Freeview HD box with harddrive

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9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#145506 9-Jul-2008 16:18

gcam032: Thanks! I'm sure we'd all be keen to hear about how the trial box goes.

Just another question. I don't actually have a HD tv, just a CRT tv. The reason I want a Freeview-HD box is to future proof because I know that a TV upgrade is on the horizon. I'm making the assumption that a HD set-top box can punch outut to my tv in nonHD format, correct? i.e. it is possible to receive HD terrestrial and watch on a non-HD tv

If you haven't got a HD TV don't bother at present. Wait for the price to come down and functionalty to go up. I don't see much price movement until after the Olympics..

Regards,

Old3eyes

Spong

1005 posts

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#145550 9-Jul-2008 17:05

If you do decide to buy a box before your TV upgrade, you should be fine. All HD boxes should have a composite output at least, which is your lowest quality output option. Next up would be S-Video, then component, then HDMI. You'll only get true HD from HDMI, and from the component video sockets of non-approved boxes that claim to be able to deliver HD over component. The Satlink box claims to do HD over component, so as long as Freeview don't invoke the ICT flag, this should be great for owners of older HDTV's without HDMI or DVI equipped without HDCP protocols. Crazy as it seems, to get "Freeview Approval" suppliers must not allow HD via component as some crazy anti-piracy measue.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

sbiddle

30853 posts

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#145573 9-Jul-2008 17:40

If a TV upgrade is on the horizon then buying a box now is nothing more than a waste of money. IDT's are already available, Sony will have their TV's in the marketplce within a matter of days and there will be at least two more manufacturers within the next 1-2 months.

There is no need to buy a box when the TV already has a tuner built in..

angrybeaver

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#145671 9-Jul-2008 19:51

Saw the new Sony TV's with built in Freeview tuner at Harvey Norman today!!!

old3eyes

9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#145686 9-Jul-2008 20:11

angrybeaver: Saw the new Sony TV's with built in Freeview tuner at Harvey Norman today!!!

Did they have Freeview on them or the Hardly Normal loop??

Regards,

Old3eyes

angrybeaver

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#145690 9-Jul-2008 20:14

I was in at lunch time, they had some soap on so hard to gauge quality of picture. Sales guy said it was superb (but he would, wouldn't he).

mentalinc

3240 posts

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#145694 9-Jul-2008 20:21

angrybeaver: I was in at lunch time, they had some soap on so hard to gauge quality of picture. Sales guy said it was superb (but he would, wouldn't he).

So stupid really. they have the test channel which is HD all the time with proper HD programs yet the show other crap on them.
Ie was at DSE the other day and had al their tvs playing C4 (prob the worst looking freeview station of all) way to try sell the product

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SNicolle

539 posts

Ultimate Geek

#145717 9-Jul-2008 20:47

if you are a sky subscriber check out the back of this months issue, get an integrated tuner and subsidies sky hdi

r0bbie

245 posts

Master Geek

#148791 17-Jul-2008 11:01

Surfing around this morning and found this link

http://www.cdlnz.com/index.html?do=viewproduct&code=FV-HD5440&ID=154769

Not much detail but says it provides PVR via external HDD

r0bbie

245 posts

Master Geek

#148804 17-Jul-2008 11:33

r0bbie:
Surfing around this morning and found this link

http://www.cdlnz.com/index.html?do=viewproduct&code=FV-HD5440&ID=154769

Not much detail but says it provides PVR via external HDD

Just rang them and it has no EPG :(

Spong

1005 posts

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#148810 17-Jul-2008 11:54

The Strong terestrial boxes have an EPG, but it only shows the current time period and about an hour beyond, and no further. This is because it doesn't support MHEG-5. Whether this will come in a future firmware upgrade is unknown, but if anyone does know anymore, it would be much appreciated. It appears to be a very nice unit, and apparently outputs HD over component, but without a better EPG, it's a big disappointment, especially at around $500.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

pacificsurfer51

60 posts

Master Geek

#150490 22-Jul-2008 21:54

Was surfin around and stumble onto Total Connections Auckland.
Topfield TF6000PVR ES -Freeview/Satellite PVR HD upscale receiver : $ 899.00
http://www.totalconnections.co.nz/page.php?id=14

Not bad I guess with a 320 GB drive equipped.

Spong

1005 posts

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#150495 22-Jul-2008 22:08

Great, except that it's not a HD receiver. It's just a SD satellite receiver that "upsamples" to HD, which isn't the real deal. Latest on the HD receivers from www.satlinknz.com (also www.freeviewnz.com) is that I missed out on one of the 20 samples that recently arrived. I'm due to get one from the next bunch available in about a week. These have been delayed so many times now, I'll believe it when I see it. The shipment due won't have PVR capability, but the manufacturer "thinks it will be possible" for the next batch. Also it's hoped that this will come with a firmware upgrade for the units already in the field. I sure wish there was an HD receiver with proper EPG and record capability - it seems you can't have both at this stage. Hopefully HD PVRs with 7 day guide, integrated HDD and dual tuners will arrive one day... We can but dream, meanwhile Mysky HDi have this part of the market to themselves. The only current option is a HTPC.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

angrybeaver

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#150533 23-Jul-2008 07:51

I emailed Satlink asking why they no longer mentioned the USB record to hard drive option. They came back to me and said that option will be available in the future. Not specific on when, not very helpful really.

pacificsurfer51

60 posts

Master Geek

#150731 23-Jul-2008 19:30

What a bummer

.Thought as well.
NZ is very slow at introducing PVR's. Might have to just forkout for HDfreeview and get HDMI compatible dvd HDD recorder.

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