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Morlock
10th November 2005, 19:59
I don't know anything about Satellite or Cable or Capturing or any of that stuff so I'd appreciate a bit of info (links are more than welcome too).

I just got a mailer offer from Dish Network for a Sat package that comes with a DVR box, either the 510 (http://reviews.cnet.com/Dish_Network_DVR_510/4505-6474_7-30599302-5.html?tag=nav) or the 625 (http://reviews.cnet.com/Dish_Player_DVR_625/4505-6474_7-31467761.html?tag=sub), and an HD receiver, the 811. The price seems right, but only if I can get decent video off of the DVR and onto DVD (yes I know neither DVR will record HD video).

The 510 has S-Video output. The 625 Review makes no mention of output. How would I go about getting video off the DVR, onto my drive, and into a format I can use (MPEG-2)?

This seems like a very newbie question to ask but a bit of searching hasn't turned up any answers. It's likely that I'm such a noob I don't even know what questions to ask yet.

Also, Dish Network does have a DVR that can record HD on offer; how much space does HD take up compared to non-HD? Could I fit a single 1/2 hour or 1 hour HD program on a DVD-5 and have it be worth the extra expense and effort?

Basically I'm looking for a site on DVR and Tivo and the like, and how to get the best quality video off the box and onto my drive for conversion to MPEG-2.

mimungr
11th November 2005, 04:45
Avoid capturing from the S-Video out. This will introduce an unnecessary digital --> analog --> digital conversion.

There's no need to convert to MPEG-2. DVB is already MPEG-2.

HD consumes approximately 8GB per hour, so about 4x standard def.

MaXiMuS
11th November 2005, 19:25
Dish PVR 510 very nice receiver/DVR (no nasty DRM)

you can just open it & connect hdd to pc (ide) and transfer recordings to native pc hdd.

PVRExplorer is app you gonna need.

more info & app downloads at Yahoo Group DISHRIP (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dishrip/)

there is some Audio Sync issues if you edit commercials out. but you can try Videoredo (http://www.videoredo.com/) for $50 that solves most /all audio sync issues ....

with this setup you don`t have to capture from s-video and it preserves quality

Morlock
16th November 2005, 20:47
Wow thanks for the replies, I wasn't expecting such good, specific advice!

:thanks: