Cheap Satellite PVR? - (but still a brand name...)

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Cheap Satellite PVR? - (but still a brand name...)

Jaxson

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#57522 16-Feb-2010 14:22

Hi all, has anyone used any of these topfield or strong PVR's:

Strong 4300
Strong 4661X
Strong 4664X
Topfield TF8000F

http://www.supremeantennas.co.nz/search/?all_keywords=pvr&mode=details

I'm looking for a basic Sat based PVR that can accept an external USB HDD or thumbdrive.
User interface needs to be fairly good/basic/obvious too.

This would be for granny type use in places that cannot get freeview HD in the complete absence of any freeview approved Sat based PVR. The above are listed because of their cheap price but I'm open to any other suggestions people may have. (Ones that spring to mind are the Ultraplus units 780/880 etc)

Cheers in advance.

dtvs

73 posts

Master Geek

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#299508 16-Feb-2010 14:40

Kaon KSF-A3200HR - Just released. Auto updating and follows Freeview channel numbers.

http://www.dtvs.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=87

farcus

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#299674 17-Feb-2010 08:49

how about this one

http://www.freetv.co.nz/webapps/site/61418/52840/shopping/shopping-view.html?pid=407335

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#299713 17-Feb-2010 10:56

In FreeTV's latest email newsletter:
http://www.freetv.co.nz/webapps/site/61418/52840/shopping/shopping-view.html?pid=348846
http://www.freetv.co.nz/webapps/site/61418/52840/shopping/shopping-view.html?pid=407335

Jaxson

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#299716 17-Feb-2010 11:11

Thanks guys.
The inbuilt DVD player is a bit of a laugh too, real handy for a bedroom etc.

Would just need to check the user interface, EPG etc and how the PVR function works/stores programs etc to ensure ease of use.

Cheers.

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#299720 17-Feb-2010 11:28

The Topfield looks like it could be good. Our previous STB was a Topfield and I really prefered it over the Strong box that we tried. I liked the picture quality (component via the SCART socket) and the EPG was nice. I haven't tried a Topfield PVR though.

Jaxson

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#299749 17-Feb-2010 13:16

Yeah I'm a fan of the name brands mainly simply because they tend to have spent some time/money/effort on the user interfaces. That seemed to be the main gripe with the likes of the DishTV S7050 PVR for instance.

Topfield have always had a good reputation. No one seems to have heard of that model before though.

As mentioned though, why is there not an official mysatfreeview PVR out yet anyway?!
Thanks for the suggestions though, much appreciated.

simoragn

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#300330 19-Feb-2010 11:32

If anyone can shed a bit of light on the Topfield TF8000F - especially how it compares to the TF6000FE (other than the PVR capability of course) - I would definitely like to know more about it.

Was thinking of getting the latter, until I spotted the former...

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LennonNZ

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#300367 19-Feb-2010 13:14

I have a S/H UltraPlus 780 DVB-S for sale.. used it for about 2 weeks a while ago.. looking @ $150 for it (1/2 price of new)

Thanks

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#300469 19-Feb-2010 17:39

How is the Ultraplus?

simoragn

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#302640 27-Feb-2010 07:55

I ended up buying the Topfield TF8000F this past week. So far so good, and PVR works fine (though user interface is a bit clunky) with external HDD (Fat32). Also intially tested with a USB key, just a 4gb one, prior to formatting drive - juts to make sure it did work...!

Overall I'm really happy with it, especially for the price.

Jaxson

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#303238 1-Mar-2010 11:42

Thanks for the reply simoragn, appreciate the real world feedback.