Need new set top box, can you help, please?

kathleen37

Hi there,

I've had the Nordmende NM8010M4 for a few years now, but the usb function has just stopped working (usb's work in laptop - tried reformatting, using new usb etc but the Nordmende just won't recognise any usb sticks)

So, I need to get a replacement which will allow me to record (I'm still able to watch telly - it's just the usb not working - not being able to record is bind though)

I'd ideally like a PVR with space for more than the 16/32gb usb limit. I'm in Donegal, and currently receive all RTE channels, as well as all the north Freeview channels/BBC etc. Can/could! record all onto the USB no problem.

Reading through various threads here - I'm concerned now that I'll get a replacement box, and I won't be able to record either some of the Saorview or the Freeview stuff? I don't understand enough to understand why though. Sorry.

Would anyone have any recommendations please?

I was looking at the Walker WP6500TTR - but again, reviews here are not good.

As ever, I'd really appreciate any help

(I would actually be happy with a replacement for what I have - but model is old so unavailable now...)

The Cush

kathleen37 wrote: »

I was looking at the Walker WP6500TTR - but again, reviews here are not good.

As ever, I'd really appreciate any help

Myself and my brother purchased the Walker PVR about the time it launched and I posted many of the bad reviews of that receiver, within 12 months of purchase we had replaced them with Panasonic PVRs.

I recently posted here that Powercity were selling this box at a much reduced price of €99.95 (down from the launch price of €230) - http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-23-WP6500.

Another brother of mine decided to buy at that price about a month ago and so far he hasn't reported any problems although he wouldn't be recording a lot. When he installed the box the signal readings were low/erratic and picture occasionally breaking up. I had read in the Saorview news section that a new software update was available for the Walker PVR since the end of July so we did a manual OTA update, v1.15 to v1.19, following the update the signal readings went to 100% and picture was glitch free. Maybe Walker have finally got their act together and might be worth a look at given the sub €100 price tag?

You say you're in Donegal, can you receive the Freeview channels from N Ireland? (Edit: reread your post and see that you can receive the Freeview channels)

If so I wouldn't recommend the Walker box in that case, a PVR like the ones from Panasonic would be a better option in that case, more user friendly for combined Saorview/Freeview reception, recent discussion here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057466387.

Panasonic range of PVRs - http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-entertainment/hdd.html, check across the border in Argos/ Richer Sounds etc. for best price. Twin tuner recording (record 2 channels at the same time), series linking for the Freeview channels. Combi DVD recorder/Blu Ray versions also available

kathleen37

Oh that's excellent. Thanks very much. Will look at the Panasonic ones now. (and the thread you linked)

Slightly different question, but hopefully it will be a quick yes or no answer;- I was told that if I got a telly in the north, as long as I made sure it was a proper HD telly (not HD ready) it would actually pick up RTE AND freeview?

Would that be your opinion?

Thanks again, I really appreciate the help

(When I got the Saorview aerial installed - fella told me we were pointing at the Limavady transmitter)

The Cush

kathleen37 wrote: »

Slightly different question, but hopefully it will be a quick yes or no answer;- I was told that if I got a telly in the north, as long as I made sure it was a proper HD telly (not HD ready) it would actually pick up RTE AND freeview?

Would that be your opinion?

Yes, so long as the TV has a DVB-T2 tuner (FreeviewHD) it should happily work with both services. TVs from the main manufacturers should have no problem with Saorview/Freeview reception.

When the TV or PVR are initially setup for Saorview/Freeview what country or region selected by you decides how the channels are stored. If UK is used during setup the Freeview channels are stored in their correct order with the Saorview channels stored at random starting at 800, most but not all receivers will allow you to move them into any position you want.

If Ireland is used during setup the Saorview channels are stored in their correct order and I believe the Freeview channels are stored at random after the Saorview channels.

It's been posted here before if you live in the dual reception area to setup the TV to UK as it'll be easier to reerrange the fewer Saorview channels. The Panasonic PVR that I own is set by default to UK (no Ireland option) so the Saorview channels are stored by default in the 800s but are easily rearranged.

Limavady transmitter info - https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Limavady

Digifriendly

The Cush wrote: »

You say you're in Donegal, can you receive the Freeview channels from N Ireland? (Edit: reread your post and see that you can receive the Freeview channels)

If so I wouldn't recommend the Walker box in that case, a PVR like the ones from Panasonic would be a better option in that case, more user friendly for combined Saorview/Freeview reception, recent discussion here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057466387.

Panasonic range of PVRs - http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-entertainment/hdd.html, check across the border in Argos/ Richer Sounds etc. for best price. Twin tuner recording (record 2 channels at the same time), series linking for the Freeview channels. Combi DVD recorder/Blu Ray versions also available

Excellent info. here. Just to say that I have a Panasonic PVR with twin tuner and can record from both Freeview and Saorview. Apart from no series recording on Saorview I can see no drawbacks and I highly recommend it. I bought mine in Currys.

kathleen37

Really appreciate the info, guys.

Very helpful

Thank you!!

kathleen37

Hi there,

Sorry, was short of cash previously, so looking now to get a PVR.

Richer sounds don't delivery either Panasonic pvr's for some reason, so I thought I'd look in Argos where I can get one, but, seen this one, and wondered if it would be ok for the price?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3230750.htm#pdpPromotions

Hitachi 1TB Freeview HD Smart Digital TV Recorder. £139

I know that I need the HD rather than HD ready to be able to pick up both freeview and Saorview and looks like this would do the job?

Any thoughts? Get this one or really, really should go with a panasonic?

As ever, I really appreciate the comments

Thank you

The Cush

kathleen37 wrote: »

Richer sounds don't delivery either Panasonic pvr's for some reason, so I thought I'd look in Argos where I can get one, but, seen this one, and wondered if it would be ok for the price?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3230750.htm#pdpPromotions

Hitachi 1TB Freeview HD Smart Digital TV Recorder. £139

I know that I need the HD rather than HD ready to be able to pick up both freeview and Saorview and looks like this would do the job?

Any thoughts? Get this one or really, really should go with a panasonic?

The question is how well does the Hitachi or any other Freeview PVR work with the Saorview channels, one model may work another not. There is no requirement for any Freeview receiver to tune Saorview channels.

This is where reviews from users can save a lot of hassle. Argos have I believe have a fairly hassle free returns policy if you go for the Hitachi PVR and doesn't suit your requirements.

kathleen37

The Cush wrote: »

The question is how well does the Hitachi or any other Freeview PVR work with the Saorview channels, one model may work another not. There is no requirement for any Freeview receiver to tune Saorview channels.

This is where reviews from users can save a lot of hassle. Argos have I believe have a fairly hassle free returns policy if you go for the Hitachi PVR and doesn't suit your requirements.

Excellent, thank you.

Yes, i've been checking the reviews. The extra 60 quid is worth saving for me - it's not as thought I have a home cinema system so my expectations aren't great. I was even looking at the £139 Humax box, as they do seem to get really good reviews, but it doesn't have the usb port, which I do want, so I'm just going to cross fingers and go with the Hitachi.

Thanks again for your help. I'll come back once I've installed, just in case anyone else is interested in getting a cheap PVR.

The Cush

kathleen37 wrote: »

I was even looking at the £139 Humax box, as they do seem to get really good reviews, but it doesn't have the usb port, which I do want, so I'm just going to cross fingers and go with the Hitachi.

Reviews of the Humax box have been posted here previously. The reason I didn't go with it was the Irish channels were stored in the 800s and could not be moved to a lower position out of the 800s. Not a big problem if you only receive the Saorview channels but might be a bit awkward if you receive both services and can't relocated the Irish channels to a more convenient position down the epg. Not sure how the Hitachi handles this.

jspuds

Bit of a left field suggestion would be the Wetek Play
http://wetek.com/product/wetek-play

Can get it with either DVB-S2 or DVB-C/T/T2 tuners. Possibility of adding a USB tuner as well.
Was considering this myself but it does look like it would take quite a bit of fiddling to get it working properly

Cheaper through the Openelec site http://webshop.openelec.tv/

kathleen37

So, Hitachi was up and running out of the box after literally 5 mins.

Very happy with it - tested a record (will have to wait till next week to make sure the series record is working) and all good.

V pleased with it. Does the job for me!

Only had UK install, so RTE channels are in the 800's, but not an issue for me. Turns out I've got more Freeview HD channels than I used to have, so quite happy!

The Cush

kathleen37 wrote: »

Only had UK install, so RTE channels are in the 800's, but not an issue for me. Turns out I've got more Freeview HD channels than I used to have, so quite happy!

Good luck with your purchase.

Is it possible to move the Saorview channels to a position away from the 800s?