OTA Recording Options?
hddizzy writes:
With current ABC/FOX, and possibly future HD programming available only over the air (OTA). Do those of us who almost refuse to watch non-HD programming have a recording option for over the air HD? Are there any DVD recorders that have a digital tuner? A recent consumer reports article about DVD recorders states that March of 2007 is the target date for all DVD recorders to include a digital tuner or no tuner at all. Will this be our solution?
In my case, I use a Macintosh and an Eyetv recorder to save HD programming to my hard drive. I used to save some programming to DVD, but now I just have a large hard drive for archiving HD.
The TiVo Series 3 is a good (but expensive) option for recording HD. It uses CableCARDs to record encrypted cable signals but also has an antenna input to record OTA signals. It has two tuners so you can record multiple HD shows at the same time.
However, it is expensive. The box sells for $799 and the service for guide data and updates starts at $12.95 per month.
If you can stomach the cost you won’t be disappointed.
There are no HD DVD recorders yet so you could only save HD broadcasts in SD form with a DVD recorder. I know there are several digital tuner cards for PCs that have a 1394 firewire output you could record to either DVHS or to a PC disk drive.
LG used to make a couple of models of OTA receivers that had 1394 firewire outputs as well but to my knowledge they are either not on the market or very difficult to find.
I’m 100% OTA and would love to see a digital DVR/DVD recorder at a reasonable cost that doesn’t require a monthly subscription. Once 2009 hits I’ll have to buy one to continue recording shows OTA. HD would be nice but I’d settle for SD quality recordings.
Sony used to make one but it’s over $500 (now discontnued), out of my price range anyways.
I love the MyHD card I installed in my PC. I able to record HD in all it’s uncompressed glory thru a very user friendly web page at titantv.com onto my 250 gig hard drive. The new model MyHD MDP-130 can receive OTA or QAM cable and has a ton of support at avsforum.
I have been using the older MDP-120 model for several years now and am still impressed.
I am located at Grand Lake and with a rooftop antenna I am able to pickup all the Tulsa stations. Since it is OTA, there is no subscription cost.
digitalconnection.com has the newer MyHD MDP-130 card for
only $169.00 which makes it one hell of a bargain.
About the only drawback to this setup is that you will need some hard drive storage space. HD recording will consume about 9 gig per hour! After recording it, you can even edit out the commercials if you want.
I have been recording ota for over a year with my directv tivo.