PVR - Personal Video Recording Devices
 

I had heard of this technology a short while back but finally saw it on television being sold at around $300.00. Are there any other brand name makers of this type of device?

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default....p!sf!dept&ocm=


Specifications

The Mustek SD/MMC, MP3, WMA and MPEG4 audio/video recorded program playback lets you enjoy your favorite digital videos and music along with photo slide shows straight from your digital camera.

Its one-touch recording lets you connect with any TV, cable, satellite or DVD player and record your favorite video right away. The 40 GB hard drive can hold over 500 CDs, over 40 hours of TV programs or thousands of digital photos, and it also works as a USB mass storage drive. Its programmable timer lets you record video from cable or satellite boxes while you're away.

The USB version 2.0 PC interface gives you fast file downloads and transfers to and from your computer. Plus, its built-in microphone and speaker lets you use your PVR as a voice recorder.

Model #: PVR-H140
Includes USB and AV cables, Lithium-ion battery, pouch, ear buds, AC adaptor, manual, installation, application software
3.6" color TFT LCD screen
A/V input and output, plus earphone jack
SD/MMC memory card slot
Folding rear tilt stand
DPS support
PVR console with file converter, disk tools, calendar to go, personal style and MAX console
ULead VideoStudio SE, PhotoExpress SE and Adobe Acrobat Reader software included
Silver finish
Measures approx. 4-1/4"L x 3-1/4"W x 1-1/4"H

Throw in 4 XLR or balanced 1/4" jacks, a small mixer, firewire in, and a much bigger HDD... Yeah, that would be sweeeeeet!

Here are a few more PVR units.

Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to see the units
www.pimall.com/nais/2004.spycam.html

unfortunately, most of these devices record only mpeg4 , very compressed.
iti is ok to view a movie on a 4 inches screen, but does not fit the need to record clean video.
There are some devices like this one recording into mpeg2 in SD, but the price is really more professional.

My friend have a similar device for around $400. I wish he would've listened and bought a Firestore. Video is very compressed. We played with it for a little bit and it didn't look like you have a lot of control over the recorded video. Also I didn't figure why but it would skip a lot maybe because of vibration or fast movement of the subject or maybe because it's cpu couldn't handle the job. I don't think it had a firewire either. On the other hand it's a nice device which also doubles as a mp3 player and it's cheaper then the Firestore.
Not for professional use though.