HD-DVR High Definition Digital Video Recorder

Instant access for instant gratification. A computer in a slim box that's smarter than you are and doesn't forget things. Disc recording. No broken tapes, no rewinding or fast forwarding (except to skip commercials!)

A good friend had his HD-DVR crap out on him the other day. Like a crack junkie with an empty stash, he panicked. I know that feeling, because, while never into crack, I AM into TiVo and have several of those die over the years. There's no question - you go get another. (And I paid $200 for the last one; today they are $49, on sale. I hurt. Feel my pain.)

Nevertheless, the topic for this guide isn't basic DVRs, it's HIGH DEFINITION DVRs, or HD-DVRs. The DVR is so incredibly addictive - you are no longer a slave to real time, to commercials, to losing place of where you stopped that show you were watching last Tuesday, or shifting time slots, or reruns, or specials. Simply put, once you've experienced a DVR you cannot go back. It's the Hotel California of electronics; i.e.: "you can check out but you can never leave!"

Now goose that experience into High Definition via HD-DVR and you are lost, lost, lost. Or saved, saved, saved. All that wonderful freedom, but in high def!

My friend solved his problem... unplugged, waited. The computer inside must have then rebooted. A fresh boot can sometimes save the day!

But here's the thing: this technology is so new! Complications abound, expecially since some cable companies are offering their own or co-branded DVRs. But are they HI-DEF? That's the rub. Can the stand-alone brands compete against the almost free or low monthly rental price from the cable or satellite companies? AND - here comes HD-DVD (not to be confused with HD-DVR,) and Blu-Ray, the other high definition dvd recorder format.

To clarify: a DVD recorder burns a removeable disc. An HD-DVR records to an internal hard drive.

And what about CableCard?

Remember, the fewer conversions your video has to undergo, the better likelihood your display will have a top picture. CableCard reduces conversions!

Here's the best summary I am able to assemble for you at this present time.

The TiVo Series 3 HD-DVR -  It's the winner by far.  Pricey at about $999 but once you use the interface and enjoy the picture, you're done.  Our highest recommendation.

• World's only Digital Media Recorder with THX®-certification
• Control live HDTV and record 2 digital cable shows at once*
• 300 hours of standard recording time or up to 32 in HD
• Schedule recordings anywhere from tivo.com
• Advanced TiVo broadband features, including digital photos, Internet radio, podcasts, and more
• NEW backlit, programmable TiVo® remote, easy to configure to your TV

• Never miss your favorite shows, even if they're on at the same time!*
• Find and digitally record shows by title, actor, sports team or keyword
• Schedule recordings anywhere from the web
• Share photos, listen to Internet radio and podcasts, get Yahoo!® weather, traffic, and more**
• TiVo® KidZone—displays only the programs and channels that you pre-approve for your kids.
• TiVoCast™—a way to bring you unique, internet-based video that you won't find on broadcast or cable TV.

• Phone line or broadband connection
• Program source:
  • Digital cable service with 2 CableCARD™ decoders from your cable provider
  • Digital antenna
  • Note: Not compatible with satellite. Also supports basic cable (non-HD) and analog antenna (non-HD)
  
  

  * CableCARD™ customers may require 2 cards for dual-tuner functionality.
  
  ** Ethernet cable or compatible USB wireless network adapter required. Sold separately.
  
  *** Not all interactive cable features are available

The DirecTV TiVo HD-DVR

This box is for DirecTV customers only, and contains no home networking features.

Plusses:

Minuses:

The Sony DHG-HDD500 HD-DVR

Sony DHG-HDD500 60-Hour High-Definition Digital Video Recorder (500 GB)

Sony DHG-HDD250 30-Hour High-Definition Digital Video Recorder (250 GB)

These are the first of what will surely be a new breed - including CableCard support. That means they should work with any cable system in the US.

The CableCard replaces your set top box.

Plusses:

Both use the TV Guide On-Screen Electronic Program Guide - which - unlike TiVo's service - is completely free of monthly service charges. High-def video output is available via HDMI or component video and Sony promises flexible aspect-ratio control for optimal viewing of wide-screen and standard content.

Minuses:

Scientific-Atlanta 8000HD HD DVR

Plusses:

Allows recording and storage of up to 90 hours of SD programming or 20 hours of HD programming.

Analog Component HDTV Outputs: Provide YPbPr outputs for quick and easy connection to most HDTV sets.

Allows IP-based, real-time, two-way communication between the Explorer 8000HD Home Entertainment Server and the cable service provider's headend for rapid, seamless updates of program guides. Also can support interactive services such as xOD (anything-On-Demand), VOD (Video-on-Demand), and subscription VOD (SVOD.)

The software which will activate the DVI port with HDCP is currently being tested. It will be made available to cable operators upon completion of the testing. This software will be automatically downloaded to your set-top by your Cable Operator. Expected availability is early 2005. Check this before you commit. Sometimes the wait is longer as incompatibilities are uncovered!

Monthy fee from some cable companies (in lieu of purchase)

Minuses:

Scientific-Atlanta 8300HD HD-DVR

This is a step up from the 8000 because it has the HDMI/HDCP interface plus all the goodies of the 8000.

All Plusses:

YPbPr and Audio Left/Right Cable Kit

Provides connection from the HD analog component video and audio outputs to the HDTV set

Digital Audio Outputs: Supports digital interconnection with surround sound receivers

HDMI 1.0 Digital Audio/Video Output with HDCP Copy Protection: Provides superior uncompressed digital video and audio quality in a simple, user-friendly connector. HDMI provides the optimal, secure connection to an HDTV set. HDMI is backward compatible with the DVI 1.0 video interfaces using the HDMI-to-DVI converter cable.

Monthy fee from some cable companies (in lieu of purchase)

Minuses:

RCA DVR10 HD-DVR (sale: $199)

RCA DVR10 High-Definition Digital Video Recorder

At this price any features are plusses:

Instant replay jumps back seven seconds; jump ahead skips forward 30 seconds 80 GB digital video recorder with 9-hour HDTV capacity and 40-hour SDTV (standard-definition) capacity

2 copy-protected IEEE 1394 inputs compatible with digital televisions and DTV set-top box receivers

Support for audio/video commands lets you program the unit for advance recording through other devices

Pause, rewind, and play back a program as it's being recorded

New - not mauch data available yet.

RCA DVR 2160 HD-DVR

RCA DVR2160 160GB Digital Video Recorder

Record up to 80 hours of standard-definition digital programming or up to 18 hours of high-definition digital programming. Live TV Pause

IEEE 1394 Firewire Component Networking

Again, this is a new issue with little detail beyond the basics above. Some of what's available is CONFLICTING, too.

Both RCAs seem to only be able to set to record a day in advance. If the price seduces you, be sure to check that out. If true, it's a stupid feature. You want to be able to set at least a week up, or, as in the case of several models based on the TiVo standard, grab a season pass (record all episodes of your favorite shows with one click!)

TOSHIBA Symbio 160HD4 HD DVR

Toshiba 160HD4 Symbio High-Definition digital video recorder

CAVEAT

Built-in 160GB hard drive for recording/playback (holds up to 16 hours of HD or 80 hours of SD content)

Automatic or manual recording with the television's built-in TV Guide® On Screen program guide

Pause and rewind live and pre-recorded TV

IEEE 1394 jack (cable supplied)

LG LST-3410A HDTV Tuner/HD-DVR

The LST-3410A is a combination HDTV receiver/HD-DVR. It provides the ideal solution for recording digital HDTV OTA (over the air,) through unscrambled digital cable channels or via a conventional analog NTSC signal.

A 120-gigabyte hard drive will record more than 12 hours of HDTV programming, 62 hours of standard-definition digital programming, or 120 hours of analog programming.

The LST-3410A includes IEEE-1394 and DVI+HDCP digital interfaces.

Plusses:

Time shift record, live pause, high-speed fast-forward and rewind, thumbnail browsing, synopsis mode replay, HD video navigation with the TV Guide On-Screen interactive program guide, picture-in-grid, and Dolby Digital Sound.

2 firewire ports.

No monthly fees.

Minuses:

No component or DVI input to feed your HD cable box's signals through this box,

No S-video input for slightly better signals from your cable box if it has one.

Only 12 hours HD recording time.

Poor user reviews:

Luminance Chrominance timing errors in all Decoded SD video, with Chrominance (color) being horizontally & vertically offset.

Lockup at times. Needing reboot. Quality control iffy in early versions. Some users reported new units that didn’t work properly.

HD-DVR: SO MANY CHOICES - WHAT TO DO?

To me the HD-DVR issue isn't recording time. Even when away we rarely need to catch 20 hours a week, but your tastes may vary. Also, we watch almost exclusively from TiVo, which collapses shows to non-commercial length time of about 42 minutes per hour. One objection raised by those to whom I've tried to convert to TiVoholics is that 'they don't want to watch more television.' Actually, if you watch the SAME amount, it's less.

To me, the issue is quality followed by ease of use.

So, that said, I would not go near HDTV without a good hard disc HD DVR to catch my 'must see' HDTV shows.

THAT said, I like the CableCard inclusion in the Sony HD-DVR.

But the Scientific-Atlanta 8300HD HD DVR looks pretty good too.

Some HDTVs are now shipping with DVRS built in.

Bottom line

Microsoft and Intel Back HD DVD as Next-Generation High-Definition DVD Format of Choice

Companies cite key criteria for consumer and industry success, join HD DVD Promotion Group.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., and REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 26, 2005 — Intel Corporation and Microsoft Corp. today announced that they will join major consumer electronics manufacturers, content providers and other companies as members of the HD DVD Promotion Group. After extensive review, both companies determined that the HD DVD format developed by the DVD Forum meets important criteria and delivers unique advantages, including PC and connected device interoperability and an easy, affordable transition to high definition for consumers. HD DVD can bring the excitement of HD video to the consumer faster than competing formats, with the potential for more affordable hardware and more interactive experiences.

Intel and Microsoft are the two most recent additions to the HD DVD Promotion Group, joining such companies as NEC Corp., SANYO Electric Co. Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. and content providers such as Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures Corp.

“There are both challenges and opportunities in the transition to high-definition experiences throughout the home,” said Blair Westlake, corporate vice president of the Media/Entertainment & Technology Convergence Group at Microsoft. “And after looking at the core advantages to the PC ecosystem and how it would benefit the consumer, it is clear that HD DVD offers the highest quality, and is the most affordable and highly flexible solution available.”

“Our vision with Intel® Viiv™ technology is that digital media content can be enjoyed on these Intel-based PCs and consumer electronics devices in and around the home in an easy and affordable manner,” said Brendan Traw, Intel Fellow and chief technology officer of Intel’s Digital Home Group. “Intel has determined that HD DVD best meets the needs of consumers and the requirements for the respective consumer electronics, computer and entertainment industries for delivering a high-definition, interactive experience to the home on optical media.”

Microsoft and Intel cited the following consumer and industry requirements of any successful next-generation optical format for high definition, which is reflected by what HD DVD delivers today:

• Managed Copy: A first for DVDs. Managed Copy is a guaranteed feature within HD DVD that gives consumers the freedom to make copies of their discs to a hard drive or home server, including Media Center PCs using Intel Viiv technology, and enjoy them in every room of the house over their home networks. HD DVD discs also will allow copies of the movie to be played on portable devices. • “Future-proof” compatibility. Using proven HD DVD “hybrid disc” technology, a single disc can store both high-definition and standard-definition versions of a film, allowing consumers to immediately enjoy the standard-definition movies stored on these discs on today’s DVD players, while HD movies can be replayed later on the HD DVD platform. This is an opportunity for consumers to buy discs at launch that future proof their collections — in other words, helping assure customers that the discs they buy will remain viewable in the future. • Proven low-cost, high-volume manufacturing. HD DVD discs use essentially the same manufacturing equipment as existing DVDs, meaning that production of HD DVD can ramp up easily and with lower costs. • Superior capacity. HD DVD-ROM discs will offer dual-layer 30GB discs at launch, compared with BD-ROM discs, which will be limited to 25GB. • Superior interactivity. HD DVD discs will offer greater interactivity using iHD technology, allowing for enhanced content, navigation and value-added functionality for high-definition films. For example, HD DVDs can offer advanced picture-in-picture capability so that other video, such as a director’s commentary, could play on top of the movie. • Superior format for notebook PCs. The compatibility of HD DVD with standard DVD facilitates and simplifies development of slim disc drives for integration in notebook PCs, one of the fastest-growing segments of the PC market.

As longtime leaders in the development of new industry specifications, Intel and Microsoft believe a single optical disc format is an ideal solution that would drive rapid consumer adoption. Although the companies have determined that HD DVD is the only viable solution at this time, each remains committed to working toward one format that meets consumer and industry requirements.

About the HD DVD Promotion Group

The HD DVD Promotion Group aims to exchange views and thoughts to help promote the HD DVD format based contents and products into the marketplace and share its promotional activity among members to encourage the broad acceptance of HD DVD on a world wide basis among members of the group, related industries and the public.

And from the Blu-Ray camp

December 27, 2005, Tokyo, Japan - Pioneer Corporation announced today that the company's first internal BD/DVD writer with ATAPI connection for Windows PCs has recently been developed. The new Pioneer BDR-101A complies with the latest specifications for the BD-R (Blu-ray Disc recordable), BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc rewritable), and the BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc read-only memory). It is expected to start shipping at the end of January, 2006.

Single-layer BD-R and BD-RE discs can store up to 25 gigabytes of data, about five times more than a conventional DVD disc, supporting a high-speed data transfer rate of a maximum of 72Mbps (2x) for both reading and writing. It is possible to record over two hours of a high-definition (HD) video (at 24Mbps transfer rate) on a single disc. This level of storage capacity and transfer speed is expected to make possible a wide range of applications, such as server data backup and video storage.

For BD-ROM discs, a wide variety of Blu-ray Disc titles, including films, music, and games, will be released in the future.

The BDR-101A Blu-ray Disc writer will write and read single-layer BD-R and BD-RE discs (without cartridge), and read single-layer and double-layer BD-ROM discs (without cartridge). Also, featuring proprietary Pioneer optical technology, such as the Ultra Dynamic Resonance Absorber and the Multi-Effect Liquid Crystal Tilt Compensator, the new writer will ensure high reliability in high-density recording and playback with Blu-ray Discs as well as DVD discs.

With the release of the BDR-101A offering the industry's highest level of performance and reliability, Pioneer is responding to users requiring greater storage capacity, as well as contributing to the expansion of the Blu-ray writer market. Pioneer will continue to actively develop the Blu-ray disc format and promote its use as one of the Blu-ray Disc Founders.

HP Backs Blu-ray Disc Technology

New storage technology poised to become industry standard

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 15, 2004

HP today announced plans to include Blu-ray Disc drives across many of its product lines, including select consumer desktop and notebook PCs, personal workstations and digital entertainment centers.

The technology enables the recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition (HD) video, as well as the ability to store immense amounts of data - up to 50 gigabytes on a single dual-layer disc, enough to record 26 hours of standard definition television and eight hours of HDTV.

An optical disc technology, Blu-ray Disc is poised to replace current DVD technology and become the next standard for personal computing data storage and viewing high-definition movies.

More than 70 of the world's leading technology and entertainment companies have committed to the Blu-ray Disc format because of recording versatility, advanced interactivity and increased capacity over competitive formats. For example, Blu-ray will offer up to 66 percent greater recording capacity and more media types compared to the HD-DVD format.

"HP has been a key contributor in the development of the Blu-ray Disc format," said John Romano, senior vice president, Global Consumer PC Business, HP. "The arrival of high-definition content in the home, along with the convergence of PCs and home entertainment, has created a need for a higher capacity optical disc format."

Blu-ray discs will have three different media types available at launch:

BD-ROM - read-only format for software, games and movie distribution

BD-RE - rewritable format for HDTV recording and data storage

BD-R - write-once format for HDTV recording and data storage

Blu-ray Discs are the same size as DVDs, but use a blue laser and a slightly different disc structure to enable higher capacities. HP's Blu-ray Disc drives are expected to be backward compatible, meaning they can be used to read and write current CDs and DVDs.

The drives also will include LightScribe technology, a labeling solution developed by HP that allows silk-screen quality text and graphics to be burned directly onto LightScribe-enabled Blu-ray Discs using the same laser that burns to the data side of the disc.

"HP workstations are used for broadcast video and feature film production. As television and packaged movies continue to migrate toward high definition, our enterprise customers who focus on digital entertainment will require a higher capacity optical disk format," said Jim Zafarana, vice president of worldwide workstation marketing, HP. "The capacity of the Blu-ray Disc format far exceeds any other viable alternative, and our customers are demanding a format that will take them well into the future."

HP intends to continue to work with the other companies of the Blu-ray Disc Association to complete the format technology and develop the drives. HP plans to introduce Blu-ray Disc technology in late 2005 in select media center PCs, desktop PCs, personal workstations and digital entertainment devices followed by notebooks in early 2006.

Blu-ray Disc Ushers in New Era of Entertainment

January 05, 2006

U.S. Consumers Can Satisfy High Definition Appetites in 2006

Las Vegas, NV– January 5, 2006 – The Blu-ray Disc Association formally kicks off a new era of entertainment today as more than 20 companies announce Blu-ray Disc products, including players, recorders, high definition computer drives, recordable media and PC applications, as well as over 100 movie and music titles.

“Due to the unparalleled support of Blu-ray Disc, we will be able to offer movies, music and games as well as an unmatched array of product that will provide consumers with a dramatic new home entertainment experience,” said Victor Matsuda, global chairman, Blu-ray Disc Association Promotions Committee. “With Blu-ray Disc, the bar has now been raised for the home viewing experience.”

Blu-ray Disc provides consumers and content providers with a single common format that has the capacity, image and audio quality, interactivity and connectivity needed to expand beyondthe simplemovie playbackandinto a range of interoperable consumer products and applications that will bring a new dimension to home entertainment.

“Today's announcements are a clear demonstration of the overwhelming cross-industry support for the Blu-ray Disc format,” said Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation. “A majority of the CE, IT, Hollywood studios, music and game companies have already endorsed Blu-ray Disc because of its technical superiority and its ability to provide an entirely new experience to consumers. We are thrilled to announce that we are now ready for consumers to experience Blu-ray Disc for themselves.”

Consumers in the U.S can expect to see Blu-ray Disc product on retail shelves beginning in the first quarter of 2006, with additional products and titles expected over the course of the year. For a list of companies that have announced Blu-ray Disc products, and for a look at the first wave of Blu-ray Disc movie and music titles, please see the attached.

"With the rapid growth in high-definition TV, blue-laser technology is an important step forward in creating an unparalleled consumer entertainment experience," said IDC's Joshua Martin, associate analyst, consumer markets. "The winning format will offer consumers breadth of product and depth of content at competitive price points."

"We believe that Blu-Ray Disc will give our customers a revolutionary new home entertainment experience that goes beyond high definition in every sense. With Blu-ray Disc, consumers will have access to life-like picture and sound, rich interactivity and interoperability across all their devices, from PCs to TVs to set-top players and recorders," said Michael Dell, Chairman of Dell Inc.

Players & Recorders

Computer Drives

Blu-ray Disc Media

PC Applications

Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Lionsgate Home Entertainment

Paramount Home Entertainment

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and MGM

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Warner Bros.

Eagle Rock Entertainment

Sony BMG

Samsung heralds new era entertainment; shows world’s first mass-market Blu-ray Disc player at CES

January 05, 2006

BD-P1000 will ship in early Spring; will become first player in U.S. stores

LAS VEGAS — January 5, 2006 — Samsung Electronics formally kicks off the era of Blu-ray today, as it demonstrates its BD-P1000 Blu-ray disc (BD) player here at CES. The new device will let consumers take full advantage of high-definition displays, playing content at native 720p or 1080i video resolutions. The player will ship in early Spring and shortly thereafter will become the first BD player from any manufacturer to be sold in the U.S. It is expected to retail for approximately $1,000.

The BD player includes a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) output, an industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface on a single cable, allowing users to easily connect the Blu-ray player to their existing home televisions. It will also decode standard multi-channel audio.

“Samsung’s Blu-ray player will be the first available to consumers, and we will continue to innovate with our introduction of a Blu-ray recorder later this year,” said President Geesung Choi of Samsung Electronics’ Digital Media Business. “With today’s announcement and those to come, Samsung is demonstrating its leadership in driving the next generation optical format.”

Samsung developed all components of the BD-P1000 internally. Samsung’s unique technology – one pickup with two lenses – allows it to also play standard DVDs and CDs in addition to Blu-ray discs while allowing for more cost-effective production. The supported DVD formats include DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, and DVD+R. Additional features of the BD-P1000 include memory card reader, full audio format support, pop-up and always-on menu options; a full color high-definition animated button; and improved bitmap and text subtitles.

The increased storage capacity of Blu-ray discs allows the Samsung BD player to offeran astounding 25 GB of content on a single-sided disc (50 GB per dual layer) - nearly six times the capacity of traditional DVDs and enough space for two hours of high-definition movies or recorded content (see chart below). The Blu-ray next-generation optical disc format was created by a group of the world’s top consumer electronics companies, including Samsung. This format was intended to meet intense consumer demand for playing and recording high-definition content, which far surpasses the video quality DVD can handle. With remarkable high quality video and crisp audio clarity, Blu-ray is unsurpassed in high-definition entertainment. Other applications including gaming and interactive media will take even greater advantage of the format.

Connectivity includes CVBS Output, S-Video Output, component output, HDMI and both digital and analog audio outputs. Supported audio formats include 192KHz LPCM, Dolby digital& Dolby Digital Plus, MPEG 2, DTS and MP3. BD-P1000 also has a memory card reader supporting Compact Flash, XD Picture card,Micro Drive, SD, MMC & RS-MMC, Memory stick and Memory stick duo (all TM).

The BD-P1000 is scheduled to ship to the U.S. in early Spring 2006, in tandem with the availability of the first pre-recorded Blu-ray titles. It is expected to retail for approximately $1,000.

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