Digital Video Recording

[Groggy]

Is there anyone that has a lot of knowledge on these that could recommend a decent brand? I am looking at the TF6000DVRt by Topfield at the moment.

A quick google search buried me with junk, I'd appreciate a link to an Oz site. Looking for something that would be:

2 tuner
200gb (ish)
Wireless 802.11 b/g capable
electronic program guide subscription compatibility
usb or wireless update capable
HD capable (low priority)


Thanks in advance for any help.

[Master Splinter]

Build your own using standard computer parts (and a twin tuner TV card) and free software like Myth-TV (http://www.mythtv.org/) or Media Portal (http://www.team-mediaportal.com/).

Last time I looked, it seemed that the Australian TV stations consider their program listings 'copyright' and don't allow them to be used for electronic program guides - not that the commercial networks seem to be able to stick to their advertised times anyway.

I was weaned off live TV years ago by the way that Prime(?) would happily change the start time of the program I wanted to watch (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) to suit whatever else it was running. (Cricket is running late, your program will be screened next week. Football finished early, sux2beU, you've missed 30 minutes of Buffy). So its been about five years since I last sat down to watch TV....I'm all DVDs and torrents these days.

[station-rat]

Have a look at www.digitalnow.com.au
Station-rat:cool:

[Grunt]

I have the Topfield and thinks it pretty damn good.

It is very well supported and there 100's of add in programs to do everything from enhance your remote, to allow remote control of your unit, download TV guides etc.

http://www.topfield-australia.com.au/

Also, checkout the forums for the real goss.

Chris

[Iain]

The leaders in these fields are relatively unknown to most consumers as they are not the 'big name' brands.
All stems from satellite technology (digital TV is the same, just terrestial) and some of the top names out there are Emtech, Humax, Topfield and Strong.
They should be a good starting point.

[Big Shed]

Am going thru the same excercise at present, very frustrating!

www.dtvforum.info (http://www.dtvforum.info) provides a lot of user feedback

The models I am aware of:

Topfield as per your post, also 5000 model

Arion 9300

Digicrystal 9070 (true 2 tuner, ie record 2 channels, watch a recording)

Humax

There is also DGTec, but has a bad rep

Strathfield stocks Digicrystal, Arion I have only seen on Ebay, as well as Humax.

Bets reputation is Topfield, price to match.

Hope this helps

Fred

[Groggy]

thanks for the info everyone, I think I'll be busy for a while :rolleyes:

[Stevan]

Hi Groggy & Big Shed

Another product which is about to hit our little country is called

Beyonwiz

this product was developed by a couple of tech's that used to
work for Topfield
Should be available soon
Looks really good

http://www.beyonwiz.com/main.php

Hope this helps
Steve

[Groggy]

Thanks for all the help and ideas.

From what I have seen this area is really growing and changing. I've decided to get the Foxtel unit for the short term and do a bit more research on building my own unit for the longer term (Beyonwiz does look good though!).


Thanks again to all.

[Groggy]

Thought I'd post a little feedback.

I got the Foxtel IQ unit.

Cost - $195 installation and payment for the box plus 14.95 pm thereafter. HOWEVER, I read in the February APC that Foxtel have dropped the up front fee and you now only pay the $14.95pm. SWMBO will be talking to Foxtel tomorrow and I suspect someone is in for a bad day.


Performance is very good (its my first PVR) and it is simple to use. I can pause a tv show that is airing live, then press play and it will replay the bits I've missed. It has been told to record This Old House and a few other WW shows that I used to miss :2tsup:.

Finally, these things need to be a little more complicated as SWMBO and SWMBOette have figured out how to record every soap known to man :C .

[scooter]

Finally, these things need to be a little more complicated as SWMBO and SWMBOette have figured out how to record every soap known to man :C .


:D:D

[RobP]

Too late for Groggy but may be of interest to others.
On sale this Thursday, 25/1/07 for $229.

www.aldi.com.au (http://www.aldi.com.au)

[souly]

Am going thru the same excercise at present, very frustrating!


Strathfield stocks Digicrystal, Arion I have only seen on Ebay, as well as Humax.


Fred

Arion PVR is imported by MetaTronics
www.metatronics.com.au (http://www.metatronics.com.au)

[Big Shed]

Too late for Groggy but may be of interest to others.
On sale this Thursday, 25/1/07 for $229.

www.aldi.com.au (http://www.aldi.com.au)

Even though it hasn't got twin tuners, I went and got one of these, to see what they were like. I fully expected that I wouldn't be impressed, but I am!

Compact little unit, breeze to set up and I LOVE the pause Live TV function. Timing events are easily entered and edited, all in all a much easier unit to use than my existing Strong SD STB. I think this one is a keeper and will tide me over till I can get everything I want in one box (Twin tuner SD STB, 160Gb+ HDD and DVD Recorder). Haven't found one yet.

Watching Bathurst will never be the same again! I can do my own replays and FFWD thru the moronic ads. Ditto the cricket.

[RobP]

Hi Fred
Does it have component or S-video out or just composite?
Cheers
Rob

[Big Shed]

Hi Fred
Does it have component or S-video out or just composite?
Cheers
Rob

Rob, it has composite as well as SCART/RCA/S-Video.

Fred

[dylanhf]

Hi Groggy & Big Shed

Another product which is about to hit our little country is called

Beyonwiz

this product was developed by a couple of tech's that used to
work for Topfield
Should be available soon
Looks really good

http://www.beyonwiz.com/main.php

Hope this helps
Steve

Hi the beyonwiz product is available now - and the australia website ( http://www.beyonwiz.com.au ) is now live.

Personally I have a TF5000PVRt, the more recent models have more features & larger drives etc, but I cant fault the topfield.. its one of those life changing devices. While Im a technology junkie and would rate anything with a wafer of silicone in it somewhere - my wife whos totally unbiased couldn't live without the toppy! The beyonwiz though looks super-hot ! Cheers! Dylan

[Stevan]

Hi Dylan i too have the TF5000 couldn't live without it had ours for over
3 years never failed
started life as the 80 gig version has a 350 gig in it now the most used device in our house
I have had a play with the Beyonwiz and the TF7000pvrt
just love the Beyonwiz the picture quality in HD is much cleaner/sharper
Not cheap !!!

Cheers Steve

[woodbe]

If you can wait, the gadget that originally put PVR on the map (and never came to Australia) is due to be released by early next year.

Of course, I'm talking about the TiVo. Even now, TiVo still has capabilities not seen on other PVR's. The ability to dynamically record shows you normally watch, and select shows to record based on some content preference (actor, director, genre, name, etc)

http://mytivo.com.au/

woodbe.