Switching from Sky: Equipment and Set up query
Hi Everyone,
yet another ex-sky customer, looking to switch for various disgruntled reasons. We had MySky HDI and are looking for a similar set up, currently do very little streaming. Our main needs are the ability to pause/rewind live TV and to record shows / series to watch at leisure. From what I've been able to read on the Freeview site and here, our best option currently (city Fringe Auckland) is to get MyFreeview HD with a topbox/recorder, as I'm 90% sure we already have a UHF antenna on the roof.
My questions for your learned selves are:
- from your experience, which of the available recorders would be most suited / have got the best track record for functionality / longevity etc?
- other than buying said recorder and plugging in all required cables, is there anything else I need to do? (assuming it all works, of course)
Many thanks,
Phil
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Biggles on
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I reckon my Panasonic Blu Ray Recorder beats all others for lack of problems and certainly for longevity. With PVRs you get what you pay for. The el-cheapos are generally rubbish. With the Panny just connect it up, turn it on and auto-tune. Dead simple.
Next best is my PC Tuner Card (HVR 2200) although nowadays they are really old hat and seem to have been replaced by the HD Homerun Connect Network Tuner which is truly amazing.
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Permalink Reply by Philippe Dussart on
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Hi Biggles,
thanks for the quick reply! Definitely fan of the "get what you pay for mentality). Couldn't quite find the model you had listed in your profile, but would this compare?
https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/home-entertainment/televisions/d...Cheers,
Phil
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Mine is an older model BWT720.
The PWT550 is good and $150 cheaper at JB HiFi but beware of its limitations. HDMI only connection to TV. No video and audio inputs for recording from external devices. I would definitely not buy this model for this reason alone. My BWT720 records quite happily from my Basic Sky Decoder.
The BWT840 is far superior as it has A/V inputs like mine. Still has HDMI out only (older models like mine have HDMI and Component) but does have optical audio out instead of co-ax.
The STB PVRs seem to be very buggy and lots of people have problems plus many FW updates to try and fix them. I've never had a problem with the Panasonic and only 2 Firmware updates since new. One thing I really like about the Panny is if your PC runs Win 8.1 or Win 10 then you can drag and drop the recorded files to your PC via the LAN for editing. So much nicer to watch programs when Ad free.
If I was looking to replace my PC Tuner I'd opt for the HD Homerun as it can stream to any device and record to any PC or Laptop via your Home Network. Really versatile and great value for money.
https://nicegear.co.nz/htpc/silicondust-hdhomerun-connect/
Easter sales will be on soon.
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Hi Biggles,
thanks again for the help and input. With regard to the PWT550, would the HDMI input only be an issue if we don't record from anything else? Our current setup is a Dvd Player/Sound system which is AV- linked to the Skybox for audio only and HDMI to the TV. I figure with the Panasonic box, the HDMI cable will go between that and the TV; does it have AV output? if not then we won't be able to get the sound to the other system, in which case the BWT840 might be the way to go.
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HDMI is an output, not input (except for ARC (audio return) from compatible TV).
You'll find the specs here
http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/blu...
It only has HDMI, Co-ax Audio outputs and LAN Connector. No inputs
HDMI to the TV will deliver HD Video and Audio to the TV. If your external audio equip doesn't have co-ax audio input then it won't work without an adaptor for Co-ax audio to whatever input you have. IMO it's pretty useless.
There is a possibility that you may get sound to your external audio from the TV analogue audio out provided the TV allows feed through from the HDMI. My Sony TV (2010 model) does that but the only disadvantage is it will pass 5.1 sound from DVDs but with Blu Ray DTS it down-mixes to Stereo. So I use the Digital audio out from the Blu Ray to my Audio Amp.
Better to get the BWT840. It has HDMI, Digital Audio (optical), Analogue Audio (RCA connectors) outputs plus the A/V inputs. Much more versatile.
Specs here
http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/blu...
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Hello again...
having inquired as to the setup of the house we're about to move into (where we'll be setting up Freeview), it would appear that the UHF antenna has a cable leading to upstairs, and the sky dish has a cable leading to downstairs. We want to have Freeview with the UHF antenna downstairs, of course... From your accumulated experiences, will it be an issue to change the cables, is it a DIY job or would an installer be required, and if so where might one engage the services of such a person?
thanks again,
Phil
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Theoretically both the dish cable and the UHF cable should have f29 connectors on the end. If so then it's just a simple matter of disconnecting both cables and re-connecting the Dish cable to the UHF Antenna instead. Leave the other cable disconnected but weatherproofed for possible future use.
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I am also thinking of getting rid of my Sky as well. I have Freeview in the bedroom and Sky in the Living Room and I want to get Freeview in the Living Room as well and get rid of Sky. If I have Freeview in the bedroom already, what do I need to do to get it in the Living Room as well. I want to be able to record so do I just need to buy a Freeview Plus box for the Living Room????
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Permalink Reply by forumuser on
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Hi Linda
Once you get rid of the SKY box completely, simply purchase a Freeview Satellite Approved box and plug the cable that was in the SKY box (from the dish) into your new Freeview box and you will be away enjoying Freeview for free!
Josh
Linda McMeeking said:I am also thinking of getting rid of my Sky as well. I have Freeview in the bedroom and Sky in the Living Room and I want to get Freeview in the Living Room as well and get rid of Sky. If I have Freeview in the bedroom already, what do I need to do to get it in the Living Room as well. I want to be able to record so do I just need to buy a Freeview Plus box for the Living Room????
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If you are in a Freeview UHF area then I'd recommend a UHF STB so you can have HD picture instead of rubbishy satellite SD picture. Otherwise do as Josh suggests. You don't say if your bedroom Freeview is Terrestrial or Satellite and you have no profile so we don't know where you are or what equipmant you have.
Josh said:Hi Linda
Once you get rid of the SKY box completely, simply purchase a Freeview Satellite Approved box and plug the cable that was in the SKY box (from the dish) into your new Freeview box and you will be away enjoying Freeview for free!
Josh
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