Freeview comparisons ?

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sarahfoxnz

148 posts

Master Geek

#214630 21-May-2017 20:22

Ive got a TIVO now - going to switch to Freeview.

http://www.freeviewnz.tv/get-freeview/compare-freeview-options/

Hello. i have found this above page, & it compares various things about freeview devices. but it does not compare the important things.

Is there a good page to compare different versions/products of Freeview devices ?

- the cost to buy (average - I know prices go up/down )

- how many hours can i record

- channels i can record at the same time etc..

- can i buy two units & record / transfer to either/both at same time (double the storage etc)

Also, is there a quick guide on how the EPG works.. what kind of variables can we record by

- record by full / partial title,

- record by specific channel (we want to record NEWS ion TV3 only - not all channels....)

- other types of recording options we can have.. etc...

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1785748 22-May-2017 08:40

Not sure just exactly what you are trying to do. TIVO is a Freeview Device so you statement about switching to Freeview makes no sense.

- the cost to buy (average - I know prices go up/down ) ---This depends on what you want to do and how much you are prepared to spend. You get what you pay for.

- how many hours can i record ---This depends on the amount of recording capacity in the device you purchase. Usually you work on recording capacity rather than time.

- channels i can record at the same time etc. ---Another variable depending on the unit purchased. one or two tuners is normal. Very few hav 3 or more unless you use PC cards.

- can i buy two units & record / transfer to either/both at same time (double the storage etc) ---Maybe but unlikely. Panasonics are capable of transferring files to a PC.

Also, is there a quick guide on how the EPG works.. what kind of variables can we record by ---Not really (google EPG Wiki maybe?)

- record by full / partial title, I presume you mean "Series link". ---Never heard of record by title. Recording from EPG uses Scheduled program name and time. Maybe that's what you mean?

- record by specific channel (we want to record NEWS ion TV3 only - not all channels....) ---All of them will do this. It's basic. Record your News by using EPG or use Timer Record.

- other types of recording options we can have.. etc... Smart TVs, Recorders, HTPCs and Android TV boxes are the norm these days to stream, record and download online rather than off air.

You will only get all the info you need by reading brochures, online manuals, comparing brands and models, and doing some google research.

This is a good place to start.

http://www.freeviewnz.tv/

fe31nz

1233 posts

Uber Geek

#1786276 22-May-2017 22:54

That page only lists Freeview certified devices. There are others that work as well or worse or better, but do not in some way conform to the Freeview rules and so are not certified. The Freeview rules seem to have some bad things in them. Last I heard, they included some things that make certified devices less easy to use to skip over advertisements, for example. I use a MythTV box myself, and have it set up to record from Sky also using my Sky card. See:

http://mythtv.org

MythTV is a very feature full system for recording TV, but does take some effort to get set up and keep maintained. It has a very active and helpful user community. There is also an active NZ mailing list for anyone who needs NZ specific help (eg with getting EPG):

http://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/mythtvnz

People often start off trying MythTV by re-using an old PC that is no longer powerful enough for Windows, but is fine for Linux and MythTV. Just add some Linux compatible tuners (DVB-T or DVB-T2 for NZ Freeview), and possibly a better (Nvidia?) video card, and it will work fine. Expand as your needs and wants increase (eg remote control instead of keyboard, more hard drives, extra frontend boxes for the kids, more tuners).

sarahfoxnz

148 posts

Master Geek

#1786309 23-May-2017 00:22

B1GGLZ:

Not sure just exactly what you are trying to do. TIVO is a Freeview Device so you statement about switching to Freeview makes no sense.

If you do not know - the EPG guide for TIVO is shutting down in late 2017. after then, the TIVO devices are just like a brick. totally useless

You can record things - but Only by manually programming it in, & when you do record programmes all the TV names etc are the same text. you dont know what was recorded.. etc...

EDIT: refer here for TIVO shut down.

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=114&topicid=208847&page_no=1

bigalow

566 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1786316 23-May-2017 02:15

dish tv ones are good and they are NZ support based

https://www.dishtv.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_61&product_id=50

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1786405 23-May-2017 09:17

sarahfoxnz:

B1GGLZ:

Not sure just exactly what you are trying to do. TIVO is a Freeview Device so you statement about switching to Freeview makes no sense.

If you do not know - the EPG guide for TIVO is shutting down in late 2017. after then, the TIVO devices are just like a brick. totally useless

You can record things - but Only by manually programming it in, & when you do record programmes all the TV names etc are the same text. you dont know what was recorded.. etc...

They won't be useless. They will still work as a Freeview Box and still record.

So you will have no EPG and have to record manually. So what? Did you never use a VCR?

IMO TIVO was doomed from the start just like IGLOO. They were never going to compete with Smart TVs/Recorders and Android type TV Boxes.

GoranZ

407 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1786838 23-May-2017 15:21

I used to have a TIVO and hated it. Now I have a Panasonic Blu-Ray player with twin Freeview recorder (500GB drive). Only features its missing is series link and freeview plus.

If I was getting a new device today I would get a freeview plus enabled unit - http://www.freeviewnz.tv/faq-library/freeviewplus/freeviewplus-box/

Of course not sure the AerialBox T2200 is the best quality box ?

sarahfoxnz

148 posts

Master Geek

#1786984 23-May-2017 18:02

B1GGLZ:

They won't be useless. They will still work as a Freeview Box and still record.

So you will have no EPG and have to record manually. So what? Did you never use a VCR?

IMO TIVO was doomed from the start just like IGLOO. They were never going to compete with Smart TVs/Recorders and Android type TV Boxes.

Yep.. But without the EPG you'll get not much - you wont know WHAT you'll record in future or what you have already recorded (unless you have a great memory to know these things.)

After EPG ends - here is what you'll see in your 'Now playing list' (you wont get the name of the show)

Manual Tue 23/5
Manual Tue 23/5
Manual Tue 23/5
Manual Tue 23/5
Manual Tue 23/5
Manual Tue 23/5
Manual Tue 23/5
Manual Tue 23/5
Manual Mon 22/5
Manual Mon 22/5
Manual Mon 22/5
Manual Mon 22/5
Manual Mon 22/5
Manual Mon 22/5
Manual Mon 22/5

No worries, i think i'll get one of the freeview devices.

Sharesies

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

mattwnz

20175 posts

Uber Geek

#1787003 23-May-2017 19:18

B1GGLZ:

sarahfoxnz:

B1GGLZ:

Not sure just exactly what you are trying to do. TIVO is a Freeview Device so you statement about switching to Freeview makes no sense.

If you do not know - the EPG guide for TIVO is shutting down in late 2017. after then, the TIVO devices are just like a brick. totally useless

You can record things - but Only by manually programming it in, & when you do record programmes all the TV names etc are the same text. you dont know what was recorded.. etc...

They won't be useless. They will still work as a Freeview Box and still record.

So you will have no EPG and have to record manually. So what? Did you never use a VCR?

IMO TIVO was doomed from the start just like IGLOO. They were never going to compete with Smart TVs/Recorders and Android type TV Boxes.

It was really only doomed, because it had to download the EPG data from their overseas server. They could have just captured the over the air Freeview EPG data, like the panasonic PVRs do, and it could still fully work after they switch off their servers. .

It will be very crippled after they switch over their servers, as it won't be anywhere near as easy to use, and you won't know what your recordings are if you do them manually. They even recommend disposing of it after they switch off their servers.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1787124 23-May-2017 22:16

sarahfoxnz:

No worries, i think i'll get one of the freeview devices.

Good idea. IMO Panasonic would be the best. Never had any problems with mine.

I've also got a Tuner card in a PC and a K1 Plus Android box as backups. The K1 Plus is fun to play with and has Sat and UHF Tuners (but only one of each) and can record to USB HDD, USB Stick or SD card.

Jaxson

8044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1787196 24-May-2017 06:58

There is uncertainty around what will happen if the unit is reset/channels change etc, as much of this required a call home by the unit to proceed.

It's not as simple as "It's just a VCR now"