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Ecom · 17-03-2006, 08:28

OK, got my TVDrive yesterday, so here is my initial impression after I nights use. Having just got a new HDTV my main reason for getting TVDrive is for the HDTV output that TVDrive offers. So after setup I went straight to the HD programs that telewest offer. Looked at the Blue Planet, and although OK I was expecting more from the HD. Next went to Pride, and great this is what I paid for, great quality pictures and vibrant colours. Looks like the majority of the HD programs are up scaled and not true HD.

Next tried a couple of recording settings, which were fantastically easy to program, child's play really, just hope they works because they are on Saturday.

I did record a couple of short programs however later, and again really easy to set and watch. One great feature is I was watching a recording I made, which extended into a second recording I'd set, no problem the program I was watching carried on, whilst the recording just started with no problems.

The unit automatically records up to 90 minutes of the current program you are watching, which is great for what they call "delayTV", this means you can stop, rewind up to 90 minutes, fastforward etc up to the current position in the program. You can also easily send recorded programs to VCR or DVD.

On the downside, the picture quality on SD (Standard Definition) TV via the HDMI cable is very poor, the picture looks washed out with dull colours. I have a DTV tuner built into the TV and when you switch between the two, you can really see the difference, so I will be making a call to the support team on this.

One further problem is that currently the whole system is down, which my wife is really getting on my case about, because she thought it was a waste of money anyway, so I have real egg on my face at present.

Is it worth the upgrade, purely for the HD benefit, at present no because of the lack of content, but for the ability to record 2 separate programs and watch a third, a big yes.

17-03-2006, 08:28	#1
Ecom Inactive Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6	TV Drive Initial Thoughts OK, got my TVDrive yesterday, so here is my initial impression after I nights use. Having just got a new HDTV my main reason for getting TVDrive is for the HDTV output that TVDrive offers. So after setup I went straight to the HD programs that telewest offer. Looked at the Blue Planet, and although OK I was expecting more from the HD. Next went to Pride, and great this is what I paid for, great quality pictures and vibrant colours. Looks like the majority of the HD programs are up scaled and not true HD. Next tried a couple of recording settings, which were fantastically easy to program, child's play really, just hope they works because they are on Saturday. I did record a couple of short programs however later, and again really easy to set and watch. One great feature is I was watching a recording I made, which extended into a second recording I'd set, no problem the program I was watching carried on, whilst the recording just started with no problems. The unit automatically records up to 90 minutes of the current program you are watching, which is great for what they call "delayTV", this means you can stop, rewind up to 90 minutes, fastforward etc up to the current position in the program. You can also easily send recorded programs to VCR or DVD. On the downside, the picture quality on SD (Standard Definition) TV via the HDMI cable is very poor, the picture looks washed out with dull colours. I have a DTV tuner built into the TV and when you switch between the two, you can really see the difference, so I will be making a call to the support team on this. One further problem is that currently the whole system is down, which my wife is really getting on my case about, because she thought it was a waste of money anyway, so I have real egg on my face at present. Is it worth the upgrade, purely for the HD benefit, at present no because of the lack of content, but for the ability to record 2 separate programs and watch a third, a big yes.