HDTV quality recording devices

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Tex Murphy" <tex_murphypi@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:zqupc.37871$pJ1.24845@lakeread02...
> Hi everyone,
>
> With the long-running reign of the VCR as a "quality" recording medium
> coming to an end, the question I have is, "What's the next successor?"
>
> Hard-Drive based PVRs?
> Rewriteable DVDs?
> Blue Ray?

Digital PVR + either blue-ray or HD-DVD for permanence - standard DVD's
don't hold enough bits and aren't good for time-shifting anyway.


> Does anyone know what resolution the Hard-Drive based PVRs operate in?
> Does it deliver a better resolution than DVD-based recorders?

Depends on the DVR - virtually all today are SDTV only, as are DVD
recorders.
but a very few extremely expensive DVR's (mainly ones for satellite tv) can
do HDTV in 720P or 1080i.
there is currently NO DVD recorder that can do HD.

That said, I have not tried recording a windows media 9 encoded HD file on a
DVD - it should work for short HD videos but it would only be playable on
the PC.

> I heard that the next Generation of blue laser DVD writers are coming
> out this summer. Who are the manufacturers? And will they be recording
at
> HDTV resolutions?

Bit of a problem - two non-compatible standards - Blue-Ray and HD-DVD.
Both can do HD but which one will win?

> Lastly, does anyone know if the government mandated 2006 switchover to
> HDTV a firm date? I vaguely recalled that the US government tried to set
a
> previous date prior to that for the HDTV cut-off, but that evidently
didn't
> happen. Also, does this mandate cover Cable and Satellite providers as
> well? Or did the government leave that out as a large, gaping loophole to
> weasel out of HDTV?

weasels in government!?!?!?!?! surely you jest

The 2006 turn-off date is based on 85% of TV's receiving digital signals -
we are no where near that, nor will we be by 2006. More like 2010 or later.
But Powell has discussed using cable and satellite connections in the
count - if so, then 2006/07 might be a reality.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Thanks for the info, Randy.

I'm doubtful that the 85% rule will ever be achieved - unless TV
manufacturers stop producing analog SDTVs altogether, and even then, it may
take about five to ten years after that for people to swap them out...

I just read of a petition at http://iwantmyhdtv.com to ask congress to add
the satellite provider count into the 85%, but I doubt it will make any
difference - unless there is some sort of HDTV special interest group with
tons of ca$h!

Again, thanks for the info!

"Randy Sweeney" <rsweeney1@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:4pudnf7JJNKwITvdRVn-ug@comcast.com...
>
> "Tex Murphy" <tex_murphypi@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:zqupc.37871$pJ1.24845@lakeread02...
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > With the long-running reign of the VCR as a "quality" recording
medium
> > coming to an end, the question I have is, "What's the next successor?"
> >
> > Hard-Drive based PVRs?
> > Rewriteable DVDs?
> > Blue Ray?
>
> Digital PVR + either blue-ray or HD-DVD for permanence - standard DVD's
> don't hold enough bits and aren't good for time-shifting anyway.
>
>
> > Does anyone know what resolution the Hard-Drive based PVRs operate
in?
> > Does it deliver a better resolution than DVD-based recorders?
>
> Depends on the DVR - virtually all today are SDTV only, as are DVD
> recorders.
> but a very few extremely expensive DVR's (mainly ones for satellite tv)
can
> do HDTV in 720P or 1080i.
> there is currently NO DVD recorder that can do HD.
>
> That said, I have not tried recording a windows media 9 encoded HD file on
a
> DVD - it should work for short HD videos but it would only be playable on
> the PC.
>
> > I heard that the next Generation of blue laser DVD writers are
coming
> > out this summer. Who are the manufacturers? And will they be recording
> at
> > HDTV resolutions?
>
> Bit of a problem - two non-compatible standards - Blue-Ray and HD-DVD.
> Both can do HD but which one will win?
>
> > Lastly, does anyone know if the government mandated 2006 switchover
to
> > HDTV a firm date? I vaguely recalled that the US government tried to
set
> a
> > previous date prior to that for the HDTV cut-off, but that evidently
> didn't
> > happen. Also, does this mandate cover Cable and Satellite providers as
> > well? Or did the government leave that out as a large, gaping loophole
to
> > weasel out of HDTV?
>
> weasels in government!?!?!?!?! surely you jest
>
> The 2006 turn-off date is based on 85% of TV's receiving digital signals -
> we are no where near that, nor will we be by 2006. More like 2010 or
later.
> But Powell has discussed using cable and satellite connections in the
> count - if so, then 2006/07 might be a reality.
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

I have a Hipix PC-based recorder for off-the-air HDTV recording, works
perfectly.

I've heard that DVICO is introducing a FusionHD model like mine, but
designed for Cable [QAM] HDTV recording. I think it's being held up by some
stupid issue, though.
Dave


"Randy Sweeney" <rsweeney1@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:4pudnf7JJNKwITvdRVn-ug@comcast.com...
>
> "Tex Murphy" <tex_murphypi@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:zqupc.37871$pJ1.24845@lakeread02...
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > With the long-running reign of the VCR as a "quality" recording
medium
> > coming to an end, the question I have is, "What's the next successor?"
> >
> > Hard-Drive based PVRs?
> > Rewriteable DVDs?
> > Blue Ray?
>
> Digital PVR + either blue-ray or HD-DVD for permanence - standard DVD's
> don't hold enough bits and aren't good for time-shifting anyway.
>
>
> > Does anyone know what resolution the Hard-Drive based PVRs operate
in?
> > Does it deliver a better resolution than DVD-based recorders?
>
> Depends on the DVR - virtually all today are SDTV only, as are DVD
> recorders.
> but a very few extremely expensive DVR's (mainly ones for satellite tv)
can
> do HDTV in 720P or 1080i.
> there is currently NO DVD recorder that can do HD.
>
> That said, I have not tried recording a windows media 9 encoded HD file on
a
> DVD - it should work for short HD videos but it would only be playable on
> the PC.
>
> > I heard that the next Generation of blue laser DVD writers are
coming
> > out this summer. Who are the manufacturers? And will they be recording
> at
> > HDTV resolutions?
>
> Bit of a problem - two non-compatible standards - Blue-Ray and HD-DVD.
> Both can do HD but which one will win?
>
> > Lastly, does anyone know if the government mandated 2006 switchover
to
> > HDTV a firm date? I vaguely recalled that the US government tried to
set
> a
> > previous date prior to that for the HDTV cut-off, but that evidently
> didn't
> > happen. Also, does this mandate cover Cable and Satellite providers as
> > well? Or did the government leave that out as a large, gaping loophole
to
> > weasel out of HDTV?
>
> weasels in government!?!?!?!?! surely you jest
>
> The 2006 turn-off date is based on 85% of TV's receiving digital signals -
> we are no where near that, nor will we be by 2006. More like 2010 or
later.
> But Powell has discussed using cable and satellite connections in the
> count - if so, then 2006/07 might be a reality.
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Tex Murphy" <tex_murphypi@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:RiCpc.48622$iy5.36979@okepread05...
> Thanks for the info, Randy.
>
> I'm doubtful that the 85% rule will ever be achieved - unless TV
> manufacturers stop producing analog SDTVs altogether, and even then, it
may
> take about five to ten years after that for people to swap them out...
>
> I just read of a petition at http://iwantmyhdtv.com to ask congress to add
> the satellite provider count into the 85%, but I doubt it will make any
> difference - unless there is some sort of HDTV special interest group with
> tons of ca$h!
>
> Again, thanks for the info!

I believe that there is already a regulation stating that all TV's must
include ATSC tuners.

It transitions in by screen size... big screen rules hit this year I
believe.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

I just bought a Mitsu D-VHS recorder on eBay for a couple hundred bucks to
bridge the gap until they decide on which format to use for recording HD on
DVD. I figured that this was cheaper than buying and configuring another PC
just to do HD recording. Lets just hope that it doesn't end up being like
Beta vs. VHS again, with Sony against the world.

Phil

"David" <davey3@home.com> wrote in message
news:46qdncZeRedgETrd4p2dnA@comcast.com...
> I have a Hipix PC-based recorder for off-the-air HDTV recording, works
> perfectly.
>
> I've heard that DVICO is introducing a FusionHD model like mine, but
> designed for Cable [QAM] HDTV recording. I think it's being held up by
some
> stupid issue, though.
> Dave
>
>
> "Randy Sweeney" <rsweeney1@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:4pudnf7JJNKwITvdRVn-ug@comcast.com...
> >
> > "Tex Murphy" <tex_murphypi@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:zqupc.37871$pJ1.24845@lakeread02...
> > > Hi everyone,
> > >
> > > With the long-running reign of the VCR as a "quality" recording
> medium
> > > coming to an end, the question I have is, "What's the next successor?"
> > >
> > > Hard-Drive based PVRs?
> > > Rewriteable DVDs?
> > > Blue Ray?
> >
> > Digital PVR + either blue-ray or HD-DVD for permanence - standard DVD's
> > don't hold enough bits and aren't good for time-shifting anyway.
> >
> >
> > > Does anyone know what resolution the Hard-Drive based PVRs operate
> in?
> > > Does it deliver a better resolution than DVD-based recorders?
> >
> > Depends on the DVR - virtually all today are SDTV only, as are DVD
> > recorders.
> > but a very few extremely expensive DVR's (mainly ones for satellite tv)
> can
> > do HDTV in 720P or 1080i.
> > there is currently NO DVD recorder that can do HD.
> >
> > That said, I have not tried recording a windows media 9 encoded HD file
on
> a
> > DVD - it should work for short HD videos but it would only be playable
on
> > the PC.
> >
> > > I heard that the next Generation of blue laser DVD writers are
> coming
> > > out this summer. Who are the manufacturers? And will they be
recording
> > at
> > > HDTV resolutions?
> >
> > Bit of a problem - two non-compatible standards - Blue-Ray and HD-DVD.
> > Both can do HD but which one will win?
> >
> > > Lastly, does anyone know if the government mandated 2006
switchover
> to
> > > HDTV a firm date? I vaguely recalled that the US government tried to
> set
> > a
> > > previous date prior to that for the HDTV cut-off, but that evidently
> > didn't
> > > happen. Also, does this mandate cover Cable and Satellite providers
as
> > > well? Or did the government leave that out as a large, gaping
loophole
> to
> > > weasel out of HDTV?
> >
> > weasels in government!?!?!?!?! surely you jest
> >
> > The 2006 turn-off date is based on 85% of TV's receiving digital
signals -
> > we are no where near that, nor will we be by 2006. More like 2010 or
> later.
> > But Powell has discussed using cable and satellite connections in the
> > count - if so, then 2006/07 might be a reality.
> >
> >
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

> Lastly, does anyone know if the government mandated 2006 switchover to
> HDTV a firm date? I vaguely recalled that the US government tried to set a
> previous date prior to that for the HDTV cut-off, but that evidently didn't
> happen.

There has never been a mandate to switch over to HDTV.

Jeff B

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

>> Does anyone know what resolution the Hard-Drive based PVRs operate in?
>>Does it deliver a better resolution than DVD-based recorders?
>
>
> Depends on the DVR - virtually all today are SDTV only, as are DVD
> recorders.
> but a very few extremely expensive DVR's (mainly ones for satellite tv) can
> do HDTV in 720P or 1080i.

Any PC can serve as a HDTV PVR and function at full 1920x1080 resolution,
and be built very cheaply, and record many hours for time shifting.
Of course they are good only for OTA, not satellite or cable,
but that isn't a huge restriction considering 90% of HDTV
progs are OTA.

Jeff B

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

>
> Any PC can serve as a HDTV PVR and function at full 1920x1080 resolution,
> and be built very cheaply, and record many hours for time shifting.
> Of course they are good only for OTA, not satellite or cable,
> but that isn't a huge restriction considering 90% of HDTV
> progs are OTA.


You need a fast computer for time shifting, you have to codec an HDTV
signal at the same time, that a lot of data.

Anyone tried this HD tuner+pvr?

http://www.tvauthority.com/HDTV-Tuners/Zenith-HDR230.as...

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

> You need a fast computer for time shifting, you have to codec an HDTV
> signal at the same time, that a lot of data.

Any pentium 4, even the oldest ones, are plenty fast enough. I know cause
I have a cheap computer dedicated to recording HDTV OTA, works perfectly.
Even an average P3 is fast enough.
>
> Anyone tried this HD tuner+pvr?
>
> http://www.tvauthority.com/HDTV-Tuners/Zenith-HDR230.as...

I wouldn't touch this one cause no DVI output. Especially at that
price!

Jeff B

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Jeff B. wrote:
> Any pentium 4, even the oldest ones, are plenty fast enough. I know cause
> I have a cheap computer dedicated to recording HDTV OTA, works perfectly.
> Even an average P3 is fast enough.

Jeff, I was going to build a computer PVR a few months back but
decided against it because I read all the existing capture boards were
not reliable. It seems like when you add up the cost of building a
DVR computer you are looking at a cost about equivalant to a dedicated
tuner/PVR like the Zenith, which IMO is not cheap. FYI I have nobox
cable for SD and OTA for HD. I'd rather have a computer for the added
functionality e.g. surf the web, download movies, burn DVDs, listen to
MP3s etc.

For your PVR computer:

What tuner/capture card are you using and do you use their included
PVR software?

Is it reliable?

Is it easy to program (can my wife do it)?

When you add up the cost how does it compare to the Zenith?

Thanks Steve