HDBeat Podcast 016 - 06.06.06
Yeah we know what day it is and we don't care, you might think it got to us especially considering this is episode 16, sixes aside we have some HD news to discuss. Something was in the air, because Matt and I didn't see eye to eye on many things tonight and we really take some sides on issues like TiVo's value and shows he thinks are good enough to watch in SD. I stand my ground but admit I can be an HD snob. Get the podcast
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Hosts
Ben Drawbaugh and Matt Burns.
Producer
Ben Drawbaugh
Format
54:20, 25 MB, MP3
Comcast to begin testing HD TiVos
Getting more HD though the same old cable; CableCard on the outs?
Home Theater Blog: How to wall mount a LCD or plasma
True 1080p from Sony: 5 new Grand Wega SXRD models and 6 new BRAVIA LCDs
Sports bars invest in HD to compete with home theater
1080p carbon nanotube-based LCoS microdisplay
Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD player firmware upgrade leaked
Scripps National Spelling Bee in HD
Entourage 720p trailer on Xbox Live Marketplace; Season 3 HD?
Question: How much non-HD content do you watch?
LISTEN (MP3)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
WiFiSpy @ Jun 6th 2006 8:00AM
Hey guys, When did I call someone a fag? I don't remember doing that. I usually save it for football games.
Mike S @ Jun 6th 2006 8:43AM
Please stop dumping on the Sci Atlanta DVR boxes. I have TWC and have great service from them. My wife has never used a TIVO, only the SA8300HD DVR. She loves it!!! She can program her shows, watch them, delete them and operate the box effortlessly. What more can you ask for? Sure there are some bugs and software glitches, but it WORKS! If my wife can operator the box effortlessy it's a WINNER!
What could I wish for on the box? I wish the COPY TO VCR feature had the option of anamorphic 16:9 SD and the guide to be widescreen but hey, it's cheap to rent.
The SA8300HD is wife approved. No HD-TIVO for us.
Ben Drawbaugh @ Jun 6th 2006 8:52AM
Mike,
I will leave you with two complaints about the SA8300.
If a show is recording and you want to start watching it from the beginning, you can't; you have to RWD to the begging from the current position.
If you are still watching that show when it finishes recording it kicks you out back to live TV and you are forced to FWD all the way back to the point where you were.
This is only 2 of about 20 complaints I have, neither of which I would call a "feature", it is simply bad software.
I am sorry if you are offended, but to me the SA8300 is a perfect example of a device with bad software. I understand why people use them, for the reasons Matt gave during the show, but that doesn't mean it is a good device.
Enjoy your SA8300 and remember that sometimes ignorance truly is bliss and I do not mean that in an derogatory manor what so ever.
Thanks for your comments.
Ben Drawbaugh @ Jun 6th 2006 8:54AM
WiFiSpy,
Your right it wasn't you, sorry about that. It was NTPgrip and it was only a Joke.
http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/05/18/warner-announces-two-more-hd-dvd-titles/
Mike S @ Jun 6th 2006 9:35AM
Ben-
I agree that the SA box needs some inmprovements. My point is that my wife is satisfied with. What more can you ask for? If TWC offered TIVO software on the SA8300HD for and extra $5 a month I wouldn't mind the price increase. If it was $10 I probably would too. I just don't see us buying our own DVR when the rental box suffices.
Jay @ Jun 6th 2006 12:00PM
What is wrong with the Audio on Matt's side. It sounds like he is talking into a Tin Can. LOL.
Good show guys.
Ben Drawbaugh @ Jun 6th 2006 12:05PM
Jay,
Normally we both record ourselves and then I mix them during editing. Matt's computer takes a long time to process his end so if it takes too long I am forced to use the audio I record via Gizmo, which can be pretty bad.
We are working on a process that will allow him to send me his recording in time so I can use it rather than the Gizmo version.
In the meantime sorry for the sound quality.
Lamour @ Jun 6th 2006 12:34PM
Hey guys, the tool button on the sony remote is use for their dvd-recorder, I have a RDR-GX7, and I use it all the the time to edit title and finalize dvds.
Chris M @ Jun 6th 2006 1:30PM
I have the SA8300HD DVR from TWC and have not experienced the 2 complaints you mentioned, Ben. I have the option to Play from Beginning if I want to watch a show I am recording, while it is recording.
I don't really like the interface, compared to the DirecTV Tivo I had previously; but I do not dislike it enough to want to buy my own HD DVR. I'll wait for DirecTV to make me a sweet offer to return as a customer...
On second thought, I probably shouldn't hold my breath. :)
Ben Drawbaugh @ Jun 6th 2006 1:58PM
Chris,
I would assume that you have the Passport software and not the SARA like in Tampa. I should have qualified that statment by indicating what software they use in Tampa. My understanding is that the Passport software is much better.
Thanks for your comments.
WiFiSpy @ Jun 6th 2006 4:10PM
Ben, no worries...
Jay @ Jun 6th 2006 6:24PM
bwahahahahhah, i just listened to the second half of the podcast. best comment ever, "if you were a tool, that button would do something". ahahahahha
Joshua Nelson @ Jun 7th 2006 12:11AM
Matt -
1. There must be at least two different software setups for the Motorola boxes with Comcast. I have a Motorola box from Comcast that has the series option of "This Channel" or "All Channels". Either you are not looking closely Matt or you have a different software.
2. As far as the "random" muting - does it happen to do it every time something is scheduled to record, but your box is off? I had that "problem" with my box, but it is actually a feature. Let's say you have your speaker system turned on still and you had a program scheduled to record at 3am or something. The box might kick on which would kick in the audio and startle you. So if the box starts to record something with the power off it will come on in mute mode. You can search the AVS Forums for ways to program your remote to have a mute button that mutes/un-mutes the Motorola box. I guess though since it appears we have different software (see my point 1), you may be truly having "random" muting.
3. I don't know why people knock the motorola box so much. I did get my motorola box last summer, so it is relatively new, so maybe there is something different in mine, but I haven't had any of the issues that other people have had. I wonder if it has anything to do with the distribution in my area? Do you think the delays and jitteriness is a geographical thing depending on your local infrastructure?
Good show guys - keep up the good work!
Josh Nelson
Joe @ Jun 7th 2006 9:50AM
Thanks for explaining that a bit better Joshua. I should have included that in my comment last week. I checked my box last night and it also has the All Channels option available for a Series Recording.
Matt - I'm in Chicago and am charged $5 a month for the DVR, not $7 as you mentioned on your show. This is in addition to the $5 they charge for HD.
I tried out a SA8300HD box for the first time this past weekend and was not impressed at all. Once a DVRed show was complete, there was no way to exit back to live TV without hitting the Last button. On top of that, if you didn't exit the show in a specific amount of time, it restarted from the begining. The Comcast/Motorola box is way ahead of this box in my opinion. If only I could find someone in my area with a HD Tivo to try out for comparison...
Joe
Ben @ Jun 8th 2006 1:05PM
I have a few issues with the SA box from TWC...in addition to some of the above issues, one that quirks me is that when i am watching a show that is recording, and then the recording is over (of the same show), the screen goes grey in the middle of my viewing, and i have to go LIST and RESUME PLAYBACK.
this is a silly issue but still one that is annoying when watching a program while recording.
I also wish there were an easy shortcut button to delete shows without having to go through the whole remote...
Chris M @ Jun 8th 2006 3:29PM
Ben, I do not know the software on my SA8300. I will check.
I just finished listening to the podcast. I have to agree, the comment about the tool button made me laugh out loud. Loudly enough to draw attention on a crowded city bus. :)
Keep the great work Matt and Ben. I love the site and love the podcast.