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Question about recording quality
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Posted by: jpx

I wasn't sure if I should post this in the help forum because I don't really need help, I'm just curious about recording qualities. Does anyone have a page where I can see the differences between Basic Normal High and Best on the same frame? I'm trying to compare them and it's not easy..

Thanks, and sorry if this is in the wrong forum!

Posted by: andyf

You're not really going to see anything on a stationary snapshot. The differences come with the amount of information stored about the differences from one frame to another. Less information means more blocky movement but less disk space used. More information means better reproduction of the actual picture but of course it uses up more space.

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Andy

Posted by: Dan203

It's doubtful you'd be able to see the difference by looking at a single frame like you would with a VCR. Because of the way MPEG2 compression works, lower bitrates (i.e. lower qualities), are only noticeable when there is motion. MPEG2 recordings are also highly dependant on the quality of the original signal. So if you have poor signal then artifacts are much more noticeable because the MPEG encoder uses up all it's bits trying to encode the noise. However with a high quality signal like DSS or digital cable the MPEG encoder is able to use all it's bits to recreate the scene, thus making the artifacts much less noticeable.

Dan

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Moderator: TiVo Coffee House, Help Center & Happy Hour

Posted by: jpx

Interesting, thanks! I have digital cable so I think I'm going to record everything but my first run shows at Medium. I'll test it out today.

Posted by: TVdude

also the MPEG freeze frame only shows every other scan line.

Posted by: Ov1Ture

Unfortunately with Comcast Digital Cable it seems I get random horizontal wavey lines all over the picture. It seems to happen on the channels higher than 31, but not over 100. We'll see how VBR works when it arrives.

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What is it about the Silver ones?

Posted by: feldon23

jpx,

It all boils down to the size of your TV.

Posted by: leedees

quote:
Originally posted by feldon23:
jpx,

It all boils down to the size of your TV.

That's what she said. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Posted by: teflon

I'd say its more your personal preference. I have a very clean digital signal to my cable box so I record almost everything at medium with a couple cartoons at basic.

Looks fine to me on my 27". http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

Posted by: jpx

I have a 22 inch (I think) TV and medium is too fuzzy for me -- high works perfect, though. I've made it so all of my shows except first runs are in high. The rest (all weekly) I record in best.

Thanks for the help!

Posted by: sps

Medium on a 27in screen is fine for most everything (I don't Tivo sports but watch live) I record. If I am going to archive to tape I will use High.

The quality of the digital cable was by far my biggest issue. ATT Broadband in Irving was UTTER CRAP. Wavey lines on tons of channels and drop outs ALL the time. I fired them and went to DirecTV w/ a combo box and things are MUCH, MUCH, MUCH, MUCH improved...for the same money!

-sps

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Loop 12
Cowboys 0

[This message has been edited by sps (edited 10-18-2001).]

Posted by: where1

I use medium on a 32 inch and a 36 inch TV, basic is not an acceptable option. The 36 inch is noticably better between medium and high, but not so between high and best. I use medium for space reasons, but high for football. On my 27 inch TV I use basic. It still has that blocky look during fast movement, but it is a 20 hour machine, and I can live with it. Of course this will all change when that 20 hour gets upgraded.

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Lest we forget 9/11/01
My System
Paul