Are there any Personal Video Recorders that are compatible with just over-the-air ATSC broadcasts? i'd like to be able to record any digital signals i get and watch them later on... a bonus if it allows a connection to my computer.

I've make a few posts this thread. The TVIX R3310 does all you ask. Tuner is ATSC/NTSC/Cable, recordings are transferable to a PC over network. Weak point is guide as it uses PSIP information. If you need a better guide you can use the DTVPalDVR. This uses TVGOS but doesn't work on a network. This has its own section to read.

I think he didn't know about this thread when I merged his post into it, so the answer is a big yes, RingtailedFox, you have lots of PVR options for OTA. :)

For discussing the computer based methods please use the various OTA threads in the HTPC forum (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=31) where i've moved a couple of posts.

I’m looking for a1080p DVD Recorder with 160GB Hard Disk with no monthly fees.
I live near Montreal, Qc and capturing my TV signals via an AntennaCraft
5MS9000IR Mini-State omnidirectional antenna. My TV is a 46” Sharp Aquos. Regards

I've been using the R3310 now for about 5 months and I've gotten rid of most of the quirks. One thing that irritated me was the A/V shutting off and restarting when 1080i programs showed 480i upconverted commercials. This seems to only happen with HDMI. I found if I used component video it works fine as long as the HDMI cable is not connected. Tuner is not as sensitive as Sharp Aquos but comparible to other TV tuners. If the Sharp signal is >60% R3310 picture is perfect. I only have one channel that is currently incompatible, 26-1,2. For some reason, if I tune this channel, it freezes and reboots. I removed this channel from the scan list. Otherwise, all channels appear clear with no anomalies in audio or video. Recording from PSIP guide works very nice, and channels without guide can easily be programmed. It has a manual clock option so OMNI's, City etc. don't mess things up. I like the multimedia functions for digital photos and camcorder movies, and if networked, these can be played right off your computer hard drive. Rumor has it that a dual ATSC tuner is in the works.

Roger1818,

You were saying ...
LiteOn will get out of the branded DVD recorder business.


About a year ago, I acquired a Lite-On recorder that uses DVDs as media.

Is there a retrofit that you (or anyone else) might know of that would allow me to add a hard drive (internally or externally) that would effectively give me a PVR instead of just a DVD recorder?

Ted

Is there a retrofit that you (or anyone else) might know of that would allow me to add a hard drive (internally or externally) that would effectively give me a PVR instead of just a DVD recorder?

It is highly unlikely that this is possible. Unless it was designed to use a hard drive, it is unlikely to include the software and hardware required to support a hard drive.

If you need a new VCR/DVD combo unit, the Panasonic DMR-EZ48 works well for me as a ATSC/QAM tuner... they also have a DVD burner with the same tuner. It maps a bit different from my Samsung TV, but pulls the same number of channels

Principal, I also have a DMR-EZ48 and was only disappointed that it didn't have a signal strength feature. Am I blind (as my wife continually tells me), does yours have a signal strength meter?

okmed - I'm using mine for the unscrambled QAM channels right now but I'll give it a try latter
Cheers - RO

With the recent switch to all digital signals required by the FCC, there are still a few lower powered analog staions out there.

My question is:
Does anyone know of a receiver that has both a NTSC and ATSC tuner where I can receive both signals without having to switch between receivers. I will even settle for a receiver with a remote that will allow me to choose the signal input (ATSC or NTSC).

If anyone has a better suggestion or solution, please feel free to advise me........ the simpler the better.

Thanks....rocknroller....

I have a Panasonic DVD recorder (DMR-EZ27) that has both NTSC and ATSC tuners. You change channels like you would any other set top box. Connectivity is via HDMI.

Unfortunately, it can only record at 480i so it downconverts everything to SD, even when simply watching tv through the tuner.

There are several ATSC/NTSC combo devices for PC available too. Some are PCI cards, some are USB 2.0 plugin devices.

BTW do you have a TV, and if so does it have an NTSC tuner in it? You could hook up an ATSC box to one of the inputs and then just use the remote's Input selector to change between them.

HDTV equipped with ATSC tuner is the simpliest solution. I can't think of any current canadian model that doesn't have an NTSC tuner.

NTSC tuner is not 'dead' because some folks may still need it for analog cable.

The question is what is the default channel surfing model :

I prefer pressing "2" and the TV gets me 2-1 WGRZ. My big TVs all do that.

My little 19" ATSC LCD defaults 2 to analog 2, I have to press 2.1 to get me NBC. Thank goodness the channel list works though and weed out the analog and non-HD stations for me.

Both of my tuners go to analog if -0 is entered after the channel number...

Fol. ATSC/NTSC HD-STB (with FIREWIRE I/F) may still be available new (or used):
http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/video/mdr200.asp

Or look into new Tivo and old Sony HD-DVRs.

Or use a non-NTSC HD-STB with a splitter feeding either your DTV....or even an old VCR.

I think just about any current set can do that. I bought a Sharp HDTV last December and it receives both analog & digital. After scanning, it identifies all receivable channels and you choose accordingly. It doesn't make any difference whether you watch digital or analog.

Thanks to everyone for their help with this. I think Stampeder has the simplest answer in that I will get a dvd recorder with a built in ATSC tuner and connect it to one of the digital inputs. By the way, I am going to all this trouble because of the TV set I want to use. Some of you may remember the 40" Sony XBR which was the largest CRT ever built which has exceptional picture quality and that 400 LB. monster is what I am using.

Anyone have an idea on what brand and model DVD recorder w/ATSC tuner that will compliment this arrangement? If anyone sees a better idea please advise me as I am open to all suggestions. Thanks again.....rocknroller...

You may have to go to the US to buy one. DVD recorders with ATSC tuners are very rare around here. Mine (Panasonic DMR-EZ27) was the only decent one I could find. That was 18 months ago and I don't know if Panasonic makes/sells it any more (probably not).

Maybe I'm not understanding the question fully, but if you want to receive both ATSC and NTSC on your TV, you already have the NTSC tuner in your TV so just get an ATSC converter box with analog pass-through. This will work if your TV is SD, not sure if you can do this with any HD capable digital boxes.

I have 2 of them for my older tv's. Tune the TV to ch3 and turn on the digital box for digital, turn off the digital box and use the TV for analog. You have to use 2 remotes but overall it will be cheap and simple.