Can I record a Sky programme using my Panasonic hard disk recorder?

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PSLog

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Master Geek

Topic # 214606 20-May-2017 11:51

I'm thinking of getting Sky for the Americas Cup coverage.
The races are on at 5am which is too early for me.
Can I use my existing Panasonic hard disk recorder (that I currently use to record Freeview programmes) to record and playback the Sky programmes.
I know I can achieve this with MySky but want to avoid extra cost if possible.

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Reply # 1785100 20-May-2017 12:26

I'm pretty sure you can record component or composite video out of a Sky box. But wouldn't it be easier and just as cheap to get one of those deals where they include MySky, sports, HD etc for $50ish per month?

Rikkitic

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Reply # 1785101 20-May-2017 12:27

Anything is possible but this kind of thing is normally discouraged. It would be helpful to know more about your devices, like what kinds of inputs and outputs they have. Is your Panny an old one or reasonable modern? Which Sky decoder do you have? Do you just want to be able to see the races or is image quality important? Better information = better advice.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

MikeB4

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Reply # 1785105 20-May-2017 12:33

If you have one of the new Sky boxes ring them and get recording added to your profile. At the end of the Americas Cup get them to turn it off. Hassle free and only $15 for a month

Mike
Retired IT Manager.
The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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Reply # 1785115 20-May-2017 12:44

MikeB4:

Hassle free and only $15 for a month

Yeah, only $15 per month.

Your Panasonic recorder will only be able to record DVB-T. It won't even be able to record analogue signals from a modulator, if you still have one of the old Sky boxes, or had one installed when Sky switched to the new boxes.

Our solution, which isn't free, is to use a network-based h.264 encoder with HDMI input, a Raspberry Pi, and a DVB-T transmitting dongle. The TVs and recorder (also Panasonic) are manually tuned for the extra channel. The solution is far from perfect, but makes allowances for future requirements, when DVB-T tuners within the home will eventually be replaced by a HTPC front-end systems.

HDMI to DVB-T encoders are now starting to appear on AliExpress for under $US100, so one of those may be an option. They may not match the Freeview specs, but they will probably work. I've run MPEG2 though my system in the past (from capture cards with hardware MPEG2 encoders), and the televisions have handled it just fine.

Rikkitic

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Reply # 1785120 20-May-2017 12:53

I have an old Panasonic DVR and an old Sky Pace decoder. We still use the s-Video input on the Panny to record occasional Sky programs. Just saying.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 1785125 20-May-2017 13:08

Provided you current Panasonic Recorder has composite video and audio inputs and the Sky Box has composite video output then it will be no problem. Not all Panasonic models have inputs for recording from external equipment. I used to record Sky on my BWT720 with no problems.

old3eyes

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Reply # 1785126 20-May-2017 13:09

PSLog: I'm thinking of getting Sky for the Americas Cup coverage.
The races are on at 5am which is too early for me.
Can I use my existing Panasonic hard disk recorder (that I currently use to record Freeview programmes) to record and playback the Sky programmes.
I know I can achieve this with MySky but want to avoid extra cost if possible.

I just downloaded the latest AC Android app and notice that it has Chromecast support. Won't know if it works I guess until the racing starts or if Sky will demand that it's blocked to us kiwis as they did last time.

Regards,

Old3eyes

SirHumphreyAppleby

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Reply # 1785133 20-May-2017 13:38

B1GGLZ:

Provided you current Panasonic Recorder has composite video and audio inputs and the Sky Box has composite video output then it will be no problem. Not all Panasonic models have inputs for recording from external equipment. I used to record Sky on my BWT720 with no problems.

^ What he said. I wasn't aware any of the Panasonic Freeview models could do this (the old analogue units all could). I looked at the manual for the BWT720 online, and it doesn't even mention the ability to record from the composite input. You'd think that would be an important selling point.

PSLog

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Master Geek

Reply # 1785134 20-May-2017 13:43

OK. A few things to respond to:
If it was as simple as paying $50 a month for 6 months to get MySky and Sport then I'd just do that, but I find the Sky website opaque when trying to find out exactly what it would cost for that. Seems that they subscribe to the old Telecom mantra "Keep the punters confused".

The Panasonic does allow connection to a "set top box" via a 3 plug AV cable. But reading other replies, it sounds as if it would not be possible to have the Cup coverage start recording automatically at 5am. I think I'd have to get up then to start the recording manually? Is that right?

I have no idea what DVBT etc etc means. So can't interpret that post.

Please note (as in my original post) I am currently not subscribed to Sky - so have no existing (old or new) box.

It would certainly be interesting to know what the AC app provides, as I do have Chromecast. But it's hard to imagine that Sky would not have that feed sewn up.

All in all, it sounds like it might be most straightforward to just buy Sky + MySky + Sky Sport for the minimum time. If only I could work out the true cost from their website.

"
GET SKY
WITH MY SKY

ON A 6 MONTH BASIC CONTRACT
AND NO JOINING FEE
**Basic is $49.22 per month (as of 25 June 2016 SKY Basic will cost $49.91 per month). Under this offer the MY SKY service is free for the first 6 months."
Plus SkySport @ $30/month
That's about $80 a month for 6 months = $480.

I could handle that for the convenience but if I try to buy that on their website it looks like it is going to cost me $94 a month or $570 for essentially 1 month's viewing. That's probably a bit rich for me.

shk292

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Reply # 1785136 20-May-2017 13:48

PSLog: OK. A few things to respond to:
If it was as simple as paying $50 a month for 6 months to get MySky and Sport then I'd just do that, but I find the Sky website opaque when trying to find out exactly what it would cost for that. Seems that they subscribe to the old Telecom mantra "Keep the punters confused"..

Did you look at this thread: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=106&topicid=160441&page_no=35 ?

SirHumphreyAppleby

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Reply # 1785137 20-May-2017 13:53

I have no idea what DVBT etc etc means. So can't interpret that post.

Please note (as in my original post) I am currently not subscribed to Sky - so have no existing (old or new) box.

DVB, and in particular the DVB-T (terrestrial) system, is how Freeview is broadcast (DVB-S is used with the satellite service). It's a steep learning curve to roll your own solution, and even the hardware on AliExpress would likely require some knowledge of DVB/MPEG to get working. You are probably right to ignore my post.

PSLog

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Master Geek

Reply # 1785140 20-May-2017 14:05

Thanks for that.
They don't seem to be answering today, so I'll try again on Monday.
Someone may know:....is Sky sport a "Premium Channel"?
If so it may work out at
$29.00 for Sky plus MySky+
$39.90 for Sky Sport
ie $68.90 per month or $413 (minimum of 6 months) to watch the Americas Cup.
THAT could work :-)

Rikkitic

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Reply # 1785141 20-May-2017 14:09

PSLog:

The Panasonic does allow connection to a "set top box" via a 3 plug AV cable. But reading other replies, it sounds as if it would not be possible to have the Cup coverage start recording automatically at 5am. I think I'd have to get up then to start the recording manually? Is that right?

Your three plug AV cable is probably for composite input (yellow plug) plus the two stereo channels. We still don't know what model your Panasonic is but it might also have other inputs. You ought to be able to set the timer on it for automatic recordings.

Any of these very inexpensive devices should work to convert HDMI to something your Panny can handle. I bought the cheapest one to experiment with and it works fine.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

PSLog

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Master Geek

Reply # 1785150 20-May-2017 14:24

Yeah. Looks like composite. The device is the DMR-XW390.

So....
Assuming a new Sky box has composite output:
Connect the Sky box to the DMR
Set timer recording on the DMR to channel = AV
Leave the Sky box on and tuned to the appropriate Sport channel.
Set the timer recording to start recording the AV channel at 5am for 2 hours.

Is it as simple as that?

SirHumphreyAppleby

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Reply # 1785151 20-May-2017 14:27

PSLog: Yeah. Looks like composite. The device is the DMR-XW390.

So....
Assuming a new Sky box has composite output:
Connect the Sky box to the DMR
Set timer recording on the DMR to channel = AV
Leave the Sky box on and tuned to the appropriate Sport channel.
Set the timer recording to start recording the AV channel at 5am for 2 hours.

Is it as simple as that?

Should be, yes.

(The new Sky boxes do have Composite output - it's the RF out that they no longer have).

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