Dutch TV Decoder

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AHobden

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#237747 16-Jun-2018 12:18

Hello, I am trying to help out my elderly neighbour who is Dutch and watches BVN through a satellite.

Her working setup involves a Panasonic DVD recorder linked to a UltraPlus satellite decoder linked to a dual lnb satellite.

This has been working well for the past 8 years, however now her Ultra Plus decoder has stopped working. She uses the DVD recorder to record BVN programs through the night. A tech installed a DishTV decoder for her but it won't let the DVD recorder record (it just records a black screen). The tech told her it is becuase of copy protection software installed on the DishTV. He then put her back on an old "Strong" decoder which works, although the subtitles are unreadable when they change to blue so its not suitable for her.

I am trying to get her a new decoder that will allow her to record with her DVD recorder - can anyone tell me which brand/model I should use? Or is there a way to "update" the dishtv decoders to allow her to record the free BVN channel?

I know its probably better she has a dedicated PVR decoder but thats a new system she will have to learn and then it would also mean discarding her perfectly good DVD recorder. Any help appreciated.

Thanks

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#2038644 16-Jun-2018 13:22

Thanks for the warning about the DRM on Dish decoders. I have to sort a new decoder for an elderly relative myself. I was inclinded against Dish already, as I have read a lot about the apparently low quality and bugginess of the product, but this gives me a concrete reason to recommend against them. They do the same thing - connected to a recorder.

A dedicated PVR decoder is the best solution for what you outline.

However, if your neighbour doesn't want to do this then there are a couple of other options that occur to me.

The first would be to try and source another Ultraplus, since you already know it does what's needed and they are familiar with it.If they are already familiar with a Panasonic recorder, Panasonic is now selling a satellite PVR which might be worth checking out.

The second would be to get the Dish unit anyway (if it has an acceptable picture), and put something between the decoder and the recorder to deal to the DRM. I know a couple of people who do this with Sky ( and I used to as well before I dropped most of the packages). The Xdimax Grex seems to review quite well and is what most people seem to use. I have tried one and found out it deals with the DRM very effectively, but softens the picture a we bit, which the unit I was using (from Jaycar, apparently not sold now) didn't. You would go Decoder-->Grex-->Recorder.

cb1

336 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2038696 16-Jun-2018 15:21

The older Dish tv Satellite STB's didn't have the copy protection, so maybe one on Trademe?

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#2038715 16-Jun-2018 16:01

Why not get a new Ultraplus?

http://www.ultrapower.co.nz/product_receiver_hd_satellite_pvr_ultraplus-x-990hd-magic-pvr.html

AHobden

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2039126 17-Jun-2018 15:04

Hi and thanks for the replies.

Main reason for not getting a new decoder with record is the new menus and lights she will have to learn, along with the approx pricetag of around $300-400.

I am keeping an eye on Trademe, but seems hit and miss as to whether the unit I buy will have DRM or not. Someone in the trade did tell me I can get a dishtv unit and they can put a software patch on it to take off the drm but thats gonna cost $100 - didn't seem right to me.

I personally am still leaning to the Panasonic decoder recorder as the best option but think I'll keep looking on Trademe and take a punt on trying to find an older unit.

Thanks for your help everyone, if anyone has specific model numbers or Date of Manufacture that they know has DRM would be helpful.

Thanks

Apsattv

2390 posts

Uber Geek

#2039306 17-Jun-2018 23:04

Are you sure of the exact issue? Some receivers when set to an HD output resolution over hdmi will disable the output of the usual analog av connections. The BVN channel isnt HD so try setting the output to auto resolution rather than forcing output to 720 or 1080.

bigalow

566 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2039318 17-Jun-2018 23:43

you could try apple tv there is a number of dutch apps/channels on there

AHobden

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2040020 18-Jun-2018 20:36

hmm, interesting re resolution, thanks for that tip. Unfortunately I wasn't able to test it myself, it was the tech that my neighbour called that told me that was why. I've been in touch with DishTV and they have informed me that their basic S7070RHD will work for this purpose so thats positive, I have something more specific to look at now.

Apple TV is way above my neighbours learning ability :)

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Rikkitic

Awrrr
18661 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2040028 18-Jun-2018 20:51

If your neighbour can't learn new things that limits the options. All I can tell you is I have been watching and recording BVN from satellite for years. Any cheap satellite receiver from Aliexpress (+- $30) can pick up Optus D2. They all have unrestricted recording ability to USB drives, also not expensive. Unfortunately they are not particularly user friendly though not difficult to work out.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos