[ajm007]

My dvd hdd recorder has just stopped working and i am now looking for a replacement.

Not sure whether to go for something similar or go for a pvr. As the pvr option is all new to me and don't understand most of the features a little help is needed. I have read loads of posts about this but still don't undertstand all the terms and features available and different models.

What i would like in the new unit is...

Hdmi
Hdd (Not sure which size but i think min 160gb)
Twin tuners
Upscaling if it is any good
Able to have loop through for tv when unit is off (think that is what it is called).

Also have read about being able to upgrade the hdd which would be nice for future. How can i find out which type of hdd is used in the unit?

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by ajm007

My dvd hdd recorder has just stopped working and i am now looking for a replacement.

Not sure whether to go for something similar or go for a pvr. As the pvr option is all new to me and don't understand most of the features a little help is needed. I have read loads of posts about this but still don't undertstand all the terms and features available and different models.

What i would like in the new unit is...

Hdmi
Hdd (Not sure which size but i think min 160gb)
Twin tuners
Upscaling if it is any good
Able to have loop through for tv when unit is off (think that is what it is called).

Also have read about being able to upgrade the hdd which would be nice for future. How can i find out which type of hdd is used in the unit?

[With the exception of the unique freesat Bluray recorders from Panasonic] ... DVDR's never have dual tuners. So that factor alone may determine the class of machine you want.

However, I commonly recommend that having both types of device [ a PVR and a DVDR] is a good general solution as they act in complementary fashion and provide a very flexible and capable system ... albeit at an obvious greater capital cost than a single system.

But it depends on what you really want to do.
If you want to have the facility to play discs and to permanently archive material then you will need a DVDR... but for general time shifting and ease of use and flexibility [ and twin tuners] then a PVR is the answer.

[Geofbob]

In case it wasn't clear from Gavtech's post, an essential difference between a DVD/HDD recorder & a PVR is that the former can record from an external source (eg a satellite box) but the latter can only record from its own internal tuners.

On the other hand. because of its twin tuners a PVR allows recording of two channels at the same time, & recording one & watching another. However, this latter function can be carried out by a Freeview DVD/HDD recorder, if it is used in conjunction with a Freeview TV - ie if both the recorder & TV have an integrated Freeview tuner.

You mention upscaling as one of your criteria, but the general view is that this is irrelevant for a PVR or recorder if it is used in conjunction with a modern TV whose upscaling will almost certainly be better than the recorder's.

[ajm007]

Thanks for both your comments. I did state twin tuners but were thinking of pvr for that but also meant 1 analouge and one freev iew if it were a dvd recorder.

I have read so many reviews of pvr's freezing up and this bothers me as what is the point of recording something that might never get ot the end. Is the any out there that don't suffer from this problem?

Also what is the best dvd recorder to go for as i have read good things about the sony ones but they are hard to find now are they discontinuing them?

Not keen on the freesat idea yet as there are cetain channel that it doesn't have that i like to record.

ps. I do have a freeview lcd tv.

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by ajm007

Also what is the best dvd recorder to go for as i have read good things about the sony ones but they are hard to find now are they discontinuing them?

Generally speaking the Panasonics are the best DVDR's [ EX769 or EX79 or EX89 ] See here.

But they always only have a digital tuner. Is there a particular reason you want an analogue tuner because they wont have much life left in them. [ or none at all depending on where you live]

Yes the stocks of the Sony units are almost exhausted. New units a due within the next month. They are at present an unknown quantity.

I'll leave it to others here to comment about PVR reception reliability.

[ajm007]

Thanks Gavtech

I will take a look at the link with the panasonics.

The reason i want an analogue tuner is not for the 1-5 channels it is for my cctv system as it runs through an rf modulator so it can be tuned in just like an analogue channel.

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by ajm007

Thanks Gavtech

I will take a look at the link with the panasonics.

The reason i want an analogue tuner is not for the 1-5 channels it is for my cctv system as it runs through an rf modulator so it can be tuned in just like an analogue channel.

You could use an old vcr to tune to the rf channel and connect it by scart to a DVD recorder without an analogue tuner.

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

You could use an old vcr to tune to the rf channel and connect it by scart to a DVD recorder without an analogue tuner.

... or the old DVDR if it is still functioning in that way.

ajm007- Is it not possible to feed the CCTV AV output direct to the TV?

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by Gavtech

... or the old DVDR if it is still functioning in that way.

ajm007- Is it not possible to feed the CCTV AV output direct to the TV?

I imagine he wants to record the camera output not just view it and the signal is sent from the remote camera(s) using a rf coax link with each camera having it's own modulator.

[Geofbob]

Originally Posted by ajm007

.

I have read so many reviews of pvr's freezing up and this bothers me as what is the point of recording something that might never get ot the end. Is the any out there that don't suffer from this problem?

I have had a PVR (well, 2, both Vestel clones) for about 4 years, using it for recording almost every day. As with most PVRs it freezes up now & again - most frequently due to my fast forward/backwarding too quickly during play back. But I think I can say with all honesty that the PVR has never frozen during a recording - or have I every missed a recording due to a fault by the PVR.

[ajm007]

You could use an old vcr to tune to the rf channe

or the old DVDR if it is still functioning in that way

Don't really want to have extra equipment just for the rf signal.

Is it not possible to feed the CCTV AV output direct to the TV?

No this is not possibe as i have 2 cctv recorders that both transmit on different channels and also they need to be in other rooms.

I imagine he wants to record the camera output not just view it and the signal

That is partly right as i would like the to opportunity to view and record the footage to save having to run up and down the stairs to stop and rewind.

@Geofbob

That is nice to know about the pvr's as i haven't read anyone else mention it they just say "it freezes." How often does this happen and is it a heat problem or somehting else?

Also how long can you pause live tv for on these machines?

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by ajm007

Don't really want to have extra equipment just for the rf signal.

OK - Understood.

Originally Posted by ajm007

No this is not possibe as i have 2 cctv recorders that both transmit on different channels and also they need to be in other rooms.

OK. In which case You will have to go for the Sony range of recorders ... and either find one of the 'current models' [ 890 or 995 etc ] but which are now difficult to source as stocks are exhausted... OR - wait a few weeks until the new Sony recorders are launched at the end of November.

Originally Posted by ajm007

That is nice to know about the pvr's as i haven't read anyone else mention it they just say "it freezes." How often does this happen and is it a heat problem or somehting else?

As Geofbob implies - It usually arises from giving too many navigation commands- too quickly.

[Geofbob]

Originally Posted by ajm007

@Geofbob

That is nice to know about the pvr's as i haven't read anyone else mention it they just say "it freezes." How often does this happen and is it a heat problem or somehting else?

Also how long can you pause live tv for on these machines?

These days it hardly ever happens, because I try not to navigate too fast backwards & forwards, when trying to find a particular spot on a recording, during play back. I certainly don't think it's anything to do with overheating, as my model of PVR is very cool-running, without a fan as far as I am aware, & therefore very quiet.

I seem to recall that in the very early days of using the machine, it occasionally froze during actual viewing - again solved by unplugging/replugging - but that hasn't happened for yonks. The fact is that like most if not all electronic devices with software there's the occasional inexplicable glitch.

The maximum pause (time shifting) period is 120 minutes.

However, I should emphasise that mine are "archaic" T810 Vestel clones - though only 3 years old, not 4 as previously stated - now only available in refurbished condition. On the other hand, I haven't seem any adverse comment on freezing, in relation to the Alba ALDTR160 (available at Argos), the Vestel clone now often recommended as an alternative to the more expensive - & dare I say more erratic - Humax PVRs.

[ajm007]

OK. In which case You will have to go for the Sony range of recorders ... and either find one of the 'current models' [ 890 or 995 etc ] but which are now difficult to source as stocks are exhausted... OR - wait a few weeks until the new Sony recorders are launched at the end of November.

I have read loads of reviews on the current sony recorders and think i will wait for the new ones to arrive and see what they are like. For now i have just been out and bought myself Playtv for my ps3 to keep me going for now.

@Geofbob

Thanks for that info, It is hard to find good reviews that are upto date as firmware often alters the problems that people have. That is why this site is a must for me. So many out of date reviews can be really off putting when looking to buy.

I think i will leave it for now see what the the sony's are like or maybe even wait for the new HD Freeview recorders next year as long as it isn't too long.

[mikej]

Whilst the likes of Sony and Panasonic are amongst the better known manufacturers of PVRs, you can do a lot better if you look elsewhere.

My Topfield TF5800 dual tuner PVR rarely freezes, misses recordings or gives me any problems at all.

When I bought the unit around 4 years ago, I thought that not having DVD recording functionality was a downside, however I can honestly say it hasn't been a problem.

The 160GB hard drive is plenty big enough for storing loads of recordings (88 hours-worth) for ages, so I never have the need to back up to DVD. If ever I get the odd program that I do need to keep, I simply transfer it to PC via USB. It is possible to upgrade the hard drive on the TF5800, but I've not needed the extra space so far.

The model that superseded it - the TF5810 - has HDMI upscaling capability and a larger hard drive, however the TF5800 is still regarded as the better unit.

Installation of the 'MyStuff' software (TAP) gives you an interface and functionality similar to Sky+, only far superior.

If Topfield make a dual tuner HD Freeview PVR at some point next year, I'll certainly be getting one !