New Pioneer DVD-Recorders Unveiled

Included in Pioneers new slate of consumer and professional-grade writers and recorders are units that utilize TiVo's time-shifting technology. At a list price of $1,199 (£714) the less expensive of the two models, the DVR-810H-S, ships with an 80 gigabyte hard-drive and up to 10x write speed with a CD-RW. A one hour television program can be recorded to a 4x DVD-R disc in about 2 ½ minutes.


Christmas sorted: the Pioneer DVR810HS

Another system feature allows content to be copied from a DVD to the unit?s hard drive during play, or to play media from the hard-drive while recording to a DVD.


The DVR-57H

The DVR-57H is the more expensive of the two and lists at $1,800 (£1,072) and has a 120gig hard-drive.


The DVR-SK12D

Also in Pioneers' new product line is the DVR-SK12D, a portable writer that measures 138x22x162mm, and weighs approximately one pound. The device costs $349 (£208), connects through Firewire or USB 2, and is compatible with all recordable DVD formats.


The DVR-310-S

In addition, the model list includes the DVR-310-S. Dubbed a VCR replacement, it's an entry level plug and play recorder priced at $599 (£357).

Pioneer DVR810HS Specs

• Records to DVD-R and DVD-RW formats


• 80GB hard drive stores up to 102 hours


• Electronic programming guide and TiVo


• 10x speed transfer: hard drive to DVD-R


• Faroudja DCDi picture optimization


• Progressive scan video output


• Component video output


• Virtual Surround Sound


• 9-bit / 27MHz video D/A converter

DVD Features

• DVD Recording: The Pioneer DVR-810H can record on both DVD-R (record once) and DVD-RW (rewritable) discs. Only programs in the Now Playing list can be copied to a DVD. The Now Playing list can contain content recorded from live TV or from a component connected to the A/V inputs. The Now Playing list is stored on the internal 80GB hard drive. After the content has been copied to the hard drive, it can be transferred to a DVD. The DVR-810H features up to 18x record speed (when using a 4X blank disc), so you'll be able to dub a 1-hour program to DVD in basic EP quality mode in just over 3 minutes.
  Note: You cannot record copy-protected video including DVD-Video discs and some satellite broadcasts.


• Video D/A Converter: This unit uses a 27MHz/9-bit video digital-to-analog converter.


• Progressive Scan Output with Faroudja's DCDi: This unit has a progressive scan output featuring Faroudja's patented Directional Correlational Deinterlacing (DCDi). This technology applies new motion adaptive deinterlacing that prevents the introduction of motion artifacts and jagged edges from video signals that originated from video cameras (such as with sporting events, live camera feeds and music videos). The result is a sharper, noise-free picture with finer details. Video images are displayed with optimum naturalness and color reproduction with less flicker and fewer motion artifacts than traditional interlaced scanned pictures.


• Audio D/A Converter: The DVR-810H has a 96kHz/24-bit audio digital-to-analog converter for superb audio reproduction.


• Digital Audio Output Capabilities: You can select a sampling frequency output setting of "96 kHz to 48 kHz" or "96 kHz". When set to "96 kHz to 48 kHz", the audio signals are always converted to 48 kHz/16-bit. When set to "96 kHz", all types of signals, including 96 kHz/24-bit, are output in their original format. However, if the signal is encrypted for copyright protection purposes, the signal is only output as 48 kHz/16-bit.


• MP3 Playback: The DVR-810H will play CD-R and CD-RW discs containing MP3 audio files recorded in ISO 9660 Level 1/Level 2, Romeo or Joliet formats. MP3 files with a compression rate from 32-320 kbps are supported.


• Dynamic Range Compression: This function reduces a Dolby Digital soundtrack's dynamic range so you can hear quieter dialogue without being overwhelmed by loud sections. You can turn Dynamic Range Compression on or off.


• 3D Noise Reduction: If the output is set to progressive, this feature allows you to reduce the amount of noise in the video signal.


• Parental Lock Function: You can select a parental control rating from 0-8, which is protected by a 4-digit password.

Hard Disk Recorder Features

• Overview: In addition to the progressive-scan DVD player/recorder, the DVR-810H features an 80GB TiVo Series2 hard disk recorder.


• TiVo Basic Service: The DVR-810H includes built-in TiVo Basic Service, allowing you to enjoy basic TiVo features right out of the box, with no subscription fees. TiVo Basic Service allows you to control live TV and record programs on a specific channel at a specific time, much like a VCR. TiVo Basic Service also includes an on-screen interactive program guide that provides up to 3 days of information on your favorite upcoming programs.
  
  Note: If you have two program sources connected to this unit, you must upgrade to TiVo Plus service to use them with full TiVo functionality. For example, if you have a system that feeds satellite and antenna signals, satellite and cable signals (without a cable box), or satellite and cable signals (with a cable box) to this unit, you must upgrade to TiVo Plus service to use them with full TiVo functionality. TiVo Basic Service will not provide program guide info for two sources.

TiVo Plus Service: At any time, you can upgrade to full TiVo functionality by subscribing to TiVo Plus Service. TiVo Plus brings you the following features:

• Season Pass Recordings: allows you to automatically record every episode of your favorite series, all season long, even if the schedule changes


• WishList Searches: allows you to find and record programs by actor, director, sports team, etc.


• Search by Title: allows you to browse for shows by title, filter by genre (like "Comedy"), and more


• Interactive 14-Day Program Guide: allows you to instantly schedule recordings from an on-screen guide that includes detailed show summaries, ratings, etc.


• More Smart Features: TiVo Plus skips reruns, tracks schedule changes, and more


• TiVo Central: Almost everything you do with the TiVo service will start in TiVo Central; you can set up recordings, watch programs, read messages from the TiVo service, and access special Showcases featuring entertaining and informative video.


• Status Bar: When you use playback functions, a status bar appears indicating the position of the program you are currently in.


• Channel Banner: Whenever you watch a live or pre-recorded show, a channel banner will momentarily display program information. You can choose from the following versions of the channel banner: Small (current time and channel), Medium (adds the title, running time, and rating), or Large (adds program description and icon).


• Recording a Live Program: You can always record the program you're watching by pressing the record button. Up to 30 minutes of programming from the current channel is always being saved, even when you are not recording a program.


• Now Playing: Now Playing lists all the programs stored on the DVR-810H. As soon as a recording begins, it appears at the top of the list. You can watch any title in Now Playing, even one that is still being recorded.


• Pick Programs to Record: With TiVo Basic Service, you can schedule a manual recording on a specific channel at a specific time (just as you would with a VCR). You can also program a recording to repeat every week, every day, or every weekday.


• To Do List: The To Do List shows all your scheduled recordings and lets you cancel or edit them.


• Messages: This list contains messages from the TiVo service and alerts from the unit itself.
  
• Parental Controls: You can use TV Parental Controls to set limits on television and movie ratings for any programs in live TV or Now Playing, and to lock specific channels so that a password is required to view them. You can use DVD Parental Controls to set limits on movie ratings for DVDs.


• Daily Phone Call: To receive the latest programming information and software upgrades, the DVR-810H will automatically make a daily phone call. This call typically takes about 5-10 minutes, and often occurs late at night. In most areas, there is a local access number. In areas where there is not a local access number, a long distance call is required for each update, and you will be billed for long distance calling. You can also use the Internet for updates. To accomplish this, you must connect the DVR-810H to a home network that includes a shared broadband Internet connection.


• Video Recording Quality: The DVR-810H lets you choose one of the following levels of video recording quality: Extreme (Fine), High (SP), Medium (LP), or Basic (EP). Basic quality takes up about one-third the space of Extreme (Fine) quality.

Home Media Option: The DVR-810H is capable of incorporating TiVo's Home Media Option feature package, which opens the door to cool networked home A/V entertainment possibilities. The Home Media Option is a software upgrade you can download from TiVo via a dial-up or broadband Internet connection. It turns the DVR-810H into a full-fledged digital media server that connects via USB port to your wired or wireless home network and PC. (A USB network adapter is required.) Purchasing the Home Media Option adds these features:

• Remote Scheduling: allows you to schedule recordings of shows anytime and anywhere you have Internet access and a standard web browser


• Digital Music Player: allows you to stream MP3 files from a PC or Mac for playback through your TV or home A/V system


• Digital Photo Viewer: allows you to view digital photos on your TV


• Multi-room Viewing: gives you the ability to connect to another TiVo Series2 DVR elsewhere in your home for program-sharing between the two units

Remote Control

• Multibrand Remote: The supplied remote is pre-programmed to operate this unit and a number of functions on other brands of components, including TVs and A/V stereo systems.

Inputs and Outputs

• RF Input and Output: The DVR-810H has threaded coax jacks for use with televisions or cable boxes that don't have A/V jacks.


• A/V Input: In addition to the A/V outputs, the DVR-810H has two A/V inputs, A/V Input 1 and A/V Input 2. A/V Input 1 has the following jacks: left and right RCA audio, RCA composite video, and S-video. A/V Input 2 has the following jacks: left and right RCA audio and RCA composite video.


• Phone Line: An RJ-11 jack is used to connect the DVR-810H to a phone line for accessing the TiVo Service (a 25' phone cord is supplied).


• USB: The DVR-810H has a full-size USB jack, allowing you to connect the unit to your wired or wireless home network and PC. (A USB network adapter is required.)


• Serial and IR Outputs: Using the supplied Serial (Data) Control cable, the Serial minijack allows you to connect the DVR-810H to a DirecTV receiver. Once the connection is made, the DVR-810H can change channels and control the receiver. If your receiver does not have a serial port, you can use the IR minijack, which allows you to connect the supplied IR Control cable to control the DirecTV receiver.

Pioneer website: pioneerelectronics.com.