Do I want an HD DVR? I think so... but do they exist yet?

Eric Wadsworth · 11-15-2006, 02:34 PM

I currently have a front projection system, with dolby digital surround sound, and a DVD player. It's an all-digital system. HDMI from DVD-player into projector, digital optical audio from DVD-player to receiver. Very nice.

What I don't have is a TV signal. Until recently, I had Comcast digital cable, which had some nice HDTV channels and a DVR. But I dropped them when they raised their rates once again.

There are HD channels on-air, so I'm going to get an antenna. But I also need a receiver, and it must output HDMI and digital optical audio. There are some such animals.

But... I'd also like a DVR along with it. And I'd like to be able to download recorded programs to my computer, so I can do fun geeky stuff like burn them to DVDs.

I can't burn HD-DVD or Blue Ray, of course, but I can always downconvert to non HD.

Has anyone heard of such an animal?

Jason Seaver · 11-15-2006, 02:38 PM

I love my Sony HDD-250, but I gather they're not available any more.

ppltd · 11-15-2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Wadsworth

I can't burn HD-DVD or Blue Ray, of course, but I can always downconvert to non HD.

Currently, there are numerous BD and HD recorders available (In Japan). The last press release I read, is that they were not considering shipping them outside of Japan.

There should be recorders for both formats available soon for your PC, though.

Eric Wadsworth · 11-15-2006, 02:51 PM

Hmm. So, for the short term, looks like I should just get a HD receiver. Any recommendations? Requires HDMI output, and optical digital audio output in dolby digital.

Lee Harvey · 11-15-2006, 04:00 PM

I have two DirecTV High Def Tivo's. HR10-250's I think. You can still find them around but they are getting scarce. Directv has thier own version of a High Def DVR but they are not as easy to setup and operate. They have both component and HDMI outputs on them. You would have to pry them from my cold dead hands. I think they are the greatest invention in the last 20 years! I think only flying cars would be a better invention, maybe?

**HTF Ads**

Mike.B · 11-16-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Directv has thier own version of a High Def DVR but they are not as easy to setup and operate.

I have the new Directv HD-DVR model, which replaced my old SD-Tivo. It's great, and I haven't had any problems. Definitely recommended.

see link

Ron Z · 11-16-2006, 12:57 PM

DirecTV's latest HD Sat receiver/DVR is the HR20. I got one which replaced my DirecTV HD sat receiver. I believe it has a 250GB disk which can store up to 30 hours of HD programming and 200 hours of SD programming. You should be able to get it for less than $100 if you sign with DirecTV.

Sami Kallio · 11-16-2006, 02:53 PM

Computer HD receiver cards can record OTA broadcasts since they are not crypted.

http://dvr.about.com/od/capturetvwit...tp/otahdtv.htm

ppltd · 11-16-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Z

DirecTV's latest HD Sat receiver/DVR is the HR20. I got one which replaced my DirecTV HD sat receiver. I believe it has a 250GB disk which can store up to 30 hours of HD programming and 200 hours of SD programming. You should be able to get it for less than $100 if you sign with DirecTV.

I received mine a few weeks back. The breakup of DirectV and TIVO is a real bummer. The new menuing system in the H20 is terrible, and DirecTv admits it. After spending (what seemed like hours) on the phone with them, I was finally transfered to a design technician. He informed me the DirecTV and TIVO will again be joining forces in the next three months, and in a half a year or so, we should see TIVO DVR and Menuing functions in DirecTV boxes again.