[jc111]

Saw this on Sony's website last night.


Two new HD-DVR's using CableCard technology. The DHG-HDD250 has a 250gb Hard Drive for 30 hours HD recording and the DGG-HDD500 has a 500gb Hard Drive for 60 hours HD Recording.


It has a built-in ATSC Tuner for OTA broadcast as well plus all the regular timeshifting capability.


This is definitely better than my 7 hr Comcast HD-DVR, but I would love to have something like this using the TiVo technology.

 

[bfdtv]

jc11,


Whenever you read about a new product, search for it on the forum before posting. With rare exception, every product has its own thread unless a press release was first issued earlier in the day.


Here's one of the recent threads on the Sony DVRs, with screenshots:

Sony Cable Card HD-PVR information update

 

[kevinivey]

The units listed in the original post do not have anything to do with Cable Cards.

 

[bfdtv]

Quote:

The units listed in the original post do not have anything to do with Cable Cards.

Huh? Sure they do, the DHG-HDD250 and DHG-HDD250 are Sony's CableCard DVRs. Sony has no plans for any HDTV DVR except for their CableCard models.


These models have an OTA tuner too, but most people are likely to use them with a CableCard from their cable company to tune and record digital cable channels like ESPN-HD, Discovery HD, TNT-HD, Hdnet, HBO-HD, and Showtime-HD.

 

[Thomas Desmond]

I think there is little basis for the assumption that "most" people will use these Sony DVRs with cable versus OTA. I think Sony is smart to offer a flexible product that will work with both OTA and cable HD -- but I wonder how many cable subscribers will opt to buy one of these boxes instead of leasing from their cable company? OTOH, those of us watching OTA HDTV have to buy if we want a DVR...so I expect the main market to be OTA viewers or those cable subscribers in areas where the cable company isn't offering an HD DVR.

 

[ADGrant]

Quote:

Originally posted by Thomas Desmond I think there is little basis for the assumption that "most" people will use these Sony DVRs with cable versus OTA. I think Sony is smart to offer a flexible product that will work with both OTA and cable HD -- but I wonder how many cable subscribers will opt to buy one of these boxes instead of leasing from their cable company? OTOH, those of us watching OTA HDTV have to buy if we want a DVR...so I expect the main market to be OTA viewers or those cable subscribers in areas where the cable company isn't offering an HD DVR.

It is possible that these boxes may have better PQ or be more reliable than the cable co boxes.


Also, the HD capacity of these boxes is much better than the SA8000HD at least. That may be enough for some people. Then again, the lack of s second tuner or Tivo software is annoying.

 

[anthonymoody]

...not to mention the fact that the 8000HD completely sucks.


TM

 

[DSperber]

... not to mention that the user interface of the 6208, coupled with its tiny 80gig hard drive (10 hours of HD), makes the Sony boxes much more desirable.


Only serious omission is lack of 1394 port for D-VHS archiving. Bad move on Sony's part. They could have had the real Tivo-alternative.


But as an OTA HD DVR, with no need to archive, its 60 hours of HD recording makes it a real winner. I'm sure its user interface MUST be better than that of the Comcast/Motorola box.

 

[PhilB]

Quote:

Originally posted by DSperber But as an OTA HD DVR, with no need to archive, its 60 hours of HD recording makes it a real winner. I'm sure its user interface MUST be better than that of the Comcast/Motorola box.

If it uses the TVGuide software then it is the same inteface as the Sony.


-phil