Combo Box with Enhanced PVR facility

farmer_dave

I've currently got a Ferguson 250 Combo box which will suffice for a second room as it does not have the PVR features which I require.

Background: living in NI. Got Saorsat installed and currently got UK Freeview via the TV's onboard tuner (so no ability to record at present as i had issues with the 250 unit). The TV is full HD.

I've been informed the following about the Ferguson combo box:

1. It will not simultaneously record two terrestrial stations.
2. Cannot simultaneously record a terrestrial and a satellite station.

I'm not overly bothered about point 2, but point 1 is an issue for me. Therefore, I am happy to switch this one out to a second room and install a better more accomplished/suitable box for the main room.


I basically want something that meets the following:

• Able to simultaneously record two terrestrial stations (UK Freeview)
• Simple to use EPG
• Record Satellite and watch Terrestrial
• Record Terrestrial and watch Satellite
• Record Terrestrial and watch another Terrestrial*
• Internal or external storage.
• Capable of handling Saorsat and UK Freeview
  

Why do some ads states that these have to be on same mix? What does this mean?




What are my options?

Any advice would be greatl appreciated.


Thanks,
Dave.

watty

PVR is an appliance type. You mean it doesn't have the recording features you want.

You need a Freeview+ HD PVR (dual tuners, full 7 day epg & series link and internal HDD).
AND
a Freesat+ HD PVR (dual tuners, full 7 day epg & series link and internal HDD) With custom software for Saorsat. Actually if you use a Dual feed dish and 2 x Diseqc switches or Multiswitch it can with the custom "other channels" integration SW sort of combine Freesat and Saorsat all on one box. But it creates potential scheduling conflicts.

A combo box that does what you want 100% properly doesn't exist.

You can use a universal remote or two remotes. Not a big deal

External storage isn't reliable for recording. All real PVRs use dual tuners (sat or DTT) and internal HDD.

Why do some ads states that these have to be on same mix [Mux]? What does this mean?

It means they only have one DTT tuner and one Sat Tuner.

farmer_dave

watty wrote: »

PVR is an appliance type. You mean it doesn't have the recording features you want.

Ah, okay I wondered about that. Thanks.

You need a Freeview+ HD PVR (dual tuners, full 7 day epg & series link and internal HDD).

Okay, I understand this. Dual tuners to allow simultaneous recording.

a Freesat+ HD PVR (dual tuners, full 7 day epg & series link and internal HDD) With custom software for Saorsat. Actually if you use a Dual feed dish and 2 x Diseqc switches or Multiswitch it can with the custom "other channels" integration SW sort of combine Freesat and Saorsat all on one box. But it creates potential scheduling conflicts.

Not sure about this - it is not a necessity to record and/or view two satellite stations. Am I missing something here?

I woudl have thought that now I want something with Freeview+ HD PVR dual tuners and Freesat+ HD PVR single tuner. I suppose this does not exist either? I notice that there are a number of items which have twin satellite tuners and single DTT tuner.

You can use a universal remote or two remotes. Not a big deal

I didn't know they actually existed.

External storage isn't reliable for recording. All real PVRs use dual tuners (sat or DTT) and internal HDD.

I've a high speed USB stick. It holds 64Mb - how many hours would that store?

zg3409

64MB is no good for things such as series linking etc. I would recommend 500GB min for any serious recording.

You would be best with two boxes.
A Freeview + HD PVR for UK channels

A cheap single tuner satellite receiver that records should be fine for Saorsat.
I would recommend the Walker Model : WP95SAT-HD
http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-24-WP95SAT&pages=&prod=WP95SAT&brands=WALKER&image=
It is approved for use with Saorsat.

However as Watty says, a better setup would be to also get the UK stations via satellite. There are more UK channels on satellite than on freeview. However this would cost more to setup and install. In that case a FreeSAT + HD box, specifically the humax would be best.

sligotrain

Two boxes, two remotes is a ridiculous fiddle for most people. I use a PC for everything including Saorview, UK Freesat and foreign satellite via my motorised dish. Chuck in a blu-ray player and a CAT6 network around the house for distribution and you don't need anything else.

EPG comes from Saorview and Freesat data direct in DVBViewer and I also have MHEG-5 text so have Digital Aertel and BBC Red Button.

Downside is that it's a fiddle to set up but once set up it can be very wife and kids friendly.

zg3409

A programmable remote solves the two/three remote problem. Some very fancy ones have buttons you can customise such as UK and Ireland. Once pressed they can send multiple signals to change inputs, turn on boxes etc.

A PC based solution is fine for hobbiests, but way too much to expect the average person to setup, IMHO. There is also the issue with a PC based solution if channels move or change the previously working system needs a techie to get working again.

Ronan Raver77

Sorry to hijack this lads..I see you mentioned cat 6 and distribution etc.Can someone send me some info on this or whats the best set up.Electrician wiring my house next week and i have cat6 but no clue on how many points and what to put ito the comms room/cabinet.

farmer_dave

zg3409 wrote: »

A programmable remote solves the two/three remote problem. Some very fancy ones have buttons you can customise such as UK and Ireland. Once pressed they can send multiple signals to change inputs, turn on boxes etc.

A PC based solution is fine for hobbiests, but way too much to expect the average person to setup, IMHO. There is also the issue with a PC based solution if channels move or change the previously working system needs a techie to get working again.

I presume these remotes can easily switch between device? Do you have any examples?

zg3409

Ronan Devitt wrote: »

Sorry to hijack this lads..I see you mentioned cat 6 and distribution etc.Can someone send me some info on this or whats the best set up.Electrician wiring my house next week and i have cat6 but no clue on how many points and what to put ito the comms room/cabinet.

Ideally you want two cat6 cables to every TV point minimum (one for internet and one for telephone).

You should also wire cat 6 to every point you would like a telephone or wired internet.

Normally you would run the telephone line into the building and into the comms cabinet. As well as that, if you intend using UPC for internet you would also need to run a cable TV point into the comms cabinet.

Inside the comms cabinet you would normally put an ethernet hub, with the right number of ports for the number of cables. You would also mount your internet box, either an eircom ADSL model or a UPC cable modem etc.

The comms cabinet will need a few ordinary AC power outlets too to power the equipment

zg3409

farmer_dave wrote: »

I presume these remotes can easily switch between device? Do you have any examples?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=105900

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056826454

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055500873

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055077496

farmer_dave

Thanks - sorry didn't think of doing a search on here!