Dixons DVR
 

Hi chaps,

I saw a £119 DVR and a £129 DVR in Dixons last night.

I think one was a Thomson and the other a Daewoo, both 80GB. But can't
remember for sure.

Are they both dual tuner? Is the software any good (i.e. would it be OK for
those who are 'gently grey'?)

thanks,
Raoul.

Dixons DVR
 

Raoul wrote:

Hi chaps,

I saw a £119 DVR and a £129 DVR in Dixons last night.

I think one was a Thomson and the other a Daewoo, both 80GB. But can't
remember for sure.

Are they both dual tuner? Is the software any good (i.e. would it be OK for
those who are 'gently grey'?)


Unfortunately you don't give enough information to be able to say
exactly what these devices are.

They are most likely Freeview PVRs, in other words, Freeview receivers
with a hard drive for recording off air. These devices need a good
digital signal and will NOT record any other external sources, such as
analogue TV channels, cable or satellite. To be able to view one
digital channel whilst watching another digital channel, you will need
a two tuner device and as far as I am aware, Dixons/Currys/Comet do not
sell dual tuner devices that cheap (although Aldi do - see other
threads).

The only other device they might be are DVD recorder HDD combinations
which WILL record external sources, though they are unlikely to be as
cheap as £120.

Older and non-technical people should generally find PVRs much easier
to use than VCRs.

Don't ask the sales staff in these stores about these devices. Unless
you are fortunate in finding an enthusiast in the store (I was lucky -
I did), they will generally know next to nothing about them. They
generally sit on the shelves and most people haven't a clue what they
are - it almost seems that the industry is soft-pedalling on this
equipment for some reason, maybe loss of advertising because as noted
elsewhere, these devices could sound the death knell for TV advertising
breaks as we know them, threatening the whole industry.

JPG





thanks,
Raoul.

Dixons DVR
 

JPG wrote:
Raoul wrote:
I saw a £119 DVR and a £129 DVR in Dixons last night.

I think one was a Thomson and the other a Daewoo, both 80GB. But
can't remember for sure.

Are they both dual tuner? Is the software any good (i.e. would it be
OK for those who are 'gently grey'?)

To be able to view one
digital channel whilst watching another digital channel, you will need
a two tuner device and as far as I am aware, Dixons/Currys/Comet do
not sell dual tuner devices that cheap (although Aldi do - see other
threads).

I think they may well be selling them that cheap as end-of-line stock. I
saw a Thompson DHD4000 in one Comet for £119.95, and the equivalent (but
slightly inferior, IMO) Digifusion in another Comet for the same price.

If it's the Thompson, I'd recommend the OP to snap up the bargain. Even
with a 40GB drive, it's a superb piece of kit. I don't know anything
about the Daewoo.

Older and non-technical people should generally find PVRs much easier
to use than VCRs.

I'd agree with that. The only confusion (with the Thompson and
Digifusion especially) might arise in the first day or so after plugging
in, because they only download the 4TV EPG overnight - the machines are
not fully functional until they do.

Don't ask the sales staff in these stores about these devices. Unless
you are fortunate in finding an enthusiast in the store (I was lucky -
I did), they will generally know next to nothing about them. They
generally sit on the shelves and most people haven't a clue what they
are

Indeed. They seem quite keen to push simple Freeview boxes, but the only
PVR technology you will see explained or actively promoted is for Sky +.
I'm not sure if this is simple product ignorance, or because there are
lucrative kick-backs for signing people up to Sky.

Anyone work for any of these stores and know the answer?

Dixons DVR
 

Pyriform wrote:
JPG wrote:

Raoul wrote:

I saw a £119 DVR and a £129 DVR in Dixons last night.

I think one was a Thomson and the other a Daewoo, both 80GB. But
can't remember for sure.

Are they both dual tuner? Is the software any good (i.e. would it be
OK for those who are 'gently grey'?)


To be able to view one
digital channel whilst watching another digital channel, you will need
a two tuner device and as far as I am aware, Dixons/Currys/Comet do
not sell dual tuner devices that cheap (although Aldi do - see other
threads).


I think they may well be selling them that cheap as end-of-line stock. I
saw a Thompson DHD4000 in one Comet for £119.95, and the equivalent (but
slightly inferior, IMO) Digifusion in another Comet for the same price.

If it's the Thompson, I'd recommend the OP to snap up the bargain. Even
with a 40GB drive, it's a superb piece of kit. I don't know anything
about the Daewoo.


Older and non-technical people should generally find PVRs much easier
to use than VCRs.


I'd agree with that. The only confusion (with the Thompson and
Digifusion especially) might arise in the first day or so after plugging
in, because they only download the 4TV EPG overnight - the machines are
not fully functional until they do.


Don't ask the sales staff in these stores about these devices. Unless
you are fortunate in finding an enthusiast in the store (I was lucky -
I did), they will generally know next to nothing about them. They
generally sit on the shelves and most people haven't a clue what they
are


Indeed. They seem quite keen to push simple Freeview boxes, but the only
PVR technology you will see explained or actively promoted is for Sky +.
I'm not sure if this is simple product ignorance, or because there are
lucrative kick-backs for signing people up to Sky.

Anyone work for any of these stores and know the answer?

I saw a price comparison in Comet for Sky against freeview. They had
normal Sky listed, freesat from Sky and Freeview. They listed the first
year cost for each (and not subsequent years), the number of channels etc.

Cheapest was freesat at £150, next was Sky at £180. Finally Freeview
came in at about £220!!! They'd priced it at something like £60 for a
box, £60 for a new aerial and £100 for installation.

Looking at that price, everyone would go with Sky simply because of the
minimal (£30) extra for many more channels. What they didn't make clear
was that for Sky it was £180 per year, every year. Freesat was £150 for
5 years with a small cost of a new card after 5 years or so. Freeview
was (disputable) £220 for ever. I didn't need a new aerial or
installaion etc, so the cost is far less with Freeview (even as low as
£30-£40 for a cheap Freeview box) - but then Comet don't get commission
for selling Freeview - but they do for Sky!

As they say - you can prove anything with statistics - I guess in this
case, I'd say you can prove anything with prices.

D

Dixons DVR
 

"JPG" wrote in message
ups.com...

[snip]
are - it almost seems that the industry is soft-pedalling on this
equipment for some reason, maybe loss of advertising because as noted
elsewhere, these devices could sound the death knell for TV
advertising
breaks as we know them, threatening the whole industry.

Now Alan Sugar has heard of them -see next thread- and he thinks so
too - so it must be right!

Roger

Dixons DVR
 

David Hearn wrote:
I saw a price comparison in Comet for Sky against freeview. They had
normal Sky listed, freesat from Sky and Freeview. They listed the
first year cost for each (and not subsequent years), the number of
channels etc.
Cheapest was freesat at £150, next was Sky at £180. Finally Freeview
came in at about £220!!! They'd priced it at something like £60 for a
box, £60 for a new aerial and £100 for installation.

I'm struggling to see what needs installing. Unless they mean that the
special digital aerial (!) costs £60, with installation fees on top. Or
is that what they charge you for plugging it in?

If I weren't so damned lazy, I'd almost be inclined to complain to
someone...

Comet don't get commission for selling Freeview - but they do for Sky!

I'd like to know how much. I suppose they need something to replace all
that extended warranty income, now that most people have wised up...

Dixons DVR
 

JPG wrote:
Raoul wrote:


Hi chaps,

I saw a £119 DVR and a £129 DVR in Dixons last night.

I think one was a Thomson and the other a Daewoo, both 80GB. But can't
remember for sure.

Are they both dual tuner? Is the software any good (i.e. would it be OK for
those who are 'gently grey'?)



Older and non-technical people should generally find PVRs much easier
to use than VCRs.


You should note that Freeview recorders don't have an
equivalent of Videoplus, which makes VCRs (and analogue
DVDRs) easy to programme. All scheduled recordings have to
be done by Electronic Programme Guide or entry of the
specific channels and times. If you're comfortable with
using an EPG (you can try this out on an digital telly in
the shop), the recorder will be a doddle.

Dixons DVR
 

"Jim" wrote in message
...
JPG wrote:
Raoul wrote:


Hi chaps,

I saw a £119 DVR and a £129 DVR in Dixons last night.

I think one was a Thomson and the other a Daewoo, both 80GB. But can't
remember for sure.

Are they both dual tuner? Is the software any good (i.e. would it be OK
for
those who are 'gently grey'?)



Older and non-technical people should generally find PVRs much easier
to use than VCRs.


You should note that Freeview recorders don't have an
equivalent of Videoplus, which makes VCRs (and analogue
DVDRs) easy to programme. All scheduled recordings have to
be done by Electronic Programme Guide or entry of the
specific channels and times. If you're comfortable with
using an EPG (you can try this out on an digital telly in
the shop), the recorder will be a doddle.

VCRs and analog DVDRs have not only Videoplus but
more often than not also very useful PDC on several channels
to get start and end times of recording right even if they move
Roman

Dixons DVR
 

Pyriform wrote:
David Hearn wrote:

I saw a price comparison in Comet for Sky against freeview. They had
normal Sky listed, freesat from Sky and Freeview. They listed the
first year cost for each (and not subsequent years), the number of
channels etc.
Cheapest was freesat at £150, next was Sky at £180. Finally Freeview
came in at about £220!!! They'd priced it at something like £60 for a
box, £60 for a new aerial and £100 for installation.


I'm struggling to see what needs installing. Unless they mean that the
special digital aerial (!) costs £60, with installation fees on top. Or
is that what they charge you for plugging it in?

If I weren't so damned lazy, I'd almost be inclined to complain to
someone...


Comet don't get commission for selling Freeview - but they do for Sky!


I'd like to know how much. I suppose they need something to replace all
that extended warranty income, now that most people have wised up...

I bought a Humax PVR 9200T from Comet on Saturday (and collected on
yesterday). About £30 more expensive than the cheapest price on the
internet, but actually only £15 more than those on the net which had
them in stock, and I could get it before Christmas, with a face to face
person to deal with if I had a problem.

When I bought it, they didn't even ask about extended warranty - only
whether I wanted a scart lead. I said "No, there's one in the box" and
that was the end of it. I only realised when I got home that I'd not
even been asked about an extended warranty!

D

Dixons DVR
 

r_mervart wrote:
VCRs and analog DVDRs have not only Videoplus but
more often than not also very useful PDC on several channels
to get start and end times of recording right even if they move

Yes, when the broadcasters can be arsed to send the right signals. I'd
rather use an EPG than have to decide whether or not to use PDC on a
particular channel at a particular time of day, based on my previous
experience of how reliable it is. I don't think I've missed anything
I've set to record in over a year using a PVR (it automatically pads out
the recording time of course), whereas with PDC this was quite a common
problem.

And having the EPG data stored as part of the recording also makes
retrieval a doddle. I wouldn't go back.