TViX 6500 - recent opinions/reviews anyone?

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alitom

26 posts

Geek

Topic # 52237 2-Dec-2009 17:38

I'm looking at some FreeViewHD options, which are currently:

MagicTV (looks nice, but seems to be crippled to comply with MyFreeview|HD

Tivo (nice, but not sure if best option, and don't need all the features, such as CASPA)

Dvico TViX 3600 Dual Tuner (good price, really good features, unsure about functionality)

I've seen some older postings, but I have some questions about some of the functionality of the Dvico TViX 3600 [ http://www.tvix.co.nz/_product_38969/TViX_6500_Dual_Tuner ].

I'm wondering if anyone can give some further info about the TViX with it's default firmware:

EPG - is it easy to record a whole seasons worth of a programme?

Timeslip - is it possible to start playing back something that's already programmed/scheduled?

Caching/Buffering (pause live tv, rewind like Tivo?)

Forwarding through ads in bites like current PVRs - good or bad?

How quiet is the TViX?

Any more information would be great, thanks!

Tom

Rickles

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Reply # 283109 16-Dec-2009 14:38

Tom, Have you found any answers to your questions yet?

R.

alitom

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 283112 16-Dec-2009 14:54

No, I'd really appreciate anyones reply!

Rickles

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Reply # 283117 16-Dec-2009 15:25

Hi Tom,

Yeah me too. They look like a very neat, nicely priced product with Freeview dual-tuners, and also as a network streamer.
My concern was time-slip (I don't need live-pause if I can playback whilst recording), and the lack of a pass-through loop for when I eventually get a TV with digital tuner inbuilt.

Cheers,

R.

alitom

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 283142 16-Dec-2009 17:02

What about a cable splitter?

You'll have HDMI to your tv, so you don't need to worry if you have two inputs (1 to your tv, 1 to the TVix).

I have asked in several different ways (email to david@tvix.co.nz enquiry through the "Contact Us" form at TVix.co.nz, question on TradeMe to tvix), but haven't heard back! Doesn't sound good!

I want to make a decision soon, (before Tivo offer closes), so I'd really appreciate knowing, even if it's a "no"!

alitom

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 283144 16-Dec-2009 17:07

Here's an interesting development:

"With regards to the EPG the TViX currently supports Now & Next program information not the full 8 day EPG or series link. There is a firmware being worked on for the full week EPG but now scheduled for early next year. Thanks David"

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=258635570

I wonder if it can get/use these XML EPGs from the net:

http://xmltv.co.nz/
http://epg.pvr.geek.nz/epg/freeview-web.xml.gz

Tom

Rickles

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Reply # 283159 16-Dec-2009 17:43

Tom,

Yes, an antenna cable splitter will probably do just as well.

I'm personally not too worried about 8-day EPG as I can use either the online listings or the Listener for most of my needs of forward program recording ... and it appears to be in the firmware pipeline anyway.

That XML site looks interesting ... doesn't quite explain how it interfaces with the PVR, or I haven't read far enough .

R.

alitom

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 283192 16-Dec-2009 19:28

The problem with the antenna cable splitter is that you still won't be able to record 2 channels at once. It seems the dual tuner is pass-through and record only, not record/pass-through and record.

It looks like what I really am after is the M6600, which we should see early next year.

The XML interfaces I was thinking could be used to download the EPG without having to worry about "getting it over the air", since most of us would network the TVix, (and have it also plugged into our router, giving it access to the internet for EPG). Since the TVix is probably Linux based, it could use a command-line fetch tool like wget to download from a specific site, and the process the XML into an EPG for display.

alitom

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 283197 16-Dec-2009 19:35

This sounds good: PVRM6620N

http://www.tvix.co.kr/ENG/products/PVRM6620N.aspx

Rickles

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Reply # 283226 16-Dec-2009 20:49

Tom,

What I mean by using a splitter is to place the splitter on the antenna cable at house entry, then feed one cable to the TV and one to the TViX unit .... so in effect one could then record two channels at the same time whilst watching any channel on the TV. In other words the same as one could do now with a VCR/DVDR that is only turned on to record/playback.

The M6620N unit looks nice but not sure what additional benefits over the 6500 .... it does have builtin wifi though I see.

R.

alitom

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 283304 17-Dec-2009 07:42

Actually, no, you wouldn't be able to record 2 channels at once - this is what the M6620N unit does, (and more). On the 6500 the dual tuner is pass-through and record only!!

T.

Rickles

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Reply # 283444 17-Dec-2009 13:28

T,

OK, thanks, I'm with you now. Still, not a bad option considering we have only ever had one channel recording with VCR's and DVDR's in the past. The networking and media streaming is what appeals to me.

Have you received any information as to when the M6620 will be available, etc?

Cheers,

R.

alitom

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 283488 17-Dec-2009 16:58

R,

I've been told about mid-late January next year, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was later than that! It seems there's EPG issues which need to be sorted.

T.

Rickles

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Reply # 283492 17-Dec-2009 17:12

T,

OK. I see it is getting good reviews out in hometheatre cyberland, and one store in the USA already lists it for US$369.00.

R.

alitom

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 283510 17-Dec-2009 19:15

R,

This is for the 6600? Can you give me the link for the review please?

The features page here http://www.tvix.co.kr/ENG/products/HDM6600.aspx gives an idea of the recording capabilities. I'm not sure whether we'd see the 6600A or 6600N (which has the wireless). I think this looks better than the 6500, and I like the card reader too.

thanks,

T.

Rickles

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Reply # 283526 17-Dec-2009 20:19

http://www.mpcclub.com/forum/links/reviews-2009-9/ (scroll down page)

http://www.sundialmicro.com/dvico-m6620n-tvix-pvr-dual-tuner-wireless-network-media-player_2089_1760.html

http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/video/tvixm6620n.asp