Sharp to roll out Aquos HD DVRs

If the missing piece of your HD setup is a good HD-capable DVR, it looks like Sharp's got you covered. The company is rolling out four new Aquos HD DVRs, two of which, the DV-ARW15 and DV-ARW12, have dual HD tuners, which allow them to record two HD programs simultaneously. Two other models, the DV-AR12 and DV-AR11, have single tuners. These are Japan-only for now, but we can dream.

[Via HDBeat]

[Alric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

This is what Tivo should do for off-the-air HD content recording!

[Jesse @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Cool, it looks like these also have built-in DVD recorders (single layer only...) But if/when these make it stateside, will HD-DVD or Blu-ray be out already?

[JL @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Will this work over here in state?

[Ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

>>This is what Tivo should do for off-the-air HD content recording!

The HDTiVo for directv does record OTA. But they still don't have a stand-alone HD TiVO or a cable HDTiVo. (Comcast & TiVo are working together, but not much is known about a time frame)

[JL @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Will this work over here in state?

[Shawn @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The comcast DVR can already record HD content from the HD channels via dual tuner....and the Comcast DVR has a long way to go...

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

"Will this work over here in state?"

Different HD standards.

Sony (and probably others) does have a standalone HD DVR that uses CableCARD. Which means it's subject to current CC limitations too, but that's really the only way to do cable-based DVR right now if you're not the cable company.

For OTA stuff, Windows Media Center is still the best way to go.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Seeing how overpriced the Aquos TV's are, I'm hedging my bet that IF these things ever see the light of day here they too will be overpriced.

[HandlesIT @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Just remember: "From sharp minds comes crap products"

[killboy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

i hardly think the Aquos is overpriced, after all the 45" is 1920x1080 native.

go look at Optoma, or sony's qualia for overpriced...well again if you want the best, then it doesnt matter then does it? :)

[Al Scagnetti @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Cullen, check this: http://www.comcast.com/dvrselect/

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

"I just ordered cable and a bunch of shit from comcast for my new hdtv, theyre giving me an HD DVR, anyone know what itll be/specifics on it?"

Head to avsforum.com and read the forums about these things. Lots of info there. Short story is you'll likely get either a Scientific Atlanta 8000HD or an 8300HD, or you'll get a Moxi box (not sure which Comcast uses).

If you get an 8000HD, call them up and ask them if you can have an 8300HD instead. Lots of problems with the 8000HD, but cable companies still use them while they phase in the 8300. The 8300 is a great machine. I have one. It's not perfect - it stutters every once in a while, and I'm not a huge fan of the interface - but it generally works well and I haven't missed a show yet. Picture quality on it is great (it saves at whatever the original quality of your cable signal is, and will output digitally if you want it to), and I love having two HD tuners along with PIP. (PIP is something you usually have to give up if you use a cable box.)

I also have an OTA antenna so I really have three HD tuners. I never miss anything!

"and can someone explain why id pay for OTA HD broadcasts from my cable company when i can get them for free umm, over the air?"

I'm assuming you're asking why you'd pay specifically for your local channels.

The answer is, you shouldn't. My cable company gives them to you for free as long as you have digital cable. I think this may actually be an FCC requirement. All you need is an HD cable box, and that's also free, but you need to prove you have an HDTV set. The DVR is the only thing that costs extra, and that's $8.95 a month. (Cheaper than Tivo.) They also throw in TNT-HD and one or two other non-locals for free. Then there's a package of "premium" HD channels for another 8 bucks a month, which includes ESPN and the two each INHD and HDNet channels.

YMMV, but you should at least get the locals included with your standard digital cable service. You're just paying for your DVR rental, most likely.

If you had an OTA DVR like this Sharp thing, you'd get everything for free. (Once you shell out for the DVR, that is... and HD DVR's are really expensive if you buy them outright.) But of course, no ESPN, no HDNets, no TNT, etc. Is there worthwhile stuff on the locals? Sure, but I wouldn't want to live without my cable HD channels now that I have them.

[Tom Mahon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I have a sharp 32� Aquos, so far the power supply went bad and now the RF connector all within 6mo. Sharp�s customer service is the worst every time I call it�s the same answer we do not stock that part, so the tech has to the TV for two weeks. It seems only fair; if Sharp sells it in this country they should have parts available. I will never but another shap again�