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Posted by David Chien on 03/30/06 22:52
Newbie wrote:
> Searching for a replacement for a dead VCR, I started by considering
> DVDR's but soon discovered that the best models were with hard disk.
> Now, I really don't need the ability to burn DVD's, I would just
> record, watch and erase...so maybe I should only get HD recorders.
> Simple VCR replacement with tape substituted by HD.
>
> 1. Are such models made? What are they called?
Tivo, ReplayTV are commerical models with only HDs.
You can easily build your own using any PC + ATI All-In-Wonder video
card, or WinTV PCI/USB tv tuner, etc. These all turn your PC into a PVR
(Personal Video Recorder as these boxes are called).
You can also buy a Media Center Windows XP PC/Laptop that has a
built-in TV tuner and PVR feature.
Lots of ways to get started.
Personally, I'm on the ATI AIW setup - it's nice to have everything,
including photos, music, videos, tv recordings - on one box.
> 2. Do I have to careful to ensure that it will record from current
> analog tv, and then hdtv in 16x9 format?
I believe almost everything out there will simply record to a 4:3
aspect ratio TV format (ie. analog tube style). 16:9 format
transmissions will simply be recorded to a 4:3 letterboxed format.
(someone correct me if I'm wrong - do tivo,replay,etc. do this?)
On the PC-side, you'll have to get a HDTV TV tuner card that records
to 16:9 output for this feature. Otherwise, almost everything records
in standard 4:3 format.
Keep in mind that most products do not have a HDTV TV channel tuner
built-in; only the basic analog TV tuner. Thus, you will not get HDTV
broadcasts unless you get a HDTV tuner card, or have a HDTV input from
another source (satellite, digital cable).
> 3. Finally, if I must get dvdr with hd, will my machine come with a
> region code? Does that apply only to playback or will the dvd's I make
> will have a region code that came with the machine?
Yes.
Most machines will prevent playback of commercial titles in the wrong
region; most machines will not record region code to a built-in DVD
recorder.
www.videohelp.com -> DVD Players, DVD Recorders, DVD Hacks for
in-depth info on the machines you are considering.
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Keep in mind that if you don't watch that much TV, and just want to
record for later viewing, you can simply buy any cheap DVD recorder, but
record to DVD+/-RW discs. You can store up to 8 hours on a rewritable
disc, so rotate the disc once or twice a week, watch to catch up, then
erase and re-use. Very cheap this way with <$80 DVD recorders and $5
for 5 RW discs.
(Besides, you have read all of those articles that say the more TV
you watch, the dumber, fatter, and sicker you get, right?.....)
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If you've got the $$$ and want portable, any of the www.archos.com
portable PVRs. You can record straight to their portable players, and
take them on-the-go anywhere to watch them later (plane, train,
bathroom, etc). What's the point of a PVR with dozens of hours of
recordings if you have to be stuck at home in front of it to watch and
catch up? Might as well go 100% portable!
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That said, why even record? Almost all of the popular shows are on
bittorrent after broadcast, so why buy all of that equpiment to PVR when
it's already PVR'd and on the net?
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