Does such a box exist?

[Kinky]

I'm after a box which is a multi-regional Blu-Ray DVD recorder, with a Freeview (not FreeSat) HD twin tuner and recorder.

Does such a box exist? I've googled and googled and not made much sense of the results

K

[bobthemonkey]

From my own searches, no.

I never found a twin tuner DVD recorder; Freeview HD hardware isn't on sale; a couple of devices launched this week. Humax are launching their PVR offering later.

The closest product I can think of is a Panasonic, and thats going to be Freesat HD, not Freeview.

Sony apparently have a new range of twin tuner combo HDD/DVD recorders coming soon.

You want this with the Freesat HD tuners swapped out for the forthcoming Freeview HD tuners.

DeR wants £714.96 for the 500GB version linked, and £569.01 for the 250GB version (the 750 instead of the 850).

Edited by bobthemonkey on Friday 11th December 00:24

[Kinky]

So I guess it's a matter of waiting for a HD freeview machine to come out

Unfortunately FreeSat is not an option for me. I do have a Sky dish - but it's useless now due to not having a clear line of sight.

So what's the next best option? Is there a Blu-ray DVD recorder, with a normal (not HD) twin tuner and recorder machine?

[tybalt]

Best option - a computer? Media centre style case - upgrade it yourself. Stick in HDD and digital tuner USB thing. Not sure about software, but at least it's future proof (but probably a bit expensive).

[bobthemonkey]

tybalt said:

Best option - a computer? Media centre style case - upgrade it yourself. Stick in HDD and digital tuner USB thing. Not sure about software, but at least it's future proof (but probably a bit expensive).

Now this isn't a bad idea, when Freeview HD tuner cards hit the market.

[OldSkoolRS]

bobthemonkey said:

tybalt said:

Best option - a computer? Media centre style case - upgrade it yourself. Stick in HDD and digital tuner USB thing. Not sure about software, but at least it's future proof (but probably a bit expensive).

Now this isn't a bad idea, when Freeview HD tuner cards hit the market.

I'll have to check model number of the card, but I built a HTPC that could do this: A couple of years ago they were broadcasting test programs from Crystal Palace, unfortunately the signal was very weak and I just got a blocky mess, but in principal the setup was working. I now use a Satellite card to pick up BBC & ITV HD and the same software I was using for the Freeview HD trial, 'DVBViewer'.

I think the card is a Hauppage 1100, though you will need to search the web for information perhaps on 'Digital Spy' or AVForums computer section/high definition hardware sections. Be prepared for a lot of faffing about and software updates that can upset your carefully adjusted settings (I use Norton Ghost to take an image of my working system).

[jmorgan]

This is one of the things that hack me off with electronics. Wring the market dry then sell what is useful (grumpy old man mode).

After the same as well but will wait. I do not have a dish nor intend to get one.


Just saying.

[allgonepetetong]

I don't think there are any HD freeview broadcasts, there isn't the band with available I don't think.

Personally, if you want freeview due to not having a clear line of site from your dish to the satellite, I would, as previously suggeted, buy a nice case, motherboard, Blu Ray player/recorder and a couple of whopping great hard drives / NAS. Add in the necessary TV tuner card *2 and an HDTV video card with a 5.1 audio card and you should be away.

[marctwo]

allgonepetetong said:

I don't think there are any HD freeview broadcasts, there isn't the band with available I don't think.

They started broadcasting in some areas on 2nd December.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a189609...

[OldSkoolRS]

Thanks for that marktwo. My aerial is pointing at Crystal Palace, so I'll have to have another play with the tuner card again. It seems that the ITV HD is on all the time on Freeview (compared to Freesta when it only comes on occasionally) albeit mostly upscaled. The Channel 4 HD service might be useful as there are a few films shown on Ch4 and I think there was some issue regarding being able to transmit CH4 HD over Freesat.

Damn, more fiddling about with the PC.

[Mr E]

tybalt said:

Best option - a computer? Media centre style case - upgrade it yourself. Stick in HDD and digital tuner USB thing. Not sure about software, but at least it's future proof (but probably a bit expensive).

This.

Budget 500 quid for the machine, and another 60 quid for PowerDVD 57 (or whatever number they're on right now) and 40 quid for SlySofts AnyDVD to bypass the bluray region coding.

Stick standard freeview cards in right now, and when the HD stuff comes alone, slap a couple of those in as they become available.

Media PC also has the added advantage of running all your music, video and web streaming needs.

[russ_a]

Mr E said:

tybalt said:

Best option - a computer? Media centre style case - upgrade it yourself. Stick in HDD and digital tuner USB thing. Not sure about software, but at least it's future proof (but probably a bit expensive).

This.

Budget 500 quid for the machine, and another 60 quid for PowerDVD 57 (or whatever number they're on right now) and 40 quid for SlySofts AnyDVD to bypass the bluray region coding.

Stick standard freeview cards in right now, and when the HD stuff comes alone, slap a couple of those in as they become available.

Media PC also has the added advantage of running all your music, video and web streaming needs.

Agreed, plus you will find you never bother with the blu-ray drive as everything is downloaded

[Dracoro]

These devices will, eventually, exist but not right now.

The nearest product I found was the Panasonic but as stated above, it's freesat and not freeview. Plus it's bl**dy expensive. It'll be half that price next year and half again the year after.

[Mr E]

russ_a said:

Agreed, plus you will find you never bother with the blu-ray drive as everything is downloaded

We don't buy BluRays, but LoveFilm send them - so it does get used.

Dracoro said:

These devices will, eventually, exist but not right now.

There's one in my house. It will do freeview HD when it's released with the addition of a bit of hardware.

[Dracoro]

I meant universally rather than the odd one. Poor choice of words granted.

What is your device btw?

Edited by Dracoro on Tuesday 15th December 10:33

[Mr E]

Dracoro said:

I meant universally rather than the odd one. Poor choice of words granted.

What is your device btw?

PC with tuner cards and a BRayer player. Probably 400 quid to build (and another 100 notes if you want a case that will pass the wife test).

[Dracoro]

Mr E said:

Dracoro said:

I meant universally rather than the odd one. Poor choice of words granted.

What is your device btw?

PC with tuner cards and a BRayer player. Probably 400 quid to build (and another 100 notes if you want a case that will pass the wife test).

Oh, I thought you meant a dedicated off the shelf all in one thing. Hence me not knowing of any.

In other words, "that's cheating"

[Mr E]

Dracoro said:

In other words, "that's cheating"

Agreed. I'm an engineer. If it doesn't exist but the bits do, I'll build it...

[GingerMunky]

Kinky said:

I'm after a box which is a multi-regional Blu-Ray DVD recorder, with a Freeview (not FreeSat) HD twin tuner and recorder.

Does such a box exist? I've googled and googled and not made much sense of the results

K

This web site has got loads of boxes, www.freesat-recorder.co.uk