HELP! DVD, HDD, Freeview & Audio in one Box
Discussion
Just bought a nice new tosh LCD panel and am now looking for a single box solution to replace our ageing Sony home cinema system. The Sony had DVD player, 5.1. Surround Sound and a radio tuner in one box. It came with a Sub and 5 cube speakers.
What we would like now is a DVD player/recorder, a HDD for on the fly recording, HDMI output is a must as is a freeview tuner built in and finally a similar surround sound capability. Would be prepared to spend upto £500 for the right solution. Any ideas? I'm running dry!
Edited to say title should have read DVD-R!
What we would like now is a DVD player/recorder, a HDD for on the fly recording, HDMI output is a must as is a freeview tuner built in and finally a similar surround sound capability. Would be prepared to spend upto £500 for the right solution. Any ideas? I'm running dry!
Edited to say title should have read DVD-R!
Edited by olf on Wednesday 27th September 15:27
Because this tosh panel has HDMI and I want to make sure I'm making the most of it! Will component give me as goodd do you think?
Media centre is not really an option, I want to keep it away from computers really and then use the Apple iTV system on my home Mac network when that arrives in the new year.
Media centre is not really an option, I want to keep it away from computers really and then use the Apple iTV system on my home Mac network when that arrives in the new year.
No difference between component and HDMI based on current technology and the foreseeable future.
HD-DVD/Blu-Ray is a bit of a curveball but for the moment component is more than adequate.
That said, there isnt a PC card with component out either.
Component/HDMI is only a consideration for progressive scan really.
I'd look at a Progressive scan DVD/PVR and seperate freeview or Freeview/PVR with seperate progressive scan DVD (probably the preferred option) and a seperate home cinema setup.
HD-DVD/Blu-Ray is a bit of a curveball but for the moment component is more than adequate.
That said, there isnt a PC card with component out either.
Component/HDMI is only a consideration for progressive scan really.
I'd look at a Progressive scan DVD/PVR and seperate freeview or Freeview/PVR with seperate progressive scan DVD (probably the preferred option) and a seperate home cinema setup.
Plotloss said:
Fairly sure that something ticking all those boxes doesnt exist.
A Media PC would do everything except HDMI and amplify a surround setup.
Why is HDMI such a key requirement may I ask?
A Media PC would do everything except HDMI and amplify a surround setup.
Why is HDMI such a key requirement may I ask?
Edited by Plotloss on Wednesday 27th September 15:33
They do exist ready made, but not in your budget......try nearer £2k
You could go down the route of building your own HTPC (see www.tomshardware.com for a great article on this). You could problably do this on a budget of around £500 if you wanted to cut corners. As for getting away from the PC then you have got no chance thats the only option you have. You dont need to use Windows Media centre, you can use any operating system. Regarding HDMI, at the moment it is not a necessary requirement as the output will only be in standard definition then the DVI output from your computer will suffice and give a good enough image. When HD DVD's come out you will need to use HDMI but at the moment players are extorsionately priced so I wouldnt bother.
Two box is possible if you get an updated version of what you have i.e DVD/Home Cinema in one and a PVR/DVB Tuner in the other.
HDMI is complicated for a number of reasons.
Its still an evolving standard for one and whilst component is more than capable of carrying a 1080p HD signal out of a Blu Rau/HD-DVD player because it is an analogue video signal the content owners are scared of piracy over component. This has led them to implement a flag which will downscale HDDVD content when output over component. This is because part of the HDMI standard incorporates HDCP which is a way they can protect content. This absolutely stinks I think as component is far more flexible. This is an argument that has been raging for some time and is far from over. Which doesnt really help anyone involved in the entire chain.
HDMI is complicated for a number of reasons.
Its still an evolving standard for one and whilst component is more than capable of carrying a 1080p HD signal out of a Blu Rau/HD-DVD player because it is an analogue video signal the content owners are scared of piracy over component. This has led them to implement a flag which will downscale HDDVD content when output over component. This is because part of the HDMI standard incorporates HDCP which is a way they can protect content. This absolutely stinks I think as component is far more flexible. This is an argument that has been raging for some time and is far from over. Which doesnt really help anyone involved in the entire chain.
I think I may have found all but one of my needs!
Any thoughts anyone?
www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=RDR-HXD860S&site=odw_en_GB&pageType=Overview&category=DVD+Recorder
Any thoughts anyone?
www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=RDR-HXD860S&site=odw_en_GB&pageType=Overview&category=DVD+Recorder
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff