Tech: UK Freesat advice needed

Subject: Tech: UK Freesat advice needed
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 07:49 AM

Just set up our old Sky box elsewhere. It works fine so proves the dish is OK etc. but cannot be used to pause or record. Thinking of buying a Freesat box with PVR capability NB - NOT Freeview, Freesat. There are some very cheap ones going around that you can connect a USB device to for recording. Talking not much more than £15 on ebay. Considering getting one and plugging in one of the cheap TB USB memory sticks. Anyone tried it? Any other advice out there?

Just for the record - I have been on Freesat forums. Just coming on here because Mudcatters know everything :-)

Subject: RE: Tech: UK Freesat advice needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 08:37 AM

We did similar with our 15 year old SKY dish after we got a new SKY dish and 2 TB box for on demand movies and catch up.

A few months ago we got the Humax HB-1000s and plugged in a 1TB Hitachi Touro USB for recording.

It's rock solid for reliability and HD recording quality;
and quite well organised EPG.

So far no problems.

The 1000s seemed to have better user reviews for reliability than the more expensive version with built in hard drive.

The only 'drawback' is it only has one tuner,
so cannot record one channel while watching another.

I'd say it's a great secondary box if you already have an HD freeview recorder - or the bells n whistles 2TB sky box.

We are a sad old couple - and have 4 HD freeview recorders and 2 HD satellite recorders upstairs and downstairs...

well it's some kind of life since packing in pubs and drinking in the evenings....

Subject: RE: Tech: UK Freesat advice needed
From: Mr Red
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 09:37 AM

The problem with Dual tuner Satellites boxes is that they need two LNBs. And two cables running down your outside wall.
If you have Freeview, you may already have two tuners and to be frank, if you are glued to the TV that much that you dun gotta record 2 obscure Satellite channels , when some of it is available on the other devices you need a life...... Try the local Folk Club.

Personally I would recommend Humax. Their Freeview search facility is superb, and I would expect similar on their Satellite models. I did consider replacing my Sky box but the only thing I need it for is BBC NI twice a year. NW200 & the Ulster GP since you ask.
And the shows are on the iPlayer, fer gawds sake!

Subject: RE: Tech: UK Freesat advice needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 10:02 AM

.. just to add that the 2 of our HD Freeview recorders with in built Hard Drives are now unusable for recording
because mrs punkfolkrocker insists on recording entire seasons of new series
but never finds time to watch them,
and refuses to let me delete any to free up space...

I have given up trying to find ways of backing them up to external drives,
because they are either too slow and unreliable;
or disallow any transfer of recordings due to digital rights restrictions.

Subject: RE: Tech: UK Freesat advice needed
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 10:15 AM

Mr Red - PM sent on another related matter - :-)

Subject: RE: Tech: UK Freesat advice needed
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 10:19 AM

BTW - It is a dual LNB with two cables as it used to supply the signal for a Sky box originally :-) I am thinking of something like this with a high capacity USB stick attached. I can't recall if the TV has an HDMI port though so I need to check that out first.

Subject: RE: Tech: UK Freesat advice needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 10:55 AM

well... if it's only 15 quid....

Some years ago before the advent of HD I tried similar cheap freeview boxes that claimed to be UK compatible...

They worked fairly ok for a few months, but lacked any customer support.
So when the inevitable frequent channel lineup changes occurred,
they failed to keep up and retune to the new different broadcast frequencies..

So after much googling for any possible user hacks, had to be binned.

But at least while they were recording to USB sticks,
the recordings were not at all restricted to any obscure encoded proprietary file formats,
so would play back freely on any other device.

I guess satellite broadcasts should be less likely to change codecs and positions, etc, as often as freeview..

So if it's only 15 quid.....


Btw.. of course I still recomend the Humax as best budget Freesat tuner under 100 quid...

But I got mine with a 30 quid off voucher and 3 month interest free repayments from ISME.

Subject: RE: Tech: UK Freesat advice needed
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 10:14 AM

I PM'd you Mr Red but in case you don't pick it up I just said -

I seem to recall you posting something about a 1 or 2 Tb USB stick recently or did I dream it? If you did, have you tried it and do you have the details to hand?