Out with the VCR, in with the PVR
Written: Sep 16 '03
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Pros: Time shift TV to YOUR schedule, watch while recording, large storage capacity.
Cons: Complicated to set up and understand. Will require some study.
The Bottom Line: A PVR, using satellite, just makes sense. Record easily and digitally, store 90 hours of video. Pause live TV and skip by commercials instantly.
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| dalesky's Full Review: JVC TU PV721RU Satellite TV System / PVR |
I just had a Dish Network system installed. I chose the free 2 room install with the 301 receiver and the 501 PVR. I also bought, privately (from Sears) the 721 PVR I'm writing about.
A PVR, or DVR is similar to a VCR. The VR stands for video recorder, just like the CR in VCR stands for cassette recorder. It describes what it does.
They all record from television, be it over the airwaves, from cable, or from satellite. From satellite though, everything is digital, for better image and sound quality. A PVR is capable of capturing that quality, a VCR isn't.
The PVRs/DVRs differ from VCR's also in that they are essentially computers, complete with multiple hard drives, smart cards, and the ability to upgrade their operating system and recording abilities. They also download and store a weekly or bi-weekly program guide on a drive, allowing you to select programs to record in advance of their airing. Just like a VCR. Heard of TIVO? These are much like TIVO.
Oh, the "D" in D VR stands for digital, and the "P" in P VR stands for personal. They mean the same thing from a practical standpoint.
The 721 is the latest and most sophisticated PVR available from Dish Network. It is made by, and branded as a JVC, for Dish Network.
The machine is about the same size as a VCR, and weighs a bit more than most VCRs. It is not designed to sit on top of other heat producing components, and should not be moved about when in use. The hard drives are sensitive to movement, and heat is not good either.
Just like a VCR, these get their signal in from a cable. Dish Network equipment is of course hooked up to a satellite dish. This unit needs two input cables actually, one for each tuner. That's right, there's 2 tuners inside. The possibilities just got more interesting didn't they?
The 2 satellite cables go on the back, and then go to your TV using audio/video cables, including S-VHS or optical if you have them. You must at least have a TV with hookups for component audio/video cables, and preferably a place for the S-VHS cable. If you look at a VCR you will see that the signal usually goes to the TV using another piece of cable. In fact, a VCR passes through the signal from the source to the TV. Same with a PVR, but you use higher quality cables, for better sound and picture quality.
Why not use a regular cable? The satellite system has a high quality picture, and even 5.1 digital sound, so you need to use equipment that is designed for it. The picture I get from satellite is noticably better than 'digital' cable, and way better than broadcast. In fact, on my largest screen it's amazing now.
The 721 PVR, with two tuners, allows you to: record 2 shows at the same time; watch a show you have recorded, and record 2 others at the same time; watch live TV and record at the same time; or, use the built-in Picture in Picture feature to have two shows, live, on the screen at the same time.
OK, take a breath, that was a lot to think about. Told you it just got more interesting! The 721 stores up to 90 hours of video. That's 90 episodes of any 1 hour shows, or 180 1/2 hour shows. Whoa- what's not to like? And, once recorded, with one button you can see the index of what you recorded, with the name/date and length, and even protect some of them to prevent them from being recorded over. Even if you are about to record over an unprotected show the tuner will tell you. But really, 90 hours? You should be OK for a while. Future capabilities might include being able to use the USB port to move content also. But for now, the 90 hours should suffice for most of us.
I won't attempt to reproduce the instruction book, which is 156 pages long, but I will hit some highlights.
The unit is controlled with a nicely shaped, fairly small and well designed remote control. The remote can be easily programmed to control up to 3 other devices. I have my 3 remotes set up to control a total of 7 devices, including the 3 TV's themselves. I could not find a program code for one item, a new DVD player. There is a way to search for codes not shown in the book, so I will try that.
Much of what you do with the PVR is through on-screen menus. Nothing much shows on the box itself, except for a power light, and a recording light. Now you see why it's branded for Dish Network. The software is designed for that system.
Because the system is capable of doing so much, learning about it will require that you read at least some of the manual. If you have a professional install everything, you can skip about 50 pages.
The remote control uses both IR (infrared) and UHF (ultra high frequency) modes to communicate with the 721. Batteries were included by the way.
IR is line of sight basically, or can be bounced from a wall or window if it's in the same room. UHF is capable of going through walls, like your garage door opener. You can actually use the PVR to control 2 TV's in different rooms, and change channels, etc. from another room.
Now, some of the features, listed by item:
Fast forward, or reverse at 4X, 15X, 60X and 300X speed. Slow motion at 1/15th or 1/4 speed.
Pause live TV, then rewind while still recording.
Record with one button, or set timers for future events, once, daily, weekly, or mon-fri.
Use caller ID through your TV screen.
Use Pay for View through your phone line.
Control your VCR for recording, without setting your VCR to record. The PVR can control it remotely.
Look up programs by themes, such as movies or sports events or family/kids.
Use Picture in Picture (PIP) without having a PIP feature on your TV.
Record 2 shows at the same time.
Select channel order either in ascending or descending alphabetical order.
Set up a favorites list to exclude channels you don't watch.
Block all adult content.
Search for a program by typing in it's name
Select a ratings level for less mature viewers.
Lock out Pay Per View programs.
Lock the entire receiver.
Start or end a recording automatically a number of minutes before or after the scheduled time shown in the guide.
OK, that's enough. I think I've covered most of it.
A couple of things to think about-- Satellite systems don't use the older cables well. You need to have new cable run for the best picture quality. If you have long runs of cable in your walls their also may be splitters to divide signals to different TV's. Satellite TV doesn't work with splitters. You will need new cable.
If you sign up for a 2 TV system, like I did, then purchase a 3rd PVR, you will not only buy the PVR, but pay for installing it, and for a switch ($120) to control it. You will pay for your pleasure.
I will update this some months in the future, especially after the snow starts falling. I've heard that heavy snow may cause reception difficulty. The installer told me that only if the dish is actually buried will I have problems. That by the way in Minnesota (and elsewhere) is a possibility. I may need to clean snow off of it. As I said, I'll update later.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $400
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Epinions.com ID:
dalesky
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Location: Murrells Inlet South Carolina
Reviews written: 133
Trusted by: 11 members
About Me:
Love to cook, explore the Internet, read and watch movies on DVD. Ain't technology Grand?
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