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"Beware - A recorder without inputs!" on by iSeriesGuru
Pros: Nice cabinet, nice display
Cons: No audio/video inputs - no, really! Doesn't tune all digital cable channels without a Cablecard
Summary: I would have considered this an elaborate joke or hoax if I hadn't just spent a thousand bucks on it - an audio/video recorder with no audio nor video inputs!
My $99 Tivo has audio/video inputs - including S-Video, so why not a box costing 10 times as much?! And my Tivo comes with an IR-blaster to control the cable box. Does the Sony? Nooooo. It does include an IR blaster (G-Link), but it's designed to control only VCR's, when dumping a hard-disk resident program to tape.
The only inputs are RF - from an antenna or from cable. So, if you've got satellite service, fuggeddaboutit. And even if you've got digital cable service, you need a CableCard to receive scrambled channels.
And guess what - not all cable companies are offering CableCards. Why should they? Devices such as this Sony are competition for the cable companies' own DVR's. (Pssst, cable companies - not too much competition here.)
And not only are the scrambled channels a problem without the Cablecard - I can't receive most of the free (broadcast) HD channels with this Sony. And the ones I do receive are found in some very odd places - channels such as "102.41" or "84.6".
And did I mention that when I set the unit to output in 1080i format (my Mitsubishi's native format and which has worked well with my Comcast/Motorola HD box), the Sony just gives me wavy lines - I have to set it to 480i or "Native" mode (which looks just like 480i.)
SONY - You've built an audio/video recorder without inputs for audio and video - what in the world were you thinking? Did you even look at the Tivo? You *did* build a Tivo once, you know?
Oh well, all in all, a beautiful, 500 gigabyte, $1000 doorstop. -
"Don't Settle For What Your Cable Company Offers" on by KevinCLovesU
Pros: HD, HDMI, Works great with both OTA and cable, High storage capacity, good-looking interface, no subscription, CableCard, 90 minute buffer, "trick play" that leaves TiVo in the dust
Cons: Channel changing can lag, remote is a little light on controls, TV Guide on Screen is sometimes aggravating, HDCP compliance can create problems, single tuner
Summary: I bought this DVR a few months ago, and I must say...
WOW!
For years, my family has been craving a DVR, specificallya TiVo. Then one day we decided we would buy a TiVo. By some luck, we didn't go buy it that second, and realized that TiVo wouldn't work with our setup, since we use HD, CableCard, and VoiP. I went on CNET and found this little unit.
The first day, I was overjoyed at how simple setup was. Plug in the power, screw in the input(s), put in the CableCard (if you have one), connect the HDMI, DONE! Unfortunately, it did take 24 to get program information, but it was alright, it's FREE!
After your guide information comes in, you then have to sort your channels. Difficult? Yes. Annoying? Yes. Worth it? Yes. After that, unless you pull your cablecard or reset your location, the order should stay.
Now, it's time to use the DVR to it's fullest. I reccomend setting "format" to 720p or 1080i, depending on which you watch more. You can always go back and change it. If you choose "Auto HDMI", channels will take twice as long to change, and your guide will not be widescreen on 480i/p channels.
Using the TV is simple and efficient once you master it. Play around, read the manual, learn EVERYTHING you can to make your experience more enjoyable. In the guide, you can look at listings, access your schedule and your recordings, or search for new shows. The search function is handy and helps me find shows I would like to watch. You can search by title, keyword, or category. Recording is simple. Just highlight the show, hold record for one second and release. Press twice for "regular" recording (records all occurances of that show on that channel at that time), three times for "weekly" (that channel, that timeslot, every week), and four times for "suspend" (I'm not sure why anyone would do this). Tip: go into the guide's "setup" and "change default options" and "record defaults". Change the default quality to SP or LP to save space on your DVR. I see a VERY small difference, and it takes up WAY less storage. You can always go back and change the quality for individual shows.
When scrolling around the guide, if you want to skip far ahead, type the number of hours you'd like to travel and press the direction you're going.
Now the TiVo guide maybe be better, Sony's playback blows TiVo's out of the water. I'll spare you on how to do it, but learn how to take advantage of ADVANCE and REPLAY, as well as chapter mark. I use advance and replay to skip commercials faster, without having to FF or REW.
Now to comment on my cons. Channel changine can be slow when switching between formats (for example, switching from FOX HD to CBS HD) there will be a pause. To (slightly) resolve the problem, set format to 1080i or 720p. If you're watching HD, you should switch it to whatever your channel provides. For example, on FOX and ABC, put it on 720p. NBC, CBS, WB, and UPN should be on 1080i. usually watch FOX, so I leave mine on 720 and occaisonally swith to 1080 for CBS or NBC.
The remote problem depends on your setup. Keep the other remotes handy for the features the Sony doesn't have.
Now, HDCP will only affect a small amount of people. A few cable companies [ilegally] insert "digital flags" on digital channels which your Sony will see, and refuse to record that program. My cable company's DVR is non-compliant, so it gets away with any recording, whether or not the flag is there. So, to keep us from purchasing the DVR, they inserted flags. The cable reps lie and say that they don't know about it. If you watch a lot of digital cable and your company inserts flags (very few do) you do not want this product. Flags are non-existent OTA.
This product is a single tuner. So I suggest a splitter so you can watch one show, record another. You cannot record two shows. This is not a problem for me, I very rarely wish for the ability to do two recordings.
If you want a DVR that works with OTA or just works better than your cable's, pick up this unit. You won't regret it. -
"Way cool, free schedule, works great" on by posthocergopropterhoc
Pros: easy setup, free channel/program guide, lots of space for hd recording
Cons: tvguide software gets in its own way sometimes, select wheel on remote
Summary: So I broke down and bought this. Had a moto hdt101 previously (and still do). picture quality is identical. The disk drives make the difference. Recording HD with dolby shows is great. Chapter marks work as advertised. TV Guide filled up in about a day (the hdt101 had a listing for that day and put it in a selector box but did nothing with it...now that info is useful on the sony).
The tv guide software is ok. it does what it is supposed to do, but it does not allow you to traverse to, let say, tomorrow without scrolling through the whole day your on in half hour increments. That's kinda dumb. it's almost as if its dumb like that to advertise the scroll wheel on the remote. the scroll wheel is entirely too sensitive to being pressed.
Also the TV guide software wastes a lot of space on the screen. However, it is free, it does work once you get used to it. and it does display all the preview info about whatever episode is being looked at.
The record to VCR is a really cool feature, yeah its a cheap gimmic, but I can see using it more often when the blueray/hddvd come out.
I think it is a little on the expensive side. I did a calculation. If I were to buy 2 250 gig drives, it'd cost me about 200 bucks a pop. a hd tuner 200. software package, 100. cables and stuff, 50 bucks.
the 200+200+200+100+50. that's 750 dollars. Ok so you buy the name, make it 100 bucks for being sony. so 850 at the most. 999 is a bit steep, but I did it, I'm enjoying it and once people see it they'll want one too. -
"Excellent Non-Subscription DVR" on by jenglish92
Pros: Extremely simple setup; identifies all Cable, Digital and Analog over the air channels, Excellent features
Cons: Menu navigation takes a little getting used to - not completely intuitive
Summary: I have used the Dish Network DVR for years, and finally got sick of the cost of satellite and DVR fees - plus intermitent service. The Sony is an excellent replacement. I didn't switch to Tivo because I wanted High Definition and DVR capability. I got the 250 Gb version, and from the savings on Satellite, it will pay for itself in about a year with no further monthly fees.
I have an antenna in my attic (not on the roof) and live 40 miles from the broadcast towers in Chicago. The Sony picked up every available digital channel over the air and the picture is fantastic. I recommend using the HDMI cable - it automatically adjusts the picture ratio based on the type of signal.
Once you learn the menu's everything is very easy to use. It has just about every feature I want. The only quirky thing is the free TV Guide listings. It is supposed to download 8 days of listings, but after 2 weeks, I can only go about 4 days into the future. Other than that, I highly recommend this DVR. -
"Not very usuable with Time Warner cable card" on by jimnak
Pros: captures High Def & overall quality is superb
Cons: all cable cards are not alike
Summary: I bought this unit to use with a Time Warner cable card. Well it will only give 2 days of TV schedule. I called Time Warner & they confirmed this. So this $1,000 Sony machine is very unusable. Sony should have a warning posted b/4 you buy.
Sony DHG-HDD500 user reviews
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