?record time DVD recorder = SD digital TV picture ?

[chris]

I was curious how long do you have to record on a dvd disc
to equal the picture quality of a standard definition digital TV source.

For example these are the recording modes from a Pioneer 310 dvd recorder ;
FINE: 1 hour (approx.) SP: 2 hours (approx.) LP: 4 hours (approx.)
EP: 6 hours (approx.) Manual: approx. 1-6 hours.

Since I got my SD Digital STB I are really enjoying the improvement in
picture quality and now are thinking of getting a dvd recorder to replace
the now obviously poor recording quality of my VHS tape recorder.

However it will only be worth it if LP(4hrs) recording mode
would equal what I see on my digital TV reception without any loss of quality.

[Andre Queree \(Mr Q\)]

I've got the Pioneer 510, but I imagine the quality for each setting is the
same ...

From the looks (i.e. using my eyes rather than a scientific test), SP is
pretty close to SD digital, which is good enough for me. If I were recording
a movie to DVD I'd use SP unless it was over 2 hrs long (in which case I'd
probably use the custom quality option for the best fit).

For TV shows and things where I'm not too concerned about the quality I use
LP and squeeze twice as many episodes on the disc. :) LP looks like good
quality VHS.

EP is watchable but a bit fuzzy - it's ok for stuff where you're just going
to watch and delete.

--
Mr Q
(replies to mrq AT optusnet DOT com DOT au)
************************************************** ***************
"chris" <cbee@smartchat.net.au> wrote in message
news:c5l17e$h4d$1@perki.connect.com.au...
> I was curious how long do you have to record on a dvd disc
> to equal the picture quality of a standard definition digital TV source.
>
> For example these are the recording modes from a Pioneer 310 dvd recorder
;
> FINE: 1 hour (approx.) SP: 2 hours (approx.) LP: 4 hours (approx.)
> EP: 6 hours (approx.) Manual: approx. 1-6 hours.
>
> Since I got my SD Digital STB I are really enjoying the improvement in
> picture quality and now are thinking of getting a dvd recorder to replace
> the now obviously poor recording quality of my VHS tape recorder.
>
> However it will only be worth it if LP(4hrs) recording mode
> would equal what I see on my digital TV reception without any loss of
quality.
>
>
>
>
>

[Trevor S]

"Andre Queree \(Mr Q\)" <NOSPAM@optusnet.com.au> wrote in
news:407e3d19$0$20347$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u:

> I've got the Pioneer 510, but I imagine the quality for each setting
> is the same ...

I understand the North American 510 has autosensing on the external AV
inputs, so connecting to say a STB will allow the 510 to record the show
until the decoder is turned off, does the Aussie 510 have this ?

--
Trevor S


"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth."
-Albert Einstein

[Trevor S]

"chris" <cbee@smartchat.net.au> wrote in
news:c5l17e$h4d$1@perki.connect.com.au:

> I was curious how long do you have to record on a dvd disc
> to equal the picture quality of a standard definition digital TV
> source.
>
> For example these are the recording modes from a Pioneer 310 dvd
> recorder ; FINE: 1 hour (approx.) SP: 2 hours (approx.) LP: 4 hours
> (approx.) EP: 6 hours (approx.) Manual: approx. 1-6 hours.
>
> Since I got my SD Digital STB I are really enjoying the improvement in
> picture quality and now are thinking of getting a dvd recorder to
> replace the now obviously poor recording quality of my VHS tape
> recorder.
>
> However it will only be worth it if LP(4hrs) recording mode
> would equal what I see on my digital TV reception without any loss of
> quality.

Examine your useage, if you only want to timeshift you might be better
placed replacing your STB with one equipped with a HDD ? eg.

http://www.topfield-australia.com.au/product.asp?SKU=TF5000PVRT

If you found youself wanting to archive in the future you could get a
cheap recorder and do it in real time from the HDD on the STB. If you
want to archive lots of material, you probably want to do it semi-
professionally, for this you will want to shuffle your recordings to a
PC, top and tale the show, trim ads and produce professional looking
menus.

If you want to frequently archive (eg to -+R) I would suggest a DVD
recorder with a HDD. The only two I know of in AUS with this feature are
the Pioneer 510 and the Panny E-100, both excellent machines.

LP mode is better then VHS as there are no inherent analogue artefacts
and on a good quality original is far superior IMO then VHS but the bit
rate is so low you start to introduce digital artefacts on fast motion,
you will want 1 or 2 hour mode.

FYI, the Panny has a Flexible Rate mode, so if a show went for say 90
mins, you could tell it to use all the space on the -R at the max rate
possible.

--
Trevor S


"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth."
-Albert Einstein

[Andre Queree \(Mr Q\)]

Yes, the 510 has autosensing on input L3 (it has 3 line inputs plus the DV
input).

Not only will the autosensing record until the STB is turned off, but it
will start automatically when the STB is turned on - the idea being that you
set the timer only on the STB.

I'm sure it would work well, but as my cable box seems to always send out a
video signal (even when it's off) and my DTV STB doesn't have a timer I
haven't really been able to make use of it. :)

--
Mr Q
(replies to mrq AT optusnet DOT com DOT au)
************************************************** ***************
"Trevor S" <bill@gates.com> wrote in message
news:Xns94CD79F25621billgatescom@130.133.1.4...
> "Andre Queree \(Mr Q\)" <NOSPAM@optusnet.com.au> wrote in
> news:407e3d19$0$20347$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u:
>
> > I've got the Pioneer 510, but I imagine the quality for each setting
> > is the same ...
>
> I understand the North American 510 has autosensing on the external AV
> inputs, so connecting to say a STB will allow the 510 to record the show
> until the decoder is turned off, does the Aussie 510 have this ?

[Trevor S]

"Andre Queree \(Mr Q\)" <NOSPAM@optusnet.com.au> wrote in
news:40807835$0$25655$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u:


> Not only will the autosensing record until the STB is turned off, but
> it will start automatically when the STB is turned on - the idea being
> that you set the timer only on the STB.

Yeah, the same as the Nth American version, thanks for the confirmation.

> I'm sure it would work well, but as my cable box seems to always send

I had hoped the new Foxtel digital boxes with the electronic guide and the
ablity to set a timer recording might be the perfect compliment. (Can't be
done on AUSTAR)

What PAY-TV STB do you have ?


--
Trevor S


"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth."
-Albert Einstein

[Andre Queree \(Mr Q\)]

It's a cruddy old Optus one - I'm only a recent subscriber but they're
obviously reusing old STBs.

The timer in the STB works well, it's just that due to the constant video
signal the auto-record function of the DVD recorder kicks in as soon as it's
set. I've had to resort to setting the timers on both the recorder and STB,
which is a PITA but at least it works.

--
Mr Q
(replies to mrq AT optusnet DOT com DOT au)
************************************************** ***************
"Trevor S" <bill@gates.com> wrote in message
news:Xns94CEAA14D8780billgatescom@130.133.1.4...
> ...
> I had hoped the new Foxtel digital boxes with the electronic guide and the
> ablity to set a timer recording might be the perfect compliment. (Can't
be
> done on AUSTAR)
>
> What PAY-TV STB do you have ?