PVR/DVR Help Please

[Wattle]

I am looking to buy a PVR and have no idea what features are important. The TIVO is new to Australia and doesn't have the same features as it does in the USA. It also doesn't have a DVD drive and is only 160gb.

I am so confused about all the different features   

What features of your PVR do you find you can't live without? Which one do you have?

[okarol]

I don't know what a PVR is - maybe it's like a DVR? We have tivo (our first was 40 hours of storage but the one I got last year has 80 hours.) I love my tivo!! My hubby has DVR that comes from our cable provider and I think he has a lot more difficulty searching and programming than I do on my tivo. Neither machine has DVD - they are hooked up separately.
I don't know if that helps you or confuses things more - sorry!

[Wattle]

No you are not confusing me more. They are called PVR here but you must call them DVR. The TIVO here only has the one model.

I was looking at the Panasonic DMRXW300. It has twin HD tuners.... not that I know what to do with them?? lol

I just want to be able to record a show and watch it later. I haven't been able to do that since our VIDEO VHS broke a few years ago!    

I think I want a built in DVD player/recorder so I can watch a DVD on it too?

Am I making sense?   

[okarol]

I want a DVD recorder too, but I just use my player for now, and record everything to tivo. I still have the VHS hooked up too. I need to get a new TV but they are HD and my tivo isn't - so i would have to get DVR and upgrade my box from the cable - which I don't want to do if it means giving up my tivo. (They have tivo HD and that may be my next step if I get a HD tv.
Here's something that might help http://www.tivo.com/whatistivo/compare/compare_tivo.html?WT.ac=tivo_home_compare_lnk

[Wattle]

The Tivo here is HD.   http://www.tivo.com.au/

I got a HD TV last year for Mothers Day. I don't have cable TV though.    We don't have all the channels you have over there.

[RichardMEL]

Dear Wattle,

The problem is that down here you simply can't get an all-in-one solution to the issue, which is so frustrating. The closest I have seen is the Beyonwiz DP-P2 which is a PVR with 320gb hard drive, with composite input as well as ariel input (for the HD tuners) this means you can plug in a DVD recorder and/or pay tv box (I know you said you don't have foxtel, but if you did...) and thus you could play/pause live TV, play it, record etc. But, no DVD player (the DP-S1 has a DVD player but no AV input - so that may be more up your alley).
Check http://www.beyonwiz.com.au/DP_P2_overview.asp for info. Topfield (http://www.topfield.com.au) also make similar products, but Beiyonwiz is generally considered the better product from the forums I read (check Digital TV Forum).

Now if you wanted to spend the $$$ the obvious solution is the Foxtel IQ2 - HD PVR with FOUR (!) HD tuners in it, so you can record 2 shows at once, watch live and all that. The problem with that is that it ccosts $$$ on a monthly basis, but is very easy to use, and if you're on cable you can get the free to air stations via it as well.. so all good.. but you can't transfer the saved stuff off it to a PC or something to burn to a DVD (if you wanted to keep something longer). With the Beyonwiz DP-P2 you could transfer files over the network to a PC and then burn to a DVD (in theory, anyway) but it would be fiddly.

I have held off buying a device like this for a couple of years now for this very reason because I want my cake and eat it. Right now I make do with a DVD recorder (no hard drive) hooked to my cable box so I can record off free to air, or (a bit tricky) foxtel.

I'dd love a PVR though. I might just cave in soon and go for the IQ2.... d'oh!

[Zach]

 We don't have all the channels you have over there.

Do you have Eyewitness News?     

[kellyt]

Our first DVR was TIVO and I LOVED it.  I could have worked for them I loved it so much and I was constantly telling people to get it.  When we got our HD TV in lat 2007 we realized we'd have to get the HD DVR.  We purchased the TIVO with HD, but decided to go with the HD DVR offered through Direct TV (our satellite carrier).  There are features on both DVR's that I like, but personally I wish we had stayed with TIVO. 

We have a separate DVD player and it's a cheapo.  It doesn't record.
Good Luck in getting what you want!

[dwcrawford]

Wow, never expected to get technical help and advise on here... A bonus for  me.
This question is for Richard (or anybody who is more informed than I)... I have Uverse TV wih a DVR in the cable box.  It is fine for me as I can record up to four things at a time and watch another.  And then you can watch part on one TV, go to bed and finish.  Here's my question:  I like it but It seems so  very complication to take a movie or concert from the DVR and put it on a DVD.  Seldom is that necessary so I wouldn't spend a lot to do it but is there an easy way?

Question 2:  Unrelated but Kind of related -- What is the best way to copy old 33 records to a DVD?  Would you get software for the computer or just buy one of those recorders that go direct that I've seen advertised for about 200 or 300 hundred.  I have hundreds that I want to save.

Note to people who don't know what a 33 record album is:  Forget it...you'll probably never see one other than in  an antique shop.

[RichardMEL]

Dan I can answer your second question first - On the market these days and fairly easy to find are USB turntables. As the name suggests it's a turntable with a usb cable that you plug into your computer, and software that will basically "rip" the LP's into MP3 files on your computer. You can then, in turn, burn those to a CD (or DVD if you wish I guess) and thus digitise your collection that way. Have a look online. I imagine places like Fry's or Best Buy or whatnot would have them. They seem to have come out a lot in the past 12 months - i guess as the demand grows from people with large collections of old records. (Yes I remember 33's and 45's!! )

As for the PVR to DVD thing... that's a common issue a lot of people have and relates a bit to my comments to Wattle in that down here in the land of Oz anyway we really do not have a convenient consumer solution to this issue - and I think that's quite deliberate in part by the companies out there - they don't want to make it easy for you to copy content to a permanent recording media like DVD. I don't know about your specific cable PVR box, but if it has a USB slot, or network connection on it - as a lot do these days - then in theory you could stick a memory stick in, or connect a laptop or other network device, and copy the files off for say a saved TV program or movie. Though I imagine a PVR provided by a specific cable company probably would not allow that. It may not be possible to do with your setup in that way. The other option is to do what I do amd that is that I output my cable box's video/audio through a DVD recorder (and then through to the TV and sound system) - that way I can play stuff and record via the DVD recorder. It's a bit fiddly but it does work.

Hope that helps a bit.

[dwcrawford]

Oh Richard, oh Richard... perfect answer.
I'm going to Frye's anyway this week -- and my Cable Box has USB and Network connection.

I'm preparing for 3 day dialysis soon and trying to figure out movies, music etc.  I hope they'll let me take laptop and Ipod. 

Any, your info gave me an excellent start.  I didn't know you were from the land of Oz...too back you don't live next door.  We need people with your information in the worst way.

Thanks, Dan

[RichardMEL]

no worries mate! (as we say down here). Glad to help in any little way I can Even if it just gives some pointers or places to jump off and find more information that might help you out

I don't see why your unit would not allow use of ipod or laptop. Mine certainly does. Given a need for entertainment and these devices allow you to do it without bugging others it's ideal and doesn't disrupt or affect the machines in any way so you should be fine.

[Wattle]

Ohh Rich... My knight in PVR Armour

Thank you for the great answer. My sister has a Beyonwiz. The older version and she loves it. I was hoping to get a DVD drive/burner as well. I just couldn't be bothered transferring to my computer. (Not that I could do that     )

What do you think of the Panasonic DMRXW300 ??  How do you think it compares to the Beyonwiz.

 

[RichardMEL]

thank christ I am not a knight in PVC armor! that would just be too weird and kinky - even for me!!!

hmm well I could only get so far on the panasonic system because their website barfed on me when trying to look at the specs, but from what I can see it looks quite similar to the Beyonwiz DP-S1 *except* it has a DVD *recorder* rather than just player - now that's *sweet* - and they look like they are a similar price too. This would mean you could record to DVD directly, which seems like another piece of the puzzle is there. I had no idea that existed. very noice. I'm inviting you to the Vegas hot tub too... or maybe one at Crown 

You might want to trawl through this over 40 page thread on the beast from the DTV forum. Seems like a new model is coming out in April or May so units are hard to come by - which might mean you can get one cheap, OR the new version will be much better. From my looking it seems users are split.. but it seems like it might fit your needs (no cable) pretty well and easily since you don't have to worry about sending data to a PC to burn a DVD etc

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=66970

My personal thought is that if I had the time and could be bothered I'd build a HTPC like all the rest of the AV nerds do and it would do everything I wanted.. but I don't have the energy.. I just want a freakin commercial solution to it. We're close, but not quite there yet

Hope this helps!

[Wattle]

My personal thought is that if I had the time and could be bothered I'd build a HTPC like all the rest of the AV nerds do and it would do everything I wanted.. but I don't have the energy.. I just want a freakin commercial solution to it. We're close, but not quite there yet

Can you build me one while you are at it? Because it is all gobblity gook to me.   

Here's a review I found on Cnet.

http://www.cnet.com.au/dvdpvr/dvdrecorders/0,239035839,339289429,00.htm

[pelagia]

 We don't have all the channels you have over there.

Do you have Eyewitness News?     

they have Good Morning Australia!

[Chris]

Wow, never expected to get technical help and advise on here... A bonus for  me.
This question is for Richard (or anybody who is more informed than I)... I have Uverse TV wih a DVR in the cable box.  It is fine for me as I can record up to four things at a time and watch another.  And then you can watch part on one TV, go to bed and finish.  Here's my question:  I like it but It seems so  very complication to take a movie or concert from the DVR and put it on a DVD.  Seldom is that necessary so I wouldn't spend a lot to do it but is there an easy way?

Question 2:  Unrelated but Kind of related -- What is the best way to copy old 33 records to a DVD?  Would you get software for the computer or just buy one of those recorders that go direct that I've seen advertised for about 200 or 300 hundred.  I have hundreds that I want to save.

Note to people who don't know what a 33 record album is:  Forget it...you'll probably never see one other than in  an antique shop.

Best to burn to CD than DVD if you plan to play it in the car or a portable disc player. Most software will not record an M3 file to be played elsewhere, just  as a back up file. But the CD player in your car may not recognize a DVD due to the way files are written.

Trying to keep it as basic as possible in explaining, but just best to burn to CD to play in older devices that are not computer related.

[dwcrawford]

Yes, of course I'd burn my old albums to CD.  Notice that I tend to get my CD, DVD, DVRs all mixed up (verbally).  Actually I want to burn them somewhere for the purpose of saving them since some would be impossible to find on CD. 

No need to explain techniical things to me!  I'd never understand.  I want it as simple as possible.

[Chris]

Forgot to add, depending how old your CD player is in a car, they may not recognize Mp3 files correctly, but will recognize WMA files. So best to look in owners manual or look on the stereo itself. If the file was saved as a Mp3 and skips while playing, error message displayed on unit, or disc is ejected, then you may need to burn CD's as a WMA file.

Usually though the software will ask you how to save the files as.

If that happens just ask and we can work thru it.

[dwcrawford]

lol.... its old... as is the car it came in.  1997 Accura.  Anybody feel sorry for me now?

[Wattle]

Hey Rich,

I checked out the DVD forum. Very confusing!
I am still trying to compare the TIVO with  the Panasonic DMRXW300.
Harvey Norman no longer sells the Beyonwiz, they say the Tivo has taken the market.   

Do you have any thoughts on the two?

My 12year old thinks the Tivo is in the lead. I am more confused than ever.   

[kitkatz]

Tivo is easier to say than Panasonic.

[MandaMe1986]

I have a DVR and love it.  I know its a little late. Sorry

[dwcrawford]

I'm still trying to get movies from my DVR to a disk or the computer.  My DVR does have a USB port and the cable service dude says I can move files from the DVR to a flash drive (as Richard has said earlier), the problem is does anybody know how to do that???

[MandaMe1986]

if you figure it out let me know