too many choices for DVB-T

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steadysteve

109 posts

Master Geek
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#88515 17-Aug-2011 13:34

noob DVB-T questions here.
i'm finding it hard to make a decision - too many options :-)
some input would be appreciated

i want to be able to:
- record freeview
- watch stuff from the internet

my options seem to be:
- freeview recorder (magic tv maybe) and use existing laptop for internet material (not HD) ($600)
- samsung or panasonic blueray/freeview machines ($1000)
- build/buy a basic HTPC system ($700?)

any quick opinions?

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439 posts

Ultimate Geek

#507907 17-Aug-2011 13:40

My personal opinion not an expert one is build your own HTPC home theater PC and buy a flash fullHDTV
you can record freeview with HD image and surf web or even play games. I did that and was easy with the right hardware.

but the easy way must be to buy a PVR box like dreambox or other but im not expert though here at geekzone there are probably a lot of people that will know more,

good luck,

Andy

steadysteve

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#507919 17-Aug-2011 13:50

thanks andy

my first choice would be to build a HTPC system because it seems to do everything required. what are the specs of the system you built?

what software do you run?

davidcole

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#507989 17-Aug-2011 15:28

Why not a tivo - or if an exisiting sky customer a mysky.

That sorts out your recording capability. Watching stuff from the internet - not sure if tivo can do stuff like youtube, but there are media players - and even a jailbroken apple tv2 running xbmc is pretty good value.

As stated you could build your own (I have) but they are not an OOTB (Out of the Box) solution, and do require some tinkering.

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Plasmadog

40 posts

Geek

#507996 17-Aug-2011 15:39

I built a HTPC a few years ago, but if I were in the market right now I'd be looking seriously at the AC Ryan Playon DVRHD. They can be had from PB Tech for just $460. Twin DVB-T tuners, plus built in bitorrent, great codec support and various other goodies. Not quite as flexible as a PC, but great for the price.

steadysteve

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#507997 17-Aug-2011 15:40

i don't know much about tivo, but it seems that a lot of those kind of solutions come with limitations especially for browsing the net.

ideally it would be nice to move around the internet as easily as i can from my desktop...say with a wireless mouse...and not through some possibly clunky remote

i have put together a few desktop machines, so tinkering is not such a problem - what system did you build?
it would be nice to follow a good how-to - i guess they are out there

steadysteve

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#507998 17-Aug-2011 15:42

thanks, plasmadog - i have to say that a semi-ootb system would save some headaches - will look into that

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davidcole

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#508000 17-Aug-2011 15:43

Wonder how the ACRyan would get epg....

steadysteve

109 posts

Master Geek
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#508016 17-Aug-2011 15:54

it's not available at pb tech atm, but can be purchased from expansys. the price is pretty good.
according to the spec sheet, epg is available

freitasm

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#508017 17-Aug-2011 15:55

If you want Internet on your TV like on your desktop then you must go with a HTPC. You won't get that from TiVo, MySky, TBox and DVDRecorders, etc.

It's that simple.

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steadysteve

109 posts

Master Geek
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#508021 17-Aug-2011 15:58

thanks freitasm, that clears it up.

it just seems like the ultimate option

Plasmadog

40 posts

Geek

#508052 17-Aug-2011 16:16

davidcole: Wonder how the ACRyan would get epg....

Good question. It does support an EPG, but the website says nothing about whether the data comes from a subscription service or from the broadcast itself. Definitely something to find out before buying.

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davidcole

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#508064 17-Aug-2011 16:24

I saw nothing mentioning mheg5 so would assume it took eit data only. Which for us is only now/next.

GamerOC

439 posts

Ultimate Geek

#508082 17-Aug-2011 16:38

'my first choice would be to build a HTPC system because it seems to do everything required. what are the specs of the system you built?

what software do you run?'

I run it on my old gaming pc.

CPU AMD dual core 5400+
Mobo Asus SLI E
Tunner Hauppauge HVR 3300
Graphix ATI HD 3870 (running at 1080i)
onboard 5.1 sound and broadband lan
Ram 2GB DDR2 800
HardDrive 500GB Hitachi sata (for plenty of recording space).
HDMI cable

Software
Windows Media Centre or Media Portal or NextPVR
plug aerial and scan and enjoy...

good luck,

Andy

ps you can also add a webcam that will sit nicely on to of the tv if you use like using skype and google+ I think is great chatting on the big screen. I even play silly games on the big screen like angry birds rio, need for speed games and Counter Strike Source online.

steadysteve

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#508345 18-Aug-2011 08:18

thanks andy,

you are a man after my own heart - amd on an asus motherboard - i always liked that combo.

so even though that machine is a few years old, it still performs as HTPC?

davidcole

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#508353 18-Aug-2011 08:48

I have an older box, AMD Dual core 3400 with an 8600GT video card....still plays anything that you throw at it.

HTPCs by definition are not big machines, and have no need to be. With good video hardware, an old machine can easily play HD video with very little CPU usage.

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