PVRs, PCs and Plug-Ins
What is a PVR?A Personal Video Recorder. A magic device that has rendered the old VCR obsolete and has the commercial TV networks in a panic. Why are they in a panic? Because a PVR can record onto a computer hard drive (built-in) many hours of TV from multiple channels at the same time (Twin Tuner models) so you are no longer at the mercy of their contemptible programming (you know what I mean, shows running WAY over time so you miss the start of a competing program on another channel, random re-scheduling of shows, showing unannounced stuff etc. etc.) and they have a Skip button that lets you bypass all the advertisements!!!! Brilliant.
The latest PVRs have dual High Definition tuners and Ethernet or USB 2.0 connectivity so you can transfer files from the PVR to your PC, then edit out the adverts etc., authour and burn to DVD for "archiving".
Dual tuners means you can record 2 things at once and watch a third as well (subject to certain limitations). Examples:
Record ABC High Definition AND SBS High Definition AND watch ABC2.
Record 10 HD AND 7 HD AND watch a previously recorded 9 HD.
These are true "life-changing" devices. You record whatever you want and replay it whenever you want. No messy tapes, no time constraints (I recently recorded 2 X 9 hour blocks of RAGE and still had 85% capacity available), no adverts and YOU CAN PAUSE live TV!
Imagine, you are watching your favourite show on TV and the phone rings. Hit Pause, take the call, take a leak, have a cuppa or whatever then hit Play. Never miss any action. You can also Rewind and Fast Forward.
This is seriously good stuff but it ain't cheap - over $1000 for Twin HD tuners and 250GB HDD, over $500 for Twin SD tuners and over $250 for Single SD tuner gear.
Options????
Buy a sub $100 card or USB device for your PC and you have a PVR that can let you play Solitaire as well!
Have a look here for info. on DTV devices for your PC and here for info. on PVRs. Anything in this second thread (about Strong 5490s) by Davidl is my contribution.
posted by David @ 5:46 pm
<< Home