Best PVR for transferring files to PC and VideoReDo

[stony]

Can anyone recommend a twin-tuner PVR that provides the most elegant transfer to VideoReDo?

I do most of my digital TV recording (in Australia) with PC cards, but would like to supplement this with a PVR that allows easier recording scheduling and records in a format that can be transferred to a PC for editing with VideoReDo (preferably without conversion). I don't want to record something and have it locked up in the PVR.

I think that ethernet transfer is still a pipedream (Topflield has apparently delayed the release of a networkable unit) and so USB will have to do.

Two clear candidates seem to be the twin-tuner, 160GB HDD Humax PVR-Smart (also known as the PVR-9200T elsewhere) and the twin-tuner 120GB HDD Topfield TF5000PVRt. Legend also has a twin-tuner, 250GB HDD model, the LASR2501. There are others, such as the Nextwave 80 and 120GB HDD models. The Humax has reportedly had freezing problems with some channels in both the UK and Australia, and I have seen a reference to files disappearing from the Legend's HDD.

My problem is that nobody I have spoken to as yet has ever tried lifting files off a PVR. There are some online who say that they do it, but give no details.

I look forward to some words of wisdom.

[HyperReality]

Based on the feedback that I've seen (though I dont own one personally), the Topfield TF5000PVRt is probably the best bet, albeit the most expensive.

With various TAP options for things like a full 7 Day EPG (with IceTv IceGuide support), and open source projects such as Puppy to allow the connection of the unit to an ethernet network, it really is the most flexible option. To the best of my knowledge there are quite a few Toppie owners who use VideoReDo for processing, conversion, and editing of their Topfield recordings once they have transferred them to a PC (either via Puppy or the more usual USB->PC approach using the Altair software).

I don't know much about the other units, though I have seen comments about the current Humax freezing problems.

If you havent already done so, have a look through the Digital Broadcasting Australia Forums (http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showforum=8) or the Topfield Forums (http://www.topfield-australia.com.au/frm/default.asp) for more info.

[KeithW]

My problem is that nobody I have spoken to as yet has ever tried lifting files off a PVR. There are some online who say that they do it, but give no details.

I look forward to some words of wisdom.

I don't know about words of wisdom but here goes.
I have a PVR-9200T and have taken the files of the Humax without any problems. You have to use there software to do so, it does not appear as as Removable drive, so you need widows to do this.
The file then has to have .MPEG appended to it as it comes of without any extender.
Files worked with VIDOREDO without problems.
One note ( which will not just apply to the HUMAX but to all DVB recorders ), some broadcasts are not "DVD" compatable and will have to be re-encoded if you want to make DVDs out of your programs.
If you have any question just ask.

PS I had the previous HUMAX and the initial problems that came with that model where rectified with updates.

Keith

[DrP]

Stony, if you want ethernet, then what you want is a dreambox. www.dream-multimedia.com.au - not for the beginner though.

[Anole]

... some broadcasts are not "DVD" compatable and will have to be re-encoded if you want to make DVDs out of your programs.

For USA and Canada, the DVD format is 720x480.

There are two major satellite empires in this area.
One camp is DirecTV with their TiVo.
You'll have to research the formats they broadcast.

The other camp is based on Echostar receivers used by Dish USA and BEV Canada.
I have recorded satellite transmissions of 544x480 and 702x480 onto DVDs.
They seem to play in all modern DVD players (last 3+ years) that I've tested.

Oddly, the one broadcast format of 640x480 which you'd expect to work, did not play on any of several DVD players.
I then re-encoded it to full DVD specs using WinAVI, and made a fine DVD.

The bottom line is, don't immediately assume your non-standard broadcast format is a problem.
That was my mistake when I got into this ,and was happily surprised.

[KeithW]

The bottom line is, don't immediately assume your non-standard broadcast format is a problem.
That was my mistake when I got into this ,and was happily surprised.
I agree, but I use in "DVD Studio Pro 4" ( Apple Mac ) which is very strict on acceptable formats it allows, which is not a problem as it can re-encode the MPEG. Its just quicker if it doesn't need to.

[bp3]

I have a Twin Tuner DGTEC PVR with a 200GB hard drive. It connects easily to a PC via USB and I have had no problems copying files to or form my PC. However, I need to convert exported files to MPEG (from .mts) format using VideoReDo. I have burnt some files to DVD with Nero. Works pretty well and comes with a 2yr warranty (in Australia), and option to return within 1 month if not happy (I have a week to go to take up this option - so still assessing). The only problem I have is that I can't format external or edited files to a format compatible with the PVR, although technical support at DGTEC have indicated that a future firmware upgrade might include an option to input .MPG files (but not holding my breath).

[DanR]

Upload a sample of the Twin Tuner DGTEC PVR files to our FTP site and we will see if VideoReDo can output a compatible format.

[Anole]

You go, Dan ! :)

Personally, I feel that if you've gone to the trouble to take your show off the PVR, and edited it on your computer, ya might as well burn a DVD.
As for playing an un-edited show on my PVR, it has commercial skip features that make them just melt away.
ALSO, the PVR is not the place to wearhouse your shows/movies.
Back them up to DVD so they're safe.

Just my opinion...one of many. ;)

[DanR]

Since VRD now supports Tivo2Go, I've been editing more shows than I used to and uploading them back to the PVR to watch. Even with Tivo's high-speed skip, watching edited shows is much more enjoyable. So I can appreciate what these users are trying to do.

[Anole]

Also, I just found out that the Aussies might not have a low-cost source of blank DVDs.
In the USA, I pay between 20- and 40-cents for single layer +R or -R 8X media.
For my preferred brand , I think it's about 35 cents for printable 8x -R ProDisc.
They come in silver as well as white, and I use both, depending on the disc.
I purchase two or more 50-packs at a time.

Non-printable media isn't much cheaper in reliable brands.
I've tested some media in the 15- to 20-cent range (non printable, and maybe 4X), and had varying (often unsatisfactory) results.

A buddy and member of this forum was telling me yesterday, that his Aussie friends were looking at $1.50 to $2.00 (AU?) for blank media of any sort.
At those prices, I can see the attraction to burning only your very favorite shows to DVDs.


btw - I don't use dual layer media, but it can be had in the $2+ US, price range.
I think I've seen $2.25 to $2.50 for a small quanity, and possibly $1.80 on a rare, special sale.

[pdb]

Been using this terrific PVR for 15 months and it is simple to dowload the REC files - tho not at not full USB2 speed - via the USB port.

Video ReDo accepts these and converts them to MPG so they can be viewed directly in eg MS Media Player, on your PC.

I understand - and am looking forward to - VRD shortly building a BETA which will allow edited MPG files to be returned to the Toppy as REC files.

Probably the best value blank DVD-R disks in OZ are branded PRINCO and cost 40-50 cents each.

[Grandpa Broon]

I don't have a twin pvr, but I have a panasonic single with both harddisk & DVD recorder & has high speed DVD-RAM dubbing. I use this method to copy to my pc and edit with VRD+. I've had no problems doing this so far, I eventually convert the recordings to Xvid avi using AutoGK. I bought this machine (DMR-H60D) as the tuner is both Freeview (digital terrestial) and analogue and there isn't many with twin digital tuners out yet. This too is to suppliment my Nebula DigiTV card, it uses virtual tuners and can record more than one channel at a time providing they are on the same multiplex.

I believe panasonic has a DVD recorder with ethernet but it's not available here in the uk.

see here (http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/diga/usa/e500h/index.html)