Best FreeviewHD PVR to replace MySky+?

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zenourn

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Topic # 116655 6-May-2013 08:26

I've got MySky+ with Sky Basic but my family only really watch the FTA channels. Hence a FreeviewHD PVR makes a lot more sense.

My wife likes the MySky+ unit and hence I'm after a PVR that is at least as user friendly as MySky+.

Looking through the forums here it appears the MagicTV MTV3700TD would be a good option. My only concern is that it is over 2 years old and that a new model may released soon. Does anyone know if any new models are planned for the near future? This is potentially only a minor concern as the hardware appears fine and they seem to regularly release updates.

The other option I considered were some of the Panasonic units. My main issue with these though is that you can't record two channels and watch a third on the unit as you can with Magic TV (don't want to have to switch back to TV). People also seem to have many issues with the EPG and recordings.

Has anyone swapped from MySky to MagicTV and found it works well? Are the Panasonic units actually reasonable options? Are there any other units I should be considering?

Thanks.

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Reply # 811853 6-May-2013 08:45

On Freeview both tv1 and tv3 have "+1" channels which is the same content, but an hour later (and in SD). So the lack of tuners may not be such a problem?

I haven't used either machine, but Geekzone users always seem to have good things to say about the Panasonics.

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B1GGLZ

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Reply # 811861 6-May-2013 08:55

Nothing wrong with the Panasonic units.
Quite user friendly. I've never found the need to record 2 and watch a 3rd yet but would just watch the 3rd via TV if the need arose.
The EPG/Recording issue was a Freeview problem, not a Panasonic problem, and has been resolved. If you set the timer record manually (instead of via EPG) like the old VCRs ad DVD recorders had to there's never a problem. Never rely on an EPG as broadcasters occasionally get it wrong. It is only a guide after all and not guaranteed to be correct.

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Dunnersfella

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Reply # 811869 6-May-2013 09:09

The Panasonic's are a handy device, as the remote can turn on / off the TV + control volume, while at the same time, replacing a DVD or BluRay player that you may already own. The recent EPG issues have apparently been resolved... I am now on MySky, so I'd have no idea about this personally.

zenourn

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Reply # 811880 6-May-2013 09:30

Thanks, I've taken a closer look at the Panasonic DMR-XW390 500GB.

The biggest advantages I see are integration with the TV (we have a modern Panasonic), the inbuilt DVD recorder/player, and DLNA.

For the Magic TV it appears the advantages are that it allows to rewind live TV (a feature the wife uses reasonably often) and can also priortise recordings when there are conflicts. Having a HDD twice the size is also nice but not essential with the ability to attach external media.

Both units are about $500. I'm now tending slightly more towards the Panasonic.

Gilco2

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Reply # 811885 6-May-2013 09:37

I have a panasonic Bw880 I think the name is. It is stuffed away in the closet. It is a nice unit but I was always have pixelation issues with it so packed it up. No issue with Tv or dishtv receivers/pvr and absolutely no problems with the MagicTV 3700. I really prefer the MagicTv as it is easy setup, easy to use and just seems a quality unit. Been hassle free. Only times I restart it are when I do a firmware upgrade then I always do a factory reset. My signal strength is 85% and quality 100%. But my experience with Panasonic I cant recommend it but fully recommend the MagicTV

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Jaxson

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Reply # 811903 6-May-2013 10:15

Typed a big reply that got lost. Highlights were:

Expect to need a UHF/VHF diplexer on the input to your PVR. Many inbuilt digital TV tuners filter our any VHF signal but a lot of the PVR's don't have this level of filtering. You can get VHF signal present even if you only have a UHF aerial, and to cut a long story short, the tuners don't like it.

The Diplexer route is cheap and effective, and you only use the UHF and common legs, which will filter out any VHF signal.

I'm not saying you should have to do this, the manufacturers should improve their products, but if your PVR is not as solid as your inbuilt TV tuner, and you've done the necessary connection/cable/signal strength tests, then I'd look at this.

jamesrobert

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Reply # 811910 6-May-2013 10:16

Change to the broadcast-only option for $18.70 a month (plus you get a couple of free channels which change monthly). TV1,2,3 still HD.
MySky is still (argueably) the best and easiest PVR, plus if it does go crook, Sky replaces it.

jamesrobert

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Reply # 811914 6-May-2013 10:19

My son ditched his MySky for a MagicTV. He's happy with it but it glitches quite a bit and he advised me to stick with the MySky.

BlueShift

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Reply # 811916 6-May-2013 10:23

2 people support this post

If the local TiVo licencees could actually organise a convivial beverage session in a brewery, then TiVo would be hands-down your best bet. However, right now you'd be stuck with buying a second-hand one that is at best several years old.
You can pry my TiVo from my cold, dead hands. It just works, the entire family can drive it, and the ongoing monthly cost is a big, fat $0. That's not even taking into account the networkabilty and being able to view recording across several units in your home.

hdinsider

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Reply # 811920 6-May-2013 10:42

I fully recommend and love my Panasonic dual tuner unit. Other than the recent recording problems, which are now solved, it's been bulletproof.

B1GGLZ, where did you read that the problem was with Freeview and not Panasonic? I was of the opinion that it was Panasonic's problem.

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B1GGLZ

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Reply # 811929 6-May-2013 11:13

hdinsider:

B1GGLZ, where did you read that the problem was with Freeview and not Panasonic? I was of the opinion that it was Panasonic's problem.

In one of the Geekzone threads recently. Can't remember which one. They initially blamed each other.
Comment from Freeview eventually admitted it was a result of a Freeview Transmitting hardware change when daylight saving finished that Panasonic, Samsung and a few other recorders didn't like. Ergo a Freeview fault and not a manufacturers fault. It was fixed last week.

zenourn

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Reply # 811941 6-May-2013 12:13

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

I'm going to give another option a try first - as I have Vodafone phoneline and cable internet I can get T-Box with FreeviewHD free (no install costs, no monthly rental fees). If the family can live with the quirks of these things great, if not, can just put in cupboard and get a Panasonic unit (I think some new ones are on the way?).

It does lock me into a 24 month contract with Vodafone but the $199 break fee is reasonable if things change.

wklie

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MagicTV

Reply # 812054 6-May-2013 14:12

zenourn: Looking through the forums here it appears the MagicTV MTV3700TD would be a good option. My only concern is that it is over 2 years old and that a new model may released soon. Does anyone know if any new models are planned for the near future?

It is extremely unlikely to be replaced in NZ in the near future.

BaDjElLy

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Reply # 812065 6-May-2013 14:27

BlueShift: If the local TiVo licencees could actually organise a convivial beverage session in a brewery, then TiVo would be hands-down your best bet. However, right now you'd be stuck with buying a second-hand one that is at best several years old.
You can pry my TiVo from my cold, dead hands. It just works, the entire family can drive it, and the ongoing monthly cost is a big, fat $0. That's not even taking into account the networkabilty and being able to view recording across several units in your home.

Deev8

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Reply # 812131 6-May-2013 16:22

jamesrobert: Change to the broadcast-only option for $18.70 a month

Paying $224.40 each year to get free-to-air TV is still a reasonably expensive option.

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