Recording Cable TV on a DVD Recorder

RossP · 09-10-2007, 22:39

Before i go out and buy what i think i need, i just wanted to check...

My household is on Virgin's cable TV service and I'm going to pay to have another cable box in my bedroom (student living with parent still!!) but i want to be able to record stuff when i'm out/sleeping etc.

Am i right in thinking that any DVD Recorder should do the trick as long as i hook it up right to my TV and Cable box? What should i look for when buying the recorder, is there any specific requirements it needs in order to work with the Cable box?

Thanks for any help,

Ross

**Rob** · 09-10-2007, 22:49

to Cable Forum

Yes most standard recorders will do the job. Best connectivity is via scart lead, and ideally using a RGB standard input.

You will be limited to the 24 hour EPG reminder system on the STB for changing channels. There isn't, as far as I'm aware, a reliable means of the recorder changing the channels. Some try with magic eye type infra red, but that is very hit and miss.

You won't be able to record some stuff, such as VOD or PPV.

Andrewcrawford23 · 09-10-2007, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

to Cable Forum

Yes most standard recorders will do the job. Best connectivity is via scart lead, and ideally using a RGB standard input.

You will be limited to the 24 hour EPG reminder system on the STB for changing channels. There isn't, as far as I'm aware, a reliable means of the recorder changing the channels. Some try with magic eye type infra red, but that is very hit and miss.

You won't be able to record some stuff, such as VOD or PPV.

you can record vod and ppv just depends if they send a encyption code but it can be gotten around but i aint saying how as its illegal

RossP · 10-10-2007, 15:21

Thanks for the initial reply

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

You will be limited to the 24 hour EPG reminder system on the STB for changing channels. There isn't, as far as I'm aware, a reliable means of the recorder changing the channels. Some try with magic eye type infra red, but that is very hit and miss.

I know that EPG is the electronic program guide, but i don't understand what you mean when you say it will be limited to 24 hours

I'll only want to be recording stuff off one specific sports channel, would this make any difference at all?

XFS03 · 10-10-2007, 16:09

I don't have cable TV myself, but as for DVD recorders in general, I would go for one that records onto DVD-RAM discs. They are magic!

They allow you to record & playback at the same time. So that if, for example, you come home halfway through your recording, you can watch it from the beginning while still recording the rest of the program.

AFAIK all current Panasonics, and some Samsung's support DVD-RAM.

Begize · 10-10-2007, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by RossP

Thanks for the initial reply

I know that EPG is the electronic program guide, but i don't understand what you mean when you say it will be limited to 24 hours

I'll only want to be recording stuff off one specific sports channel, would this make any difference at all?

The standard Virgin boxes only have a 24 hour EPG meaning that you can only programme it upto 24 hours ahead to change the channel whilst you are out so the DVD records the correct thing.

It's only important if you want to record different programmes off different channels.

Of course you could just go for the V+ box option - it costs more up front but you wouldn't need the DVD recorder as well. You can also programme it for upto 7 days ahead as it's EPG covers a whole week.

RossP · 10-10-2007, 22:28

I'm never at home at weekends, and I'd only want to tape the hockey on NASN so i wouldn't need to switch over the channels. Would that be fine then?

As for V+, it's too much initially and i'm not going to be living at home for that long so the V+ box may become redundant when i move out, whereas a DVD recorder would still be of use!

I've been looking at DVD recorders and have noticed a lot of reviews where when recording for over 2 hours, the picture visibly reduces in quality because it records in long play. Does anyone know how big a difference this is? And is there a make that has especially good quality when recording for over 2 hours (hockey games last longer than 2 hours, the reason i'm asking!!)

Thanks again

JG3870 · 10-10-2007, 23:37

I have a HDD/DVD Recorder and to be honest I use LP on both the hard drive and also when I archive to DVD and there really isn't much difference between SP & LP but if you use EP there is a definate difference in picture quality so I never use that mode.

You might be better off with a DVD Recorder with a Hard Drive so you can record a lot more if your away at weekends

XFS03 · 11-10-2007, 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG3870

I have a HDD/DVD Recorder and to be honest I use LP on both the hard drive and also when I archive to DVD and there really isn't much difference between SP & LP but if you use EP there is a definate difference in picture quality so I never use that mode...

I agree. I cannot notice much difference between SP & LP modes under most conditions. I do sometimes notice a certain "grainyness" while watching fast moving objects in LP mode. The background during F1, for example, when the camera pans to follow the car.

The only time I use EP mode (8 hours) is when I hook the recorder up to a security camera.