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DVRs in Ireland

  • 21-12-2006 2:58pm
    #1
    The Denouncer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 435 ✭✭


    After the disappointment of my Humax fiasco (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055030012), I was wondering what the best DVR available in Ireland at present is, to allow me to record and pause live TV, and use as a Digital recorder in geneal - and don't say SKY +! :D

    Thanks,


Comments

  • #2
    pH
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,188 ✭✭✭pH


    Well apart from Sky+ it basically breaks down as follows:

    There are 3 main options :

    Satellite
    For satellite there are PVRs that can record and playback any FTA satellite transmission. This means in terms of UK TV you can record BBCs and ITVs and a a few other 'free' channels. You can also get dual-tuner versions so you can record and watch at the same time (or even dual-record).

    The main problem with these is the EPG. If you know you want to record BBC1 between 9 and 10 and are happy to setup the recording manually then they will be fine. If you want an onscreen EPG etc then you need specialist advice, head to the sat forum.

    Consumer HDD units
    There are a number of Hard disk recorders available with terrestrial tuners. These have to digitise and compress the analogue broadcast on the fly, quality may suffer. Again, whether an EPG is available (for any or all stations) can be a tricky question.

    Also these boxes will need to resort to some form of IR-blaster device to record from a digital-cable system. This type of control can prove to be troublesome.

    Media PCs
    If you've the time, money and are interested this is probably the way to go. You can build the setup around Linux or Windows, add whatever capture cards (sat or tuner) you need, connect to the net for an EPG and also easily play any downloaded avis you happen to have. Also it'll work as a DVD player.

    Certainly not the simplest or cheapest, but probably the most flexible.


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