recording from DTivo unit help?

[bnm81002]

I am trying to transfer my saved recordings from my Philips DTivo unit (DSR704) to my DVD recorder (Pioneer DVR810H) hard drive but when I view the saved recordings, the picture at times are blurred or not crystal clear, mind you, these are non-PPV recordings, just regular shows from local channels and some movies from the movie channels, do I need to use a non-Tivo DVD recorder with a hard drive, my Pioneer unit has Tivo built-in? do I need some something else? thanks for the help

[JimSpence]

You should be able to transfer from the DTiVo to the TiVo/DVD. Just connect it as if it were a VCR and make sure you select the proper input on the DVD recorder.

[bnm81002]

You should be able to transfer from the DTiVo to the TiVo/DVD. Just connect it as if it were a VCR and make sure you select the proper input on the DVD recorder.


I did make sure that the wires were properly connected (audio cables-red and white and a S-Video cable) and I selected "record from a VCR or camera" on the DVD recorder and it has the problems of the picture being blurred at different times during playback times, there's no problem with the picture from the DTivo end, only on the DVD recorder end, very strange

[goony]

Wow, that is strange. Is it just when scenes have motion or is a still image (i.e. record a DTivo screen) blurred too?

Can your DVD recorder acccept a composite video input... i.e. the yellow RCA jack instead of the S-Video? Try that. (For my DVD recorder, the yellow RCA connection gives slightly better results than the S-Video connection).

[bnm81002]

Wow, that is strange. Is it just when scenes have motion or is a still image (i.e. record a DTivo screen) blurred too?

Can your DVD recorder acccept a composite video input... i.e. the yellow RCA jack instead of the S-Video? Try that. (For my DVD recorder, the yellow RCA connection gives slightly better results than the S-Video connection).



basically I recorded some talk shows and when I tried to transfer them over to the Pioneer recorder, some parts of the show are burred as if it's done on purpose from Directv so that it can't be copied onto DVD, I transferred it over to VHS tapes and I don't get the same blurred scenes at all, I tried transferring from the VCR to the recorder and still get the blurred scenes, very strange indeed :confused:

[goony]

...some parts of the show are burred as if it's done on purpose from Directv so that it can't be copied onto DVDWith a DTivo, when you do a playback it is EXACTLY the same as 'live' TV as it stores the satellite signal. My point is that if it isn't blurry when you watch it on the TV then there is nothing being done to it by DirecTV to make it blurry.

For fun, try the yellow RCA connection as I suggested. Also, try the playback of the 'blurry' parts on a completely different DVD player/TV combo - see if it is recorded blurry or there is something about your playback setup.

FYI, I use a 4-port mechanical switchbox to take output from DTivo, VCR, DVD player or DVD recorder into my TV inputs - thus, there are only ever 2 devices involved (other than the switch). If you are going through too many boxes it may be hosing up the signal.

The 2nd set of outputs from my DTivo go directly to one of the inputs on my DVD recorder.

[bnm81002]

With a DTivo, when you do a playback it is EXACTLY the same as 'live' TV as it stores the satellite signal. My point is that if it isn't blurry when you watch it on the TV then there is nothing being done to it by DirecTV to make it blurry.

For fun, try the yellow RCA connection as I suggested. Also, try the playback of the 'blurry' parts on a completely different DVD player/TV combo - see if it is recorded blurry or there is something about your playback setup.

FYI, I use a 4-port mechanical switchbox to take output from DTivo, VCR, DVD player or DVD recorder into my TV inputs - thus, there are only ever 2 devices involved (other than the switch). If you are going through too many boxes it may be hosing up the signal.

The 2nd set of outputs from my DTivo go directly to one of the inputs on my DVD recorder.

no switches being used, just direct connections between the DTivo and recorder and VCR and recorder,
like I said before, I tried a VHS tape(yellow video cable with red and white audio cables) and still have it recorded with blurred scenes on the recorder but when playing the VHS tape, there is no blurred scenes, very strange

[goony]

...I tried a VHS tape(yellow video cable with red and white audio cables) and still have it recorded with blurred scenes on the recorder but when playing the VHS tape, there is no blurred scenes...You lost me that time... oh well. Good luck.

[bnm81002]

over the weekend, I'm gonna reconnect everything and see what happens and I'll let you know the results, hopefully it'll be GOOD RESULTS :D

[bnm81002]

FYI, I use a 4-port mechanical switchbox to take output from DTivo, VCR, DVD player or DVD recorder into my TV inputs - thus, there are only ever 2 devices involved (other than the switch). If you are going through too many boxes it may be hosing up the signal.

The 2nd set of outputs from my DTivo go directly to one of the inputs on my DVD recorder.



I have 4 way switch(4 Inputs and 1 Output), well since I want to transfer old VCR tapes to DVD's through the DVD recorder and also the recordings of my DTivo unit to DVD's I will connect 1 set of output from the DTivo to input of the 4 way switch and another set of output of the VCR to another input of the switch then the output of the switch to the "Input 2" of the DVD recorder,


VCR(output)>Switch(input 1)>>>>Switch(output)>DVD recorder(Input 2)
DTivo(output)>Switch(input 2)>>>Switch(output)>DVD recorder(Input 2)

[dtremain]

It has to be the DVD burner. What happens if you try to copy another unprotected VHS tape onto the burner?

[bnm81002]

It has to be the DVD burner. What happens if you try to copy another unprotected VHS tape onto the burner?



I've tried different recordings off the DTivo unit as well as different VCR tapes, I get the same things(some of the recordings are blurred not clear, pixilated pics)
I think it is the DVD recorder as well, wonder if it could be the hard drive itself since the recorder is over 1 1/2 years old? I will try it with the 4 way switch, if same problems then I will upgrade the drive to a larger one and see what happens then :(

[Shane1v]

Whats a "DTivo"? DirecTV Tivo?

Also, any opinion on the Toshiba D-VR4 dvd recorder? Im considering that one

thanks!

[goony]

Whats a "DTivo"? DirecTV Tivo?Yes.

[bnm81002]

just an update here, I recorded a movie directly onto the DVD recorder and when I play the movie back, it has the blurred pictures and scenes, looks more and more like it's the hard drive in the recorder, I will upgrade to a larger drive and hopefully no more problems

[tbeckner]

just an update here, I recorded a movie directly onto the DVD recorder and when I play the movie back, it has the blurred pictures and scenes, looks more and more like it's the hard drive in the recorder, I will upgrade to a larger drive and hopefully no more problemsBefore you jump, test a couple of more recordings and change your cables. Are you using a S-Video cable, if so switch to a RCA video connection (yellow) and try it out. Blank DVDs and cables are cheap. In fact, I just bought 100 TDK 8X DVD+Rs at Costco for less than $20.

If you actually mean that you bypassed the TiVo, then you likely have a defective DVD Recorder, and replacing the hard drive in the DVD Recorder will not likley fix your problem.

[bnm81002]

Before you jump, test a couple of more recordings and change your cables. Are you using a S-Video cable, if so switch to a RCA video connection (yellow) and try it out. Blank DVDs and cables are cheap. In fact, I just bought 100 TDK 8X DVD+Rs at Costco for less than $20.

If you actually mean that you bypassed the TiVo, then you likely have a defective DVD Recorder, and replacing the hard drive in the DVD Recorder will not likley fix your problem.




actually I have the standard non-tivo direct receiver(D10 model) connected directly to the dvd recorder through the A/V cables(red-white-yellow) so it was showing blurred pictures/scenes after a movie was recorded directly into the recorder, it happens in all 3 cases,
1-vcr tapes transferred into the recorder
2-DTivo recordings transferred into the recorder
3-direct recordings from the non-tivo receiver
I know it's not the recorder that is defective because the saved recordings that I have in the recorder plays fine with no burred pictures/scenes, so most likely it's the hard drive itself, I was going to upgrade to a larger drive anyway so it's really not a hassle to me at this point to change to a larger drive, hope it does solve my problem in the process as well

[tbeckner]

actually I have the standard non-tivo direct receiver(D10 model) connected directly to the dvd recorder through the A/V cables(red-white-yellow) so it was showing blurred pictures/scenes after a movie was recorded directly into the recorder, it happens in all 3 cases,
1-vcr tapes transferred into the recorder
2-DTivo recordings transferred into the recorder
3-direct recordings from the non-tivo receiver
I know it's not the recorder that is defective because the saved recordings that I have in the recorder plays fine with no burred pictures/scenes, so most likely it's the hard drive itself, I was going to upgrade to a larger drive anyway so it's really not a hassle to me at this point to change to a larger drive, hope it does solve my problem in the process as wellCan you record directly to a DVD instead of using the hard drive using the same video and source? If you have the same problem, then the source is either the interface/cables or a BAD ENCODER chip. You can eliminate the interface/cable as the source by using the RF connection as the source.

Can you record something via the RF connection from the VCR or an antenna? If you have the same problem, then the source is a BAD ENCODER chip.

[bnm81002]

Can you record directly to a DVD instead of using the hard drive using the same video and source?

Can you record something via the RF connection from the VCR or an antenna?



answer to question 1, no it has to be stored onto the hard drive then copied to a DVD,
haven't tried recording using the RF connector, dunno if I can save from the VCR to the recorder that way, it lists only S-Video or Composite connections when "Save To VCR" method is used on the recorder

[tbeckner]

answer to question 1, no it has to be stored onto the hard drive then copied to a DVD,
haven't tried recording using the RF connector, dunno if I can save from the VCR to the recorder that way, it lists only S-Video or Composite connections when "Save To VCR" method is used on the recorderSave To VCR?

You want to go the other way, VCR to DVD.

Your DVD Recorder has to have a RF based NTSC tuner and if it does you can record the RF output of a VCR to it. Almost all VCR output to either channel 3 or 4, which is usually selectable via a switch on the back. And your DVD Recorder has to have a NTSC tuner RF input on the back. That is all it takes.

As a matter of fact, your DirecTiVo has an RF output, with a channel 3 or 4 switch on the back also.

What is the make and model of your DVD Recorder? So I can review the manual for you. Most recorders even those that have Hard Drives usually have an option to record directly to a DVD and bypass the Hard Drive, at least those that I have reviewed. Since I would only use my DVD Recorder about once or twice a year, I decided to buy a inexpensive LiteOn from Costco for less than $100 and it works perfect with DVD+RW disks. And removing commercials works perfect by using the DVD Recorder pause button and even DVD+R disks.

I believe I see your DVD make and model in your signature, is that correct, is it a Pioneer DVR810H?

Additional Edit:

If that is the case, then it is a TiVo/DVD Recorder and your options are very limited. If the TiVo recordings playback correctly, then it is VERY UNLIKELY that the HARD DRIVE is the problem.

It is very likely the DVD Recorder part of the device has the problem and is limited to internal circuits/decoding/encoding and your only option is to send it back to Pioneer to be fixed.

Again, if the TiVo recording playback with any problem but the DVD records funny, then the problem is the DVD Record part of the device. You might try different recordings so you can rule out a MACROVISION situation.

[goony]

Original post:I am trying to transfer my saved recordings from my Philips DTivo unit (DSR704) to my DVD recorder (Pioneer DVR810H) hard drive

Recent post by bnm81002:actually I have the standard non-tivo direct receiver(D10 model) connected directly to the dvd recorderNot germane to the problem, but I wanted to point out to tbeckner why the term "Save to VCR" was used - that is a screen in a S2 DirecTV Tivo box, but not on a D10 non-dvr recevier. Somewhere along the line the OP has changed receivers, probably in an attempt to eliminate it as a source of the blurry recordings.

A new hard drive in a DVR or a DVD recorder IS NOT going to fix a blurry recording problem.

I agree, sounds like a crappy encoder chip in the DVD recorder.

[bnm81002]

Not germane to the problem, but I wanted to point out to tbeckner why the term "Save to VCR" was used - that is a screen in a S2 DirecTV Tivo box, but not on a D10 non-dvr recevier. Somewhere along the line the OP has changed receivers, probably in an attempt to eliminate it as a source of the blurry recordings.

A new hard drive in a DVR or a DVD recorder IS NOT going to fix a blurry recording problem.

I agree, sounds like a crappy encoder chip in the DVD recorder.



I changed receivers to see if it the problem was the recorder itself, so when I saved a movie onto the hard drive and during playback of that movie, it was still blurred pics/scenes, which I think is the recorder problem,
so basically I will need a standard dvd recorder with a hard drive that doesn't include Tivo, that will solve my problem? thanks

[tbeckner]

I changed receivers to see if it the problem was the recorder itself, so when I saved a movie onto the hard drive and during playback of that movie, it was still blurred pics/scenes, which I think is the recorder problem,
so basically I will need a standard dvd recorder with a hard drive that doesn't include Tivo, that will solve my problem? thanksAt the moment I stand greatly confused.

I have never seen blurry pictures or scenes on any TiVo (SA or DirecTiVo) unless the source of the video had a problem.

If I read you correctly, you originally said that the recording on the hard drive was not blurry but that when you transferred the recording to a DVD the recording became blurry. In almost all cases, a hard drive to DVD recording goes through one set of decoding and encoding to make it to the DVD surface. If this is where the failure occurs, then the failure is in the decoding and re-encoding process which in all likelihood is completely chip based.

You do need to post a VERY CLEAR explanation of your situation.

What devices are being used and at what point the image becomes blurry.

This is what I am currently assuming:


D10 Receiver with standard RCA 3 wire cable (red/white/yellow) from output of D10 to input of Pioneer DVR810H
Pioneer DVR810H (TiVo Storage on Hard Drive)
Pioneer DVR810H internal transfer (decoding and encoding) to DVD Recorder part of Pioneer DVR810H


If the image is blurry when you replay the image at number 2 in the list above, then the problem is either the output of the D10, the cable, the input of the Pioneer DVR810H, the encoding of the signal prior it being written to the Hard Drive in the Pioneer, or the decoding of the signal after it has been read from the hard drive in the Pioneer. The first thing to check is the D10 signal and the cable, by connection it directly to a TV, if that picture is clear, the problem is with the internal circuits in the Pioneer DVR810H, which means a Pioneer SERVICE call.

If the image is not blurry at number 2, but the image is blurry when you replay the image at number 3 in the list above, then the problem is in the decoding chip that is used to decode the image stored on the hard drive or the problem is in the encoding chip that is used to encode the image just prior to recording to the DVD, which means a Pioneer SERVICE call.

If the output of the D10 and cable are clear when connected to a TV, then it is very likely that the problem is in the Pioneer DVR810H and can only be fixed by a Pioneer SERVICE Call.

A pixelated image would be different, but a blurry image is likely an internal fault, that a hard drive swap cannot fix.

How about just sending your Pioneer DVR810H in for SERVICE? If it is like Sony Service, they just charge a flat rate for service.

[goony]

Good analysis tbeckner.

[bnm81002]

hopefully I will try to explain one more time my problem, I have the Pioneer DVR810H with hard drive which is a dvd recorder with Tivo built-in, I also have the Philips DSR704 receiver also with hard drive and Tivo built-in, I have the Directv non-tivo standard receiver, here's my problem, when I transfer any VCR tape directly into the DVD recorder's hard drive and play it back before burning to a DVD, the pictures are sometimes blurred or pixelated, in other words at times it is not a clear picture, when I play the VCR tape itself, I get a very clear picture, no problems at all, I also get the same problems when I transferred a recording from the Philips unit to the DVD recorder, mind you I also get a clear picture during playback of the Philips unit, then I tried to record directly from the standard receiver into the DVD recorder but again I get the blurred or pixelated picture, I have some recordings in the DVD recorder's hard drive, when I play any of those recordings, I again have no problems with the picture itself,
I think I mis-used the word blurred, I think the main problem is that the picture has pixelations in it where I see small square boxes around the faces of the people in the recordings,
I will upgrade the drive in the recorder anyway just for my own practice in knowing how to do a drive upgrade,
I will also purchase a standard DVD recorder with a hard drive without Tivo built-in,
I have the VCR connected using composite cables(red-white-yellow) to the recorder
I have the Philips connected using S-Video cable to the recorder
I have the standard receiver also connected through composite cables to the recorder
I truly appreciate all of your help in trying to solve my situation :up: :up: :up:

[dtremain]

Also, any opinion on the Toshiba D-VR4 dvd recorder? Im considering that one

Since you're a newbie, it's bad form to hijack somone else's thread. Even if your point seems somewhat related, just start a new thread. You'll find folks much more responsive that way.

[dtremain]

I think the main problem is that the picture has pixelations in it where I see small square boxes around the faces of the people in the recordingsI don't have a non-computer based DVD driver, so I'm out of my element here, but is it possible that what he is describing here is normal performance for the unit? It sounds like he is describing artifacting around outlines.

[tbeckner]

hopefully I will try to explain one more time my problem, I have the Pioneer DVR810H with hard drive which is a dvd recorder with Tivo built-in, I also have the Philips DSR704 receiver also with hard drive and Tivo built-in, I have the Directv non-tivo standard receiver, here's my problem, when I transfer any VCR tape directly into the DVD recorder's hard drive and play it back before burning to a DVD, the pictures are sometimes blurred or pixelated, in other words at times it is not a clear picture, when I play the VCR tape itself, I get a very clear picture, no problems at all, I also get the same problems when I transferred a recording from the Philips unit to the DVD recorder, mind you I also get a clear picture during playback of the Philips unit, then I tried to record directly from the standard receiver into the DVD recorder but again I get the blurred or pixelated picture, I have some recordings in the DVD recorder's hard drive, when I play any of those recordings, I again have no problems with the picture itself,
I think I mis-used the word blurred, I think the main problem is that the picture has pixelations in it where I see small square boxes around the faces of the people in the recordings,
I will upgrade the drive in the recorder anyway just for my own practice in knowing how to do a drive upgrade,
I will also purchase a standard DVD recorder with a hard drive without Tivo built-in,
I have the VCR connected using composite cables(red-white-yellow) to the recorder
I have the Philips connected using S-Video cable to the recorder
I have the standard receiver also connected through composite cables to the recorder
I truly appreciate all of your help in trying to solve my situation :up: :up: :up:Thanks so very much for your explanation.

Usually in the case of a failing hard drive, the pixelations are usually major and very noticeable, the picture freezes or breaks up, and sometimes the recording freezes the DVR and the DVR requires a power off/on reboot.

Based upon your feedback, there could likely be an encoder/decoder problem which is chip based. But if you want to attempt a new hard drive install and are not concerned about the costs, have the technical skills, and are careful, then I believe that couldn't hurt.

If cables have been ruled out and a new hard drive with new software doesn’t fix the problem, then I would recommend sending the Pioneer in for service with the original hard drive, especially if Pioneer charges a fixed cost to repair like Sony does.

The best of luck.

[JWThiers]

Does your DVD recorder/Tivo unit have an image quality selection (higher quality = larger file size = less recording time available)?