standalone recording quality: differences
 

Haven't seen TiVO in action, yet.

How would users describe the differences in video quality between
Best, High, Medium and Basic? Are the differences comparable to the
difference between VHS SP and SLP, for example?

Thanks,

ds

"ds" wrote
Haven't seen TiVO in action, yet.
How would users describe the differences in video quality between
Best, High, Medium and Basic? Are the differences comparable to the
difference between VHS SP and SLP, for example?

IMO:

BASIC: slightly worse than VHS SLP
MEDIUM: better than VHS SLP (LP, perhaps?)
HIGH: VHS SP or better
BEST: Super VHS

Keep in mind that the quality problems are different from those
found on tape. Some people are more sensitive than others to
the new class of digital faults, and some people have equipment
(big, very high resolution TVs, for example) that accentuates
these faults. Compressed digital video takes on faults that are
best described as "pixelating": the picture, particularly during
scenes that have a lot of fast movement. When this happens,
most can see the picture as being comprised of relatively large,
square blocks -- which get worse as the quality setting (and
disk usage) decreases.

DirecTV-TiVo combo boxes, otoh, record the data off the
satellite dish exactly as transmitted by DirecTV, which uses its
own compressors that are much better at getting a decent picture
using less data. These units only record DirecTV, but they have
other benefits as well, such as the ability to record two things
at the same time and lower monthly subscription cost ($5/month
for all "DirecTiVos" in the same residence on the same account,
but you do have to pay DirecTV $5/month for each additional
machine per their standard mirroring charge for additional DirecTV
receivers regardless of whether they have TiVo functionality, or
else included if you have certain channel packages). The boxes
themselves are also cheaper than "standalone" TiVo DVRs.

HTH

"ds" wrote
Haven't seen TiVO in action, yet.
How would users describe the differences in video quality between
Best, High, Medium and Basic? Are the differences comparable to the
difference between VHS SP and SLP, for example?

IMO:

BASIC: slightly worse than VHS SLP
MEDIUM: better than VHS SLP (LP, perhaps?)
HIGH: VHS SP or better
BEST: Super VHS

Keep in mind that the quality problems are different from those
found on tape. Some people are more sensitive than others to
the new class of digital faults, and some people have equipment
(big, very high resolution TVs, for example) that accentuates
these faults. Compressed digital video takes on faults that are
best described as "pixelating": the picture, particularly during
scenes that have a lot of fast movement. When this happens,
most can see the picture as being comprised of relatively large,
square blocks -- which get worse as the quality setting (and
disk usage) decreases.

DirecTV-TiVo combo boxes, otoh, record the data off the
satellite dish exactly as transmitted by DirecTV, which uses its
own compressors that are much better at getting a decent picture
using less data. These units only record DirecTV, but they have
other benefits as well, such as the ability to record two things
at the same time and lower monthly subscription cost ($5/month
for all "DirecTiVos" in the same residence on the same account,
but you do have to pay DirecTV $5/month for each additional
machine per their standard mirroring charge for additional DirecTV
receivers regardless of whether they have TiVo functionality, or
else included if you have certain channel packages). The boxes
themselves are also cheaper than "standalone" TiVo DVRs.

HTH

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 18:17:07 -0600, "Bao H. Lammy"
wrote:
....Compressed digital video takes on faults that are
best described as "pixelating": the picture, particularly during
scenes that have a lot of fast movement....

Thanks for the detailed response. I have digital cable, and see
variable amounts of such noise even without TiVO. Wonder if TiVO
would compound (or mask) this problem.

ds

"ds" wrote
Thanks for the detailed response. I have digital cable, and see
variable amounts of such noise even without TiVO. Wonder if TiVO
would compound (or mask) this problem.

I can't see it masking the problem, that's for sure...