[Compromise]

Does anyone know how to record HD off of a Zenith DTV1080?


I have read on this forum about the 169timeshift device for the DTC100. I know very little about HDTV recording or HDTV PVRs if they even exist for DirecTV.


The JVC is 1394 interconnect; the 1080 is not, etc. Any ideas? Is copy protection the killer here?


Thanks,

Peter

 

[HiDefGuy]

Peter, no problem. There should be a recording FAQ in this forum section, but there isn't. In respect to the HD D-VHS JVC unit with current retail equipment:


Currently, using equipment on sale now, the only way to record off the air (OTA) with the JVC recorder is via the modification of the DTC100 HD receiver that 169time performs, that adds 1394 connectivity. There is currently no way to record satellite programming on the JVC. That may change soon as set top boxes (STB's) with a 1394 connection will (apparently) start to arrive soon and/or JVC will sell an adjunct unit for their HD D-VHS unit for OTA. You can record OTA material using a PC with one of the available HD receiver cards such as the HiPix or AccessDTV cards, and I believe there's a way to dump the MPEG2 files generated from these onto the JVC D-VHS (search older articles) but I haven't been following development that closely.

There are workrounds to recording both OTA and Dish satellite with older (defunct) Panasonic equipment.


But this doesn't stop you watching D-Theater HD tapes with the JVC, since the unit has component output for this purpose.


Hope this helps


Greg

 

[Compromise]

HiDefGuy,


Thanks for the overviw. It seems that there should exist an interim solution for component to 1394 using A/D's although probably not much of a market. An interesting device used for conventional SD is the Dazzle which takes SD and puts out 1394. (see http://www.dazzle.com/products/hw_bridge.html ) I do not know how well this works for SD. All I have seen is the ad.


But are all the HD channels copy protected anyway, so this type of solution would not work?


But why do they not make a component input D-VHS?


Also if you use the HiPix or AccessDTV card, could you output 1394 from the PC to the JVC?


Thanks

Peter

 

[HiDefGuy]

If dazzle made a version of this product for HD component connections they'd get a lot of orders from AVS folks...!

I'm far from being expert in this, but my understanding is that it's difficult (impossible?) to copy protect HD component outputs. Although it seems obvious to manufacture a D-VHS with component inputs, presumably the digital-analog conversion would degrade the recorded quality, not to mention the question of copy control. Also, it presumably would be rather more expensive than a plain old 1394 D-VHS unit because of the extra electronics. I think we're all waiting on the appearance of the first STB's with 1394 and also HD PVR's.


Greg

 

[Compromise]

HiDefGuy,

I couldn't agree with you more regarding the wait for the 1394 STB and HD PVR. But, there is a large market for existing HD analog output STBs such as my Zenith dtv1080 that I plunked down to much for. Therein lies the problem.


This issue is similar to the DVD issue. I use my HTPC with dvi to the plasma directly, result -- great picture (480p) but the Panny 91 is highly lauded even though it is component interconnect.


I believe that the best solution would be for the recorder to have both component and most certainly 1394. It should also have a DVI output, as well as an HD receiver built into it. But I could make a long wish list.


Thanks for your comments.


peter

 

[leszek1]

Quote:

Originally posted by Compromise HiDefGuy, Thanks for the overviw. It seems that there should exist an interim solution for component to 1394 using A/D's although probably not much of a market. (...) Thanks Peter

Please remember that you can only send compressed data over 1394, such as MPEG2 or DV. In order to "convert" from component to 1394, you would have to have an MPEG2 encoder in addition to an A/D converter. Hi-Def MPEG2 encoders are close to $100,000 as far as I know.

 

[Dylan Savage]

I can almost see myself buying a DVHS machine and a new STB if the HD-HBO and HD-Showtime are not copy protected. That is, if I can record via firewire, and play it back via firewire through the STB, then I'm on-board. What I don't think I'd like is to record via firewire, and since my TV doesn't have it, not be able to play it back because of the copy protection. Anyone know how DirecTV's HD-channels are copy protected, if at all?

 

[AllenD]

Quote:

There is currently no way to record satellite programming on the JVC. That may change soon as set top boxes (STB's) with a 1394 connection will (apparently) start to arrive soon and/or JVC will sell an adjunct unit for their HD D-VHS unit for OTA.

I thought the reason for adding DVI to a DirecTV STB was so HD satellie reception could not be recorded? Am I missing something here?

 

[Compromise]

Quote:

Originally posted by AllenD I thought the reason for adding DVI to a DirecTV STB was so HD satellie reception could not be recorded? Am I missing something here?

I do not think this is the case. DVI has been desired on STBs to enable direct digital connection to the display, without any analog interface. For example, I could drive my plasma directly with DVI. The PQ should be much better, for HD material at least. Otherwise, with my current STB it is an analog drive RGB, etc., and analog artifacts will always provide an inferior display to a full digital one.


However, if a recorder had component imputs, we might be able to record a DTV HD signal. A DVI interconnect could in theory preserve any nasty schemes to block recording.