How many options are there to record HDTV?
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With DirecTV, only a few. The HD TiVo is far and away the best option in my opinion but other possibilities are:
1.) 169time modified receiver with firewire to a D-VHS VCR or PC.
2.) R5000-HD modified receiver with USB 2.0 port to PC. Then PC to D-VHS if you want.
3) A JVC W-VHS VCR which records analog 1080i HDTV from component video.
Non of these options are inexpensive, I have the HD TiVo and 1 and 3 and all three work fine but most viewing is done using the HD TiVo. 169time is offering a sale for a few more days but everything considered the HD TiVo is probably less expensive. You can read here about any of them.
Chris
1.) 169time modified receiver with firewire to a D-VHS VCR or PC.
2.) R5000-HD modified receiver with USB 2.0 port to PC. Then PC to D-VHS if you want.
3) A JVC W-VHS VCR which records analog 1080i HDTV from component video.
Non of these options are inexpensive, I have the HD TiVo and 1 and 3 and all three work fine but most viewing is done using the HD TiVo. 169time is offering a sale for a few more days but everything considered the HD TiVo is probably less expensive. You can read here about any of them.
Chris
Do your local cable providers not allow you to rent a Scientific Atlanta, or Motorola set top box with DVR ability? If it has the 1394 port enabled, you may be able to also record your OTA receptions, but I haven't tried that one yet myself. Ahh, but you'd have to pay for their Basic service also. So your locing at about $40 a month.
Perhaps Direct and Dish TV suffer a major drawback of the user having to purchase a Tivo unit for DVR ability. correct?
I hav e been considering a satelite provider, but have not been putting DVR in the equation. My local HD content is scarce to say the least.
I pay $13 a month for the HD + DVR
Versus $9 a month for a common Digital set top box.
I'm with Knology, Comcast is slightly higher.
The smart-alic answer: Put a camcorder in front of your TV and hit record. Be sure you are the optimal distance away.
Perhaps Direct and Dish TV suffer a major drawback of the user having to purchase a Tivo unit for DVR ability. correct?
I hav e been considering a satelite provider, but have not been putting DVR in the equation. My local HD content is scarce to say the least.
I pay $13 a month for the HD + DVR
Versus $9 a month for a common Digital set top box.
I'm with Knology, Comcast is slightly higher.
The smart-alic answer: Put a camcorder in front of your TV and hit record. Be sure you are the optimal distance away.
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The HDTV DirecTivo is the only HDTV recorder we can expect to see from DirecTV for the forseeable future. All other solutions involve ~$1000 hacks to DirecTV receivers. The Dish Network 921 HDTV DVR is also $999, but is less functional and usable.
Sony has an upcoming CableCard DVR for use with cable systems. It has a MSRP of $799, but it has inferior TVGuide OnScreen software with only one digital tuner (and one OTA tuner). The Sony can only record one channel at a time -- whereas the HDTV Tivo will let you record one channel while watching another, or record two channels simultaneously.
| I have D* with the Samsung SIRTS360 (no firewire) with an indoor antenna for local HD. The HD Tivo is 1000 bucks. Do I have any alternatives at all for recording HDTV? |
Sony has an upcoming CableCard DVR for use with cable systems. It has a MSRP of $799, but it has inferior TVGuide OnScreen software with only one digital tuner (and one OTA tuner). The Sony can only record one channel at a time -- whereas the HDTV Tivo will let you record one channel while watching another, or record two channels simultaneously.
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For the over-the-air HDTV you get from the antenna, there is a simple way to record and playback from red-laser DVD media:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=458141
There is another thread here in the Forum about using a Firewire input to record on a PC as well, with the right equipment that would handle your HD premium channels.
The cost to add this capability to a PC are not terribly extravagant:
MyHD HDTV tuner card - $239.
HP DVD-630i DVD burner - $129.
BTC 16X DVD-ROM - $20.
Total $388. This assumes you have a modest PC (800Mhz Pentium 3, 128MB memory) with space for two optical drives on the front panel and an open PCI slot for the HDTV tuner. If you must get your HD material from cable or satellite, the necessary Firewire card is $200 less than the HDTV tuner above (of course, your programming is not free then).
Using quality certified DVD media you can record HDTV for $1.60 an hour. Or $.60 an hour if you want to use inexpensive uncertified bulk media.
Gary
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=458141
There is another thread here in the Forum about using a Firewire input to record on a PC as well, with the right equipment that would handle your HD premium channels.
The cost to add this capability to a PC are not terribly extravagant:
MyHD HDTV tuner card - $239.
HP DVD-630i DVD burner - $129.
BTC 16X DVD-ROM - $20.
Total $388. This assumes you have a modest PC (800Mhz Pentium 3, 128MB memory) with space for two optical drives on the front panel and an open PCI slot for the HDTV tuner. If you must get your HD material from cable or satellite, the necessary Firewire card is $200 less than the HDTV tuner above (of course, your programming is not free then).
Using quality certified DVD media you can record HDTV for $1.60 an hour. Or $.60 an hour if you want to use inexpensive uncertified bulk media.
Gary
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Hah!
A single layer DVD only has capacity for 30-40 minutes of full-bitrate HDTV.... So yes, you need about two DVDs to fit one hour of programming.
This myHD-PC approach won't record cable channels like ESPN-HD, Discovery HD, TNT-HD, InHD, Hdnet, or HBO-HD.
| Using quality certified DVD media you can record HDTV for $1.60 an hour. Or $.60 an hour if you want to use inexpensive uncertified bulk media. |
A single layer DVD only has capacity for 30-40 minutes of full-bitrate HDTV.... So yes, you need about two DVDs to fit one hour of programming.
This myHD-PC approach won't record cable channels like ESPN-HD, Discovery HD, TNT-HD, InHD, Hdnet, or HBO-HD.
Thanks for the info- it looks like I'll either be saving my pennies or waiting for the price on the HD Tivo to come down. A buddy of mine has "regular ol" Tivo, and I will admit the features of Tivo are very cool. Any chance of the cost of that thing coming down...ever?
I mean, seriously, 1000 dollars for an HD receiver with a harddrive in it. They can't possibly cost so much to make can they?
I mean, seriously, 1000 dollars for an HD receiver with a harddrive in it. They can't possibly cost so much to make can they?
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DIRECTV doesn't subsidize the HD Tivo the way they do their other receivers. Also, they have invested a ton of R&D money on the HD Tivo and they are trying to price it to recover some of that investment.
I think the price will come down some, but probably not a huge amount anytime soon. Unless they decide to change their HD Tivo sales strategy...
I think the price will come down some, but probably not a huge amount anytime soon. Unless they decide to change their HD Tivo sales strategy...
Sony have apparently just released (or about to) a High-Definition Digital Video Recorder DHG-HDD500 ($999.99) and DHG-HDD250 ($799.99). They claim "Pause, rewind and record live high-definition TV with Sony's DHG-HDD500 High-Definition Digital Video Recorder" and "Record and store at least 60 hours of high-definition video and up to 400 hours of standard-definition video."
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Quote:
These are cable (and over-the-air) devices. They have CableCARD slots for non-proprietary conditional access of subscription cable services. Not an option for recording DirecTV.
For general information on all HD recording options, regardless of the source (cable, OTA, DBS, etc), see the " The Official AVS HDTV Recorders Synopsis! " topic at the top of the forum.
| Originally posted by AkaStp Sony have apparently just released (or about to) a High-Definition Digital Video Recorder DHG-HDD500 ($999.99) and DHG-HDD250 ($799.99). |
For general information on all HD recording options, regardless of the source (cable, OTA, DBS, etc), see the " The Official AVS HDTV Recorders Synopsis! " topic at the top of the forum.
Here are all of the options (I can think of):
1. PVR: LG 3410a is leading the pack, but you could get one of the new Sony or the Comcast box. Personally I think the PVR option does not truly give you a copy...it's just rental space. The 3410a can be used with a D-VHS deck for permanent archiving/playback. There is also an add-on option that can be placed in many HD receivers that allow them to output HD content over 1394 connection (costs about 800-1500 dollars after all is said and done)..
2. D-VHS: JVC is leading the pack here with 4 different models ranging from the 30k to the newest 100 with the built in tuner. Mitsubishi has a few recorders too but they do not support the D-Theater tapes available for pruchasing. Except for the latest JVC integraded recorder/tuner all D-VHS decks require a STB with 1394 output. You CAN record to a specific HDTV VCR over component cables, but this is analog and decks and tapes are very expensive.
3. Computer: Macs have a few options including DVHSCap and VirtualDVHS. There is also a new 1394 box you can buy with a tuner built in for OTA and unscrambled cable broadcasts. Windows support a few different PCI based cards (all around 150-300 dollars) that can capture and record OTA and unscrambled cable HD signals. If you have the cash their are some pro cards you can get that will playback uncompressed HD signals, but they are in the 2k plus range (they also only record and playback over SDI).
4. WVHS: This one is the expensive one. The decks start at about a $1500 (on e-bay) and the tapes are about $20 each. It is limited to 1080i content and supports component input and output. The picture is stunning, but it is analog and they have not made these recorders in a few years.
Here's what I recommend:
If you using Directv and are happy/sticking with that service get a box with the PVR option, or get the receiver you have upgraded with a 1394 port.
If you are thinking about cable get the Comcast 6xxx based box and if they do not have a PVR option in your area purchase a D-VHS deck and your on your way.
1. PVR: LG 3410a is leading the pack, but you could get one of the new Sony or the Comcast box. Personally I think the PVR option does not truly give you a copy...it's just rental space. The 3410a can be used with a D-VHS deck for permanent archiving/playback. There is also an add-on option that can be placed in many HD receivers that allow them to output HD content over 1394 connection (costs about 800-1500 dollars after all is said and done)..
2. D-VHS: JVC is leading the pack here with 4 different models ranging from the 30k to the newest 100 with the built in tuner. Mitsubishi has a few recorders too but they do not support the D-Theater tapes available for pruchasing. Except for the latest JVC integraded recorder/tuner all D-VHS decks require a STB with 1394 output. You CAN record to a specific HDTV VCR over component cables, but this is analog and decks and tapes are very expensive.
3. Computer: Macs have a few options including DVHSCap and VirtualDVHS. There is also a new 1394 box you can buy with a tuner built in for OTA and unscrambled cable broadcasts. Windows support a few different PCI based cards (all around 150-300 dollars) that can capture and record OTA and unscrambled cable HD signals. If you have the cash their are some pro cards you can get that will playback uncompressed HD signals, but they are in the 2k plus range (they also only record and playback over SDI).
4. WVHS: This one is the expensive one. The decks start at about a $1500 (on e-bay) and the tapes are about $20 each. It is limited to 1080i content and supports component input and output. The picture is stunning, but it is analog and they have not made these recorders in a few years.
Here's what I recommend:
If you using Directv and are happy/sticking with that service get a box with the PVR option, or get the receiver you have upgraded with a 1394 port.
If you are thinking about cable get the Comcast 6xxx based box and if they do not have a PVR option in your area purchase a D-VHS deck and your on your way.
Regarding the new Sony DVR, can you hook it up from a DirecTV receiver to record SD programs? I am interested in the box mostly for OTA HD broadcasts, and also record SD programs from DirecTV - with the option to copying the SD programs to the PC. I see that the Sony DVR does have a USB port
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