Records & dubs but very poor resolution
Hi, I'll try & explain best I can the situation I am trying to deal with. First, I recently bought a Toshiba 780P HDTV. The other equipment I use are: DishTV VIP 722K DVR Magnavox ZV427MG9 DVD/VCR Recorder(No Tuner) So far, the only way I can record is to hook up as follows: DVR: HDMI to TV DVR: A/V cables Out to A/V In on VCR/DVD VCR/DVD Player Recorder: HDMI to TV I have to switch from the TV Input from HDMI1 to HDMI2 to record & watch playback, however, the quality is horrible, be it in 2 up to 6 hour mode! You have an idea as to how I can connect the 3 components differently, to allow me to make quality recordings onto DVD's? My prior standard VCR(Recorder)/DVD player only recorded beautifully, but attrition did it in so I am trying this Mag. unit Many thanks!
Televison & Video - Magnavox - ZV427MG9 DVD Recorder VCR
Answers & Comments
Hi,
You've got a Dish Network's HD DVR and a Toshiba 720P HDTV - so this part of the mix will maintain the HD pictures and high quality digital audio that you're used to seeing.
The trouble begins when you introduced the Magnavox VCR / DVD device. The highest quality video content that this device can record is the 480 type, regardless of the input or source quality - which in your case would be 720P via HDMI cables. 480 is considered "SD" or "standard definition". This is the weakest link in your setup and is responsible for your unsatisfactory results.
The Magnavox will "upconvert" to 1080 lines of resolution. The key here is the term "upconvert" True HD recordings are taken of a scene and capturing either 720 or 1080 lines of resolution in the image or video (such as a camera taking a photo or video); or recording the playback of a previously recorded 720 or 1080 lines of resolution source. Recording a 480 lines of resolution source with a an 720 or 1080 lines of resolution device will not make the image HD. The recording can not possibly be better than the original. In fact, due to losses, each generation of copy becomes worse and worse. Upconverting simply "fills in" the missing parts between the 480 source and 720 or 1080 output with what it "thinks" is missing data. The results are what you see on the screen. The original capture did not save more info that 480 lines of resolution so it is really impossible to improve it.
The recording can not ever exceed the quality of the original (the Dish Network DVR at 720 or more) and will only be as good as the weakest link (the Magnavox DVD / VCR at 480). Additionally, the moment you change from digital to analog, you lose quality instantly. Digital signals - both video and audio will always be faithfully reproduced do to error correcting technology, etc. that simply isn't available in the analog world.
You need to use a digital recorder capable of capturing and playing back of 720 or 1080 lines of resolution video and AC3 audio for optimum video and audio on a Blu Ray recorder or other device with hard drives or memory such as MP3 recorder. Otherwise you'll have to accept reduced quality of standard L & R analog audio and 480 lines of resolution of SD video. You can not expect HD audio and video if you try to save to equipment designed for SD / analog.
Duh me! Thanks again Steve! No, I have not yet tried the recordings on my old TV yet. In some respects, it's okay as I take the DVD's to my garage to follow a painting show - it's an old standard def. portable so it may be much better on that! But I also wanted to archive some older VHS tapes, so this is where this hurts me most. So as you suggest, I'd be better off with a recordable BluRay machine.. Again, thanks very much for your help & information - so much appreciated! But I feel stupid I spent a then 200.00 for a unit that is basically for standard def. viewing. A shame this unit is really only good for old TV's as the viewing source. Happy Holidays!
Just remember that if the content you want to save or archive is SD content, the Magnavox DVD / VHS recorder is what you'll want to use. That is probably the case if you've got VHS tapes that you want to transfer to DVD. I believe that is why this device was produced and is probably ideal for that job. If you want to move content from your Dishnetwork DVR and preserve the HD video and high quality audio, you'll need to transfer to computer or Blu Ray recorder. It's not unusual for people to expect the old SD content to look better on an HD display.. they learn pretty quickly that it looks worse. Good luck & Happy Holidays to you, too!