Re: PVR devices

On Dec 3, 5:57 pm, phil-news-nos...@xxxxxxxx wrote:
As you probably know, people are making PVR machines out of PCs using digital
tuners (and analog tuners).  What I am interested in watching is the commercial
device market for turnkey PVRs.  But I am not interested in the subscription
model (e.g. TiVo), unless the subscription is just optional for some service
like a programming guide.  I am only interested in the devices that can work
totally autonomously for over the air digital broadcasts.  If the device can
also do analog, that is a plus.  If it can do analog on cable channeling, too,
that is a plus.  If it can do QAM for the unencrypted cable channels, that is
also a plus.

All the above is to try to make it clear what device category I am referring to.

There are two extremes I see:

1.  Quite a lot of people are building these things with a PC.
2.  There's nothing on the market as described above.

What do you think is the cause of #2?

....

Several such machines once existed. I've been using a Sony 250 GB
unit that does everything you ask for 3 years now. My suspicions
about your question, at least for the Sony units:

1. Without subscription fees, the units were too expensive on
release. 250 GB -> $750 500 GB -> $1000
2. These boxes were of most interest to the OTA only audience, which
is pretty small, and often quite frugal. }:)
3. There was little marketing and the vast majority of consumers had
no idea the units existed.
4. Sales were dismal and the units were quickly discontinued. (Many
of us who have the boxes, bought them after they were discontinued,
for a much reduced price.)
5. The Sony boxes rely on TVGOS (TV Guide On Screen - a free service
from Gem Star) which is transmitted with the analog TV signals. TVGOS
has proven to be problematic. Errors, updates, and glitches would
cause the DVRs to misbehave. Errors and faulty equipment at the
station inserting the data (often the local PBS station) would cause
loss of recording functionality.

And its a real shame, since I love my Sony DVR. Even though its not
perfect, I've had 99% hassel free use for 3 years. And Sony was
foresited enough to make their DVRs compatible with TVGOS inserted in
the digital ATSC data, so I will get more years of enjoyment from my
DVR.

Dan (Woj...)
.