HD200 - Should I Pull the Trigger (by Tomorrow)

[mpb]

I'm on the fence about getting an HD200 with the $20 off code. I am currently using 5 Hauppauge MVPs with no issues. I only have SD TVs and only record in SD. (and probably will for a while) I like the stand-alone mode option, but is it worth getting one if I only have SD? My only file formats are mpg, XviD avi, and VOB. (all play fine on MVP) Someone convince me that I should get one, other than it's $20 cheaper.

[Slipshod]

Originally Posted by mpb

I'm on the fence about getting an HD200 with the $20 off code. I am currently using 5 Hauppauge MVPs with no issues. I only have SD TVs and only record in SD. (and probably will for a while) I like the stand-alone mode option, but is it worth getting one if I only have SD? My only file formats are mpg, XviD avi, and VOB. (all play fine on MVP) Someone convince me that I should get one, other than it's $20 cheaper.

I can't really think of a good reason unless you *really* want the standalone option. The UI response would be quicker, but is that really worth $180+tax/shipping?

Wait until you're gonna get an HDTV, and then consider it part of the cost of the TV.

[valnar]

It's very worth it. The picture quality, even in SD, is much better than the MediaMVP. And the interface is certainly snappier.

[wrems]

I just purchased an HD200 to get the discount and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. I don’t record HD yet but have nice Aquos display for my SD recordings. Up to this point I have been using MVP with few problems with SD. You’re saying that the new HD200 will make my SD look even better? That’s great.

BTW, you also mention that the UI will be snappier. I have been curious about that. I figured it did. At the same time, how fast is the HD200 compared to an actual client for UI, especially fast forwarding? Right now my MVP is slow; there is no smoothness in fast forwarding. The pulsing that I get is ok but each subsequent press completely turns the screen into a bunch of digitized blocks of no distinguishable value, then there’s a short delay and then the feed resumes, normally this is accompanied with the spinny wheel… It’s fairly choppy, teetering on annoying. On my client machine fast forwarding is ridiculously fast and smooth. I can fly through an entire 1 hour recording in seconds by fast forwarding. If I wanted to fast forward through a one hour recording on my MVP it would take probably 5 minutes of stuttering and grinding along. I’m hoping that the HD200 is fairly close to the client, but I guess I’ll take any improvement at this point.

[Chriscic]

The HD200 is not smooth in FF/REW. It is very, very choppy. At least on my HD-PVR recorded files and various MPEG4 videos I have.