Freeview Satellite PVR

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CutCutCut

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Ultimate Geek
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Topic # 96511 29-Jan-2012 13:51

I'm investigating PVR options for somebody who is only able to recieve Satellite freeview. As far as I can tell only the S7090PVR for DishTV is the only freeview approved box. I also saw that freeviewshop.co.nz were selling an Ultraplus X-9200HD which is more pricey. The DishTV box looks suitable for their needs. I'm just wondering if there are any more options out there, and which ones have the best user interface and ease of use.
What are other people using for their Satellite PVR?

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727 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 574630 29-Jan-2012 15:03

CutCutCut: What are other people using for their Satellite PVR?

Vu + Duo. As for Ultraplus, some swear by them; some swear at them. I'm in the second category.

grant_k

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Reply # 574633 29-Jan-2012 15:17

xarqi:
CutCutCut: What are other people using for their Satellite PVR?

Vu + Duo. As for Ultraplus, some swear by them; some swear at them. I'm in the second category.

+ 1

Vu+ Duo is an awesome PVR that leaves MySky for dead. Depending on how good your dish/LNB is, and where you are, you may well be able to tune in SBS (Tasmanian service) in HD (one) and SD (two).

CutCutCut

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Reply # 574933 30-Jan-2012 13:39

What would you say the advantages of the Vu+ Duo be over say the DishTV Sat PVR? I see it's possible to tune in the extra channels and I read you could use a 2nd hard drive and it looks like you can change the GUI to another type (I couldn't work out from the blurb how hard that would be) and also record SKY (irrelevant in this case). Is there anything else major I've missed?
EDIT: Also is freeviewnz.com the only place that sells them?

xarqi

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Reply # 574945 30-Jan-2012 14:09

I'm not familiar with any of the DishTV offerings, so I can't compare directly.
In absolute terms, the aspects of the Vu+ Duo that I find most impressive are:
- stability. It just keeps working. No crashing or lock-ups, no need to reboot, etc
- ease of set up. I plugged mine in - it went. Much of the credit does go to the supplier who had it properly configured
- dual tuner. I can record up to 5 or 6 events simultaneously, from any two combinations of transponder/polarisation
- comprehensive network functions. I have my movies on multiple HDs served by a Mac on my LAN, the Vu+ accesses them seamlessly. It can be controlled through a web interface and can stream content to other devices.
- Consistent interface, with no nasty inconsistencies, bugs, or "gottchas"

Also
- DVB-S2 tuners (less use with the departure of GEM)
- Highly configurable (images, add-ins, skins, yadda yadda)
- eSATA support
- USB DVB-T option (I've not tried this - I have no DVB-T reception)
- international following and support groups

But no
- hardware blind scan
- 1080p output (only 1080i)
- gigabit ethernet (only 100 Mb/s)

Now, the bad news.
Last I heard, the only importer had stopped bringing these in. That was Satlink NZ (who may be the same company as Freeviewnz.com - not sure).
If mine ever does fail, I'll be looking to get another from Australia or even the UK, unless I go for a Vu + Ultimo that is.

grant_k

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Reply # 574962 30-Jan-2012 14:58

I would endorse all that Xarqi said. Just want to add that the SmartCard from MySky works happily in the front panel slot giving access to all of Sky's channels that we subscribe to. There is some suggestion that may no longer be the case in future, but nobody can say. For now I'm enjoying TV1/2/3 in HD courtesy of the Vu+ Duo's DVB-S2 tuners.

By the time Sky get around to closing that loophole, I will probably be ready to ditch my subscription anyway. I'm getting sick of the 8 year old Top Gear episodes that Sky are broadcasting here when a new season has already started in the UK.

injuised

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Reply # 575071 30-Jan-2012 20:07

ive had both the 7090 and the vu duo , the 7090 is great if you want ease of use, and the vu duo has allot more advanced features, both receivers are really well supported

bfginger

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Reply # 575100 30-Jan-2012 21:40

Does the S7090 still not support the EIT EPG on non Freeview channels?

It doesn't look like it's very easy to get a Vu Duo or Ultima.

Do any of these PVRs support 4:2:2?

xarqi

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Reply # 575106 30-Jan-2012 22:03

bfginger: Does the S7090 still not support the EIT EPG on non Freeview channels?

It doesn't look like it's very easy to get a Vu Duo or Ultima.

Do any of these PVRs support 4:2:2?

As far as I can tell from the support forum posts I've read, the Vu+ Duo does not support 4:2:2, although there is mention that it could be set up to receive it and stream it to a PC for decoding. I'm not at all familiar with this aspect. What is the practical significance in the NZ context?

Oh - btw - there seems to be something called an AZBOX that does handle 4:2:2. That may be a pointer for you (or not).

CutCutCut

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Reply # 575166 31-Jan-2012 08:56

injuised: ive had both the 7090 and the vu duo , the 7090 is great if you want ease of use, and the vu duo has allot more advanced features, both receivers are really well supported

Yes, ease of use is probably key here, the advanced features look quite interesting to me, but for the people who will be using it, they're irrelevant really.

What is EIT epg? Is that different to the normal DVB-S EPG?

Gilco2

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Reply # 575180 31-Jan-2012 09:41

I have the Ultraplus X-9200 and did have the Ultrplua F-9000 and now also have the DishTV7090pvr.

The Dishtv 7090 is a good unit. You can add the extra channels like sbsone sbstwo. and I had gem 9 and go when they were running.

The Dishtv has series record which is excellent if you want to record a series and not worry about it.

The Ultraplus for me has been excellent also. Then new x-9200 is also excellent. If you are not worried about series record, the epg on the x-9200 is far better than freeview certified ones and a lot easier for recording programs. You can also copy the recorded programs to an external device which you cant do with the Dishtv.

Ones who are against the ultraplus may have had faulty units. But as with everything there always will be some with faults. Also you have to remember no machine is perfect in everything so you have to compromise

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

xarqi

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Reply # 575233 31-Jan-2012 11:49

Gilco2: Ones who are against the ultraplus may have had faulty units.

If only it were that simple.

speedy23

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Reply # 576141 2-Feb-2012 01:36

I am in London setting up my Vu Duo and it seems a bit tricky! Xarqi, which software package are you using? My geek friend is setting up for me here, but if I can't get it running well when I get home it will be up for sale. Can anyone remember what sort of money they were selling for when available in NZ?

xarqi

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Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 576145 2-Feb-2012 01:49

speedy23: I am in London setting up my Vu Duo and it seems a bit tricky! Xarqi, which software package are you using? My geek friend is setting up for me here, but if I can't get it running well when I get home it will be up for sale. Can anyone remember what sort of money they were selling for when available in NZ?

I'm using openPLi - it's what was installed when I got it and I've had no need to change. VIX seems to have a big following in the UK and is well supported. If you continue having trouble, post some questions at http://www.world-of-satellite.com/forumdisplay.php?11-VU-Duo-Talk and someone will talk you through it I'm sure.

I think they were going for around $750 with a 500 GB drive installed, but my memory is a bit hazy on that. Disc prices have shot up in the last few months though.

Dkeeper

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Master Geek
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Reply # 576218 2-Feb-2012 10:28

Hi:
Interesting to hear the good oil on the VU Duo units (shame there is no NZ distributor)

So going back to the early part of the question -
What would be the primary (pros/cons) difference between the Dish TV 7090pvr and the UltraPlus X-9200pvr. Which would be the better buy?

Gilco2

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Reply # 576223 2-Feb-2012 10:39

Dkeeper: Hi:
Interesting to hear the good oil on the VU Duo units (shame there is no NZ distributor)

So going back to the early part of the question -
What would be the primary (pros/cons) difference between the Dish TV 7090pvr and the UltraPlus X-9200pvr. Which would be the better buy?

I have both and honestly I like both for different reasons. BUT value for money is definitely the Dishtv 7090pvr

I actually use the dishtv more than the ultaplus main reason being the series record in the dishtv. Both upscale the picture to hD very well although I would say at a pinch the ultraplus has slightly better picture. Now in saying that, I only have a 32 inch tv and 26 inch tv. Both have the s2 tuners so receive the sbs hd transmissions.
Both seem to be well supported for upgrades. So yes value for money the Dishtv 7090 wins hands down

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

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