Twin tuner Terrestrial On-demand: Only 2 models available in NZ?

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#2831383 13-Dec-2021 12:29

davidcole:

In the old days (I was windows pc with nextpvr front end/backend), and I used a logitech harmony remote (emulating a hauppauge remote), but it was connected via a usb-uirt usb Infrared receiver and transmitter.

I believe I still have the usb-uirt, but unsure if there are windows 10 drivers for it.....last os I think I used was windows 7.

In my spare room I use an xbox controller with a utility to map buttons to keystrokes. I used to use NextPVR, the backend is fine but the media playback is terrible. It's all focused on playback through a browser now.
The only one stop PVR software package that I've found that I ever thought might get the wife approval factor, is SichboPVR. It has playback speed adjustment, which is required when changing from the Panasonic as you get used to the 1.3x setting for slow shows!

davidcole

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#2831404 13-Dec-2021 12:59

On2or3wheels:

davidcole:

In the old days (I was windows pc with nextpvr front end/backend), and I used a logitech harmony remote (emulating a hauppauge remote), but it was connected via a usb-uirt usb Infrared receiver and transmitter.

I believe I still have the usb-uirt, but unsure if there are windows 10 drivers for it.....last os I think I used was windows 7.

In my spare room I use an xbox controller with a utility to map buttons to keystrokes. I used to use NextPVR, the backend is fine but the media playback is terrible. It's all focused on playback through a browser now.
The only one stop PVR software package that I've found that I ever thought might get the wife approval factor, is SichboPVR. It has playback speed adjustment, which is required when changing from the Panasonic as you get used to the 1.3x setting for slow shows!

Or a nextpvr backend with a kodi front end......also at one point I had a plugin from plex to access the nextpvr web service, and also had plex scanners and agents for importing it into a plex library.

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gustov

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#2831474 13-Dec-2021 13:53

As the original author of this thread I should offer an update as in the current forum regarding the "retirement" (sic) of Vodafone TV I included some updated information there.

As mentioned in my original post, the only retail PVR recorders in NZ that include the Freeview on-demand service in them, are various Panasonic models and DishTV's Android A2 model.

The Panasonic models do not include the TVNZ on-demand service (which left the Freeview service in July) and I have learnt that Panasonic NZ have not offered a firmware upgrade to receive the TVNZ on-demand service because it is Panasonic's intention to withdraw from selling PVR recorders in NZ. It was suggested to me that TV3 will be the next to withdraw from the Freeview service and like TVNZ, manage their own on-demand service.

Regarding Dish TV's A2 Android PVR recorder, this does include Freeview and the TVNZ on-demand service. However, it is no longer available for purchase as Dish TV plan to release a new model (one satellite and one terrestrial) in the new year. So maybe that will be an option?

The various "home-made" options suggested in this thread sound just fine to me but those of us with wives know they don't want to be fiddling about with unfamiliar technology just to watch Strictly Come Dancing, they want a traditional remote control and an easy EPG interface to set up their programming and retrieve their recordings!

On2or3wheels

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#2831507 13-Dec-2021 15:16

gustov:

The various "home-made" options suggested in this thread sound just fine to me but those of us with wives know they don't want to be fiddling about with unfamiliar technology just to watch Strictly Come Dancing, they want a traditional remote control and an easy EPG interface to set up their programming and retrieve their recordings!

Yes exactly, that's why I've been trying different solutions for when our Panasonic eventually dies. The wife will not be happy!! For my parents, I don't want to think of dealing with that LOL.

If I could sort easy controls than I think SichboPVR could work for us as I don't care that Ondemand wouldn't be integrated. The interface is very slick & looks/acts like a set top box should. The EPG is 7 day over the air & works correctly with series link.

I use a quad PCI-E tuner, I believe these have better reception than USB ones but means a much larger pc of course that has a slot.

PolicyGuy

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#2831577 13-Dec-2021 16:10

On2or3wheels:

gustov:

The various "home-made" options suggested in this thread sound just fine to me but those of us with wives know they don't want to be fiddling about with unfamiliar technology just to watch Strictly Come Dancing, they want a traditional remote control and an easy EPG interface to set up their programming and retrieve their recordings!

Yes exactly, that's why I've been trying different solutions for when our Panasonic eventually dies. The wife will not be happy!! For my parents, I don't want to think of dealing with that LOL.

To sum up this discussion so far: by the New Year there will be only two methods in NZ of watching TV and having a usable PVR so that I never miss an episode of my favourite series, and that has a single remote control and a UI so simple that Granny has it sussed in ten minutes. They will be:

a brand-new box from a local manufacturer that Granny has never heard of and that has a less-than-stellar reputation amongst techies, so Harvey Norman* may not be all that keen to sell one to Granny

MySky

😮😮😮

Maybe it's time to buy a few shares in Sky TV?

* (Other Granny-compatible stores are acceptable)

elpenguino

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#2831586 13-Dec-2021 16:18

gustov:

The various "home-made" options suggested in this thread sound just fine to me but those of us with wives know they don't want to be fiddling about with unfamiliar technology just to watch Strictly Come Dancing, they want a traditional remote control and an easy EPG interface to set up their programming and retrieve their recordings!

Well, in defense of husbands who want an easy time, a solution as recommended by davidcole (namely, a nextpvr back end with a kodi front end on the smart TV) has a very high WAF. Kodi has a big interface so you can read menus and titles from normal TV distance as well as an EPG where you point and shoot.

All controlled through the TV remote.

Add in a multi-tuner card or IPTV channels and you can record more TV than you'll be able to watch.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

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davidcole

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#2831672 13-Dec-2021 18:31

Again. If someone has a HDHomeRun I’d investigate using Plex. It has got a lot better. And it incorporates any other media. The other really big advantage is it supports most types of HDHomeRun and not just the connect ones.

Of course it assumes a media player and not a htpc in the lounge. But I believe there is still a client for that as well. Personally I’d shove that on a server and use another other client (Apple TV, shield tv, chromecast, smart tv). And given a decent enough media client you may find using on demand more convenient. I know we did.

since using on demand (via Apple TVs). I’ve probably recorded a about two or three things. Normally stuff off tv3 as I’m not a fan of their app.

larknz

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#3317920 8-Dec-2024 06:07

It's been a while since this has been discussed, but I was wondering if anyone can tell me if the HWT-260 can get TVNZ+?

larknz

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#3318300 9-Dec-2024 12:44

For anyone who may be interested I contacted Panasonic and the TVNZ+ app is not available for the Panasonic recorder.

alisam

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#3318349 9-Dec-2024 12:58

Probably for a couple of years I haven't recorded anything.

I thought it would be purgatory, but streaming (say) TVNZ is not as bad as I thought. The adverts are there but nowhere as bad as streaming some UK services.

I will never go back to recording programs and I have had several or more devices over the last (say) 20years on which I did record e.g. DVD's.

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larknz

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#3318404 9-Dec-2024 13:55

I currently record OTA using a Panasonic recorder and playback through my home theatre.

I have a Fire TV plugged in to my home theatre and would need to use this for TVNZ+. SWMBO can handle the Panasonic recorder, using a Logitech universal remote but struggles with the Fire TV.

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loceff13

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#3318412 9-Dec-2024 14:23

The issue is streaming killed the need for PVR's for the bulk of NZ's populaton.

Assuming they have fibre/decent internet, why don't you just buy them and teach them to operate an amazon fire stick or google tv for the tvnz/threenow etc live tv streaming.

davidcole

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#3318413 9-Dec-2024 14:27

loceff13:

The issue is streaming killed the need for PVR's for the bulk of NZ's populaton.

Assuming they have fibre/decent internet, why don't you just buy them and teach them to operate an amazon fire stick or google tv for the tvnz/threenow etc live tv streaming.

this....having had tuners from the early 00's - I still have one, but it does very little.