Tivo or Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-350

[Targetboy]

Hey Guy’s I need your input once again

Ok I am building a new computer and would like to make it a PVR,
My dilemma is, I want to record the BEST quality off my Direct TV
I was going to get a Modified Tivo, “it will record the program then you can download it to your computer to burn to DVD”
Or I am thinking about getting the New WinTV-PVR-350 “Hauppauge”
With the software Snapstream “Beyond TV 3.5”
If anyone has any experience with this PLEASE let me know,
Don’t want to buy something I want be happy with


Targetboy

[yoda313]

Hello,

I love my wintv pvr250. But if you want it like a vcr next to your tv get the tivo.

The Huappauge wintv series captures in mpg only. Quite good hardware if you ask me.

Kevin

[Targetboy]

Hi Yoda313,
Setting the computer next to TV is not an Issue,
What I am wondering is what will record the better quality?
I am not sure if the Tivo Records the show in Digital, I think the WinTV-PVR-350 only records in analog then converts it to Digital not sure
But the end result is the goal..

Thanks

Target
8)

[yoda313]

Hello,

No problem with quality for me with the hauppauge. The output is excellent. It's easy to take the mpg it records and author then burn it to dvd.

I can't tell you about the tivo, don't have one. But I'm not sure if the hauppauge records only analoge or digital. But the quality is excellent whichever it is.

Kevin

[junkmalle]

The regular Tivo records the same analog video that the Hauppauge card would -- results will be similar (although the Hauppauge card will give you more flexibility). I'm pretty sure it's the case that, if you get a Tivo with a built in satellite receiver, it can record the MPEG2 stream directly from the satellite. That should be a little cleaner.

[Targetboy]

The Tivo is the new RCA DVR40

Pure digital
Pure digital video and audio (Dolby digital & optical out) for crisp, clear high-quality DIRECTV® Programming. Recorded shows look IDENTICAL to the original broadcast, because it is exactly the same digital information! Like DVD compared to VHS, Directivo is the best way to enjoy your programming (and your big screen if you have one)
This is from the web not sure if this is just BS, and the unit simply doses the same as the Hap dose, converts the analog into digital

Lost and confused

[leebo]

You have to read between the hype.

A DirectTivo is different than an off the shelf Tivo.

An off the shelf Tivo takes in the signal through ANALOGUE inputs and converts it into DIGITAL mpeg. Same as the 250 and 350 cards.

A DirectTivo records the DIGITAL satellite signal w/o converting it, so it's cleaner and sharper.
The problem comes when you want to burn it to DVD. You either have to re-capture the programs (play out of the Tivo, which converts it into analogue, re-capture into the computer, re-converting into digital mpeg) or find a way to transfer it off the DirectTivo's hard drive directly into the computer. It can be done, but it's a huge pain.

The 250 or 350 cards will be the fastest, easiest way to go. They will capture an analogue signal and convert it into digital mpeg, ready to author to DVD.

[yoda313]

Hello,

find a way to transfer it off the DirectTivo's hard drive directly into the computer. It can be done, but it's a huge pain.

That usually involves "hacking" the tivo which voids the warranty.

The 250 or 350 cards will be the fastest, easiest way to go. They will capture an analogue signal and convert it into digital mpeg, ready to author to DVD.

I agree completely.

Kevin

[pchan]

@yoda313,
I have Hauppauge WinTV2000 FM tv card. It couldn't go on standby mode(S3) and that force me to buy Compro VideoMate TV Gold+. Does the 250 or 350 tv-card support S3 standby mode ?

[yoda313]

@yoda313,
I have Hauppauge WinTV2000 FM tv card. It couldn't go on standby mode(S3) and that force me to buy Compro VideoMate TV Gold+. Does the 250 or 350 tv-card support S3 standby mode ?

Hello,

Sorry I don't know what "standby mode" is. It may not be on the 250 since I never heard of it.

Why don't you start a new thread and ask the open forum???

Kevin

[Targetboy]

Hey Leebo

Thanks for the info, the Tivo I am looking to get has a USB output that was added the the unit, so you can download it to your computer,
So if I want to get that best Digital recording it looks like the Tivo might be the way to go…


Target

[leebo]

Depends on what that version of Tivo outputs to the PC.
My understanding is that the program stream from a Tivo isn't DVD compliant, which would mean monkeying around with it after the transfer.

I could be wrong about that though. I'd make sure if I were you.

[aluter2277]

I use a tivo to record shows, then transfer them to my computer for editing and burning. I have an old tivo which I have hacked with a network adapter. Anyway, the quality is excellent (better than any capture card I have used). From personal experience, I would go with the tivo. This is a great site for any questions regarding tivo video extraction: http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/