LG LST-3410A DVR

[Cooknn]

I've been patiently waiting for Comcast to deploy an HD DVR in my area, but nothing seems to be happening. Initially I believe they were going to deploy the Motorola DCT-6208, but now I'm hearing that they might wait for a dual unit where you can record one thing while watching another (I don't think the 6208 can do that). Time goes by. I'm not so patient any more :whistle:

In my web travels I stumbled upon this LG LST-3410A DVR (PDF 1.6MB) (http://www.lge.com/products/mobile/mobil/sidemenu.do?action=filedown&group_code=CTG1000472&list_code=PRD_MANU&page=1&filepath=/download/902878983LST-3410A_OM_1021(Distilled).pdf&filename=LST-3410A_OM_1021(Distilled).pdf&)

I shot an e-mail to their tech support and got the response below. Anybody here tried this unit?

From: LG customer service [lgcustomerservice@lge.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 1:50 AM
To: Dave Cook
Subject: LG Customer Enquiry -[Dave Cook]

Great Company, Great People Dear Dave, Thank you for inquiring of LG Electronics. Your e-mail has been received. Yes sir you will be able to record all those channels. If you are able to view them then you should be able to record them. You will continue to have the on-screen guide for the life of the LST-3410A. There is no subscription cost for that, it comes free with the unit. Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions or concerns. Thank you again for contacting LG Electronics.

Received Date : 3/10/2004 06:21:55
The type of inquiry : Product Operation
Product/Model No. : DVD Player/Recorder/LST-3410A

I have Comcast with the HDTV package including ESPNHD, INHD, INHD2, HBOHD, ShowtimeHD and PBSHD, as well as ABCHD and NBCHD. Can I record all these channels with the LST-3410A? Can I continue the subscription to the on-screen guide?

[eplantz]

I, too, am interested in something to record HD on my Comcast system.

I read the 3410A manual (several times) and don't think it will work.

If the HD channels from Comcast as not scrambled, it might but I think they are.

From the manuals:


Cable Box Connections using “CABLE IN” jack on the HD DVR
Note: Cable Box connections using “A/V IN 1” jacks is recommended but you can use “CABLE IN” RF jack instead if your cable box does not have “AUDIO OUT” and “VIDEO OUT” jacks.


Connect your cable TV (CATV) service to the “CABLE IN” jack on your Cable Box with a coaxial RF cable.
Connect the “CH 3/4” jack (see drawing) from your Cable Box to the “CABLE IN” jack on the HD DVR with a coaxial RF cable.

You can also watch terrestrial digital broadcasting if you connect your Antenna to the “ANT IN” jack on the HD DVR with a coaxial RF cable.

Notes
•
Select “Cable box” menu option to watch cable programming via cable box.

•
Select “Digital” menu option to watch digital terrestrial/cable programming.


so, it appears the cable box output to the 3410A is via NTSC (RCA plugs) and therefore not HD signals.

Gene

[Cooknn]

I just read through the manual again today at lunch and was not so sure about compatibility either - specifically after reading the section you mentioned. $1000 is pretty high anyways :(

[eplantz]

Found this to indicate it does work on Comcast BUT ONLY FOR UNSCRAMBLED channels:

When tested on my Comcast system... the 3410 tuned 218 channels (7 of which were OTA) Included were; the local HD channels that Comcast was carrying, ESPN-HD, INHD, and INHD2. HBO-HD was the only HD channel not tuned. (Too bad I had to give it back.)

[Cooknn]

Here's another one I found. What do you make of this?

Zenith PVR HDR230 (http://www.zenith.com/sub_prod/downloads_pdf/HDR230.pdf)

[eplantz]

Same deal.

I believe the LG used to be a Zenith 330 before it was renamed and has a larger hard disk.

But, it has the same limitations.... it will only record HD if the signal comes in from RF. And, only unscrambled.

[Cooknn]

Guess we'll just have to hang in there and wait for technology to catch up with our desires:mecry: Someday we'll be able to watch and/or record whatever we want, whenever we want - in Hi-Def! VOD will be big, but not until we can get it in 1080i or 720p IMHO. I even built a website to keep tabs on VOD news (see sig below) :)

Have you ever seen Apple's iTunes Music Store? Can you imagine being able to search out any movie or sporting event and watching it in Hi-Def on demand? Oh, and I don't want to pay $4 or $5 bucks a pop as it is currently with Pay Per View. I want to get it all for a flat rate that's affordable. Will it happen? I think it will, but I may be a little overly optimistic :D