PVR for saorview TV

CarPark2

Hi all,
I have a Samsung UE 40D 5520, which decodes the saorview signal automatically, so i don't have a saorview set-top box.
I would like to record some programmes, but i am not really sure about what i need.
Is there a pvr box (machine) that i can attach to the TV to record?
If so, will it be able to do series-link etc?
Will the TV have to be on in order for the pvr to work?
Will the PVR essentially have a built-in digital decoder, and if so, has it just made buying a saorview TV pointless?
Thanks in advance, as you can see i don't know much about the area!

The Cush

There is only 1 Saorview PVR on the market here, from Walker - http://www.saorview.ie/product/walker/. It's a twin tuner recorder.

Based on my own and my brother's expericence with that particular box the recording function is very unreliable. The only plus for the box is it has series link.

We replaced ours with UK FreeviewHD spec PVRs from Panasonic, reliable recording but without the series link functionality. Others here use FreeviewHD PVRs from Humax.

Buying a separate Saorview TV isn't pointless, a twin-tuner PVR allows you to record 2 programmes at the same time while watching a third programme on your TV.

kooga

Full range here

http://www.richersounds.com/products/home-cinema/home-cinema-separates/digital-set-top-boxes#3

Loos

CarPark2 wrote: »

Will the TV have to be on in order for the pvr to work?

Only if you want to use the TV's own "PVR" function, recording to a USB HDD. No series linking though, & not even the full choice of channels to switch to if you want to watch something else while recording. Would be handy say, if your viewing is interupted & you need to pause & rewind, but you're really better off with a "proper" PVR for anything beyond that.

CarPark2

Thanks for responses.
I don't know much about this so pardon my stupid questions:
- I thought that freeview and saorview operated over different systems/required different decoders (mheg 4 Vs mheg 2) or something like that? So will the freeview recorders definitely work on saorview?
- it seems that series-link etc is not really a viable feature at the moment for saorview. Is that correct? I would have thought that was one of the main advantages if digital terrestrial signal, so it seems funny that no company has come up with a reliable pvr with series link!
Thanks

The Cush

CarPark2 wrote: »

I thought that freeview and saorview operated over different systems/required different decoders (mheg 4 Vs mheg 2) or something like that? So will the freeview recorders definitely work on saorview?

Freeview uses 2 standards now MPEG-2 for the basic SD channels and MPEG-4 for the FreeviewHD channels, the HD PVRs are capable of decoding the Saorview MPEG-4 channels. Ensure that the PVR is FreeviewHD and not the original Freeview standard. Would also suggest you ask here before buying to get feedback from posters on particular models.

CarPark2

The Cush wrote: »

Freeview uses 2 standards now MPEG-2 for the basic SD channels and MPEG-4 for the FreeviewHD channels, the HD PVRs are capable of decoding the Saorview MPEG-4 channels. Ensure that the PVR is FreeviewHD and not the original Freeview standard. Would also suggest you ask here before buying to get feedback from posters on particular models.

Thanks. That is really helpful.
What standard does Freesat use? Are there ones that will decode saorview and Freesat, with 7 day epg and recording? Asking a lot I know!!

The Cush

CarPark2 wrote: »

What standard does Freesat use? Are there ones that will decode saorview and Freesat, with 7 day epg and recording? Asking a lot I know!!

Freesat channels use both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video compression but with different transmission standards to both Saorview and Freeview, DVB-S and DVB-S2. Saorview uses the DVB-T transmission standard and Freeview DVB-T and the newer DVB-T2.

Unfortunately there are no combi Saorview/Freeview/Freesat receivers/PVRs with series link, 7 day epg etc. and unlikely to ever be.

Pangea

Just wondering Is there any sign of a new saorview pvr coming out at all? or a new humax pvr for freesat?
Both current pvrs seem to have faults and Id rather wait for the next batch but that could be a few years I guess.

Technofobe

Pangea wrote: »

Just wondering Is there any sign of a new saorview pvr coming out at all? or a new humax pvr for freesat?
Both current pvrs seem to have faults and Id rather wait for the next batch but that could be a few years I guess.

You could do worse than have a look at the amiko alien 2 triple
A full HD Saorview / freesat triple tuner
2 sat + 1 terrestial inputs
Dual boot
The original ( Spark ) for non techies
or Enigma 2 operating systems
Record 2 stations while watching another
Pause and record live tv
Stream tv from the box to a tablet or pc in a different room and watch a different station than the tv connected
If you connect the box to duh interweb you get full 7 day EPG
No series link as such but there is a multi timer which can be set to record different programmes at same time every day or week
No teletext unless you tune in a sky scrambled version of RTE ( no picture but the data for the teletxt is in the signal so text works for the moment )

Go on youtube and have a look