to go in and turn them off.
The problem I have with the Icon is that is is always there, even when watching a dvd, or a hdd recorded program. There has got to be a way to shut it off. I hope.

This must be very frustrating for you, perhaps this is the real reason for the recall.

You'd think it could easily be fixed by a firmware update.

I iwll see what Polaroid comes up wiht next week. Hopefully a firmware update will do it. Also, Wal Mart is good about returns. Wait and see, I guess.

Just another nice surprise with this unit. It plays DivX........

I was able to take a DVD I had just made of a television show and put it into one of the DVD players we have and it worked like a dream. It also plays a VCD that a friend of mine just sent me. That won't play in the other machines.

I copied a program from the HDD to a disk and it went pretty fast. That could be a hugely great feature with the movies I want to transfer. Edit on the HDD will take the most time but the transfer won't.

Won't play PAL, that would really be a plus. Once it's been out for awhile there may be a hack to take care of that.

OK my Walmart here got some in today so I picked one up. I immediately popped it open and took some pics, then I tried my $55 woot 250 gig caviar drive in it and Viola, 250 gigs of storage, went from like 34 hours in SP mode to 119 :) I just set the jumper to CS or whatever the original 80 is and off it went. It does have component in and out and firewire.
The menus are terrible and it doesn't seem to support VCR+ which I have grown to like for quick caps of PBS shows and one time things like that. The Quality of the recordings look good so far but only done some quick 30 sec tests to make sure it was happy, still need to try some DVD media to see what it really records to. Definitely does Plus according to the manual but hoping for minus too.
The burner inside is IDE and is one of those open loader designs with a dust shield over the whole mess, it also has a 3.5 style power plug rather then the more typical 5 1/4 like the HD side has.
Anyways the Walmart in Troutdale Oregon still had 3 on the shelf at around 11am today for anyone else in my area that wants one.
I haven't tried a different burner yet what with the odd power plug but a adapter or rewire would fix that. I can post the pics later if anyones interested provided they can be loaded directly here.

One thing I can tell you about Polaroid is that they have great technology when it comes to dark areas of video (meaning where the people are not outside in broad daylight). I have a Portable DVD Player, the Polaroid PDM-0711, and I can tell you that it handles dark scenes very well.

So I would imagine that anyone recording a Movie or TV show with a Polaroid DVD Recorder, would have good quality if there happen to be any dark scenes.

#71
My local store refused to sell me one due to the recall, so I ordered it from Walmart online..
Had it hooked up and running just fine, realtime record and timesynch, the works (except DVD to HDD)
Until I tried to watch something on a HighDef channel and it was not compatable with the High Def signal..

One annoying thing about the box though...If it was powered off it did not default to the last selected output mode (in my case YUV) but back to coax.

I had hooked it up
HD Cable box ---Component cables---DRM-2001G----Component cables-----TV

No help from "customer service" either......

#72
No current DVD Recorder can accept more than 480i. Unless you wait for a High-Definition Recorder, the next one you get will have the same problem.

:rolleyes: OK, how do I hook this thing up so that I can pass though more than 480i, or do I have to bypass the DVD / HDD R and go directly to the TV ....
Another option would be to set my Cable box to 480i output and just not take advantage of the resolution provided by the HD......

Since you can't input 480p, you can't pass it through, so bypass is your only choice if you want 480P from your HD box direct to your monitor.

OK my Walmart here got some in today so I picked one up. I immediately popped it open and took some pics, then I tried my $55 woot 250 gig caviar drive in it and Viola, 250 gigs of storage, went from like 34 hours in SP mode to 119 :) I just set the jumper to CS or whatever the original 80 is and off it went. It does have component in and out and firewire.
The menus are terrible and it doesn't seem to support VCR+ which I have grown to like for quick caps of PBS shows and one time things like that. The Quality of the recordings look good so far but only done some quick 30 sec tests to make sure it was happy, still need to try some DVD media to see what it really records to. Definitely does Plus according to the manual but hoping for minus too.
The burner inside is IDE and is one of those open loader designs with a dust shield over the whole mess, it also has a 3.5 style power plug rather then the more typical 5 1/4 like the HD side has.
Anyways the Walmart in Troutdale Oregon still had 3 on the shelf at around 11am today for anyone else in my area that wants one.
I haven't tried a different burner yet what with the odd power plug but a adapter or rewire would fix that. I cam post the pics later if anyones interested provided they can be loaded directly here.

This is looking better all of the time! If you can post pictures, perhaps the more informed on this list can make an educated guess about more of its capabilities. LSI's web site says it has the LSI DoMiNo® DMN-8652 media processor. Thanks for the post.

OK my Walmart here got some in today so I picked one up. I immediately popped it open and took some pics, then I tried my $55 woot 250 gig caviar drive in it and Viola, 250 gigs of storage, went from like 34 hours in SP mode to 119 :) I just set the jumper to CS or whatever the original 80 is and off it went. It does have component in and out and firewire.
The menus are terrible and it doesn't seem to support VCR+ which I have grown to like for quick caps of PBS shows and one time things like that. The Quality of the recordings look good so far but only done some quick 30 sec tests to make sure it was happy, still need to try some DVD media to see what it really records to. Definitely does Plus according to the manual but hoping for minus too.
The burner inside is IDE and is one of those open loader designs with a dust shield over the whole mess, it also has a 3.5 style power plug rather then the more typical 5 1/4 like the HD side has.
Anyways the Walmart in Troutdale Oregon still had 3 on the shelf at around 11am today for anyone else in my area that wants one.
I haven't tried a different burner yet what with the odd power plug but a adapter or rewire would fix that. I cam post the pics later if anyones interested provided they can be loaded directly here.

Great post! The HDD-drive boost is definately a big ...plus :-)

You can upload pics directly to the forum posts if you want. I think there is a number of forum readers that are curious about this recorder (the price is very tempting!)

Cool! Was swapping the hdd just as easy as old one out, new one in, and it recognized it?

Yep, old out new in. It made some noise for a bit then came on after a while of thrashing around and it had 237 meg available and 119 hours in SP mode. The case top was a bugger to get back on as it's flimsy and you have to pretty much stand the tabs in almost vertically and then gently as you can pivot it back down again to clear the burners shield which pretty much is right up against the slots the tab needs to fit in and slide under. I wouldn't bother with the loader as the shield is kinda hard to get back in properly too but the Hard drive is pretty easy to remove and replace. I need to resize the pics, I'll add them later.
Unfortunately it appears the tuner is mono :( but it sounds good and most of my shows stereo wont add a lot too.
The editing function is pretty bad but it does work, it just skips the marked parts when watching or burning, and the marks can be cleared so you can try again or just not loose anything. The clock may be funky, it kept changing time but it may be from all the changing settings I've been doing too, and yes if you set a timer recording the timer Icon stay on screen down in the lowest right corner.
It did burn a so so Maxel 8x minus R just fine to about a gig, error levels were low and low jitter too.
When I tested the disk it came up as being burned by Philips jan 1 2055 so it is based at least partly on philips tech.
I also did a recording from a HD channel through component in set at 480i and the quality was excellent even at SP, tried HQ also and pretty much same thing, haven't tried lower settings yet.

Hopefully more than that. A thousand times more.

I got one in Hot Springs, AR . Recorded some stuff, it does a fine a job of recording. Used the timer recording, also tried time shifting, they all work fine. Yet to try video editing.
Chase play has a buffer for 60mins. So if u pause beyond that, it will resume normal video(as per manual)

I wouldn't bother with the loader as the shield is kinda hard to get back in properly too but the Hard drive is pretty easy to remove and replace. I need to resize the pics, I'll add them later.
Unfortunately it appears the tuner is mono :( but it sounds good and most of my shows stereo wont add a lot too.


Thanks for the review, and yep, there are plenty of us waiting to hear more (and see the pics). I went by Walmart this morning on my way to work and there they were. I thought I might hold off a couple more days till more reviews come in. I'm a bit disappointed by the fact that this unit has a MONO tuner. I understand the need for a mono tuner on the $67 units, but I was hoping this Polaroid would have everything I need. :( They also had the Phillips 160 GB, but if I was going to spend the extra money I think I'd try to find a new Pioneer.

Thanks again for the info, and keep it coming if you have more.

Chris

Is there a way to connect my sa8300hd to both my tv AND this polaroid recorder, both using component video cables ? If I run the cabling sa8300hd -> polaroid -> tv, the polaroid doesn't accept nor output HD resolutions ?

Any company make a set of component video cable(s) that splits off one on end, into a Y-cable, ie one end carries the source video, to two component video targets ?

If this existed, then I could connect the 8300hd to both tv and recorder at the same time; to send hd to the tv, use my current mode (passthrough of 720p/1080i); to send to the recorder, just set the 8300hd to output video at 480i. This way I wouldn't have to swap cables everytime I want to send something to the recorder.

My Sony directview had dvi, which has my Zenith dvd player connected to it; the 8300hd connected to one component input; the other component video input connected from a switch (xbox360 and ps2). I figure I'd send the component video output from the polaroid to this switch


I found these cables (component cables w/Y-adapter). Do you think they'd work for the question I raised before?

http://www.trianglecables.com/cv-rca-y.html

Yep, old out new in. It made some noise for a bit then came on after a while of thrashing around and it had 237 meg available and 119 hours in SP mode. The case top was a bugger to get back on as it's flimsy and you have to pretty much stand the tabs in almost vertically and then gently as you can pivot it back down again to clear the burners shield which pretty much is right up against the slots the tab needs to fit in and slide under. I wouldn't bother with the loader as the shield is kinda hard to get back in properly too but the Hard drive is pretty easy to remove and replace. I need to resize the pics, I'll add them later.
Unfortunately it appears the tuner is mono :( but it sounds good and most of my shows stereo wont add a lot too.
The editing function is pretty bad but it does work, it just skips the marked parts when watching or burning, and the marks can be cleared so you can try again or just not loose anything. The clock may be funky, it kept changing time but it may be from all the changing settings I've been doing too, and yes if you set a timer recording the timer Icon stay on screen down in the lowest right corner.
It did burn a so so Maxel 8x minus R just fine to about a gig, error levels were low and low jitter too.
When I tested the disk it came up as being burned by Philips jan 1 2055 so it is based at least partly on philips tech.
I also did a recording from a HD channel through component in set at 480i and the quality was excellent even at SP, tried HQ also and pretty much same thing, haven't tried lower settings yet.


Good pick on your Philips comment. Take a look at the manual from the Philips DVDR 3350H or the new DVDR 3455H and you will certainly see more similarities than differences.

Hopefully more than that. A thousand times more.
Yeah, 237 gig, typing this just before bed sucks :rolleyes:
Haven't had time to do much more with it yet, the clock was dead on time today after work and set another timer record event for later tonight and we'll see how it does.
Got to say for ease of editing and GUI layout plus a stereo tuner My Panny e-80h has it beat by a long ways, BUT I cant put anything bigger then 80 meg in it and that runs out quick on full weeks. I might just use this bad boy for basic time shifting then dub over to the panny for the keepers and ease of editing etc. I havent completely decided if its mono yet but pretty sure, no audio settings in tuner mode and sure sounds like mono most of the time to me.

You know, I think I'm going to pick one of these up. Walmart has a great return policy, and none of my other local stores (BB included) even carry DVD recorders with a HD. I'm not a big fan of buying things at Walmart, but I have little choice if I'm buying B&M.

Since I am using a Dish Network HD tuner, I guess if the Polaroid has a mono tuner, it shouldn't matter? I currently have my HD tuner connected to my TV via HDMI, so I am guessing that I can connect the component out on the tuner to the compoent in on the Polaroid and also use the Left/Right RCA audio outs on the tuner to the Polaroid and it will record in stereo. (I did a little reading on this site - sure is nice to have so many knowledgeable people around).

If this doesn't work out, I guess I may have to buy the Pio 640 online. Not real crazy about that idea. I guess I could also try the Phillips at Walmart, but we'll see. I was hoping Walmart would carry the new Pioneers, but it isn't looking good at this point in time.

Ok, I ended up buying one. Anybody have any idea on how to get this thing to recognize the "component in" signal? I know cycle through the inputs using the "monitor" button, but it is not recognizing the component connection between the set-top box and DVD recorder. I know the box is sending a signal, but all I get when switching to component is a lot of colored fuzz.

Thanks

C-

You HAVE to set the component outs of the Box your recording from to normal NTSC 480i, anything else it can't use I found out as I tried 720p and 1080i, mine just got a blue screen and wouldn't even pass it through on any other mode. It did do one successful timer record last night and so far the clock has kept time. Going to work on shrinking the pics next...

Thanks for the info. Now I need to figure out how to get my Dish HD box to output 480i through component cables. I tried connecting via composite, but it still said no signal was detected. I'll see if I can track down a S-video and see if that works.

Frustrating to say the least.

I think you should be able to get something through S-video as it should be normal tv standard and mine records from s video fine. I haven't tried the s vid from the LG tuner though, just the other machines here.
They should have some way to hard set the HD output, what if you only have a analog or ED set

Here ya go, I have 4 I took, shrunk down to just under 500k each PNG format

Last one.

Here ya go, I have 4 I took, shrunk down to just under 500k each PNG format

Great look at its insides! Thanks!

I have this recorder about three weeks now. As others, Walmart registers would not allow sale and clerk overrode the system. I had an ILO recorder that just gave up and this is my first hdd. Agree that the remote is cumbersome and has to be lined up just so, the fan is very loud, the users manual is all over the place, the set - up menu uses am/pm but the display clock is 24 hour and can't be changed The pause tv works great, the picture is great. So far I have used it mostly to record from TV in 2hr mode using DVD+R and no major problems til today. The dvd burns but will not play until finalized. I take it out of the recorder before it is finalized and it plays on my computer, I put it back in the recorder and it will not play but allows me to finalize and then plays. The second major problem is that it has "lost' a recording. I used otr to record a one hour show to disk while in the SP 2hr mode, I stopped the recording and started a new one recording. Only the second show is on the disk and the disk is full! This seems to have started when I set it to insert automatic chapters every ten minutes. I will play around some more and contact Polaroid before bringing it back. Maybe it is one of a bad batch - hence the recall which both Walmart and Polaroid deny. Oh and I used the YesDVD once and it destroyed the disk. I may also use different media to see if that is the problem. But I don't find it at all user friendly. It is almost impossible to figure out how to finalize a disk. The manual references the "disc operation" mode which can be accessed by pressing the "disc open" button, a button that does not exist and also references the p and q button which also does not exist. If they would restock at Walmart I would bring it back and try another. If anyone has figured a region hack, please post.

Cool, based on the model number, the hard drive is 7200rpm...so there's not a huge risk of overheating (like the TiVo hack days when you pretty much had to use a 5400rpm drive to avoid excessive heat).

The area around the drive gets warm to pretty warm depending on what its doing. The 250 I got from woot appears to be from the same series, just 250 gig, and so far is doing fine.

Dartman-

Thanks for the look inside. Yep, you were right about the component output.... my Dish Network Box 811 will not output 480i through component.... (kind of defeats one of the main reasons I bought the unit was due to the component in on the Polaroid.) The 811 puts out 480i via S-video or composite (one at a time) only.

All the comments about the remote and the manual are correct. As a first time DVD-recorder owner, the manual made absolutely no sense to me. I imagine the learning curve is pretty steep on this unit.

Also, my fan is INCREDIBLY LOUD, even when the power is turned off. I set the unit up last night, and when I went to bed the fan was still running. When I woke up this morning, first thing my wife said when she went into the living room was "What is that noise?" Mind you, the Polaroid is sitting in a closed wooden cabinet (with wooden doors) under the TV. I' m sitting 8 feet away from it and I can hear it even with the TV on. :mad: Way too loud to be running all the time. I'm afraid I'm taking it back simply due to this reason. Shame because it looks like a decent unit.

Also, my fan is INCREDIBLY LOUD, even when the power is turned off.

Is the Polaroid made by Toshiba....? :D (inside joke)

Is the Polaroid made by Toshiba....? :D (inside joke)


Do share..... I'm seriously considering the Pioneer 640 now.

You know if you are going to open it up like I did eventually just replace the fan or get one of those rubber mount kits for it, it is the loudest fan I've heard in one of these.
I also discovered as far as I can tell it only records to the optical media at the speed the HD dub was recorded at, and it can't deal with a Flex record dub I pulled from my panny. So if you dub from another dvd recorder set the speed you need and no trick recording modes or it wont work. So far the quality of the burns has been excellent though, still playing with different speeds and whatnot to see what works well and what doesn't.
I put in a question to their support site just to see if they tell me it is a mono tuner or not too by the way, no answer yet.
Hard to believe a HD box can't be hard set to some standard your system likes, but I thought all decent dvd recorders had stereo tuners too ;)

So far I have used it mostly to record from TV in 2hr mode using DVD+R and no major problems til today. The dvd burns but will not play until finalized. I take it out of the recorder before it is finalized and it plays on my computer, I put it back in the recorder and it will not play but allows me to finalize and then plays. The second major problem is that it has "lost' a recording.

Thanks for sharing your comments!

I have a follow-up question on playback and finalization. A DVD+R recorded in the Polaroid won't play in the Polaroid unless finalized? Or do you mean it won't play on other players/recorders unless finalized? If it's the former, that sounds like a red flag. Did all the DVDs you recorded behave like that?

I have tried both +RW and -RW with success. They both replay on the Polaroid with no problems, and the both replay on my laptop with no problems. I don't have another player to test them on, but I am pleased with these results.

A question for ncaahoops:

Both the +RW and the -RW disks, when loaded on my laptop, have a disk title of DVD_VR. They both have the same file structure, with subfolders labeled Video_RM and Video_TS. How do I tell if this recorder has joined the VRADE?

The DVD+R would not play on the Polaroid until finalized. Could not see what I was finalizing. Anyway I lost patience with it and brought it back to Walmart today thinking I might try the Phillips with 160 hd. They did not have the Phillips but had restocked the Polaroids so I took a chance and got another. No problems with them not been able to sell. Took it home and set up and the manual is rewritten, the remote is still a bit clumsy but does not have to be perfectly aligned to tv and the menu screen is all cleaned up. The Walmart folks said that this was new batch that had just come from the warehouse. Will see. Seem to have adjusted some of the kinks. Oh the timer recording would not let me set when the disk tray is open or there is a formatted disk in there - have to put a blank unformatted in to set the timer. Hoping this works out.

Free4all-

How is the fan on the new unit you got (still as loud)? Mine is going back to Wallmart this morning. I played around with it last night, and although I liked the Polaroid, the bottom line is that is sounded like a small refrigerator was running in my living room constantly. I think it is a great value for $219, and it would suit my needs perfectly, but I can't live with that constant sound.

The DVD+R would not play on the Polaroid until finalized. Could not see what I was finalizing. Anyway I lost patience with it and brought it back to Walmart today thinking I might try the Phillips with 160 hd. They did not have the Phillips but had restocked the Polaroids so I took a chance and got another. No problems with them not been able to sell. Took it home and set up and the manual is rewritten, the remote is still a bit clumsy but does not have to be perfectly aligned to tv and the menu screen is all cleaned up. The Walmart folks said that this was new batch that had just come from the warehouse. Will see. Seem to have adjusted some of the kinks. Oh the timer recording would not let me set when the disk tray is open or there is a formatted disk in there - have to put a blank unformatted in to set the timer. Hoping this works out.


free4all,

Does the remote look different or does it just work better?

What do you mean by the menu screen is all cleaned up?

In what way has the manual been rewritten?

Thanks in advance for answering these questions. The answers will help determine if the unit is old stock just returned from the warehouse to the shelf, or new stock from the factory.

Philips DVDR3455H is same as Polaroid DRM 2001 internally. They have the same menu structure, most features are similar, there are some differences, but not much.
I just looked at the user manual on the Philips website for this DVR and it has all the same screens and features. Philips has VCR+, 160GB, YesDVD is limited to 3 trials and then you have to pay more money to get that activated, it has 6hr timeshift buffer always turned on.
Polaroid has 80 GB, allows u to turn on the 1hr timshift buffer as soon as u switch on the unit or manually turn on the timshift whenever u want to. YesDVD is available too and no limits. No VCR+ feature.
Both play DivX files. And everything else is same. Philips costs 300$, Polaroid 220$ bith in Walmart.

I thought the philips model doesn't have component inputs

I thought the philips model doesn't have component inputs

It doesn't. That would be another difference between the two models.

So maybe we can do some sort of crossflash someday to get the best features of both units in one or the other. Wonder if the tuner in the philips is stereo? Would love to also have vcr+.

A question for ncaahoops:

Both the +RW and the -RW disks, when loaded on my laptop, have a disk title of DVD_VR. They both have the same file structure, with subfolders labeled Video_RM and Video_TS. How do I tell if this recorder has joined the VRADE?

I think this recorder has joined the VRade because it supports the VR format. If you don't need to finalize the +RW/-RW for it to play in your dvd player/laptop, I think that's a sign of +VR/-RW(VR).

I don't have any experience with +RW/+VR so I do not know practically what the differences are from -RW(VR). I think most of the "plus"/+R oriented recorders use +VR on +RW by default so you don't have the same issue with -RW(Video) or -RW(VR) with the "dash"/-R camp. But this is only theoretical since i haven't tried all of them (or any of them) :)

I am not familiar yet with the file structure of recorded DVDs. Currently I am only using a stand-alone DVD recorder, and no PC processing/playback, so I do not know what the folders mean.

Another question: Free4all mentioned above that he wasn't able to play a DVD+R in the Polaroid until it was finalized. He also mentioend that he had the pre-recall model. With your Polaroid, can you see/playback recordings on the different DVD types before finalizing? Thanks...

I think this recorder has joined the VRade because it supports the VR format. If you don't need to finalize the +RW/-RW for it to play in your dvd player/laptop, I think that's a sign of +VR/-RW(VR).

I don't have any experience with +RW/+VR so I do not know practically what the differences are from -RW(VR). I think most of the "plus"/+R oriented recorders use +VR on +RW by default so you don't have the same issue with -RW(Video) or -RW(VR) with the "dash"/-R camp. But this is only theoretical since i haven't tried all of them (or any of them) :)

I am not familiar yet with the file structure of recorded DVDs. Currently I am only using a stand-alone DVD recorder, and no PC processing/playback, so I do not know what the folders mean.

Another question: Free4all mentioned above that he wasn't able to play a DVD+R in the Polaroid until it was finalized. He also mentioend that he had the pre-recall model. With your Polaroid, can you see/playback recordings on the different DVD types before finalizing? Thanks...

Once the recording finished, or I stopped it, the recorder automatically processed the disk. I did not have to do anything special, nor did I have a choice. I have not tried the -RW yet, but with the +RW, a new recording just became a new menu choice. Pretty nice.....

I was looking at the unit and the box in Walmart yesterday, and I noticed it has some sort of TV guide feature, which didn't appear to be TV Guide on Screen - can anyone who has the unit explain exactly what this is?

If it is the TVG symbol on the box that you are looking at, it is the TV Guardian feature for people who have kids and want certain programs or words bleeped. It is a paid service and you have to join it online.

Yeah, that's it. It didn't look anything like the TVGOS symbol, but I was just curious as to what it actually was. Thanks.

Does anyone know if this has high speed dubbing? I am sooo new to dvd recorders and am deciding between the polaroid and the new phillips at walmart for $298... Thanks so much..

Debi

Yep, old out new in. It made some noise for a bit then came on after a while of thrashing around and it had 237 meg available and 119 hours in SP mode. The case top was a bugger to get back on as it's flimsy and you have to pretty much stand the tabs in almost vertically and then gently as you can pivot it back down again to clear the burners shield which pretty much is right up against the slots the tab needs to fit in and slide under. I wouldn't bother with the loader as the shield is kinda hard to get back in properly too but the Hard drive is pretty easy to remove and replace. I need to resize the pics, I'll add them later.

One question, did you have to prep the drive in any way (format, clone or image old drive to it, etc) or just pop it in right out of the box?

I was looking at the unit and the box in Walmart yesterday, and I noticed it has some sort of TV guide feature, which didn't appear to be TV Guide on Screen - can anyone who has the unit explain exactly what this is?

Was it this, YesDVD:

http://www.yesvideo.com/

Does anyone know if this has high speed dubbing? I am sooo new to dvd recorders and am deciding between the polaroid and the new phillips at walmart for $298... Thanks so much..

Debi

You may also want to consider the Liteon HD A740GX, $299 at Costco, 160 GB HD, plays DivX, far better interface (menus) than Polaroid or Phillips. But not widely available yet, so may be wise to wait for some reviews. Here's the link to info at Liteon site:

http://us.liteonit.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=156&Itemid=103

Costco site listing:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...topnav=&browse=

And the thread on this model which jobedo started:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=685066

I'm just like everyone else, torn between all the new models, but this one looks good on paper. I have 2 Liteon 5005's and they have their flaws, but their menu system is as easy as it gets and the video quality is very good. I'm also waiting to see the verdict on the new pannys, pios, etc. as well. But I'm not afraid to buy 2-nd tier products if the price is right.

Was it this, YesDVD:

http://www.yesvideo.com/No, it was a square box with the letters "TV" and another small word underneath it. It looked almost the same as the TVGOS symbol, just not colored. You really can't miss it if you look. I'm sure it was the TV Guardian symbol.

No, it was a square box with the letters "TV" and another small word underneath it. It looked almost the same as the TVGOS symbol, just not colored. You really can't miss it if you look. I'm sure it was the TV Guardian symbol.


You are correct. It is the TV Guardian symbol. On this model, it is a subscription service--- if you don't pay and activate, it is not implemented.

The fan is not as noisy - barely noticable. The remote is the exact same but on the old one, the unit did not respond unless the remote was directed straight at the recorder. Now it is more sensitive. On the returned unit, after recording to +r, the disk would not play on the unit until finalized so I could not edit it. No such problem on the replacement. On the returned unit, I could hardly see the menu screen because the Polaroid logo was not faded into the background - that is what I meant by cleaning up the screen.

Couple of questions - when I record two titles to dvd+r - does anyone know how I can delete one before finalizing? I can only figure out how to delete the disk and not one title. Has anyone figured a region free hack?

One question, did you have to prep the drive in any way (format, clone or image old drive to it, etc) or just pop it in right out of the box?

I had quick formatted it in XP to make sure it worked, set it to cable select like the old drive and it worked. I doubt formatting it first did anything as it would have been NTSF format anyways but just in case...

I also have tried another burner in since then and it recognized it and would open the door and try to record but would error out after recording started and quit responding. I think it uses 2.4 speed and some custom commands or firmware so anther burner may never work, or possibly the new drive just can't do 2.4 speed so it crashed after a bit. Was hoping to add DL and RAM capabilities the other drive had.
The unit was back to normal when the old drive was reconnected. Even if it had worked making it fit as a loader would have been possibly very hard to do but figured it was worth trying.

I have been copying old tapes most of the day. Many of them are too far gone to even make a copy of. It has been getting easier the more I do. Some things I have put on the HDD and some things directly to disk. I have renamed the titles, split one of the files and deleted part of it from the HDD. So far so good. The DVDs I have made are working in my other machines. I'm taking one of the disks to a friend's house and I'll check it out on her machines.

You may also want to consider the Liteon HD A740GX, $299 at Costco, 160 GB HD, plays DivX, far better interface (menus) than Polaroid or Phillips. But not widely available yet, so may be wise to wait for some reviews. Here's the link to info at Liteon site:


I have to disagree with you bron, I don't think liteon has far better menus then Philips. :eek: I've just received 3455 and the menus are very simple, nothing special and comparing them to lieton 5115, they are on the same par in my opinion. :p

Really stupid question: Does the lack of a stereo tuner mean the recordings are all in mono?
I too am trying to decide between this and the Philips. Outside of the bigger harddrive and component in, does the Philips have any other advantages?

The recordings off the tuner will be mono, anything else will be stereo if that's what comes in. I have made a few from my Panasonic e-80h into this machines hard drive and it's still stereo and the sound quality is the same. The philips unit has VCRplus and USB inputs, no component in, and advertises DIVX support, I think it's also a mono tuner but haven't heard from any owners yet, but supposed to be the same system board as the polaroid basically. I'd really like VCR plus, works well in the panny unit. I think the Philips may have some sort of flex record too, not sure.

I have to disagree with you bron, I don't think liteon has far better menus then Philips. :eek: I've just received 3455 and the menus are very simple, nothing special and comparing them to lieton 5115, they are on the same par in my opinion. :p

Then I stand corrected, caveman, I based my comment on my knowledge of the Liteon units and what I had read about the Polaroid (and a statement that Phillips had basically the same interface). I just read your other posts on the Phillips and it sounds pretty good. But I don't think I could stand another mono tuner after two Liteons. <LOL> Can't believe it could cost that much more to put a stereo tuner in. After the hot coals heaped upon Liteon, I'm surprised to see this happen again.

But, really not that big a deal if you are using mainly with an external tuner (as I do with my ReplayTV and LVW-5005's). And I think the Liteon tuners are worse (they're very noisy).

Enjoy your Phillips!

Considering you can buy a hifi vcr for under $50...why would anybody think a mono tuner would be okay in a dvdr? Its supposed to be a step up, right?

I'm thinking of getting the Polaroid as a 2nd unit based on price and features, but this talk of a "mono" tuner has me baffled. It appears to be based on "how it sound," but the manual seems to clearly state that it has 2-channel audio OR 5.1, per this statement in the manual:

Analog Audio output
The unit can set the analog audio output at 2-CH or 5.1-CH. The output of 2-CH comes from L and R channels.

The tuner only transmits the signal it receives to the video and audio components for output, and the Polaroid does have 2-channel, L-R outputs...as well as inputs. Maybe the dwgs in the manual are confusing, or some users are not selecting 2-CH audio???

It is possible to be a stereo DVD recorder, but still have a mono tuner. In that case, the output from the tuner will be mono (and anything recorded from the tuner), but the output from DVDs, or anything recorded from the AV inputs, will be stereo.

Just because it says stereo, doesn't mean that it has a stereo tuner.

So we don't really KNOW whether the Polaroid has a stereo or mono tuner!

It would be hard to believe they installed a mono tuner for a broadcast TV device since the U.S./FCC has mandated 4-channel broadcast audio since 1984. Here's the Wikipedia entry on the original mono audio plus the 1984-mandated three additional channels for all programs broadcast in the US:

Multichannel Television Sound (MTS), mandated in 1984. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multichannel_television_sound)

Obviously, if a program was not recorded in stereo, it is received by both "stereo" channels as the same sound, rather than the "stereo difference" and, of course, it sounds like and IS mono, except on two channels if the receiver has that capability.

Most of the "mono-TV tuners" mentioned today seem to be more for computer TV cards and the like.

We really need more than the "sounds like" approach to let people know what kind of tuner the Polaroid really has!

"Maybe," one way, if your TV does this, would be to watch a program thru the Polaroid tuner that you KNOW has been recorded in stereo and see if the TV (or Polaroid?) "Display" shows Stereo or Mono sound. My TV shows this automatically so it is able to distinguish whether the sound is 2-channel mono or true Stereo (the "difference" channel plus the original mono channel)...might be Setup option others have to set to display such info. or a one time button push on the remote? Maybe a Polaroid user's TV also has a button or option for displaying program info like this???

I could care less if tv is broadcast in stereo over this. But if I record off tv, stereo seems a basic requirement. I'm going to replace my vcr with something that records inferior audio? That makes no sense at all. Yeah, the picture will be better, but for something like the Grammys or a concert I'd be better off with a vcr? Am I missing something here?

I'm going to replace my vcr with something that records inferior audio? That makes no sense at all. Yeah, the picture will be better, but for something like the Grammys or a concert I'd be better off with a vcr? Am I missing something here?
Well, that's the point here! I'm trying to find out if, in fact, this Polaroid does or does not have a mono tuner. So far, we only have an anecdotal "sounds mono" to base a buying decision on.

Most everything thru my Pio 531 "sounds" mono to me, but my TV tells me it's most often stereo. Unless a broadcast has recorded or live audio channel switching, isolation or "fading," most people can't tell the diff. either.

If you're playing them on the tv, maybe. But thru an ht audio system its going to be painfully obvious. The other thing is that the stereo signal carries the pro logic surround, which pl2 does an amazing job with. Wouldn't you lose that with a mono recording?
Pretty much read the whole manual for both this and the philips today at Wallyworld. I would guess both are mono tuners, though neither really says.

Reading about this Polaroid unit I was wondering just what advantage the "YesVideo" would bring to the unit. And does this hard drive unit enable high speed copy to dvd?

The fan is not as noisy - barely noticable. The remote is the exact same but on the old one, the unit did not respond unless the remote was directed straight at the recorder. Now it is more sensitive.


Interesting.... wonder if fan noise was one of the reasons for the recall? I took mine back because of the "airplane engine" of a fan.......I also had the same problem with the remote. I literally had to get in a direct line with the sensor on the recorder in order to get it to work. Hmmm...... maybe I'll wait a few weeks and go back to Walmart (I *hate* going to that store) and pick one up and see if my luck improves.

I had quick formatted it in XP to make sure it worked, set it to cable select like the old drive and it worked. I doubt formatting it first did anything as it would have been NTSF format anyways but just in case...

I also have tried another burner in since then and it recognized it and would open the door and try to record but would error out after recording started and quit responding. I think it uses 2.4 speed and some custom commands or firmware so anther burner may never work, or possibly the new drive just can't do 2.4 speed so it crashed after a bit. Was hoping to add DL and RAM capabilities the other drive had.
The unit was back to normal when the old drive was reconnected. Even if it had worked making it fit as a loader would have been possibly very hard to do but figured it was worth trying.

Wow you are adventurous :-)

Thank you, I try ;) It was cheap enough as long as I just don't smoke it by shorting something out it's worth seeing what it can do and upgrade to.
I have since tried a old NEC 2500 that is 8x max and it wouldn't go past trying to record either so it must be tied to the burner it came with in firmware. I also made some rubber o rings out of a vacuum port plug for the fan and it isolated it enough to drop the noise about 50 percent, still loud but acceptable. I'm also getting some better grade fans from a friend, when they arrive I will try them out if I can get some plugs to work in the board. It has a T&T 12 volt .16 amp 2 pin fan now, 40mm thin, and it moves about 7 cfm according to the specs same guy found for me.
By the way, there is a port on the board for USB too, it's a 6 pin plug in a line right next to the firewire plug.....hmmmm....

Thank you, I try ;) It was cheap enough as long as I just don't smoke it by shorting something out it's worth seeing what it can do and upgrade to.
I have since tried a old NEC 2500 that is 8x max and it wouldn't go past trying to record either so it must be tied to the burner it came with in firmware. I also made some rubber o rings out of a vacuum port plug for the fan and it isolated it enough to drop the noise about 50 percent, still loud but acceptable. I'm also getting some better grade fans from a friend, when they arrive I will try them out if I can get some plugs to work in the board. It has a T&T 12 volt .16 amp 2 pin fan now, 40mm thin, and it moves about 7 cfm according to the specs same guy found for me.
By the way, there is a port on the board for USB too, it's a 6 pin plug in a line right next to the firewire plug.....hmmmm....

Don't we all love modding h/w :D

Philips DVDR3455H is same as Polaroid DRM 2001 internally. They have the same menu structure, most features are similar, there are some differences, but not much.
I just looked at the user manual on the Philips website for this DVR and it has all the same screens and features. Philips has VCR+, 160GB, YesDVD is limited to 3 trials and then you have to pay more money to get that activated, it has 6hr timeshift buffer always turned on.
Polaroid has 80 GB, allows u to turn on the 1hr timshift buffer as soon as u switch on the unit or manually turn on the timshift whenever u want to. YesDVD is available too and no limits. No VCR+ feature.
Both play DivX files. And everything else is same. Philips costs 300$, Polaroid 220$ bith in Walmart.


Hey hi new here but not to Polaroid 2001G....First let me say I love it had it 3 weeks now. I haven't had the fan problem. Still don't know how to get it off military time? Hate the manual like everyone else. I think You can also put an external drive to record from in the USB port in front.

Not quite sure of this one.....So do I use the .MPEG4 on a DVD in data record mode using Nero Xpress? Divx files are .AVI too.

Oh yeah....It takes a few to boot up wonder what OS it's using to format and save to HD. Thats why I think it takes a moment to change to different tasks; it certainly isn't my Athlon 64! :D

Any help please

Phred

So do I use the .MPEG4 on a DVD in data record mode using Nero Xpress? Divx files are .AVI too.I know what each of those words mean, but am having trouble making sense of your question.

Hold on, I think you are asking how to put MPEG4 and/or DivX files on a DVD so you can play them back on the Polaroid. Okay good question, one which I don't know the answer to unfortunately. Don't have the Polaroid unit (nor do I plan to). So someone that has one will have to help you with that one.

Hate the manual like everyone else. I think You can also put an external drive to record from in the USB port in front.


Phred


Have you tried this yet? That would be incredible if it's true.

Polaroid is doing a fine job of everything it is supposed to do. Image quality is really good even from analog cable source. It is pretty good from Digital cable through CVBS/Composite Video input too. :)

I changed the HDD to a 300GB and now I have 270 or so hours available and I am recording all the world cup soccer matches. So I can watch them late in the evening. I also added 2 more fans, one on top of the chipset and one below the HDD to keep them cool. I also reduced the voltage on the back panel fan so that it runs a bit slow and runs quieter.. All fans run quieter now. :cool:

Now the DVR is as quiet as it should be. :)

:( One observation, if your screen saver is turned ON in the setup menu, it might hang the DVR when the screen saver appears on the screen.
At least it happened to me once. The screen saver came on and I couldnt press any key on the remote or front panel to get it to do anything. I had to pull the power cord. I turned off the screen saver after that, so I havent tried testing it again. This might be a bug they can fix in a firmware upgrade.

The other thing that bugs me is the HDD makes a loud noise when the machine is turned on. like all the heads hitting an end and then starting to read the HDD. :(

The remote sensitivity bugs me because it has a very narrow angle of view.

But I am happy with the unit.
More testing to come after a few days..

Polaroid is doing a fine job of everything it is supposed to do. Image quality is really good even from analog cable source. It is pretty good from Digital cable through CVBS/Composite Video input too. :)

I changed the HDD to a 300GB and now I have 270 or so hours available and I am recording all the world cup soccer matches. So I can watch them late in the evening. I also added 2 more fans, one on top of the chipset and one below the HDD to keep them cool. I also reduced the voltage on the back panel fan so that it runs a bit slow and runs quieter.. All fans run quieter now. :cool:

Now the DVR is as quiet as it should be. :)

:( One observation, if your screen saver is turned ON in the setup menu, it might hang the DVR when the screen saver appears on the screen.
At least it happened to me once. The screen saver came on and I couldnt press any key on the remote or front panel to get it to do anything. I had to pull the power cord. I turned off the screen saver after that, so I havent tried testing it again. This might be a bug they can fix in a firmware upgrade.

The other thing that bugs me is the HDD makes a loud noise when the machine is turned on. like all the heads hitting an end and then starting to read the HDD. :(

The remote sensitivity bugs me because it has a very narrow angle of view.

But I am happy with the unit.
More testing to come after a few days..Man, you should be designing these things! :)

I know what each of those words mean, but am having trouble making sense of your question.

Hold on, I think you are asking how to put MPEG4 and/or DivX files on a DVD so you can play them back on the Polaroid. Okay good question, one which I don't know the answer to unfortunately. Don't have the Polaroid unit (nor do I plan to). So someone that has one will have to help you with that one.


I tell you what I did. I put a DVD that I use for .AVI's - .MPG's storage in and guess what? Yep, they showed up automatically! There were some that is said wrong file format or some such,,,,some of the .AVI's were Xvid that didn't work. Even the 3ivx low motion works, This really works a lot like my Archos AV-700 ( h**p://t*i*n*y*u*r*l.c*o*m/7ah9w) <--{Just remove the asterisks and add tt to the h**p since I'm new it won't let me put a reference site} The only difference is the Archos will turn my cable box on and change to the channel to be recorded and records. I think I'll buy another Polaroid at $212.00 to put in another room for my wife. That way I can have "her-roid" and a....um...."him-roid"! :D Couldn't resist it! And I'm def gonna change out the HD to a larger one.
Now as I said "I think" you can pu a external HD in the USB port. It would be logical. If you can put a DV, MEM stick etc., you should be able to put an external there.?

It does list mpeg4 3,4,5,6 or something like that in the manual so I spose that means DIVX support. They probably didn't want to pay royalties or something so they don't put it on the machine anywhere but most Philips units support it so...
I hope they release a update for Firmware on the DVDR3455H/37 philips as we pretty much know now its the same board, might be able to do some interesting cross breeding...

I am going to use the YES feature tonight when I make a disk for my business partner. I'll let you know how it comes out.

I copied 3 movies (about 5 1/2 hrs) from HDD to +R disk in less than 1/2 hour. It is really fast on the copy mode. I tried to copy right to the disk and for some reason it lost the first movie. It shows the time used up but there isn't a way to access it. I may have pushed the wrong button at the wrong time.

Well, it didn't give me the option to make the YES video but I will make another copy.

The DVD I made is nearly 2 hours long copied to the HDD on SP mode. It took about 1/2 hour to copy to the DVD.

I saw four of these at my local Wal$Mart for the first time yesterday. The box eemed to be heavier than I thought it would be.

Wonder how the recorded quality compares to the Pioneer X3X series? :rolleyes:

I get the impression from reading this Topic that the recorded quality is comparable to that of the Pioneer's (633 in my case). But without side-by-side testing it's hard to be sure since Picture Quality is difficult to describe with words.

someone want to try this??

- Power on
- Open tray
- Press 0 0 8 6 0 0 0 on remote
- Press OK

now try to play a non Region-1 disc. If it works a) you're now region-free and b) it IS a Philips on the inside :D

I get the impression from reading this Topic that the recorded quality is comparable to that of the Pioneer's (633 in my case). But without side-by-side testing it's hard to be sure since Picture Quality is difficult to describe with words.

Does anyone know if it has "Video DAC: 10 bits or 12 bits" or other? The manual says "Video horizontal resolution: 500 lines". What does that tell us comparitively vs. the latest Pannys and Pios?

I saw 10 bit Dac in my manual or somewhere. I was just fighting with that piss poor excuse philips uses for editing tonight again. It doesn't really let you know if you've hit the spot and if you don't it just skips the spot or ignores it so you don't know if you've dropped a segment for sure or skipped over too much :mad: Half the time I have to clear my edit points and start over, definitely not even close to frame acurate. I end up with part of the first commercial in each edit when I finally get it the way I want... At least the burner seems to do nice quality to every disk I've tried so far and the video looks good too.

Hi everyone...
Does anyone know how to use the yesDVD on the 2001G... thanks

To use yesDVD do the following.

1. Make sure the feature is enabled in setup
2. Use a DVD+RW disc
3. You have to use the one touch record mode. No timer recordings or hdd to dvd.

I have a question for others.
One time I was able to record from the DVD to HDD ( A home Movie DVD) but since have not been able to figure out how to do it again. Has anybody done this?

anyone knows if the Western Digital WD3200JBRTL 320 GB 7200 RPM EIDE Internal Hard Drive would work to replace in this unit?

the description of this HDD on the internet says that it is IDE-ATA interface and require an Ultra ATA-capable system.

also do I need to install any extra fans when I upgrade the HDD?

Should I assume that by now all of these units at walmart will be the updated versions?

Is there a way to tell from the box/serial #'s??

How many have the updated ones? Seems like only 1 person posting here (?). Would like to know if others with the updated versions also have quite units or this one poster just got lucky.

Fleaman

Should I assume that by now all of these units at walmart will be the updated versions?

Is there a way to tell from the box/serial #'s??

How many have the updated ones? Seems like only 1 person posting here (?). Would like to know if others with the updated versions also have quite units or this one poster just got lucky.

Fleaman

few days ago I got a unit from walmart... well... the fan was very loud like a small vacumcleaner, so I went back to walmart and asked to try a unit before I buy it, they let me, and the first unit I tried had no fan noise what so ever so I took it, and I am very happy with it, I do not know if there is any way to tell from the box or serial #, I think the best way to try it before you buy... hope this info will help...

I have bought this unit and am very frustrated. I cannot get it to perform as the "manual" explains and my remote is not like the one that is described in the manual. Tech/Customer service stinks!! Can anyone help me figure this thing out ? I really need this to work for my kids homeschooling for the summer....please respond if possible. Thanks in advance and may God bless you!!

I have bought this unit and am very frustrated. I cannot get it to perform as the "manual" explains and my remote is not like the one that is described in the manual. Tech/Customer service stinks!! Can anyone help me figure this thing out ? I really need this to work for my kids homeschooling for the summer....please respond if possible. Thanks in advance and may God bless you!!

Return the unit for an updated version?

Fleaman

So we don't really KNOW whether the Polaroid has a stereo or mono tuner!

It would be hard to believe they installed a mono tuner for a broadcast TV device since the U.S./FCC has mandated 4-channel broadcast audio since 1984. Here's the Wikipedia entry on the original mono audio plus the 1984-mandated three additional channels for all programs broadcast in the US:

Multichannel Television Sound (MTS), mandated in 1984.

Obviously, if a program was not recorded in stereo, it is received by both "stereo" channels as the same sound, rather than the "stereo difference" and, of course, it sounds like and IS mono, except on two channels if the receiver has that capability.

Most of the "mono-TV tuners" mentioned today seem to be more for computer TV cards and the like.

We really need more than the "sounds like" approach to let people know what kind of tuner the Polaroid really has!

"Maybe," one way, if your TV does this, would be to watch a program thru the Polaroid tuner that you KNOW has been recorded in stereo and see if the TV (or Polaroid?) "Display" shows Stereo or Mono sound. My TV shows this automatically so it is able to distinguish whether the sound is 2-channel mono or true Stereo (the "difference" channel plus the original mono channel)...might be Setup option others have to set to display such info. or a one time button push on the remote? Maybe a Polaroid user's TV also has a button or option for displaying program info like this???

A pretty reliable way to tell if you are getting stereo through a tuner is if you play your audio through an A/V receiver with DPL, DPL II, DPL IIx, or whatever and, with a broadcast that has Dolby Pro-encoded audio (I'm pretty sure CBS' "Cold Case," among many other shows, is in Dolby Pro, also "24" on Fox), you can see if you get the distinct surround audio through your rear speakers.

If you get no signal through the rear speakers, or it's not distinct from the front L/R audio, then you are probably feeding mono audio into your receiver. But if you do get the distinct audio, then you have to be getting a Dolby Pro signal.

Polaroid is doing a fine job of everything it is supposed to do. Image quality is really good even from analog cable source. It is pretty good from Digital cable through CVBS/Composite Video input too. :)

I changed the HDD to a 300GB and now I have 270 or so hours available and I am recording all the world cup soccer matches. So I can watch them late in the evening. I also added 2 more fans, one on top of the chipset and one below the HDD to keep them cool. I also reduced the voltage on the back panel fan so that it runs a bit slow and runs quieter.. All fans run quieter now. :cool:

Now the DVR is as quiet as it should be. :)

:( One observation, if your screen saver is turned ON in the setup menu, it might hang the DVR when the screen saver appears on the screen.
At least it happened to me once. The screen saver came on and I couldnt press any key on the remote or front panel to get it to do anything. I had to pull the power cord. I turned off the screen saver after that, so I havent tried testing it again. This might be a bug they can fix in a firmware upgrade.

The other thing that bugs me is the HDD makes a loud noise when the machine is turned on. like all the heads hitting an end and then starting to read the HDD. :(

The remote sensitivity bugs me because it has a very narrow angle of view.

But I am happy with the unit.
More testing to come after a few days..

I am curious as to what you had to do to upgrade the hard drive. Most recorders you have to have the code to enter the service menu

For me it was unscrew old drive and brackets, unplug everything, mount new drive in old brackets, set jumper to CS, plug back in cables, remount drive, turn on and wait for it to boot and do it's thing, 237 gig rather then 75 :D

Set jumper to CS?

Set jumper to CS?


Cable Select on the hard drive (normally labeled CS) rather than Master or Slave. :)

Ah. Wasn't sure if that was a jumper on the hard drive or the recorder. Thanks.

You guys are confused :rolleyes: about the mono tuner in the Poloroid. No where is mono mentioned in the manual. It says and I quote. It has a analog tuner which will output 2.1 or 5.1 audio. Analog is not the same as mono. Unless your using digital output which requires you to use the optical or coax out on the back of the recorder to a reciever or amplfier that has the same inputs, the standard output is ANALOG. Now some of the Lite-on models do have a MONO tuner and what a waste that is. I took my first one back as so as I found out about it. Best to buy at Wally World. They guarentee them for 90 days exchange or return.

You guys are confused :rolleyes: about the mono tuner in the Poloroid. No where is mono mentioned in the manual. It says and I quote. It has a analog tuner which will output 2.1 or 5.1 audio. Analog is not the same as mono. Unless your using digital output which requires you to use the optical or coax out on the back of the recorder to a reciever or amplfier that has the same inputs, the standard output is ANALOG. Now some of the Lite-on models do have a MONO tuner and what a waste that is. I took my first one back as so as I found out about it. Best to buy at Wally World. They guarentee them for 90 days exchange or return.


Can you reference the page in the manual that mentions "analog tuner which will output 2.1 or 5.1 audio"? I can't seem to find it in my manual.

Thanks

Does anybody know if the Polaroid DRM 2001G has a backup battery for short periods of power outages?? If somebody were to unplug their Polaroid for two minutes and then plug it back in and tell me if the clock still shows the correct time or if it shows dashes like on the original setup. I would be much apprecitative.. If it doesn't hold the time then thats the only thing that you will have to reset. The other settings are saved. I live in the mountains and we are always having short power outages. If it has a battery backup then it will hold any programing that you have setup to record. Pioneer does. It's good for about 20 mins.

Can you reference the page in the manual that mentions "analog tuner which will output 2.1 or 5.1 audio"? I can't seem to find it in my manual.

Thanks
ANALOG AUDIO OUTPUT....page 14 It actually says 2 channel or 5.1 channel. 2.1 spec is the same thing as 2 channel. Right below it it talks about SPDIF digital audio out. The owners manual is very brief and not well written. I don't recall seeing anything on high speed dubbing at all. Did I miss something??

[QUOTE=dominator2]ANALOG AUDIO OUTPUT....page 14 It actually says 2 channel or 5.1 channel. 2.1 spec is the same thing as 2 channel. Right below it it talks about SPDIF digital audio out. The owners manual is very brief and not well written. I don't recall seeing anything on high speed dubbing at all. Did I miss something??

But having an stereo OUTPUT is not the same thing as a stereo TUNER. The analog output could just be for commercial dvd playback. Admittingly I only browsed the manual at Wal-Mart but found no mention of stereo recording in the specs or the setup guide. Thats where the question comes from. I think most of us here understand stereo can come over analog-thats what turntables do.:)
It has been asked more than once if anyone with this player has played a recording made on it back through their stereo or ht system to see if its stereo or not. So far noone has answered that simple request, which is puzzling. And since were stating the obvious, the reason its a deal breaker is that the stereo audio on a broadcast also carrys the pro logic surround info. No stereo recording, no pro logic surround. So a recording would be inferior to the source, at least as far as audio goes. Heck, it would be inferior to a hifi vcr, which also has analog sound.

Should I assume that by now all of these units at walmart will be the updated versions?

Is there a way to tell from the box/serial #'s??

How many have the updated ones? Seems like only 1 person posting here (?). Would like to know if others with the updated versions also have quite units or this one poster just got lucky.

Fleaman

Wow, this thread went silent....otherwise I wouldn't normally quote myself (although I do enjoy it). But the question remains in my original quote of which only 1 poster mentioned trial testing the units in the store for fan noise which may not be the only indicator as to the post-recall possibility (I don't think ALL the pre-recalled players were noisy).

Fleaman

I agree the manual is very poorly written!!! I have had my unit 8 days. I do not have noisy fan. I am definatley still in a learning mode. I attempted to record from HD to DVD and have not been able to get my DVD +RWs to be recognized Comp USA, & Memorex brand have only tried 1 of each. Records on my HP DVD +Rs. I've had an ILO with 80 gig for a couple of years and it works great but alas they are out of production. There was a poster that I believe said he had an ILO that had crashed. If it was a hard drive they can also be replaced with a larger drive, but the drive must be formatted to fat 32. Hopefully as time go's by more people will write up their experiences

I bought one of the first 4 at my Walmart after they got them back in, probably that same day, they didn't have one on display yet and at that point almost nobody had one to figure out the fans were noisy. My fan sounds like a bad air conditioner but adding the soft rubber donuts I made for the screws quieted it down about 50 percent. I also have some other noisy fans I might try after I get a dropping resister to slow them down and make them much quieter as they move much more air then the stock one does.
The case is very thin metal and the fan bearings and whatever just resonate through the whole unit because all they used to dampen mine at least was a thin piece of black foam rubber gasket.

I'm into my second day of this purchase I am beginning to regret. Mainly because this thing only records in VR mode. You can forget popping a disc into your PC to quickly edit or copy something you have recorded. Those of you having trouble recording from HDD to disc, I can relate to. Press HDD. Add/Clear your selection. Press REC. What happens is it actually does begin high speed dubbing, but there's no way to tell what the heck is going on or when it is finished. It just goes back to live mode and your watching your input signal. I first used a Taiyo Yuden -R and it didn't record anything on three attempts. A Ridata +R worked fine.

Bought the last one at my local Wal-mart. I was lucky the fan is very quite.

I did some recording tests to the DVD (about 10 minutes each) to check
the recording bit rates & resolutions and they all make sence except the 6 hour mode.

1hr (HQ) was 720x480 at 9000kbps
2hr (SP) was 720x480 at 4380kbps
2.5hr (SP+) was 720x480 at 3750kbps
3hr (LP) was 720x480 at 3090kbps
4hr (EP) was 352x480 at 2130kbps
6hr (SLP) was 352x480 at 9396kbps

The manual says that EP is 3 hours but the screen display says its 4 hours
and the manual says that LP is 4 hours but the screen display says its 3 hours

But how can the bit rate be 9396 for 6 hours but only 2130 for 4 hours
at the same screen size.

I guess i will need to do the tests over again at longer times to see if
SLP mode is really 6 hours and not 4 hours.

The biggest mistake is the 24 hour clock display mode instead of AM/PM

But how can the bit rate be 9396 for 6 hours but only 2130 for 4 hours at the same screen size.Resolution ("screen size") doesn't matter as far as bitrate is concerned. More time equals less bitrate (they have a reciprocal relationship in other words). The bitrate for 6-hour mode should have been around 1500 according to the other numbers. Something is wrong with how you're determining that number to arrive at 9396. In fact, for the video portion of what's encoded on a DVD, 9200Kb/s is the maximum allowed by the DVD Standard.

The biggest mistake is the 24 hour clock display mode instead of AM/PM

If that can't truly be fixed, then it would be very inconvenient, stupid in fact. And I grew up on ocean yachts, so I'm not normally resistant to maritime/military time code, but on a video recorder that will record shows listed only in am/pm formats?? What were they thinking?

Do we even know for sure that all the units at Wally world are update units?

Fleaman

Ok, I just completed a 1 hour test recording in the SLP mode.

The recording used up 757Mb of the DVD so 6 hours would have taken 4.5Gb which is the size of the DVD.

So SLP mode is 6 hours.

But the program i'm using to read the bit rate still says 9396kbps so there must be a bug in TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.5 that reports the wrong bit rate in the 6 hour mode.

bobkart must be right, that it has to be near 1500kbps in 6 hour mode. All the other numbers look right but the bit rate i got in the 6 hour mode just looks wrong.

Do we even know for sure that all the units at Wally world are update units?

Fleaman

I only heard that the recall was for a mistake in the printing of the manual. Did you hear that there was a hardware or software problem ?

(Just to be clear .... To record a TV show you can use AM/PM for the start and end times, Its only the front panel display that always shows the time in 24 hour mode.)

Pad77,

This was posted on June 6th of this thread:

The fan is not as noisy - barely noticable. The remote is the exact same but on the old one, the unit did not respond unless the remote was directed straight at the recorder. Now it is more sensitive. On the returned unit, after recording to +r, the disk would not play on the unit until finalized so I could not edit it. No such problem on the replacement. On the returned unit, I could hardly see the menu screen because the Polaroid logo was not faded into the background - that is what I meant by cleaning up the screen.

Couple of questions - when I record two titles to dvd+r - does anyone know how I can delete one before finalizing? I can only figure out how to delete the disk and not one title. Has anyone figured a region free hack?

So either the recall was for more than just the manual, or there are some serious QC differences between units.

Fleaman

And this was free4all's previous post about the 1st polaroid unit he got:
(sorry for the out of sequence post of his quote)

I have this recorder about three weeks now. As others, Walmart registers would not allow sale and clerk overrode the system. I had an ILO recorder that just gave up and this is my first hdd. Agree that the remote is cumbersome and has to be lined up just so, the fan is very loud, the users manual is all over the place, the set - up menu uses am/pm but the display clock is 24 hour and can't be changed The pause tv works great, the picture is great. So far I have used it mostly to record from TV in 2hr mode using DVD+R and no major problems til today. The dvd burns but will not play until finalized. I take it out of the recorder before it is finalized and it plays on my computer, I put it back in the recorder and it will not play but allows me to finalize and then plays. The second major problem is that it has "lost' a recording. I used otr to record a one hour show to disk while in the SP 2hr mode, I stopped the recording and started a new one recording. Only the second show is on the disk and the disk is full! This seems to have started when I set it to insert automatic chapters every ten minutes. I will play around some more and contact Polaroid before bringing it back. Maybe it is one of a bad batch - hence the recall which both Walmart and Polaroid deny. Oh and I used the YesDVD once and it destroyed the disk. I may also use different media to see if that is the problem. But I don't find it at all user friendly. It is almost impossible to figure out how to finalize a disk. The manual references the "disc operation" mode which can be accessed by pressing the "disc open" button, a button that does not exist and also references the p and q button which also does not exist. If they would restock at Walmart I would bring it back and try another. If anyone has figured a region hack, please post.

Fleaman

I've been lurking in this forum/thread for a few days. Interesting DVD recorder Polaroid has come out with - especially at the Wally World price! What makes this unit particularly unique is the use of the standard IDE-ATA connector inside. This is absolutely a god send if you're into hacking hardware to expand its capability. I may pick up this unit, if for no other reason then to hack it a bit. Can you imagine a 500gig drive? Reminds me of my Sampo 631CF I bought a few years back. It was the first to have a CF card reader and use IDE for the DVD-ROM drive.

I'm curious of the PQ though and the quality of the DVD recordings? What type of DVDs it will accept? Wonder if you could put a double-layer 'thin' DVD recorder in it? Hummm... A noisy fan seems easy enough to hack/silent, etc. And doesn't it have a 1394 port on the front panel? Wonder if it will take an HD stream direct to the hard drive?

Thoughts? Comments?

redjr...

redjr,

The only FireWire stream accepted by DVD recorders so far has been DV (like from a mini-DV camcorder) but you probably already knew that. It is not likely that any MPEG stream will be accepted by the FireWire input on the stock unit.

Now if you do some hacks, well that could be another story.

I have since tried a old NEC 2500 that is 8x max and it wouldn't go past trying to record either so it must be tied to the burner it came with in firmware. ....

Hey, Dartman, you could try plugging the drive up to your computer and reading its BIOS/Maker codes. It would at least tell us what they are using. I think DL disks are problematic enough on PC's... I would not expect them to work in an Off-the-shelf philips rebadge.

It says recorded by Philips on CD Speed, and I think it says Philips dr2 or something similar in dvd info pro. I don't think I'll be pulling the drive back out any time soon again but if I do I'll give it a shot if I can get power into it.

I've been reading this post for a few days and I purchased a unit yesterday.

I purchased the unit for the TVG, HDD recordings, the ability to convert my old tapes to dvd and the dv input on front.

I do not have the loud fan noise but the unit seems to get very hot. Like many my remote is completely crap! Yes the buttons are small but worse is it must be directly lined up with the unit and it only works about 6-7ft away from the unit. I tried different batteries but to no avail. I looked at the ir on the unit and it seems like it is a few mm into the machine which would account for the bad angle but not for the horrible range. Is anyone else having this issue with the range? Wonder if I have an old unit or as some suggest the unknown recall was just for the manual and not software/hardware changes?

It seems it would be a gadget worthy machine but I would return it just for the remote frustations.

Also the channel changing is painfully slow. No VCR+. I didn't see anywhere that DTS was supported (I haven't tried a DTS disk yet). I saw progressive scan mentioned in the online manual but not certain it is supported (my guess is its supported).

Too bad, I was looking forward to some of the cool features. I would have upgraded the HD also. Maybe I could have made adjustments to the machine and lived with the remote, and channel speed pains but for my wife, if it doesn't integrate seemlessly, its thrown out!

Has anyone tried using a universal remote?

For itmanager ....

On the remote the PS/IS button is for switching from Progressive
scan to Interlaced scan (page 5 button 35 in the manual).

My unit also has the IR angle and range problems.

I think i have the upgraded unit because on the menu screen
the Polaroid name is faded into the background (as reported by free4all)

Thank you, I try ;) It was cheap enough as long as I just don't smoke it by shorting something out it's worth seeing what it can do and upgrade to.
I have since tried a old NEC 2500 that is 8x max and it wouldn't go past trying to record either so it must be tied to the burner it came with in firmware. I also made some rubber o rings out of a vacuum port plug for the fan and it isolated it enough to drop the noise about 50 percent, still loud but acceptable. I'm also getting some better grade fans from a friend, when they arrive I will try them out if I can get some plugs to work in the board. It has a T&T 12 volt .16 amp 2 pin fan now, 40mm thin, and it moves about 7 cfm according to the specs same guy found for me.
By the way, there is a port on the board for USB too, it's a 6 pin plug in a line right next to the firewire plug.....hmmmm....

I bought one from Wally & one on Ebay for $138. I removed covers & made covers from 3/16" board. I slotted the tops to place ide & pwr plugs on top. I used 1st a Rack mounted hard drive enclosure, but the unit would not recognize the 80 gig drive, so I plugged the drive directly to the plugs and everything was aok. So now I can swap drive & record off 2 Sat receivers at the same time. My main reason for doing this is I have receivers in different rooms & my HDTV Projector is separate.
As for noisy fans being the hard drives are outside if it is bothersome I'll just clip them. Would be interested if anyone trys USB??

Also if anyone like me has had to hunt out commands maybe the following will help
+Directions to Erase Disk: Timeshift off, Press DVD, Menu appears, press up button, Menu appears, press right button, Menu appears, Select erase

To Edit Disk: Timeshift off, Press DVD, Menu appears, press right button, Menu appears, select mode

I just updated my Harmony 659 controller & added my 2001g. There is nothing wrong with the receivers sensor, it's the cheap controller they provide. I can control from even behind the receiver by bouncing the beam off oposing wall.

I also updated my Harmony remote to the DRM2001 and now I'm having no problems. I also went to the LSI website www.lsilogic.com/products/product_showcase/dvd-hdd-vcr_recorders.html#dvdhddvcr4 (http://)
and was surprised to see how many recorders are using their chip set. I believe Polaroid is using LSI's 8652 processor on this chip set. I have also upgraded the WD drive to 250 gb and replaced the fan with a 6.00 sunron fan(much quieter) from Fry's.

Magic

Sounds like I just need to try training one of my remotes and see what happens :D
Been mostly using it for my more throw away type shows that I don't care about stereo so far but it continues to plug away and I'm getting a bit more used to the editing weirdness.

Sounds like I just need to try training one of my remotes and see what happens :D
Been mostly using it for my more throw away type shows that I don't care about stereo so far but it continues to plug away and I'm getting a bit more used to the editing weirdness.

Dartman

I'm glad you brought up the stereo tuner issues. I've done some research on this stereo tuner issue. I'm not an expert on this, but it seems to me that the only place this is an issue is when you what to use the DVR as your main tuner. If you use your
tv or monitor tuner it will decode the stereo information since the analog signal is passed through intact to the TV. Now when you record the tuner analog signal on your recorder it is sent to a analog to digital decorder(ADC) and the stereo information is processed with video information to the HDD or DVD. After this the information goes through Digital to Analog encorder(DAC) out to your TV or audio receiver which will give you stereo. In a nutshell if you use the DVR tuner for switching channels on your TV, you won't get stereo. Work around: use the tv tuner. If I've messed this up someone correct me.

Magic

So recorded discs are stereo? Your explaination makes a lot of sense, esp. for a budget player that may be hooked up to a mono tv...hate to nag, but have you played a disc back on a surround system? Can you confirm it is in stereo? (or dolby surround)

Yes, if it gets stereo in, it spits stereo back out. It's just the built in tuner thats mono, not the rest of the machine. So yes if you don't care about using it's tuner for PVR work the tuner from a stereo settop will be stereo when recorded, I have done it with dubs from my panny and my HDTV tuner box.
BUT most of us like the convenience of just using it to timeshift stuff for later so using it off it's tuner is way easier except for the mono recordings it makes.
IF I knew a way to add or mod in a good stereo tuner onboard I'd give it a shot but hard to say if it could work even if a stereo pin compatible tuner module was found.

...hate to nag, but have you played a disc back on a surround system? Can you confirm it is in stereo?[/ (or dolby surround)
I don't hate to nag...why can't someone do this simple test?

"NTSC-M" does NOT stand for mono, but we could all sleep better if someone would just confirm the sound from the tuner!!! Even someone with a TV like mine that pops up a message letting me know when the audio is in mono or stereo can let us know that way!?

I have done direct comparisons between same channel with obvious stereo and this unit and it's mono. Most the manuals online don't list that feature so hard to check on before buying.
My tv does not show if the incoming source is stereo or like that, only does it for it's tuners.My Panasonic shows stereo or mono and so does my LG settop tuner, plus dolby digital etc in it's case. My av receiver just shows if it's DTS or DD and stereo mode if it's anything else I think.

I have done direct comparisons between same channel with obvious stereo and this unit and it's mono. Most the manuals online don't list that feature so hard to check on before buying.
My tv does not show if the incoming source is stereo or like that, only does it for it's tuners.My Panasonic shows stereo or mono and so does my LG settop tuner, plus dolby digital etc in it's case. My av receiver just shows if it's DTS or DD and stereo mode if it's anything else I think.
So.....

Does anyone have this Polaroid unit AND an electronic device (Home Theater receiver, TV, audiometer, stereometricsignalthing, stereo hearing aids, etc.) that reads the audio signal sent to it by an external device?

If so, will you please "read" the electronic device and let us know if it shows "mono," "dual mono," stereo, " or "whointhehellknows"?

Listening to the signal on headphones is another simple way to tell if you have a monaural or stereophonic signal.

Listening to the signal on headphones is another simple way to tell if you have a monaural or stereophonic signal.
Thanks, bobkart!

Does ANYONE with this Polaroid unit have stereo headphones???

(If so, please make sure you're listening to a stereo broadcast...maybe a classical concert, but NOT MTV (see 3rd quoted section on "Pop music" below). :)

Added: It is difficult, at best, to actually "hear" stereo sound. See the technical descriptions included below (all from this Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereo_sound)).

"In common usage, a "stereo" is a two-channel sound reproduction system, and a "stereo recording" is a two-channel recording. This is a cause for much confusion, since five (or more) channel home theater systems are not popularly described as "stereo". It is worth noting that most film soundtracks are not recorded using stereo techniques, so while capable of stereo playback, most home theater systems rarely do."

"Descriptions of stereophonic sound tend to stress the ability to localize the position of each instrument in space, but in reality many people listen on playback systems that do a poor job of re-creating a stereo "image". Many listeners assume that "stereo" sound is "richer" or "fuller-sounding" than monophonic sound. This is inaccurate — stereo and mono can have equally detailed abilities to play recorded notes. The spatial illusion is what sets stereo recordings apart from mono recordings."

"Most two-channel recordings are stereo recordings only in this weaker sense. Pop music, in particular, is usually recorded using close miking techniques, which artificially separates signals into several tracks. The separate tracks are then mixed into a two-channel recording which often bears little or no resemblance to the actual physical and spatial relationship of the musicians at the time of the original performance. Indeed, it is not uncommon for different tracks of the same song to be recorded at different times, and even in different studios, and then mixed into a final two-channel recording for commercial release. Classical music recordings are a notable exception."

"Balance can mean the amount of signal from each channel reproduced in a stereo audio recording. Typically, a balance control will have 0 dB of gain in the center position for both channels, and attenuate one channel as the control is turned, leaving the other channel at 0 dB." I think this means that, if you turn a balance control one way, and the speaker(s) on the other side sound mostly like the bass, guitars, voice, or some other discrete element of the total sound, that is a stereo signal? If it were 2-channel non-stereo ("mono"), the sound will be the same, except only from one side (or "half the level")?

To clarify my position: This would be used mainly for timeshifting, but there would be some programs I'd archive. And those HAVE to be in stereo. So I don't care how this plays as a tuner as long as the recordings are faithful to the source. I'm gonna be awfully PO'd if I buy this and the recording is in mono. And the fact that none has said "Yeah, I played a disc I made last night on my ht and it is in stereo" kinda convinces me the recording is mono.
Again, the stereo signal carries the prologic mix so it should be pretty easy to tell what its recording at. Record nearly any primetime network show, play it thru a receiver and surround speaker system without any extra proccessing and it should be easy to tell. If its stereo there willl be action in the surrounds. If its mono, there won't be. Simple.

To clarify my position: This would be used mainly for timeshifting, but there would be some programs I'd archive. And those HAVE to be in stereo. So I don't care how this plays as a tuner as long as the recordings are faithful to the source. I'm gonna be awfully PO'd if I buy this and the recording is in mono. And the fact that none has said "Yeah, I played a disc I made last night on my ht and it is in stereo" kinda convinces me the recording is mono.
Again, the stereo signal carries the prologic mix so it should be pretty easy to tell what its recording at. Record nearly any primetime network show, play it thru a receiver and surround speaker system without any extra proccessing and it should be easy to tell. If its stereo there willl be action in the surrounds. If its mono, there won't be. Simple.

I'm also looking at this unit due to the HD 'upgradeability' factor. It would be hard for me to believe that the tuner only supports and records in mono. That's like early 70's technology! That would be a serious design flaw if Polaroid did indeed limit it to a mono signal from the tuner. So, I understand your concern - and mine!

In any event, I'm staying tuned to this thread for an update from an owner, and like you said, this should be a very simple test to determine.

redjr.... :)

Since "stereo" sound is not just 2-channel sound, I think we all have 2-channel tuners and recorders, and the only time they will reproduce TRUE stereo sound is if the program it receives was TRULY recorded in stereo, at the source, and not just a 2-channel mix of multiple microphones!!!???

Let's not make this any more confusing than it needs to be.

Stereo audio consists of two discrete channels, commonly referred to as left and right based on the listeners' perspective.

From the stereo audio equipment perspective, it does not matter whether the program originator used one microphone for each channel or somehow composed a "stereo mix" using multiple sources, some with mic's and some with direct electronic connections. The end result is a 2-channel audio program that is processed and delivered as the same 2 channels all the way to the left and right speakers.

A purist view of stereo would include microphone placement that best approximates how an in-the-room listener of the live program would hear the sound field in the room, with left and right differences resulting from placement, distances, etc.

Now, if you want to complicate things a bit, we can add Dolby matrixed surround encoding to add center and rear channels to the left and right channels being sent through the 2-channel path to the listener's equipment. If the listener equipment includes a Dolby Pro Logic decoder, the rear surround and center channels can be separated from the left and right channels and directed to the appropriate speakers. Lacking a decoder, the listener will hear 2-channel, left and right stereo.

No matter what, the transport path for "stereo" audio consists of 2 channels.

If the tuner in question is mono, identical audio signals are sent to the left and right stereo inputs of the recording process and the recording sounds like mono. If an external source is plugged into the L+R RCA line input jacks on the recorder, whatever comes in on each channel is recorded and played back in its original form, whether mono, stereo or Dolby matrixed surround.

I just checked all 50 of my cable channels thru my Pio 531 tuner, and all channels show "STEREO" in the initial channel display info...even a "Leave it to Beaver" episode!

I guess that means I have a "Stereo" tuner! :D

Has anyone tried the "Segment " feature.
It's an editing function.
They tell you to use the "SELECT" button, but there is no "SELECT" button on the machine or remote.
It says that on the screen and in the manual.

Can anyone help??

Yes I have used the segment feature. You push the enter button in the middle of the direction buttons to get your start and end points. It's acurate to within 1/2 second according to the manual so its sometimes a bit off on the exact spot you picked , then you get a bit of the commercial your trying to loose.
The remote is picky for most units so sometimes it doesn't catch the command when you give it so the edit point doesn't take. You can pause the thing and slow scan forward to the exact spot you want with the pause button held down till you get it just where you want then hit the enter button.
If you totally mess up your edit points because it wont take them when you hit the button you can scan forward or back and try agian till it catches or just erase all the points with the add/clear button. I've found if the prohibited circle/slash thing comes on screen you probably held the button too long and the edit point doesn't take. When you eventually see the dark purple spots show up as you scan forward to the next point on the progress bar that means the edit point took and thats the spots that wont get recorded.
I usually try to hit the start point a little bit before the scene fades out or I get the beginning of the commercial in all my edits :mad:
Like I've said before their editing system sucks but I guess at least it's non destructive in that it never erases the spots, just skips them.
My old Panasonic just destroys this unit in the way it edits things, it has beginning and end scene boxes and is pretty much frame accurate, plus the remote works. I can also do the segment style editing rather then erase the edit points entirely.

Since I started using my Harmony Remote, I've found the reaction times to be almost instantaneous. I've been able to edit out spots the first try dead on. In answer to an earlier post, the tuner does record in mono. My test being, turning on close captioning. When recording through the tuner to the hard drive there is no close captioning infomation, which indicates to me there are no muti-channel information.Then I tried viewing through my TV's tuner and close caption did in fact show on my screen. I also have a dish receiver with outputs (video/audio) going to the recorder inputs and close caption is seen on the shows I recorded. I guess the companies are figuring with the high price of these units they will be part of a Home theater set up with an audio receiver or set top cable/sat box to handle our stereo needs. Even with a mono signal, I can still manipulate the sound through my receiver to get the desired effects. One other thing, I've started moving my VHS tapes to DVD with a composite cable and I'm amazed at the quality of the recordings. I figured I have to by a VHS with a S-video out to get a good reproduction.

Magic

I think many of us need to do the remote program thing to our favorite unit, OR maybe try a high output led for the sending unit if you like to hack tweak things.
If anybodys thinking of the new LiteOns with DL etc, they still have mono tuners too :(

In answer to an earlier post, the tuner does record in mono. My test being, turning on close captioning. When recording through the tuner to the hard drive there is no close captioning infomation, which indicates to me there are no muti-channel information.
I assume you were watching the same program thru your Polaroid and the TV?

However, the Polaroid DOES have closed captioning ability...it has the TV Guardian (TVG) feature...which means it has to have a tuner capable of receiving MTS sound. TVG relies on CC to work (when activated, of course). But check pg 19 of manual for settings on the CC itself and make sure you have the correct CC settings.

I think you should select Channel 1 (not 2 as they recommend) because Channel 1 should contain the English SAP, and some units, like my Akai TV, shows SAP CC if I select Channel 1, but shows nothing when I select Channel 2. You should also select "ON Continuous" so CC shows up all the time.

Also, CC can take up to 10 sec to show up on a TV screen (that has been set to show CC, of course) from a channel that is actually sending the CC signal.

CSPAN is one channel that transmits CC during their interview shows (for sure).

I assume you were watching the same program thru your Polaroid and the TV?

However, the Polaroid DOES have closed captioning ability...it has the TV Guardian (TVG) feature...which means it has to have a tuner capable of receiving MTS sound. TVG relies on CC to work (when activated, of course). But check pg 19 of manual for settings on the CC itself and make sure you have the correct CC settings.

I think you should select Channel 1 (not 2 as they recommend) because Channel 1 should contain the English SAP, and some units, like my Akai TV, shows SAP CC if I select Channel 1, but shows nothing when I select Channel 2. You should also select "ON Continuous" so CC shows up all the time.

Also, CC can take up to 10 sec to show up on a TV screen (that has been set to show CC, of course) from a channel that is actually sending the CC signal.

CSPAN is one channel that transmits CC during their interview shows (for sure).

So have you got CC working thru the polaroid tuner? :D

Magic

No, I haven't bought one yet, but am interested...just waiting for a "definitive" test. That hasn't been done yet. :)

Now that's funny. :rolleyes:

So, I guess you're confirming for everyone in this forum that might be interested in the Polaroid that:
1-you did have the Polaroid CC set properly (even trying all its options).
2-you had BOTH the TV and the Polaroid set for the SAME CC channel.
3-you set the Polaroid to "On Continuous" to make sure it showed captions.
4-you waited an appropriate time for captions to appear.
5-you viewed the SAME broadcast channel that you "confirmed" was actually transmitting the CC (i.e., viewed same content at approx. same time, not a commercial for one and the program for another).

These important details are missing from your description of your test.

Since the unit has a feature that few other recorders have (TV Guardian) and that feature relies on CC to work, it would seem improbable that it could not receive MTS sound thru its tuner!!! :rolleyes:

While it's still possible, or "absolutely certain" to you, that the unit has a mono tuner, the connection of TVG and CC settings is an "odd" thing for DVDRs and might work together, whether or not you actually subscribe to TVG...and even tho' the manual suggests TVG is only for playing DVDs (odd!?). That's the only thing that might make sense: the tuner for broadcast TV is NON-MTS, and the TVG /CC works only for filtering DVDs played in the unit!

So, the TVG/CC settings need to be explored fully before pronouncing "definitive" judgement.

(My first use of the dreaded "sarcastic" smilie, which I've always tried to stay away from, no matter how obnoxious the post was re: one of mine! Feels good!)

So, I guess you're confirming for everyone in this forum that might be interested in the Polaroid that:
1-you did have the Polaroid CC set properly (even trying all its options).
2-you had BOTH the TV and the Polaroid set for the SAME CC channel.
3-you set the Polaroid to "On Continuous" to make sure it showed captions.
4-you waited an appropriate time for captions to appear.
5-you viewed the SAME broadcast channel that you "confirmed" was actually transmitting the CC (i.e., viewed same content at approx. same time, not a commercial for one and the program for another).

These important details are missing from your description of your test.

Since the unit has a feature that few other recorders have (TV Guardian) and that feature relies on CC to work, it would seem improbable that it could not receive MTS sound thru its tuner!!! :rolleyes:

While it's still possible, or "absolutely certain" to you, that the unit has a mono tuner, the connection of TVG and CC settings is an "odd" thing for DVDRs and might work together, whether or not you actually subscribe to TVG...and even tho' the manual suggests TVG is only for playing DVDs (odd!?). That's the only thing that might make sense: the tuner for broadcast TV is NON-MTS, and the TVG /CC works only for filtering DVDs played in the unit...that would be pretty dumb, actually!

So, the TVG/CC settings need to be explored fully before pronouncing "definitive" judgement.

(My first use of the dreaded "sarcastic" smilie, which I've always tried to stay away from, no matter how obnoxious the post was re: one of mine! Feels good!)

Wabjxo

I hope you get the infomation you are seeking. I will leave my observations as posted and allow anyone that views it to take what they like from it. As far as TVG
goes, it may only apply to the DVD player portion of the recorder or maybe when you buy TVG CC gets turned on, I have no idea. This ends my involvement with this thread.

Magic

I'm also looking at this unit due to the HD 'upgradeability' factor. It would be hard for me to believe that the tuner only supports and records in mono. That's like early 70's technology! That would be a serious design flaw if Polaroid did indeed limit it to a mono signal from the tuner. So, I understand your concern - and mine!

In any event, I'm staying tuned to this thread for an update from an owner, and like you said, this should be a very simple test to determine.

redjr.... :)



I have a 700 watt 7.1 system, and ALL 7 speakers work in Stereo, DTS, PLXll and ALL other modes.....EXCEPT MONO....

Oh yes, and the signal comes through in stereo on my Bose noise cancelling headphones.

NTSC-M is Japanese NTSC all other Countries are PAL

Phred

I have a 700 watt 7.1 system, and ALL 7 speakers work in Stereo, DTS, PLXll and ALL other modes.....EXCEPT MONO....

Oh yes, and the signal comes through in stereo on my Bose noise cancelling headphones.

NTSC-M is Japanese NTSC all other Countries are PAL

Phred
NTSC-J is Japanese. NTSC-M is the "universal" variety of NTSC. From Wikipedia:

"Unlike PAL, with its many varied underlying broadcast television systems in use throughout the world, NTSC color encoding is invariably used with broadcast system M, giving NTSC-M. The United Kingdom once contemplated introducing a 405-line NTSC-A system on top of its old black-and-white television system, but the proposal was eventually scrapped in favor of the incompatible PAL-I. Only Japan's variant "NTSC-J" is very slightly different: in Japan, black level and blanking level of the signal are identical (at 0 IRE), as they are in PAL, while in American NTSC, black level is slightly higher (7.5 IRE) than blanking level. Since the difference is quite small, a slight turn of the brightness knob is all that is required to enjoy the "other" variant of NTSC on any set as it is supposed to be; most watchers might not even notice the difference in the first place.

The Brazilian PAL-M system uses the same broadcast bandwidth, frame rate, and number of lines as NTSC, but using PAL encoding. It is therefore NTSC-compatible in sources such as video cassettes and DVDs, but its color picture cannot be received on a standard NTSC television set."

i bought this unit about 3 weeks ago from walmart,first one lasted one day it crashed and burned. the second one i got i have had no problems with. in fact i went to hollywood video today and rented some vsh tapes put it in my dvd/vsh player and hit record on the polaroid,guess what? it copied it,clear as a bell.another bonus just put a rented dvd in the dvd player,pressed play and hit the record on the polaroid,yep!copied it also clear as a bell.one thing.i dont know if i have the settings right but it puts a polaroid title screen on the dvd? its not on the movies off the direct tv.looked at the dvd it has an extra vob file which has the title screen just like 321 use to have. does anyone have any idea how to get the title screen off.thanks

I just bought mine last night, and so far I've have an issue with the audio out of the digial out's being low. Playing a DVD it's fine, but the audio from the tuner is LOW. I'd say about half of what the digital signal is out of my cable box (switching between). I don't have any other audio out's hooked to the receiver, just the optical. BTW, I've tried the coax too, it's the same. I've looked for levels and volume settings on receiver and player and have all set to max.
Any ideas? Tonight I'll probably experiment more but this has me stumpped. I've never had this problem with any other digital signal.

I just bought mine last night, and so far I've have an issue with the audio out of the digial out's being low. Playing a DVD it's fine, but the audio from the tuner is LOW. I'd say about half of what the digital signal is out of my cable box (switching between). I don't have any other audio out's hooked to the receiver, just the optical. BTW, I've tried the coax too, it's the same. I've looked for levels and volume settings on receiver and player and have all set to max.
Any ideas? Tonight I'll probably experiment more but this has me stumpped. I've never had this problem with any other digital signal.
Here may be some help???...a post by "Buk" after getting help from "Budget_HT", where it was suggested that Buk replace his optical connection with the std RCA, which solved a "similar" (?) audio "imbalance" problem. The approp. thread page can be found here. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7890734&highlight=narrow#post7890734)

Post #205 by Buk in linked thread:

"Thanks to all who have expressed interest in my problem. Your combined comments may have gotten me to where I wanted to be.

I grabbed a decibel meter from work, which may have not really helped me as my sample material from each source (and recorded versus live) was not identical.

I added an audio connection from the RD-XS54 to my amplifier to include RCA. With both optical and analog connected and switching back and forth, my wife and I could bearly detect a difference between optical and analog. AND the difference between recorded versus live was the same, with live being louder.

Then I dug through the PDF of the amplifier's manual and found the "dynamic range compressor" setting. According to the manual, "Dynamic range compression is available with Dolby Digital sources only". The setting was on "Maximum" and I changed it to "Standard".

I'm guessing, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that by changing this the dynamic range of a DD 2/0 signal is similar in perceived volume of a PCM 48kHz signal.

I say perceived, because I'm no audiophile and what may have actually happened had nothing to do with volume.


Thanks to all and please stay tuned for more newbie questions,

Buk "

I'm new to all of this, but I have got to say that I am enjoying my Polaroid very much.
It's easy to use and record.
I was very surprised to find out that it could play DVDs that were in PAL format.

That was an added bonus.

So that brings me to my question.

Does anyone know how to record from PAL and burn it in NTSC?