Re: PVR suitable for elderly person to use


"Bill ZFC" <newsmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:4de43e6289newsmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> In article <1136415308.498910.150270@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
> <phuile@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > I am looking for a PVR with writable DVD drive suitable for an elderly
> > person to use (simple menus, one-touch functionality as far as
> > possible).
>
> First.. don't assume that 'elderly' means 'incapable'.
>
> Many of the early computer pioneers, the code-breakers,
> the Spy Chiefs, the high level functionaires of even a
> few years ago don't suddenly become incompetent simply
> because they have inherited their advancing years...
>
> There is at least one elderly (!) MI6 chief who is still
> competent - even if rumour has it that she is also female!
>
> > She needs simple functions (recording,
> > playback, dubbing onto DVD disks) with a dependable technology for the
> > future.
>
> Right.. a different matter - and there may be slowly
> increasing physical characteristics to take into account,
> such as arthritis, 'dimmed' sight that is yet to be
> treated etc. I guess that it's these age-relevant
> preponderant conditions that you're wisely considering...
>
> > I've gone around some websites and found the following, but some are a
> > bit pricey and I don't really know which one is good for an elderly
> > person to use.
>
> > Panasonic DMR-EH50
>
> Panasonic - from experience with their more basic
> (ex hard drive) machines do seem to have 'ease of
> use' faily well sorted. As all machines, they take
> a little while to get used to - but most functions
> are obvious, quick and easy to learn.
>
> > Pioneer DVR-RT601H-S
> > Pioneer DVR-433H-S
> > Pioneer DVR-530H-S
>
> Not sure at the 'ease of use' with Pioneer, (no
> direct experience of the models involved), but
> would guess that they likely equate somewhere
> between the Panasonics and the Toshibas. As
> with Panasonic and Toshiba, Pioneer is a 'good
> Name'..
>
> > Toshiba RD-XS32
>
> The Toshiba RD-XS32 is similar to it's predecessor
> the RD-SX30 - and, again with experience, this machine
> although well-endowed for the video/technophile to play
> with, seems to be somewhat more complex ..ie, not as
> easy to learn as, say, the Panasonic.
>
> With the RD-XS30 I did find it somwhat sensitive to
> the manufacturer of any DVD disc in use - it wouldn't
> for instance willingly accept TDK discs, but would
> accept Panasonic discs! With the cheaper discs, some
> worked, some didn't - and, if the machine temporarily
> seized, it could take a while of powering down before
> control could be restablished by the User.
>
> Even though the RD-SX30 was a 'good' and 'interesting'
> machine for me ..the Panasonic although somehat more
> basic, was more stable. However, both produced a good,
> vibrant and clear picture and sound..
>
> > Any help is really appreciated!
>
> Don't forget there are other manufacturers such as LG,
> or Sharp, who appear to be producing some quite useful
> HDD/DVD recorders. Sharp, particularly, seem to produce
> machines with large capacity HDDs - but all are much of
> a muchness, in this respect.
>
> THere are also the real cheapies - such as Funai's DVD -R
> -RW which, at around 84.00gbp to 88.00gbp provides
> up to ten hours of virtual ramdisk (just like an HDD
> including re-usable space of anything deleted), recording
> on an 'ordinary' DVD using a DVD-RW in 'VR' mode. (In
> ordinary -R or Video one-off recording mode, it's the
> same as the Panasonics, Toshibas, Pioneers et al)..
>
> It may be that this, even without an HDD, is all that
> you will need - if, as many, your 'elderly person' only
> timeshifts the odd half-hour proggie - or perhaps an
> occasional couple of hour film or so..
>
> My experience with the Funai DR-B2737 is that, unlike
> either the Panasonic or the Toshiba, is that after
> using several hundred discs of varying types I have had
> only one drop out ..and that easily identified as my own
> fault when first playing with the machine!
>
> It's editing facilities - although adequate in -RW VR
> mode, are not as extensive as either Panasonic or the
> Toshiba. However, the piccie quality up to four hours
> per DVD is beyond that of VHS - with VHS quality similar
> with a six hour recording. Even in eight hour, or ten
> hour record mode, blocks and artifacts are limited, even
> if the picture is a little 'woolly'...
>
> A one button press allows you to monitor that which you
> are recording, including the quality of sound and vision,
> with another button to change the 'quality' should you
> need. Overall - production is muchly as good as any
> of the more well-known makes - and with a price point
> below 100.00gbp, could be well worth considering...
>
> In this respect you might also care to consider one of
> the LiDL offerings (an HDD/DVD -R/RW +R/RW) at around
> 150.00gbp if it should come into one of your local stores.
>
> I notice that you havn't mentioned one of the digital
> TV/HDD recorder set top boxes, such as the Pace Tein
> (if you can find one), the Thomson Tivo, (again if you
> can find one), or the more easily available Topfield, Humax,
> et al...
>
> These Digital TV offerings can provide for up to two channels
> of recording to HDD whilst watching an additional one - and
> will also provide up to 30+ TV channels - and many digital
> radio channels as well. Although they do not, necessarily,
> provide hard copy to a DVD - although there is at least
> one Panasonic offering that does. They can be easier to use
> than most DVD recorders - and all have the benefit of on-board
> EPG, (Electronic Programme Guide), facilities. Certainly
> useful if only the short term storage of the odd film and
> a bit of time-shifting is all that is required..
>
> Whatever you do, don't expect any kind of perfection
> from any of them.. the technology is still rapidly being
> improved upon..
>
> ..and remember, behind the white-haired innocent smile of
> your 'elderly person' there probably lies a sharp and
> well-engaged brain ..just looking on as her well-trained
> puppies do the hunting and the barking..!! ;)))
>
> hope helps ..at least a little! :))
>

Does Funai DR-B2737 and the other makes you mentioned
have Video+ and PDC? As long as there still is
analog transmission these functions are useful and make
recording much easier. I am myself interested in a DVD recorder
as a temporary arrangement as I do not have even a player and
to convert my VHS tapes.
Could Funai be made multiregion for playback?
Roman


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