[nic77]

Hello...
After spending the best part of a day reading this forum... I have found lots of useful informtion, and plenty of good guidance - however I am still a little unsure what i should go for!

My setup is as follows:
- All of my TV comes via NTL cable (SAMSUNG SMT 2100-C box)
- I have no freeview box (might consider in the future) or terrestrial TV aerial
- Image comes via a projector which is currently fed by a S-Video cable, so unit needs to have S-Video out (any better connections might be appreciated in future, but for the time being S-Video is satisfactory and I'll be murdered if I start re-wiring the living room ceiling!)
- I have another dedicated DVD player, so quality of recording is more important than quality of output

My requirements are:
- HDD greater than 80GB (160GB preferred)
- Input and tuner to handle NTL signal
- Recording capability to DVD R/RW ('+' capability would be a benefit)
- Budget of £300
- Direct dubbing from HDD to DVD
- Chapter editing
- Usual pause TV functionality
- Some sort of EPG or Guideplus would be very useful - but I suspect this is incomptible with the NTL feed

My key questions are:
- Do I need to have a unit with analogue tuner to handle the NTL input?
- Can the NTL box be controlled from the PVR (so that I don't have to independently set the station on NTL)?
- Does anyone know when the NTL sky+ equivalent is coming?

Finally... let me have your recommendations for a PVR!!

Thank you very much everyone for reading and helping me with my audiovisual dilemma!

Nic

[LV426]

You actually aren't wanting a PVR - you are wanting a HDD-DVD machine. Which is why I'm moving this thread.

A1: No - only an AV input. But pretty well all HDD-DVD Machines have analog tuners anyway.
A2: Probably. But check out the specifications of, say, the more upmarket Pioneer models. I have a nasty feeling that the Programme Guide won't work for you without terrestrial/analog reception. Certainly with, say, Sky, these recorders can change channel on the Sky box, so you only have to set your programming once (on the recorder) and leave the Sky box on.
A3: Perhaps someone else can help.

Do be aware, though, with such a setup: your cable box presumably is only able to receive and decode ONE cable channel at a time. That being the case, if it is in use supplying your recorder with a signal, you won't ALSO be able to use it to watch something different - only the programme being recorded. To record one and watch another, you will need another solution - an aerial for example to feed your TV tuner with CH1....5 or a Freeview receiver. Or a second cable box. Or similar.

[phda]

PIONEER 530HS has all the features you require, apart from it doesn't record onto +R discs although it plays them fine. I have the same NTL box as you and the recorder will turn the box over to your set recorderd program via something called a G-link cable.

[nic77]

Originally Posted by LV426

You actually aren't wanting a PVR - you are wanting a HDD-DVD machine. Which is why I'm moving this thread.

Thank you for your reply... sorry for my poor nomenclature! Out of interest when is a HDD-DVD not a PVR?

Nic

[nic77]

Originally Posted by phda

PIONEER 530HS has all the features you require, apart from it doesn't record onto +R discs although it plays them fine. I have the same NTL box as you and the recorder will turn the box over to your set recorderd program via something called a G-link cable.

Excellent... I have one recommendation (and this model had alrady made it to my shortlist - which is reassuring!)... any alternatives please?

Nic

[LV426]

Originally Posted by nic77

ut of interest when is a HDD-DVD not a PVR?

Fine line. In normal usage (and I've no doubt there are members here who would prefer yet another set of terms):

A PVR can only record on an internal device (typically a Hard Drive).
A DVD recorder can record on DVDs.
A HDD-DVD recorder can do both. And at present their PVR-like abilities are limited by, say, having only one tuner - often only an analogue one.

This distinction will become increasingly blurred as HDD-DVD machines (inevitably) become more sophisticated and can fulfil the PVR role more fully as well as being DVD recorders.

[qwakuk]

I am in the same position as nic77, same setup, had decided on the same box, but yet to purchase it.

Cheapest seems to be just over £300 using Pricerunner, anyone know any better?

In Europe Pioneer have released the 540 so ours should hopefully fall in price, some UK websites showing the 530 as discontinued.

Waqar

[nic77]

Originally Posted by qwakuk

Cheapest seems to be just over £300 using Pricerunner, anyone know any better?

Hi Waqar

I've come up with homecinematv.co.uk which has the 530 in stock for a smidgeon under £300 - see below:

http://ws1.homecinematv.co.uk/showpr...543bcbd32e3cf8

Nic

[qwakuk]

They are listed second on Pricerunner, first company no longer stocks it.

[phda]

AMAZON are selling the Pioneer 540 for £369. Its the updated version of the 530 and has a digital tuner.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...276019-4118005

[xerxes991]

Hi Nic and Waqar,
I also am trying to get to grips with this technology. I have an NTL box, and I use the digital channels on it, and also the analogue bypass channels. I want to get rid of my VCR, and so my simple minded plan is to buy a DVD/HD recorder and use that:
- to record/timeshift programmes (on HD)
- to archive onto DVD any programmes I want to keep for a long time
- to transcribe from video tape onto DVD some old films/cine, etc that I want to keep.

Seems easy enough, you would have thought. I am looking at the Liteon 5045 (with 160Gb HD) which is on Amazon at £196. Have you considered that?

Steve

[PhilipL]

Hi

AMAZON are selling the Pioneer 540 for £369. Its the updated version of the 530 and has a digital tuner

worth noting this model is not yet realised by Pioneer so it is not in stock with Amazon or anywhere else for that matter. It is due for release in May, that could be beginning/middle or end.

Regards

Phil

[nic77]

Originally Posted by xerxes991

Hi Nic and Waqar,
I also am trying to get to grips with this technology. I have an NTL box, and I use the digital channels on it, and also the analogue bypass channels. I want to get rid of my VCR, and so my simple minded plan is to buy a DVD/HD recorder and use that:
- to record/timeshift programmes (on HD)
- to archive onto DVD any programmes I want to keep for a long time
- to transcribe from video tape onto DVD some old films/cine, etc that I want to keep.

Seems easy enough, you would have thought. I am looking at the Liteon 5045 (with 160Gb HD) which is on Amazon at £196. Have you considered that?

Steve

Hi Steve - From what I've learnt over the past few days... The reason why I am drawn to this (more expensive) Pioneer model is that it has has an 'electronic programme guide' (EPG) function by the name of 'GuidePlus'. Essentially this means that the recorder can control the channel on the NTL box, so you don't have to... Here's an example:

You tell the Pioneer to record Match of the Day on BBC1 and a film later on Sky Movies then go out for the evening... The machine will change the channel on the NTL box midway through the evening so that the correct programmes can be recorded.

With a non-GuidePlus machine you have to either leave the NTL box on a singe channel and therefore only record from that station all evening, or set the NTL box to switch to Sky Movies at the right time using the reminder function (basically doubling the effort required to set the recorder, and doubling the chances of spannering it up!).

It seems there is also a Sharp model (DV-HR480) with GuidePlus which is cheaper, although this has received poorer reviews... If you can live without GuidePlus then I think there are lots of choices to achieve your requirements!

<<I'm sure someone will correct me if my analysis above is wrong!! >>

[xerxes991]

Thanks for reply. Duh! Yes, I knew I was missing something. I could, of course, auto-record analogue channels using the Liteon's internal analogue tuner. But that rather misses the point of having NTL! So I think I really need to do one of:
- get a DVD/HDD machine with included digital tuner (and EPG stuff)
- get a Freeview PVR (plus a separate DVD recorder for archiving)
- put up with the hassle of having to set the NTL Box timer
- wait for NTL Box+ (when is that due?)
- forget the whole thing and stick with my ancient VCR...!

Life used to be simpler,
Steve

[JethroUK]

pixmania are knocking Philips HDRW720 out for £199

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/5638...html?srcid=867

does everything you want + more

[THFC]

Originally Posted by nic77

With a non-GuidePlus machine you have to either leave the NTL box on a singe channel and therefore only record from that station all evening, or set the NTL box to switch to Sky Movies at the right time using the reminder function (basically doubling the effort required to set the recorder, and doubling the chances of spannering it up!).

<<I'm sure someone will correct me if my analysis above is wrong!! >>

Depends on the type of box i think, as long as the NTL or freeview set top box you have has an inbuilt timer function.

The set top box/cable box timer can then be set to switch channels automatically, without the need for guide plus.

Does mean you set 2 timers as mentioned above, but with my stb you only press one button to add to the timer list anyhow.

Guide plus would be far simpler, but more expensive

[JethroUK]

Originally Posted by THFC

Guide plus would be far simpler, but more expensive

HDWR720 includes Guide+ @ £199 - thats v cheap

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by JethroUK

HDWR720 includes Guide+ @ £199 - thats v cheap

I wouldnt touch anything Philips esecially DVDR well below the standards of Pio/Panny

[qwakuk]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

I wouldnt touch anything Philips esecially DVDR well below the standards of Pio/Panny

Cannot comment on the Philips, but i eventually bought a Pana EH50 and have had 2 months of trouble free use.

It would have been rude to not buy it for £235.

To use a cliche, it does change the way you watch tv, ie record and playback whilst something else is being recorded, or pausing live tv etc.

Waqar

[nic77]

Hi Waqar

Did you get the Panasonic eh50 working with guideplus through your NTL box? I read somewhere that this option is not available in the UK?

If you have, it soundslike a good bet.

Thanks

Nic

[wesd]

Originally Posted by nic77

With a non-GuidePlus machine you have to either leave the NTL box on a singe channel and therefore only record from that station all evening, or set the NTL box to switch to Sky Movies at the right time using the reminder function (basically doubling the effort required to set the recorder, and doubling the chances of spannering it up!).

Guideplus is probably the easiest way to control the ntl box but it isn't essential. I have a toshiba rdx34 which uses a small IR transmitter to change channels on my ntl box. When I set up a timer programme, I specify which ntl channel to use and, when the programme starts, it sends the channel to the ntl box as if it was coming from the ntl remote. I prefer not to use the ntl timer as I've often found that a programme has started before the timer changes channels!

[qwakuk]

Originally Posted by nic77

Hi Waqar

Did you get the Panasonic eh50 working with guideplus through your NTL box? I read somewhere that this option is not available in the UK?

If you have, it soundslike a good bet.

Thanks

Nic

No it does not have guideplus. Works great without just means you have to set the ntl box also

Waqar