Vantage HD6000T/NZ DVB-T (Freeview) PVR 50% discount for Geekzone users

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jonathan18

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#206473 11-Apr-2009 17:00

Stewart: any updates on whether the unit is likely to get a firmware flash enabling EPG data? I know very little about the format but figure it can't be that hard to program in if most of the other boxes support. Reverse engineer one of theirs? :)

I asked the question a few days ago on the seller's forum - see http://www.dtvs.co.nz/forum/index.php?topic=37.0 for reply.

Stewart

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#206697 13-Apr-2009 17:51

Cool, thanks for asking the question. I'm the same in regards to thinking that no 8 day EPG would be fine, it annoys me much more than I thought it would. The freeview tv guide listing (on their website) is extremely hard to read and most other sites don't have the exact listing of channels I want to see.

I'd like to know more about the conversation which has taken place between the distributor and the manufacturer. Saying that the developer has to write the code is good and well, but:

A) How likely is it to happen?
B) How long is it likely to take?
C) Is it just a money thing, are they asking $X for development?

dtvs

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#206715 13-Apr-2009 20:34

Stewart: Cool, thanks for asking the question. I'm the same in regards to thinking that no 8 day EPG would be fine, it annoys me much more than I thought it would. The freeview tv guide listing (on their website) is extremely hard to read and most other sites don't have the exact listing of channels I want to see.

I'd like to know more about the conversation which has taken place between the distributor and the manufacturer. Saying that the developer has to write the code is good and well, but:

A) How likely is it to happen?
B) How long is it likely to take?
C) Is it just a money thing, are they asking $X for development?

Hi,

I have advised in the past about the viability of MHEG-5 development and also that we cannot promise a full EPG for the Vantage. We have asked the manufacturer and if we get it, good but you should not take this as a guaranteed development.

AH
DTVS

Leggo

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#207599 17-Apr-2009 15:00

Can somebody post a short tech spec on this thing? I'm having trouble finding on their site.

jonathan18

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#207675 17-Apr-2009 19:39

Leggo: Can somebody post a short tech spec on this thing? I'm having trouble finding on their site.

Check out the manual - see http://www.dtvs.co.nz/forum/index.php?topic=25.0

Leggo

13 posts

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#207681 17-Apr-2009 20:18

Thanks - that's great. The original link was broken and their site didn't appear to list the particular box. I know I'm a cynic, but why would you worry about an EPG if you don't have a STB with a hard drive? There must be some obvious pragmatic answer that I'm missing here!

jonathan18

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#207720 18-Apr-2009 06:56

Leggo: I know I'm a cynic, but why would you worry about an EPG if you don't have a STB with a hard drive? There must be some obvious pragmatic answer that I'm missing here!

Ummm... maybe I've not understood your comment, because I'd imagine that most would be buying the Vantage to work with an external hard drive - so it does function as a full PVR, just with a few quirks (some of which I comment on below).

A full EPG on the Vantage (or any STB with a recording function) would be useful because:

* Freeview listings are not included with all TV listings (eg Listener, newspapers) (and, despite having a PC connected to the TV, it is annoying having to troll through websites to see what's coming up over the next week)

* it's nice to know what's on over the next week through the PVR, not just the next couple of hours - surely the purpose of being able to record programmes is so you can do so ahead of schedule? This is only possible if you know what's going to be on!

* it's old-school to have to set up recordings like a VCR - and is certainly time-consuming (esp. the naming of files) - the use of a full EPG to record would really simplify things.

I've found some of the Vantage's quirks frustrating - but considering the price, it's a marvel. My wife's not too happy with some missed programmes (the timer, for some weird reason, changed the date until a week later on two programmes set to record at a similar time, so recorded neither this week). The timer, generally, can be annoying - if there's a double-up for example, one can have set every parameter and it won't warn you of the clash until the end - and then will re-set all the parameters! Also, in the timer schedule t won't list the programmes set up to record in date order, and doesn't say what days they'll record on (just 'weekly'), so it's harder to identify which ones to edit/delete.

Other probs. I had was using the rw/ff buttons, as playback was incredibly jerky upon returning to play (in fact, badly enough that I would have returned it if that was the best it could do) - however it was pointed out that using the channel skip buttons worked for rewinding and fast-forward (and work far better than the rw/ff - the only issue being one doesn't see the picture changing, just the time). Also didn't realise you can use the numeric keypad to skip forward the corresponding nos. of minutes - if only there was an equiv. for rewinding!

My biggest issue is what the Vantage has done to my analogue TV reception - it now sucks! Even when taken out of the aerial loop, it has considerably worsened the picture qual. of my TV and hard-disk recorder - losts of "stars", banding etc. Any ideas as to what's causing this and what I can do about it?

However, I am otherwise really happy with this product. While I may replace it with Tivo or similar one day, that I spent well under half of what the Zinwell PVR costs with only a few downsides, demonstrates what good value it is.

Cheers
Jonathan

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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

dtvs

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#208004 19-Apr-2009 20:25

I've found some of the Vantage's quirks frustrating - but considering the price, it's a marvel. My wife's not too happy with some missed programmes (the timer, for some weird reason, changed the date until a week later on two programmes set to record at a similar time, so recorded neither this week). The timer, generally, can be annoying - if there's a double-up for example, one can have set every parameter and it won't warn you of the clash until the end - and then will re-set all the parameters! Also, in the timer schedule t won't list the programmes set up to record in date order, and doesn't say what days they'll record on (just 'weekly'), so it's harder to identify which ones to edit/delete.

Listing of recordlist by date & time has been added to out list of enhancements to request.

Other probs. I had was using the rw/ff buttons, as playback was incredibly jerky upon returning to play (in fact, badly enough that I would have returned it if that was the best it could do) - however it was pointed out that using the channel skip buttons worked for rewinding and fast-forward (and work far better than the rw/ff - the only issue being one doesn't see the picture changing, just the time). Also didn't realise you can use the numeric keypad to skip forward the corresponding nos. of minutes - if only there was an equiv. for rewinding!

rw/ff - called trickmode on pvr's has comon issues with recovery due to the MPEG frames and full image not always available. MPEG-2 boxes are easier now. It will get better as technology/drivers for MPEG-4/HD mature. We are just in first generation with the Vantage.

My biggest issue is what the Vantage has done to my analogue TV reception - it now sucks! Even when taken out of the aerial loop, it has considerably worsened the picture qual. of my TV and hard-disk recorder - losts of "stars", banding etc. Any ideas as to what's causing this and what I can do about it?

Strange?? Is there interference?? What happens when you put the Vantage on standby? Also, have you tried to split your antenna signal instead of going via the Vantage.

benaltoft

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#208273 21-Apr-2009 08:17

I bought a Vantage on the assumption that my new house would be able to receive terrestrial Freeview ... then moved into said house and found that even with an expensive antenna the reception is going to be patchy. I do have a sky satellite dish ... so ....

1. Anyone interested in a hardly-used Vantage? Still in its original box. PM me an offer - I paid the special price of ~$250. Something close to that sounds reasonable to me. I am in Auckland.

2. Can anyone recommend a satellite decoder with PVR functionality (similar to the features of the Vantage)?

UPDATE 22-04-09 4:24pm
I have since spoken with DTVS and they have agreed to refund me if I return the Vantage to them.
As a replacement I am purchasing this from them: http://www.dtvs.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=63
so we will see how that goes.

jonathan18

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#208274 21-Apr-2009 08:32

dtvs:

My biggest issue is what the Vantage has done to my analogue TV reception - it now sucks! Even when taken out of the aerial loop, it has considerably worsened the picture qual. of my TV and hard-disk recorder - losts of "stars", banding etc. Any ideas as to what's causing this and what I can do about it?

Strange?? Is there interference?? What happens when you put the Vantage on standby? Also, have you tried to split your antenna signal instead of going via the Vantage.

The reception problems happen even when the Vantage is completely taken out of the antenna loop - ie the aerial input goes into the DVD recorder then loops to the TV. It seems to simply be its presence (either on or in standby) that is disturbing the reception on the DVD recorder and TV.
The problem varies depending on the channel - C4 becomes unwatchable (but it was always the worst), while others have irritating but considerably less interference. It shows up, IIRC, as moving diagonal lines and "sparkles".

Anyway, I will have another play-around with it in the next day or so and report back if the problem's still present.

Good to hear the list order of the timer page is being looked at - what would be another great addition is for this page to list the days it is to record on (eg "Monday" rather than "weekly").

Another thing that I'd appreciate being looked at for a future firmware update is the problem of the Vantage re-setting all the information when establishing a timer event as a a result of a conflict.. This can be incredibly frustrating - having completed all variables to establish a timer event, including entering a name, if there is a conflict (eg, a timer event for the same time but on a different channel and different mux) it simply flashes up a warning message and then resets all the variables, requiring one to start all over again.

I have also had issues when programmes (set up to record on the same day/time each week, with a timer event) have taped successfully one week, but the timer event has then altered after the recording has finished: while the "start date" has correctly moved forward one week, the "end date" has moved forward by nine days, leading to it claiming it will record for thousands of minutes! Any ideas as to why this occurred? It means I am somewhat scared of relying completely on the Vantage to record programmes, and my partner's starting to get a bit pissed at missing some programmes (the same two weeks in a row!), and have resorted in some cases of also recording on the DVD/HD recorder.

Appreciate your professional response to such issues - unlike sellers of other certain STBs!

Cheers

Jonathan

dtvs

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#213280 7-May-2009 19:38

Vantage HD6000T/NZ

New software released.

Link: http://www.dtvs.co.nz/forum/index.php?topic=44.0

hangon

397 posts

Ultimate Geek

#213449 8-May-2009 14:02

Thanks for the update.

Any release note that came with patch?

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