Hauppauge HD-PVR

Introduction

For years, I have been trying to find a HD recorder that can not only record any Cable/Satellite show, but also one that would allow me to record my dad's old VCR movies onto the computer so that we can optimize them to today's standards. I am always on the lookout to try new things, to review the unique or unusual devices that can or will make our lives a whole lot easier.The Hauppauge HD-PVR is such a device that can make our daily movie/show watching lives a lot easier.

This little device can record from any video source, and I do mean any video source. I recorded shows from my Cable set top box, recorded a Xbox 360 game, a Xbox game, satellite television, recorded some of my Blu-Ray movies (In full High Definition of 1080i mind you), a DVD movie, I even went retro with a few movies. I felt that since this recorder was recording from the all the above with success, I wanted to see if I could even record a VCR movie. Yep, them movie players from the good ole Eighties and early Nineties that we all had at one point in our lives. Low and behold this little HD PVR from Hauppauge did just that; it would record anything I threw at it. If it had a video output, this little unique device would record it.

Packaging

Hauppauge does make sure we, as consumers know what comes inside of the box, and what the capabilities of the unit are. I of course will have to take things one step further.

Upon opening the package; Hauppauge makes sure this unit would not get damaged during shipping, by separating the HD-PVR recording from the cables in individual compartments.

I laid all of the extras out so we can see what comes inside of the packaging. Hauppauge gives us everything we need to hook this PVR (Personal Video Recorder) right up and get down to business. Hauppauge includes a remote (I will explain its purpose later), extra batteries, a power cable, a HD analog RCA cable, an IR sensor (this works in conjunction with the remote) and finally a USB cable for us to hook up to our PC’s.

We also get a driver disk that will be needed to use this device properly on our computers.

Finally we get the HD-PVR itself.

Specifications

• Hardware encoder
  • H.264 AVCHD video encoder
  • AC-3 audio encoding
  • Recording data rate: from 1 to 13.5 Mbits/sec (user selectable)
  • Recording format: up to 1080i from component video (YCrCb)
    Note: the video input format determines the recorded format. For example, 1080i input records at 1080i, 720P records at 720P, etc.. Any other format conversions needs to be done with the MediaConvert program (supplied).
  • NTSC or PAL supported
• Size:
  • 19.8cm wide x 17.3 cm deep x 7 cm high
• Power:
  • 5V at 2 amps
  • Input voltage of power supply provided: 110-220v at 50/60Hz
• Weight:
  • 1 lb, 3 oz

System Requirements

Note: when playing back video recordings made with the HD PVR, a fast CPU and at least 256MB of graphics memory are needed.

• Processor Requirements (minimum): Dual core CPU 2.0GHz or faster
• Graphics with 256MB memory (or greater)
• Sound card
• CD-ROM drive for installing the HD PVR software