How To Save Your Favorite Programs Without Buying A PVR

[grynner]

How To Save Your Favorite Programs Without Buying A PVR

Most of you already have what you need already. Even If you need to purchase a recorder, it is far cheaper than the $300-$400 a PVR costs, and the results are just as satisfactory.

What is needed:
1. A satellite receiver with AV or componet outputs
2. A DVD standalone recorder ($75-$150, or even cheaper on Ebay)
3. Blank DVD meda for your recorder I purchased a 100 disc spindle at Amazon for $20 (20 cents a disc! )

Ok, If you purchase a DVD recorder to record premium channels, be sure it works on the channels you want to record. Since June 2006, many standalone recorders have a new chip in them that is activated when trying to record a program on some premium channels such as HBO, Max, PPV etc. This will give you a screen message that says the program is copyrighted and not recordable. Don't despair if you already have one of these recorders there is still a workaround for you. More on that later. If you are purchasing a new recorder, you can either purchase one manufactured before June 2006, or get one made since that does not have the security chip installed. (yes, not all new machines have it) Just last week I was in a Wal-Mart store in Muncie In. that had four brand new Sanyo DRW-500 recorders for $149. All had dates of Sept 2004! I can personally recommend this unit as I have one that has performed flawlessly for over two years. The only drawback to this machine is it only records on +DVD R or RW. Most newer machines will record on eithr + or - media. This is only a problem if you have an older player that won't play +DVDr discs. This is a very small,(less than 20%) amout of players made. Most players made in the last two years will play any DVDR disc. As I said earlier, not all new machines are blocked. I just purchased a new Phillips DVDR 3390 Date code Dec. 2006, at Wal-Mart for $129. After hooking the unit up I mmmediately made a test recording on a PPv channel., and a couple more on other premium channels. All recording tests were successful! This machine has the added advantage of being made region-free by simply entering a code with the remote. Thjis give it the ability to play any DVD in the world, regardless of the region code. For those who don't understand this, all commercial DVD players, recorders, and prerecorded DVDs, made for the north American market are region 1. Europe is region 2. A region 1 machine will not play any DVD from any other region, and a recording on a region 1 unit will not play on anyunit that is not region 1. Region free machines and movies will play on any region machines. When purchasing your machine, make sure it is returnable if not satisfied. Most major stores have no problem with this as long as you have your receipt. Unpack your new machine and And connect it as described below. If you get anerror message, or copyright notice, simply repack it and return it for a different unit, or a refund.

Once you have a recorder connect it as follows:

1. Connect the satellite receiver to the recorder input using S Video, Componet, or AV inputs
2. Connect the output of the recorder to your TV or monitor using the output appropriate for your TV.
3. Turn on your TV and turn the volume all the way down.
4. Turn on the recorder and set it up according to the owners manual.
5. Turn on the satellite receiver and turn the receiver volume all the way up.
6. Tune the recorder to the inputs you have the receiver connected to. This is probably AV1 or EXT1. You should now have a satellite picture on your TV.
7. Now tune the sat receiverb to the channel you wish to record. and ajust the TV volume to a comfortable level. DO NOT CHANGE THE SAT RECEIVER VOLUME!! It must remain at full volume, or your recorded DVD will have low or no sound.
8. Set the recorder timer to record the program you want, or wait til it starts and push the record button on the remote. Note: if using the timer and recording a movie or program longer than 2 hrs. use the EP or LP record mode.
9. After your recording is done you need to "Finalize" the disc. See your owners manual for instructions on how to do this. Failure to do this will result in a disc that is only playable on your recorder.
it will not play on any other player until finalized.

Congratulations! you have just made your first DVD that will now play in most players. You can save your favorite progams or movies and play them any time you wish. To protect the disc, you can purchase a box of 100 paper sleeves for about $4. These are the same sleeves used for driver CDs that come with various computer hardwear.

As I said earlier, if you have a recorder that has the protection chip in it, don't despair. Do an internet or Ebay search for a Sima GoDVD video enhancer. This nifty little box has a lot of neat features. Simply connect it between your receiver and your recorder. Now you can record any channel, since the copy protection has been removed. This unit also works great for transferring commercial movies on VHS to DVD. It will remove the Macrovision protection on these tapes giving you a perfect transfer.
Well thats it! I hope you find this tutorial useful.

c&p,thnaks goes to Blackswan