Newbie questions regarding DVI and PVRs

[gojulas]

I'm trying to wrap my mind around this whole DVI/ FireWire issue, and timeshifting with a PVR. I've read many of the posts here and I'd like to ask some questions.
I am about to take delivery on a 38" Loewe Aconda that has one component input and one VGA input for high def signals. I do not currently own a STB or PVR.

Is not the issue with DVI that if I currently owned a PVR without a DVI interface that I couldn't record a HD signal, and that if I currently owned a STB without a DVI output then I couldn't hook it up to a HD-PVR? But if I got one of the new combo STB/HD-PVR boxes being announced (Zenith just announced some today at CES) then I could hook that unit up to my Aconda using it's VGA or component output?

In other words if I got the right combination of STB and HD-PVR then I would be alright even if my HDTV doesn't have DVI or FireWire?

Sorry for the simplistic question.

[57U]

A separate HD DVR/PVR needs a firewire input. I'm pretty sure DVI doesn't work as an input for HDDVRs.

Most HDDVRs will have component video outputs for a while, so no DVI is necessary to get the signal to the TV...

[gojulas]

Thanks 57U. I guess what I'm driving at is that if one gets a "next-gen" combo box that has an HDTV tuner and a HD recorder built into it together, then does one need to worry about DVI/FireWire at all?
Yes, I understand that if I wanted to record to tape using a DVHS deck then I would need to worry about DVI/FW. I'm not too worried about that. I want to time shift HD programs, not archive them. If the program is any good it'll come out on DVD with cool extras anyway. I just want to be able to timeshift an HD program that airs on Thursday night (that's my drinkin' night!) and watch it, in HD, on Friday, using a "combo box" feeding into my TV using the VGA port.
For reference the following is information from Zenith, who just announced some combo boxes.
HDR230 HDTV Receiver/Personal Video Recorder combines Zenith’s latest-generation ATSC terrestrial tuner with an 80-gigabyte hard disc recorder — allowing storage and playback of more than eight hours of HDTV programming — for an irresistible marriage of performance and convenience. Features include basic on-screen navigation using a PSIP-based (Program System Information Protocol) electronic program guide, Dolby Digital® recording, live pause, variable rate trick play, a variety of fast- and slow-motion capabilities, record file management, aspect ratio control and high connectivity via RGB, Component, S-Video and A/V outputs. The HDR230 is expected to be available from Zenith dealers in the second quarter at a suggested price of $999.
HD-PVR330 HDTV Receiver/Personal Video Recorder with the new TV Guide® on-screen interactive program guide, is a versatile next-generation HDTV-PVR designed to provide an enhanced viewing/recording experience. It is equipped with a high-gain ATSC tuner for HDTV terrestrial reception and a QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) tuner for unscrambled HDTV cable reception, as well as an NTSC tuner for standard-definition analog reception. A generous 80-gigabyte hard disc drive allows viewers to record and play back more than eight hours of HDTV programming while taking full advantage of the advanced, intuitive on-screen navigation system and program listings service from TV Guide. The service instantly delivers seven days of listings of all shows, with a new service that “tags” favorite shows for easier surfing –– plus news, sports and weather information –– all at the push of a button. Additional features include Dolby Digital recording, a video browser using thumbnail images, live pause, drag and play, smart skip, a 300X fast-forward speed, and a jack package with DVI + HDCP (Digital Visual Interface with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), RGB, Component, S-Video, and A/V outputs for super connectivity. The HD-PVR330 is expected to be available in the third quarter at a suggested price to be announced.

[57U]

The first combo box is designed for use with OTA signals only, so make sure you can receive OTA. There are no concerns about wiring with "combo boxes" since there is an internal connection between the "tuner" and the "recorder".

The same holds true for "combo" satellite and cable boxes about to come out soon.

The cable (not sure about satellite) combo boxes would typically need to be rented or purchased from the cable company and activated by them. Cable companies typically do not "activate" equipment that has not been supplied by them. You can't simply buy a STB and hook it up to cable.

That's why my previous post talked only about "separate" HD DVRs

[gojulas]

OK, I get it. I'm in the western part of Boston, Mass. (A few blocks west of Brighton Center if any Bostonians are reading this.) Away from big buildings and in a three story house. I'm sure I'll be able to get OTA.
AT&T Broadband hasn't made any announcements as to whether they'll be doing HD yet. Is the worry that if they do roll out HD that their cable box would have to connect to my TV with DVI? (For HD signal.)

[57U]

There has been a lot of concern regarding this issue, however, the component video output from the cable box will send HD signals to your TV. There are a lot of HDTVs out there without DVI. Perhaps in some number of years, new STBs will no longer have component video outputs....

For now, DVI is simply another way of getting signals to the TV. DVI is digital while component video is analogue. Some people have said that DVI is "clearer", but others say they saw no difference.

[laveller]

this is a very interesting discussion...I have a samsung 160 which has both dvi and component video output...I see no difference between the signals...now on to dvi and DVI and IEEE-1394 ... if you chose to record hdtv with a dvhs machine the dvi interface seems useless...can you convert from IEEE to DVI?

[gojulas]

In my stumbling research on the subject I finally came to the answer I was looking for.
At this time my lack of a DVI port will not be a problem, and I could hook up several of the combo HDTV/PVRs that were announced at CES, such as the Zenith or DirecTivo units.
But some day down the road the content providers may flip a switch and the only way I'll be able to view the content recorded on the box is in a low-res. On that day I'll be in court filing a lawsuit.

Laveller, in my limited research I have not seen such a converter. Perhaps some one will invent one. I get the feeling it would require some computing power, though.