Recording SD on an HD channel

[cabanaboy1977]

If you record a SD program that is on an HD channel does it take up the same amount of space that an HD program does or is it the same as recording a SD on a SD station? or is it somewhere in the middle?

Just wondering since there isn't a freespace indicator and sometimes reruns of CSI (and others) are not in HD.

[KSbugeater]

It's in the HD neighborhood. If you have the option, always record SD programs on non-HD channels (ESPN games, TNT non-HD movies). That allows you more flexibility with display styles (bars or no, stretch or zoom) AND uses 1/5 of the space. Unless the signal on the SD channel is compressed so much that you don't like the PQ.

[cabanaboy1977]

I'll have to do that. I wish you could tell it to only record programs with HD off the HD feeds.
Thanks, for the info.

[DonCorleone]

Hey, on that note, I have a question. If the H20 only has component and HDMI outputs, how do you record if you don't have a DVR since a VCR only has coaxial inputs?

[hiker]

Hey, on that note, I have a question. If the H20 only has component and HDMI outputs, how do you record if you don't have a DVR since a VCR only has coaxial inputs?
You can't record true HD using the H20 and an external recorder. You can record SD (either SD or HD channel) using the H20 composite or S-Video outputs. The H20 has no RF coax output. You have to have a VCR with composite or S-Video input or get a RF modulator from someplace like Radio Shack.

[CCarncross]

Hey, on that note, I have a question. If the H20 only has component and HDMI outputs, how do you record if you don't have a DVR since a VCR only has coaxial inputs?

The H20 has composite and s-video outputs as well.....

[newsposter]

I see you are in IL. Here in the philly area, directvs SD locals are so bad, i record everything OTA period (when I have enough tuners). Shows like the apprentice, simpsons etc are THAT much better that it's worth 8x the space. I've seen colors in the simpsons and other shows I didn't see before. When I got my HDtivo i recorded some duplicate stuff in SD and HD and that's all the convincing I needed

[cabanaboy1977]

I see you are in IL. Here in the philly area, directvs SD locals are so bad, i record everything OTA period (when I have enough tuners). Shows like the apprentice, simpsons etc are THAT much better that it's worth 8x the space. I've seen colors in the simpsons and other shows I didn't see before. When I got my HDtivo i recorded some duplicate stuff in SD and HD and that's all the convincing I needed

Yeah the I've noticed some bad coloring on my local FOX from D*. I will be recording anything I can in HD. I just wanted to confirm that SD on a HD channel would take up more space. Since it does and you can't fit to the screen i'll be recording it in SD. I wish the OTA that I had worked, it's in the attic and doesn't get anything. Even rabbit ears don't work it must be my siding. It would be sweet to be able to record 3 programs at the same time in HD and to be able to record Smallville in HD.