ATSC DVR & PVR Recorders - Page 13 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

rocknroller · 2009-08-27, 01:28 PM

Dear ddDave & mr weather....Thanks for your input. What I am attempting to do is receive digital signal on the Sony XBR 40" set and to tune the digital channels, I must have an ATSC tuner...isn't that correct?

Now.... the converter boxes that everyone got via the FCC simply reconverted the digital signals back to analog so that the older sets with NTSC tuners could receive them (at least that is my understanding).... so I want to get a digital dvd recorder with an ATSC tuner and use one of the digital inputs on the set to receive the signal from the dvd recorder tuner. If I do this I will be able the receive both analog and digital signals by simply using the remote to select the input....either through the NTSC tuner in the set, or via ATSC tuner in the dvd recoder/player unit for the digital signals.

Am I making this unduly complicated, and is there a better or simpler way to accomplish this? If so, please let me know.

Locating a really good dvd recorder/player ATSC unit is my next step so I will try to locate the Panasonic unit per mr weather's advice but hopefully there are more choices available. If so, anyone who might suggest a source for the dvd recorder/player w/ATSC tuner, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again to everyone for your assistance and kindness.....rocknroller

stampeder · 2009-08-27, 01:38 PM

rocknroller, you've summed up your situation very well for us, so I've merged your posts into this thread covering ATSC-equipped DVRs and PVRs so please read through it for reviews and other tips.

You should also check out this one too:

DTVPal (EchoStar TR-50) OTA DVR

mr weather · 2009-08-28, 09:22 AM

There is a Panasonic DMR-EZ28 which is the newer model to mine and is apparently carried by 2001 Audio Video in the GTA. For the record, my EZ27 has component and HDMI output but as I indicated in an earlier post it downconverts everything to SD before passing it on to the tv.

There are ATSC set top boxes that offer component and/or HDMI outputs that will allow you to watch real OTA HD on your HD-ready tv. Boxes by Samsung and Zenith come to mind.

The vast majority of boxes, however, only output an SD or worse (analog via RF coax). You'll really have to do your homework to ensure you get what you want.

stampeder · 2009-08-28, 12:54 PM

Yep, the HD-output ATSC boxes are in this thread, but they aren't DVRs/PVRs:

ATSC High Definition Tuner Boxes (Non-Recording)

and the most highly regarded of those is currently the Winegard.

classicsat · 2009-08-28, 06:51 PM

Just to make sure you have your expectations correct, the "converter" boxes built for the Coupon program in the US are basic DTV tuers with SD only analog video/RF out.

The FCC didn't provided the boxes, nor even the coupons; an Act of Congress suppied the coupons.

Ott8915 · 2009-08-30, 05:49 PM

In regards to OTA ATSC PVRs, I recommend you look into FTA Receivers that have built in OTA (ATSC) tuners. I use mine to record NASA TV (FTA) and OTA channels on to an external hard drive in full HD.

There is a separate thread regarding this although it is out of date:
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=34990

stampeder · 2009-08-30, 07:00 PM

Instead of that old thread, OTA HD PVRs based on FTA are discussed in this thread:

ATSC Tuners in Satellite or Cable Receivers

jraheb · 2009-09-16, 11:08 PM

ok, this is getting very frustrating. I've been searching for a good unit that will play/record DVD, HDD and have a ATSC/NTSC tuner. My search through here can give me great units that do either DVD or HDD, but not both.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a unit out there that can do the above?

Thanks!

poutanen · 2009-09-16, 11:11 PM

I think the only thing that can do what you want is a HTPC (home theater PC)...

jraheb · 2009-09-16, 11:15 PM

Have there been any thoughts or experiences with the Sony RDRHX780?

roger1818 · 2009-09-17, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jraheb

I've been searching for a good unit that will play/record DVD, HDD and have a ATSC/NTSC tuner. My search through here can give me great units that do either DVD or HDD, but not both.

Phillips used to make one, but it downconverted everything to SD.

Other than an HTPC, your best bet might be to buy a box that can record to a hard drive and be networked to your PC so you can burn programs to DVD there. One option for this is the TVIX R3310 PVR. You can read about it starting at post #141.

Nester5000 · 2009-12-18, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Have there been any thoughts or experiences with the Sony RDRHX780?

I have the 750 model and neither it nor the 780 have an ATSC tuner. Other than that it's a good machine.

RZ500Guy · 2010-01-04, 06:27 AM

A freind of mine realy wants a DVD recorder with a harddrive. He also needs it to have a digital T.V. tuner. I told him I would take a look around on ebay for him. Any model sugestions? I'm not a big fan of these things but it sounds like it would work for him as he just wants to be able to record over the air T.V. shows and maybe burn them to a DVD.

Thanks
RZ500

blueroomelectro · 2010-01-04, 07:20 AM

An HTPC with SageTV or Windows7 could do that. OTA is usually recorded raw and is several gigabytes per hour.

RZ500Guy · 2010-01-04, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the reply blue. The guy I'm trying to help out is older and doesn't even own a PC. Even if I was to try and set something up for him I don't think he would be able or willing to use it. It really needs to be a stand alone unit.

Thanks
RZ500

2009-08-27, 01:28 PM	#181
rocknroller Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12	Thank you members! Dear ddDave & mr weather....Thanks for your input. What I am attempting to do is receive digital signal on the Sony XBR 40" set and to tune the digital channels, I must have an ATSC tuner...isn't that correct? Now.... the converter boxes that everyone got via the FCC simply reconverted the digital signals back to analog so that the older sets with NTSC tuners could receive them (at least that is my understanding).... so I want to get a digital dvd recorder with an ATSC tuner and use one of the digital inputs on the set to receive the signal from the dvd recorder tuner. If I do this I will be able the receive both analog and digital signals by simply using the remote to select the input....either through the NTSC tuner in the set, or via ATSC tuner in the dvd recoder/player unit for the digital signals. Am I making this unduly complicated, and is there a better or simpler way to accomplish this? If so, please let me know. Locating a really good dvd recorder/player ATSC unit is my next step so I will try to locate the Panasonic unit per mr weather's advice but hopefully there are more choices available. If so, anyone who might suggest a source for the dvd recorder/player w/ATSC tuner, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again to everyone for your assistance and kindness.....rocknroller

2010-01-04, 06:27 AM	#193
RZ500Guy Rookie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 11	DVD recorder with digital tuner? A freind of mine realy wants a DVD recorder with a harddrive. He also needs it to have a digital T.V. tuner. I told him I would take a look around on ebay for him. Any model sugestions? I'm not a big fan of these things but it sounds like it would work for him as he just wants to be able to record over the air T.V. shows and maybe burn them to a DVD. Thanks RZ500 Last edited by 57; 2010-01-04 at 12:19 PM. Reason: Moved to existing thread, please read earlier posts.

2010-01-04, 07:20 AM	#194
blueroomelectro Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 672	An HTPC with SageTV or Windows7 could do that. OTA is usually recorded raw and is several gigabytes per hour. __________________ Bill My blog

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2009-08-27, 01:38 PM	#182
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	rocknroller, you've summed up your situation very well for us, so I've merged your posts into this thread covering ATSC-equipped DVRs and PVRs so please read through it for reviews and other tips. You should also check out this one too: DTVPal (EchoStar TR-50) OTA DVR

2009-08-28, 09:22 AM	#183
mr weather Veteran Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 1,950	There is a Panasonic DMR-EZ28 which is the newer model to mine and is apparently carried by 2001 Audio Video in the GTA. For the record, my EZ27 has component and HDMI output but as I indicated in an earlier post it downconverts everything to SD before passing it on to the tv. There are ATSC set top boxes that offer component and/or HDMI outputs that will allow you to watch real OTA HD on your HD-ready tv. Boxes by Samsung and Zenith come to mind. The vast majority of boxes, however, only output an SD or worse (analog via RF coax). You'll really have to do your homework to ensure you get what you want.

2009-08-28, 12:54 PM	#184
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Yep, the HD-output ATSC boxes are in this thread, but they aren't DVRs/PVRs: ATSC High Definition Tuner Boxes (Non-Recording) and the most highly regarded of those is currently the Winegard.

2009-08-28, 06:51 PM	#185
classicsat Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kincardine ON. Posts: 3,945	Just to make sure you have your expectations correct, the "converter" boxes built for the Coupon program in the US are basic DTV tuers with SD only analog video/RF out. The FCC didn't provided the boxes, nor even the coupons; an Act of Congress suppied the coupons.

2009-08-30, 05:49 PM	#186
Ott8915 Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 77	In regards to OTA ATSC PVRs, I recommend you look into FTA Receivers that have built in OTA (ATSC) tuners. I use mine to record NASA TV (FTA) and OTA channels on to an external hard drive in full HD. There is a separate thread regarding this although it is out of date: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=34990

2009-08-30, 07:00 PM	#187
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Instead of that old thread, OTA HD PVRs based on FTA are discussed in this thread: ATSC Tuners in Satellite or Cable Receivers

2009-09-16, 11:08 PM	#188
jraheb Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mississauga (Winston Churchill & 401) Posts: 16	ok, this is getting very frustrating. I've been searching for a good unit that will play/record DVD, HDD and have a ATSC/NTSC tuner. My search through here can give me great units that do either DVD or HDD, but not both. Does anyone have a recommendation for a unit out there that can do the above? Thanks!

2009-09-16, 11:11 PM	#189
poutanen Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 220	I think the only thing that can do what you want is a HTPC (home theater PC)...

2009-09-16, 11:15 PM	#190
jraheb Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mississauga (Winston Churchill & 401) Posts: 16	Have there been any thoughts or experiences with the Sony RDRHX780?

2010-01-04, 12:11 PM	#195
RZ500Guy Rookie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 11	Thanks for the reply blue. The guy I'm trying to help out is older and doesn't even own a PC. Even if I was to try and set something up for him I don't think he would be able or willing to use it. It really needs to be a stand alone unit. Thanks RZ500