Box To Record Saorview and FTA

The Wolverine

Planning on dropping sky.

So I'm pricing a box that can receive saorview and FTA but can also record.

Is it possible get boxes that have both on the same EPG and series link?

The main channels we watch and record are RTE, TV3, TG4 and S4C Wales

The Wolverine

What about these

Ferguson

http://www.freetv.ie/ferguson-ariva-153.html

Amiko

http://www.freetv.ie/amiko-mini-combo-se.html

imnorobot

Both of the boxes above will record to a usb hard drive or usb key
Both boxes above are combi boxes with 1 tuner for sat and 1 tuner for terrestial

You could record rte while watching a sat station or vice versa

If you can afford the extra layout you could consider going for a triple tuner box which would allow you to record 2 sat stations while watching rte
Or record rte and say channel 4 while watching bbc

I have both an Amiko alien 2 & a Vu+ duo2
Both are triple tuner and both can record to a Hard drive
The alien 2 is a good box but can be a little fiddly with the external hard drive not being recognized but in all fairness its an old laptop drive that i used not a new one

The Duo 2 is using a hard drive from an old sky box and the drive is inserted inside the casing ( not via usb )
and it has been flawless never misses a beat
But it does have a lot more ram and processing power
not to mention it cost 3 times the price of the alien 2

Both boxes that I have are enigma 2
And you can have your stations in any order you like in the epg
I have mine set up with just 1 list ( Bouquet ) starting with
RTE 1
RTE 2
Tv3
and so on after the rte stations are the BBC all in the 1 list ( bouquet )

Series link is a more primitive affair
when you set a timer to record something you will be asked to select
Once off
daily
weekly
if say you were to record the bake off weekly
Recording would start on that station at same time same day every week until you cancel that timer
if you don't cancel it will continue to record what ever is on at that time
Or if the programme is delayed you may miss part or all of it
having said that there is some adjustment to the timers like how many mins before the start time do you want to start recording
and how long after the end
I think by default its about 3 mins before and 5 mins after but you can change it if you like
But in all honesty I cant remember anything getting missed

We dropped Sky some time ago and have never looked back

Really good thread here with some good guys on it
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057246289

The Wolverine

Thanks so much that's a great post!

Just on triple tuners how can you get to record say RTE 1 and 2 at once? Do I need 2 cables from the aerial or a splitter from the Saorview aerial and then into both tuners?

Oh never mind I read it wrong I see it's 2 sat channels and a Saorview channel!

imnorobot

The Wolverine wrote: »

Thanks so much that's a great post!

Just on triple tuners how can you get to record say RTE 1 and 2 at once? Do I need 2 cables from the aerial or a splitter from the Saorview aerial and then into both tuners?

ahh that would be its shortcoming
As there is only 1 terrestial tuner you could only record or watch 1 rte station at a time
If you have a saorview tv you can split the cable and feed 1 to tv and 1 to the combi box
and therefore watch rte 1 while recording rte 2 on the box

Having said that I think if the 2 saorview stations are on the same mux ( I think its called ) it may be possible to record 2
I would have to test :-)

I would guess if I had a good system with a good processor and good amount of ram I could buy a usb tuner / tv stick
like the Sundtek DVB-CT but at around € 70 its a tad pricey but it would give an additional tuner in to the mix :-)


Ok just as a quick test
If im recording RTE 1
I cant watch RTE 2 TV3 TG 4 3E RTE news now
i could watch while recording RTE junior RTE +1 UTV Ireland

The Wolverine

OK say for the alien box is the EPG all one list RTE all the way though BBC and that? Or have you to switch lists?

If you wanted to record a programme can you bring up the EPG navigate to a programme say Fair City 8pm and tap record? Want to make sure the family member can use it hassle free

Think they would be OK with a double tuner tbh as they are used to only being able to watch one and record another

Only trouble is if they wanted to record two Saorview at once say TV3 and RTE!

imnorobot

The Wolverine wrote: »

OK say for the alien box is the EPG all one list RTE all the way though BBC and that? Or have you to switch lists?

If you wanted to record a programme can you bring up the EPG navigate to a programme say Fair City 8pm and tap record? Want to make sure the family member can use it hassle free

Think they would be OK with a double tuner tbh as they are used to only being able to watch one and record another

Only trouble is if they wanted to record two Saorview at once say TV3 and RTE!

Yep a simple down push on the remote will bring up a list of stations RTE and BBC and other sat all in the same list
You just scroll down to whatever station you want to watch and press OK
No switching lists
Question 2
Yes there is a button called epg
when you press this it will show whats on now / Next for 2 weeks or so
Scroll left or right to the programme and press green button to add timer ( record )
Simple enough
And as Gerry Wicklow pointed out thereis also an option for auto timer which will liik for key words like Bake off ! and record that
Have not tried this option yet
But will do
Example of list below

The Wolverine

That's great thanks

Just on the now and next on the EPG can you only see the actual now and next or can you scroll through programmes for next day or two to set up records?

imnorobot

The Wolverine wrote: »

That's great thanks

Just on the now and next on the EPG can you only see the actual now and next or can you scroll through programmes for next day or two to set up records?

By hitting the epg button you should be able to see around 2 weeks programes and set a timer to record in there

Example

_John C

Im also using a Vu+ Duo2. Find it great. Ive got a twin terrestrial tuner installed in it so I can actually record every saorview channel at the same time! It works, Ive tried it.

Oh and while Im recording;
RTE1
RTE2
TV3
TG4
UTV
NewsNow
RTE Junior

all at the same time I can also watch something on BBC or ITV etc. !!!

These boxes work great once setup correctly. Expensive but well worth it in my opinion.

imnorobot

_John C wrote: »

Im also using a Vu+ Duo2. Find it great. Ive got a twin terrestrial tuner installed in it so I can actually record every saorview channel at the same time! It works, Ive tried it.

Oh and while Im recording;
RTE1
RTE2
TV3
TG4
UTV
NewsNow
RTE Junior

all at the same time I can also watch something on BBC or ITV etc. !!!

These boxes work great once setup correctly. Expensive but well worth it in my opinion.

yep would agree expensive but well worth the addtional cash when you want to keep wifey and kids happy with something that just does it with no messing

_John C

Yes, the transition from the Sky+HD box to the Duo2 box went very smooth.The family had no problems. The box just does what its told. Also theres the added bonus of being able to record ITV HD and Channel 5 HD. Which you cant do with a Sky+HD box.

Id recommend using the openvix software on the Duo2. It has never let us down.

imnorobot

_John C wrote: »

Yes, the transition from the Sky+HD box to the Duo2 box went very smooth.The family had no problems. The box just does what its told. Also theres the added bonus of being able to record ITV HD and Channel 5 HD. Which you cant do with a Sky+HD box.

Id recommend using the openvix software on the Duo2. It has never let us down.

Yep also using openvix :-)
Also UTV HD from north as opposed to UTV Ireland in sd on sourview

The Wolverine

John on the twin terrestrial tuner, was there extra additions needed from the dish or did you get a splitter for the line coming in

For instance I currently only have the sky dish with two lines and will need to get an aerial out up for Saorview as the old one blew off years ago lol.

_John C

You will need an aerial installed for the Saorview.

For my setup Twin satellite + Twin terrestrial tuners; I need 3 cables.
2 for satellite & 1 for terrestrial (Saorview)

Ive got 2 cables coming from my dish to the 2 satellite sockets on the Duo2 (just like the Sky+HD). These two cables handle all the English FTA/Freesat channels. Then Ive got 1 cable coming from my aerial to the terrestrial tuner socket on the Duo2. The one cable from the aerial is all you need for the Saorview as the one cable is split internally to feed the twin terrestrial tuners.

Its worth paying for the twin terrestrial tuner.

Single tuner £39.99
Twin tuner £69

The Wolverine

_John C wrote: »

You will need an aerial installed for the Saorview.

For my setup Twin satellite + Twin terrestrial tuners; I need 3 cables.
2 for satellite & 1 for terrestrial (Saorview)

Ive got 2 cables coming from my dish to the 2 satellite sockets on the Duo2 (just like the Sky+HD). These two cables handle all the English FTA/Freesat channels. Then Ive got 1 cable coming from my aerial to the terrestrial tuner socket on the Duo2. The one cable from the aerial is all you need for the Saorview as the one cable is split internally to feed the twin terrestrial tuners.

That is excellent thanks mate have a lot to check out now lads

Thanks all

_John C

This is what I bought:

http://www.world-of-satellite.co.uk/satellite-and-terrestrial/digital-receivers/vu-plus/VU-Plus-Duo2-Duo-2-1x-Twin-Tuner-DVB-S2-HD-Enigma-2-Linux-Satellite-Receiver

£309

and added:

VU+ 2nd Tuner Slot options:
Pre-Install TWIN Hybrid DVB-C/T/T2(+£69.00)

Then when the box arrived I fitted an old 500Gb hard drive internally for the recordings and a usb flash drive to store the EPG.

But you can add these items when your buying.

Fitted HDD Options:
500GB HDD 2.5" SATA (+£40.00)

USB Storage:
Kingston 8GB USB (+£4.95)

Theres also an option to get them to install the software for you:

Enigma 2 Firmware / Image Options (Flashed Free Of Charge):
OpenViX (Latest)

_John C

So your shopping list is:

First get your aerial installed and cable run down to where your installing your new box.
Not sure about this cost (I installed my own aerial)

Then buy:

http://www.world-of-satellite.co.uk/satellite-and-terrestrial/digital-receivers/vu-plus/VU-Plus-Duo2-Duo-2-1x-Twin-Tuner-DVB-S2-HD-Enigma-2-Linux-Satellite-Receiver

Vu+ Duo2 with Twin satellite tuners £309

Available Options

VU+ 2nd Tuner Slot options:
Pre-Install TWIN Hybrid DVB-C/T/T2(+£69.00)

Enigma 2 Firmware / Image Options (Flashed Free Of Charge):
OpenViX (Latest)

Fitted HDD Options:
500GB HDD 2.5" SATA (+£40.00)

USB Storage:
Kingston 8GB USB (+£4.95)

I think the postage was £20.

Total = £442.95 (About €520)

You'll have the best box money can buy in my opinion.

How much are you paying Sky every year?

STB.

That is a ridiculous price to pay for a satellite box!

The very same if not higher speced box made by Xtrend is available for €239+€7 postage. 2 DVB-S2 tuners and 1 Saorview Tuner, 5 USB inputs, 1 gig lan.

https://www.hm-sat-shop.de/hdtv-receiver-sat/xtrend/2099/xtrend-et-10000-hd-2x-dvb-s2-/-1x-dvb-c/t2-hybrid-tuner-white-pvr-ready-linux-full-hd-hbbtv-receiver?c=52

Its discussed in one of the threads above this one.

_John C

Yes it is a very expensive box. But its a quality receiver. Great build quality, Has never let us down once in the past year since we got it. Its a beast of a receiver larger then the sky+HD box. It sure aint one of those cheapy video cassette sized plastic boxes!

Do you know if the Vu+ Duo2 boxes can be bought cheaper anywhere else?

Thanks

STB.

_John C wrote: »

Yes it is a very expensive box. But its a quality receiver. Great build quality, Has never let us down once in the past year since we got it. Its a beast of a receiver larger then the sky+HD box. It sure aint one of those cheapy video cassette sized plastic boxes!

Do you know if the Vu+ Duo2 boxes can be bought cheaper anywhere else?

Thanks

The Xtrend isnt one of those plastic boxes either. Its made in S. Korea like the VU+ are and is the very same spec if not better.

VU+ products have always been dramatically overpriced. Even at the STG 378 price point its way over priced for the badge that says its a "Vu". I wouldnt get hung up on the brand name. A lot E2 boxes have several rebadges from the OEM.

The likes of both these boxes have come down for a reason. That reason is that both manufacturers are now pushing even more powerful based boxes that have chipsets that support 4k.

There are good bargains to be had at the moment and the Xtrend is very much one of them.

If you have a €400 budget and are looking for a cutting edge receiver that is reasonably priced then I wouldnt be buying a Vu+ Duo2. I'd be waiting on the Gigablue Quad 4K whose release is imminent.

cormacl

You can definitely get better value with alternatives to Vu+ now.

I got a Gigablue Quad Plus 4-tuner receiver recently from HM-Sat.. 2xS2, 2xT2 tuners plus 2Tb drive fitted all for €396 incl postage. The box is working flawlessly. I had already purchased an 800 SE Plus the previous year and had no issues with it either.

UrbanFret

I have a Vu+solo twin sat and an xtrend ET8500 combi both running 1300 mhz dual processors, The solo eats it alive particularly at zapping and downloading epg.

STB.

UrbanFret wrote: »

I have a Vu+solo twin sat and an xtrend ET8500 combi both running 1300 mhz dual processors, The solo eats it alive particularly at zapping and downloading epg.

Given the Xtrend has half the flash and half the RAM that is not surprising.

Like with like please.

UrbanFret

STB. wrote: »

Given the Xtrend has half the flash and half the RAM that is not surprising.

Like with like please.

The ET8500 has the same ram and twice the memory according to the information tab . Unless I'm reading it wrong.:D

STB.

UrbanFret wrote: »

The ET8500 has the same ram and twice the memory according to the information tab . Unless I'm reading it wrong.:D

I assumed you were comparing the ET8500 with a VU+Solo2 as they are the only ones that have 1.3gig processors.

The RAM in a Solo2 is 1024MB with a NAND of 256MB whilst the ET8500 has half of that.

The original Solo only has a 333MHZ CPU so I doubt you are comparing it with that and if the original Solo is outperforming the ET8500 then there is something seriously wrong.

UrbanFret

STB. wrote: »

I assumed you were comparing the ET8500 with a VU+Solo2 as they are the only ones that have 1.3gig processors.

The RAM in a Solo2 is 1024MB with a NAND of 256MB whilst the ET8500 has half of that.

The original Solo only has a 333MHZ CPU so I doubt you are comparing it with that and if the original Solo is outperforming the ET8500 then there is something seriously wrong.

It's a solo 2. According to the info on the et8500 this is its specs.

STB.

UrbanFret wrote: »

It's a solo 2. According to the info on the et8500 this is its specs.

Fair enough UrbanFret, I'll have to stop trusting certain seller sites.

Are both of these boxes running the very same image and addons?

With the spec of each, I cannot see why there should be a noticable difference.

UrbanFret

STB. wrote: »

Fair enough UrbanFret, I'll have to stop trusting certain seller sites.

Are both of these boxes running the very same image and addons?

With the spec of each, I cannot see why there should be a noticable difference.

Yes exactly the same set up on both. Only difference the solo has a 64gb usb mounted as hdd the xtrend has a 320gb hdd internal. I'm puzzled myself as to the difference in performance. If I scroll down the channel lists it is very laggy then jumps 10 channels maybe. Crossepg takes about 30 seconds on the solo at least 2 1/2 minutes on the xtrend. I dont want to start over as the xtrend is connected to a T90 multi sat set up.

The Wolverine

cormacl wrote: »

You can definitely get better value with alternatives to Vu+ now.

I got a Gigablue Quad Plus 4-tuner receiver recently from HM-Sat.. 2xS2, 2xT2 tuners plus 2Tb drive fitted all for €396 incl postage. The box is working flawlessly. I had already purchased an 800 SE Plus the previous year and had no issues with it either.

OK I'd really like to be able to record two Saorview channels at once so is this one the best value for money so far?

Johnboy1951

The Wolverine wrote: »

OK I'd really like to be able to record two Saorview channels at once so is this one the best value for money so far?

You could always build your own using a discarded PC with a two core processor and a couple of dual tuner cards.