Recommended Satellite PVRs?

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getresults

99 posts

Master Geek

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#105013 25-Jun-2012 12:19

Hi everyone,

I just moved house in Christchurch into a new place that happens to be *just* outside of line of sight for terrestrial UHF freeview. Gutted. So much for the money invested in my Tivo.

Can anyone recommend a very good Satellite PVR or two? With a similar level of user friendly interface to a TiVo.

A protected kids mode (similar to TiVo) that restricts kids to specified program levels (G, PG etc) unless they have a pin code would be great.

Ability to remotely book recording requests would be great too.

Thank you!

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1961 posts

Uber Geek

#645836 25-Jun-2012 12:48

getresults: Hi everyone,

I just moved house in Christchurch into a new place that happens to be *just* outside of line of sight for terrestrial UHF freeview.

Thank you!

You don't need to be line of sight for Freeview. As long as there is enough signal strength and quality it will work. Just might need a high gain antenna and masthead amp.
My son's place is in a gulley (in Auckland) with hills in the way and gets a signal OK even without an amp. Antenna positioning on the roof was critical though.
Have you tried?

Sharesies

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

getresults

99 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#645846 25-Jun-2012 13:04

Thanks for the reply.

No I haven't tested. There is a sharp 50-60 meter immediate rise between my house and the Sugarloaf tower so I think it's unlikely to get through. No other neighbours have UHF aerials on this street so it pretty much seems to be bad luck.

I could get a survey done but it's $85+GST just for the call out and then I'd have to pay for the aerial, the pole, stabliers, the install etc.

It's going to add up to a whole lot more than simply plugging a Satellite PVR into the existing satellite dish.

nickb800

2715 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#645866 25-Jun-2012 13:23

I think it is still worth your while to investigate UHF.

You can get antennas such as these which are designed for non-line-of-sight signal
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/cables-aerials/auction-487479877.htm

Another satellite PVR will probably be at least $200, maybe $500 for a good one, and won't be in HD either

If you are looking for a friendly user interface, I would recommend sticking with the Freeview approved ones, of which there are only two http://www.freeviewnz.tv/equipment-installation/approved-products.aspx?includeUHF=false&category=recorders

tangerz

616 posts

Ultimate Geek

#645870 25-Jun-2012 13:30

nickb800: I think it is still worth your while to investigate UHF.

You can get antennas such as these which are designed for non-line-of-sight signal
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/cables-aerials/auction-487479877.htm

+1

I've even heard of people using reflections of signals off of buildings higher up and 'behind' them. Can't say if that's true or not but might work?!?

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#645889 25-Jun-2012 14:07

getresults: Thanks for the reply.

No I haven't tested. There is a sharp 50-60 meter immediate rise between my house and the Sugarloaf tower so I think it's unlikely to get through. No other neighbours have UHF aerials on this street so it pretty much seems to be bad luck.

That shouldn't pose much of a problem as long as your not a very long way from Sugarloaf. Beg borrow or obtain a UHF antenna and try.
Maybe the rest of the street can't be bothered. Can you receive Prime and/or Maori TV (both UHF) at the moment on the current setup? Even if you can't it's surely worth trying a new UHF antenna? They're reasonably priced at Bunnings, Mitre 10 etc.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#645893 25-Jun-2012 14:14

getresults:

I could get a survey done but it's $85+GST just for the call out and then I'd have to pay for the aerial, the pole, stabliers, the install etc.

OK. Sounds like there is no TV antenna there at all now?
Another option would be MySkyHdi? Would need HD ticket for HD though.

getresults

99 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#645899 25-Jun-2012 14:25

B1GGLZ:
getresults:

I could get a survey done but it's $85+GST just for the call out and then I'd have to pay for the aerial, the pole, stabliers, the install etc.

OK. Sounds like there is no TV antenna there at all now?
Another option would be MySkyHdi? Would need HD ticket for HD though.

Oh sorry - I obviously didn't make that clear.

There is no existing aerial on the house.

It's possible there may have been one attached to the balcony... but er... the balcony fell off in the Feb earthquake as did many of the upstairs windows, the stone exterior of the entire house etc etc. :)

No aerial at all... but a sky dish sitting there unused and still connected into the lounge.

Hence why I can't even try to connect the Tivo or experiment with a signal.

I'm reasonably sure though that the house never had VHF. Everyone on the street only has UHF and yet if I wander down to the bottom of the street where line of sight starts to improve the UHF aerials start to appear on every house.

Pretty much every house without UHF has a satellite dish.

So... the PVR I'm looking at now is the UltraPlus 900HD

http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/ultraplus-900hd-micro-digital-satellite-receiverpvr-p-655.html

It looks suitably geeky - record to USB, ethernet connectivity, DNLA, time shifting, record 3 channels while watching one, parental lock.

Any feedback on this model would be great.

Thanks for your help so far!

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#645947 25-Jun-2012 16:06

getresults: Everyone on the street only has UHF and yet if I wander down to the bottom of the street where line of sight starts to improve the UHF aerials start to appear on every house.

Pretty much every house without UHF has a satellite dish.

That would indicate there is Freeview reception in your street. Could be worthwhile just asking nearest neighbour with UHF if they have any problems.
If not then your TIVO would probably work OK with a UHF antenna installation.
Your satellite dish may require a new LNB if it hasn't been used for some time.
I can see your problem though. Fork out for UHF which may not work satisfactorily or go the Satellite non-HD route.
I only have basic Sky so can't really offer any more help. Have been considering getting myself the UltraPlus X-9200HD though. Just put off by the cost. Looks like a nice unit and I believe it will take a Sky card too.

Yank

14 posts

Geek

#645992 25-Jun-2012 17:09

UHF is definitely the best way to go because of HD and also the channels are better than satellite in my opinion. You do not need line of sight so much as distance from the tower, most UHF signals are good for about 20K. At my work they are about 20K from the tower and behind a hill and still they pick up about 4 of the stations and that is without a high gain antenna. If you know someone that has one you can always try an amplified antenna indoors in the highest spot you can get and see if you get a signal, if you do then a roof high gain antenna will be heaps better. Cheers

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#645998 25-Jun-2012 17:15

My advice about Ultraplus: avoid.
I don't want to get dragged into the whys and wherefores again because each time I do I find it very hard not to get angry all over again. If you do choose to go that way, be *very* sure that you have a no-hassle right of return so that if you find that it is just a bad joke, as I did, you won't have to rely on the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Doubtless others will sing the praises of Ultraplus, but be aware that that opinion is by no means unanimous.

nickb800

2715 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#645999 25-Jun-2012 17:16

I have really good reception in my place, LOS from Sugarloaf (near sign of the kiwi) to here in Ilam. Even a piece of hookup wire coming out of the TV will give me some reception, if i hold it right. Perhaps you could try this with your tivo, get a long piece of hookup wire, and move it around, see if you get a little bit of signal.

If you do, then this gives you some confidence in paying for a proper signal survey. If not, then your idea of getting a satellite PVR is confirmed.

Jaxson

8018 posts

Uber Geek

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#646006 25-Jun-2012 17:33

UHF/Terrestrial offers HD on 3 channels and Dolby Surround sound.
Try, try more and then try again to receive this prior to pursuing Satellite.

getresults

99 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#646048 25-Jun-2012 18:52

B1GGLZ:
getresults: Everyone on the street only has UHF and yet if I wander down to the bottom of the street where line of sight starts to improve the UHF aerials start to appear on every house.

Pretty much every house without UHF has a satellite dish.

That would indicate there is Freeview reception in your street. Could be worthwhile just asking nearest neighbour with UHF if they have any problems.

Sorry - my bad. In the crazy rush that was today what I was trying to type was that there is only VHF aerials on my street - no UHF at all until I get 30 metres down the road and the line of sight starts to clear the massive hill crest here.

So in fact every indication is that Freeview is not available in this street. No UHF, just clunky old VHF aerials and Satellite dishes.

I'll ask neighbours tomorrow but I'm pretty much convinced there's no hope now after talking to local installers.

getresults

99 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#646051 25-Jun-2012 18:53

xarqi: My advice about Ultraplus: avoid.
I don't want to get dragged into the whys and wherefores again because each time I do I find it very hard not to get angry all over again. If you do choose to go that way, be *very* sure that you have a no-hassle right of return so that if you find that it is just a bad joke, as I did, you won't have to rely on the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Doubtless others will sing the praises of Ultraplus, but be aware that that opinion is by no means unanimous.

Okay... I know you mean well but your post doesn't actually help.

What other brands & model(s) would you recommend with a similar feature set?

Can you point me to a thread regarding problems?

Point noted re: right of return - I'll ask. Kind of need to know why I might want to return it though :)

grant_k

3539 posts

Uber Geek

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#646053 25-Jun-2012 18:59

getresults: What other brands & model(s) would you recommend with a similar feature set?

I will answer the first question on Xarqi's behalf because we have the same receiver:

http://www.vuplus.com.au/Satellite-STB/Vuplus-DuoLE

Vu+ provides a very solid platform with a variety of images available and excellent support both from Craig (the Aussie distributor) and a UK-based forum. Craig was in touch with me today about another matter, and he is a font of knowledge about all things regarding satellite reception in this part of the world.

As you will see from the link above, Vu+ can be fitted with up to a 2TB HDD which is awesome.

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