DVD recorders with Personal Video Recording?

[snapper]

hi all,

I wanted to know if the dvd recorders like the pioneer 520H allow you to specify shows that you like to watch and it will record them for you each week and overwrite episodes that you have already viewed?
If so what are the known limitations? (ie a month ahead of time ect..)

If they dont do this then how many programs can be timer recorded?
So far im interested in the pioneer or panasonic models only or the china models that seem to have more functionality (if you know of models that fit into this category please let me know)

thanks

[rosewood]

the 510 which is the previous model you can set to record day mon-fri, every day or every specified day(ie every wed) to the hard disk or dvd-r/dvdrw. You have erase the dvdrw after you have watched the recordings or delete from hard disk. It won't erase or delete automatically.I usually record on hard disk & just delete after I have watched the recording or copy to dvd-r to keep.

[snapper]

thanks for the info.

Do they use an electronic program guide or just based on time?

What I want to do is say tape all episodes of "Friends" and then when it sees friends appear on the program guide it will set it to record. Is this possible or must I specify 7.30-8pm every monday?

[rosewood]

I use my recorder mainly for recording off foxtel, which has a electronic program guide. The are auto record sockets which I am not using but if I have the fox box on standby it turns on to the program & the dvd recorder then gets the signal to turn on and record & switches off.

If this function does not work you can set the recorder timer to record say (friends at 7.30 every wed night) It also has the gcode function so it will record always at that time & channel.

I have not tried this function as yet so I cannot confirm this for sure. I can try it for you tonight & reply tomorrow

The pioneer are hard to get, I had to place a order for one as soon as the stores get them in they always go to orders. I have had mine for only 3-4 months & had to wait for 2 weeks.

the 510 & 520 seem to be identical machines. I would also like to add this machine is best thing I have every purchased.

[rosewood]

I changed my s-video lead to the auto record socket & it works with foxtel digital good.I going to try this myself just hadn't got around to it . your post just prompted me to give it a try.Don't have to set the timer in the recorder just have press the button for auto record to light up. The fox box has to be on standby to work.

Don't know if you have paytv or not but this function only works if you have a timer in the component you are recording on.

I have a pdf file of the usa model if you would like it, just message with your email address.

[snapper]

thanks for that. I just downloaded a PDF of the manual but im not sure if its the US or Aus edn.

I know the US one had more personal video recorder functionality and I was curious to find out how the aus model compares as I will be in the market for one of these very soon.

I dont have pay TV and I dont think I will in the near future.
I will consider getting a HD set top box though just to get better pic quality.

[rosewood]

The only manual you can fine is a usa one. Australia does not seem to think you might like to read before you buy...LOL
There is not much differemce, we have gcode & they call it vcr plus.

the L1 socket for auto record & ours is L3 .

If you are want to record from fta maybe you should look at something else & the video quality isn't great on fta. Pioneer have a 310 without hard disk & half the price. You can backup dvd & vcr tapes on these recorders but only its free of copyright. You need a video stabaliser for that sort of copying. All dvd recorders are only a analogue tuner not digital . They only have digital audio out not in.

[snapper]

thanks for the info.
Yeah im a little disapointed with the lack of inputs I was hoping to record HD movies in 5.1 but I cant :(
Perhaps I will upgrade later when they release such a product.

There are no pvr units available to buy with built in tuners which are around $800 so now I am checking some of those out as they use EPG.

I need to see them in action so I might head on down to a store with one already setup.

Another good reason to have a pdf available is that you may lose the paper manual and still want to check out the manual so I dont see why they dont release the PDFs.

[rosewood]

check out this forum

AVS forum (has a section dvd recorders)