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Santosh Kuma's Questions & Answers

in Computers & Technology, Health& Electronics & Gadgets

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Total Points: 39290

Answers Given: 6821

Questions Asked: 164

Best Answers: 9

How can you finish a DVD that you recorded with a DVR that has now died?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:27 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

Try to use your Roxio or Nero burning software on your computer to "close" the CD.

Answered at 4:31 PM on February 03, 2009

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How expensive is TiVo?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:27 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

You can

* pay a lower price for the TiVo box, and then pay a monthly fee, or
* can pay a higher ''lifetime'' fee for the TiVo box, which includes monthly fees for
o as long as you own the Tivo, or
o as long as the Tivo company is in business.

Answered at 4:31 PM on February 03, 2009

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What functionality do you lose if you buy a top end DVR and do NOT purchase any subscription service?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:27 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

I haven't fully-researched it yet but what you would lose is an online TV Guide. You would have to set date and time to record and date/time to stop recording instead of TV Guide "point-and-clicking". Most-importantly: in the brand, TiVo's, the unit stops operating completely without the subscription service. The recording quality notwithstanding, you turn a top end DVR into a regular VCR which you probably already own by not purchasing the subscription service.

Answered at 4:31 PM on February 03, 2009

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Can you take your Dish 522 DVR camping and just use it to playback stuff that has been recorded without being hooked to a satellite?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:24 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

Here's a simple way for you to find the answer for yourself.

Unplug your unit disconnect all wiring including the sat. ant. Leave it on the table for a while.

Then plug in the power source and connect your TV. If you can watch recordings, it works - take it camping, if not it doesn�t work -- leave it at home.

Answered at 4:30 PM on February 03, 2009

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Why does TiVo need a phone line?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:24 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

The TiVo DVR connects to the TiVo service every 24 to 48 hours to download your program information. It will usually do a download during a pre-set time and only takes a few minutes. A phone line is also necessary during the TiVo Guided Setup, which connects and establishes your TiVo service.

If the nearest phone jack is in an inconvenient location, you don�t have to keep your phone line connected at all times. As long as you connect your TiVo DVR to a phone line once or twice a week and make a manual call to your TiVo service, your TiVo DVR will still be able to receive the necessary program updates. If you keep your TiVo DVR unconnected too long, you�ll receive messages that your DVR is low on programming information and may not be able to record programming for you.

Note: If you have DSL and want to use TiVo, place a filter on the phone line. DSL filters block the DSL signal from interfering with phone devices, like your TiVo DVR.

If you don�t want to use a phone line to connect your DVR to the TiVo service, you can add your DVR to your wireless or wired network through a broadband connection. This might be a convenient solution if you have an existing home network. All you�ll need is a network adapter for the TiVo DVR. Your TiVo DVR will be able to download your program listings through your broadband connection (which is �always on�) and won�t have to periodically tie up your phone line.

Answered at 4:30 PM on February 03, 2009

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Can you burn commercial dvds with a digital recorder?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:24 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

Commercial DVD's are not burned they are pressed from a master in huge numbers. That is why you cannot duplicate a commercial DVD to a DVD-R for example. You can burn from a DVR to a DVD but you won't be sble to do it digitally if there is copy protection. For example if you record a program from cable and it is copy protected, you are only able to put on digital media (Recorder or DVD) once. The next transfer will be blocked if there is copy protection in the program. About half the programs have this protection now.

Answered at 4:29 PM on February 03, 2009

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What can you do if you have trouble recording your stored DVR selections to a DVD disc?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:15 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

Many of the programs that you see on television are now copy protected and carry much the same protection as found on the commercial DVD's that you purchase. IN the past, I've even had the recording shut off on my computer while recording something directly from the satellite receiver.

I really shouldn't be telling you this, but if you can find yourself a Sima brand `GoDVD' unit and use the composite audio and video connections from the DVR to your computer, you can generally make the thing work.

One word of caution though. YOU are responsible for violating copyright laws if you copy or duplicate copywritten material. I'm just giving you this information for educational purposes only. (After all, I'm a technician and it's my job to know this stuff.)

Answered at 4:17 PM on February 03, 2009

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Is DVR service expensive?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:24 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

How expensive your DVR service is depends on if you use your cable company�s service or if decide to purchase your own DVR.

* Cable company service. Most cable company�s DVR service seem to run approx. $10 per month, in addition to your current cable company bill. Generally, there is no equipment to purchase so the only cost you pay is your monthly bill. Note: This may or may not be the case with your cable company. Consult your cable company for exact pricing and terms for DVR service.

* Purchasing your own DVR. A new DVR can be anywhere from roughly $100 (for a standard TiVo DVR) to $600 for some higher-end DVRs. The higher-end DVRs include fancy features such as DVD recording and the like. Plus, you pay an additional monthly fee, ($12 per month for TiVo, for example). If you decide to network your DVR, you'll need a network adapter. If you need to hook it up to a phone line, you may need to purchase a filter if you have DSL.

While purchasing your DVR may be more expensive initially, your DVR offers more features and flexibility than your cable company�s service. Once you buy the TiVo DVR, you can pay a one-time service fee that covers the life-time of the box. This avoids costly monthly service fees, but this often doesn�t allow for DVR upgrade or subscription changes

Answered at 4:29 PM on February 03, 2009

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Are DVRs better than VCRs?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:15 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

An old VCR might be better for you since it's simpler (because you already know how to use it) or cheaper (because you already own it). But in just about any other way, DVRs are better. Digital video is the future, undeniably.

Video tape degrades over time. Even when brand new, the quality isn't great. At most DVR settings the quality of the recordings will be better. (However, higher digital video and audio quality require more memory, which decreases the amount of space on your DVR hard drive.)

Plus, DVRs usually have other features that VCRs do not. For example, you can pause or fast-forward live TV. (Skip the commercials!)

Also, if you use a monthly service, your cable company, or the Internet to get a schedule, you can have your DVR search for and record your favorite television shows. You can also search by actor, time, director, etc.

Answered at 4:17 PM on February 03, 2009

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How does a DVR work?

Asked by Naveen Misra in Electronics & Gadgets at 4:15 PM on February 03, 2009

Santosh Kuma's Answer

A DVR works like a VCR. Instead of videotape, a DVR uses a Hard Disk Recorder (HDR) to digitally record movies and television shows from your TV to a hard disk (like the one in your home computer). DVRs record in real-time, which allows you to pause or rewind at any point in the program.

DVRs also have networking capabilities that allow you to transfer your digital pictures to your DVR. Some even allow you to hook it up to your receiver. You have many options.

Using a DVR is quite simple: you hook your cable or satellite line to your DVR and plug your DVR into an electrical outlet. There are additional set-up steps if your home entertainment system includes a VCR or receiver or if you are hooking it up your home network. See your manufacturer�s web site for the steps.

The most common use for DVRs is the recording of movies and television shows via your cable service. Recording movies to your DVRs provides more storage (some offer up to 300 hours of recording) and better recording quality than videotape.

Since DVRs record in �real-time� DVRs allow you to fast-forward, rewind and pause of live shows. Also, some have channel search capabilities, which allow you to search for shows by director, topic or even actor. Most will conduct nightly downloads of your cable, antenna or dish service�s listings for up-to-date viewing.

The most common DVR is TiVo. You can purchase a special TiVo DVR or purchase a manufacturer DVR that includes TiVo capabilities. Or you have the option of using DVR receiver services from your cable company. This option requires no hardware as the DVR receiver is integrated with your program menu. You simply order the service from your cable company, and you�ll be able to use your DVR services straight from your program menu and remote. Shop around and see which service would suit your needs.

Answered at 4:18 PM on February 03, 2009

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