Dvd Recorders

[harvyk]

  flukeyluke said:

  ms700 said:

I got myself a LG 80gb DVD recorder, excellent unit. Records and plays on all formats. Very simple to use. Jsut waiting for warranty to expire so I can jamb a 250gb in the sucker!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are the hard drives typically the same as in a PC Mick?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As far as I know they are usually SATA Drives (you can buy them at almost any computer shop...)

However if you'd like to know for sure open up the box assuming the drive is a 3.5" drive (and not a 2.5" drive) and look for a label, failing that (or if there is not lable) count the pins...

if there are 40pins (or 39 pins) or the connector plug is roughly (from memory) about an inch long it's a ATA drive (sometimes known as IDE)

if there are 50 or 68 pins or the plug is about an inch and 1/4 long it's SCSI

if the plug is fairly short only about 1/2 inch and flat (usually the cable is red as well) then it's a SATA drive...

Worst case senario take it to your friend computer shop guy, he (usually it's a he) should be able to tell want it is and what you need to get in seconds....

[Honest Gaza]

Just to clarify...make sure it is a DVD Recorder you are after and not a PVR (Personal Video Recorder).

A DVD recorder accepts analogue TV input and records this same signal to HDD or DVD......also accepts other input signals (eg video camera). If your analogue TV signal is crap....then your recording will be crap.

A PVR is a digital STB and records the digital signal to HDD.

The digital signal via the PVR will give a much better recording. However, you can only record digital FTA channels....there are no provisions for inputting other signals to the PVR and recording them.

[Ninka]

  ms700 said:

I got myself a LG 80gb DVD recorder, excellent unit. Records and plays on all formats. Very simple to use. Jsut waiting for warranty to expire so I can jamb a 250gb in the sucker!

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I don't know about LG, but I can tell you that Panasonic firmware locks their machine to the original size hard disk, so it is NOT possible to increase the size.

For this reason, and the fact that Panasonic has proven less than helpful, even though my DMR-HS1 DVD recorder is long out of warranty, I will not be bothering about this brand again for my DVD recorder needs.

I guess you will just have to try your luck with the LG unit.

[cunners]

  Honest Gaza said:

Just to clarify...make sure it is a DVD Recorder you are after and not a PVR (Personal Video Recorder).

A DVD recorder accepts analogue TV input and records this same signal to HDD or DVD......also accepts other input signals (eg video camera).  If your analogue TV signal is crap....then your recording will be crap.

A PVR is a digital STB and records the digital signal to HDD.

The digital signal via the PVR will give a much better recording.  However, you can only record digital FTA channels....there are no provisions for inputting other signals to the PVR and recording them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You know what Honest Gaza - it probably was a PVR I was after but I've now

bought and received a DVD recorder off ebay. I see your point now.

By default, the DVD recorder picks up and records the analog signal, not the digital signal. The only way to record the digital signal (off the set top box) is to record the component (STB) signal and make sure the STB is on the right channel.

This means you can't watch program from the STB and record another one (off the STB) at the same time - unless you watch TV from the STB and record from the analog signal or vica versa.

I hope I'm making sense here..?? Is there any way around this.... second STB required??

Seems stupid to me that you can't run your STB through the DVD recorder but what would I know as a non-techo type!!!

Any advice welcome...

[XR06T]

I think another stb is the only answer..

you would have the same problem if you didn't have a stb with a twin tuner and HDD..

if you want to record digital tv then you gotta be prepared to watch the old analogue!

an easy answer is one of those real cheap stb's, I got one from woolies of all places for $79, and have that soley for your recorder.

I havent actually seen any dvd recorders with twin digital tv tuners yet btw

[Honest Gaza]

This is correct.....there are no DVD Recorders at all with STB functionality.....let alone two tuners.

The only way you can record Digital Television, in Digital format, is with a PVR....but this is to HDD, not DVD. Some PVR's have the ability to record 2 different FTA channels at the same time....and play back a previously recorded program while these recordings are happening.

Also, if you get particular PVR models, you can copy the recording to your PC via USB, run some conversion programs and then burn to DVD.....but this is hardly an ideal solution.

Best to think of the PVR as a Record / Play / Delete machine.

[cunners]

  Honest Gaza said:

This is correct.....there are no DVD Recorders at all with STB functionality.....let alone two tuners.

The only way you can record Digital Television, in Digital format, is with a PVR....but this is to HDD, not DVD.  Some PVR's have the ability to record 2 different FTA channels at the same time....and play back a previously recorded program  while these recordings are happening.

Also, if you get particular PVR models, you can copy the recording to your PC via USB, run some conversion programs and then burn to DVD.....but this is hardly an ideal solution.

Best to think of the PVR as a Record / Play / Delete machine.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Should have bought a PVR.... anyone want to buy a DVD recorder

The quality of the analog recording is passable but not being able to record in widescreen format is annoying to say the least.

Any recommendations for a good PVR with twin tuner?

[F6 UTE]

Have a look at the Zensonic Z500. Media centre. NO hdd included but...

Hook it to your PC. Grab a HDTV tuner card and start recording. Stream via ethernet or Wireless to your viewing room.

Records in 1080i aswell About $500.

[Honest Gaza]

Should have bought a PVR.... anyone want to buy a DVD recorder

The quality of the analog recording is passable but not being able to record in widescreen format is annoying to say the least.

Any recommendations for a good PVR with twin tuner?

Humax make a model with Twin Tuner....but the model that seems to get the best rave reviews is the Topfield 5000.

The Topfield 5000 has a 120G HDD (which can be upgraded to a larger HDD at your own peril) and full twin tuner functionality. The best part of all is that it allows for additional Open Applications which can be loaded onto the unit to offer even more functionality. One such application is an electronic program which can be downloaded for approx $3 week which then allows you to select programs in advance for recording via a simple menu screen.

These are not cheap (approx $750 - $900....depending how hard you look).....but they are brilliant.

One more negative thing....even at this price, the unit is only SD not HD.