Memory stick or MyFreeview recorder.

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Fern

24 posts

Geek

#110124 3-Oct-2012 15:36

We have just switched over to digital tv. My query is: can you use a memory stick to timer record the tv programmes, ( as we have been told) or is it necessary to buy the MyFreeview recorder. ?
Thanks for any help.

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1574 posts

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#695575 3-Oct-2012 15:39

It depends.

How are you receiving Freeview at the moment?
Do you have it built-in to your TV?
Do you have a set top box? If so, Does it have a USB PVR add-on functionality available?

Fern

24 posts

Geek

#695605 3-Oct-2012 16:07

We have a set top box with a USB port. (Please don't get to technical )

dontpanic42

1574 posts

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#695614 3-Oct-2012 16:12

Fern: We have a set top box with a USB port. (Please don't get to technical )

What is the brand and model number?

Fern

24 posts

Geek

#695665 3-Oct-2012 16:43

It is a Hills HSMT-200

dontpanic42

1574 posts

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#695679 3-Oct-2012 16:49

Yip. It appears that you should be able to just plug in a USB stick and use it as a PVR. :)

http://www.absoluteaerials.co.nz/gallery/UHF%2BReceivers/hills-hsmt200-digital-terrestrial-receiver/168950?view=jumbo

trig42

5813 posts

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ID Verified

#695681 3-Oct-2012 16:50

But you will only be able to record the channel you are watching.

If you want to record other channels, you are better off getting MyFreeview.

Fern

24 posts

Geek

#695688 3-Oct-2012 16:58

trig42: But you will only be able to record the channel you are watching.

If you want to record other channels, you are better off getting MyFreeview.

A quote from the manual listed.RECORD DIRECTLY FROM THE FREEVIEW GUIDE & SERIES LINK PROGRAMS

*Record one channel while watching another on same transport stream or record one program while watching a prerecorded program;

To me that says that I can watch one channel & record another at the same time.

Sharesies

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

wellygary

8325 posts

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#695691 3-Oct-2012 17:04

Fern:
trig42: But you will only be able to record the channel you are watching.

If you want to record other channels, you are better off getting MyFreeview.

A quote from the manual listed.RECORD DIRECTLY FROM THE FREEVIEW GUIDE & SERIES LINK PROGRAMS

*Record one channel while watching another on same transport stream or record one program while watching a prerecorded program

I think the one MUX only limitation could become really irritating really quickly,

Basically you can record and watch 2 TVNZ channels or 2 TV3 Channels at the same time but not one of each, (kordia Mux excluded from this example because does anyone actually watch it:)

If you are going to use this a cheap PVR I would slave a couple of hundred GB USB HDD off it rather than a USB stick, you will fill a USB stick with HD recordings rather quickly ...

Fern

24 posts

Geek

#695696 3-Oct-2012 17:11

wellygary:
Fern:
trig42: But you will only be able to record the channel you are watching.

If you want to record other channels, you are better off getting MyFreeview.

A quote from the manual listed.RECORD DIRECTLY FROM THE FREEVIEW GUIDE & SERIES LINK PROGRAMS

*Record one channel while watching another on same transport stream or record one program while watching a prerecorded program

I think the one MUX only limitation could become really irritating really quickly,

Basically you can record and watch 2 TVNZ channels or 2 TV3 Channels at the same time but not one of each, (kordia Mux excluded from this example because does anyone actually watch it:)

If you are going to use this a cheap PVR I would slave a couple of hundred GB USB HDD off it rather than a USB stick, you will fill a USB stick with HD recordings rather quickly ...

Understood now. Thanks guys. I'd be better off with the MyFreeview recorder.

bfginger

1268 posts

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#695763 3-Oct-2012 19:08

Satellite Freeview broadcasts are only in standard definition so if you are part of the 87% in the Freeview UHF terrestrial broadcast area you'd be better off with a MyFreeview|HD UHF recorder.

CUE TV is only on the satellite so you wouldn't have wasted your money on the satellite receiver if you can pick up UHF.

Whereabouts in the country are you? What model television?

grant_k

3539 posts

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Trusted

#695773 3-Oct-2012 19:24

wellygary:...
(kordia Mux excluded from this example because does anyone actually watch it:)

My oath they do because Choice TV is on it!

Fern

24 posts

Geek

#696217 4-Oct-2012 16:19

bfginger: Satellite Freeview broadcasts are only in standard definition so if you are part of the 87% in the Freeview UHF terrestrial broadcast area you'd be better off with a MyFreeview|HD UHF recorder.

CUE TV is only on the satellite so you wouldn't have wasted your money on the satellite receiver if you can pick up UHF.

Whereabouts in the country are you? What model television?

I"m in Hawke's Bay and get UHF terrestrial broadcast. Panasonic TX-32F250A tv.

Having to buy another recorder is a pain ----------

bfginger

1268 posts

Uber Geek

#696369 4-Oct-2012 19:54

Sorry, I somehow thought you'd got a satellite receiver. The Hills HSMT-200 is a single-tuner terrestrial receiver.

Normally a set top box like the one you bought will come with a composite cable set. This means three lines; one for video and two for audio. The quality from composite video is poor.

Your television supports "component" inputs, also known as "YPbPr". A component setup typically uses two lines for audio and three lines for video instead of one. So look at having your TV hooked up to the set top box via component for higher picture quality. Your TV should have a second component input which you could use for a DVD player or another device if you have one.

From looking up your model television I don't think it does high definition but it looks like to does support enhanced definition signal and display aka 576p. 576p is a higher quality mode than standard definition aka 576i. It will flicker more in 576p mode so whether you'd prefer it I don't know but it's worth exploring. If you have a DVD player it may be able to be set to output 576p progressive over component.

If you go into the TV's Picture menu there'll be an option called "Scan mode" where you can choose between Automatic, 100Hz and Progressive display modes. Presumably it can do either display mode from either 576i or 576p input signals though it might be locked to Progressive from a 576p signal, the manual does not say.

Nearly all MyFreeview devices only do 576i over component. The best option for your TV would probably be a Magic TV 3600 as it does 576p and 576i over component and also has an overscan correction feature which is very useful for CRTs. I don't think the newer model, the 3700 does 576p over component. If you keep a watch on Trademe for "Magic TV" and "MagicTV" you'll be able to get a 3600 sooner or later, expect to pay about $200 to $380 and not the crazy prices some people try on.

Whatever MyFreeview devices you get, make sure you update the firmware as early firmware releases are buggy. This goes for the Magic TV too.

One final thing to look out for is the aspect ratio. The digital broadcasts are nearly all 16:9 widescreen broadcasts. If you were on analogue television before those were 4:3 or 14:9 in a 4:3 frame so they had to be stretched to fill the screen of your widescreen television. Make sure the aspect ratio settings are correct so the full picture shows and it isn't distorted. Going to the "16:9" option on from pressing the aspect ratio button on the TV remote looks like the best option. Freeview receivers also have aspect ratio options too but are probably on 16:9 by default.

Fern

24 posts

Geek

#696792 5-Oct-2012 14:15

The set top box was installed by a 'professional' and it is operating ok.
One thing that has just started is a humming sound coming from the tv when its turned on.
Could this be a lose connection somewhere?.

bfginger

1268 posts

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#697688 8-Oct-2012 00:56

Alot of things can make a CRT hum. Some are harmless but others less so. I personally wouldn't worry about it too much unless it's making a popping or bizzt sound but I'd turn it off with the front button instead of the remote just in case.

Check to see if the buzzing sound disappears after you press the mute button on the TV's own remote control.

I forgot to mention that the remotes that came with the old Magic TV often broke. They can be replaced by generic Harmony remotes. There is a converter that can take 576p from HDMI and output as 576p over component but I'm not sure if you'd want to put $100 plus shipping towards that in preference to 576i if you don't get a Magic TV 3600.

I forgot to say the Homecast HT9200DTR also supports 576p. But it's very rare.

The set top box was installed by a 'professional'

He plugged it in via composite? ;)

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