921 & DVD-R question.

[Peluso]

In the Dish PVR discussion, the technical specs of the new 921 include space for a future DVD burner to be added to the unit.

The technical question I have is: Is it technically possible is it to take an HDTV broadcast and burn it to the current DVD Burners in such a way as to have an anamorphic transfer at 480p ?

In theory after it's been burned, could it play in a standard DVD player on a 4x3 set and be letterboxed and then on a widescreen or HDTV set and fill the screen up like any anamorphic DVD you can currently purchase in the store?

The reason I ask is that i'm unfamiliar with DVD-R technology, and I wonder if it's possible to burn an anamorphic transfer from an HDTV master.

[James_F]

There will be no way to copy video data out of a 921 in the near future if at all.

[Jacob S]

Then how come are they having this place on the receiver for a dvd burner in the future then?

[James_F]

Who knows, but I doubt we'll see it in our lifetime.

[Jacob S]

I never even thought that they would bring about that feature, but it is a good idea, even though it probably will never be used. It would be nice to have these receivers to where you could upgrade them.

[James_F]

Its a great idea, but no company ever takes advantage of those ports.

[Eyedox]

Originally posted by James_F
There will be no way to copy video data out of a 921 in the near future if at all.
You are forgetting that the FIREWIRE ports on the 921 will immediately be open to copy data to D-VHS (exporting off the PVR). But you are correct in that it cannot be transferred to a computer or downgraded to a 480 signal, etc.

[James_F]

Very true. But only to a D-VHS recorder, not a DVD-R.

[Peluso]

If you go to the store today, you can buy a movie on DVD that is anamorphicly(sp) squeezed in such a way as to fill up a widescreen television, and look almost as good as HDTV.

My technical question is: Is it possible, to take a HDTV program, down convert it to a lower resolution so it's anamorphicly squeezed, and burn it to a recordable DVD in such a way that if you played it in another DVD player, it would look at the video like one you can get from the store.

[Mike123abc]

It is possible if you have the software. You have to down-res the 1920x1080i or 1280x720p to 720x480i then flag the DVD as anamorphic.

DVDs look good when recorded anamorphicly because you are increasing the effect verticle resolution of the image by puting the full 480i into 1/3 less screen area. But, they in no way look as good as a true HD image.

[xgrep]

Originally posted by Eyedox
You are forgetting that the FIREWIRE ports on the 921 will immediately be open to copy data to D-VHS (exporting off the PVR). But you are correct in that it cannot be transferred to a computer or downgraded to a 480 signal, etc.My understanding is that there may be restrictions on which content can be recorded, the idea being that stuff like HD PPV will not be recordable, and possibly other content, as well.

Having the technical capability doesn't guarantee that the copyright owners will allow their content to be duplicated. Perhaps a single copy will be allowed, which, for my purposes, would be at least useful, if not perfect.

x

[Jacob S]

How would they implement only being able to copy it once?

[Eyedox]

The restrictions on copying are ONLY if the FCC/government even allows the broadcast flag, which is in heated debate currently in the capitol. There are two bills being debated on right now regarding HOME RECORDING FAIR USE RIGHTS. We'll see what happens.