Wouldn't THIS be nice...

[Npitlor]

I've been wondering about the whole issue of recording video files for my IPaq.

Does anyone know of any plans for a company to make a VCR-like device that would record direct to SD/CF/MS/etc? WIth a timer system and tuner to pick up broadcast signals, as well as an A/V input?

I know this can be done through a computer, but given the fact that VCRs are now less than $100, and most of the cost is in the transport, wouldn't it be really inexpensive to create a device that instead of using tapes, uses the type of media that plays in PPCs and Palms?

I could see a whole market for people who want to record their favorite shows at night and watch them during their commute the next day (hopefully on the train -- NOT while driving!)

Maybe there is something already out there like this... I know that a few DVD recorders can READ from removable memory, but I don't think they can RECORD.

[tap2]

Yes,

There's a TV-CF adaptor for Pocket PCs. I believe it has a video-input.

I posted recently about it, although I forgot the link - Answer dude has it.

[Npitlor]

That's not what I was thinking about. You point out a handy way to watch broadcast signals on your PDA. I'm thinking about an easy way to record "24" onto an SD so I can play the show the next day on the 1 hour train commute to work.

I just found exactly what I'm thinking about made by Sony -- Except that its WAY too expensive, and only records onto Memory Sticks:

http://tinyurl.com/34j63

It also only records in Quick Time.

Now let's see one come out for under $200, and be able to record to SD/CF in MPEG formats, so we can use PocketTV.

[Pekkle]

I think sony has one for their MS, but I am not sure what specs.. as for recording your favorite shows on tv to play them on your ipaq, what I do is I use a DVD DVR recorder to record my show then I use my PC to convert it so that ipaq would play smoothly..
it's a little hassle, but it works..

[Reidan]

I have a ReplayTV. Using DVArchive software I can download any recorded program from the ReplayTV onto my PC. ReplayTV uses MPEG for its video compression so conversion for iPaq's is easy.

A 1 hour show in standard quality takes 1Gb of space so would have to have large capacity cards to hold it. Or could use video utilities to compress it more to shrink the size and lower the quality.

Some of you guys might be able to work up an automatic script that could download the show and perform any compression and conversion and then copy it to a SD or CF card. Then wake up in the morning and grab the card from the PC and pop it into your iPaq.


Couple of good sites for ReplayTV's

http://www.planetreplay.com/ <-- Tons of good Replay info.
http://www.dvarchive.org/

Do not know if there is similar software for Tivo owners.


Reidan

[AnswerDude]

Originally posted by Pekkle
I think sony has one for their MS, but I am not sure what specs.. as for recording your favorite shows on tv to play them on your ipaq, what I do is I use a DVD DVR recorder to record my show then I use my PC to convert it so that ipaq would play smoothly..
it's a little hassle, but it works..

I think you are referring to this one, it's kind of a portable tv with recording features, mpeg4, memory stick. I wonder if PocketMVP or Betaplayer can play the video, you can get an adapter to use memorystick on the ipaq.
http://www.dynamism.com/msv-a1/
http://www.icube.us/sony_msv-a1/product_overview.htm