What model are you using, and would you recommend one?

Users with HDD DVD Recorders:
Panasonic DMR-HS2 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006IIV1): Sean Mota (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=3441), snidely (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=25687&postcount=4), xtc (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=114816&postcount=5), mnhtug (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=228708&postcount=8)
Pansonic DMR-E85 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00021ZVL0): DarrellP (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=119673&postcount=59)
Panasonic DMR-E80 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009KXA3): martincva (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=30672&postcount=37)

Users with Non-HDD DVD Recorders:
Phillips DVDR-75 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000093US1): Technut (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=227098&postcount=3)
Pioneer DVR-810H-S (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4139_22912926,00.html): shaun-ohio (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=227108&postcount=4)
Pioneer DVR-7000 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000095SDA): The Stone Man (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=227137&postcount=5)
Panasonic DMR-E50 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00008IP5K): dziko (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=227143&postcount=6)
iLo Walmart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3168469): rgarbonzo (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=227239&postcount=7)
Sony RDR-GX7: (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AINEO) electr0n (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=159400&postcount=2)

I'll start by posting some of my experience...

We brought home a DVD equiped Tivo SD-H400 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AA9E8) a month or so ago to test with Voom. We were pleased with the image quality AND Tivo functionality. We were not excited about paying $13/mo for service. With rumors that the Voom DVR was going to hit streets in November or sooner, we returned the Tivo.

With the delay of Vooms DVR, I wanted to start looking at options again.

Found a JVC DR-M10S (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00025YI2E/) at eCost for $246 shipped so I made the jump and purchased one. The JVC is a Non-HDD model but has been praised for image quality. When it arrives, I'll post up the pros and cons.

im using a Phillips DVDR-75 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000093US1/sanantoniowif-20/002-9508501-4509605?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1) , hooked up via composite and s-video, I get good quality burning in 2 hr mode. very reliable have used it for 4 months, recording by composite i have to kick down the red button on the stb to i think 480i (i think), i usually just use the s-video ( no messin with button and it does rec in wide-screen), also i have a Tivo hooked up to it. it records from it just fine.

Mr. C

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000093US1.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

im using the pioneer model dvr-810h-s model does an excellant job of recording, it has an 80 hr built in hard drive, plus has a dvd recorder to put the recorded stuff on dvd, it has the tivo basic service for free, then you can upgrade to the plus service if you want, but i stuck with the free version, the only thing the recorder lacks is wont play back in dd, has the optical out for it which i use, all it does is playback in surround sound, but i also have 2 directv/tivos with the plus version on them as well, still waiting on the dvr from voom to appear, i gave 600.00 for it at best buy with a 100.00 rebate on it.

I'm using a Pioneer DVR-7000 Elite. The recording quality is very good, but this is an older model Pioneer, and I believe there are better recorders available today that are far less expensive. There is no internal hard drive, no firewire connection, and recordings of HD materials are downrezzed to 480P. Your TV must also have progressive scan in order for this recorder to work properly.

Of course, it also a DVD player. Images are good, and there are a lot of nice features when playing a DVD. Also plays CD's. Overall, this is a very solid player/recorder, but I think there are newer models with more updated capability for less money.

I have a Panasonic E50 and it works fantastic, I can also use DVD RAM and it works like a PVR, Pause or rewind live tv while it records at the same time. It records on DVD-R or DVD Ram and the PQ is real good for SD. When I asked the CSR if it would work they told me they did not know if it would I called them and told them that it did and they did not seem to care. :cool:

Okay go ahead... I'm using the ILO dvd recorder with HDD. It works great!!! The SD PQ is wonderful. The HD PQ is on par with 480p.

Just got a Panasonic DMR-HS2 for $265 shipped on eBay. Much of what the HS2 has to offer has already been covered but I'll try to bring more to the party if I can. Maybe some detailed pics and sample video recordings.

I have been happy with the HS2 but it has a problem with black level that Panasonic never was willing to fixed. The newer models have the problem fixed. All in all I find it to be very good.

I use the Panasonic DMR-E55 model & record from VOOM using s video & it works great. Its also nice that I can also record on this from my HD-Adelphia cable as it allows 3 video inputs. Use Component to go to the TV & works well & cheaply till some better comes along.

I love my E85H. It has a 120 GB HD and I have burned over 200 DVD's so far and the results are excellent. With a good source, the resulting image is as good as a store bought DVD (better than some I've seen).

A great plus of the E85H is being able to shorten segments and/or create custom Playlists. I go through each of the network shows I record and edit out the commercials, it takes me about 5 minutes to do so then I can watch the show without interruption in 42 minutes and don't have to bother with skipping through the commercials. I can also add thumbnails for the menu and arrange the order of the shows on the disc prior to burning. It also gives me the option of going to the menu or autoplaying from title 1.

Some people bitch about the TV guide built in for the analog tuner, but I love it. It gets the guide OTA and so far has been very accurate. I prefer watching the analog recordings I get from this tuner vs. a digital SD signal. You guys know how picky I am about PQ on my PJ, so this is really saying something about the quality of the analog tuner in this puppy.

Another advantage of a hard drive: my daughter loves Tom & Jerry so I record it every day, it's one hour long and I record it in the LP mode (4 hours/DVD). I can then put 4 episodes to a DVD and she can watch it uninterrupted, commercial free on the weekends.

Has anyone tried the iLo (DVDRH04) hdd equipped recorder yet? For $278 it's hard to pass up.

iLo Recorder w/ HDD (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3182262)

Has anyone tried the iLo (DVDRH04) hdd equipped recorder yet? For $278 it's hard to pass up.

iLo Recorder w/ HDD (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3182262)

Sorry if I sound like an idiot here, but...

What's the advantage to having the HDD in the recorder? It doesn't look like this model has TiVo functionality, so what benefit is the HDD? DVD+Rs are cheap anymore, so for the $128 difference, you can buy a LOT of DVD+Rs.

-John

How does the PQ look during play back?

Users with HDD DVD Recorders:
Panasonic DMR-HS2: Sean Mota, snidely, xtc, mnhtug
Pansonic DMR-E85: DarrellP
Panasonic DMR-E80: martincva

How does the PQ look during play back?

Pansonic DMR-E85: DarrellP
Depends on the source. Shows I record from HDNET, HDNET Movies, DiscoveryHD on Dish, and OTA HD looks incredible, almost as good as a commercial DVD, while the only channels I get decent results from on Voom are Rave and Monsters. Even my Dish 6000 gives me better results OTA than the Voom stb, the Voom seems to be inherently noisier. :(

I'll take a swag at some of these questions...

Question: What's the advantage to having the HDD in the recorder?

1) Ability to record more content in XP mode.
2) Edit content before archive to dvd media.
3) Temporary content can be deleted without wasting dvd media.


Question: It doesn't look like this model has TiVo functionality

1) Models with Tivo functions do not allow editing of content.
2) No Tivo subscription cost.


Question: How does the PQ look during play back?

Recordings of HD content on our HS2 look superb on our 41" Mitsu. They are not HD quality but they do look many times better than content recorded with our Dish PVR501.

Question: What's the advantage to having the HDD in the recorder?

1) Ability to record more content in XP mode.
2) Edit content before archive to dvd media.
3) Temporary content can be deleted without wasting dvd media.


OK, this will save a few DVD+Rs. Looking thru the manual, it looks like you can also put custom chapters in with HDD recording before copying it to the DVD+R., which is cool. :)



Question: It doesn't look like this model has TiVo functionality

1) Models with Tivo functions do not allow editing of content.
2) No Tivo subscription cost.


I didn't know about #1. So maybe that is a good model? I still haven't seen the iLo HDD version at any WalMart yet, tho...

[UPDATE: I have seen it. Looks nice, but I'm still not sure if its worth the extra $$$]

Maybe they'll be a good after Thanksgiving special!

-John

How do you have the Ilo DVDRHD04 connected to the voom receiver i 'm using the dvi to tv and s video to recorder but i get no picture when i record. I also connected video with composite and was able to record but the picture was grainy.

MIKE!!!!!!!!

Ripped some Voom Promo DVD recordings from my Panasonic HS-1. Smallest mpg file was 17mb so I tried doing some WM9 encodes. Not sure how well they turned out.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

voom4.wmv (1.41MB)
voom3.wmv (1.80MB)

NOTE: Right click and do a "save as"

EDIT: Bad encode, files removed. Anyone here have much experience with WMV9 encodes?

Ripped some Voom Promo DVD recordings from my Panasonic HS-1. Smallest mpg file was 17mb so I tried doing some WM9 encodes. Not sure how well they turned out.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

voom4.wmv (1.41MB) (http://mnhotrods.com/hd/voom4.wmv)
voom3.wmv (1.80MB) (http://mnhotrods.com/hd/voom3.wmv)

NOTE: Right click and do a "save as"


Very jumpy. Sound was ok, but got about 2 frames a second, some speeded up in the middle

Using Pentium 4 3g xeon, ati card, wmp 9

I'm on a Xeon 3.4Ghz here at work. I've not yet tested the Quadro FX3400 video card for HD playback. Maybe I'll try that now.

Which ATI card do you have?
Have you tested HD playback on your system yet?

WMV HD Content Showcase (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/ContentShowcase.aspx)

Update: WMV-HD downloads are playing just fine here. My encodes are bad.

Anyone here have much experience with WMV9 encodes? If so, I can supply the raw foootage and maybe you can do the encode?

Ok, lets try this again. I've posted four Voom samples to alt.binaries.dvdr on usenet. These samples were recorded with a Panasonic HS1 DVD Recorder. File format is native mpeg2 from a hd-to-dvdr dub.

voom.nzb (http://mnhotrods.com/hd/voom.nzb)

Related Links:
Newsbin Pro (Usenet Downloading Tool) (http://www.newsbin.com/)
Astraweb (Usenet News Server) (http://www.newsbin.com/)

Guys, I've had Voom since March and enjoy the HD experience!
I know we don't have a Voom DVR yet and it may be awhile before we do and $1000 plus switching to D* is not an option for me...
I really want to get a DVR or DVD/HDD but my question is. based on what I've seen, all these have S-video or composite video inputs. How can PQ be good as compared to DVI or component? How do you hook-up these to the Voom STB? What will I be able to record? How do they get info from the PG?

Sorry about my ignorance...!!!

I have a Panny E85 H and have to set 2 timers, one in the Voom (or Dish) stb, the other on the recorder.

Last night my optical cable went out on my Dish stb and I had to watch Bikini Destinations through my Panny to get sound and about 5 minutes in, I told my roommate that we couldn't watch it in HD tonight because we had no sound and he says "This isn't HD? It sure looks good". I get a very good upconvert through the component output of my Panny recorder.

Don't expect HD quality, but you can get near DVD quality from these things. Mine actually does some processing that cleans up the SD feeds and makes them look better than the live Voom feeds.

I have a Panny E85 H and have to set 2 timers, one in the Voom (or Dish) stb, the other on the recorder.
Is this the only way to record from the Voom STB? Does it mean I can't watch one channel and record another?


Last night my optical cable went out on my Dish stb and I had to watch Bikini Destinations through my Panny to get sound and about 5 minutes in, I told my roommate that we couldn't watch it in HD tonight because we had no sound and he says "This isn't HD? It sure looks good". I get a very good upconvert through the component output of my Panny recorder.

Don't expect HD quality, but you can get near DVD quality from these things. Mine actually does some processing that cleans up the SD feeds and makes them look better than the live Voom feeds.
OK...I'll can live with that PQ for recorded stuff (for now), but if the first point is NO I can't, then why have at all?

What about the connection issues? Would I watch an HD channel with the DVI while recording it thru composite or SVideo...what about the tuner issue?
Jeeez, I'm confused again...!!!

This is the ONLY way to record from the Voom stb.

You can not watch another Voom channel while recording, as the stb only has a single channel capability, even though it has a sat and an OTA tuner built in. If you had 2 Voom stb's then yes, you could record from one and watch the other. This is what I do, I have Voom and Dish and while one is tied up with a recording, I watch the other.

My Panny has 3 input sources, L1, L2 & L3 and also has a built in analog OTA tuner and downloads it's TV guide OTA. I can record from any source and watch another recorded show at the same time.

Connection is not difficult, you can watch HD through either component or DVI while you are recording. Since the Voom stb has all outputs hot at the same time, you can watch any of them.

The recorder will only play back through Component, S-Video or Composite, depending on the machine. Mine happens to save it as a 480p signal and has a very good picture on playback through component.

Thanks DarrellP...I'm really clear now...!!!
VOOM WE NEED THE DVR BOX NOW!!! OH AND MAKE IT REASONABLE $ WISE...jejeje

sorry guys, had to scream it out loud.

Since I only have 1 Voom STB and basic cable (Although it's digital) I guess I'll continue to wait for Voom's DVR. Is it worth it to get a Tivo, which are at $100 right now or will this be like a glorified VCR?

Don't forget that with a Tivo you also have a $12.95 or so per MONTH subscription fee unless you purchase the Lifetime for something like $200.

There are recorders out there that use OTA guides like mine and also some units have basic Tivo functionality built in without having to pay a fee.

As far as a glorified VCR, HELL NO! You get double the lines of resolution, yielding a much crisper, cleaner image, not to mention that you can instantly skip commercials, no need to rewind, don't run out of or break tapes, etc and if you get one with an integrated DVD recorder, you can high speed dub them to DVD.

These recorders are awesome and even though I have to set 2 timers, I could not live without mine.

OK...I just discovered what I was suspect of...my wife bought me a Tivo for Xmas...!!!
I will do my best and act surprised... ;) if not I'm in trouble!

Now my next question is...should I exchange for a DVD/HDD or keep the Tivo and wait for Voom DVR? Yeah I know it depends on what I want it to do but if you were in my shoes with only Voom and basic cable what would you get???

I guess I may be being a little unappretiative of her intentions...how did she find out I was looking for a HDD? Must have slipped out in my dreams... :rolleyes: :dev

Depends if you wish to archive or just watch. You could always add a standalone DVD burner for a little over $100.

Depends if you wish to archive or just watch. You could always add a standalone DVD burner for a little over $100.
Well, I would love to archive if it were HD or really good DVD PQ. Is there such thing as an HD DVD burner yet?
I guess my answer is, what I really want for now is to be able to get up in the middle of a program or movie for a few minutes and not miss anything...
Or watch CSI:NY and record Law and Order (even if it's not HD for now)
Maybe even trnasfer to my PC and active sync to PocketTV or Pocket Windows Media and watch on my PDA..(Long shot... :smug )
Hopefully the Tivo will do the trick...
Thanks again

PS: BTW I HATE VCR's already! :eek:

OK I am new here so be gentle :) I am thinking about buying voom. I am also thinking about buying a tivo with the free service or a HDD. Can someone explain what the pros and cons are for each?

I have a Panny Dmr-80 and a dmr-100,i have the 80 for a year and grabed one of the last 100's this fall because i heard these models were excellent.i have NO problems with the DMR-80 the DMR-100 is a little more finicky and have some coasters.But for archiving,i think the panny's are great

I have an E-80 and E-100 and like them a lot.

Last week Circuit City had 250 E-80's in their CA warehouse, none in stores. Only after I had the clerk check all stock did he find them. The price is $337 with FREE shipping. That's a good deal on a good machine.

Happy Holidaze...

Just picked up a Liteon 5005 box. Pretty good box. I have SVideo from the Voom box into the DVD, then composite and Optical Digital Audio to the TV/receiver. Nice how it "upconverts" it. Too bad my RCA TV stretches 4:3 content. If I use standard composite it doesn't, but if I use the progressive scan composite it does the 16:9 stretch.

Either way, nice box. Records VCDs as well. :)

-John

I'm also using the Panosonic E85H will great results so far.

I have a Toshiba RD-XS32. Still reading the manual to figure out how it works so I have no comment at this time. Read customer opinions at epinions.com. Great detailed reviews!

im using the pioneer model dvr-810h-s model does an excellant job of recording, it has an 80 hr built in hard drive, plus has a dvd recorder to put the recorded stuff on dvd, it has the tivo basic service for free, then you can upgrade to the plus service if you want, but i stuck with the free version, the only thing the recorder lacks is wont play back in dd, has the optical out for it which i use, all it does is playback in surround sound, but i also have 2 directv/tivos with the plus version on them as well, still waiting on the dvr from voom to appear, i gave 600.00 for it at best buy with a 100.00 rebate on it.

Don't know much about Tivo but what I do know (unless things have changed) is that you CANNOT edit out commercials as you can with many, if not all DVD recorders (Like my Toshiba RD-XS32). :)

Well, if with VOOM it is impossible to watch one channel and record another...couldn't they at least have a non-DVR box that had multiple tuners????? How are we supposed to record anything?

That's why I have a Dish HD stb, it makes it very convenient to double up on OTA network shows or record a Voom and watch a Dish or vice versa. Seeing as how Voom does not yet offer HDNET, I have to have my Bikini Destinations fix.

Has any voomer tried this recorder? Record on both DVD-R and DVD+R plus 160 GB HDD. On another note, are there any recorder that has a component input for HD recording?

TIA

Yes, the philips dvd recorder model #HDRW720 has component inputs as well as component outputs.

Can't record HD. Only SD.

I heard HD DVD writers for the PC should be coming to market late March early April. The disks can 25GB to 30GB :bounce .
I can wait I have a ton of raw HD material recorded from the SuperBowl(27GB)includes halftime show to FOX's 24 Season4 up till current episode (8GB). I can actualy fit each 24 episode on a standard dual layer DVD.

How's the Voom box in passing along anamorphic flags, or is that even possible in the HD-to-SD downconvert it does? Just wondering if the 16:9 framing is kept when you folks are recording to DVD...or, more particularly, say it does record widescreen, but do you have to manually tell your HD set what aspect ratio the image is when watching a 16:9 Voom recording?

Yes, the philips dvd recorder model #HDRW720 has component inputs as well as component outputs.

I have a Magnavox recorder (same company). It has the component input.
However, I would have to change the settings on the Voom STB to 480i to use them. I am getting a good picture using the s-video input.

I have the STB set at 1080i for the DVI output, and I have the S-Video plugged into the DVD recorder. The recordings come out in DVD quality. They do not come out in HD Quality. This is fine. I can live with this.

I have problems with the DVR. Once you fill up a hard drive - you are going to be removing a lot of stuff from the hard drive to make room for new things, or you are going to be changing the hard drive. Then if you want something on the other hard drive you have to swap them out.

Now with a dvd recorder you can just put another DVD in the machine. However, it doesn't automatically kill advertisements, and you don't have HD quality recordings. So there are some trade offs.

roland