Samsung Recording TVs

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Boeing797

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#27597 31-Oct-2008 22:28

Have just completed a very big investigation into what 32 inch TV to buy. The Samsung 32 inch series 6 with Freeview built in managed to come out on top. And I mean well on top. I have been around the local retailers in my home town and have managed to negotiate a 20% discount on the listed price.

Today was the day I went in to do the deal but just prior to putting my money down I asked the saleman to make sure I can use my Video recorder and DVD recorder to record TV programs from the TV. He assured me, like all the other salesmen from other stores that the TV could certainly do just that. It's a TV and all TV's let you record TV programes.

That's why we have DVD recorders they told me. Anyway, this salesman said he would make absolutely certain for my peace of mind. Well, low and behold he was shocked to find out they CANNOT RECORD. They have no video out. He rang the Samsung suppliers here in New Zealand and was told by them that The Samsung Series 6 TV's with inbuild Freeview do not allow you to record anything to a VCR or DVD recorder.

Does anyone know why this is? And, are there any of these fantastic TV's available anywhere else in the world that do allow one to record TV programs. I would really appreciate any other comment on this especially from those in the industry or a Samsung technician to explain why you can't record from them. It seems really odd to have such a high end TV not able to be recorded from. And, to think the manufacturer actually makes DVD recorders. Why when their high end TV's won't allow you to record?

Spyware

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#174998 31-Oct-2008 22:38

Most likely because in a digital world having an analog composite output is well not a good idea given the puke quality and all. I would certainly never consider recording anything from any composite output and have banned analog TV signals from my house. In a few years DVD recorders will have builtin DVB-T H.264 tuners so wait until then.

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Boeing797

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#175001 31-Oct-2008 22:55

Sort of understand where you are coming from but it seems strange they can actually sell sets that can't record as everyone who purchases a TV today will expect it to have the ability to record from. Especially those that like their sport like me. It sounds like a clash of different technologies if I read you right. So who is going to be buying the lastest and greatest DVD players if they can't be connected to TV sets? Where do Samsung think they are going to have their DVD recorders connected. Obviously not their series 6 Freeview TV's. Thanks anyway for the info. I May have to purchase a cheap TV as my 20 year old CRT 14 incher has died.

davidcole

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#175003 31-Oct-2008 23:33

Seems like a strange idea to me. But it's the second time today i've read a thread about someone wanting to record off their tv and it strikes me as odd, I mean i never remember doing that with a video recorder.

And what happens if you want to record something and watch something else?? seems a bit silly to me.

Your options I would say are:
Record in SD with a regular video/dvd recorder and record straight off the regular aerial
Get My Sky HDi
Wait for a FreeviewHD Pvr
Or build a pvr.

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spudster

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#175025 1-Nov-2008 09:10

I can certainly understand where the OP is coming from.

Yes, using video out from a TV to record seems a little strange if those channels are available on your recording device, but what if they are not? In the case of Freeview, the channels are not available so you would naturally want to feed output from the tele to record. I don't think it's too much to expect to be able to use the built-in decoder in your TV to provide the signal. At the very least I think SD output should be provided. Most people, here at least, accept existing HDD/DVD recorders are SD only.

The issue of HD output is another matter, but something I still think should be available. Can't really be a content protection issue - external decoders provide HD output. What if you had a projector and wanted to watch some Freeview HD content? I just think if you have purchased the decoder (built-in or not), you should be free to distribute the signal to suit your own viewing/recording needs.

This sort of issue makes me wary of in-built Freeview tuners and the limitations you may come across. I would lean towards an external decoder myself, opting for a TV with in-built decoder only if it carried a very small premium over one without. Ideally you would partner it with a decent PVR when they are available. I have MySKYHDi as Freeview HD is not available in New Plymouth yet. Once it is, I would give up Sky if there was a robust dual-tuner Freeview HD PVR available ie. the freeview equivalent of MySKY-HDi.

davidcole

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#175027 1-Nov-2008 09:22

Yeah i understand it as well. But isn't it a case of having the fancy new tv, but the recording hardware hasn't yet caught up?

I mean don't we all just assume that h.264 PVRs will show up, either from freeview providers like zinwell, or from places like Sony/Samsung.

Satellite based recorders have been out a while, but they dont act like dvd recorders inthe fact that you can burn the material to disk.

I'm heading for an integrated tuner as the tv to me is just a tv, not the catchall source for digital tv, and I've had a recording solution in place for a couple of years now (with recent modifications to handle freeview/freeviewhd).

Boeing797

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#175047 1-Nov-2008 11:28

Very interesting comments from you all. Sounds like waiting for recording technology to catch up but still going ahead and purchasing the TV. The issue is this, if I was to purchase the Samsung TV with the built in Freeview and knowing that I cannot record from it, will I at some stage down track be able (when technology arrives) be able to record from a separate DVD device? You guys call it PVR. I'm not familiar with this at all. If down track I am able to record TV programs without problems will this TV still be an OK TV. If I simply go ahead and get this Samsung TV I won't be penalised doing so by not having the right TV. I think you guys are saying the recording bit is a separate issue and the TV shouldn't be what one records off. By adding knew technolgy for recording purposes downtrack is the way to go. If so, should I go ahead and buy?

sbiddle

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#175051 1-Nov-2008 11:47

The first Freeview certified HDD based PVR unit is expected in the market before Xmas. This is a HDD based unit similair to MySky that allows you to record HD content.

It is unusual to use the tuner in the TV to record content, in the old days people just used the tuner in their VCR or DVD recorder to do this. I can see why people want to use the TV (since you can't get widescreen content off analogue) but it doesn't make sence to be using the TV for this.

EveryDVD/HDD recorder in the market at present is obsolete technology and you're wasting your money buying one sincethey have no digital tuner. Buying a new Freeview|HD TV isn't a bad move, it's just that there is no way to record that native content at present until manufacturers introduce HDD based recorders. You won't find DVD recorders in the marketplace with Freeview\HD tuners simply because DVD isn't a HD format. HDD/Blu Ray recorders with built in tuners are going for around $2k in Australia and the price of those will logically drop in the future.

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spudster

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#175067 1-Nov-2008 13:56

Boeing - you will not be penalised by going with this TV. You have done your research and come upon a limitation of the set and in-built freeview tuner - the signal can not be sent to another display or recording device. If this doesn't bother you too much then go for it. You will always have the option of adding an external freeview PVR (combined decoder box with HDD recorder) at some point in the future which will be perfectly compatible with your proposed set. If/when you make this step, there would be the small issue of redundancy (the built-in freeview tuner in the tv set would no longer be required), hence my preference to only pay a small premium for this feature.

The way I see it, all you will miss out on is the ability to record any freeview specific channels (existing tuners in your video & dvd recorder will still record everything else), and the ability to send the HD signal to another display (doesn't seem to be an issue in your case). Both of these limitations would be overcome if you opted for a set with a separate external decoder, but you probably won't get the same tv or feature set and not everybody wants to deal with the additional box & remote.

davidcole

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#175072 1-Nov-2008 14:25

I agree, I myself have been waiting for the Samsung IDTV's to come out with the intention to get one fairly soon. So I don't think you cn go wrong by getting one, and then later on when recording technology catches you you'll be set.

Boeing797

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#175185 1-Nov-2008 23:42

Thanks to all of you who have helped me understand this recording issue. This afternoon as a direct result of all the advice I was given, I went into the store and did the deed. You see I had to act this weekend if I was to secure the excellent price on the unit. Smith City here in Dunedin has a weekend special on everything over $400. No, I didn't buy there as I preferred another retailer and put it to them to match the deal. They did and got the price down from $1999 to a brilliant $1599. Yes a 20% discount. It's competitive out there. So davidcole my advice to you is if you do want one, make sure you drive a hard bargin. If you have a Smith City in your town then that could be your starting point otherwise someone will have a great deal leading up to Christmas. Anyway, they will more than likely be cheaper then unless the exchange rate catches up with us sooner rather than latter. Thanks again everyone who helped me. I am now the proud owner of a Samsung IDTV 32 inch Full HD TV. I'll post a note next week to give a brief account of the unit. I pick it up Monday afternoon. Can't wait.

Boeing797

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#177853 13-Nov-2008 19:51

This TV by Samsung is incredible to say the least. If you have been following my thread then you will be pleased to know that with all the help from those that replied to my query, the TV has worked out fine.

So, it's the Samsung 32 inch LCD full HD with Freeview built in. The size is perfect for the room it's in but I can only imagine the larger versions are equally stunning or better. The picture is just so sharp it's like looking through a window. As the TV is positioned in my bedroom I feel a curtain should be pulled across the screen when getting changed ready for bed. If anyone wants a fantastic LCD TV then this is it. If you demand better than this then the set isn't yet on the market.

Now I wait for an HD recorder to appear.

Thanks again to everyone.

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#177892 13-Nov-2008 22:27

In a few years DVD recorders will have builtin DVB-T H.264 tuners so wait until then.

in a few years there will be bluray recorders with built in dvb-t tuners i hope! the only rate limiting factor would be copy-protection but i'm sure "freedom / rights lobbyists" will be able to overcome that