HD DVR

Started by dweilmsn Jun 18, 2005 4 posts
Read-only archive
#1
----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Richard,

I hope you don't run into this problem....but Time Warner is (at least the
last time I talked to them) unable to get all of the HD channels to work on
cable card....that's the bugaboo up here anyway.

Mark


----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard" <[email protected]>
To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 3:59 PM
Subject: Re: HD DVR


> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> Mark,
>
> I can't get a DVR from my cable company.
>
> If I could I have every reason to doubt it's performance capability and
> do not use my DTC6200 for anything SD from cable. I get far better
> imaging with my Panasonic SD DVR recorder via 480P or 540P via an
> external scaler and even with the DTC6200 I view HD via 1394 into my JVC
> DVHS to get rid of a drive line artifact plus it just looks better.
>
> Cable company does not have all the locals. My main need with them is
> HDnet, HDnet Movies, Showtime HD and the local FOX since I have problems
> with that station OTA. I am skeptical about my cable company and bit
> shaving since I do see artifacts. A DVR supporting both systems is
> optimal for me.
>
> If I could get a DVR from my cable company I would actually be covered
> for my critical viewing system and in fact already am using the archaic
> JVC/Motorola/Radio Shack remote timer combo. My need currently is for
> the casual viewing system for my wife who it appears could be watching
> far more HD than I since she is watching many HD shows in SD.
>
> And, I must add, she may end up recording some of those programs SD
> because the HD is unrelaible from the broadcaster. An example in my area
> is Lost, one of her favs, and the local board is replete with very upset
> viewers who have missed an episode or parts of an episode via HD. Some
> of them record it in both formats just in case... I know for her if it
> happens too many times she ain't gonna go through all that and will
> simply watch the SD version.
>
> Frankly, HD is still not quite ready for primetime. If it were not for
> her and the new shiny HDTV she watches I think I would just pass on a
> new DVR for now. On the other hand that cable recording combo system I
> have is frustrating and with the right features... well... I might buy
> TWO! That said I am moving more and more right back to DVD and simply
> waiting for HD DVD and renting some D-Theater from High Definition
> Rentals. WMVHD sounds exciting too if they ever get a player out there!
>
> Thanks to all for the assistance. I had really hoped there was more out
> there than just 2, count 'em, 2 choices and the only difference is the
> freakin hard drive. No wonder they start at $800... Oh, and then I might
> have to battle with my cable company for a cable card plus swallow the
> additional $5 a month they charge for providing it. ARGH!
>
> Thanks
>
> Richard Fisher
> www.HDLibrary.com Published by Tech Services
> A division of Mastertech Repair Corporation
>
> Doug Weil wrote:
> > ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >
> > Mark,
> >
> > Don't get me wrong, I think that renting a DVR is more attractive today
than
> > owning. But I don't believe for a minute that situation will continue
very
> > much longer.
> >
> > HD DVR hardware won't be at the $1,000 very long and there's already
> > evidence of price-cutting in the relatively rigid (lack of choice)
satellite
> > DVR market. So, I think we'll likely see 30-hour HD DVRs selling at $250
in
> > 2 years, definitely within three. As momentum is growing for these
devices,
> > it seems like a market ripe for copycats, especially when you consider
the
> > current absence of East Asia/China manufacturers. Perversely, this might
> > even benefit the cable companies over the long haul.
> >
> > Sayonara, Scientific-Altanta. Adios, General Instrument.
> >
> > Also, I understand that CableCard compatibility is a mess, but this is
down
> > to CableLabs and the cable industry at large. This arrangement is a
massive
> > conflict of interest that only undermines consumer choice.
> >
> > Finally, I think there's an often overlooked fallacy to the idea that by
> > renting from the cable company the latest technology is a just snap of
the
> > fingers removed from your equipment rack. Cable has a track record for
> > dragging their feet on this stuff -- look how long it took for set-top
boxes
> > to include anything other coax or composite video connections, never
mind
> > for them to begin offering DVRs.
> >
> > Anyway, if you own the DVR hardware and something better comes along,
you
> > have the option of upgrading on your own timetable (buy now and pay top
> > dollar or wait until prices come down), plus you can "repurpose" your
old
> > equipment on a secondary set, further reducing the "monthly" cost of
> > ownership.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> >
> > Doug
> > Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
> >
> > Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
> > Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993
> >
> > eMail: [email protected]
> > Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com
> >
> > Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
> > http://www.imagingscience.com
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf
Of
> > Mark Alford
> > Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2005 0:43
> > To: HDTV Magazine
> > Subject: Re: HD DVR
> >
> > ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >
> > Hi Doug,
> >
> > I must be living in the right place, but unless I have missed something
on
> > my bill the is no DVR service fee, just the monthly rental...but even at
15
> > a month, it will take 5.5 years before you would have spent 1000
dollars.
> > On top of that , I can switch my box out every time a new model comes
out.
> > You can't do that with one that you've bought...and we all know what the
> > used electronics market is like. I do understand there are markets that
> > don't offer all of the networks on cable. That just isn't the case in
> > Charlotte.
> >
> > Someone else mentioned the difference between the cable boxes and the
Tivo
> > system. Yes that does exist, and I doubt anyone would argue that the
cable
> > DVR's are somewaht lacking in that respect.......but the Sony will be
too
> > probably. I am not sure how many folks have actually used cable cards
on
> > the list, but they have been a nightmare in the Charlotte Market. Don't
> > really want to open up that can of worms. I do
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Doug Weil" <[email protected]>
> > To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 11:53 AM
> > Subject: Re: HD DVR
> >
> >
> >
> >>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >>
> >>Mark,
> >>
> >>In some cable markets, HD DVRs can cost more than $15 a month if you add
> >>together the DVR equipment rental and DVR service fee, so as the price
of
> >>DVR hardware falls, buying your own box will become more and more
> >>attractive.
> >>
> >>Of course, cable DVR rental and service fees MIGHT come down in the face
> >
> > of
> >
> >>cheap, cable-compatible hardware, but you can be fairly certain that
WOULD
> >>NOT happen without an alternative to the local cable monopoly solution.
> >>
> >>Regards,
> >>
> >>
> >>Doug
> >>Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
> >>
> >>Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
> >>Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993
> >>
> >>eMail: [email protected]
> >>Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com
> >>
> >>Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
> >>http://www.imagingscience.com
> >>
> >>-----Original Message-----
> >>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf
Of
> >>Dave Hancock
> >>Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 10:22
> >>To: HDTV Magazine
> >>Subject: Re: HD DVR
> >>
> >>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >>
> >>Mark,
> >>
> >>There are (at least) two reasons why people would want to buy a HD DVR
> >>for OTA & cable:
> >>
> >>1) The user interfaces on the cable supplied boxes are not up to
> >>expectations set by TiVo.
> >>2) Due to outrageous demands by some broadcasters (Sinclair, for
> >>example) not all local HD channels are on cable. The result in
> >>Rochester, NY for example, is if you want to see "24" in HD you need to
> >>get it OTA.
> >>
> >>If this is not settled when the next season of "24" starts I'll have to
> >>do something different.
> >>
> >>Dave Hancock
> >>Mark Alford wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >>>
> >>>Most of the cable systems DVR's that are available do more than the
Sony
> >>>pieces......Why would you want to buy one ? I am on a second generation
> >>>Scientic Atlanta piece after having the first generation. It cost me
> >>>nothing to upgrade and at the price I am paying it will take close to
ten
> >>>years before the rent of the DVR will exceed the cost of buying one.
> >
> > Plus,
> >
> >>>unless they have made some tremendous strides with the cable cards over
> >
> > the
> >
> >>>last couple of months, there are stiill issues there as well.
> >>>
> >>>Not trying to start an argument, just curious.
> >>>
> >>>Mark
> >>>
> >>>----- Original Message -----
> >>>From: "Doug Weil" <[email protected]>
> >>>To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
> >>>Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 7:45 AM
> >>>Subject: Re: HD DVR
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >>>>
> >>>>Richard,
> >>>>
> >>>>Sony has two much-delayed products that fill the bill, the DHG-HDD250
> >
> > and
> >
> >>>>the DHG-HDD500. They supposedly are available now but I've heard so
> >
> > little
> >
> >>>>about these boxes, I have reason to doubt you could buy one right now.
> >>>>
> >>>>Both work with a CableCard and have an OTA ATSC tuner. The big
drawbacks
> >
> > I
> >
> >>>>see are the price ($1000 for 60 hours capacity, or $800 for 30 hours)
> >
> > and
> >
> >>>>the fact that neither has dual-tuner recording ability.
> >>>>
> >>>>But still, it's hope for doing an end-around your local cableco.
> >>>>
> >>>>Review here:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>
>
>>http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_DHG_HDD500/4505-6474_7-31155752-2.html?tag=to
p
> >>
> >>>
> >>>>Retailers selling them here:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>
>
>>http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_DHG_HDD500/4014-6474_7-31155752.html?tag=pdtl
-
> >>l
> >>
> >>>
> >>>>ist&q=
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>Regards,
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>Doug
> >>>>Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
> >>>>
> >>>>Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
> >>>>Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993
> >>>>
> >>>>eMail: [email protected]
> >>>>Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com
> >>>>
> >>>>Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
> >>>>http://www.imagingscience.com
> >>>>-----Original Message-----
> >>>>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf
> >
> > Of
> >
> >>>>Richard
> >>>>Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 23:52
> >>>>To: HDTV Magazine
> >>>>Subject: HD DVR
> >>>>
> >>>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >>>>
> >>>>Rodolfo,
> >>>>
> >>>>I just went through your report and find the landscape quite bleak for
> >>>>an HD DVR much less one that does both OTA and cable with a cable
card.
> >>>>
> >>>>Please tell me I missed something or there is some hope on a near
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>horizon...
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Thanks
> >>>>
> >>>>Richard Fisher
> >>>>www.HDLibrary.com Published by Tech Services
> >>>>A division of Mastertech Repair Corporation
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
> >>>>
> >>>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
> >
> > same
> >
> >>>>day) send an email to:
> >>>>[email protected]
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
> >>>>
> >>>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
> >
> > same
> >
> >>>>
> >>>day) send an email to:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>[email protected]
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
> >>>
> >>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
> >
> > same
> >
> >>day) send an email to:
> >>
> >>>[email protected]
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
> >>
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same
> >>day) send an email to:
> >>[email protected]
> >>
> >>
> >>
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> >>
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same
> >
> > day) send an email to:
> >
> >>[email protected]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
> >
> > To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
same
> > day) send an email to:
> > [email protected]
> >
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
> >
> > To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
same day) send an email to:
> > [email protected]
> >
>
>
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>
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#2
----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Mark,

Don't get me wrong, I think that renting a DVR is more attractive today than
owning. But I don't believe for a minute that situation will continue very
much longer.

HD DVR hardware won't be at the $1,000 very long and there's already
evidence of price-cutting in the relatively rigid (lack of choice) satellite
DVR market. So, I think we'll likely see 30-hour HD DVRs selling at $250 in
2 years, definitely within three. As momentum is growing for these devices,
it seems like a market ripe for copycats, especially when you consider the
current absence of East Asia/China manufacturers. Perversely, this might
even benefit the cable companies over the long haul.

Sayonara, Scientific-Altanta. Adios, General Instrument.

Also, I understand that CableCard compatibility is a mess, but this is down
to CableLabs and the cable industry at large. This arrangement is a massive
conflict of interest that only undermines consumer choice.

Finally, I think there's an often overlooked fallacy to the idea that by
renting from the cable company the latest technology is a just snap of the
fingers removed from your equipment rack. Cable has a track record for
dragging their feet on this stuff -- look how long it took for set-top boxes
to include anything other coax or composite video connections, never mind
for them to begin offering DVRs.

Anyway, if you own the DVR hardware and something better comes along, you
have the option of upgrading on your own timetable (buy now and pay top
dollar or wait until prices come down), plus you can "repurpose" your old
equipment on a secondary set, further reducing the "monthly" cost of
ownership.

Regards,


Doug
Clearly Resolved Image & Sound

Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993

eMail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com

Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
http://www.imagingscience.com



-----Original Message-----
From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
Mark Alford
Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2005 0:43
To: HDTV Magazine
Subject: Re: HD DVR

----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Hi Doug,

I must be living in the right place, but unless I have missed something on
my bill the is no DVR service fee, just the monthly rental...but even at 15
a month, it will take 5.5 years before you would have spent 1000 dollars.
On top of that , I can switch my box out every time a new model comes out.
You can't do that with one that you've bought...and we all know what the
used electronics market is like. I do understand there are markets that
don't offer all of the networks on cable. That just isn't the case in
Charlotte.

Someone else mentioned the difference between the cable boxes and the Tivo
system. Yes that does exist, and I doubt anyone would argue that the cable
DVR's are somewaht lacking in that respect.......but the Sony will be too
probably. I am not sure how many folks have actually used cable cards on
the list, but they have been a nightmare in the Charlotte Market. Don't
really want to open up that can of worms. I do


----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Weil" <[email protected]>
To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 11:53 AM
Subject: Re: HD DVR


> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> Mark,
>
> In some cable markets, HD DVRs can cost more than $15 a month if you add
> together the DVR equipment rental and DVR service fee, so as the price of
> DVR hardware falls, buying your own box will become more and more
> attractive.
>
> Of course, cable DVR rental and service fees MIGHT come down in the face
of
> cheap, cable-compatible hardware, but you can be fairly certain that WOULD
> NOT happen without an alternative to the local cable monopoly solution.
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Doug
> Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
>
> Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
> Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993
>
> eMail: [email protected]
> Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com
>
> Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
> http://www.imagingscience.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
> Dave Hancock
> Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 10:22
> To: HDTV Magazine
> Subject: Re: HD DVR
>
> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> Mark,
>
> There are (at least) two reasons why people would want to buy a HD DVR
> for OTA & cable:
>
> 1) The user interfaces on the cable supplied boxes are not up to
> expectations set by TiVo.
> 2) Due to outrageous demands by some broadcasters (Sinclair, for
> example) not all local HD channels are on cable. The result in
> Rochester, NY for example, is if you want to see "24" in HD you need to
> get it OTA.
>
> If this is not settled when the next season of "24" starts I'll have to
> do something different.
>
> Dave Hancock
> Mark Alford wrote:
>
> >----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >
> >Most of the cable systems DVR's that are available do more than the Sony
> >pieces......Why would you want to buy one ? I am on a second generation
> >Scientic Atlanta piece after having the first generation. It cost me
> >nothing to upgrade and at the price I am paying it will take close to ten
> >years before the rent of the DVR will exceed the cost of buying one.
Plus,
> >unless they have made some tremendous strides with the cable cards over
the
> >last couple of months, there are stiill issues there as well.
> >
> >Not trying to start an argument, just curious.
> >
> >Mark
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Doug Weil" <[email protected]>
> >To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
> >Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 7:45 AM
> >Subject: Re: HD DVR
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >>
> >>Richard,
> >>
> >>Sony has two much-delayed products that fill the bill, the DHG-HDD250
and
> >>the DHG-HDD500. They supposedly are available now but I've heard so
little
> >>about these boxes, I have reason to doubt you could buy one right now.
> >>
> >>Both work with a CableCard and have an OTA ATSC tuner. The big drawbacks
I
> >>see are the price ($1000 for 60 hours capacity, or $800 for 30 hours)
and
> >>the fact that neither has dual-tuner recording ability.
> >>
> >>But still, it's hope for doing an end-around your local cableco.
> >>
> >>Review here:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_DHG_HDD500/4505-6474_7-31155752-2.html?tag=top
> >
> >
> >>Retailers selling them here:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_DHG_HDD500/4014-6474_7-31155752.html?tag=pdtl-
> l
> >
> >
> >>ist&q=
> >>
> >>
> >>Regards,
> >>
> >>
> >>Doug
> >>Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
> >>
> >>Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
> >>Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993
> >>
> >>eMail: [email protected]
> >>Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com
> >>
> >>Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
> >>http://www.imagingscience.com
> >>-----Original Message-----
> >>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf
Of
> >>Richard
> >>Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 23:52
> >>To: HDTV Magazine
> >>Subject: HD DVR
> >>
> >>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
> >>
> >>Rodolfo,
> >>
> >>I just went through your report and find the landscape quite bleak for
> >>an HD DVR much less one that does both OTA and cable with a cable card.
> >>
> >>Please tell me I missed something or there is some hope on a near
> >>
> >>
> >horizon...
> >
> >
> >>Thanks
> >>
> >>Richard Fisher
> >>www.HDLibrary.com Published by Tech Services
> >>A division of Mastertech Repair Corporation
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
> >>
> >>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
same
> >>day) send an email to:
> >>[email protected]
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
> >>
> >>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
same
> >>
> >>
> >day) send an email to:
> >
> >
> >>[email protected]
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
> >
> >To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
same
> day) send an email to:
> >[email protected]
> >
> >
> >
>
> To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
> To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
> day) send an email to:
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>
>
>
> To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>
> To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
day) send an email to:
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To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]

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To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]

To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same day) send an email to:
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#3
----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

Mark,

I can't get a DVR from my cable company.

If I could I have every reason to doubt it's performance capability and
do not use my DTC6200 for anything SD from cable. I get far better
imaging with my Panasonic SD DVR recorder via 480P or 540P via an
external scaler and even with the DTC6200 I view HD via 1394 into my JVC
DVHS to get rid of a drive line artifact plus it just looks better.

Cable company does not have all the locals. My main need with them is
HDnet, HDnet Movies, Showtime HD and the local FOX since I have problems
with that station OTA. I am skeptical about my cable company and bit
shaving since I do see artifacts. A DVR supporting both systems is
optimal for me.

If I could get a DVR from my cable company I would actually be covered
for my critical viewing system and in fact already am using the archaic
JVC/Motorola/Radio Shack remote timer combo. My need currently is for
the casual viewing system for my wife who it appears could be watching
far more HD than I since she is watching many HD shows in SD.

And, I must add, she may end up recording some of those programs SD
because the HD is unrelaible from the broadcaster. An example in my area
is Lost, one of her favs, and the local board is replete with very upset
viewers who have missed an episode or parts of an episode via HD. Some
of them record it in both formats just in case... I know for her if it
happens too many times she ain't gonna go through all that and will
simply watch the SD version.

Frankly, HD is still not quite ready for primetime. If it were not for
her and the new shiny HDTV she watches I think I would just pass on a
new DVR for now. On the other hand that cable recording combo system I
have is frustrating and with the right features... well... I might buy
TWO! That said I am moving more and more right back to DVD and simply
waiting for HD DVD and renting some D-Theater from High Definition
Rentals. WMVHD sounds exciting too if they ever get a player out there!

Thanks to all for the assistance. I had really hoped there was more out
there than just 2, count 'em, 2 choices and the only difference is the
freakin hard drive. No wonder they start at $800... Oh, and then I might
have to battle with my cable company for a cable card plus swallow the
additional $5 a month they charge for providing it. ARGH!

Thanks

Richard Fisher
www.HDLibrary.com Published by Tech Services
A division of Mastertech Repair Corporation

Doug Weil wrote:
> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> Mark,
>
> Don't get me wrong, I think that renting a DVR is more attractive today than
> owning. But I don't believe for a minute that situation will continue very
> much longer.
>
> HD DVR hardware won't be at the $1,000 very long and there's already
> evidence of price-cutting in the relatively rigid (lack of choice) satellite
> DVR market. So, I think we'll likely see 30-hour HD DVRs selling at $250 in
> 2 years, definitely within three. As momentum is growing for these devices,
> it seems like a market ripe for copycats, especially when you consider the
> current absence of East Asia/China manufacturers. Perversely, this might
> even benefit the cable companies over the long haul.
>
> Sayonara, Scientific-Altanta. Adios, General Instrument.
>
> Also, I understand that CableCard compatibility is a mess, but this is down
> to CableLabs and the cable industry at large. This arrangement is a massive
> conflict of interest that only undermines consumer choice.
>
> Finally, I think there's an often overlooked fallacy to the idea that by
> renting from the cable company the latest technology is a just snap of the
> fingers removed from your equipment rack. Cable has a track record for
> dragging their feet on this stuff -- look how long it took for set-top boxes
> to include anything other coax or composite video connections, never mind
> for them to begin offering DVRs.
>
> Anyway, if you own the DVR hardware and something better comes along, you
> have the option of upgrading on your own timetable (buy now and pay top
> dollar or wait until prices come down), plus you can "repurpose" your old
> equipment on a secondary set, further reducing the "monthly" cost of
> ownership.
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Doug
> Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
>
> Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
> Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993
>
> eMail: [email protected]
> Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com
>
> Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
> http://www.imagingscience.com
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
> Mark Alford
> Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2005 0:43
> To: HDTV Magazine
> Subject: Re: HD DVR
>
> ----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
> Hi Doug,
>
> I must be living in the right place, but unless I have missed something on
> my bill the is no DVR service fee, just the monthly rental...but even at 15
> a month, it will take 5.5 years before you would have spent 1000 dollars.
> On top of that , I can switch my box out every time a new model comes out.
> You can't do that with one that you've bought...and we all know what the
> used electronics market is like. I do understand there are markets that
> don't offer all of the networks on cable. That just isn't the case in
> Charlotte.
>
> Someone else mentioned the difference between the cable boxes and the Tivo
> system. Yes that does exist, and I doubt anyone would argue that the cable
> DVR's are somewaht lacking in that respect.......but the Sony will be too
> probably. I am not sure how many folks have actually used cable cards on
> the list, but they have been a nightmare in the Charlotte Market. Don't
> really want to open up that can of worms. I do
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Doug Weil" <[email protected]>
> To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 11:53 AM
> Subject: Re: HD DVR
>
>
>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>Mark,
>>
>>In some cable markets, HD DVRs can cost more than $15 a month if you add
>>together the DVR equipment rental and DVR service fee, so as the price of
>>DVR hardware falls, buying your own box will become more and more
>>attractive.
>>
>>Of course, cable DVR rental and service fees MIGHT come down in the face
>
> of
>
>>cheap, cable-compatible hardware, but you can be fairly certain that WOULD
>>NOT happen without an alternative to the local cable monopoly solution.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>
>>Doug
>>Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
>>
>>Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
>>Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993
>>
>>eMail: [email protected]
>>Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com
>>
>>Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
>>http://www.imagingscience.com
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
>>Dave Hancock
>>Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 10:22
>>To: HDTV Magazine
>>Subject: Re: HD DVR
>>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>Mark,
>>
>>There are (at least) two reasons why people would want to buy a HD DVR
>>for OTA & cable:
>>
>>1) The user interfaces on the cable supplied boxes are not up to
>>expectations set by TiVo.
>>2) Due to outrageous demands by some broadcasters (Sinclair, for
>>example) not all local HD channels are on cable. The result in
>>Rochester, NY for example, is if you want to see "24" in HD you need to
>>get it OTA.
>>
>>If this is not settled when the next season of "24" starts I'll have to
>>do something different.
>>
>>Dave Hancock
>>Mark Alford wrote:
>>
>>
>>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>>
>>>Most of the cable systems DVR's that are available do more than the Sony
>>>pieces......Why would you want to buy one ? I am on a second generation
>>>Scientic Atlanta piece after having the first generation. It cost me
>>>nothing to upgrade and at the price I am paying it will take close to ten
>>>years before the rent of the DVR will exceed the cost of buying one.
>
> Plus,
>
>>>unless they have made some tremendous strides with the cable cards over
>
> the
>
>>>last couple of months, there are stiill issues there as well.
>>>
>>>Not trying to start an argument, just curious.
>>>
>>>Mark
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: "Doug Weil" <[email protected]>
>>>To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
>>>Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 7:45 AM
>>>Subject: Re: HD DVR
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>>>
>>>>Richard,
>>>>
>>>>Sony has two much-delayed products that fill the bill, the DHG-HDD250
>
> and
>
>>>>the DHG-HDD500. They supposedly are available now but I've heard so
>
> little
>
>>>>about these boxes, I have reason to doubt you could buy one right now.
>>>>
>>>>Both work with a CableCard and have an OTA ATSC tuner. The big drawbacks
>
> I
>
>>>>see are the price ($1000 for 60 hours capacity, or $800 for 30 hours)
>
> and
>
>>>>the fact that neither has dual-tuner recording ability.
>>>>
>>>>But still, it's hope for doing an end-around your local cableco.
>>>>
>>>>Review here:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_DHG_HDD500/4505-6474_7-31155752-2.html?tag=top
>>
>>>
>>>>Retailers selling them here:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_DHG_HDD500/4014-6474_7-31155752.html?tag=pdtl-
>>l
>>
>>>
>>>>ist&q=
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Regards,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Doug
>>>>Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
>>>>
>>>>Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
>>>>Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993
>>>>
>>>>eMail: [email protected]
>>>>Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com
>>>>
>>>>Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
>>>>http://www.imagingscience.com
>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf
>
> Of
>
>>>>Richard
>>>>Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 23:52
>>>>To: HDTV Magazine
>>>>Subject: HD DVR
>>>>
>>>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>>>
>>>>Rodolfo,
>>>>
>>>>I just went through your report and find the landscape quite bleak for
>>>>an HD DVR much less one that does both OTA and cable with a cable card.
>>>>
>>>>Please tell me I missed something or there is some hope on a near
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>horizon...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Thanks
>>>>
>>>>Richard Fisher
>>>>www.HDLibrary.com Published by Tech Services
>>>>A division of Mastertech Repair Corporation
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>>>>
>>>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
>
> same
>
>>>>day) send an email to:
>>>>[email protected]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>>>>
>>>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
>
> same
>
>>>>
>>>day) send an email to:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>[email protected]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>>>
>>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
>
> same
>
>>day) send an email to:
>>
>>>[email protected]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>>
>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
>>day) send an email to:
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>>
>>
>>
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>
> day) send an email to:
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>
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>
> To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
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#4
----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----

6/18/2005 4:17pm ct

Dave,
I could not agree with you more. We have the same problem here in
that the local cable company does not carry NBC.

Seems to me that a standalone DVR from Tivo with the ability to
switch between Cable, Satellite & OTA would not be that much more expensive
to build and would add a lot of value to it.

Robert

At 10:22 AM 6/18/2005, you wrote:
>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>
>Mark,
>
>There are (at least) two reasons why people would want to buy a HD DVR for
>OTA & cable:
>
>1) The user interfaces on the cable supplied boxes are not up to
>expectations set by TiVo.
>2) Due to outrageous demands by some broadcasters (Sinclair, for example)
>not all local HD channels are on cable. The result in Rochester, NY for
>example, is if you want to see "24" in HD you need to get it OTA.
>
>If this is not settled when the next season of "24" starts I'll have to do
>something different.
>
>Dave Hancock
>Mark Alford wrote:
>
>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>
>>Most of the cable systems DVR's that are available do more than the Sony
>>pieces......Why would you want to buy one ? I am on a second generation
>>Scientic Atlanta piece after having the first generation. It cost me
>>nothing to upgrade and at the price I am paying it will take close to ten
>>years before the rent of the DVR will exceed the cost of buying one. Plus,
>>unless they have made some tremendous strides with the cable cards over the
>>last couple of months, there are stiill issues there as well.
>>
>>Not trying to start an argument, just curious.
>>
>>Mark
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Weil" <[email protected]>
>>To: "HDTV Magazine" <[email protected]>
>>Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 7:45 AM
>>Subject: Re: HD DVR
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>>
>>>Richard,
>>>
>>>Sony has two much-delayed products that fill the bill, the DHG-HDD250 and
>>>the DHG-HDD500. They supposedly are available now but I've heard so little
>>>about these boxes, I have reason to doubt you could buy one right now.
>>>
>>>Both work with a CableCard and have an OTA ATSC tuner. The big drawbacks I
>>>see are the price ($1000 for 60 hours capacity, or $800 for 30 hours) and
>>>the fact that neither has dual-tuner recording ability.
>>>
>>>But still, it's hope for doing an end-around your local cableco.
>>>
>>>Review here:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_DHG_HDD500/4505-6474_7-31155752-2.html?tag=top
>>
>>
>>>Retailers selling them here:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_DHG_HDD500/4014-6474_7-31155752.html?tag=pdtl-l
>>
>>
>>>ist&q=
>>>
>>>
>>>Regards,
>>>
>>>
>>>Doug
>>>Clearly Resolved Image & Sound
>>>
>>>Business: +1 (618) 234-2865
>>>Cell: +1 (314) 495-2993
>>>
>>>eMail: [email protected]
>>>Web: http://www.clearlyresolved.com
>>>
>>>Affiliated with the Imaging Science Foundation
>>>http://www.imagingscience.com
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: HDTV Magazine On Behalf Of
>>>Richard
>>>Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 23:52
>>>To: HDTV Magazine
>>>Subject: HD DVR
>>>
>>>----- HDTV Magazine Tips List -----
>>>
>>>Rodolfo,
>>>
>>>I just went through your report and find the landscape quite bleak for
>>>an HD DVR much less one that does both OTA and cable with a cable card.
>>>
>>>Please tell me I missed something or there is some hope on a near
>>>
>>horizon...
>>
>>
>>>Thanks
>>>
>>>Richard Fisher
>>>www.HDLibrary.com Published by Tech Services
>>>A division of Mastertech Repair Corporation
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>>>
>>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
>>>day) send an email to:
>>>[email protected]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>>>
>>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same
>>>
>>day) send an email to:
>>
>>
>>>[email protected]
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
>>
>>To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that
>>same day) send an email to:
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>>
>>
>
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>
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>day) send an email to:
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