Saorview : Please Recommend Recorder

[james]

I am thinking of getting a saorview box and I would like one that can record but if I record something I would like to be able to copy it to my PC and save it to DVD [using my computer and any software I may need].

I have read on boards.ie that the soarview boxes encrypt the content and it is impossible to take it of the box ..

james

[Fran]

I'm using a saorview-satellite combo box (its the ferguson ariva 120 - huge thread on boards about it). It takes in both the saorview signal and the free to air satellite feed, decodes both and gives you great flexibility about setting up favourites and channel lists etc etc. Cost is about €100 and they're available from Tony at satellite.ie and I think tvtrade.ie. Everyone here is very happy with them, missus, kids etc. If you have rips of movies etc in the right file format it will play them back too. Very handy for kids movies etc where the discs tend to get damaged easily.

I didn't think saorview was encoded - I've certainly recorded it to the USB drive and played it back on the same box - I must record a bit on a memory stick and play it back on the PC. I'd be very surprised if you couldn't do that.

Fran

[tony]

have that box also and it is very good. You would need a hard drive to play recorded stuff. I must read the instructions to see if it is possible to record as I wasnt aware it could do that.
I have a humax box which has a built in hard drive but you need to feed 2 cables to it. One to watch and one to record. I dont think there is a saorview version available yet.

[Diapason]

Colleague in here is thinking of buying one of those, Fran. He has some old freeview (or maybe freesat?) box that he complains gives him a "milky" picture. Have you seen any "milkiness" here?

Also, does this take two satellite feeds to allow for separate recording and viewing?

[Fran]

No milkiness - however, just so you know, I live in the scart valley so no expertise with the HDMI output on this box. I haven't seen anyone referring to picture quality though and there's a huge thread on boards on it.

There are 2 inputs on the back. 1 for UHF/saorview feed via a standard TV coax cable connection and 1 for satellite via an f (screw) connector.

The box allows you to watch saorview and record saorview and any satellite at the same time.

The box allows you to watch satellite and record any saorview and only a limited number satellite channels at the same time (these channels must be on the same transponder I think).

Also you cannot series link as per sky, and the 7 day EPG works for saorview only. For satellite you only get now and next. Also, recording is via an external USB HDD.

There are customs setup roms available through the thread on boards that give very nice favourites lists etc and I would recommend using them.


Fran

[Diapason]

Rockin Fran, thanks.

[james]

I had a look at the boxs available at satellite.ie and tvtrade.ie but I think I will wait until hard-drives drop in price .. Thanks for the advice. James