ATSC DVR & PVR Recorders

[RamKat]

Does the HD have to be built in on the TVix or could one add a USB drive. If so, can the recorded files be read by a PC?

[RustyHD]

You can use one or several USB HDD, one internal HDD, and HDD's from networked PC's. I've never recorded TV to a PC harddrive, but have played back from there with no issue. You can record on USB drive and move that to your PC and read the files. You can also copy or move recordings from the internal drive to a PC drive over the network ports. It is a bit slow as the files are large. For the EPG it uses PSIP info only. The data varies greatly from one channel to another. CBC used to have full 7 day guide, but right now nothing. Usually you're looking at min. 8 hours to a day. Recordings go to a directory PVR and each channel gets a separate directory, ex CBLT-HD. Program recording is PSIP description.TP. All files are date and time stamped and easy to recover.

[RamKat]

Thank you Rusty, excellent reply!

[mrmemario]

Just wondering if anyone has a Bright-View 980H? I'm split between that and the Channel Master 7000PAL. The thing about the 980 is that it has the USB hook-ups and I would like to be able to take the TV recordings and burn them onto DVDs with my computer.
Question: Would I be able to take recorded tv from the built-in hard drive and transfer it over to a media player or external hard drive? Can I directly record in HD onto the external harddrive?

Thanks in advance

[Nester5000]

New box coming from Channel Master called "Channel Master TV" (or CM7400). This is a dual ATSC/QAM HDTV tuner and 320 G hard drive (plus ESATA) and internet connection. Supposed to be out mid-October.

[Nester5000]

Web site for new DVR mentioned above.

http://www.channelmaster.com/Channel...r_TV_s/304.htm

Manual is available online using CM7400 as the model.

http://www.channelmaster.com/kb_results.asp?ID=1212

[johnner]

emailed them about not being able to support netflix in case anyone is wondering and this was the reply

"One of the main goals Channel Master is trying to accomplish is to eliminate monthly subscriptions and allow customers to enjoy there favorite television shows and be able to enjoy movies with out having to worry about a monthly charge. So we went with VuDu, a service that does not require a monthly subscription, where as Netflix does."

so sounds to me like they probably had to exclude all others for their deal with vudu because this really doesn't make sense, why would I pay $5 per movie when i can pay $8/mo so dont expect it to be added on later, I would be shocked based on this reponse.

[mrmemario]

For those of you who have been doing this for a while, could it be expected that in the next few months the Channel Master 7000pal will "go on sale" so as to clear stock and make room for the Channel Master TV?

[abnutcracker]

So it seems an addition charge may apply for the 'Premium Guide'.Not sure how that would work thou . As the unit is VuDu only and it seems the only way to access would be via a VPN service ,it really effects any use of the addition features being offered.

http://www.channelmaster.com/kb_results.asp?ID=1234

DVR manufacturers and service providers are required to pay fees for the television guide data that is delivered to the box via the internet or a service provider network. This expense is passed on to the consumer as a monthly DVR fee. With Channel Master TV, basic television guide data is transmitted free-of-charge by the broadcaster and our device receives this info and appropriately inserts it into the on-screen guide. While this info is basic and all depends on what the broadcaster decides to send, it is free. This being said, there may be times that some channels will not broadcast program information or it may be limited, but again, there are no fees for this. If you desire additional program information, Channel Master TV will have a Premium Guide upgrade for a fee of $99.99 annually. The Premium Guide offers additional program information including a 7-day viewing and recording window.

[kris1]

Hi, I am still holding my breath and waiting to hear about the TViX M6620n real life performance. How is that review coming?
Some time ago I bought the "all wonderful" Sonicview 8000HD - only to find that it really can not record anything from OTA. The damned thing really is not fit for sale. In the last 3 weeks it only managed to record CItyTv show ONCE ! 95% of time it will hang up within 1 hour.
My wife is very upset - I have to do something really fast or else she is going to get a cable subscription. I already ordered the Elgato USB ATSC tuner with EyeTV but it will get here in 3 weeks...
That said, I would much rather have something with a remote control, preferably THIS WEEKEND. I am now thinking that perhaps I need a dos box with either Linux or Windows on it, equipped with an ATSC card and some software. I normally run on Macs, so those of you who do the same probably have an understanding how difficult the situation is...

What would the specs be? Which software package works?
Any Ideas?

P.S. I have not bumped into one bad Sonicview 8000HD review only to find that it really is useless for OTA reception, and has some other issues that really disqualify it for normal use.

[distox]

Still waiting for mine. It's been stuck in customs for 3 days now...

[Jase88]

abnutcracker,

The "premium guide" they're referring to has nothing to do with the VuDu service. They're speaking of the electronic programming guide for all channels that your DVR can receive and display.

Currently, there are two free sources of OTA guide data for DVRs: PSIP and TVGOS.

PSIP typically won't provide more than 24 hours of guide data. And that's if the station is sending it out (not all do, especially in Canada). TVGOS sends out about a week of data.

I like the fact the Channel Master is finally providing it's customers the option to access premium guide information. Here in Canada, where the current DVR from Channel Master won't work with Canadian TVGOS host stations, this premium service would be welcome (if it works in Canada).

[kris1]

Hello All,
Well, the Elgato "eyetv hybrid" has arrived today and it was a breeze to set up.
The USB interface looks very sleek. It does get hot, which is not a good sign. I will see if timer recording still works tomorrow. It is hooked up to a MacBook Pro with Intel dual core for now. I will write a bit more in a week or so. (need to experience it more)

distox - I am still interested to hear what you find about the TViX M6620n.

[blueroomelectro]

The EyeTV3 setup works well and is one of the very few DVR programs available on OSX. It does not support multiple tuners very well and the TV guide data is $20 year. It does have iPad / iPhone support but the on the fly transcoding looks like rubbish.

I was using it but the lack of extenders, not crazy about the IR remote interface setup and multi tuner support made me look elsewhere. In short EyeTV3 is as good as it gets for OSX but feels like a work in progress. *Multi tuner support was the #1 request on the Elgato forums, never got addressed.

I was running SageTV but alas that's no longer available so I gave Windows Media Center 7 a shot. Seems Canada is not officially supported but with a simple patch or two it can be made to work. I have a quad tuner setup on a new AMD A6 APU build I'm testing and so far I'm really impressed. I've a pair of XBOX 360s acting as media center extenders and they work beautifully and are relatively inexpensive and support WMC compatible IR remotes. I'm using a HVR-2250 WMC kit (includes IR + Remote) and testing a AverMedia Duet A188 as the second dual ATSC only tuner. Both tuners have their own dedicated antenna pointed in different directions. Rotators don't work with DVRs very well.

I had to turn off PSIP data as it'll drive WMC7 nuts (it's often missing or wrong here in Canada). Without decent guide data a DVR is near useless.

[distox]

Originally Posted by kris1

Hello All,
Well, the Elgato "eyetv hybrid" has arrived today and it was a breeze to set up.
The USB interface looks very sleek. It does get hot, which is not a good sign. I will see if timer recording still works tomorrow. It is hooked up to a MacBook Pro with Intel dual core for now. I will write a bit more in a week or so. (need to experience it more)

distox - I am still interested to hear what you find about the TViX M6620n.

Still waiting for it. Seems like while on route to my house, the M6620n took an 8 day vacation at the Canadian Customs Warehouse deluxe resort hotel. When I do get it, if OTA still exists by then and I am still alive, I plan on starting its own thread.