What Is A PVR and Can i hook up my DVD Player?

[avkidmaster]

Hey, I want to hook up my dvd player and other stuff (Freeview,VCR, Sky Box etc.) to the computer. I have been reccommended a PVR USB 2.0 TV BOX. However, i am not sure what this is. Also can i hook it (DVD Player, Sky Box) to the computer to watch it on comp and also record it if i want to.

Please tell me. Also which one you guys do you suggest. If this the completely wrong product please tell me which one is the right one.

All answers appreciated.

Regards, Avkidmaster.

P.S. Sorry if this post/thread is in the wrong forum/category.

[clemenzina]

This is not a comprehensive answer to your query, but it's a start

A PVR is a Freeview set-top box with a hard drive in it. It would replace a set-top box, and it can record programmes via the Freeview signal onto its hard drive. New PVRs have 2 tuners in them so that you can record from one channel while you watch another, or record 2 channels at the same time and watch something you've already recorded. It cannot record from any source besides the Freeview signal. If it has a USB socket, you can connect it to your PC's USB and transfer files - either upgrades from your PC to the PVR, or recordings from the PVR to your PC.

If you want to archive something permanently onto a DVDR, you could simply connect the DVDR to the secondary SCART socket on the PVR, play the programme on the PVR and set the DVDR to record from the SCART. There are different ways of connecting up, others will advise you better than I (bit muddle-headed ).

clemenzina

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by clemenzina

This is not a comprehensive answer to your query, but it's a start

A PVR is a Freeview set-top box with a hard drive in it. It would replace a set-top box, and it can record programmes via the Freeview signal onto its hard drive. New PVRs have 2 tuners in them so that you can record from one channel while you watch another, or record 2 channels at the same time and watch something you've already recorded. It cannot record from any source besides the Freeview signal. If it has a USB socket, you can connect it to your PC's USB and transfer files - either upgrades from your PC to the PVR, or recordings from the PVR to your PC.

If you want to archive something permanently onto a DVDR, you could simply connect the DVDR to the secondary SCART socket on the PVR, play the programme on the PVR and set the DVDR to record from the SCART. There are different ways of connecting up, others will advise you better than I (bit muddle-headed ).

clemenzina

It sounds pretty comprehensive to me

Only points I would make. There are not many freeview pvrs that allow copying of programmes to usb. The only three I know for certain are Topfield 5800, Topfield 5810 and Humax 9200 (The newer 9150 and 9300 do not have usb transfer capability). Topfield and Humax pvrs (there may be others) actually allow you to watch certain live channels even when recording two, as well as viewing any recording.

Because pvrs record the programme data to a HDD they allow you to pull off tricks like pausing live TV say to answer the phone and resume watching where you paused without missing a thing. If you are far enough behind live TV you can even fast skip the ads. You can also back up live TV for example if you miss a crucial punch line