More JcMatthew DVR-320T Recording Woes

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › More JcMatthew DVR-320T Recording Woes

Chats

11 posts

Geek

#67741 8-Sep-2010 00:51

As discussed in couple of previous posts, I've been putting up with the series recording issues of this PVR when the program has an encore screening like Fair Go, last couple of weeks it has thrown couple of other odd wobblies.

First, finals of Hells Kitchen, although series linked, didn't record. didn't really care about this as not something we really want to watch.

And tonight, had setup series record of My Kitchen Rules on TV2, instead it recorded Coronation Street from TV1. Play list says it recorded My Kitchen rules on Tv2 and the recording list happily displays it is recording My Kitchen Rules again next week... Nothing else was setup to record at the same time and no one was watching TV. Thankfully Outrages Fortune etc that's setup later recorded fine.

Not sure if these were EPG errors or something to do with the PVR.

Think I'll be doing lot more recordings of FTA programs on My Sky now so far it hasn't done anything bad like this to date.

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#377793 8-Sep-2010 10:35

Hey I'd like to hear more from people with this if possible.
I'm considering getting one myself.

Are these issues JC specific?, or is it more to with inaccurate EPG data affecting all PVR's?

Thanks.

injuised

256 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#377921 8-Sep-2010 15:59

I rececently had the same problem with another brand STB, a factory reset fixed that one

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#379560 14-Sep-2010 10:04

Right I'm seriously only days away from buying one of these.

Now that everyone has had there's a while, how are they finding them?
Would they recommend them?

Thanks.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 267

Trusted

#379729 14-Sep-2010 15:58

I haven't anything to compare it to other than PlayTV. I really only have the one documented problem with it. I haven't had the problem mentioned in this thread.

I'm stoked with it actually. It's reliable and we have inally been able to use the PVR as intended. If you're getting it for $400 or so, I can't think of a reason not to.

butlerboy

457 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 53

#380171 15-Sep-2010 15:02

jaxson - i'd definitely recommend one. outside the well documented issue of it sometimes not recording a programme when it's repeated later the same week it's a pretty good pvr. i've had it for nearly a year and it's only not recorded a programme a handful of times and recorded the wrong channel twice, and that's with nearly 20 programmes set to record each week. i've got a magic tv pvr in the bedroom and while the jc matthew doesn't have as many features i prefer it as it's a bit more logical and easier to use(good when the wife has to learn how to drive it).
also, i see that freeviewshop have it for $445 at the moment.

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#380188 15-Sep-2010 15:31

Had a good look at the DVR320 but ended up going the TiVo way. I wanted something reliable that didn't need constant updates and bug fixes, which seemed to be the case with this and most others available in NZ. I don't consider one or two "missed" or "wrong channel" recordings acceptable at all.

So far have not regretted my decision, and at the moment $499 (or $360 if you are a Telecom customer) TiVo is very price competitive (just picked up a second one today for the family room). I couldn't care less about the Caspa downloads, I just wanted a reliable PVR, and the EPG is much better than the standard Freeview one and goes out 2 weeks with on-line programming etc etc.

Just my opinion, food for thought.

That said out of the rest the JC Matthews would have been my pick as value for money over Magic

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#380197 15-Sep-2010 15:38

Thanks for the replies guys, and sorry if I've jumped in/hijacked this bit.

That Tivo price is REALLY good, but simply will not suit me unfortunately as I do not currently have the internet/landline phone on at home.

The intention for me is to pick up a reliable box which just does the basics solidly. I'm personally not up for extra features etc (seems every device is trying to do a bunch of non core things these days) so the JC Matthews box seems to tick those boxes. And yes the wife will be using this a lot too, the main reason really that I'm not opting for a full custom htpc unit.

Personally it sounds like the bulk of the recording problems are from freeview supplying an EPG with identicle labels/tags for main and repeat showings etc. That sort of thing that sounds like all PVR's using that system will behave in the same way.

The game now really is to find the cheapest place to purchase!

Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 17

#380280 15-Sep-2010 19:06

We have one, On our second now as the first was faulty. Overall I'd say its an ok unit. But I'd much rather have a tivo at the similar price as I'm pretty sure its much more stable. And JC Matthew in NZ are like a two man outfit.