I recently purchased the JCMatthew DVR-320T freeview decoder box with twin tuners and hard disk drive. I noted in the box illustrations that this came with a network port. My assumption on seeing this was that the network port would enable me to connect the unit to my PC network, and download software updates from the Internet, and possibly give me access to content on my PC or my PC access to content on my freeview decoders hard drive. This seems not the case. The instruction booklet with the machine makes no mention of how this port is used. Emailing JCMatthew I am told that it is for connecting for software updates, but only the manufacturer has the software that enables this and it is not available to the consumer. One therefore has to wonder why this unit is fitted with this port, other than to make the purchaser believe they are getting functionality, i.e. to trick the purchaser into buying a box expecting features that are not actually provided. If you buy say a Playstation 3 you know the port is going to allow connectivity to your network, and this is what I expected here. What do other think of this?
It is very common for set top boxes, TV's, DVD recorders etc to have a network port that is only for the manufacturer to update the unit. I doubt they do it to 'mislead' consumers, as most will look at the specs/functionality of the unit, and not rely on the picture for their decision to purchase.
sbiddle: There are some cool things that can be done with the MHEG5 middleware and Freeview are working on some things at present. Watch this space.
Is there any way to include MHEG5 support in a HTPC currently, for use with these features when they arrive?
Nothing at all.
MythTV already supports MHEG5 for the onscreen EPG and the Media Portal guys have also demonstrated screen cps of NZ MHEG5 EPG screens.
The Freeview MHEG5 specs are freely available for developers. It's just that there isn't a focus on this for HTPC users as MHEG5 is only being used for an EPG at present and not any of the MHEG5 advanced capabilities such as red button functionality, video streaming or overlaying live internet content over the top of TV programming.
sbiddle: No Freeview approved devices have the capability to use the ethernet port at present.
There are some cool things that can be done with the MHEG5 middleware and Freeview are working on some things at present. Watch this space.
Not true, the magic tv box allows for updates to be pushed over the internet via the ethernet port and also allows for RSS feeds to the box.
Quote: "Receive Live news and weather RSS feeds from the internet direct to the Magic TV™ interface. Just connect Magic TV™ to your home network or broadband router."
Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly
to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.
Trusted
Biddle Corp
