Saorview PVR

briggy

Is there any Saorview PVR set top boxes out there with an internal hard drive, dual tuners and can series link when it is released for Saorview? I have been looking at the Samsung STB-E7500 but that is a Freeview + HD box. Would that box work with Saorview? Or is there any other boxes that will provide the same features?

The Cush

briggy wrote: »

Is there any Saorview PVR set top boxes out there with an internal hard drive, dual tuners and can series link when it is released for Saorview? I have been looking at the Samsung STB-E7500 but that is a Freeview + HD box. Would that box work with Saorview? Or is there any other boxes that will provide the same features?

Walker PVR expected next month - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=80522570#post80522570

Thread on the Samsung E7500 here - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056755522, the epg includes the Saorview logo, not sure if the series link will work with it when it launches - we should know next month.

briggy

The Cush wrote: »

Walker PVR expected next month - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=80522570#post80522570

Thread on the Samsung E7500 here - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056755522, the epg includes the Saorview logo, not sure if the series link will work with it when it launches - we should know next month.

Will they be turning on the series link functionality for boxes that can support it on Saorview soon?

The Cush

briggy wrote: »

Will they be turning on the series link functionality for boxes that can support it on Saorview soon?

They have said series link will become available once approved PVRs launch.

haymur

Is there any date for the launch series link or the launch of a approved PVR

The Cush

haymur wrote: »

Is there any date for the launch series link or the launch of a approved PVR

No.

Saorview posted a comment on their facebook page which said they expected the Walker PVR in the shops by early Oct.

zg3409

If you want a box for recording I would say wait for the approved PVR. Then, if you can, wait for a few reviews, as it looks as if more models from other suppliers will be released down the line into next year.

Generally, in general, the Walker stuff seems to be quite basic, and some of the TV's are very slow with the EPG, hopefully the PVR will be cheap and fabulous.

haymur

yeah its not a brand that has produced any great Tv's or boxes so far. They seem to just re brand cheap Items made by other companies. I dont think they will be in the league of top Japanese or Korean brands. I was hoping that one of these would have a approved HDR or DVD/HDR unit for sale. These could be looked up for reviews of quality and reliability.

JonathonS

haymur wrote: »

I dont think they will be in the league of top Japanese or Korean brands. I was hoping that one of these would have a approved HDR or DVD/HDR unit for sale. These could be looked up for reviews of quality and reliability.

Some of those brands took a long time to decide to go for Saorview approval on their TVs, and they would have been selling thousands. I'm not expecting any approved PVRs from them, with the possible exception of Samsung. Even within the same company different departments/factories have different policies, and from what I have seen the TV guys were persuaded to go for approval, but the PVR/bluray recorder etc guys are not interested.

briggy

Hopefully the Saorview approved PVR's wont cost as much as the Freeview + HD ones.

watty

They should cost the same. Or slightly more.

watty

Walker is Badged "Vestel" as are MANY UK brands.

bridster007

I guess the Walker will be based on the following modified for Saorview.
Vestel T7650

http://www.vestelpvr.futaura.co.uk/T7650.php

zg3409

This may or may not be the same Vestel part number:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5323191/Trail/searchtext%3EFREEVIEW+RECORDING.htm#pdpFullProductInformation

haymur

wonder what price Walker will charge for their branded one when it goes on sale. Based on Argus price it should be €199 with exchange and vat difference . The Humax T2 is €315 there and a little cheaper on some sites so if the Walker is reliable and comes in at the 200 mark it could be good value

bridster007

haymur wrote: »

wonder what price Walker will charge for their branded one when it goes on sale. Based on Argus price it should be €199 with exchange and vat difference . The Humax T2 is €315 there and a little cheaper on some sites so if the Walker is reliable and comes in at the 200 mark it could be good value

Need to add a bit to cover Saorview certification cost. The first Freeview HD Vestel box had terrible problems based on user reviews. Lots of freezing etc.
Think people will have to balance a lesser quality box that is Saorview compliant against bigger brands that may have some niggles regarding Saorview issues but are more stable in operation.

I wonder will it have the Freeview HD copying restrictions ?

haymur

bridster007 wrote: »

Need to add a bit to cover Saorview certification cost. The first Freeview HD Vestel box had terrible problems based on user reviews. Lots of freezing etc.
Think people will have to balance a lesser quality box that is Saorview compliant against bigger brands that may have some niggles regarding Saorview issues but are more stable in operation.

I wonder will it have the Freeview HD copying restrictions ?

What are they? The restrctions

bridster007

haymur wrote: »

What are they? The restrctions

Copying HD ( and SD on some PVRs) recordings to use (or keep a backup) on a PC or other machine. AFAIK Freeview specify this restriction in their certification.

haymur

bridster007 wrote: »

Copying HD ( and SD on some PVRs) recordings to use (or keep a backup) on a PC or other machine. AFAIK Freeview specify this restriction in their certification.

I have a Freesat Humax I did not know that there were different restrictions on Freeview

bridster007

haymur wrote: »

I have a Freesat Humax I did not know that there were different restrictions on Freeview

Not sure about Freesat but would presume it is same as Freeview.
Can you copy a HD recording off it and play on your pc ?.
SD copying and external playback is allowed on the Humax HD Terrestrial recorder but not HD unless you install custom s/w to hack it.

Same has to apply to all Freeview machines by my knowledge.

This causes potential problem for Saorview as
1) Rte 2 is all HD
2) Some machines are treating all Saorview as HD as regards copying due to using MPEG 4, even though they are not all actually HD.

But from previous posts, I read that Saorview has no such restriction so when Walker convert a Freeview HD box to use as Saorview, will the restriction be dropped ? Would be nice if it was.

haymur

bridster007 wrote: »

Not sure about Freesat but would presume it is same as Freeview.
Can you copy a HD recording off it and play on your pc ?.
SD copying and external playback is allowed on the Humax HD Terrestrial recorder but not HD unless you install custom s/w to hack it.

Same has to apply to all Freeview machines by my knowledge.

This causes potential problem for Saorview as
1) Rte 2 is all HD
2) Some machines are treating all Saorview as HD as regards copying due to using MPEG 4, even though they are not all actually HD.

But from previous posts, I read that Saorview has no such restriction so when Walker convert a Freeview HD box to use as Saorview, will the restriction be dropped ? Would be nice if it was.

Have recorded HD on Freesat and on a terrestial FoxT2 but have never tried to put them on a PC as I thought the file format would not work. Must try sticking something on a Key and trying it some day

holidaysong

I assume any Approved Saorview PVR will cost somewhere in the region of €200 - €250 (i.e. around the cost of the Humax T2)? I really don't see myself (or many people) forking out that for the ability to record 7 channels on series link. If you are in an overspill area though, it'd be a different story.

I'd no problem spending that amount on the Humax FoxSat but as my TV already has Saorview, I think I'll stick with the Alba box from Argos with a USB in it. Low cost alternative and I'll still be able to watch one channel & record another even when there is a second Mux.

BostonB

How do you view/record the UK channels holidaysong?

haymur

sorry don't understand BostonB

BostonB

holidaysong wrote: »

...I'd no problem spending that amount on the Humax FoxSat but as my TV already has Saorview, I think I'll stick with the Alba box from Argos with a USB in it. Low cost alternative and I'll still be able to watch one channel & record another even when there is a second Mux.

Seems like a lot of effort to record just the very few Irish channels. If it was the Free To Air box with far more channels I could understand.

haymur

I see Currys are doing a HD set top box for 49.95 euro with a HDMI and Scart and USB for recording or a combi box for €99 which has a 2.5 SATA slot in it.They are branded 4IFE

haymur

haymur wrote: »

I see Currys are doing a HD set top box for 49.95 euro with a HDMI and Scart and USB for recording or a combi box for €99 which has a 2.5 SATA slot in it.They are branded 4IFE

Ps its worth the effort to record the soaps for the Missus

holidaysong

BostonB wrote: »

How do you view/record the UK channels holidaysong?

Humax Foxsat HDR. I live in Dublin. Parents are in an overspill area in Dundalk so €250 for a DTT PVR there would make sense but not in Dublin for 7 channels.

holidaysong

BostonB wrote: »

Seems like a lot of effort to record just the very few Irish channels. If it was the Free To Air box with far more channels I could understand.

Humax Foxsat for the UK channels so only needed something for the Irish channels.