Freeview decoder reccomendations

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Nile

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Wannabe Geek

Topic # 51965 1-Dec-2009 23:28

I haven't posted here a whole lot but advice would be apprciated.

I'm wanting to get my mum a freeview decoder that can record to an external hdd.

I want it to be:
- Full HD from a UHF aerial (she gets strong reception on Prime)
- Record to external hdd (via usb?)
- HDMI (to full HD LCD TV)
- Not too expensive

Being easy/simple to use would be a bonus.

Are there any other features that I should be aware of? What brand/model should I be looking at and where is a good place to purchase from?

Thanks.

ventolin

104 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 278635 2-Dec-2009 09:02

The Vantage sounds like it fits your needs

http://www.dtvs.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=64

Nile

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 279512 5-Dec-2009 11:16

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to spend about $300 max so that's a bit out of my budget..

sbiddle

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Reply # 279524 5-Dec-2009 12:06

You're limiting yourself wanting the ability to record to a USB drive.

No Freeview approved devices have this capability at present so your options are non approved devices which does have the potential to cause issues such as a lack of EPG on some devices.

grolschie

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Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 279534 5-Dec-2009 12:28

Another option, although more than the $300 budget, is the Hyundai AH3110:
http://ultrapower.co.nz/product_receiver_hd_combo_hyundai_ah-3110.html

This is a really nice product. Like other non-Freeview-approved DVB-T STBs, it only displays the current and next item in the DVB-T EPG. However, if you also have a satellite dish it can use the DVB-S EIT EPG. It can also view HD satellite channels - although Freeview DVB-S don't have any HD channels.

As an aside, it would be so good if channels would broadcast full EIT EPG on DVB-T. Is there anything stopping them doing so?

sbiddle

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Reply # 279562 5-Dec-2009 16:33

grolschie:
As an aside, it would be so good if channels would broadcast full EIT EPG on DVB-T. Is there anything stopping them doing so?

This has been discussed numerous time before. The simple answer is that it won't happen.

Companies should stop launching products into the marketplace that don't support the standards NZ uses. MHEG5 specs are available and plenty of companies have no issues building this into their products.

ilovemusic

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Reply # 279738 6-Dec-2009 15:58

sbiddle: You're limiting yourself wanting the ability to record to a USB drive.

No Freeview approved devices have this capability at present so your options are non approved devices which does have the potential to cause issues such as a lack of EPG on some devices.

Doesn't the JCMatthew receiver allow this with a FW upgrade ?