Advice on Replacing a MySky Box

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shreilly

15 posts

Geek

# 66254 16-Aug-2010 08:58

Hi

I was wondering if somebody could give me some advice please, we are currently looking at replacing our MySky box, although we love the box and it has changed our viewing habits, when we looked at what we watched we found that 90% of it was stuff that we recorded but from the channels that we get from freeview, so we are looking at taking the big $80 a month bill out. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what to replace it with, the features that are important to us are (in order)

1. Good EPG (The Sky one is excellent)
2. One button record
3. The ability to record/watch more than one channel at the same time
4. Pass the content onto another TV in the house (Can be the same channel)
5. Load media from another device onto the box.

I know I haven't put a budget on this, and I guess the right answer would be a HTPC but is there a receiver box that would do most or all of the above

Cheers

Cadriel

134 posts

Master Geek

# 368092 16-Aug-2010 09:19

I'm also looking at replacing our MySky HDi box, for pretty much the same reasons.

My requirements are a little more flexible though; that is - I despise the MHEG5 guide on FreeView - so want something that would provide something similar or better than the MySky guide.

The other features would be great, but not necessarily required.

The only option I know of that provides it's own guide is Tivo - which I've been seriously considering, but I'm hesitant due to uptake.

Are there other options? Perhaps non-certified devices that are capable?

davidcole

4528 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 368099 16-Aug-2010 09:37

Cadriel: I'm also looking at replacing our MySky HDi box, for pretty much the same reasons.

My requirements are a little more flexible though; that is - I despise the MHEG5 guide on FreeView - so want something that would provide something similar or better than the MySky guide.

The other features would be great, but not necessarily required.

The only option I know of that provides it's own guide is Tivo - which I've been seriously considering, but I'm hesitant due to uptake.

Are there other options? Perhaps non-certified devices that are capable?

If you don't want mheg5, your options for DVB-T (HD) are tivo, or build your own and get an EPG feed from a website.

Or use satellite which uses EIT rather than MHEG5. But then you loose out on the HD.

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dukester

389 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

# 368108 16-Aug-2010 09:51

Good luck on finding a MYSKI replacement. In my opinion the MYSKI box works brillantly. It is simple to use, has to be as my wife can use it, and just does everything so well. Check out the following link for a new freeview box that seems to be getting good reviews, http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/digital-tv-recorders/vu--duo-698755/review

You could try the freeviewshop.co.nz site. They sell the ultraplus F9000 which a mate of mine has. While it is a good box the epg doesn't come close to the MYSKI one. Apparently they are working on a series link option so it might improve this box. Hope that helps.

davidcole

4528 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 368153 16-Aug-2010 12:04

But what a mysky box doesn't do is allow recording in one room and watching in another...

Cadriel

134 posts

Master Geek

# 368174 16-Aug-2010 13:12

Don't get me wrong, MySky HDi is brilliant. The interface is snappy, easy to use - and does everything we actually want.

But - it costs us upwards of $70 a month. Plus, we don't own the hardware.

At the end of the day, we could get a Tivo - and have a return on investment in a year.

There's of course plenty of advantages and disadvantages, but we're looking at this in a very simplistic frame of mind. We don't need access to the recordings externally. We just want what MySky does - but for FreeView.

shreilly

15 posts

Geek

# 368177 16-Aug-2010 13:18

Thanks a lot for the replies so far, really good helpful response. I am looking at a Digistar 811U http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/TVs/Satellite-receivers/auction-309599985.htm

From one I can see, it won't be anything like as slick as MySky and won't give me the ability to record two programmes, but will enable me to do one touch record via the EPG, run the freeview to another TV and import other media onto the external USB. The main plus point though is that it will pay for itself in 3 months worth of Sky subscriptions

Jaxson

6970 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 368203 16-Aug-2010 14:14

I personally really rate a good user interface, oh and some solid hardware to back it.

If you are coming from a my sky unit to a cheap as satellite box you will notice a huge difference.
I'd look to replace with something decent.
It might take longer to 'pay itself off' (not everything in life is a financial decision), but you'll be enjoying the far better experience whilst it's being paid off.

r0bbie

197 posts

Master Geek

# 368628 17-Aug-2010 13:14

shreilly: Thanks a lot for the replies so far, really good helpful response. I am looking at a Digistar 811U http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/TVs/Satellite-receivers/auction-309599985.htm

From one I can see, it won't be anything like as slick as MySky and won't give me the ability to record two programmes, but will enable me to do one touch record via the EPG, run the freeview to another TV and import other media onto the external USB. The main plus point though is that it will pay for itself in 3 months worth of Sky subscriptions

I got one the other day and am very impressed with the interface - you can only record the channel your watching but you can use timers etc The recordings save as mpgs which you can take and watch on another computer BUT you can only save onto a hdd/flash drive max 32GB (because of fat32)

You can also watch AVIs (works perfect) and VOBs (I dont get sound for some reason)

So all up very impressed with features and PRICE (and hasnt crashed once)

shreilly

15 posts

Geek

# 368914 17-Aug-2010 21:10

Many thanks for all the advice that everyone has given, I have talked it over with the better half and we have come to the conclusion that the HTPC is going to be the best replacement device for us, the fact that it will give me somthing to tinker with is a real bonus. Now the fun starts, what config should it be, what tuner card and what shoud I run Media Centre, or Media Portal, all seems like good questions for another section on this site.