What HDD Recorders can I connect to my PC?

[scottwiltshire]

Hi All,

I'm looking for a basic entry level (80GB) HDD recorder set top box that I can connect to my PC to transfer my TV recordings. Does anyone know of any models available in Australia?

I am looking for something with an 10/100 RJ45 ethernet network connection, to connect to my LAN at home.

Also a digital tuner would be nice, high definition would be great.

Ive searched the threads here and come up with the Panasonic XW30 and 50 but from what i can see these have some type of restriction as to what you can transfer to your PC (it looks like you can only transfer videos you recorded on your camcorder). Is this DRM related? Has anyone hacked this (or another unit), if so how?

The end result is that im looking to record programs from TV for playback and with the ability to store the ones I want on my PC Hard Drive. I dont see the point in recording TV just so I have to delete it when I reach the hard drive capacity. Recording to DVD is a solution but I would prefer to transfer to my PC to do that. If anyone has any other solutions i'd be happy to hear them. Thanks.

[scottwiltshire]

So ive fount the Topfield options 6000 model and 7000 model. Love the WLAN that would be the best case scenario but price is prohibitive.

Also Wintal models with USB playback and recording. Does anyone know what they mean by this? I dont think it means USB transfer of data from HDD to PC.

[hmm]

So ive fount the Topfield options 6000 model and 7000 model. Love the WLAN that would be the best case scenario but price is prohibitive.

Also Wintal models with USB playback and recording. Does anyone know what they mean by this? I dont think it means USB transfer of data from HDD to PC.

Have you considered a digital TV card in a cheap PC with appropriate recording software (the stuff it comes with, or, mythtv, freevo, even media centre maybe)? Digital TV cards are cheap. I've seen them for well under $90.