Sony's HD DVRs

ony makes two HD DVR models, the DHG-HDD500 and the DHG-HDD250. Both of these DVRs work with existing analog cable systems, and include a free Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). They also include antenna for recording free over-the-air HDTV. The DHG-HDD500 can record and store at least 60 hours of high-definition video and up to 400 hours of standard-definition video, while the HDD250 can record at least 30 hours of high definition and up to 200 hours of standard definition video. Both include multiple analog inputs and outputs as well as Component, HDMI and digital audio outputs. These are expensive and high-end DVRs that are ideal for analog cable subscribers who want the ability to record HD signals free over-the-air.

High Definition (HD) Options for Digital Video Recording (DVR)

High Definition (HD) Digital Video Recording devices are starting to become more readily available, and affordable, for consumers. The DVRs offer all the functionality of a standard DVR (like TiVo) but also allow for viewing and recording of HD broadcasts. If you are a Cable subscriber, there are HD DVRs available to lease from the providers for a monthly fee. Satellite providers have HD DVRs available to purchase. There are also Media Center PCs and TV Capture Cards with HD compatabilty. This article will focus on all the different options available for HD Recording, and which methods are right for you.

TiVo

TiVo (pronounced /ˈtiːvoʊ/) is a pioneer of the digital video recorder (DVR). TiVo was introduced in the United States, and is now available in New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Taiwan, and the UK. TiVo DVRs provide an electronic television programming schedule, and provide features such as Season Pass recordings (which ensure subscribers never miss an episode of their favorite shows) and WishList searches (which allow the user to find and record shows that match their interests by title, actor, director, category or keyword). TiVo also provides a range of features when the TiVo DVR is connected to a home network, including film and TV show downloads, advanced search, personal photo viewing, music

TiVo Digital Video Recorder:A TiVo DVR serves a function similar to a videocassette recorder, in that both allow a television viewer to record programming for viewing at a later time. Unlike a VCR, which uses removable magnetic tape cartridges, a TiVo DVR stores television programs onto non-removable hard disk storage. Also, the TiVo device does not have any buttons on the front panel; its functions are solely manipulated by remote control.

What distinguishes TiVo from other DVRs is the sophisticated software written by TiVo Inc. that automatically records programs—not only those the user specifically requests, but also other material the user is likely to be interested in. TiVo DVRs also implement a patented feature TiVo calls "trick play," which allows the viewer to pause live television, and rewind and replay up to a half hour of recently viewed television. More recent TiVo DVRs can be connected to a computer local area network, which allows the TiVo device to download information and even video programs, music and movies from the Internet

Market share:While its former main competitor in the US, ReplayTV, had adopted a commercial-skip feature, TiVo decided to avoid automatic implementation of that feature, fearing such a move might provoke backlash from the television industry. ReplayTV was sued over this feature,[9] as well as the ability to share shows over the Internet, and these lawsuits contributed to the bankruptcy of SONICblue,[10] their owner at the time. Their new owner, DNNA, dropped both features in the final ReplayTV model, the 5500. However, the automatic commercial-skip feature was simply replaced with Show|Nav, which requires only the push of the arrow buttons to jump between segments. ReplayTV now has a negligible market share, as they no longer manufacture DVR hardware.[citation needed]

Other distributors' competing DVR sets in the US include Comcast and Verizon, although both distribute third-party hardware with this functionality built-in. Verizon uses boxes fitted for FiOS, allowing high-speed internet access and other features.

As of October 2008, TiVo has 3.46 million subscribers in the US[11][12], down from a peak of 4.36 million in January 2006[12].

[edit] Controversies

More efficient TV viewing with PVR technology

A 31″ CRT TV can use over 200 watts of electricity, larger televisions use more energy. LCD and plasma televisions uses up to 2/3 less energy, but so far they are still several times more expensive than their similarly sized CRT counterparts. The most obvious way to reduce your energy consumption regarding the TV is to simply watch less. I don’t watch much TV anyways, however I made an upgrade to my home entertainment system last year that has reduced energy consumption, freed up more of my time, and even lets me see my favorite TV shows, whenever I want.
I have a Personal Video Recorder, or PVR, from my cable company. Probably the most well-known PVR system is the TiVo, but all PVRs offer the same benefits. The benefit that I’ve used to save energy and tme is the fast forwarding function. A 30 minute program is reduced to an average of 20-22 minutes by fast forwarding through commercials and credits, reducing the time the TV is on by around 30%. This frees up about 10 minutes for every 30 minutes I would have otherwise spent watching TV, which ends up being an additional 90 minutes per week.

A PVR is essentially a computer using specialized software and hardware, and like any other computer it goes into a low-power standby mode which further reduces energy consumption. Rather than waiting for a favorite show to start with the TV on, I just set the PVR to record it and then it will wake up and record the show by itself to be watched whenever it’s convenient.

One thing that many people don’t know, is that TVs and other electronic devices can draw power even when in “sleep” mode. Conventional TVs draw up to 12 watts while they’re switched off, EnergyStar TVs draw 3 watts or less. The only way to eliminate this phantom load is to plug the TV into a switched power bar, and flip the switch when the TV isn’t in use. Since cutting the power to the PVR would prevent it from switching itself on, the PVR should be on a separate power strip that is left on. A personal computer, which is what a PVR is, draws between 1-6 watts in standby mode. Combined with a power strip switch for the TV, this results in increased energy savings as well as retaining the increased functionality for your home entertainment

GB-PVR

GB-PVR is a PVR (personal video recorder) application, running on Microsoft Windows, whose main function is scheduling TV recordings and playing back live TV. This PVR also acts as a home media center with a digital video recorder, a radio station online tuner, a music and movie player, a library of images and other features.

Although GB-PVR supports open interfaces, the core engine code is closed. However developing personal plug-ins is an option to extend the application and these can be closed or open source, depending on the developer's interests. These plug-ins can be developed in C#, VB.NET or C++ and exist some examples available in the GB-PVR official Forums and the GB-PVR Documentation wiki websites. Moreover the software has been developed with an interface which allows to change the skin view or other graphic elements as the wallpaper.

GB-PVR is mostly an MPEG recording and playback system, but may also play other non-MPG content such as AVI (DivX/Xvid), WMV, and other formats that are supported by the codecs installed into a computer's.

It requires a supported TV tuner card, a VMR9 capable display adapter (video card), and a supported MPEG2 Decoder. Other requirements are listed on the GB-PVR web site.

The ultimate in HD TV?

Both projectors, however, feature extra image enhancement courtesy of integrated Pixelworks DNX 10-bit video processing technology.

The Pixelworks magic consists of a number of techniques - noise reduction, standard and high definition video format motion adaptive deinterlacing, 10-bit color processing, advanced scaling, dynamic edge enhancement, and low-angle line smoothing technology.

The IN82 and IN81 also boast two HDMI 1.3 inputs, and ship with a 2 metre HDMI cable and M1-to-HDMI adapter. An optional anamorphic lens attachment, says InFocus, allows 2.35:1 movies to be shown in full 1920 x 1080 resolution. Nice.

For more information about the InFocus Play Big line, point your browser towards

Freeview Playback vs Sky+

Freeview Playback brings standardised 'time shifting' to the digital terrestrial platform. Like Sky+ and TiVo before it, Freeview Playback technology relies on an integrated hard disk drive to constantly record the TV channel you're watching.


Thanks to this constant recording, Freeview Playback gives you the ability to pause live TV and rewind it.

The talents of Freeview Playback don't end there. Intelligent features supported under the Group 2 certification include 'schedule tracking' and 'auto-buffering'. These ensure that any changes in the TV schedule caused by breaking news or overrunning programmes do not cause recordings to be missed.

By the October launch, the Freeview Playback specification should also offer a comprehensive Series LInk or Season Pass option - this will enable you to auto-record every episode in a series. A TiVo-style programme recommendation feature is also promised.