HD DVD recorder

[momv630]

We just bought a Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder only to find out that it doesn't record through our TW HDTV box.  We're new at this but does anyone know of a DVD recorder that will record from HDTV or did they not come out yet? I know TW has DVR but we wanted something that can replace all of our old VHS tapes to DVD and record.

Thanks for your help

[Mrtanner]

There is no HD DVD recorder yet.  I can't even find a card for my PC that will take the output from a TWC HD box to record to my hard drive.

[Paul S.]

Get on the list for the HDDVR at TWC.

[borghe]

You should actually be able to record from the HD box, but you will first have to send the signal out in 480i across s-video or composite video. Obviously it won't be HD though.

Very few cable and OTA boxes will allow you to output firewire, and those boxes I believe there is a possibility a DVD-R will record over firewire, though not sure. As long as the DVD-R can handle MPEG2 over firewire and not require only DV over firewire you should be ok.. though again, it will downrez and recoompress to 480i.

then you have WVHS. This will accept component inputs and record HD from any source, however it will only accept analog audio inputs so the best you can have for audio is Dolby Surround.

Last but not least is D-VHS. This will accept an MPEG2 signal over firewire, will accept a dolby digital signal, but see number one above. The number of boxes out there right now that pass a signal over this interface is absolutely miniscule.

To make a long story short, your ability to copy HD video these days is EXTREMELY limited...

also be aware that a single layer DVD will only be able to hold around a half hour of HD video, and a dual layer DVD (not yet out) will only hold around an hour of video. Also note that the video saved on those discs will not be able to play in anything aside from a computer, as there is no HD-DVD standard yet.

[Gregg Lengling]

There are 2 competing formats for an HD-DVD and it doesn't look like it'll be settled any other way than the Beta/VHS debacle was.  However I've been recording HD for a couple/three years now on my PC using the HiDTV Pro card (although the importer is sorta belly up now).  I've only archive a few to DVD though because I can only store 4.7 gigs (4.3 usable) on a DVD and that's roughly 30 minutes worth.  I've thought about opting for the HD-VHS but I think that in the end that technology is just a stop-gap measure so I'm going to wait for Blu-Ray or another HD-DVD format, which should give over 20gigs worth on a disc...enough for a 2 hour movie.

I've got so many dead-end toys already.  That's what happens when you are an early adoptee of technology.

[summerfun]

Originally posted by momv630
we wanted something that can replace all of our old VHS tapes to DVD and record.

Except for the HD recording, you got exactly what you wanted to replace all your old VHS tapes. I have converted all my old home movies onto DVD and they will now last forever (or at least much longer than the VHS tape would have).

Since your old VHS and home moves are not in HD anyway, it should not be an issue to record in regular DVD. HD DVD recording will only be necessary if you want to record HD off of TV or copy someday HD DVDs or someday have an HD camcorder, but for now you're fine.

[momv630]

Thanks for all the input.  We just thought we would be able to convert our VHS tapes AND be able to record future shows in HD. But I guess not just yet.

Love this site!
Thanks

[Gregg Lengling]

See this thread for what is going on with HD DVD's.

http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3459

[techboy]

I have the MyHD video card in my computer.  You can record HD OTA to the hard drive.  Then, if you want to save it to DVD, you can use the new Microsoft WM9HD codec to convert 2 hours of HD down to less than 4.7 Gigs to burn onto a standard DVD.  There is no loss in Video or Audio quality.  It is still HD.  But right now, you must play the HD DVD back on a Windows computer with at least a 2 Gig processor.  Samsung has said they will be making a stand alone DVD player for WM9HD discs.  There are several movies out already in WM9HD, but as said above, there are no players other than PC's.  For a demo //www.wm9hd.com  THe great thing about all this is that it all works with current DVD burners and discs.  No need to wait for the blue lazar stuff.  The new ATI All in Wonder HD PC card will be out next month.  As I understand the press release, it will include an HD PVR with time slip and DVD recorder support.

[720p]

Originally posted by Paul S.
Get on the list for the HDDVR at TWC.

Does anyone know if TW's HD-DVR will have firewire?

[mrmike]

Originally posted by 720p
Does anyone know if TW's HD-DVR will have firewire?

Not likely

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by techboy
....you can use the new Microsoft WM9HD codec to convert 2 hours of HD down to less than 4.7 Gigs to burn onto a standard DVD.  There is no loss in Video or Audio quality.  It is still HD.....

Hmmm.  This sounds too good to be true.  Why wouldn't manufacturers  just throw out the blue ray idea and HD DVD, instead of spending all of that time and money developing it?  Are you sure this isn't smoke and mirrors?  

Starving

[borghe]

well, it isn't smoke and mirrors, sort of.. it isn't without loss, and 2 hours would definitely be a stretch.. I believe T2 Extreme Edition was around 8GB for two-ish hours..

WM9 is really good, as is H.263 (MPEG-4). Hence why both have been incorporated into HD-DVD 1.0.

The bottom line though is you won't see an HD-DVD recorder until either HD-DVD or Blu-ray comes out.. the closest you can get right now is either firewire out to a DVHS deck, or getting a PROM modded HD Tivo and ftp'ing the shows off and saving them off to dual layer DVD an hour at a time.

[techboy]

WM9HD actualy works very well.  I have converted several of my favorite HD shows into this format and I cannot detect any noticable differences at 720p.  I use 720p because all my gear is native 720p, but there is an option for 1080p.  There are big corporate egos involved here.  WM9HD is a MIcrosoft SOFTWARE thing.  It does not require any new hardware if you already own a fast PC.   The consumer electronics world works because we are all constantly required to buy new hardware.  So, there is a lot of ca$h to be made on the Blue Ray hardware and licenses.  I am not against the Blue Ray, but so far, it's vaporware.  First I had a hugh liberary of Laser discs ( you remember, the 12 inch things), now I have a hugh liberary of DVD's ( pretty much the same movies). When HD movies and other content arrive on Blue Ray, it'll require a whole new investment for the same content once again, while offering only improved resolution.  How many times must I buy the same thing?  After Blue Ray, we'll probably have solid cubes of holographic plastic.

[720p]

I am not against the Blue Ray, but so far, it's vaporware.

A Sony Blu-ray recorder has been out in Japan for over a year now.  I'd hardly call that vaporware.  Panasonic is releasing their first Blu-ray in Japan this July.  The first US Blu-ray recorder comes out this fall from LG.