With cheap DVD recorder why need PVR ?

[pchan]

Getting my PVR (pc based recorder) to work has been a constant struggle. Worse scenario is it failed to wake-up from standby mode.. in a state of coma. Minor nuisense... failed to go on standby after schedule recording.

Over the weekend, I bought a cheap DVD+R/+RW record for US$170(converted from local currency). It can record up to 6hrs per disc. Video is not great but good enough for me.

I will never touch a PVR even with a 10-foot pole.

[ebenton]

Thanks for sharing!

[yoda313]

Hi,

Sorry to hear your problems with one. But I haven't had a problem with my hauppauge.

It's great for dubbing vhs tapes. If I had a stronger aerial signal I'd cap straight to the pc. Its nice to have a readymade burnable mpg.

It's like a lot of electronic products - your personal experiences decide your outllook. If you have a few problems you'll be soured on the whole experience. But I've been fortunate with my equipment (though had a bomb of a time with a ati all in wonder I had to exchange for my wintv pvr250).

I think you'll find those who are high control freaks want a pc based pvr for high end editing. It is easier to use a settop recorder but you lose some flexibility.

Kevin

[rumplestiltskin]

I use the Hauppauge PVR-250 in a Shuttle with analog coax cable connection. I record at the "2 hr. DVD" setting and get absolutely no pixelation or audio issues. (The PVR-150 I originally bought had distirted sound - a common complaint, apparently - and was exchanged for this -250.) I use the TitanTV website to "set" the scheduling (to the included WinTV Scheduler) and also can use the Scheduler directly; no problems at all.

"Control freak"? Well, not exactly. I author the resulting mpegs (minus commercials) to DVD+RW and re-use the discs later. I did buy the Hauppauge Media MVP but have not yet connected it as I'm not quite ready to commit my PC solely to PVR duties.

I did buy a DVD recorder between the -150 and -250 purchases but returned it as the video was lousy in any mode other than "1 hr. DVD". Maybe I had a bad unit (or it had a lousy encoding chip - another common occurrence, I'm told). I'm sure I'll try one again by Xmas. Maybe if Apple makes one, it will have an intelligible user interface. 8)

[TBoneit]

Well if you'd bought a commercially built PVR, IE Tivo or Replay for OTA/Cable or a Sat TV Providers PVR they work fine.

I'd never use a Computer for that. Call me strange but I just want it to work and be able to sit by my TV.

I want it to use a lot use lot less electricity than a computer uses. I want ti to throw a lot less heat into the room. I want it to just work. That's why I have a Tivo connected to Cable and several Dishnetwork PVRs (DVRs) throughout the house. I just hit the power button they wake up present me with an easy to read display I pick my shows to record from the 8 or 9 day guide or I pick the shows to watch and enjoy. No tinkering, no downloading updates for the computer, no tinkering to get it to work etc.

I just got the Pioneer DVR-531H dvd recorder with 80Gb HDD and I could use it for a PVR too but I'd rather use the HDD to capture VHS tapes and edit them and then high speed burn to DVD. Or use it to capture from my PVRs and Burn a DVD with several shows. IE 2 x 1/2 hr. and 1 x 1hr. show with menus and name onto one DVD.

rumplestiltskin: Maybe you had a bad unit or maybe the signal was noisy? That'll screw up the encoder. But I've found that the 2 hr or less settings are fine. That's the nice thing about the pioneer, I can use 1hr. 2hr. and son on presets or I can set record size by 5 minute increments or I can record at approx 18Mbps and then let it re-encode from the Drive to fit the DVD with a optimized bitrate.

Cheers

[pchan]

I just couldn't keep up with the maintenance job pc based recorder with ShowShifter. I have reloaded the OS and software several times. After 2 months, the audio with turn squeeky, then ... coma sets in... then insomnia... For a record-watch-trash job, a cheap DVD recorder would surfice... and I hope maintenance free. 8) 8) 8)

[lordsmurf]

Well, for me, the DVD recorder is great for recording off tv... except for marathons. I can set my ATI card to grab 24 hours solid if needed. Of course, maybe a DVD recorder with a HDD could do the same.

[rumplestiltskin]

...Of course, maybe a DVD recorder with a HDD could do the same.

Ah, yes; that's the ticket. Somewhere between a DVD recorder and a PC-based PVR exists the HDD Recorder with capabilities to transfer the movie to a disc or to a networked PC (or Mac). The user interface should be as easy as a VCR.

Think we'll see an affordable one by Xmas?

[TBoneit]

Well, for me, the DVD recorder is great for recording off tv... except for marathons. I can set my ATI card to grab 24 hours solid if needed. Of course, maybe a DVD recorder with a HDD could do the same.

Well I just added a 80GB HDD equipped DVD recorder w/TV Guide (Still populating) to help set up recordings. I think it could be used to do a marathon easily. For me If a commercial laden channel I'd probably choose the 1hr 50min or 1hr 45min settings for bitrate and do 2 hour increments so that after editing each 2 hr segment would fill the DVD. NOt a Tivo but usable as a PVR with the ability to burn a DVD from your recordings. I'm doing some test recordings today to see how they look on DVD for Cable. The VHS & Dishnetwork I've done so far look very good. Being that I keep to a 2 hr max per DVD as cheap as DVDs are these days why not. The VHS going through my Vidicraft detailer II to enhance sharpness and detail somewhat. OT totally when I was using it with a Cyberhome I had a bad ground loop, Didn't record the hum but made it very hard to hear the sound while recording. With the Pioneer no Ground Loop Hum.

Summary: Easily usable as a PVR, No Tivo features like suggestions or wishlists but... Easy to make a DVD

Cheers