Satellite boxes with a built-in PVR have the disadvantage that recorded programs can't be dumped to an external storage. Many PVRs have an SATA output which allows you to transfer your programming from the PVR to an external hard disk, but the activation is at the discretion of the provider, says Wayde Robson at AudioHolics.com.
There is no chance you will get this authorisation from the TV providers, since they know who are paying them, Robson explains. But now there is a solution, Hauppauge, a company known for their high-quality tuner cards, think they can 'free your HDTV'. Hauppauge is ready to release a new HD PVR, which allows you to record programming from any set-top box. With a simple USB connection you transfer the programming from your PVR to a PC; the programming is then recorded at 720p or 1080i resolution.
All your programming can be played back on a high-definition (Blu-ray) player, since Hauppauge's HD PVR can record in AVC-HD, the format used on Blu-ray discs. Besides making us happy with all these nice features, Hauppauge can be happy since they don't have to worry about DRM, 'because the HD PVR is recording in the analogue realm', Robson said.
