Simple Frreview PVR

In article , Alan wrote:
A point I completely agree with. Despite (like many others here)
looking for a really simple PVR for my mum - as simple as a VCR - I
realised there simply isn't one.

But were VCRs that simple? The same arguments about the complexity of
VCRs a decade or so ago are just being repeated for PVRs today. I'll bet
the majority of PVR users don't touch more than about half a dozen
buttons of their remote on a regular basis.

Many people just like what they're accustomed to and are reluctant to
change, even if it might mean an overall improvement. Also, if the ability
to learn about new equipment really is age-related, let's not forget that
the old people who are accustomed to old technology would have been younger
when they were becoming accustomed to it, and therefore better at learning,
so the old technology would have appeared to them to be easier.

Rod.
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Roderick Stewart wrote:

Aren't you just comparing monitors here, not connections? I wouldn't find
it very surprising if two monitors five years apart performed differently.

No. Memory of exactly what I was doing was a bit hazy as it was a while
back however, I clearly remember something distinctly odd about the monitor
behaviour. Old monitor certainly had sharp focus and good brightness and
colour despite its age - I used it daily. It clearly demonstrated that on
one PC. Swapping it to another newer pc (or perhaps a VGA card change) and
it suddenly gave a very poor picture. Yet newer monitor was fine on that
newer PC. Yes, it is odd - and I assume that there must be impedance
specification in the VGA standard which should stop that sort of issue
arising.

Pete


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Kellerman "kellerman snot wrote:

On 16/04/2010 18:19, Peter Chant wrote:

Now if you want an easy to operate recorder forget the DVD variants.
Horrendously complicated and in my experience not reliable enough.
You have two choices:
1. Sky+ HD it has a big clear remote control, clear EPG, simple to
operate. 1. Humax 9300T PVR. clear uncluttered epg, series link, press OK
to record in the future, press the red record button to record now.
The Humax costs £180 ish (one of payment), Sky+ £120 a year minimum.
I went for the Humax and I'm very pleased with it.
Don't buy the Thomson "top up tv" box that currently available cheap.
It's poo and unreliable even tho' it's mega cheap.
Dave

Thanks. That Humax or its little brother (9150?) seem to be generally
recommended.

How does you comment on "record now" tie in with that of another poster who
said there was an issue with recording programmes that had already started -
ie you could not? Don't mind if the beginning is missing - ie stuff already
in the past.

Pete

--
http://www.petezilla.co.uk

tim.... wrote:


If they only ever use "record" to record a program "live" I would suggest
not buying a Humax. It doesn't have the best user interface for this, in
particular it will not record a program that has already started, off the
EPG.

Will it record a programme that has already started not off the EPG? I.e.
on the channel currently selected?

Pete

--
http://www.petezilla.co.uk

"Kellerman" "kellerman snot wrote in message
o.uk...

1. Sky+ HD it has a big clear remote control, clear EPG, simple to
operate.

Actually, I think that's a really good suggestion. Although it galls me to
say so, having played around with Sky+ I would say that it does have the
best user interface I've used.

It is very widely used by all sorts of people, and I think it has been
developed very much with ease of use in mind.

Although Peter C wanted a Freeview solution, I would recommend that you
consider this option.

SteveT

Peter Chant wrote:


How does you comment on "record now" tie in with that of another poster
who said there was an issue with recording programmes that had already
started -
ie you could not? Don't mind if the beginning is missing - ie stuff
already in the past.

Just found the post which I got that impression - it related to recording
off the EPG. So if it does not affect recording of stuff on screen "now"
rather than on the EPG I suspect it would be no issue.

Pete
--
http://www.petezilla.co.uk

"Peter Chant" wrote in message
...
tim.... wrote:

If they only ever use "record" to record a program "live" I would suggest
not buying a Humax. It doesn't have the best user interface for this, in
particular it will not record a program that has already started, off the
EPG.

Will it record a programme that has already started not off the EPG? I.e.
on the channel currently selected?

Yes, if you tune into a programme and press Record it will record the
current programme up to the end of the scheduled time. (You can extend the
end time in blocks of 10 minutes to allow for late finishing, but your
parents might find this a bit fiddly.) Having done this, you can change the
Humax to a different channel and the recording will continue. You can't set
it to record a channel continuously over more than one programme.

I really think you will have to persuade your parents to learn how to set
recordings from the EPG, whatever recording device you choose.

--
Max Demian

"Peter Chant" wrote in message
...
Kellerman "kellerman snot wrote:

On 16/04/2010 18:19, Peter Chant wrote:

Now if you want an easy to operate recorder forget the DVD variants.
Horrendously complicated and in my experience not reliable enough.
You have two choices:
1. Sky+ HD it has a big clear remote control, clear EPG, simple to
operate. 1. Humax 9300T PVR. clear uncluttered epg, series link, press OK
to record in the future, press the red record button to record now.
The Humax costs £180 ish (one of payment), Sky+ £120 a year minimum.
I went for the Humax and I'm very pleased with it.
Don't buy the Thomson "top up tv" box that currently available cheap.
It's poo and unreliable even tho' it's mega cheap.

Thanks. That Humax or its little brother (9150?) seem to be generally
recommended.

How does you comment on "record now" tie in with that of another poster
who
said there was an issue with recording programmes that had already
started -
ie you could not? Don't mind if the beginning is missing - ie stuff
already
in the past.

See my other reply.

--
Max Demian

"Max Demian" wrote in message
...
"Peter Chant" wrote in message
...
tim.... wrote:

If they only ever use "record" to record a program "live" I would
suggest
not buying a Humax. It doesn't have the best user interface for this,
in
particular it will not record a program that has already started, off
the
EPG.

Will it record a programme that has already started not off the EPG?
I.e.
on the channel currently selected?

Yes, if you tune into a programme and press Record it will record the
current programme up to the end of the scheduled time. (You can extend the
end time in blocks of 10 minutes to allow for late finishing, but your
parents might find this a bit fiddly.) Having done this, you can change
the Humax to a different channel and the recording will continue. You
can't set it to record a channel continuously over more than one
programme.

And if you try to achieve this by going to the EPG and selecting the
following program to be recorded "normally" that recording may fail due to a
bug in the software. (As I've only tried this once I have no idea what
percentage of times it fails. I could have just got unlucky or it could be
100% of the time.)

tim

On Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:00:31 +0100, Peter Chant
wrote:

Norman Wells wrote:

I'm inclined to say if they can use a VCR they'll be able to handle any
digital recorder. If they can't, though, the best solution is to have
another child. In 6 years time, he'll be able to do all that for them,
and will probably give them 10 good years of continuous use.

Two points:

1. They can use a VCR as far as changing channels, hitting record and
play. Don't think they've ever programmed the timer.

2. Since I popped out nearly 39 years ago I think they'd make the medical
press if they had another one!

They're waiting for the Grandkids to do it for them

It's always bewildered me that people (like my parents) have no
difficulty driving, operating fairly sophisticated cameras, etc. but
their brains fall over when faced with a VCR