Jaggies are the 'step' patterns you get when non-vertical/horizontal lines are represented on lowish definition sources like DVD (720x576 - compare that with the capabilities of modern digital cameras, computer displays, Blu-Ray, HDTV, PS3, etc.). These unwanted effects are compounded if interlacing and movement are involved. A good upscaler/deinterlacer will attempt to identify and eliminate jaggies in real-time - something that's surprisingly difficult, and has attracted much R+D effort on the part of CE and AV manufacturers. These products apply special processing to the affected areas so that jaggies become less noticeable on large hi-def displays. The HQV tests, which are part of a commercially-available test DVD, use an oscillating diagonal line and a fluttering US flag to reveal any deficiencies here. A 'scorecard' system, which rates the product under test according to the quantity of residual jaggies still subjectively-visible, is used here.

More details here:  www.hqv.com/benchmark.cfm

Martin

With all the featureis that these players exhibit, it's very disappointing that not one manufacturer has yet released a hard disc DVD recorder with two digital tuners. Why is there such a split between the twin-tuner HD-only PVR and the DVD/HD recorder? 

 Whilst it's obvious that the glacially long seek times of a DVD writer won't cope with writing two files at the same time, there's nothing to stop you recording two programmes to the HD and then dubbing them one at a time to the DVD. Alternatively, one programme could be recorded to HD with the other going direct to DVD.

Yes, I'm amazed that no-one has yet built a DVD/HDD recorder with two tuners. I'm also surprised how few DVD/HDD recorders have a CI slot or built-CAM for DTT pay-TV (e.g., Setanta, TopUpTV). I guess that it's all down to keeping costs as low as possible - this genre of product is fast becoming a 'commodity'. In other words, in the interests of remaining competitive they'll only add features that can either (i) be implemented in software or (ii) any additional hardware required is cheap.

But if any manufacturers are reading this, here are a few suggestions for future features.

 1. Record the digital transport stream to the HDD, instead of taking the output from the DTT tuner and re-encoding it. That way, you'll get better quality because the 'recording' you play is actually the off-air signal. It also means that you have a better-quality source for dubbing (with re-encoding where relevant) to DVD. You could also record two different channels with one tuner simultaneously if they're on the same mux. Subtitles and language description would also always be available, if present - only they can be switched off. Handy if some, but not all, members of the family have sight/hearing difficulties.

2. Build in networking. The advantages are obvious! Panasonic sold an expensive networkable DVD/HDD recorder a few years ago - it allowed you to stream recordings to your PC - but there's been nothing since.

3. Encode, as well as decode, formats like DivX. That way, you can 'squeeze' (recompress) your HDD recording collection without sacrificing quality. Real-time recording (a special DivX mode) could also be included. With networking or USB, recordings can be transferred - CPRM permitting - to a PC or portable player.

4. Better DVD authoring facilities, such as the ability to 'grab' frames for use as the basis of menu screens. Much more attractive homespun DVDs, in other words. Toshiba recorders used to do this - but not any more...

5. An audio-only mode for recording Freeview radio (this would be possible if point 1 was to be implemented). Currently, you have to record video as well - and is wasteful even if the lowest-quality mode is used.

6. Record multiple soundtracks (main/description) or subtitles onto a DVD. These would be selectable from the disc menu. Idea 1 could form the basis of such a system.

 7. Be given a choice between 352x576 and 704/720x576 resolutions for the LP recording mode. The former will provide sufficient resolution for dubs from analogue formats like VHS (the max. 4hr typically associated with LP suits E240 VHS down to the ground). Because it would only be using 'half' the data to start off with, SP-grade compression ratios would be possible in the 352x576 mode. This would equate to less artifacting - remember that consumer videotape formats are rather 'noisy'. But there should also be a pre-encode noise reduction system.

 8. Auto-chaptering of HDD recordings. Yes, Mr. Panasonic I'm talking to you!

 Well, I think that's enough to be getting on with!

 M

Hi Martin,

I've got a Humax 8000T DVR.  Quite old now, and beginning to need reboots more often.  I'd like to replace it with a HDD DVD DVR.  Your review is VERY helpful!

One thing I really like about the Humax is that it's constantly "caching" (rather than recording - because it isn't permanent) what you're watching, and you can pause and playback instantly.  I've seen Sony RDR-HXD560 and RDH-HXD870 HDD recorders which take at least 10 seconds to pause live TV, and at least a minute before you can resume it.

Checking the product web sites, only the Philips explicitly mentions this as a feature (the Sony manual explicitly says there's a 10 second delay!).  You're not so positive about the Philips (and it doesn't offer Freeview+ either!), so I think I'll rule that out.  How did the Panasonic and Toshiba perform?

Best regards,

Anwar

The Panasonic is spoilt by that annoying 'Chasing Playback' onscreen graphic - there are too many DOGs on TV channels as it is! The Tosh, thankfully, doesn't suffer from this problem. However, neither of these machines give you the ability to 'preserve' the timeshift buffer as a recording. This feature, built into the  Philips, can be useful if you decide a programme you're watching is worth keeping (i.e. dubbing to DVD). The Philips is also the only recorder I'm aware of to behave like your Humax and 'continuously-cache' the current channel.

Hope this is of help

Martin

Hi Martin,

In your review you mentioned that you could copy divx movies from the usb memory stick.  "it's possible to copy MP3, JPEG or DiVX files from CD/DVD-ROMs or a USB device to the 890".

Please can you confirm that this is a feature?

Cheers

Ian