Which HD PVR?

Missy Moo · 12-07-2012, 10:54

I've cancelled my subscription to Sky so in the market for a replacement for my Sky+ dish. Freeview isn't an option due to poor reception.

It looks like a Freesat HD PVR is what I need and I've narrowed it down to :

Samsung SMT-S7800

or

EchoStar HDS-600RS

Specs, prices and reviews seem quite similar. I have a Samsung TV which makes me favour the Samsung box; the Slingbox feature is nice but I don't travel so much to make that feature anymore than a nice bonus but not a gamechanger.

Any thoughts or alternative suggestions? Cheers

grahamlthompson · 12-07-2012, 11:17

You need to look in the Freesat+ threads.

Of the two the Echostar looks to be by far the better option.

Read the later entries here

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...452462&page=65

Lots of Echostar Threads in same place. They currently have a problem with series recording.

Add the Foxsat-hdr to your list. Especially if you use the customised firmware options.

call100 · 12-07-2012, 11:26

Another one that's well worth considering. At the top of the game when it comes to PVR's...Humax FoxSat

Deacon1972 · 12-07-2012, 11:37

You could have kept the basic package from Sky and kept recording features, that's if cancelling wasn't based on saving money in the long run.

If you have a HD box you would have access to Chan 5HD which I believe Freesat HD does not carry. In addition to that, if circumstances change in the future you can add further channels just by picking up the phone.

If you only have a Sky + box you will benefit from a Freesat HD PVR providing you have a HD ready TV.

Missy Moo · 12-07-2012, 15:05

Thanks for the feedback. Sorry, didn't realise there was a FreeSat+ thread. I'll repost this over there (don't know how to move it!)

The Humax is tempting but £40 more that the other 2 - is it worth the extra?

grahamlthompson · 12-07-2012, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy Moo

Thanks for the feedback. Sorry, didn't realise there was a FreeSat+ thread. I'll repost this over there (don't know how to move it!)

The Humax is tempting but £40 more that the other 2 - is it worth the extra?

Depends on what features you may use.

Samsung lacks any sort of manual recording timers - a major snag in my opinion.

Foxsat has archiving to usb so SD recordings can easily be transferred to a PC. (HD ones are also possible with a workaround).

Foxsat has itv player and netflix on demand services. You will have to check with the other pvr owners about these. It doesn't of course have slingbox capabilty. It's said to have a slower UI than the newer boxes.

Foxsat has a customised firmware that gives you access to the box using a webbrowser.

This gives quite a few clever extra features.

Examples of few.

Direct access to the hard disc files.

Being able to access fta channels not on the Freesat epg without leaving Freesat mode (manual timers for these can be set).

Streaming of recordings to your network

A remote control with shortcut icons and programmeable macro buttons so you can reduce commonly used key sequences to a single button.

A customisable view epg on your browser.

chrisjr · 12-07-2012, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy Moo

Thanks for the feedback. Sorry, didn't realise there was a FreeSat+ thread. I'll repost this over there (don't know how to move it!)

The Humax is tempting but £40 more that the other 2 - is it worth the extra?

For future reference the way to move a thread is to "alert" your opening post and in the comments box ask the mods to move it to whatever forum you think it should be in.

Opening the same thread in multiple forums can cause some confusion as people reply to one or the other. So can get messy trying to work out an answer to the problem.

call100 · 12-07-2012, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy Moo

Thanks for the feedback. Sorry, didn't realise there was a FreeSat+ thread. I'll repost this over there (don't know how to move it!)

The Humax is tempting but £40 more that the other 2 - is it worth the extra?

Yes. IMO it is worth the extra.....I have the Freeview version and it's performed faultlessly.

grahamlthompson · 12-07-2012, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by call100

Yes. IMO it is worth the extra.....I have the Freeview version and it's performed faultlessly.

To be absolutely fair, the Freeview box is a different generation box so comparisons don't really mean much.

call100 · 12-07-2012, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

To be absolutely fair, the Freeview box is a different generation box so comparisons don't really mean much.

I didn't compare them....I couldn't I only have one. I used 'IMO' and that was based on the reliability of my Humax.

grahamlthompson · 13-07-2012, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by call100

I didn't compare them....I couldn't I only have one. I used 'IMO' and that was based on the reliability of my Humax.

You deduced that because your Humax box has proved reliable that other models made by Humax must be the same and so worth the extra cash. So yes you made a comparison in the reliability stakes. As it happens my Foxsat-hdr has proven to be equally reliable. Humax like all other makers have been known to make kit that proved to be rubbish.

Their range of TV's with integrated DVD players weren't very good and the Freeview-HD boxes are much much better than the 9150/9300 SD pvrs.

12-07-2012, 10:54	#1
Missy Moo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 457	Which HD PVR? I've cancelled my subscription to Sky so in the market for a replacement for my Sky+ dish. Freeview isn't an option due to poor reception. It looks like a Freesat HD PVR is what I need and I've narrowed it down to : Samsung SMT-S7800 or EchoStar HDS-600RS Specs, prices and reviews seem quite similar. I have a Samsung TV which makes me favour the Samsung box; the Slingbox feature is nice but I don't travel so much to make that feature anymore than a nice bonus but not a gamechanger. Any thoughts or alternative suggestions? Cheers

12-07-2012, 11:17	#2
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	You need to look in the Freesat+ threads. Of the two the Echostar looks to be by far the better option. Read the later entries here http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...452462&page=65 Lots of Echostar Threads in same place. They currently have a problem with series recording. Add the Foxsat-hdr to your list. Especially if you use the customised firmware options.

12-07-2012, 11:26	#3
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	Another one that's well worth considering. At the top of the game when it comes to PVR's...Humax FoxSat

12-07-2012, 11:37	#4
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	You could have kept the basic package from Sky and kept recording features, that's if cancelling wasn't based on saving money in the long run. If you have a HD box you would have access to Chan 5HD which I believe Freesat HD does not carry. In addition to that, if circumstances change in the future you can add further channels just by picking up the phone. If you only have a Sky + box you will benefit from a Freesat HD PVR providing you have a HD ready TV.

12-07-2012, 15:05	#5
Missy Moo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 457	Thanks for the feedback. Sorry, didn't realise there was a FreeSat+ thread. I'll repost this over there (don't know how to move it!) The Humax is tempting but £40 more that the other 2 - is it worth the extra?

12-07-2012, 15:23	#6
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	Quote: Originally Posted by Missy Moo Thanks for the feedback. Sorry, didn't realise there was a FreeSat+ thread. I'll repost this over there (don't know how to move it!) The Humax is tempting but £40 more that the other 2 - is it worth the extra? Depends on what features you may use. Samsung lacks any sort of manual recording timers - a major snag in my opinion. Foxsat has archiving to usb so SD recordings can easily be transferred to a PC. (HD ones are also possible with a workaround). Foxsat has itv player and netflix on demand services. You will have to check with the other pvr owners about these. It doesn't of course have slingbox capabilty. It's said to have a slower UI than the newer boxes. Foxsat has a customised firmware that gives you access to the box using a webbrowser. This gives quite a few clever extra features. Examples of few. Direct access to the hard disc files. Being able to access fta channels not on the Freesat epg without leaving Freesat mode (manual timers for these can be set). Streaming of recordings to your network A remote control with shortcut icons and programmeable macro buttons so you can reduce commonly used key sequences to a single button. A customisable view epg on your browser.

12-07-2012, 15:53	#7
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by Missy Moo Thanks for the feedback. Sorry, didn't realise there was a FreeSat+ thread. I'll repost this over there (don't know how to move it!) The Humax is tempting but £40 more that the other 2 - is it worth the extra? For future reference the way to move a thread is to "alert" your opening post and in the comments box ask the mods to move it to whatever forum you think it should be in. Opening the same thread in multiple forums can cause some confusion as people reply to one or the other. So can get messy trying to work out an answer to the problem.

12-07-2012, 22:32	#8
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	Quote: Originally Posted by Missy Moo Thanks for the feedback. Sorry, didn't realise there was a FreeSat+ thread. I'll repost this over there (don't know how to move it!) The Humax is tempting but £40 more that the other 2 - is it worth the extra? Yes. IMO it is worth the extra.....I have the Freeview version and it's performed faultlessly.

12-07-2012, 23:19	#9
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	Quote: Originally Posted by call100 Yes. IMO it is worth the extra.....I have the Freeview version and it's performed faultlessly. To be absolutely fair, the Freeview box is a different generation box so comparisons don't really mean much.

12-07-2012, 23:44	#10
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	Quote: Originally Posted by grahamlthompson To be absolutely fair, the Freeview box is a different generation box so comparisons don't really mean much. I didn't compare them....I couldn't I only have one. I used 'IMO' and that was based on the reliability of my Humax.

13-07-2012, 10:07	#11
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	Quote: Originally Posted by call100 I didn't compare them....I couldn't I only have one. I used 'IMO' and that was based on the reliability of my Humax. You deduced that because your Humax box has proved reliable that other models made by Humax must be the same and so worth the extra cash. So yes you made a comparison in the reliability stakes. As it happens my Foxsat-hdr has proven to be equally reliable. Humax like all other makers have been known to make kit that proved to be rubbish. Their range of TV's with integrated DVD players weren't very good and the Freeview-HD boxes are much much better than the 9150/9300 SD pvrs.

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Which HD PVR?