Over in the forum for digital tv tuner cards they have a topic 'pinned' at the top of the forum called "Digital TV Card/Device Roundup"
It is basically a summary of all of the available digital tv cards, and it is a mighty handy starting point for directing new potential users to.

I was wondering if it would be worth doing something similar here for PVRs.
(For DVD recorders I think it would just be way too hard to keep up with everything)

There seems to be a rapidly-increasing number of folks interested in PVRs, as well as an increasing number of models available.
A pinned thread breaking down the choices, in a simple, factual manner (such as SD/HD, No. of tuners, number & types of outputs, USB connectivity, etc) would be very beneficial IMO, and also save a *lot* of repetition when it comes to answering basic questions from new forum visitors.

Thoughts?

Agreed, want to start?

Also explain current main 2 options for "digital" recording.

PVR (digital tuner, HDD, no DVD burner) and DVD/HDD recorder (analogue feed to a digital recording, separate units) This comes up every couple of days with various questions.

Rob

Well I'm no expert, and my only knowledge is of the Topfield I happily own, but I was thinking of a thread with an entry like this for every model of PVR:



SD (STANDARD DEFINITION) PVRs

Topfield TF5000PVRT
RRP: $999.00
Link: TF5000PVRT Web Page

- True Dual Tuners (able to record 2 different channels while viewing a recording from the HDD)
- 120GB HDD (approx. 60 hours)
- USB2.0 Port for file upload/download
- Firmware Upgradeable via USB2.0 or RS232 port
- Ability to accept TAPs (Topfield Application Programs) to provide additional customised functionality

Outputs:
- 1 x RF
- 1 x composite video
- 1 x s-video (* only useable while SCART mode is set to s-video)
- 2 x SCART (composite/s-video/component/RGB)
- 1 x analog audio
- 1 x S/PDIF audio (optical, Toslink connection)

You should specify if the S/PDIF connection is coaxial or optical (toslink). Some prefer one to the other or are limited to what connection their receiver has.

Good point. That's where my lack of knowledge comes in to play... to me S/PDIF implies optical, which is of course untrue.
Good idea to specify Toslink too, as my first Foxtel digital box had a 3.5mm optical connection.

Post edited.