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Comment on Don’t Throw Away That VCR! by Rob Jacobs

Rob Jacobs — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:45:02 +0000

I have a Sony SLV-D350P DVD/VCR player and a Zeneth DTT900 converter box. If I watch the program through the VCR, everything is fine. However if I attempt to record tv programs onto tape, the picture is generally black and white. It appears as if some copy protection feature is activated on the VCR. So in this case, do I need to “Throw Away That VCR”, or get a different converter box?

Comment on Don’t Throw Away That VCR! by Jeff S

Jeff S — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:20:38 +0000

Note There are several models of DVD recorders currently available which have internal DTV receivers with their own timers/etc. A few of them also are HDD recorders (hard disk drives).

In addition to HD Tivo (fees involved), There is also this product, a HD DVR for over-the-air HD/DTV without any “fees” - which is not yet available, but has recently been announced :

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-1_1-9840910-67.html

“Recording” programming from over-the-air DTV stations (including HD resolutions, which is not possible with DVD recorders) is also possible with the use of an inexpensive DTV capture device for Pc’s. USB sticks, PCI/PCIe cards are available with Over-the-air DTV “tuners” in them, and various DVR software(often included with the device or available as shareware/freeware) to use with them are available. Note that It’s also possible to “hook up” your PC to your TV, including via HDMI connections so you can watch your DTV/HD “recordings” played back from your PC on your TV.

I won’t go into details, as it can be quite complicated, time consuming and requires a good bit of technical knowledge — but it’s also even possible using a PC and various software to process and archive programming(including HD programming) captured with a DTV receiver/capture card for PC onto media such as DVD’s - Including with video reencoded (at HD resolutions) using more efficent codecs (AVC/VC1) or, authored as DVD-video which you can play back on any DVD player. This by far can offer the highest quality options for “recording” and archiving currently available I’m aware of for over-the-air DTV/HD users. And it is available essentially for “free” excepting hardware/media costs, as much of the best software tools available for these purposes is available as freeware. But again, it is quite “involved”.

Hopefully, as time goes on more/better options for over the air users will become available for recording DTV/HD programming. But unfortunetly, it’s difficult to be optimistic about that for various reasons I won’t go into here ….

Comment on Using a VCR to record Digital Channels by Ken from EZ Digital TV

Ken from EZ Digital TV — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:50:03 +0000

Visit this page for more information on Converter Boxes and VCRs http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/VCRs_and_Converter_Boxes.html

Comment on Ten Things You Should Know About Digital TV by Kim Winger

Kim Winger — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:23:07 +0000

I’m confused. Does (can) my VCR change the signal from Analog to digital now and if so, can I use the VCR instead of buying the converter?
I’ve noticed that when when I go thru the VCR the channel thats broadcasting in digital allows the TV to have additional information at the bottom of the screen (program name) does this indicate it is receiving the digital signal?
Apart from the clarity of the picture, is there any other way to know if I’m recieving a digital signal to my TV?

Thanks to anyone who can answer.
kimwinger6@yahoo.com

Comment on About Jack Dominic by PLStepp

PLStepp — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:36:07 +0000

Hey, Jack. Can people ask you tech questions?

Comment on I Can’t Hear You! by Why is “Motor Week” broadcast in HD? «

Why is “Motor Week” broadcast in HD? « — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:12:44 +0000

[...] Why is “Motor Week” broadcast in HD? Steve wrote: February 2, 2008 at 3:36 pm [...]

Comment on I Can’t Hear You! by jdominic

jdominic — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:08:45 +0000

Steve,
You are right. “Motor Week” is available in HD but the HD version is not available to CET until Saturday @ 4:30PM. The standard definition version of the program is fed to CET on Friday Afternoons. Since we air “Motor Week” each Saturday at 8:30 AM we would have to record the HD version and then play it back the following Saturday morning. This would result in a one week delay for each of the programs in the series. The national listings etc. would be wrong.

In February 2009, most of these anomalies should go away.

Thanks for your comment.

Comment on I Can’t Hear You! by Steve

Steve — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:36:23 +0000

I thought when WCET started simulcating the analog signal on the main digital channel that existing HD shows would still be shown in HD. This morning I saw Motor week which is available in HD on other PBS stations shown with “barn door” black bars on all 4 sides of the picture. The signal was sent out 4:3 and then letterboxed.

Comment on Ten Things You Should Know About Digital TV by hudson

hudson — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:37:52 +0000

i have a lcd 42″ tv. i do not get a HD SIGNAL . I CALL my dishnetwork provider and they said it would cost me $20.00 a month to get HDTV signal.

won’t all the signals be HD FEB .9TH 2009? THANK YOU, HUDSON

Comment on You may want to wait to request a DTV Converter Coupon by jdominic

jdominic — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:31:51 +0000

NTIA (the governemtn office handling the program) said today that the coupons would begin being sent out on February 17th. I would still wait till I see the devices in stores before I send for the coupon. The track record of this coupon program has been less than stellar. Since there will be plenty of time before you need them, i.e. Feb. 18, 2009.

The good news is that Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City and many other national retailers have been authorized to sell the converters and to accept the coupons.