Can any PVR box play back with subtitles like on Sky+?

lassykk

I was looking to get a free-to-air/saorview combo box for my mother to save her the cost of Sky every month.

I saw the Ferguson one on satellite.ie
http://www.satellite.ie/acatalog/HD_Ariva_120_Combo_Box.html#aFerguson120Combo
but unfortunately it's unsuitable (for the reason outlined below).

The most important thing is that when a program has been recorded that it can be played back with subtitles on it. This feature is vital as my mother is hard of hearing. Sky+ can do this but I'm not sure if anything else can.

It would also need to be able to receive the Saorview channels, record on them and play back with subtitles.

Is there any box out there that can do this or does she have to stick with sky?

Thanks for your help

Apogee

Linux based boxes can record/playback subtitles from both FTA satellite and Saorview. I use either Vu+ Solo or Duo, but there are other brands too e.g. Dreambox.

Saorview subs on playback:


Saorview subs transmitted over VBI (like Aertel 888):


BBC subs:


Both VBI and DVB subs options for BBC:

Apogee

I tested record & playback of subs from Saorview on a Ferguson & it worked fine.

watty

In theory any DVB PVR can, unlike VHS. It's just a software feature.