ET PVR functionality

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › ET PVR functionality

wiredr

203 posts

Master Geek

# 34843 30-May-2009 13:33

I thought it might be more relevant to have a new topic on the extra terrestrial box pvr software.

initial findings

pvr update is more stable than the previus 21/11/08 update,

recording to sata hard drive formatted fat32 works well

records a .ts file

recorded video files are recorded in 1.5gb segments . about 5gb/hr

deleting recorded programmes does not delete the video file only the txt info file

instand recording can be done from the info screen by pressing the red button

program titles are saved with epg info from the program running at the start of the timer period ie bones on tv3 is titled " Simpson's" so unless you start the program late you will always get the wrong title saved with the file

pvr program manager does not remember where you last stopped watching a program

the et will not wake up a sata hard drive from standby unless the drive is already running before the et is hard started.

timer functions will start with the box on standby or on the wrong Chanel, ie if you are watching tv2 and a timer is set for tv3 it will retune to tv3 at the timer srt time .

wont turn the machine off after a recording if it was started from standby.

The not deleting files only the title file means that using a flash drive is rasther pointless as it would need reformatting each time it was full.

robjg63

2979 posts

Uber Geek

# 219866 30-May-2009 16:15

The audio on tv3 (as reported by others and experienced by myself as well) goes stuttery periodically - was ok before PVR release.

Doesnt seem to pixelate quite as badly as before.

As now confirmed on the freeviewshop website, the PVR software release is not "currently" reversible.

I notice that the subtitles are still out of sync - I think only tvnz broadcasts these.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

wiredr

203 posts

Master Geek

# 219874 30-May-2009 16:33

robg63,
The audio on tv3 (as reported by others and experienced by myself as well) goes stuttery periodically - was ok before PVR release.

the stuttering audio is a side effect of an incompatible usb device . what sort of drive are you using . ?
i had this problem with an IOMEGA ext 160gb drive . i changed to a mediagate 500gb and am having no audio problems. an 8gb dse flash was also incompatible.

robjg63

2979 posts

Uber Geek

# 219876 30-May-2009 16:45

I have found that it just starts going stuttery on tv3 without a USB drive plugged in at all.
Audio before PVR release was ok.

I did find that changing the audio stream to the alternate stream (Hmm is MPEG the non default for tv3? - cant recall offhand) usually resolved it, but on thursday night that went a bit crazy as well. A reboot fixed it.

The test recordings I made were to a 4GB transcend USB flash drive. The recordings were ok. Might have had some craiziness with the audio after that. I cant recall now. Definitely seems to be audio on tv3 that was an issue though.

Did you find that the recorded sessions played back 'normal size'? Someone else posted that they thought it was the top left 2/3rds - I took notice after that and the test recordings I made were definitely not the 'whole' picture. Cant say that I tried fiddling with the Aspect ration though when playing back recordings - maybe that 'fixes' them.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

wiredr

203 posts

Master Geek

# 219883 30-May-2009 16:58

i am viewing the et on a dell 24" lcd 1080p display connected by hdmi lead. i have not noticed any change in aspect ratio with the hdmi connection .
the software update has also activated hdcp .

mattstutter

49 posts

Geek

# 219913 30-May-2009 18:44

Wow - you guys have the patience of saints!! While I'm surprised to read that there ACTUALLY is a PVR update to this machine oooo almost a year after it came out and was 'talked of coming shortly', I can't say I'm surprised to read it sounds like a small bucket of crapola.

Yeah nah, don't miss ET at all - glad I sent him home.

cb1

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 222759 8-Jun-2009 17:18

I just noticed that the PVR firmware is no longer available on the Freeviewshop website - only Nov 21st version remains. Not sure if this suggests a new version is coming or they have dropped it altogether!

InspectorGadget

208 posts

Master Geek

# 222762 8-Jun-2009 17:28

No idea. But I'm guessing that it has caused so many problems they want to get it out of circulation. Interesting that it never made it up on Pete's websites . . . . .

leemajors

73 posts

Master Geek

# 224278 12-Jun-2009 10:28

mattstutter: Wow - you guys have the patience of saints!! While I'm surprised to read that there ACTUALLY is a PVR update to this machine oooo almost a year after it came out and was 'talked of coming shortly', I can't say I'm surprised to read it sounds like a small bucket of crapola.

Yeah nah, don't miss ET at all - glad I sent him home.

Hey I'd be happy if my Extra Terrestrial Box worked at all. Crapped out after 2 weeks and I'm having a hard time getting the distributer to fix it.

Jaxson

6970 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 225783 17-Jun-2009 11:41

robjg63: The audio on tv3 (as reported by others and experienced by myself as well) goes stuttery periodically - was ok before PVR release.

Of those who have installed the PVR firmware, how are you finding the TV3 audio output via optical/coax digital outputs? (-on both Dolby and Mpeg/AAC soundtracks)

I've found TV3 mpeg to be very stuttery via hdmi (mainly on Mpeg/AAC audio soundtrack) but have not tested via coax that much as my receiver is now in another room.

I'm looking to transfer my PVR ET to a room where it will have to be connected via digital coax or optical and want to know if the PVR update has addressed the audio dropouts much, or at least if the TV3 stuttering is not present on the coax/optical outputs.

robjg63

2979 posts

Uber Geek

# 225787 17-Jun-2009 11:53

Sorry Jaxson - I use the HDMI connection to my TV as well - so cant comment.

The ET is now living in a drawer - I have given up on it and replaced it with a Zinwell. The pixelation on the ET was awfull - No problems with the Zinny - Its been rock solid. The ET has just been a $290 mistake. I did feel though that the PVR release had actually improved the pixelation issue somewhat though. Would have hoped there might have been an indication of more software releases to improve the ET - but suspect thats it.

Rob

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

cb1

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 228908 28-Jun-2009 11:18

Not sure if you guys have seen the latest updates on the original ET thread - there is another (unofficial) release of the firmware available and appears to make some improvements over the first version of the PVR firmware.

See http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=83&TopicId=24705&page_no=83