If you have and SD/HD recorder.. do you still use your replay?

[georgepds]

I know all of you with just an anlog feed probably still use the replay. I'm asking about those with an SD/HD recorder.

Myself, I use a myhd card (discussed in the HTPC forum) and record OTA analog (also satellite with a dvb card). To make it easy to record one show while watching another I use a newtworked dvd player ( iodata avlp2, in this way I avoid most of the mucking around with setting up an HTPC, the avlp2 has most of the features I want). I like the replay, I just don't use it anymore. The reason is picture quality. I keep it around because it's simple to use, so my wife uses it.

I'm wondering how many others with working SD/HD record still use their replay?

[TheDreamer]

I still use my ReplayTV....in fact it came in real handy last night.

CBS has been having lots of problems lately (a different definition to March Madness?)...the digital feed freezes, pixelates and green screens. It affects all digital (Time Warner or OTA, and I've seen comments from people in other cities).

Last night CSI froze and stuttered with green screens during the last 15 minutes. So, I had to watch the ending in analog using my ReplayTV.....

So for broadcast networks, I watch them using my ReplayTVs a lot less than before....but I still record everything I watch using the ReplayTV....as backup (plus I have tons more recording capacity if I fall behind....)

The Dreamer.

[gduprey]

I have an HD feed and the cable companies Motorola HD DVR (the 6412). It's fine for catching/recording movies occasionally from HBOHD and such, but not very flexible (can't really use MyHD as nearly everything I want from HD is encrypted (HBOHD, SHOHD, etc).

I still use the 3 ReplayTVs to schedule/record/playback the majority of my viewing. While things like DVA are nice, the real benefit is that ReplayTV itself is just easier to schedule things I want (with theme recordings and enabling theme priorities). I also can record a lot lot more (the Moto HD DVR can record about 5-6 HD movies before it's full).

I feed 2 of my ReplayTVs from HD cable boxes (non-DVR) just to get a Svideo in signal (the non-HD digital cable boxes around here do not offer Svideo -- only composite). The resultant signal/picture (compared to a direct analog feed) is excellent -- at least excellent for SD.

I do hope one day to have an all HD solution, but with the networks/RIAA/MPAA and such going nuts, I suspect the possibility of ever having an "open" HD recorder is pretty unlikely.

Gerry

[jvidalny]

A few weeks ago I got the Dish 622 HD DVR, and I must say it's pretty nifty. Don't get me wrong, the Replay is a much better interface, but the 622 allows me to record 3 things at the same time (all in HD), and while it's doing that, two separate viewers can watch previously recorded programs on two separate TV's (only the main TV out supports HD).

It does have an annoying audio bug which causes occasional audio hiccups while viewing HD content, but it'll hopefully be fixed sometime soon.
I wished it had a larger HD, since I subscribe to all the Dish HD channels and 30hours isn't enough.

I still use my Replays (Broadcast Networks only), but mainly as a backup in case something doesn't record (hasn't happened yet), and also to archive Movies for later viewing ( I have one of the 622 video outs going to one of my Replays). HD content is downrez'd and looks pretty good.

[gilbreen]

I also have a Moto 6412 III box from Comcast connected to our one HDTV. I split the cable coming to the TV sending one to the HD DVR and the other to an RTV. I have both scheduled to record the shows we watch. If the show is in HD, we watch it from the 6412, but otherwise we use the ReplayTV.

We have two other RTVs that we also use to record stuff every day.

As Gerry mentioned, scheduling shows, even finding shows, on the HD DVR is nowhere near friendly as the Replay interface.

Not to mention, thanks to Gerry and DVArchive, it is so nice to be able to schedule shows over the web. Many times I think of a show at work and I can just simply go to DVA over the web and search and schedule with ease.

It's been said before, but Gerry, thanks again for an awesome program. Whenever I show people the capabilities, they are amazed of what one can do with ReplayTV and DVArchive.

[moyekj]

I still have 4 RTVs actively recording stuff, but they are mostly relegated to secondary status. My DCT6416 is dedicated to HD recording only and a lot of the stuff I watch is primetime network programming and so is available in HD and so I will watch in HD as much as possible. It took a while but the Passport Echo software on the DCT6416 in my Cox market is finally stable enough where it rarely misses any recordings now. The RTVs serve as good backup and for conflict resolution and to record anything SD but have lost their forefront position. I will milk them as long as possible hopefully for a few more years since they are all lifetime. Never thought I would say it but I can learn to live without Automatic Commercial Advance. IVS I very rarely ever used so that's not something I'll miss. LAN networking solutions are starting to appear for these cable company DVRs in 1 form or another so that may eventually catch up to the RTV way of networking some day.

[shamelli]

[QUOTE=gduprey] I suspect the possibility of ever having an "open" HD recorder is pretty unlikely.Gerry[/QUOTE]

Ditto, DirecTV killed their third party recorder, & the Cable Companies are trying to do the same by holding up ratifications of the newer generation of
Cable Card (http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/DocsConnect/docget.asp?manualid=37096&DL=true). I myself have a HD Recorder the Sony DHG-HDD500 (with programable skip function & free Guide) which was killed a year later from its debut to the market. I don't know of any stand alone HD recorder that is currently on the market, I wonder why that is :rolleyes: Anyhow all of my Replays are fed by Directv HD boxes and as noted the PQ is on par with DVD players. I will not seek seek an HTPC solution until Vista Media Center is available which is rumored to have cable card support granting access to encrypted HD channels & likely Hauppauge ReplayTV support and hopefully if the planets are aligned DVA 4.0 support :D

http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/8faf73bae3.jpg

[blacknoi]

My fiance LOVES our 2 replaytvs.


She is one of those that says "I can't see the difference between HD and SD."

While we have a hd dvr, and I record network programming with it, when we are feeling especially lazy we'll still watch the replaytv recorded version, just so the commercials will be automatically skipped.

Now show me a cable co provided dvr w/replay software built in (at least keep the 30 second skip) and I may convert fullfledge, but until, my dvr viewing will be 80% replaytv 20% cable co dvr.

[georgepds]

[QUOTE=gduprey] I suspect the possibility of ever having an "open" HD recorder is pretty unlikely.Gerry[/QUOTE]

Depends on what you want. The myhd records OTA analog, and un encrypted digital cable. It won't do encrypted cable. That said... for what it copies it's wide open. The data sits on your hard drive in transport stream form. I like it because if I want more space, I can just attach a large hard drive.

I find, except for the occasional movie, the network shows and the news is enough. I miss the programming on the replay. With the myhd you use titantv, which is pretty good. The downside is you must do it sitting at the computer.But it is one click... identify the show you want to record in the grid, click it, and the data is sent to myhd. I beileve titan works with other card vendors for those who like open sysstems

[georgepds]

[QUOTE=blacknoi]She is one of those that says "I can't see the difference between HD and SD."[/QUOTE]

I can see the difference between OTSA SD and HD, but, IMO , both are pretty good. The big difference from me is recorded analog from cable, with the exception of cartoons, it's generally pretty bad.

[dcbag]

Will never stop using Replay as long as it is possible to use. I record on Replay then upconvert to 1080I. This is close enough to HD for me, considering most HD is over compressed (Directv) much OTA is mutlcast also. I can see why a lot of people say they can't see the difference in HD over a good SD. Just my opinion.

[jvidalny]

For those who don't see much of a difference between HD and SD, what size is your TV?

I have a 60" Sony, and to me the difference is pretty obvious.

Below is the PQ from worst to best (in my eyes using my equipment).

SD -> Downrez'd HD -> DVD -> Satellite HD -> OTA HD.

Of course YMMV.

[cwerdna]

When you guys are referring to cable co DVRs or the 6412, which software is it running? The 6412 could be running iGuide, Passport or MSTV depending on the provider and area. If you click Interactive Program Guide in the flash movie at http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/dct6412_multimedia_demo_lo.asp you'll see what I mean.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=662673 has one of my complaints and requests that people state both the box model and software running a [insert name of cable co] box.

[gduprey]

Addressing the last two points:

I have what appears to be the TVGuide firmware on my 6412. It's servicable, though I'd never say convenient.

My display is a 120" screen with a 720P DLP projector. While the difference between analog SD and 720/1080 HD is dramatic, the difference between HD down-converted to SVideo and fed to the ReplayTV and HD is much closer.

As such, when possible and when available, I'll try to record things that make sense in HD. I'll never bother recording the Simpsons in HD. Heck, even Battlestar Galactica (on SciFi) is really no better on the 6412 than on the ReplayTV (SciFi is not HD and around here, isn't even digital, so the signal is sub-optimal regardless of the recording combo). For SD material shown on HD capable stations (i.e. network stuff), the diff between the 6412 output and the result of the down-converted, Svideo to ReplayTV is nearly the same.

HD is super cool and I wish everything were available in it. But until then, there is quite a bit of programming that my ReplayTVs get a very good picture on a lot more conveniently.

Gerry

[dcbag]

I totally agree, by up converting whatever I may record on Replay to 1080I the result is close enought to HD Lite (Directv) or HD Multi-cast (OTA) that it's exceptable when you consider you are skipping most commercials. I'm using a 55" Mit. for display. When and if their is ever true HD consistanly I may feel different.

[georgepds]

[QUOTE=jvidalny]For those who don't see much of a difference between HD and SD, what size is your TV? [/QUOTE]
Good point, I'm using a 30" wide screen lcd 720p. It may be too small to see the difference
Below is the PQ from worst to best (in my eyes using my equipment).
SD -> Downrez'd HD -> DVD -> Satellite HD -> OTA HD.
I'd agree with your list, OTA HD is the best on my equipment too.

[IFLYSWA]

I have a Comcast Moto 6412 with the iGuide s/w, and as much as I love my Replays, they go mostly unwatched these days. I use them as a safety net for potential missed recordings, conflict resolution and 'overflow'. I haven't missed a recording on the Moto (that wasn't a result of a conflict, that is), in ages. It isn't a Replay, but I am hooked on HD so that is that. My TV is a Mits 62" DLP, and SD just doesn't get it if there is a choice...

I really do need to get busy and sell one of the RTVs while there is still a healthy market for them...I just hate to do it. It kind of feels like I'm kicking a good friend to the curb...

-Randy

[Mando]

Alas, I just sold my two trusty 5040s. I'm now living with a Dish ViP622 unit. This unit is quite NICE! I still like the UI of the Replay units, along with the CA.

But, I'm living a modern world with HD in my house now. The Replays don't quite cut it when it comes to 1080i/720p :)

[BaysideBas]

But do you even see HD? For some thoughtful analysis listen to Mark Schubin's July 11 podcast found here http://theschubinreport.com/archives.shtml and the follow-up July 26 podcast found here http://theschubinreport.com/

You may be surprised at what you see and don't see.

[Mando]

[QUOTE=BaysideBas]But do you even see HD? For some thoughtful analysis listen to Mark Schubin's July 11 podcast found here http://theschubinreport.com/archives.shtml and the follow-up July 26 podcast found here http://theschubinreport.com/

You may be surprised at what you see and don't see.[/QUOTE]

Ultimately, I now have one unit that records multiple streams (SD/HD), outputs multiple streams (multi-tv/hd-hdmi support), has a RF AND IR remotes and is quite fast.

I do miss some of the ReplayTV functions, but I rarely get any type of recording conflicts any more :)

Now...if only Dish would enable the ethernet port on the 622 for streaming, we would be set! :)

<soap-box>
And, to be quite honest, I longer want to support a company that will release such a horrific product such as "Replay PC"....out of all the multi-media sw out there, I really don't see this "product" making it out in the general public.

When I read the specs on ReplayTV PC, I just shook my head in astonishment...absolute disbelief. Who is in charge of ReplayTV in DNNA? Obviously, someone or something not knowning their market and their wants and needs.
</soap-box>

[agarc]

I have tried to contact ReplayTV and its former president to request information to allow me to investigate adding ATSC digital tuning capability to existing ReplayTV units. Max resolution would still be 480i, but additional digital stations would be available and the reception would be far superior to analog.

This would help maintain their customer base which will erode as better HD options come available. But it just sounds like they are scared off of anything hardware related. Their consistent response has been no.

[moyekj]

[QUOTE=agarc]I have tried to contact ReplayTV and its former president to request information to allow me to investigate adding ATSC digital tuning capability to existing ReplayTV units. Max resolution would still be 480i, but additional digital stations would be available and the reception would be far superior to analog.

This would help maintain their customer base which will erode as better HD options come available. But it just sounds like they are scared off of anything hardware related. Their consistent response has been no.[/QUOTE] As has been discussed here already you can do that already with a ReplayTV by IR blasting an ATSC box such as a Samsung SIR-T451. There are some complications involved but for OTA ATSC it's generally pretty easy to setup (I have it setup). However it still doesn't compare to real HD resolutions so is hardly worth the effort to do and certainly not worth the investment by DNNA to do it natively. ReplayTV is and has been dead for years and won't be resurrected... just enjoy the units you have now and milk them as much as possible before the inevitable silent and dusty death. I have 4 lifetime units still in operation I use as backups to my HD recordings and for SD recordings of channels not available in HD.

[WannabeSQ]

I have the HD Directv Tivo, and rarely use it. The menu system is so slow, I just turn it off. Basically, I only record HD shows on it, and nothing more. I use my replay 85% of the time during the regular TV season, and 100% of the time in the summer. As good as high definition is, I hate fast forwarding through commercials, I hate not having a 30 second skip (or more, I use the multi minute skip often) and I hate the Tivo interface in general. In fact, I just bought another replaytv for the other room. Being able to schedule more than 2 things at once is a huge plus for me (I now have 4 replays, and my roommate has one as well)

That said, I'm looking for a better HD solution, perhaps the next gen DirecTV HD stuff, though I"m seriously gonna dislike the insane copy protection.

[bpratt]

I have the HD Directv Tivo, and rarely use it. The menu system is so slow,
I also have the HD Directv Tivo and mostly use it. I also have two 5000 series ReplayTVs upgraded to 200G. I like both systems and can't really see much difference in speed. I use the HD Tivo strictly for HD recordings and the Replays for SD.

The HD Tivo is still using version 3 Tivo code while the new Tivos are on version 7. There is a problem with the Tivo database growing over time and causing the menus to become very slow. The problem can be corrected by doing a "clear and delete everything" about once a year. I do it on mine just prior to the new season starting. Directv has promised to upgrade the HD Directv Tivo to version 6.3 within the next couple of months which will fix the slowing over time problem.

As good as high definition is, I hate fast forwarding through commercials, I hate not having a 30 second skip
The 30 second skip is something that needs to be enabled on a Tivo. To enable it do the following while watching a recorded show:
select play select 3 0 select
The skip to end button will now skip 30 seconds forward. The button on the opposite side will still skip 8 seconds backward.

and I hate the Tivo interface in general

I also prefer the Replay interface and will buy an HD ReplayTV as soon as they are available. In the mean time, I much prefer watching my show in HD and will continue to record and watch most of them on my HD Directv Tivo.

[moyekj]

[QUOTE=bpratt]
I also prefer the Replay interface and will buy an HD ReplayTV as soon as they are available. [/QUOTE] Thanks for the laugh!!

[collin]

I haven't used my two RTV's since completing my HTPC running BeyondTV and 4 analog tuners and 2 HDTV tuners. The BTV interface has some annoyances compared to the RTV UI, but the simplicity of basically never having conflicts and HD capability and ability to just add drive space easily outweighs my love for RTV.

[agarc]

Does anyone know if the ReplayTV IR codes exist for Dish Networks VIP 211 reciever? I am making the decision now to continue with the ReplayTV or make the investment to a VIP 622 receiver which has incorporated DVR.

[Spyderturbo007]

I use my ReplayTV for all of the SD broadcasts. I capture clear QAM HD programming with my MCE computer upstairs and stream it down to my XBOX 360. Before streaming, I remove all of the commercials with a program called VideoReDo which takes about 10 minutes. What I like about the program the most, is that it does not transcode the video, therefore the PQ is not altered.

[pianoman41]

I've got a Motorola 6412 Series III from Comcast that I use solely for my HD recording, or conflict recording for one of my RTVs. Pretty much covers my NASCAR races and my HBO/Showtime original series recordings (Sopranos, Entourage, Weeds, L-Word, etc). Plus I record all my network primetime HD shows during the normal TV season. My trusty 5040 (5012) records everything else that is just SD, which is quite a lot. It's used daily--plus I've got DVArchive and Poopli that is a Godsend (just DL'd the entire first season of 'How I Met Your Mother' from helpful Poop's). And then there's my diehard Showstopper 2000 (100GB) in the bedroom that records the wife's soaps and her cooking shows. Even with more HD content coming out daily, I don't think I'd ever dump my 5040 because of CA/IVS/Poopli/DVArchive and since I'll never see something like that from Comcast, it stays. And even though I could get an SD DVR from Comcast to replace the 2000, why would I when it's a lifetime unit and still plodding along happily?

[DigitalB]

I have two ReplayTV 5000s (250GB and 300GB) networked, and a SA 8000HD PVR from Time Warner. The Replays record most of the regular TV and cable movies (non-HD). The wife and kids have been hooked on them since we got the first ReplayTV3060 a few years ago. The HDTV and SA 8000HD PVR are mostly for me. The wife and kids care about recording all their weekly and daily shows and they don't care at all about HDTV. So they rarely look for the HD programming or record HD shows.

The ReplayTV features for sharing between rooms, filing lots of shows in different categories, Commercial Advance, 30 sec skip and searching for shows are more complete than the Time Warner interface (which looks more like a limited TiVO subset). So, we're pretty used to the ReplayTV interface and features.

So we're keeping all my Replays and plan to upgrade the SA 8000HD to the 8300HD as soon as I can burn my saved shows off the 8000HD to DVD. I'm also trying to confirm whether or not I can add an external SATA drive to the 8300HD. My local SoCal Time Warner says the SATA port is disabled. I'd really like to have a lot more HD capacity than a mere 20 hours. 200 - 300 hours would be more like it with whole seasons of shows. This is why my kids friends come over to our house to watch TV - something good is always on-line on Replay.

[Sbeebe]

I have been enjoying my 2 4xxx for what seems like years (SD only) and I hate to give them up.
I am considering making the move to HD but don't understand how the setup would be wired.
I have DirecTV and would be getting whatever their current HD DVR is. The HD DVR hookup seem straight forward, but how would the RTV be wired into this setup? Where would it get the input from? Would my second RTV (in another room) still function with my current DTV SD receiver?

[VIDMANIA]

As a person with digital HD, HD-DVD, and analog, I can say I will probably continue forever with a commercial skipping device. Who needs HD to watch "This Old House" or some of the other miscellaneous television. Content determines video resolution and sound need.

I put my replay out at 480 and upscale it in my projector for the 120" deditcated theater room :) and it is fine on a 61" HD DLP TV. I have 8 DVRs, 2 HD comcast recorders, 5 networked Replaytvs, and 1 analog DVR with a DVD burner.

My wife and I love to time shift, move from room to room and continue viewing in a variety of activity areas. It is nice to have all feeds recording at the same time.

With the demise of replaytv I saw an opportunity to buy and expand my video network using my LAN.