PVRs

I'm after a PVR that can record freeview stuff, has EPG and series link,
and would be nice if it could record to disc.

I already have a DVD/HDD Pioneer DVR433H (now getting on a bit) so the
freeview recorder is in addition.

What other features are "must haves"? It would be nice if I could
connect it to my network to get the programmes off it.

All for about £100 - recommendations, suggestions?

 

I'd suggest a must-have is twin tuners (unless you have another
set-top box) so you can watch one channel and record another.

 

On Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:10:51 +0100, Colin Irvine

Yes indeed. My biggest regret about my Humax is that I wanted one
*right then* and they didn't have the twin-tuner model.

 

My biggest regret about the upcoming house move is the impending loss
of cable service. Farewell, 20Mb, hello 2.5onnagoodday, farewell V+
cable box and *three* tuners, hello Sky+ with only two.

 

I know I'm in danger of becoming Derek Turner Jr, but MythTV does all that and
more. Twin tuners? Whack four in the box if you want. Or mix DVB-T and some
DVB-S cards to have both Freeview and Sky.
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Now I'm really salivating. One of Myth's best features is its networkability.
Multiple backends (that record from the aerial), and multiple frontends (that
you use to watch). All in any combination you desire. You can even stream
live TV across the network.

Hmm, well you'll need to source a PC, but the software is free. You don't
/have/ to have a flash "home theater" PC case, and I think PC hardware is
acceptably cheap these days. Then of course, there's all the other things you
can do with a PC.

I like it so much, I'll even make myself available for questions, if the
copious online documentation, mailing list, and IRC channel don't do it for
you. <g>

--
TD
1991 VFR400R NC30 (black and red)
2001 ZX-9R (red and black)
1999 M5 (neither black nor red)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, Lardy tourer

 

No, two things whilst watching another.

 

Indeed. The 'watched' channel is being recorded all the time as well,
of course, so it is possible to pause/rewind/watch again at any point
whilst watching.

 

I have a Humax 9200tb - now you'll see this is £180. But allow me to
continue before writing it off straight away. It's 160gb, more than you'll
ever need. I had a cheap one before, they totally aren't worth the money,
they seem to crash all the time, or freeze up, and just do generally
annoying things (a few friends have the cheap ones too). It has Twin Tuners
and is Freeview Group 2 complient - it had an over the air software update
that enabled this, but any brand new one would be ready. It has the Sky+
style Series Link feature - which is SO handy, one click to select the
program and it asks you if you'd like to record the whole series. At the
start only a few channels supported this, but now pretty much every program
is covered. It never freezes up, or crashes, ever. Because it's twin
tuner, and good, you can watch one program an record another, or record 2
and watch a recording etc. It's program guide extends to about the next 8
days. It's easy to use. It does have a USB connection and some software,
but I've never plugged it in so I'm not too sure what it can do. Also has a
card slot should you want those extra paid freeview channels.

Honestly, it's the must useful gadget I've ever bought really, it actually
does 'just work' - and work very well. Well worth the dosh IMHO. I'm sure
I've missed loads of stuff out, any more questions just ask

 

<nods> My Humax Freeview PVR has all those features too.

 

That looks like an interesting project - I have no wish to compare features
with Myth, but hopefully they are learning off each other.

True. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144979 is a suitable PC for £140, and
then http://www.ebuyer.com/product/121741 at £19 / card. Still not much over
budget given the flexibility.

I've had shit experience with dedicated Freeview PVRs - my parents' Topfield
5800 was the only decent one, and that was only after installing MyStuff. But
for the price, the PC is attractive. I can understand the dicking about
thing, but if he has half a day or so, maybe the benefits are worth it.

--
TD
1991 VFR400R NC30 (black and red)
2001 ZX-9R (red and black)
1999 M5 (neither black nor red)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, Lardy tourer

 

.....it's a computer running in my front room. Which is a bit shit.

 

What's your view on this? I've got a 120GB hard drive going spare so ?40
looks a bit of a bargain.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=221276&doy=7m6

 

I've got a cable STB.

It isn't very convenient for changing channel (the reminder system only
seems to work 24 hours in advance) and if I leave it ready it
mysteriously changes itself to MTV or Friends.

My daughter denies all knowledge.

 

Humax PVR9200T does the first three and a USB output to copy files off to a
PC , or you can just do an analogue recording out to a DVD-R I suppose.

Twin tuners.

None do , unless you build a PC based one.

The humax is about £150 I'm afraid


--
Alex

"I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away"

www.drzoidberg.co.uk

 

In the best traditions of UKRM, the Thomson DHD4000 doesn't do most of
what you want but I have one here that you can have for much freeness as
it won't be any use in Belge.

http://dtt.opennet.co.uk/thomson.htm

 

So is any PVR, it's just that the PVR is more crippled.

--
TD
1991 VFR400R NC30 (black and red)
2001 ZX-9R (red and black)
1999 M5 (neither black nor red)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, Lardy tourer

 

....but PVRs are quiet and don't look like a computer.

 

I've got both under the telly. Problem solved.

Could do with a 1080p set though, to make the picture a bit better when
watching.

 

ooh, yes please.

<emailed>

 

Er, computers can be as quiet as PVRs, or should I say PVRs can be as loud as
computers. I didn't see aesthetics mentioned in your original requirement
list, but you could always search for HTPC case on the web, if you want to see
how bum some cases look these days.

--
TD
1991 VFR400R NC30 (black and red)
2001 ZX-9R (red and black)
1999 M5 (neither black nor red)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, Lardy tourer