Which freeview receiver is a good replacement for MySky

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Which freeview receiver is a good replacement for MySky

OnlyABitGeeky

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Topic # 160103 23-Dec-2014 16:48

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It's time for me to let go of sky TV sports and move to the freeview word. This means the MySky needs to go. I just want to check I'm on the right track so far looking at various Topfield PVRs. I'm keen for simple and user friendly which has been a big draw card for the sky setup. The plan is to use Netfix/ Unblock US to steam movies so that's pretty much covered there. That then leaves the issue of recoding up and coming freeview programmes like the nightly news etc. It would be great to hear people's experiences to try and find the best and most user friendly PVR that shows and series records up and coming programs. We've got 1 smart TV, 1 normal plasma, Apple TV, a couple of IPads, laptop etc, so pretty standard there, and it wouldn't hurt to be able to display IPad screens on the TV sometimes as well, but that's not a biggie. Thanks for looking at this and it would be great to hear what you guys think is the best make and model- hopefully one that does the hard work for you!

Bananabob

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Reply # 1202785 23-Dec-2014 17:19

You don't say if you are using UHF or satellite. I use a Dish T1050 via a UHF aerial, and have been very happy with the support from the Dish team and the STB itself. It was just plug it in, tune it, and watch. It is easy to set the recordings using the EPG. Take a look at their website for more information. They also have a satellite receiver/recorder.

JimmyH

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Reply # 1202815 23-Dec-2014 18:11

I like the Panasonic units (I have the XW390, there is a newer model).

Simple and reliable. Plus, they have DLNA so you can watch recordings using media players in other rooms etc.

OnlyABitGeeky

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Reply # 1202823 23-Dec-2014 18:30

Thanks I'll check out the Panasonics. I don't think I would ever use Blue Ray though as we live in the country so it's easier to just stream movies. Our aerial is just the old sky dish so we are satellite as opposed to UHF.

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 1202956 23-Dec-2014 22:19

OnlyABitGeeky: Thanks I'll check out the Panasonics. I don't think I would ever use Blue Ray though as we live in the country so it's easier to just stream movies. Our aerial is just the old sky dish so we are satellite as opposed to UHF.

You'll need to be in a UHF reception area to record off-air with a Panasonic in HD otherwise you can only record from an external input (composite A/V) in SD only. There's many satellite boxes available. They're all pretty much the same. SD off satellite is pretty poor picture compared to UHF HD.

joshhill96

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Reply # 1202962 23-Dec-2014 22:38

OnlyABitGeeky: Thanks I'll check out the Panasonics. I don't think I would ever use Blue Ray though as we live in the country so it's easier to just stream movies. Our aerial is just the old sky dish so we are satellite as opposed to UHF.

Freeview Satellite is your only option, there are only 2 Freeview Approved Myfreeview Recorders in the market we manufacturer the Satbox Ultra http://www.dishtv.co.nz/Satellite-Receivers-satBox/11-DishTV-S7090-PVR-satBox-Ultra.htm We also manufacturer other standard Satellite receivers,

Panasonic doesn't manufacture DTH equipment only DTT (Terrestrial)

Josh Hill

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 1203005 24-Dec-2014 07:50

joshhill96:
Freeview Satellite is your only option,

Not necessarily. The OP hasn't said where in the country he lives. Could be in a UHF area?

sdavisnz

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Reply # 1203007 24-Dec-2014 07:54

How about Vodafone TV?

Not sure if it's a sat unit.. but could be a great option

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joshhill96

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Reply # 1203149 24-Dec-2014 13:01

B1GGLZ:
joshhill96:
Freeview Satellite is your only option,

Not necessarily. The OP hasn't said where in the country he lives. Could be in a UHF area?

Could be, however he has stated he lives in the country [Farm, Isolated area], which usually has zero DTT coverage, unless its a part in the country where he can get a DTT transmission,

Josh Hill

MikeB4

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Reply # 1203155 24-Dec-2014 13:14

personally I think the best alternative to Sky is to use Freeview with Magic TV and say either Lightbox or Quickflix.

Mike
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OnlyABitGeeky

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Reply # 1203191 24-Dec-2014 13:35

Thanks for the heads up guys. The website says we are likely to get UHF coverage if we have a high aerial. It looks like it's worth getting the aerial installed in order to be able to get a decent receiver and quality.

sdavisnz

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Reply # 1203245 24-Dec-2014 14:32

just researched and found out the vodafone tv box is cable or UHF only

if you can get uhf signal the vodafone tv is similar to the sky box with a user friendly remote control and can be used for just freeview or freeview/sky.

if you are with vodafone already then freeview is a free upgrade,

worth considering,

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Spyware

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Reply # 1203261 24-Dec-2014 14:51

sdavisnz: just researched and found out the vodafone tv box is cable or UHF only

if you can get uhf signal the vodafone tv is similar to the sky box with a user friendly remote control and can be used for just freeview or freeview/sky.

if you are with vodafone already then freeview is a free upgrade,

worth considering,

Really, Vodafone TV is cable or ultra fast broadband only (certainly ain't delivered over UHF).

Ross

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