Best PVR?

I am contemplating buying one of these 'beasts' although I expect
it will be as redundant as my current video recorder is now,
with 30 odd channels, and a lot of repeats etc..there is not a lot of
need for one really.
One feature I would consider 'essential' is to be able to hear sound
and see a 'mini picture' when using the program guide as I can on
my Sagem set top box. It would be nice if I could do that on other
'menu's too, although not essential.
Such things are often not mentioned in 'reviews'
Another aspect would be the ability to burn DVD's, although in
reality, I know if I did burn a DVD I would probably never
get round to watching it again (I have a big pile of video tapes
with 'important stuff' on , gathering dust!!!).

But I think the menu system aspect is quite important, it has to
be easy to use.
Obviously twin tuner.

Any recommendations?
There must be times when you think, "I wish it could do this or that"
but you don't know untill you buy.

I think basically I am looking for a list of 'annoyances' of various
PVR's, so I know what to expect before I buy!!!

I liked the 'Sky thing' where you can use your mobile (I don't even have
one)
to record a program, so maybe 'free Sky' might be an option?

"Bazzer Smith" wrote in message
...
I am contemplating buying one of these 'beasts' although I expect
it will be as redundant as my current video recorder is now,
with 30 odd channels, and a lot of repeats etc..there is not a lot of
need for one really.
One feature I would consider 'essential' is to be able to hear sound
and see a 'mini picture' when using the program guide as I can on
my Sagem set top box. It would be nice if I could do that on other
'menu's too, although not essential.
Such things are often not mentioned in 'reviews'
Another aspect would be the ability to burn DVD's, although in
reality, I know if I did burn a DVD I would probably never
get round to watching it again (I have a big pile of video tapes
with 'important stuff' on , gathering dust!!!).

But I think the menu system aspect is quite important, it has to
be easy to use.
Obviously twin tuner.

Any recommendations?
There must be times when you think, "I wish it could do this or that"
but you don't know untill you buy.

I think basically I am looking for a list of 'annoyances' of various
PVR's, so I know what to expect before I buy!!!

I liked the 'Sky thing' where you can use your mobile (I don't even have
one)
to record a program, so maybe 'free Sky' might be an option?


One point to check out is, apart from the STB/PVR you desire is, copyrighted
material if you intend to record off air.

I don't know the full legality, but it's probably worth
checking.........just in case!


Brian (Huddersfield)

One point to check out is, apart from the STB/PVR you desire is, copyrighted
material if you intend to record off air.

I don't know the full legality, but it's probably worth
checking.........just in case!


Brian (Huddersfield)

Who is going to know unless you go around telling everyone ?.

Dave

gort wrote:

Who is going to know unless you go around telling everyone ?.

Dave

Where do you draw the line? Are any crimes off limits if you could be
100% certain you'd not get caught?

A bit of copyright infringement?
Shoplifting a a mars bar?
Raping a drunk?

"Horse.trader" wrote in message
...

"Bazzer Smith" wrote in message
...
I am contemplating buying one of these 'beasts' although I expect
it will be as redundant as my current video recorder is now,
with 30 odd channels, and a lot of repeats etc..there is not a lot of
need for one really.
One feature I would consider 'essential' is to be able to hear sound
and see a 'mini picture' when using the program guide as I can on
my Sagem set top box. It would be nice if I could do that on other
'menu's too, although not essential.
Such things are often not mentioned in 'reviews'
Another aspect would be the ability to burn DVD's, although in
reality, I know if I did burn a DVD I would probably never
get round to watching it again (I have a big pile of video tapes
with 'important stuff' on , gathering dust!!!).

But I think the menu system aspect is quite important, it has to
be easy to use.
Obviously twin tuner.

Any recommendations?
There must be times when you think, "I wish it could do this or that"
but you don't know untill you buy.

I think basically I am looking for a list of 'annoyances' of various
PVR's, so I know what to expect before I buy!!!

I liked the 'Sky thing' where you can use your mobile (I don't even have
one)
to record a program, so maybe 'free Sky' might be an option?


One point to check out is, apart from the STB/PVR you desire is,
copyrighted material if you intend to record off air.

I don't know the full legality, but it's probably worth
checking.........just in case!

People have been using VCRs to tape programmes with dubious legality for
years so I don't see it's any 'worse' with burning DVDs unless you are going
to sell the copies at a car boot sale.

--
Max Demian

"Madge O'Reene" wrote in message
ps.com...
gort wrote:

Who is going to know unless you go around telling everyone ?.

Dave

Where do you draw the line? Are any crimes off limits if you could be
100% certain you'd not get caught?

A bit of copyright infringement?
Shoplifting a a mars bar?
Raping a drunk?


Missing a smilie, but I assume this was said tongue in cheek(?), even if it
was in somewhat poor taste...

There's a world of difference between the first example and the other two.

No-one is ever going to be prosecuted for making a few (technically illegal)
recordings for their own personal use. I'm assuming here they're not going
to try and sell anything, or put on a viewing in the local village hall...

ChrisM.

ChrisM wrote:


Missing a smilie, but I assume this was said tongue in cheek(?), even if it
was in somewhat poor taste...

Yes, of course!


There's a world of difference between the first example and the other two.

It's all about where to draw the line, though. But think about it, even
the latter *could* be described as a "victimless crime". Equally, it's
possible to identify victims in all cases.

No-one is ever going to be prosecuted for making a few (technically illegal)
recordings for their own personal use. I'm assuming here they're not going
to try and sell anything, or put on a viewing in the local village hall...

ChrisM.

Not the point, though.

"Madge O'Reene" wrote in message
ups.com...
ChrisM wrote:


Missing a smilie, but I assume this was said tongue in cheek(?), even if
it
was in somewhat poor taste...

Yes, of course!


There's a world of difference between the first example and the other
two.

It's all about where to draw the line, though. But think about it, even
the latter *could* be described as a "victimless crime". Equally, it's
possible to identify victims in all cases.


Err, how is the last example, in any way, a victimless crime?
Who is the victim in the first case? Unless you mean the copyright holder,
because the user is making his own recordings, rather than buying an
original? In which case, if we're talking about building a large film
library then fair enough. If you're talking about TV programmes though, most
aren't available to buy commercially, so who is losing out there?

No-one is ever going to be prosecuted for making a few (technically
illegal)
recordings for their own personal use. I'm assuming here they're not
going
to try and sell anything, or put on a viewing in the local village
hall...

ChrisM.

Not the point, though.


Maybe not, I do understand the point you are making, but whereas the type of
copyright infringement we are talking about here is 'technically' illegal,
but widely seen as acceptable, and probably not even thought of as wrong by
many people, the other two are clearly and blatently breaking the law.
Also, isn't 1 civil law, and the other two criminal law???


Hope this is taken in the spirit in which it is intended

:-)

Chris.

In article ,
ChrisM wrote:

"Madge O'Reene" wrote in message
ps.com...
gort wrote:

Who is going to know unless you go around telling everyone ?.

Dave

Where do you draw the line? Are any crimes off limits if you could be
100% certain you'd not get caught?

A bit of copyright infringement?
Shoplifting a a mars bar?
Raping a drunk?


Missing a smilie, but I assume this was said tongue in cheek(?), even if it
was in somewhat poor taste...

There's a world of difference between the first example and the other two.

Let me guess. The difference is where you would break the rules or not.

--
John Cartmell [email protected] followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

"Bazzer Smith" wrote in message
...
I am contemplating buying one of these 'beasts' although I expect
it will be as redundant as my current video recorder is now,
with 30 odd channels, and a lot of repeats etc..there is not a lot of
need for one really.
One feature I would consider 'essential' is to be able to hear sound
and see a 'mini picture' when using the program guide as I can on
my Sagem set top box. It would be nice if I could do that on other
'menu's too, although not essential.
Such things are often not mentioned in 'reviews'
Another aspect would be the ability to burn DVD's, although in
reality, I know if I did burn a DVD I would probably never
get round to watching it again (I have a big pile of video tapes
with 'important stuff' on , gathering dust!!!).

But I think the menu system aspect is quite important, it has to
be easy to use.
Obviously twin tuner.

Any recommendations?
There must be times when you think, "I wish it could do this or that"
but you don't know untill you buy.

I think basically I am looking for a list of 'annoyances' of various
PVR's, so I know what to expect before I buy!!!

I liked the 'Sky thing' where you can use your mobile (I don't even have
one)
to record a program, so maybe 'free Sky' might be an option?

To go back the original request I would recommend the Humax 9000T as it has
the very features you mention. The small picture and sound are there in the
EPG. The menus are easy to follow. Connection to a DVD recorder is via RGB
scart. If you want to transfer programmes to a PC this can be done via a USB
port. It also has a slot for a pay TV card but this can be ignored. It has
the advantage of being somewhat less pricey than some others. PIP and a
whole host of other features are available, many of which I do not use.
Recording two programmes at the same time can be useful as well as "chase
play" and automatically adding some buffering time to recordings.
Support, if needed, is good and the Digital Spy forum is a good
resource,there is feedback there from Humax.

Richard