OTA Recordings take up 2x - 3x space on disk

[kstile]

Here in Seattle, I'm unable to get KOMO (ABC) via Dish because of a contract dispute between the station owner and Dish. I'm lucky enough, however, to be able to get that channel OTA so I can record it onto my 622.

I guess it's a testament to MPEG4 because I really can't tell the difference in PQ between the other network channels provided by Dish and watching KOMO OTA. HOWEVER, while the OTA takes up about 2x - 3x the space on the hard drive of Dish-provided (MPEG4) channels.

We're running out of space on the DVR so I'm putting shows on the (now almost full) external HDD. When copying a show from one of Dish's channels (KING, KIRO, or KCPQ) a one hour show is 3-4GB, sometimes less. But the KOMO shows I've been recording (Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, etc.) are all 7-8GB.

So it's great that the Dish receivers can record OTA, but with the 922 (or is it 722?) and the dual OTA tuners, anyone considering lots of OTA recording better have a big ol' external HDD.

 

[allargon]

Here in Seattle, I'm unable to get KOMO (ABC) via Dish because of a contract dispute between the station owner and Dish. I'm lucky enough, however, to be able to get that channel OTA so I can record it onto my 622.

I guess it's a testament to MPEG4 because I really can't tell the difference in PQ between the other network channels provided by Dish and watching KOMO OTA. HOWEVER, while the OTA takes up about 2x - 3x the space on the hard drive of Dish-provided (MPEG4) channels.

It might be your display (most likely) or your eyesight more than a testament to MPEG4. If you tell me that you have 20/20 vision with a 1080p projector on a 100" screen and can't tell the difference, then I would say, "Huh?"

We're running out of space on the DVR so I'm putting shows on the (now almost full) external HDD. When copying a show from one of Dish's channels (KING, KIRO, or KCPQ) a one hour show is 3-4GB, sometimes less. But the KOMO shows I've been recording (Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, etc.) are all 7-8GB.

So it's great that the Dish receivers can record OTA, but with the 922 (or is it 722?) and the dual OTA tuners, anyone considering lots of OTA recording better have a big ol' external HDD.

Definitely--that full bitrate stuff definitely takes up more space. You mentioned ABC shows (which are generally 720p). The 1080i shows take up slightly more space. The nice thing about the MPEG2 stuff is that it's also easily transferable from the DVR to a PC, etc. as opposed to the MPEG4 stuff which is only transferable to an encrypted, external USB HD.

 

[gadgtfreek]

In my area and with my tv, the OTA locals in HD look much better than Dish and Directv mpeg 4 locals. Well worth it for me to have an ext hdd.

 

[theoak]

This might also be the reason why the 922 is coming with a 1TB drive from the get go ...

 

[Smith P.]

Really ? We haven't seen specs of 922 yet.

 

[PHXHoward]

My OTA locals look great and I would take locals off my Dish package except that I've only got one OTA tuner so I would not be able to record more then one show at a time through the antenna.

Oh well, Dish is a good deal anyway so I'm happy as is.

 

[KE4EST]

Really ? We haven't seen specs of 922 yet.

I think you have just forgot you posted in this thread. It shows 1TB hard Drive.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/2009-consumer-electronics-show/160381-first-look-dish-booth-922-a.html

 

[MikeD-C05]

I think you have just forgot you posted in this thread. It shows 1TB hard Drive.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/2009-consumer-electronics-show/160381-first-look-dish-booth-922-a.html

I am pretty sure that 500gb will be used for DISH to download hd pay per view movies , so you will still only be allowed to use 500gb for your recordings.

 

[KE4EST]

Your probably right, but I hope not.

 

[lownote2]

You have to remember that what you get from satellite, whether MPEG2 or 4 is compressed. More than likely your OTA is not compressed... therefore more disc space needed

 

[jpw711]

That's weird, because I swear HD OTA doesn't reduce available time left on the meters on my 622 nearly as much as HD via Dish.

 

[Smith P.]

I think you have just forgot you posted in this thread. It shows 1TB hard Drive.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/2009-consumer-electronics-show/160381-first-look-dish-booth-922-a.html

Now I recall that Scott's blur pictures ...

Anyway, Dish could make any changes for the 922 and could release with 500 GB, then raise a price and sell as "Platinum 922" with 1 TB disk.

 

[wetz73]

My OTA locals look great and I would take locals off my Dish package except that I've only got one OTA tuner so I would not be able to record more then one show at a time through the antenna.

Oh well, Dish is a good deal anyway so I'm happy as is.

722k will let you record 2 OTA, but if you take locals off of your package, the guide will not say anything other than "Digital Service" for your OTA's. You'll have to browse your local station's programming either in print or online and setup VCR-style recordings. Then everything you record OTA will show as "Digital Service" in your DVR. Pay the $5 a month to save you the hassle.

 

[Smith P.]

Say 'thank you Dish' for the hassles, EPG for LiL was free.

 

[ncted]

You have to remember that what you get from satellite, whether MPEG2 or 4 is compressed. More than likely your OTA is not compressed... therefore more disc space needed

Er...MPEG is a compression methodology, whether it is OTA MPEG2 or LiL MPEG4, there is compression going on. I can sometimes tell the difference between OTA MPEG2 and LiL MPEG4 on Dish, but not often.

Ted

 

[Smith P.]

He already posted nonsense about 622 is not MPEG-4 ...

 

[John Kotches]

Er...MPEG is a compression methodology, whether it is OTA MPEG2 or LiL MPEG4, there is compression going on. I can sometimes tell the difference between OTA MPEG2 and LiL MPEG4 on Dish, but not often.

Ted

MPEG is a committee, the Moving Picture Experts Group and part of the ISO. The committee reviews and approves standards. MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 are standardized compression methods ratified by the MPEG.

The key word to use is that between MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 is that additional compression occurs.

It's not particularly easy to broadcast uncompressed video in real time with present technologies.

 

[ncted]

MPEG is a committee, the Moving Picture Experts Group and part of the ISO. The committee reviews and approves standards. MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 are standardized compression methods ratified by the MPEG.

Yes, but in the limited context of this discussion, MPEG refers to compression methodologies. If you really want to get specific, we are talking about MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 Part 10.

Ted

 

[BuddyBoy]

You have to remember that what you get from satellite, whether MPEG2 or 4 is compressed. More than likely your OTA is not compressed... therefore more disc space needed

If what you really meant to write was that your OTAs have not undergone further compression (since by definition, your MPEG-2 OTA is already compressed), you would be wrong for many stations. A lot of stations recompress, rate shape, transcode, whatever you want to call it so they have room to insert a few megabits of additional SD subchannels. Around here those subchannels carry 24-hour weather, 24-hour news, Spanish programming, Universal Sports (for the NBC affiliate) etc.

Those that claim a big difference between in PQ between their OTA locals and Dish locals - I'd be curious what the bitrate of your Dish locals is. I just checked an episode of CSI Miami and from Dish the recording is 5.8GB - over 12Mbits/sec, which is very high (approaching the bitrate of 1080p VOD), and I find it hard to see any difference between OTA and Dish locals for that channel. The last couple HD PPVs I've recorded weren't even half that bitrate, and neither is the local Fox station.

 

[Smith P.]

BB, if you tell me what sat/tpn/ch you'd like to measure, I would check in real stream.