emaherx wrote: » Consider a Freesat TV. Irish DTT and Freesat in one device and no need for any Set top Box. I have a sony bravia with Freesat. there are two seperate guides for DTT and Sat and both have full 7 day EPG without need for firmware updates or patches. (single button press to switch between DTT and Sat). Also I can receive internet content from BBC iPlayer and Hulu.com and other sites. although this requres network connection to a PC with Playon DNLA server and a VPN service. But once setup is easy to use and better value than Sky
watty wrote: » I'd prefer a TV that's just a "monitor" with loads of inputs. Then a Combo PVR with 4 tuners. I will wait for Official launch. There is no rush on getting DTT. On TV with Internet, Project Canvas is the Biggie.
Turbulent Bill wrote: » As per the title, is a combo box with dish and DTT aerial a mature enough replacement for the standard Sky/UPC options? Irish DTT hasn't been formally launched, and from reading through the forum lots of the combo boxes seem more for hobbyists than ordinary Joes (frequent flash updates, hacks for compatability etc.).... Any opinions?
TheDriver wrote: » its having a freesat epg on a combo box mixed with a dtt listing so you can chop and change to what suits, it there such a thing? (without lots of hacking.........)
In the old days wrote: » Great idea for a thread! The technomate 6900 gives a reasonably neat combi solution if favorites are arranged to suit Irish viewing habits(bar TV3 for now). An installer can arrange the EPG very close to the UPC or Sky EPG with bonus channels such as C5 and ITV HD + BBC HD and BBC3,4, news etc. in the mix. Main bugbear is the Satellite stations will only have now/next on EPG and the single PVR isn't as good or intuitive as sky plus (also big extra multi-room expense). Using a Freesat box plus a mpeg4 tv is a fairly good solution if you don't need a PVR but switching between inputs is a bit annoying. I've given up UPC but do keep the basic Sky package for the easier PVR and live pause. The technomate Astra 28E sat + aerial is great for bonus HD + BBC/ITV extra channels. I think a Freesat+ box and an mpeg4 tv (with analogue for belts and braces) is best current general solution. For an average family I think better to wait til the full Irish DTT launch and see what's available combi-wise (and saorsat approved to be sure to be sure) before Christmas. I'm not familiar with linux boxes etc. they are another option for better EPG I guess but again a bit nerdy for general family viewing. The basic Sky for a year seems a good option at present to get the dish installed free and look at DTT Combo or DTT + NI FTV Sky card in 12 months. My tuppance worth!
Turbulent Bill wrote: » I'm guessing that when the DTT launch happens there'll be a flood of people wanting to switch to a combo option and dump UPC/Sky. Both companies are making big advertising pushes at the moment, presumably to sign people up to contracts before the launch. Even though Ireland's a small market there should still be technology advances in combo boxes and new suppliers, all good for consumers.
Turbulent Bill wrote: » My understanding is that a Freesat/MPEG4 TV or combo box has its own EPG, which pulls the information from the Freesat and DTT EPGs and presents it as a single list. How well the TV or combo box does this is down to the manufacturer, and how much information they can get from the source EPGs.
Macy0161 wrote: » However, I'm not convinced that they'll be a flood of demand though given that there isn't likely to be that much more on DTT compared to analogue, in which case they could already have Freesat and Analogue for virtually the same line up? Who's going to really push the combo option?
STB wrote: » Freesat Combo TVs DO not present channels in one list. There is a DVB-T tuner and Freesat menu that you must switch from. There is no freesat combo box either although some Combo linux boxes have been written to aquire the 7 day epg from 28.2 it doesnt involve use of the Freesat menu system which is written using an MHEG5 menu and most certainly does not integrate DVB-T within it.
Turbulent Bill wrote: » Thanks STB, as you can guess I'm just starting to understand this stuff! So am I right in saying that the combo boxes with integrated EPGs pull the programme information direct from the satellite, and the DTT info from the aerial, then combine these in their own software to form a single EPG?
cormacl wrote: » Apogee, I think you could also add the DM500HD which has a built-in S2 tuner and while the USB port is a mini-USB variant, there are images for this model that claim support for USB DVB-T tuners.
Macy0161 wrote: » . However, I'm not convinced that they'll be a flood of demand though given that there isn't likely to be that much more on DTT compared to analogue, in which case they could already have Freesat and Analogue for virtually the same line up? Who's going to really push the combo option?
emaherx wrote: » Single button press to change from using DTT to Freesat, why is this such an issue? I much prefer this to single epg with just now and next. Seems like a combo FreesatHD/FreeviewHD is now likely from Echostar, although not yet confirmed.
emaherx wrote: » Single button press to change from using DTT to Freesat, why is this such an issue? I much prefer this to single epg with just now and next. Seems like a combo FreesatHD/FreeviewHD is now likely from Echostar, although not yet confirmed. going to be a lot more on DTT considering Analog will be turned off!!
STB wrote: » Well in one sentence. "But why arent all the channels in one list together thats too much stuff to have to do". The GF/Wife factor. They dont want to know. They just want the button that says NO FOOTBALL CHANNEL or more likely Grays Anatomy etc! It really wouldnt bother me, once it wasnt Grays Anoatomy of course.
STB wrote: » "But why arent all the channels in one list together thats too much stuff to have to do
Apogee wrote: » Receiver: Technomate TM-6900HDTuners: 1x DVB-S2 + 1x DVB-T7-day EPG for satellite: NoRecord from satellite while watching terrestrial:No????Hardrive: ExternalPrice: €300Receiver: Technomate TM-7100HDTuners: 2x DVB-S2 + 1x DVB-T7-day EPG for satellite: NoRecord from satellite while watching terrestrial:Yes????Hardrive: InternalPrice: €500 The above almost certainly contains errors and omissions, so please post any corrections.
Apogee wrote: » Can you confirm that dual tuner is fully functional also on AzBox Premium Plus?
Gerry Wicklow wrote: » One option which seldom, if ever, gets mentioned here is to use a PC. One setup I currently have is a PC with DTT and HD-Sat tuners connected to the TV. Using Windoze Media center it is possible to:- 1. Record either while watching the other 2. Record both while watching either 3. Record both while watching another recording. 4. I have full pause, rewind etc of live TV from either source. 5. Full, intelligent series recording with very comprehensive options if required (no repeats, etc). 6. Combined 14 day EPG for both DTT and most FTA Sat channels (now/next on the cheapo channels). The EPG is downloaded automatically free from M$. 7. Full remote control just like any STB. 8. Save to DVD if required. 9. In the event that you get both DTT and Sat versions of a signal it is possible to prioritise the sources. E.g. if the DTT signal is flaky due to weather it will automatically use the Sat instead. Total cost about €700 inc a fairly decent PC and all the other uses it offers. Everyday use as a TV system is simple and intuitive. The only downside is it records in "WTV" format which is tricky to convert.Never thought I'd promote M$ software.:eek:
