Freeview setup

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Stewie

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#17658 6-Dec-2007 01:12

.so here I am in a bit of dilemma. We record other channel programs on our dvd recorder and VHS while watching another channel at the same time using our old VHF/UHF aerial. I'm planning to setup freeview Satellite this weekend, however from what I gather while going thru the decorders/set top box in the market is that I wont be able to do above unless I have two decoders(1 for recorder and 1 for TV) if I took down the aerials?

cyril7

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#98467 6-Dec-2007 06:36

This is true, just as it has been with all digital broadcast systems including Sky (since 1998). You require two decoders to view one and record another, just as you require two tuners on analog to record one and view another (ie one in your TV and one in your VCR).

The option is to buy either two STBs and have one record to VHS or buy a PVR which has two seperate DVB-S tuners in it, one for decoding and viewing the other for streaming to harddisc. However you will generally find two seperate STBs is cheaper than a PVR if you already have a VHS recorder. However the quality of recording on a PVR is as good as the original picture as the actual inbound mpeg stream is spooled to disc and not decoded till you actually view it. PVRs are also a lot more convienent and user friendly due to the EPG interaction.

Cyril

old3eyes

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#98473 6-Dec-2007 08:28

Stewie: .so here I am in a bit of dilemma. We record other channel programs on our dvd recorder and VHS while watching another channel at the same time using our old VHF/UHF aerial. I'm planning to setup freeview Satellite this weekend, however from what I gather while going thru the decorders/set top box in the market is that I wont be able to do above unless I have two decoders(1 for recorder and 1 for TV) if I took down the aerials?

Unless you have bad UHF reception where you live why bother?? By March 2008 you will be able to get OTA Freevierw with HD something you won't get with the sat feed for years to come.. You will of course need a STB or a TV / DVR with a DTT tuner built in..

Regards,

Old3eyes

No1Daemon

172 posts

Master Geek

#98486 6-Dec-2007 09:48

It should be possible to watch one channel and record another using mediaportal as long as they are on the same transponder with one set top box.

Google and read up this page http://mcraenz.googlepages.com/mppvr

Stewie

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#98512 6-Dec-2007 11:18

I have really bad Terrestial reception. I'm located in the North Shore but it just happens my house is on a side of a hill backfacing Auckland CBD.

Yep, I will most likely get 2 set top boxes as I already have a Sony DVD recorder with 160GB HDD. Only hassle wiill is that I will have about 6 remote control units in front of me every night!!

Thanks for the MPPVR... looks like it needs a lot of effort.

cyril7

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#98521 6-Dec-2007 11:50

You might like to get too differnent brand STB's otherwise you will have remote nightmare as both STBs react to the same codes.

I can strongly recommend the Strong SRT465XX series it is very fast and has a good EIT based EPG app, it also has component video out on RCA's, for a second cheaper box for recording both the Coship and the Satlink from the same site are good basic STBs for around $170. The only down side of the last two cheaper boxs is that they dont support 4:3LB, but if you have a 16:9 display then its a non issue. Trademe is also a good place buy cheaper 2nd boxs.

Cyril

Stewie

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#98579 6-Dec-2007 15:57

Yep, I'm pretty much convince withe SRT4654X. Coz I want to go for the component output and card reader ( theres a rumour you can get hacked cards of the internets ). So I might get that directly for the TV.

Indeed I will be hitting my own head with 2 set top boxes with the same brand/model!! Thanks for the reminder.

Any cheap brands you folks recommend for recording? I might be limited to using RCA or S video output.