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New PVRs at Argos |
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#51 |
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Join Date: Dec 2007
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#52 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Norfolk
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I returned the Hitachi HD255 to Argos as It wasn't a patch on my old Alba ...thought i would buy the Humax at £139.99 as according to the catalogue in the shop it comes with HDMI connectivity ...WRONG its a printing error as it doesn't have HDMI (took it out of box in the shop and told them of the catalogue error.Forked out £179.99 for the Humax with the HDMI ..havn't got it home yet so can't comment on it .
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#53 |
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Join Date: Dec 2007
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Strange - there is very little technical difference between the Alba and the Hitachi, apart from the obvious compact redesign. I suppose it is too late to ask which software version the Hitachi had on it? (bearing in mind v1.6 has been on repeat OAD broadcast various times over the past few weeks)
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#54 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Norfolk
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The Hitachi kept missing recordings while the Alba has never missed any .I have a question which I hope you can help .Will having 2 PVR'S in my house cause an extra strain on the signal to one of the PVR'S ? I'm wondering if running 2 is the case of some of the problems ( I'm not very technical as you can gather) thanks ever so much for your advice so far.
I've yet to hear what software version the new Hitachi models shipped with, but it's possible they have an old version. Having been testing a T835 box for a while, I did have problems with missed initially, but the current software seems to have remedied that. |
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#55 |
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Thatcham, Hannington Transmitt
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I have a question which I hope you can help .Will having 2 PVR'S in my house cause an extra strain on the signal to one of the PVR'S ? I'm wondering if running 2 is the case of some of the problems ( I'm not very technical as you can gather) thanks ever so much for your advice so far.
You do have to aware of devices which have a low power standby mode as this can disable the RF feedthrough when this mode is used. Colin |
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#56 |
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Join Date: Mar 2003
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Well, we're still waiting for Argos to get some stocks of all these Vestel recorders :yawn:
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#57 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
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Well, we're still waiting for Argos to get some stocks of all these Vestel recorders :yawn:
![]() I've not seen the Hitachi design in the flesh, but from the photo I prefer that to the Bush style design, which I happen to have already. Granted the Hitachi only has a power button on the front panel, but I think I've only ever touched the extra 2 buttons on my T835 box once (to make sure they worked ).
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#58 |
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SW London, Crystal Palace Tx
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The power button is the only one I've touched on any of my PVRs
![]() Those words ("any of my PVRs") make me think: I don't know why I'm following Vestel developments so diligently, I'm surely fixed up for years to come - then I think "But I do so want a Vestel with 120s and 30s skips and Series Record". I'll be happy then parthena |
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#59 |
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bristol
Posts: 485
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What's the latest theory on these?
I've been asked to get a PVR for someone who has a T810, it's starting to have problems and their looking for dual record so makes sense to stick with a setup they know. Any info cheers. |
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#60 |
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SW London, Crystal Palace Tx
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I bought the T810 model as a refurb from eBay about 2 years ago, it's been converted into "dual record" and is trouble-free as long as I don't over-stress it. I hadn't been using it for some months but hooked it up again to record the long overnight Winter Olympics programmes, it's been flawless. I wonder what Futaura would advise to have a go at sorting out your "someone's" box. If it was a question of either doing something or ditching it, I'd format the drive, put on the v5.7 software (to future-proof it, and available for download on Futaura's site), and after a fresh first-time installation I'd delete all the unwanted channels, which helps the EPG to populate faster.
As for current models, quite a few different ones based on the same "system" have come out, with mixed success. The following reviews for one Hitachi Vesel model will give you an idea of how difficult it is to categorically recommend any one: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5322264/c_1/1|category_root|Home+entertainment+and+sat+nav|14419512/c_2/3|15701169|Digital+boxes+and+services|14419633/c_3/4|cat_14419633|Freeview+digital+TV+recorders|14419636.htm#tabrev (Argos links to reviews don't come alive, I don't know if you can copy & paste that into your address bar.) Note one reviewer's remark about Sagem; Humax and others brands suffer their own shortcomings. That's just a start ... and I stand to be corrected, as usual.parthena |
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#61 |
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Join Date: Mar 2003
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I've now got a Hitachi HDR 165 version 2.2 software (built 29-12-2009), so i'll see how it goes, and report back in a few days.
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#62 |
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bristol
Posts: 485
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Just picked up T835 branded as a Luxor DVR840 from Asda. It has a 250GB HDD and was £97
On the side of the box it has SW Vr 0_10 and dated 10/09. Not sure how this info holds up against the current T835's doing the rounds? |
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#63 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2,103
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Not sure if it is the same v0.10 that I used during testing, but mine only had a single favourites list (not 4) and the info button on now/next didn't bring up programme info. Unfortunately you missed out on the v1.6 OAD, but maybe it will be repeated soon, or better still Vestel will update the software further (it needs it!).
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#64 |
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Unfortunately you missed out on the v1.6 OAD, but maybe it will be repeated soon, or better still Vestel will update the software further (it needs it!).
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#65 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2,103
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What was the stability of the box like? The two issue's you've mentioned aren't something that will effect the person who we bought this for.
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#66 |
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Lancs @FY8
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Sorry futaura i didn't make a note of the model numbers , but i saw
2 Ferguson PVRs both T835s at my local Comet recently. The 500Gb , which was on display , was priced @ 129.99 and the 250Gb whcih was boxed nearby gave price of 119.99 when "swiped" by a shop assistant. Sorry no more info. Grey |
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#67 |
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,753
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Generally happy with the new box, my comments are mainly a comparison with the original Digihome PVR80.
[LIST][*]The boxes looks good, the black is a shiny plastic coating. [*]There is more processing power and memory but you get the feeling the amount of processing in the background causes a less responsive operation sometimes. [*] The darker blue on screen display is easier on the eyes, the picture is better since a misalignment of colours which was present on the PVR80 is corrected. [*]There is only an standby button on the front. It does NOT perform a reset when held in for a few seconds, so any crashes require a power switch off. [*]The front display is a 4-digit LED. Channel number is displayed as 0001, I think P__1 would be better. The time is displayed in standby, and an hour/minute counter during playback. [*]The function of the PR+/- buttons in the Guide, Channel List, Library and Timers have been reversed, so PR- pages down the list and PR+ pages up the list. This Page Up/Down function isn't mentioned in the manual, but I use it all the time. [*]The use of Favourites is slightly different. Firstly, there is only one Favourites list, the PVR80 had five, but one is fine. The EPG shows ALL channels, the Channel List only shows the favourites. My PVR80 was the other way round, EPG showed favourites, Channel List showed all. Consequently I don't bother with favourites and just delete channels so the EPG is tidier. Probably speeds things up too. [*]The EPG is usually fully populated which is a great improvement on the old box. [*]Automatic Channel Scan/Retune deletes all Timers, which is understandable but the PVR80 didn't do it. [*] When you play a programme from the Library, the TV picture and sound come up for a split second, which is a glitch they should sort out. [*] Management of what happens when a recording is due and you have to do something like end come out of PIP, seems to work fine. [*] The INFO button no longer brings up detailed information of the Now and Next programmes, so you have to wait for the guide. [*]The series link system is fine once you work out it's limitations. 1) For instance, if you record a show, watch it and delete it, and a repeat is shown, it will be recorded. 2) If you want to record the Simpsons on C4+1, to avoid recording 2 programmes at 6pm, you can't, it will record the first instance of a programme.[/LIST] |
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#68 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2,103
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[*]There is more processing power and memory but you get the feeling the amount of processing in the background causes a less responsive operation sometimes.
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[*]There is only an standby button on the front. It does NOT perform a reset when held in for a few seconds, so any crashes require a power switch off.
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[*]The function of the PR+/- buttons in the Guide, Channel List, Library and Timers have been reversed, so PR- pages down the list and PR+ pages up the list. This Page Up/Down function isn't mentioned in the manual, but I use it all the time.
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[*]The use of Favourites is slightly different. Firstly, there is only one Favourites list, the PVR80 had five, but one is fine. The EPG shows ALL channels, the Channel List only shows the favourites. My PVR80 was the other way round, EPG showed favourites, Channel List showed all. Consequently I don't bother with favourites and just delete channels so the EPG is tidier. Probably speeds things up too.
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[*] When you play a programme from the Library, the TV picture and sound come up for a split second, which is a glitch they should sort out.
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[*] The INFO button no longer brings up detailed information of the Now and Next programmes, so you have to wait for the guide.
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#69 |
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 122
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[*]The front display is a 4-digit LED. Channel number is displayed as 0001
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[*] The INFO button no longer brings up detailed information of the Now and Next programmes, so you have to wait for the guide.
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[*] When you play a programme from the Library, the TV picture and sound come up for a split second, which is a glitch they should sort out.
Pete |
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#70 |
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 3
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Luxor DVR840
Hi,
I've just purchased and set up the Luxor DVR840 from Asda (one of the new T835 clones, according to Futaura's handy site) for the in-laws, since as of last night their analogue has been switched off (Mendip) and no-one had explained to them that their VCR would no longer work... However, out of the box, it's running version 0.10 of the software, which, from the link above is the oldest version that has a few limitations compared with my T816 clone and, from a quick search these appear to have been resolved in later versions. I wonder if anyone (e.g. Futaura!) knows whether we can expect further OAD broadcasts of 1.6 or later software in the near future and, if not, whether there are any details of the update-via-SCART method that I would be able to follow, and where the software can be obtained online? Are there any details of the differences between 1.6 and 2.2? Many thanks, trogit |
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#71 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2,103
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There is not a lot of difference between v0.10 and v1.9 to be honest. I've seen the changelog covering v1.2 to v1.6 and most changes are relatively minor and the descriptions so techie it would be pointless posting them even if I was allowed to. If your v0.10 is the same build as the one I tested, the main difference is that it was built with different options - e.g. just one favourites lists, info button doesn't bring up extended info, etc.
I think we have to wait until Vestel sort out the T825 OADs first, but I would not be surprised if either the T835 v1.6 update was repeated again or a newer version. I'm currently using v1.9 which is essentially not really any different to v1.6. I'm keen to find out what has changed in v2.2 and if they have improved responsiveness, but again I'm waiting on the T825 OAD situation to be resolved before hassling Vestel about that. If Vestel give me permission to make software builds available to download and release schematics for the SCART->RS232 mapping, I'll do so. But in the meantime, lets hope for an OAD .Are there any particular problems with v0.10 that you're not happy about? |
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#72 |
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 122
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Quote:
I wonder if anyone (e.g. Futaura!) knows whether we can expect further OAD broadcasts of 1.6 or later software in the near future and, if not, whether there are any details of the update-via-SCART method that I would be able to follow, and where the software can be obtained online?
Regarding the SCART connections, it is no big secret. Vestel have used the SCART to carry a serial connection on other products. The pinout is published in the user guide for the Vestel-manufactured Goodmans GDB4. See Appendix B for a diagram. Details here: http://www.goodmans.co.uk/content/ug...language=en-GB (I am making the assumption that the T835 uses the same pins but it would be crazy for Vestel to use different pins on different products and besides, there aren't that many unused pins on a SCART connector to choose from.) You would of course need to make up a custom cable to connect to a 9-way D-type. Pete |
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#73 |
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Are there any particular problems with v0.10 that you're not happy about?
Does the info on the EPG screen 'stick' in 1.6, the same as it does in the T816 software (rather than disappearing as soon as you move selection)? I think next time I'm down I'll cut out a number of channels they're never likely to use, as I think someone mentioned this speeds up the EPG etc., although it would be nice to do that via Favourites rather than having to delete them, ideally (just because the in-laws won't watch Dave or E4, doesn't mean us lot won't!) Cheers, trogit |
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#74 |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2,103
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Quote:
Regarding the SCART connections, it is no big secret. Vestel have used the SCART to carry a serial connection on other products. The pinout is published in the user guide for the Vestel-manufactured Goodmans GDB4. See Appendix B for a diagram. Details here:
http://www.goodmans.co.uk/content/ug...language=en-GB (I am making the assumption that the T835 uses the same pins but it would be crazy for Vestel to use different pins on different products and besides, there aren't that many unused pins on a SCART connector to choose from.) |
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#75 |
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Join Date: Apr 2010
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Hi - would appreciate some advice please.
My mother has one of the infamous Humax 9200 PVRs which is now all but unusable. I have been following the Humax thread on here for some time but the technical advice is way over my head. We have therefore decided to throw in the towel with the Humax and replace it with one of these Digihome variants from Argos. Their latest May offers leaflet has the Alba as £79.99, £20.00 cheaper than the Hitachi. However, the Alba is not in the main catalogue so I am thinkiing it may be old stock. I have read on here about the different versions of software on these PVRs. My question is should I go for the Alba which may have an old version of the software or would it be safer to spend the extra £20 on the Hitachi? I don't want to repace one set of problems with another. |
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