Community Newsletter: Q&A: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs
- 3/10/08 5:01 PM
Toshiba VHS to DVD converter
by anna3333 - 3/18/08 4:33 PM In reply to: Toshiba DVR by jmj947Does it do this by itself? I saw a unit at a discount store near me for $30, but you had to hook it up to something else, if I remember correctly.
Does the Toshiba "dub"
by anna3333 - 3/20/08 8:15 AM In reply to: Toshiba DVR by jmj947Does the Toshiba contain both drives? That is, can it "dub" from VHS to DVD without connecting it to anything else (other than power of course)?
DVR's and VCR's
by dcalhoun38581 - 2/29/08 8:09 PM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Ya know, there are *many* DVR/VCR combinations available and a lot of them include a built-in tuner. The thing is, the upcoming transition to digital TV.
From what you've said, I think it is safe to assume that you're in a situation very similar to mie: You're using an open-air antenna, not cable or satellite. I'm so far out in the country that cable is not available and I can't even get DSL.
OK, you spoke of a unit that has "dual tuners": I've never heard of such a thing, but some units DO have ONE digital tuner and most TV stations are already broadcasting digital signals.
So, if you still have an analog TV and want to view digital signals on it, in addition to getting digital signals on your new DVR, buy a DVR with A digital tuner and add a "digital to analog converter" between the antenna output of your new DVR and your old TV. You can get a coupon from the FCC toward the purchase of such a converter. In fact, you can get two!
Dennis C., MCSA
My 2 cents worth
by BelensBabe - 2/29/08 8:34 PM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
In the fall of 2007 I bought a Magnavox MSR90D6 DVD Recorder. It is very good quality for the $80.00 I paid at Sam's Club. I enjoy recording directly from my Dish receiver and the quality satellite offers. 1 problem is that the owner's manual is 75 pages!!! Wayyyyyy too many pages for my liking. The remote control really sucks. It has to be directly in front of the machine in order for it to operate. I use the correct and known to be good batteries. It basically is not a "Remote" capable control. I resisted buying a combination DVD/VHS recorder as I know I closed the VHS chapter in my life. I will admit that I am closer to 50 than most of the people who may respond to this question so please weigh my opinions accordingly. I want it to be almost "self operating" as I am not at all a electronics geek and this unit is not a "user friendly" model from my perspective.
DVR suggestion
by d_t_w - 2/29/08 8:45 PM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Jim,
I hear what your wife is saying about not wanting another monthly bill, but if you get a DVR from your cable company, they will take it out of you in hidden fees. Many people think that their DVR is 'free', and/or 'just as good as a Tivo'. Well, that is simply not true, in my experience. I have a Time Warner Cable DVR, a Tivo Series 2 with DVD and a standalone ReplayTV. The Tivo is the best of the bunch, and the Replay is a close second. The Time Warner is a piece of crap. The only reason I have it is because they gave it to me free for the first year (we recently moved). Well, it's such a piece of crap that when the one year expires, I will tell them to pick it up (before the trash, because I might get confused).
Why is the Tivo better? Well, for starters, it has true stereo output, better user configurability (don't worry, it's not hard) and better 'smarts', in that it can record things automatically that it thinks you might like, but only if it has free space. So, it always has a full hard drive with things you might like, but it never records a suggestion over what you asked it to record. You use the little 'thumbs up' and 'thumbs down' buttons, and it learns your preferences even more. Plus, the scheduling options on a Tivo are the best going. It's intuitive, and flawless. I could go into even more advanced features, but you said you're not 'bleeding edge'. Rest assured, though, that Tivo thought of things that will give you a nice migration path if you want access to additional content.
As I mentioned, mine has an integrated DVD burner. You mentioned that a) you want a DVD burner, b) you don't want a monthly fee and c) you don't need to be on the 'bleeding edge'. Well, the only Tivo that fits this bill is a Toshiba series 2 Tivo (Toshiba used to have a license to make Tivos). They don't make these anymore, so you have to buy one from Ebay. Do a search for 'tivo dvd', and you should be able to find several at any given time. The integrated DVD burner is really, REALLY cool. It's so cool that Hollywood and the networks got upset about it, and Tivo quietly pulled it from their product offering. I'm guessing they probably won't bring it back to their Series 3 line. The reason it's cool is because you can burn a DVD in the background, meaning that you can be burning a DVD while you're recording one show, and watching a 3rd. That is cool. Plus, you can take your favorite shows wherever you want. Unfortunately, these don't come with dual tuners, to my knowledge, but the DVD burner option is pretty compelling.
The Toshiba units will allow you to use a 'Tivo Basic' service without fee. It only gives you 3 days advance scheduling, and you have to do much of the recording manually, but there's no monthly fee. Alternatively, you could spend a little more and buy a Tivo with lifetime service, also from Ebay, because Tivo doesn't sell lifetime directly anymore. If you want dual tuners, you will probably have to buy one with lifetime service, because I don't think the dual tuner units were ever made with Tivo Basic functionality.
The full Tivo service (Tivo Plus) is, in my opinion, well worth the money. The reason is that it saves you time and headaches. The whole reason that Tivo has a scheduling service is because that's what makes a DVR not a VCR, i.e., smart. I save several hours a month zapping commmercials, and not thinking about whether my favorite shows got recorded. Think about what you would pay to gain just one extra hour per month of free time. It's probably less than you would pay for a Tivo subscription. Again, though, I understand where you're coming from, and you have to make the decision that is right for you.
Tivo is simply the best in the business at making excellent DVRs that are easy to use. Replay is (was) close, but they're out of the DVR business now. Cable and satellite offerings, as I've said, will end up gouging you more than you think, and their quality is generally poor. Yes, you can probably find advanced non-Tivo DVRs from cable/satellite, but you will have to buy expensive programming packages for their 'free' DVR (and still have extra fees).
I know this reads like I'm really pushing Tivo. Well, it's because of the 'stickiness' of DVRs that cable and satellite would love you to use theirs. The trouble is, they either suck or are too expensive (in less-than-honest ways, in my opinion), or both. I really think you (and your wife) will be much happier with the Tivo over the long haul.
Experience with a few digital recorders
by etord - 2/29/08 8:59 PM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've had very mixed results with DVR-VCR combos. I got an RCA model at Walmart; it didn't work, frequently failing to read videotapes at an even enough level to allow recording. I took it back, tried another of the same model, it also failed, I returned it and got my money back. I than got an "Insignia" model at Best Buy, it frequently failed to finalize disks (making them unreadable). They asked if they could try to repair / adjust it before offering a refund; they worked on it and since then it has worked excellently. That doesn't mean it never spoils a disk, but spoiled disks are rare and I've found it easy to make DVD's from compilations of Videotapes.
I often just dump a videotape full of old TV programs or grandchild videotapes to a DVD-RW and then cut it up and edit on my computer (using Nero) before burning it to a DVD+/-R.
Be aware that many DVR's do not have a tuner - get one with a tuner if you want to record broadcasts. Also be aware that new models have very good copyright detection and will not copy things they think are copyrighted (such as many but not all commercial videotapes.)
The video expert I know tells me that newer VCR drives, usually made in China, often have much poorer calibration and tracking detection than the old Japanese-made ones. He suggested going to a Goodwill store or equivalent and buying an older VCR just to use as a player. I did so, and agree with him.
How many TIVO Lovers have to chime in before you all it?
by massimj - 3/8/08 8:07 AM In reply to: Experience with a few digital recorders by etordTIVO is Simple
TIVO is affordable.
TIVO is better than any other DVR on the market, and as someone else said, Replay was a close second, but they are out of that business now. The Replay has a commecial skip that was pretty good, but it got them in hot water. The best commecial skip I've seen since then is in Beyond TV. TIVO lets you skip through at warp speed, and it has a cool whip lash that makes stoping at the right time very simple.
Companies that have tried to steal TIVO technology have been sued and lost. There is nothing like TIVO, to be like TIVO, you would have to steal their features which are patented.
Simple DVD recorders are a mile from the ease of using a TIVO. The DVD recorders also are not in the same ball park as a TIVO, they are very hard to compare because TIVO has a long list of useful features that far exceed the few features of a DVD recorder.
If you are worried about digital TV in March of 2009, you should not. Only people who receive TV from an antenna, and do not have an ATSC tuner, will be in trouble when that day comes. If you have cable, or sattelite, you having nothing to worry about. If you buy a new TV, it should have ATSC, and QAM for tuner features. If you don't get QAM you will not be able to get the free HD on your local cable system. If you get a HD TIVO, be warned that there are two models that do HD. One wil only receive ATSC (Antenna), and the other will receive both, accepting a cable card from your cable company. The cable card is addressable and can subscribe to PPV, and pay cable services. Read the specifications of what you buy so as to not be dissapointed into slaming a product that does not deserve it.
Tivo Is Not Worth It Anymore
by Winchester257 - 3/8/08 4:29 PM In reply to: How many TIVO Lovers have to chime in before you all it? by massimjTivo is not worth it anymore if Verizon Fios TV is available in your area.Follow me on this.Verizon Fios TV has the best picture quality if you have a good HD TV (see Consumer Reports this month or maybe it was last month)if you don't want to take my word for it.To get the Verizon Fios TV,you need to add a set top box to your bill anyway so,it makes sense to make the set top box an HD DVR.Why would you go with a non-DVR HD set top box for Verizon and subscribe to Tivo on top of it?You could,I suppose but,that is an extra bill.Tivo is not that much better than the Verizon /Motorola DVR.Are you going to take on the extra bill just because Tivo makes it a little easier to skip through the recording?Yes,Tivo was first but,the Verizon/Motorola DVR can also record multiple shows at once.It works exremely well.Tivo's small advantages over the Motorola are not worth the exrtra bill and shelf space (you want to have room for components such as a DVD player,a SA-CD player,a surround A/V receiver,and a Blu Ray player).It's either a Motorola box or a Motorola box and a Tivo unless you opt out of the best TV service to date.
By the way,with a DVD recorder (if you have the right equipment) you can copy a DVD as you watch it instead of wasting extra time on the computer.You can also transfer VHS tapes to DVD.You cannot do this with a Tivo.
its up to you
by mr.soso - 2/29/08 9:37 PM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
its up to you!? what you like!......make your choice
Helpful
by rebart1 - 3/7/08 7:21 PM In reply to: its up to you by mr.sosoGee, that was real helpful.
not paying tivo is a good start
by scram69 - 2/29/08 10:04 PM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
What sets PVRs apart are software and storage. For today's HD broadcasts, storage is crucial.
Tivo has a decent interface and moderate storage, but this comes at a price. As you note, the service is expensive, and you will pay through the nose for additional storage.
The cable/dish companies' PVRs may seem cheap ("hey, what's a few more bucks a month on my cable/dish bill"), but the software is horrible, and the storage capacity is pathetic - think ~20 hours of shows in HD.
You could also shell out the big bucks for a microsoft media center- pricey, proprietary software and the even more pricey "approved" hardware to run it on. Then you'll be subject to Digital Rights Management - digital Stalinism - only Bill Gates decides what you can do with content you have managed to record on your hard drive.
So, the preferred solution is open source (free) software, running on hardware of your choice, where you can add as much storage and as many tuners as you like for a very reasonable price. Of these, Mythtv is the most mature, stable, capable, and customizable, and my recommendation. All you pay for, once you have purchased your choice of hardware, is a schedule fee to download listings, currently priced at $1.66/month. No, that's not a typo. $1.66/month.
I'm going to have to agree with you on this
by chuck_whealton - 3/8/08 8:25 AM In reply to: not paying tivo is a good start by scram69I'm getting ready to put together a MythTV setup, though I have actually seen a couple of places online selling preconfigured systems that I might consider. You can also get preconfigured installation/distributions by themselves.
I don't like paying Tivo either. Their price for extra storage is unwarranted (IMO) and I don't like the idea that I'm forced to pay for scheduling I simply don't need. If I miss a show, it's not going to be the end of my life. $20/year is something I don't mind shelling out, which is what you'll need to do if you want Tivo-type scheduling with MythTV (that, or you'll need to scrape websites).
I'm with you that it wouldn't hurt the original poster to look into a MythTV setup. The development team seems to have done a great job on it.
Charles R. Whealton
Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com
Entertainment Equipment
by cooldude268488 - 2/29/08 11:13 PM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Try Subscribing to Dish Network Satelite TV. They have DVR service. They also have dual tuner DVR's where you can watch one program and record another at the same time. Another Satellite TV service you can try is DirectTV. But I have heard that other people have had problems with DirectTV. Dish Network has the best value that is available. Hope this helps.
Entertainment equipment
by Joseph Rubin - 3/7/08 10:01 PM In reply to: Entertainment Equipment by cooldude268488A friend of mine just sold me his RCA TiVo for $50 bucks and bought a Zenith digital DVD/VHS VCR from Circuit City. He had a question that was not answered in the Owner's Manual and asked me to contact their service department. The manufacturer is LG Electronics. I was amazed that there were 45 pages of complaints against this company. Go on the Internet and look it up yourself. Stay away from LG stuff.
DVR/DVD/VHS equipment
by navyron - 3/7/08 10:20 PM In reply to: Entertainment Equipment by cooldude268488Late in 2006 I bought a Panasonic combo DVD/VHS player/recorder that allows me to directly record my old VHS tapes to DVD. It's a Panasonic model that also has an SD memory card slot and plays various DVD formats including RAM. It has HDMI output to my HD TV and can record TV to either DVD or VHS. I think it's a Panasonic EH-45 but don't know if it's still in production. It only has a single tuner, but to give me more flexibility I have a DVR thru my local cable company (Click). This allows me to record one show on the DVR, watch a 2nd show, and then record a 3rd show on the DVD recorder. I don't often need to go 3 directions at the same time, but it's nice to have the capability. And the DVR doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
And I can still play my personal video recordings and still photos with direct camera connections to my DVD recorder or to the TV. It's a great setup for me. And I've copied all of my old home VHS tapes to DVD for me and copies for the rest of the family.
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