Can anyone recommend any Dual Satellite Input PVR Freesat+ receivers that utilise EXTERNAL Disk rather than the internal disk of the Humax Forsat HDD .. reason is solely price .. and also flexibility .. I have a need to record on one receiver and playback on either of another 2 .. so cost becomes an issue with 3 recording receivers and also I want to be able to essentially pick TV to view any given recording on.

Spec of Humax seems fine .. just expensive because of fixed disk naturally enough.

appreciate the real world experience ..Mike

To get a twin tuner HD satellite pvr ready box you will need to look at generic fta boxes (Likely to be more expensive anyway than a Foxsat-hdr)

Probably any of the Linux receivers will do what you want.
e.g. Clarke-Tech/Xtrend ET9200 or Vu+ Duo. Both can run Vix which is a good UK based version of Linux.

If you have two boxes, receiver A can display programmes on receiver B's hard drive, and vice versa. Alternatively both receivers could write to a NAS. But there is a limit to the number of HD streams you can pass round a home network.

These boxes will also make scheduled recordings of Non Freesat channels on Astra2 and Astra1 or any other 'visible' satellite.

I'd use one recorder plus a home network (e.g. DLNA to compatible TVs or media boxes) or old school RF modulation (i.e. distribution via TV aerial cable).

I've set up both for people: Humax box plus network hack, Echostar box plus RF modulator.

Both solutions work, but both come with their own restrictions. RF is SD only, can only watch one recording at once, need magic eyes + remotes to control STB from other room. Network hack has compatibility issues with some TVs + devices, and needs a home network (wireless won't plug in to the Humax).

Swapping HDD(s) around the house sounds like the worst of all possible solutions. I bet you'll end up scheduling recordings on a STB while the HDD is elsewhere.

If you want to carry something around the house, the Humax will copy programmes onto a USB stick or external HDD for you. It's quite slow though. If you intend to use Humax files with a TV (either through DLNA or USB) check compatibility. Sony TVs especially seem not to like them.


As others have said, if you don't need the Freesat EPG etc, then there's a world of equipment available to you - but not necessarily cheap, and not that easy to use without an EPG.

Cheers,
David.

David - Machare -grahamlthompson

Many thanks to all for response. It is appreciated. I will take it then that there is no obvious Freesat+ ( with Freesat EPG support ) dual receiver with offboard disk ..

David .. is there any spec or technical way of validating compatibility with USB files form Humax being viewable for playback on a PVR enabled TV's USB port ? ( other than buying/trying ?

Mike

See google search for "foxsat compatible clients" you'll find another forum thread that tells you what devices you can connect over network to Humax Freesat recorder. I use a media streamer upstairs - an AC Ryan PlayOn HD mini, it connects over the network directly to the Foxsat recorder. Other people are using games machines and hacked apple TV's.

I know of no TVs that can connect direct to it, due to the format of the recording.

Have a play

Short HD clip (not encrypted)

http://www.4shared.com/file/5R_A812B...0305_1140.html

Short SD Clip

http://www.4shared.com/file/PAGt-kWR...1113_1502.html

Both from a Foxsat-hdr.

You will have a better chance using a media player rather than trying to play back on a TV's usb port.