Community Newsletter: Q&A: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs
- 3/10/08 5:01 PM
Just a comment
by billangell - 3/12/08 4:17 PM In reply to: RE: Reply to Dennis C. by dcalhoun38581I believe that I read somewhere that the reason that Toshiba and others quit making these units is that they lost a court case with TiVO over their ability to give people (cable subscribers at least) lifetime free TiVO.
Assuming this is the case, any new digital models are not likely to have free TiVO so it would seem to me to make more sense to get one of these older models (new if possible) and just buy a digital converter down the road when they should be cheap and plentifull.
Be sure if you do get the Toshiba that you spend some quality time with the manual. I had to go step by step thru certain functions until I learned it. And remember that you do have to manually finalize a DVD before using it in a regular DVD player.
Another poster mentioned that his unit can also copy a DVD and so can this unit as long as it isn't copy protected. I suspect the video stabilizers would get past most copy protection on this model too but I don't know for sure.
Another Recommendation for JimW
by SinbadSailor - 3/12/08 10:03 AM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have a SONY VRD-MC5 Multi-Function DVD Recorder with 2.5" color screen that will connect any camcorder, VCR or digital camera PLUS I have great success at recording TV while watching another program at the same time AND have copied DVDs as well. I have a Radio Shack, 4/connector switch box with separate L/R Audio in and SVideo input. So I can easily switch from my VCR Recorder/Player and my DVD Player at will all while watching TV on any other cable or antenna based signal.
The ONLY PROBLEM I had was "Copy protction blocks" from some DVDs and many TV stations who don't want you to record directly. So I solved that with a Dimax "Grex" Video Stabilizer (xdimax.com) placed in between the SVideo signal from my switch box and the Sony VRD-MC5. Not a single problem ever since!
With 5 different quality levels, it uploads easily and also takes memory sticks including SD cards directly. Once I am done recording a TV program in the highest quality level, I can re-insert the resultant DVD into my DVD player, and edit out commercials and re-record at standard play speeds and combine episodes to my heart's content.
I use DVD-RWs for our older DVD player to read and some DVD+RWs that all other DVDs we have play (as well as the DVD-RW). What else could I ask for? HooHah!
Copy protection on DVDR
by jkc84 - 3/13/08 10:10 AM In reply to: Another Recommendation for JimW by SinbadSailorMy cable system told me if I switch from HDMI connection to component cables I would not get this error and would be able to record HBO and SHO. I have not tried it yet but they assured me it would 100% work. We'll see. Just an FYI in case someone else has this problem. They said the picture quailty would not be noticable.
Jim
Answer to Copy Protection on DVDR
by SinbadSailor - 3/13/08 10:32 AM In reply to: Copy protection on DVDR by jkc84Could be good idea BUT I am also converting existing VHS tapes over to DVD directly from my JVC "SVHS" recorder to the Sony using the SVIDEO cable port with the video stabilizer in between to eliminate all the problems I had with VCRs tapes from TV that had the "Copy Protection" recorded within somehow.
Now I can also copy existing DVDs directly to new DVDs with or without whatever editing I need PLUS can simultaneously record TV to SVHS tapes and later copy those over to new DVDs using the interface to eliminate any error codes that pick up on the tape while recording PLUS can also edit the SVHS tapes and produce a higher quality recording as the SONY does upgrade the image according to which setting I use. HooHah!
Housekeeping is important for DVR use
by jhinker - 3/15/08 1:24 PM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My wife and I rent a DishDVR. We record regular TV programming and movies e.t.c. This DVR hard drive holds 80hrs programming so, even though we record kinda willy-nilly, we note how much recording time is available. That way we won't overwrite earlier programming. We can set priorities so saved programs won't be erased by new recordings but, if we're not careful, we COULD run out of drive space. Of course we also try to view recorded shows and then delete them from the drive. The best method I've found to manage high priority recordings is to copy them to our DVD Recorder; that way we can view them down the road without taking up space on the DVR. It's important to remember DVR's use their own software; if that software fails then you can't view or recover your recorded programming. This happened to my brother on his COMCAST DVR; his programming just disappeared without notice or clue and COMCAST will only replace the DVR. When questioned, the COMCAST rep didn't understand their DVR hard drive is like any other hard drive; recovery software should be able to restore my brother's programming because it's still on the hard drive. COMCAST, however, doesn't have resources to do this so my brother's programming cannot be recovered. Be aware: DVR drives/software may fail and you could lose your recorded programming. Just as with computers you should BACK-UP your(programming)data files on another media if those files are important to you. We're very satisfied with our DishDVR dual-tuner capabilities. We like renting and we pay a small monthly chrage to cover equipment failure. Our separate DVR is not a BluRay device so we'll see how that shakes out in the future.
LG LRM
by mightyc - 3/20/08 9:10 AM In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
you're looking for an LRM by LG (Life's Good). It has a built in dvd burner, up to 90 hrs on the hard drive, 90 minutes pause time, downloads tv guide from microsoft for no subscription.Also you can upgrade drives.
Downside: it's a discontinued product, but I got mine refurbed on ebay 3 years ago and no problem for like $400...probably cheaper now.
anything similar to the LG-LRM 519?
by confuxion - 3/20/08 9:35 AM In reply to: LG LRM by mightycI saw your post and did some research on the product you were talking about. I noticed that it was released in 2005 - have there been any further developments or new releases on this product since then? Does anybody know of any similar products? It basically does everything I need in a DVR (although the user reviews for this product were awful), so I'm curious if they improved upon it since then, or if there are similar products now that are better than the LG-LRM 519. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Reply TO: anything similar to the LG-LRM 519?
by horberry - 3/20/08 9:53 AM In reply to: anything similar to the LG-LRM 519? by confuxionRead my other notes on the SONY MC5 -- It has Left/Right audio in, SVIDEO IN, accepts photo cards and direct input from Camcorders. It has a nice 2-1/2" viewing screen so YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE RECORDING! I have a switch box for copying VHS tapes through my older SVHS Recorder/Player and DVDs from my older DVD player PLUS I can record TV while watching another station at the same time. HooHah!
As everyone seems to have, I also had "copy protection error" codes until I purchased a Xdimax Corp. "Grex" video stabilizer to put in line with the SVideo lead into the DVD Recorder and THAT COMPLETELY ELIMINATED ANY PROBLEM. I am copying, recording and watching TV to my heart's content (not that I have that much time). There are various quality levels and I have already recorded TV to a DVD at the highest quality level and then re-copied multiple DVDS to a single DVD at a lower quality level that actually came out better than previously recorded VHS tapes.
My library now includes complete TV seasons from a combination of VHS tapes, previously recorded DVDs and currently recorded TV-direct-to-DVD. What could be better than that? My next step is to try some new software so I can directly download network TV video (without commercials) to the DVD Recorder. Once that is done, I can go back to my original hookup and edit and re-record what I wish to save in any order I wish. Hoohah!
WHILE I AM TRYING SEVERAL SOFTWARE PACKAGES, DOES ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO EASILY RECORD NETWORK TV VIDEO FEEDS FROM MY PC TO THE DVDR????
excellent, but I need DVR too
by confuxion - 3/20/08 10:14 AM In reply to: Reply TO: anything similar to the LG-LRM 519? by horberryThanks for your reply. That look like a great product, but I am also looking for DVR capabilities too. I don't know if a product I'm describing even exists (short of a Tivo), but I'd pay just about any price for a DVD & VHS recorder/player/upscaler that also has DVR capabilities AND a built-in hard drive. It's amazing that there isn't more of a market for products like this (unless I'm missing something).
reply To: Excellent, but I need DVR too
by horberry - 3/20/08 10:58 AM In reply to: excellent, but I need DVR too by confuxionI think the future for recording video will all be through a PC or laptop of some sort of which we have several here, one used for business. There are direct-to-computer cable hookups already available and some accessories that will turn your PC into a fully functioning TV recording device without cable or satellite. I have a box of relatively cheap components that I haven't had a chance to try out but will in the future. As we have two homes, I want to eliminate cable in both of them. I have DSL in both and can now get that without a phone line which is no problem because we mainly rely on cellphones. I'm sure someone like Corel already has something that I just haven't got around to trying out. Once TV or DVD would be downloaded, it could be copied to DVD or off-loaded to a stand-alone USB connected hard drive.
Right now I have a large capacity external that has all of my some 2000 CDs collected over the years all copied as well as miscellaneous videos self-made and downloaded from the web. I just don't like the idea of buying a separate unit just for DVR when there seems to be so many other ways on the horizon to be able to do it. Once analog signals are gone next year, there will have to be alternate methods to receive and record with ease.
AND in the future, all DVDS will be obsolete and everything will be stored in a new form of "static" floating memory (at least according to the Japanese who are working on it) in which everything will be instantly available including downloading to a virtual-reality head set that will connect to the cerebellum and offer the viewer new sensory perceptions that are totally realistic and will put you right into the action.
I probably won't live long enough to see that anyway BUT I remember when an Apple rep. came to our computer store and showed us the newest and greatest thing he's ever seen. A stand-alone, completely self-contained hard drive storage unit that cabled right into the Apple IIs we had. It had an absolutely astounding 150 Megs of memory. My gosh, what more could you possibly ask for? We had that, and 8" floppy disks that held 300,000 bytes of info. Between the two, there was nothing more anyone would need. Ha Ha Ha!
I won't be around for that either
by confuxion - 3/20/08 11:24 AM In reply to: reply To: Excellent, but I need DVR too by horberryHa! Hilarious! It's amazing how quickly technology changes and the gear we have to manipulate it becomes obsolete.
You brought up a point I never even thought of - my laptop came with an external tuner device thingy that allows me to essentially hook up to my TV's digital box and turn my laptop into a television. Who's to say I can also record live TV onto my laptop's hard drive? Maybe I should investigate that further, even though it's a pain to have my laptop sitting next to the TV in the living room. Plus, once the television content is recorded onto my laptop, I'm not even sure how I'd then pipe it back to my TV to view. As you can see, I'm not too up on the whole audio/visual connectivity realm.
I'd still pay whatever it cost to get my hands on a DVD/VHS player/recorder/upscaler + DVR + hard drive contraption. Help, anyone, does it exist?
Reply t:o: I won't be around for that either
by horberry - 3/20/08 11:35 AM In reply to: I won't be around for that either by confuxionYou don't have to put the PC next to the TV. We are in the day and age of full wireless technology. I was a radio operator in the Air Force and I could send and receive anywhere in the world albeit mostly by Morse code but it was all wireless. I guess when you're used to it, it makes it easier. You can now set up your entire home for internal wireless communication --just visit the local computer/TV store or try Radio Shack and see if you can find someone who is relatively intelligent. If they can find your car via satellite, you should be able to send wireless signals from your PC to your TV without any effort. Or seach Amazon for component pieces and read the reviews. If it's on the market, Amazon will have it!
I wish it were that easy for me
by confuxion - 3/20/08 12:46 PM In reply to: Reply t:o: I won't be around for that either by horberryActually, I am utilizing wireless. I have a Helios X-5000 wireless media player (excellent product, btw), which pull all types of content from any device on my network (pc, NAS) and upscales it to 1080p if it isn't an HD source to begin with. I guess I'm just missing the DVR + HDD storage component, but considering that I don't have that in the Helios device, I'm going to need the DVR to also record and output to 1080p. Do you think that such a device exists?
Another reply to: I won't be around for that either
by horberry - 3/20/08 11:54 AM In reply to: I won't be around for that either by confuxionGo to Amazon.com;
Seach "Electronics" for "DVD Recorder";
Seach for "SONY" in the products column;
See SONY ITEM #4 -that's the Unit I have --MC5;
Look At SONY ITEM #19 --That's a complete unit --RDR-HX900 DVD Recorder with 160 Gbyte hard drive. That's what you seem to be describing! Buy it and let us know how it works!
uh...thanks
by confuxion - 3/20/08 12:34 PM In reply to: Another reply to: I won't be around for that either by horberryI'd love to buy it, but it doesn't upconvert to 1080p (or at all for that matter). Not sure if it would record HD content either, unless I'm missing something here. Set me straight if I am.
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