Replacing analogue HDD/DVD recorder

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PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#100020 1-Apr-2012 16:40

I'm in the process of looking for a replacement for a Panasonic DMR-EH50 analogue HDD/DVD recorder.

My TV is a Panasonic TH-L42E30Z.

I THINK I want the following:
Only terrestrial UHF
Full HD
Record at least 2 channels while playing 1
EPG recording (including series).
500Gb HDD

I also want, but may not get in the same unit:
Ability to play DVD (BlueRay even better)
Ability to copy from HDD to DVD or BlueRay

Also want all of this to be hooked up to HiFi for sound.

What are my best options?

PS Don't want to set up a PC to do it all - insufficient knowledge.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#603386 1-Apr-2012 17:36

As far as I am aware, there is only one option that meets all of those specifications currently on the market - the Panasonic DMR-BWT700GZ Blu-Ray recorder that retails for (from memory) between $900 and $1000.

If you are prepared to live with a smaller hard drive (250GB instead of 500GB) then the Panny DVD recorder (XW380) is also an option, and goes for around $550 retail, but as well as a smaller HD this will also lose you the ability to play/record Blu-Ray discs.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#603416 1-Apr-2012 19:04

As above - it's a good option, and as it's coming towards the end of its product life (for a yet unspec'd) model, it should cost around $900. They're well received units by all accounts, the only thing you have to ensure, is that you don't have too much VHF signal, if so, you may need to put a diplexer on your aerial.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#603433 1-Apr-2012 19:38

JimmyH: As far as I am aware, there is only one option that meets all of those specifications currently on the market - the Panasonic DMR-BWT700GZ Blu-Ray recorder that retails for (from memory) between $900 and $1000.

+1
Currently $880 at JB HiFi. Does 3D as well.

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#603456 1-Apr-2012 19:59

Thanks JimmyH and B1ggles

Dunnersfella: As above - it's a good option, and as it's coming towards the end of its product life (for a yet unspec'd) model, it should cost around $900. They're well received units by all accounts, the only thing you have to ensure, is that you don't have too much VHF signal, if so, you may need to put a diplexer on your aerial.

Couple of things I'm not sure about here:
What do you mean coming to the end of its product life. Is it about to be replaced by something else? If so what is likely to change?
VHF signal? My Freeview is coming in on UHF. Why is the reference to VHF?

dakie

80 posts

Master Geek

#603470 1-Apr-2012 20:25

I have been looking at the same thing,

Does anyone know if its supports ntfs, fat32 or both and max size?
Does it play back hd mkv files?
Is it multi zone?

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#603493 1-Apr-2012 21:23

dakie: I have been looking at the same thing,

Is it multi zone?

It's not Multizone when purchased but take it to a panasonic Service Agent with your purchase receipt and it will be Multizoned free of charge. The Blu Ray is Region B only (NZ,UK).

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#603498 1-Apr-2012 21:30

PSLog:
VHF signal? My Freeview is coming in on UHF. Why is the reference to VHF?

The presence of strong VHF signals can cause problems with the UHF Digital signal processing in the Panasonic recorders hence filtering may be required in some instances. I've never had any problem. I threw away the old VHF antenna and replaced with new UHF antenna and coax.The problem should disappear when VHF analogue disappears next year.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#603565 2-Apr-2012 08:27

$872 at Heathcote.
Is it possible there is a cheaper way based on say Magic and then a separate dvd or BlueRay recorder/player?
Would something like that work? How easy would it be to copy from the Magic to a DVD/BlueRay recorder?

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#603894 2-Apr-2012 15:10

PSLog
Would something like that work? How easy would it be to copy from the Magic to a DVD/BlueRay recorder?

As far as I am aware there are no Blu Ray recorders capable of recording HD from an external input.
You may be able to stream HD via a network connection as long as the recorder can handle the file format. It's possible to transfer files from a Panasonic to a PC via the LAN (although I haven't been able to yet) with some software but I don't know about copying TO the recorder from any other unit.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#603898 2-Apr-2012 15:15

If you want format shifting of content your best option is a PC. Everything else (except a Tivo) will be a hack.

Because format shifting is illegal and content owners force broadcasters to introduce steps to try and inhibit the copying of HD content most devices won't allow this.

Jaxson

8042 posts

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Trusted

#603918 2-Apr-2012 15:33

PSLog: VHF signal? My Freeview is coming in on UHF. Why is the reference to VHF?

Because even a UHF aerial will pick up some VHF signal and some players simply don't like it. MagicTV PVR's, Vantage PVR's, Panasonic units etc are all known to not be entirely happy with too much VHF signal present at their inputs. You won't know in advance if this is going to be an issue with which ever unit you buy, but it's something to be aware of so you can do something about it should you need to.

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#603961 2-Apr-2012 16:13

OK. Thanks everyone for your input.
I understand more about it now - certainly seems that an integrated unit will be much more straightforward in terms of copying - normally just sending a TV broadcast that a family member has missed.

I'm picking that, since I can still use the analogue for a few more months, the price drop in a new integrated HD recorder over that time will exceed the drop in value of my old analogue (currently $60 - $70) over the same period - so it's probably best to wait until analogue is turned off??

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#604183 2-Apr-2012 21:48

PSLog: $872 at Heathcote.
Is it possible there is a cheaper way based on say Magic and then a separate dvd or BlueRay recorder/player?
Would something like that work? How easy would it be to copy from the Magic to a DVD/BlueRay recorder?

It can be done, but it's not much cheaper - and it is fiddlier to use. Assuming you already have a laptop or HTPC, you need an HDFury and a capture solution (Hauppauge HD PVR or Colossus are good choices). You also need to be prepared to compress files down to fit on a DVD, store them on a hard drive, or spring more money for a Blu Ray writer.

At that point, if you also get the writer, you have likely spent more than the Panny Blu Ray recorder, and will have something that is much fiddlier to use. On the plus side it would also work with anything that plays back over HDMI - MySky, future Netflix-type service etc.