GregA1503560021 Posted April 2, 2007 Posted April 2, 2007 After looking for a DVD recorder that does Foxtel, and de-interlaces, it turns out my parents are also asking for SDTV recording if possible (as well as pausing a program while watching, if possible) So the wishlist becomes *** 1. Records DVD-Rs of Foxtel (16:9 output). *** 2. Marks widescreen recordings correctly (so we can watch on different player on 4:3 TV!!) *** 3. Playsback using PROGRESSIVE ** 4. Upscales to 720p ** 5. Records digital SDTV * 6. Outputs using HDMI (component is fine) 7. Plays DivX (relatively UNIMPORTANT) And we don't want to pay too much for it. The Panasonic dmr-ex75 looks great, except it can't do #2. The pioneer dvr645h looks good, except it can't do #5. Is there a faq I've missed that summarises the best 5 machines?
GregA1503560021 Posted April 2, 2007 Author Posted April 2, 2007 The Sony RDRHXD760 looks pretty good. Doesn't output HDMI though, and I THINK it doesn't upscale the component (anyone know?) (It does output progressive) I also see the DVDR thread. http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...1758&st=340
tech_head123 Posted April 2, 2007 Posted April 2, 2007 After looking for a DVD recorder that does Foxtel, and de-interlaces, it turns out my parents are also asking for SDTV recording if possible (as well as pausing a program while watching, if possible)So the wishlist becomes *** 1. Records DVD-Rs of Foxtel (16:9 output). *** 2. Marks widescreen recordings correctly (so we can watch on different player on 4:3 TV!!) *** 3. Playsback using PROGRESSIVE ** 4. Upscales to 720p ** 5. Records digital SDTV * 6. Outputs using HDMI (component is fine) 7. Plays DivX (relatively UNIMPORTANT) And we don't want to pay too much for it. The Panasonic dmr-ex75 looks great, except it can't do #2. The pioneer dvr645h looks good, except it can't do #5. Is there a faq I've missed that summarises the best 5 machines? Exactly what I'm after too - anyone? I nearly pulled the trigger on a dmr-ex75/85 till I found it didn't do #2. That is a real issue when playing DVDs through a 4:3 TV without the means to change the aspect ratio.
GregA1503560021 Posted April 2, 2007 Author Posted April 2, 2007 We're probably going to go Sony unless someone jumps in. The reason is that I think my TV does a pretty good job of upscaling as it is. I'm pleased the Sony does the de-interlacing. Downsides of the Sony include that the time shifting can only get within 1m40s of the live show, and the DivX support is apparently patchy. The pioneers will do SDTV reception before long (and would match our plasma). They will probably be the best unit, when they come out. The panasonic doesn't do 16:9 which is one of our requirements. I looked at the LG too, but apparently the upscaling is done relatively badly (and I think it doesn't do time shifting at all) ... so it seems like avoiding the upscaling would be better in this case.
pgdownload Posted April 2, 2007 Posted April 2, 2007 Always interests me the esoteric stuff people end up putting as criteria. What's 'outputs progressive' mean? (Yes I understand the tech, not to sure it makes any difference to sitting in front of a TV watching Foxtel). You may find this thread helpful: http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=41758 Personally I recommend separating Foxtel and FTA requirements as combining always require lots of compromises. Grab a $250 Digicrystal from Strathfield for your parents and grab a DVDR that does everything you want for recording Foxtel. If you want a combo unit, be prepared to make sacrifices. Regards Peter Gillespie
GregA1503560021 Posted April 3, 2007 Author Posted April 3, 2007 Personally I recommend separating Foxtel and FTA requirements as combining always require lots of compromises. Grab a $250 Digicrystal from Strathfield for your parents and grab a DVDR that does everything you want for recording Foxtel. If you want a combo unit, be prepared to make sacrifices. Thanks Peter. As it turns out, I was installing my brother's stereo system in his new house today and he mentioned he was going to sell his old LG DVD recorded because he never used it. I asked him to lend it to my parents for 2 weeks. The goal would be for them to work out what it does and doesn't do, and what they wanted in a new DVDR. I assume that'll work better than them listing off everything they want. Your suggestion could potentially see a Digicrystal combined with this old unit solving their needs until they upgrade to high def dvd next year (or whenever). We shall see.
GregA1503560021 Posted April 3, 2007 Author Posted April 3, 2007 What's 'outputs progressive' mean? (Yes I understand the tech, not to sure it makes any difference to sitting in front of a TV watching Foxtel). I specified de-interlacing in the DVD as the DVD is digital, and an interlaced movie can be de-interlaced perfectly from the digital source (if originally 24fps). From what I've read, the de-interlacing doesn't work quite as well in the TV as it's gone through some analog transforms first. You may be right that I would never notice. I figured that upscaling was less important than de-interlacing.
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