|
|
|
Any opinions on the Sharp DV-HR300?
|
|
|
Silver64
Member
|
6. January 2005 @ 06:28 |
Link to this message
|
|
OK EA5E
We are all still in suspense...... Where does one get the patch for making the 300/350 multi-region? Are you gonna share the info with us? regards Silver 64
|
|
Advertisement
|
 |
|
|
|
don2blues
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
6. January 2005 @ 07:10 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hello all and to Silver64 & Manny. Hi-Speed dubbing... At first I loved it, then not, now love it once again. Manny, we discussed this a ways back, and you compared it to hi-speed dubbing with tape or in analog mode. Then opting not to use it, I then discovered the "godzilla affect" at times. Now I'm back to hi-speed as I see it more as a "digital transfer". I like that it keeps the chapters as is, and when compiling multiple movies, I hi-speed one at a time and always end up with additional minutes, i.e. recording at SP mode, and wind up with 122 minutes on the disc. The picture quality seems a bit sharper, but then that could be my 45 year old eyes playing tricks. Happy New Year to all. Don
|
|
mannycam
Member
|
6. January 2005 @ 08:26 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi Silver, ole buddy:) Happy New Year to you..
About the media you use, just be cautious not to go to cheap, it's like everything..you get what you pay for. Going to cheap can lead to a disc that will prematurely age, which can also lead to an unreadable disc way down in the future. Long after the aging master has bit the dust. My moto is don't go to the small bowl of pourridge or the large bowl, go for the one thats just right. In other words, don't buy the high or the lowest end when it comes to buying archiving media. The middle ground is usually fine. Most of the stuff I burn I want to have around for awhile, especially since they originate from aging video tapes. Sure glad those are on their way out. Much to fragile a medium. Although I do love the mini-dv format a great deal. But let's face it..DVD kicks ass!
regards to all, Manny
MannyCAM
|
|
mannycam
Member
|
6. January 2005 @ 08:48 |
Link to this message
|
|
HI DON!!! Great to hear from you again! Hey it's all visual anyway, isn't it? But the most important thing is that it's still just as durable and just as long-lasting as burning and using the lower speed settings. It's all in what you see on the screen. If it looks good and has no noticable problems. Go for it!
Don't be a stranger:)
regards, Manny
MannyCAM
|
|
don2blues
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
6. January 2005 @ 09:21 |
Link to this message
|
|
Cheers Manny. Just wanted to share this. A month or so back, my Sharp (hard drive part) would not allow me to record to it any more despite available room. We all know the answer, initialize the hard drive. So I burned off whatever I had left onto discs and made sure not to finalize so that I could burn back to the hard drive later from within the Sharp itself. Once empty, I initialized the hard drive and maybe it's just me, but it seems to have less freeze-ups and run smoother. Bottom line is that I think that over the course of time and mega edits and burning, it's probably a good idea to empty it and initialize the hard drive every once in a while. Sounds crazy saying it, but it was/is nice seeing that hard drive empty and back to its initial condition right out of the box. Like your stereo/speakers, sounds better when you clean it, and your car, runs nicer when coming out of the car wash. Comments? Don
|
|
don2blues
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
6. January 2005 @ 09:22 |
Link to this message
|
|
Cheers Manny. Just wanted to share this. A month or so back, my Sharp (hard drive part) would not allow me to record to it any more despite available room. We all know the answer, initialize the hard drive. So I burned off whatever I had left onto discs and made sure not to finalize so that I could burn back to the hard drive later from within the Sharp itself. Once empty, I initialized the hard drive and maybe it's just me, but it seems to have less freeze-ups and run smoother. Bottom line is that I think that over the course of time and mega edits and burning, it's probably a good idea to empty it and initialize the hard drive every once in a while. Sounds crazy saying it, but it was/is nice seeing that hard drive empty and back to its initial condition right out of the box. Like your stereo/speakers, sounds better when you clean it, and your car, runs nicer when coming out of the car wash. Comments? Don
|
|
EA5E
Newbie
|
6. January 2005 @ 10:04 |
Link to this message
|
|
HI Manny, Silver64,
Tks for your comments. Last word on dubbing - the machine dubs at 2x, according to the book, as it is only burning the HD image to CD, as a PC would on disk copy. Rate conversion is the thing that slows it, but in any event the physical burn is always at 2x, unless it has problems with a disk initialised (formatted) on another machine (most DVR's burn at 1X - one up for Sharp!) when it drops to 1x. Therefore, if problems are encountered with 8x media, the root cause is most unlikely to be the machine. My only other SWAG (Scientific Wild Assed Guess) is that authoring media media, if used as "high quality" media, won't work on a consumer machine, as the laser frequency required is different.
Hard disks - well, if you inspected the device, saw it was a standard IDE interface, your chances of success are better, but like you, I haven't the time to store, edit and plain old watch that much stuff, nor screw around, esp when I got the bigger one for less than the 300 anyway! Most manufacturers now won't use anything other than the standard HD's for reasons of cost and guaranteed quality; they'd be mad not to.
Regions - When I bought an expensive box that did not play my collection of legit DVD's from different regions, on promised MR capability (by dealer) especially when most name brands now deliver it off shelf (or maybe the dealer tweaks or chips it first), I put it to them it was fix or flick. They (and Sharp) came through in very quickly. Sharp is obviously toeing the official line, but is comfortable doing it through dealers. It may be if one speaks nicely to Sharp Tech support, they will give it to you, or do it through your dealer. The multi-region thing, as far as players is concerned, has become a legal nonsense, as most reputable dealers and brands such as Pioneer do it openly off the shelf.
|
|
mannycam
Member
|
6. January 2005 @ 10:04 |
Link to this message
|
|
You know Don, that's not a bad idea...It makes perfect sense. It's also like reformatting a harddrive with a fresh install of Windows. It does fix a lot of the smaller problems. Thanks Don for bringing that up. I've got a few more programs and videos to burn but you can bet your bottom dollar, as soon as I clear the HD I will be doing the same. Although, if you had any fixes, patches or updates added to it, these will be history as well. I haven't had any, but for those who had, a good thing to keep in mind.
Good point Don, thanks. kind regards, Manny
MannyCAM
|
|
EA5E
Newbie
|
6. January 2005 @ 10:09 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi Silver64,
MR Update? I guess the best way is to post it on a site - Any suggestions? Don't want a dodgy site or do anything naughty! :) Doom9.org?
|
|
Silver64
Member
|
6. January 2005 @ 10:12 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi Manny and Don 2, First Manny I would have to agree with you that I would be better to use media that's not too cheap. I only ever used TDK VHS tapes to archive family videos back in the vhs days!I am very impressed with the quality of transfer from my Sony digicam via firewire to DVD on the Sharp. The cheap blanks I use for movies and shows from TV.
Don 2 Blues, I have a feeling that the Sharp 300 being similar to a PC it needs to be "defragmented" every now and again. Also when one "re-formats " the Hard Drive on a PC it definately runs much sweeter(for several months anyway!)
Most of the complaints on this forum about the Sharp were from folk who maybe thought it should have been as fast in set-up and recording as a VHS recorder. If they had ever tried to record from a TV card on a PC to hard drive and then to transfer this to DVD then they would realise just how quick and easy the Sharp really is!
regards Silver 64
|
|
Silver64
Member
|
6. January 2005 @ 10:35 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi again EA5E. What's wrong with posting the Multi-region details on this forum? If Sharp(BTW Sharp where? USA or Australia?)supplied it(under pressure) then it should be OK to share the download website with the rest of us guys.
Also like you I agree that having multi-region DVD's is a nonsense! The fact I can buy Reg.1 discs via the Internet from the US & Canada long before they go on sale in the UK makes a mockery of the system. In addition many US DVD's have DTS in addition to Dolby 5.1 and this is not always the case with region 2 UK releases! Look forward to your info Cheers Silver64
|
|
EA5E
Newbie
|
7. January 2005 @ 03:11 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi Silver 64,
1. MR Software - It's a 2Mb download, and it was emailed to me. They don't do it from their web site as one would expect. Therefore I'm looking for a site that I can (a) upload it to, and (b) you guys can get it. This site only publishes links to others who download, so that won't do it. I have just submitted it to www.dvd365.net , Hacks, Sharp; but I suspect he only publishes handset hacks. Any ideas?
2. Audio channels Sharp (Aus) called me back, and:
The only way to get audio from both the hard disc and DVD is to set the digital audio channel to PCM, and lose DOLBY. DTS still gets through. If you set it to bitstream, all audio formats get through from DVD, but no hard disc sound!! No upgrades contemplated, it's not a bug it's a feature.
A real PIP (Pain in Port) for $1,000+ you have to remember to reconfigure the machine every time you switch media (actually, no, you will remember, 'cos you can't hear anything) OR only play DTS DVD's, oh, but oops, the region 4 stuff they sell only has dolby..
A workaround I haven't tried yet is to connect to a spare input on the amp, say AUX, with RCA leads to the player Video/audio jacks, and then select AUX to watch hard disk content, and DVD for DVD's.
Since the machine handles DTS properly, I guess the Dolby shortcoming is really an oversight,or a bug because there is no technical or logical reason they can't send PCM down the optical link, it's just a software switch.
Finally, the Sharp guy did opine that the manual is one of Sharp's worst for ambiguity and confusion.
|
|
Silver64
Member
|
7. January 2005 @ 07:15 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi EA5E, Thanks for all your info on Multi-region hack download but when I read your comments in respect of possible sound problems afterwards I'm beginning to think I'll leave my Sharp as it is, ie reading region 0,2 and 4 only! I have another cheapo multi-region dvd player so I won't really lose out on watching Region 1 discs.
Maybe other Forum readers may be able to give you a website that will accept your upload of the program to make the Sharp M-R. The only Hack sites I've seen are all for making dvd players M-R via the remote control and I don't think this is possible for the 300/350!
Best regards
Silver64
|
|
EA5E
Newbie
|
7. January 2005 @ 09:51 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi Silver 64,
The sound has nothing to do with MR or the hack, that's how the machine comes out of the box. Region 1's ususally have DTS encoding, 4's mostly don't for some unknown reason, but now more are coming out.
Point is a region 4 user gets shortchanged twice - no DTS, and a machine that "misbehaves" in handling Dolby digital encoding.
|
|
Silver64
Member
|
7. January 2005 @ 13:34 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi Again EA5E, Sorry I misunderstood your point about the M-R situation and DTS etc. My Sharp 300H is hooked up to my Videologic Dolby 5.1/DTS amp system and has no bother with the playback of DTS. Like you I also note that reg 2/4 releases with DTS are in short supply. Let's hope that situation improves for us as it's totally unfair that we pay the same(or more) for DVD movies that are released with DTS. I am in Perth and Sydney in Mar/April 2005. My son and family now live in Kellyville (suburb of Sydney) I live in Scotland so looking forward to a bit of sunshine in OZ. BTW I would like to purchase a DVD Player/5.1 system for him as a present. Should I get this in Dubai on the way there or wait till I'm in OZ. E.G. Could I get a reasonable system in Oz for around AU$ 600/700?
Best regards Silver64.
|
|
EA5E
Newbie
|
8. January 2005 @ 12:27 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi Silver 64,
My problem for putting multiple subjects in one post. In the meantime, I've worked around the audio problem by hooking one AV output set (analog) to the VCR input of my amp; the digital audio + another video to the DVD input, and it works fine, cos the analog audio is on all the time no matter the digital audio settings are. So, to my amp and the family, the DVR looks like the old DVD and VCR setup. Not slick, but OK.
Now, for your son's system; yes you should get a reasonable system, no worries mate. If it were me I would buy here for reasons of warranty and power supply; Australia is actually now one of the cheaper places to shop in the world, on par with most things on an exchange rate basis, even, believe it or not, for DVD's. Being of Scottish descent myself, y' dinna want to waste money, noo. There are plenty of places with wide choice, and I would wait until Sydney so you don't have to fly with all that gear. For that sort of system, places like Bing Lee, Retravision, Dick Smith Powerhouse, Harvey Norman, Megamart, Domayne, and Myer are the place to go, some more expensive than others, and sort of listed in my hunting preference order, the back end of the list possibly higher priced with less product knowledge. I have had a cursory web search on your behalf, and I would suggest Bing Lee to start. Look on www.binglee.com.au They have LG, Sony and Philips systems around your price range. The prices listed are their RRP, and they will definitely drop if you negotiate a little. Some of the systems have three years warranty, a definite plus if a repair cost the same as a new one. The Philips LX3600D system looks OK.
With the GBP - AUD rate, you will think you have died and gone to heaven for most things.
PS I went to the Scotland - Wallabies game a few months ago. Good game, would you like to know who won? :)
|
|
EA5E
Newbie
|
8. January 2005 @ 12:35 |
Link to this message
|
|
8X Dvd's - the last, last word!
Yesterday I set up a Pioneer DVR for my brother in law (nice machine, actually) There is a specific note in their manual that not all 8X media is created equal, with an approved brand list that is very similar to TDK's.
So, my conclusion is that it is a definite known issue; and to do with quality. So guys, stay off Lucky Flying Dlagon and cousins brands.
|
|
Silver64
Member
|
8. January 2005 @ 12:53 |
Link to this message
|
|
G'day EA5E,
I'll take your advice on buying a system for my son in Sydney. Don't know that the prices are much different in Oz compared with Uk though. I got my Sharp 300H in April last year online from a UK dealer for the equivalent A$700. I used to buy DVD's online from Australia until the pound Sterling fell against the A$. Best priced place for me now is Canada!
As for Scottish Rugby....'nuff said. Fact is I'm Irish but have lived in Scotland 30 years Cheers Silver 64
|
|
wook
Newbie
|
15. January 2005 @ 18:52 |
Link to this message
|
i like the sharp dv-hr300. I have converted almost a hundred tapes to dvd. However, there are two things I don't like about it. 1) its PAL only and wont let me convert NTSC tapes to dvd. 2)it's region 4 only. Can't play other region dvds on it. Does anyone know if it can be converted to read NTSC as well? Is there a code for it to enable it to play all region dvds?
|
|
Silver64
Member
|
16. January 2005 @ 01:46 |
Link to this message
|
Hi Wook. Your Sharp 300 is not the problem, it's the output signal from your PAL/NTSC VCR.
I know it will playback NTSC tapes and these play OK through your TV. However you would also have the same problem if you tried to make a PAL copy tape from NTSC using another Domestic VCR. It's all to do with the output of your VCR. It puts out a modified PAL 60 signal from NTSC to allow playback on your TV. The Sharp or any other DVD recorder would not be able to read this. It is possible via a PC with certain programs but I won't go down that route. It is also possible that your NTSC tapes are copy protected!
In response to your comment that your Sharp will only play Region 4. In fact it will play Reg 4, Reg1 and Reg 0. If you are in OZ it seems that Sharp AUS. will provide the necessary software to make your 300 multi-region, ( see the posts from EA5E above) Cheers Silver64
|
|
wook
Newbie
|
16. January 2005 @ 02:38 |
Link to this message
|
Well whaddya know...I tried a reg 1 dvd and it worked. The video's aren't copy protected. I just emailed sharp australia and am awaiting an email. I thought maybe if i got a dvd recorder that played both NTSC and PAL that maybe i could record these tapes...but i guess that wont work. As the manual says : NTSC and PAL-60 signals cannot be recorded.(a black screen is shown when NTSC or PAL-60 signals are input to the external input. PLus the reg 1 dvd I played was in NTSC.
|
|
Silver64
Member
|
16. January 2005 @ 06:46 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi Again Wook. In my earlier post I should have said your Australian Sharp 300 would play Reg 4, 2 and 0 DVD's! (not reg 4,1 & 0) Sorry about that.
However you are now saying you tried a region 1 DVD and it played OK? That would mean it's multi-region in most senses. I'm puzzled!! Any explanation? Cheers Silver 64
|
|
wook
Newbie
|
16. January 2005 @ 21:31 |
Link to this message
|
|
well i tried a couple region 2 dvds and they didnt work, so it looks like it plays region 1,4 and 0. I got an email reply from sharp in regards to my multi region querie....I laughed when i read it.
Thank you for contacting Sharp Customer Care in regard to your SHARP DVD Player.
Please note the information contained in your operation manual regarding the
region code of the DVD player. The front of the operation manual states:
"The region number for this recorder is 4"
Page 11 of the operation manual states: "DVD video players and discs have region
numbers, which dictate the regions in which a disc can be played. The region
number for this product is 4. (Discs marked ALL will play in any player.)"
and
"The following DVD video discs cannot be played.
Discs not containing "4" or "ALL" for the region number
(discs sold outside the authorized marketing area).*
Discs produced illegally.
Discs recorded for commercial use.
* The region number for this product is 4."
If you have any further inquiries, please call Sharp Customer Care on 1300 13 50
22 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you.
Kind regards,
Tanya
Sharp Customer Care
|
|
don2blues
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
18. January 2005 @ 10:39 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi, anyone know why this unit seems to be discontinued? and whether/if the 120gb unit is available in the US? Thanks, Don
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
wiersbr
Newbie
|
18. January 2005 @ 10:56 |
Link to this message
|
|
For those of you in the U.S.... I have had many problems with mine. All of which were posted in this thread in various discussions. Although it seems those outside the U.S. have been offered a software fix the U.S. Sharp division denies the existance of such. I did send in my unit and itcost me ($50) for repair. They told me 2 days turnaround, however going on 4 weeks later I still do not have my unit back. They said they were replacing the hard drive, however they still deny the existance of a software upgrade/fix. I call daily. I would NOT reccomend the purchase of a Sharp product in the U.S...Support is almost non-existant, they are rude, have lied to me many times over about where my unit is, and I seriously doubt that it is actually repaired (if I ever get it back).
|
|
