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| Registered: June 9, 2007 |  Posts: 1,208 |
| | Posted: | | | | I'm looking to buy a PVR and would appreciate some recommendations  Before I give my requirements, does anyone know if the HDD in PVRs can be removed and fitted to a PC (and accessed in XP)? |
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| Registered: March 14, 2007 | Reputation:  |  Posts: 820 |
| | Posted: | | | | Most of them run a cut down version of Linux so you won't be able to plug the HDD into an XP PC. If you want something compatible with XP, get a Media Centre PC.
I have a Pioneer model that is a few years old now. I have never had a problem with it. What you get depends on whether you want one that that records high definition content. |
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| Registered: April 14, 2007 |  Posts: 433 |
| | Posted: | | | | If you buy a Tivo, you can move the recordings off the Tivo to you computer through the Network with the free Tivo desktop software that Tivo provides on their website. The recordings are Mpeg files and can be played easily with Windows Media Player. | | | | Chris |
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| Registered: March 14, 2007 | | Posts: 1,339 |
| | Posted: | | | | I would agree with the tivo, however i think we need more info.. if you are in the UK i don't know what those offerings look like sadly. | | | | -JoN |
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| Registered: May 19, 2007 | Reputation:  | | Posts: 5,918 |
| | Posted: | | | | I built my own DVR using SnapStream's Beyond TV so if you have some funds available to build a PC for it, it's the way to go. No advertisements, no DRM, and my DVR can currently record up to 8 shows at the same time (4 via two HDHomeRun boxes and 4 via two nVidia DualTV cards). I also have a HTPC hooked up in my bedroom running BeyondTV Link and I can watch any of the shows recorded on the BTV server over the network. | | | | Last edited: by Dr. Killpatient |
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| Registered: June 9, 2007 | | Posts: 1,208 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Telecine: Quote:
Most of them run a cut down version of Linux so you won't be able to plug the HDD into an XP PC. If you want something compatible with XP, get a Media Centre PC.
I have a Pioneer model that is a few years old now. I have never had a problem with it. What you get depends on whether you want one that that records high definition content. Ah, I see, thanks. I only ask because I just know that even with the 250GB models I'll end up running out of space and will be forced to delete stuff that I dont want to (I'm a hoarder  ). If this is the case I think I'll be looking at a HDD/DVD combo or going the PC route. I'll be putting together a HD capable rig in the next few months so if I can make it quiet enough I could fit a PVR to that. Regarding the combos, I presume you can burn recordings from the HDD to a DVD?? As for Tivo, looking at the UK site I dont think its for me. Doc- That software looks interesting but unfortunately I think it only supports analog tuner cards in Europe. Hopefully I've read it wrong as it looks good: Quote:
SnapStream is currently focused on the United and Canada. As a result, our support for countries in Europe is not as strong as it could be.
However, Beyond TV does work with most PAL-based analog TV tuner cards (especially with the PAL versions of NTSC TV tuner cards that we already support in North America, such as most of Hauppauge's analog TV tuner cards). Beyond TV does not support DVB-T/S technology. |
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| Registered: March 14, 2007 | | Posts: 3,830 |
| | Posted: | | | | Maybe this is what your looking for: GB-PVRWhat is GB-PVR? GB-PVR is a fully featured home media center application, allowing you to easily use a remote to watch tv, schedule recordings, watch videos, watch DVDs, listen to music, view photos etc. from the features list: Support for HDTV | | | | Sources for one or more of the changes and/or additions were not submitted. Please include the sources for your changes in the contribution notes, especially for cast and crew additions. | | | | Last edited: by ? |
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| Registered: June 9, 2007 | | Posts: 1,208 |
| | Posted: | | | | Thanks Giga that looks good, I'll look into it. In the meantime can anyone recommend a HDD/DVD PVR? Preferably with 250GB but I think 160GB would suffice with it having a DVD burner. Was reading about the Sony RDR-HXD970 in a mag but its a little pricey! BTw thanks to everyone whos posted so far, greens to you all! | | | | Last edited: by MarEll |
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| Registered: May 19, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 5,918 |
| | Posted: | | | | HD is a space hog - go for the larger drives if at all possible. |
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| Registered: March 13, 2007 | | Reputation: |  Posts: 5,494 |
| | Posted: | | | | I read somewhere that if I took my 160 GB HD out of my LITEON HD recorder and hooked it up as a slave to my windows PC I would be able to see the files, but would have to change the extension to .WMV, it would be able to read back and play..
Never tried it though.. | | | In the 60's, People took Acid to make the world Weird. Now the World is weird and People take Prozac to make it Normal.
Terry |
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| Registered: March 14, 2007 | | Posts: 3,830 |
| | Posted: | | | | You could backup from the harddisc to a computer harddisc, the protected content would however still be protected. you would only be able to play non protected content on your PC if you transfered the harddisc. (this is what I understood was possible.) Warning: All dvd recorders are encrypted by a copy-protection format that will prevent you from recording copyrighted movies. Q. Can I make a copy of a DVD or DVR recording that I made from HBO? Quote:
The type of copy protection that is being used allows an initial recording (such as to a hard drive of a DVD recorder/Hard Drive combo, a Cable DVR, TIVO, or direct to DVD or VHS), but will not allow the initial recording to be copied again (such as making a copy from a DVD recorder hard drive or Cable DVR to DVD, or from DVD to DVD or DVD to VHS). | | | | Sources for one or more of the changes and/or additions were not submitted. Please include the sources for your changes in the contribution notes, especially for cast and crew additions. | | | | Last edited: by ? |
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| Registered: March 13, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 5,494 |
| | Posted: | | | | I have noticed an increase lately of shoddy broadcasts,, Dropped audio/ a few pix-elated scenes/ or sometimes just a black screen for a few seconds .. I believe this is all done (with the blessings of the movie indu$try to create an atmosphere of not near perfect renditions. Bottom line,.. If you want a pristine version.. Buy the authorized Di$c ...  | | | In the 60's, People took Acid to make the world Weird. Now the World is weird and People take Prozac to make it Normal.
Terry |
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| Registered: May 19, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 5,918 |
| | Posted: | | | | OTA digital or Digital Cable is all compressed. The lines may look sharper but get up close to your TV and look between the lines. |
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| Registered: June 9, 2007 | | Posts: 1,208 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Dr. Killpatient: Quote:
HD is a space hog - go for the larger drives if at all possible. Well I dont think that will be a problem for a while here in the UK (I dont have cable or sky). In practice how many hours do you get on a 250GB PVR? At an acceptable (DVD) quality that is. Doc- What are you using to turn your PC on and off for the recordings? Or does Sanpstream have the feature built in? | | | | Last edited: by MarEll |
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| Registered: May 19, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 5,918 |
| | Posted: | | | | The computer needs to be on to record so I leave it up 24x7.
My DVR records full-quality MPeg-2 format at 3.2 GB/hour. |
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| Registered: April 3, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 1,998 |
| | Posted: | | | | Was watching QVC tonight and saw this Archos TV+ 250GB Multimedia Hard Drive Recorder with Wifi & Web Browser £189.84 UK P&P £6.45 Anyone know if there any good. Damn! while i was thinking about it they put the price up  | | | | Last edited: by ninehours |
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