DVRs.
Well we have a Time Warner DVR for a trial period. I like some of it, but find their spin on it to be a mixed bag.
I love having PIP without actually having the feature on the TV. I Love the ability to surf a week in advance and program shows to record. I like the replay and pause features. I love being able to record two channels at the same time.
However, I don't find the channel selection to be of much use. We aren't watching anything we don't normally watch anyway. The picture quality isn't as good as I expected. The video compression makes many channels grainy. The playback seems intentionally recorded in a lower res. than the live video. There is far so little recording space. I filled the HDD in less than a week. I can't transfer or burn the recorded video to a DVD. I dislike being able to record two channels but not being able to watch a third. I dislike the hurky-jerky video that occurs every so often even when not recording. There isn't a zoom features as with my DVD.
I dislike not having a button to skip the entire block of ads with. I dislike the inconsistent way it skips back a second or two after fast forwarding or rewinding, though it does work most of the time.
I particularly dislike that I can not custom program a time slot, to prevent games from being cut-off due to running long.
The shortfalls of the Time Warner DVR aside, it is a great way to watch TV. I've been able to record football and my normal spread of Nerd Fodder and watch it while my wife isn't around to be annoyed.
I now know for sure that I want to outfit my computer to do much the same thing, only with the ability to burn the video to disk or DVD. I may even look to buy a pure DVR with a DVD burner and large HDD. I can live without the Time Warner video guide, and get used to adding record times on my own. I can't live with not being able to save the video I watch, or port it over to my PC to edit and archieve.
No matter what, DVRs are a sports fans friend, I must have one before we
send Time Warners dog back to them and resume normal cable.
The wonder and glory of DVRs.
The wonder and glory of DVRs.
NWLB
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Flipper
- The Global Village Idiot
- Posts: 18396
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:01 am
- Location: Ida Twp, MI
I just outfitted my PC with a Hauppaugge DVR and a DVD burner. The weakness with the Hauppaugge is that I went with a USB version instead of a PCI card as all my slots were full. It seems to work pretty well, although the NIU game will be the longest record attempt I've made to date. I figure it will take about 7-8 GB's on the hard drive and I have about 16 to spare right now. I think I'll be needing to add an external drive pretty soon for storage space.
It's been cool digging out 10 year old vacation and party tapes to burn onto DVD's though.
I've got an older 60 hour TVreplay DVR from Panasonic--it works pretty well, but having a larger hard drive and a DVD burner in one box would be pretty cool.
It's been cool digging out 10 year old vacation and party tapes to burn onto DVD's though.
I've got an older 60 hour TVreplay DVR from Panasonic--it works pretty well, but having a larger hard drive and a DVD burner in one box would be pretty cool.
When I designed and ordered my current system I had DVR'ing in mind. I have just over a hundred VHS tapes with programs dating back to 1984 I have to get burned to something more lasting. I have the start of the 1991 Gulf War as it happend on CNN. BG hockey, basketball, and football games dating back to 1991. All of the Toledo sports broadcasts leading up to and after the 1991 and 1992 bowl games. The bowl games themselves. BGSU home moves from 1997 through 2002. The BGSU Senior Sendoff videos I produced. Tons of old SNL from the original broadcasts. Old TV shows that didn't make it. Silly stuff, but I figure I might as well save it.
I'm looking at an ATI 9800 All In Wonder Pro, plus a secondary AIW Pro tuner card. To that I'll add another Gig of Ram, shift my 120 GB HDD to a boot drive for apps, and add two 200 GB HDDs in RAID 0 if I pull that off with 3 drives. I'm rebuilding my older PII to function as a storage and backup system to back up my little familys network.
My real task is shipping my family's box full of 8 mm film to a company that restores and burns it directly to DVD. Plus a few reels of my familys ancient 16 mm movies from the 30s. I'm actually amazed it is as cheap as it is. From what I can tell the results will be sharper than showing them on the wall with my family like-new Sears Super 8 projector.
I've even found a company that will scan my family photos in bulk in high res RAW or TIFF files. I hope to tie it all to a spreadsheet/database, and then ultimately a home-hosted web site for the rest of the family, but that is four years out at least.
I'm looking at an ATI 9800 All In Wonder Pro, plus a secondary AIW Pro tuner card. To that I'll add another Gig of Ram, shift my 120 GB HDD to a boot drive for apps, and add two 200 GB HDDs in RAID 0 if I pull that off with 3 drives. I'm rebuilding my older PII to function as a storage and backup system to back up my little familys network.
My real task is shipping my family's box full of 8 mm film to a company that restores and burns it directly to DVD. Plus a few reels of my familys ancient 16 mm movies from the 30s. I'm actually amazed it is as cheap as it is. From what I can tell the results will be sharper than showing them on the wall with my family like-new Sears Super 8 projector.
I've even found a company that will scan my family photos in bulk in high res RAW or TIFF files. I hope to tie it all to a spreadsheet/database, and then ultimately a home-hosted web site for the rest of the family, but that is four years out at least.
NWLB
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[quote]DVRs.
Well we have a Time Warner DVR for a trial period. I like some of it, but find their spin on it to be a mixed bag.
I love having PIP without actually having the feature on the TV. I Love the ability to surf a week in advance and program shows to record. I like the replay and pause features. I love being able to record two channels at the same time.
However, I don't find the channel selection to be of much use. We aren't watching anything we don't normally watch anyway. The picture quality isn't as good as I expected. The video compression makes many channels grainy. The playback seems intentionally recorded in a lower res. than the live video. There is far so little recording space. I filled the HDD in less than a week. I can't transfer or burn the recorded video to a DVD. I dislike being able to record two channels but not being able to watch a third. I dislike the hurky-jerky video that occurs every so often even when not recording. There isn't a zoom features as with my DVD.
I dislike not having a button to skip the entire block of ads with. I dislike the inconsistent way it skips back a second or two after fast forwarding or rewinding, though it does work most of the time.
I particularly dislike that I can not custom program a time slot, to prevent games from being cut-off due to running long.
The shortfalls of the Time Warner DVR aside, it is a great way to watch TV. I've been able to record football and my normal spread of Nerd Fodder and watch it while my wife isn't around to be annoyed.
I now know for sure that I want to outfit my computer to do much the same thing, only with the ability to burn the video to disk or DVD. I may even look to buy a pure DVR with a DVD burner and large HDD. I can live without the Time Warner video guide, and get used to adding record times on my own. I can't live with not being able to save the video I watch, or port it over to my PC to edit and archieve.
No matter what, DVRs are a sports fans friend, I must have one before we
send Time Warners dog back to them and resume normal cable.[/quote]
I have a Time Warner Cable DVR and I do not experience any of the issues that NWLB cites. I have zero picture quality issues. All of my channels have outstanding resolution. My playback is identical to as if I was watching it live.
As for transferring recorded programs saved on my DVR, I can record on a VCR tape, so I do not see why there is an issue on recording to a DVD. You should just use the same outputs/inputs. As for memory, as with your computer, you have to "clean it out" every once in a while. I'm sure that if the DVR were to have more memory, you would have to pay more.
When it comes to recording sporting events, I just make sure I record the event following the game I want. That way if it goes too long, I will not miss any of the action.
With this being the first software version of the DVR that Time Warner offers, I am sure that they will add new features in the future. I usually get a pretty good response when I let them know what I think would be an good feature for their products. That is, I get a good reaction when I let them know in a polite manner, not bitching and complaining.
Well we have a Time Warner DVR for a trial period. I like some of it, but find their spin on it to be a mixed bag.
I love having PIP without actually having the feature on the TV. I Love the ability to surf a week in advance and program shows to record. I like the replay and pause features. I love being able to record two channels at the same time.
However, I don't find the channel selection to be of much use. We aren't watching anything we don't normally watch anyway. The picture quality isn't as good as I expected. The video compression makes many channels grainy. The playback seems intentionally recorded in a lower res. than the live video. There is far so little recording space. I filled the HDD in less than a week. I can't transfer or burn the recorded video to a DVD. I dislike being able to record two channels but not being able to watch a third. I dislike the hurky-jerky video that occurs every so often even when not recording. There isn't a zoom features as with my DVD.
I dislike not having a button to skip the entire block of ads with. I dislike the inconsistent way it skips back a second or two after fast forwarding or rewinding, though it does work most of the time.
I particularly dislike that I can not custom program a time slot, to prevent games from being cut-off due to running long.
The shortfalls of the Time Warner DVR aside, it is a great way to watch TV. I've been able to record football and my normal spread of Nerd Fodder and watch it while my wife isn't around to be annoyed.
I now know for sure that I want to outfit my computer to do much the same thing, only with the ability to burn the video to disk or DVD. I may even look to buy a pure DVR with a DVD burner and large HDD. I can live without the Time Warner video guide, and get used to adding record times on my own. I can't live with not being able to save the video I watch, or port it over to my PC to edit and archieve.
No matter what, DVRs are a sports fans friend, I must have one before we
send Time Warners dog back to them and resume normal cable.[/quote]
I have a Time Warner Cable DVR and I do not experience any of the issues that NWLB cites. I have zero picture quality issues. All of my channels have outstanding resolution. My playback is identical to as if I was watching it live.
As for transferring recorded programs saved on my DVR, I can record on a VCR tape, so I do not see why there is an issue on recording to a DVD. You should just use the same outputs/inputs. As for memory, as with your computer, you have to "clean it out" every once in a while. I'm sure that if the DVR were to have more memory, you would have to pay more.
When it comes to recording sporting events, I just make sure I record the event following the game I want. That way if it goes too long, I will not miss any of the action.
With this being the first software version of the DVR that Time Warner offers, I am sure that they will add new features in the future. I usually get a pretty good response when I let them know what I think would be an good feature for their products. That is, I get a good reaction when I let them know in a polite manner, not bitching and complaining.
I'm not saying not to get it, I am just making observations based on my experience. If you are getting perfect picture and performance from your hardare great, I'm not. I don't find the picture to be much better than normal cable. The playback is indeed vastly better than VHS but that isn't hard. Skirting through the evening news in five minutes isn't bad either.
As for recording, the DVR they gave us is incidental. What I am looking to do goes well beyond what this thing can do. Plus I don't want downgraded compressed video feeding to another compression system. Plus I don't want to record and have to dump video again and again. I'd rather just set a time and let the system fly. I don't record the shows after
the one I actually want for space reasons and the fact that as that show ends, I might want to record something else.
I'd expect to pay more for a better DVR, but then I'd rather just buy one I own, not rent a lesser unit from Time Warner. Its a good unit for the casual user, just not for any serious videophile.
I don't have issues with Time Warner's service. They've always been good on the response and I know a couple of people that work there. However, on the phone, they wouldn't even identify what they were giving us on trial as D-cable, nor will they tell us how much it is after the trial period. That isn't the fault of the locals of course, it was a national call center. I just wish Verizon would get Fios in this area so I could dump them in total.
I think the DVRs they give subscribers are a good way of introducing the market to them. But I think the future is in stand-alone units no linked to cable or dish networks.
What I'm really curious about is how good are the resolution options on the DVR/DVD burners. And can I rip the video from the discs they make, and do any of the models on the market network at all.
As for recording, the DVR they gave us is incidental. What I am looking to do goes well beyond what this thing can do. Plus I don't want downgraded compressed video feeding to another compression system. Plus I don't want to record and have to dump video again and again. I'd rather just set a time and let the system fly. I don't record the shows after
the one I actually want for space reasons and the fact that as that show ends, I might want to record something else.
I'd expect to pay more for a better DVR, but then I'd rather just buy one I own, not rent a lesser unit from Time Warner. Its a good unit for the casual user, just not for any serious videophile.
I don't have issues with Time Warner's service. They've always been good on the response and I know a couple of people that work there. However, on the phone, they wouldn't even identify what they were giving us on trial as D-cable, nor will they tell us how much it is after the trial period. That isn't the fault of the locals of course, it was a national call center. I just wish Verizon would get Fios in this area so I could dump them in total.
I think the DVRs they give subscribers are a good way of introducing the market to them. But I think the future is in stand-alone units no linked to cable or dish networks.
What I'm really curious about is how good are the resolution options on the DVR/DVD burners. And can I rip the video from the discs they make, and do any of the models on the market network at all.
NWLB
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:coo-coo: :duh: 
-
MajorFalcon92
- Peregrine
- Posts: 806
- Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:07 pm
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
I have DirecTV TIVO. No problems with quality at all. I added two extra hardrives to the TIVO (regular PC HDs) for about 160 hrs of recording time. Ran wires to my PC for video/audio in, and record to the PC, and then burn to DVD.
For the big games last year (NIU/Gameday, MCB etc), I have TIVO set to record on the ESPN channels before the game for pre-game coverage, and then flip to ESPN News for post-game stuff. Works great.
I don't seem to have the problems associated with Time Warner.
Adding an exta drive to a DVR is pretty easy, if you have ever installed a hard drive in a PC. Formatting is a little tricky however, since it uses LINUX.
For the big games last year (NIU/Gameday, MCB etc), I have TIVO set to record on the ESPN channels before the game for pre-game coverage, and then flip to ESPN News for post-game stuff. Works great.
I don't seem to have the problems associated with Time Warner.
Adding an exta drive to a DVR is pretty easy, if you have ever installed a hard drive in a PC. Formatting is a little tricky however, since it uses LINUX.
Ahhh, a TiVO hacker.
MajorFalcon, is it easy to rip the video back off the DVDs after you burn them, or am I looking at storing lots of unproduced files?
I think 2005 will be the year DVRs really start to blossom. There is just too much upside to them for people to avoid. I really think they are simpler than the VCR was/is. I think the DVD/RW/R units will maybe prove a step between DVRs with HDDs and thouse without. HDD size just isn't yet what I'd like it to be. I could fill a terabyte with the video I have or want.
Has anybody messed with the VHS/DVD Burners?
I know TW didn't want the auto-skip feature on their as it hurts ad sales they think. But with with the rewind and go-to-live feature, I just wait until I get to a ad break and hit the live button if I'm replaying or rewinding.
It also lets you pick the game apart easier than just with broadcast replay.
MajorFalcon, is it easy to rip the video back off the DVDs after you burn them, or am I looking at storing lots of unproduced files?
I think 2005 will be the year DVRs really start to blossom. There is just too much upside to them for people to avoid. I really think they are simpler than the VCR was/is. I think the DVD/RW/R units will maybe prove a step between DVRs with HDDs and thouse without. HDD size just isn't yet what I'd like it to be. I could fill a terabyte with the video I have or want.
Has anybody messed with the VHS/DVD Burners?
I know TW didn't want the auto-skip feature on their as it hurts ad sales they think. But with with the rewind and go-to-live feature, I just wait until I get to a ad break and hit the live button if I'm replaying or rewinding.
It also lets you pick the game apart easier than just with broadcast replay.
NWLB
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BGSU Falconz
- The Wizard of AZZ
- Posts: 596
- Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 10:44 pm
- Location: Dayton, Ohio
- Contact:
Warthog: its about how to enjoy our football with greater technical means.
NWLB
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Just off the cuff, I don't suppose I could get any of you fine folks to install SETI at Home on your systems to help in my efforts with that?
NWLB
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Sometimes I'd love to have TIVO to put it on my computer and analyze the play of my teams over & over again, but I couldn't stand to watch Kellen break his leg over & over againNWLB wrote:Warthog: its about how to enjoy our football with greater technical means.
Being a Browns fan one must be a masochist to watch their games a second and third time.
And broke his leg on a pretty much meaning less on-side kick. :wah:hammb wrote:Sometimes I'd love to have TIVO to put it on my computer and analyze the play of my teams over & over again, but I couldn't stand to watch Kellen break his leg over & over againNWLB wrote:Warthog: its about how to enjoy our football with greater technical means.
Being a Browns fan one must be a masochist to watch their games a second and third time.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools."
- Ernest Hemingway
- Ernest Hemingway
Pretty much meaninless yes, but if I were coach he woulda been out there too. You all know I advocate your best players on ST's. They are game changing plays. Especially in a desperation situation such as that. Kellen can be a special teams star as a punt blocker, no doubt. Every team always has their starters on the "hands" teams for onsides kicks, you put your best hands out there to get the ball.Warthog wrote:And broke his leg on a pretty much meaning less on-side kick. :wah:hammb wrote:Sometimes I'd love to have TIVO to put it on my computer and analyze the play of my teams over & over again, but I couldn't stand to watch Kellen break his leg over & over againNWLB wrote:Warthog: its about how to enjoy our football with greater technical means.
Being a Browns fan one must be a masochist to watch their games a second and third time.
On top of that, you have to go for the onsides. You recover it you get a hail mary to tie it. In fact, I thought Butch should've taken a safety on purpose on the first play of that drive to get a couple extra seconds on the clock. The onsides recovery was the only way you were going to get into hail mary range, may as well do it and get a play to get a touch closer for the hail mary. Luke has a great arm and it still didn't quite reach the endzone.
It was a bummer of an injury, but if I'm the coach he still gets hurt on that play, because no way do I let up when the game is still in question.
