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Which DVD recorders can be started by Sky digibox?


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Old 30-12-2005, 20:19
stoduk
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I am thinking of buying a DVD recorder/HDD combo (currently looking at either Sony RDR-HX510 or RDR-HXD710) - but will be doing all recording from my Sky Digibox (a Thompson model).

My VCR can be set into a "EXT LINK" mode where it will sit and wait to be told by the Digibox when it should start recording. [this avoids the need to set the timer on the VCR as well as the digibox EPG]

Does anyone know which DVD players also support this feature?

Thanks,
Anthony
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Old 30-12-2005, 22:19
Chris Simon
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Not sure, but I think it's only the Philips DVD/HDD recorders that can do this.

But there are other makes, noteably those with Guide Plus and an infra-red dongle, that can do it the other way around, i.e. you set the timer on the recorder and it wakes up the Sky box and changes the channel. The higher-end Pioneers can do this as well as the Philips, and I'm sure there are other models.

The disadvantage of the first method is that you are dependant on the sometimes dodgy operation of Autoview on the Sky box. Also, Autoview only turns on the VCR socket on the digibox, not the TV socket, so you must connect to the recorder via the VCR socket.

The disadvantage of the second method is that the infra-red dongle does not know whether the Sky box is in standby or not, so you run the risk of missing the first scheduled recording if you have a power cut that is subsequently restored or your digibox resets or you get a software update, or even all of your scheduled recordings if you have an old digibox that does not turn on with the first key press of the remote.

Also, the Guide Plus EPG does not carry all channel listings so, while it may be extremely useful for scheduling recordings for which it has listings, you might have to resort to programming the timer manually.

I don't know what facilities the Sony range have - try downloading the manuals to see what they offer.
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Old 31-12-2005, 09:06
leaky5
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Some of the Panasonic recorders will do this. I think they can be set up to record directly from the Sky personnal planner function.
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Old 31-12-2005, 09:36
not007
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I have a Panasonic DMR-EH60DEB and this can definitely be set so the AV2 becomes the EXT Link that allows the recording on/off to be controlled by a Sky Digibox. This unit has its own built in Freeview tuner and the results I get from using this are stunning, so Sky only needs to be used for none Freeview channels. Recording from the freeview programme planner is so easy. Cannot praise it too highly but it takes a bit of getting used to! Of course the Freeview quality depends on where you live etc.
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Old 03-01-2006, 20:00
MPH
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The HX510 has a facility called Syncho Rec that is supposed to start recording to the HDD/DVD when the Sky box is switched on or off. Having said that, I have a Pace Sky box, and Syncho Rec only works if I manually switch the Sky box on and off. I cannot get it to work with the Sky box timer, so it is currently as much use as a chocolate teapot. Not sure if you will have the same problem with a Thompson Sky box.
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Old 03-01-2006, 21:20
Chris Simon
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Originally Posted by MPH
The HX510 has a facility called Syncho Rec that is supposed to start recording to the HDD/DVD when the Sky box is switched on or off. Having said that, I have a Pace Sky box, and Syncho Rec only works if I manually switch the Sky box on and off. I cannot get it to work with the Sky box timer
Is the recorder connected to the Sky box via the Sky box's VCR SCART or TV SCART? I think Sky's Autoview only switches on the VCR socket so if you've got it connected to TV then it's not going to work.
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Old 03-01-2006, 22:54
Scorpio
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Originally Posted by Chris Simon
Is the recorder connected to the Sky box via the Sky box's VCR SCART or TV SCART? I think Sky's Autoview only switches on the VCR socket so if you've got it connected to TV then it's not going to work.
.....which means you lose RGB quality. Difficult decision - get Sky+, lol.

Rgds,
Scorp
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Old 04-01-2006, 22:04
avalonsatellite
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Actually, the Sony synchro record feature works if you run the scart lead from sky (tv scart) to Line 3 on the Sony recorder.

I should know as I install them enough - eh Scorpio (hope your well)?

Mat.
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Old 04-01-2006, 23:07
Scorpio
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Hi Mat - yes well, thank you. The old V1 is still performing faultlessly, never having experienced some of the woes suffered by some forum members.

Rgds,
Scorp
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