It lists all the Freeview channels.
You can select what tuner it refers to (i.e. internal analogue or digital) in the Guideplus+ setup menu
You can select what tuner it refers to (i.e. internal analogue or digital) in the Guideplus+ setup menu
540HX Digi Tuner....is it Good?
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Originally Posted by Preston Baz:
“Can anybody tell me if the Pioneer 540HX digital tuner is good in weak to medium signal areas?”
“Can anybody tell me if the Pioneer 540HX digital tuner is good in weak to medium signal areas?”
in answer to the original question, the answer is yes! On Channel 5 (multiplex A, UHF channel 66 Winter Hill) I get a signal strength of only about 30% and a signal quality between 50% and 60%, but no break-ups at all, the picture is fine, whereas on my Thompson STB channel 5 was unwatchable most of the time.
I'm gonna get a new aeriel tomorrow though so I can make better use of the analogue tuner while recording from the freeview tuner
[quote=c_j_holt]I just got a 440HX last Thursday night and I am over the moon! Its fantastic.
I collected mine from a local store last Thursday. I am gradually trying out the simpler functions, but I have had to stop because my TV won't power up. (fortunately, it's still under guarantee). Has anyone tried Pause Live TV? I was surprised to read on p.65 of the Manual that it only works with the analogue tuner. I would think many people would consider this to be a disadvantage compared to Sky Plus. I don't know about other PVRs.
I collected mine from a local store last Thursday. I am gradually trying out the simpler functions, but I have had to stop because my TV won't power up. (fortunately, it's still under guarantee). Has anyone tried Pause Live TV? I was surprised to read on p.65 of the Manual that it only works with the analogue tuner. I would think many people would consider this to be a disadvantage compared to Sky Plus. I don't know about other PVRs.
From reading the manual, it seems that all it does is turn to the current TV channel and start recording (rather than being continuously recording like some PVRs).
In which case, you could achieve the same thing for a digital channel by switching the recorder to that channel and start recording, then press "Pause".
In which case, you could achieve the same thing for a digital channel by switching the recorder to that channel and start recording, then press "Pause".
Originally Posted by gregory:
“[Has anyone tried Pause Live TV? I was surprised to read on p.65 of the Manual that it only works with the analogue tuner. I would think many people would consider this to be a disadvantage compared to Sky Plus. I don't know about other PVRs.”
“[Has anyone tried Pause Live TV? I was surprised to read on p.65 of the Manual that it only works with the analogue tuner. I would think many people would consider this to be a disadvantage compared to Sky Plus. I don't know about other PVRs.”
If you use the "Pause Live TV" feature you are actually recording from the TV itself rather than from the internal freeview or analogue tuner. To record from one of the internal tuners you need to use the "Chase Play" feature.
Quote:
“quote from P65 of manual:
The Pause Live TV feature lets you effectively pause a TV program you’re watching. When you’re ready to resume watching, just press the Play button. To use this feature the recorder must be connected to your TV using a SCART cable, and the AV Link setting (page 133) should be set to
This Recorder Only. Not all TVs support this feature. Check the instructions that came with your TV if you’re not sure.”
“quote from P65 of manual:
The Pause Live TV feature lets you effectively pause a TV program you’re watching. When you’re ready to resume watching, just press the Play button. To use this feature the recorder must be connected to your TV using a SCART cable, and the AV Link setting (page 133) should be set to
This Recorder Only. Not all TVs support this feature. Check the instructions that came with your TV if you’re not sure.”
When my new TV arrives I personally do not intend to be using scart any more
Just had my 530 toasted by a lightning strike so looking to replace with the 540.
The 530 had an analogue tuner which I complemented with a STB. Does the 540 have just a digital tuner, or both analogue and digital, and can I still connect the STB ( to use the pass through feature to watch one prog whilst recording another )
Also, just to clarify an answer given above. If the 540 tuner is digital only, can I still update guideplus using the ITV digital signal. Don't have Sky so cannot access the Eurosport feed.
Many thanks for any help.
The 530 had an analogue tuner which I complemented with a STB. Does the 540 have just a digital tuner, or both analogue and digital, and can I still connect the STB ( to use the pass through feature to watch one prog whilst recording another )
Also, just to clarify an answer given above. If the 540 tuner is digital only, can I still update guideplus using the ITV digital signal. Don't have Sky so cannot access the Eurosport feed.
Many thanks for any help.
Hi
It has both analogue and digital tuners, you can also connect an external box to watch through.
Regards
Phil
It has both analogue and digital tuners, you can also connect an external box to watch through.
Regards
Phil
It may have two tuners/encoders, but if effectively can only use one at a time. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great box, but as Guideplus EPG download is coming to Freeview, I think I'll wait till someone pulls finger out and delivers a full 2 tuner solution using that.[/quote]
I am grateful for confirmation that with Guideplus and a Freeview Digibox you cannot watch one programme whilst recording another, as stated under Important on p.20 of the Manual. I would not want to use Guideplus for this reason; you can with EPG.
I have a problem with EPG - cancelling the Channel List or Channel Banner by pressing the RETURN/EXIT immediately gets me Channel 5 on the screen. To get back to the programme I was watching I have to switch the TV off and on again. Has any body had this problem?
I am grateful for confirmation that with Guideplus and a Freeview Digibox you cannot watch one programme whilst recording another, as stated under Important on p.20 of the Manual. I would not want to use Guideplus for this reason; you can with EPG.
I have a problem with EPG - cancelling the Channel List or Channel Banner by pressing the RETURN/EXIT immediately gets me Channel 5 on the screen. To get back to the programme I was watching I have to switch the TV off and on again. Has any body had this problem?
Originally Posted by gregory:
“I am grateful for confirmation that with Guideplus and a Freeview Digibox you cannot watch one programme whilst recording another, as stated under Important on p.20 of the Manual. I would not want to use Guideplus for this reason; you can with EPG.”
“I am grateful for confirmation that with Guideplus and a Freeview Digibox you cannot watch one programme whilst recording another, as stated under Important on p.20 of the Manual. I would not want to use Guideplus for this reason; you can with EPG.”
It's not really a problem with Guideplus as such, more a probelm with the extent the digital tuner was integrated in. It's been done so that u can have the 540hx as a freeview single tuner DVD recorder. Or u can set the box up to be a Guideplus( single external 'tuner') DVD recorder. You just can't use both at the same time.
Page 20 is just saying u have one tuner when u plug scart between cable and 540 so if your using it to record from, u can't watch another one at the same time.
I bet the Guideplus sw supplied by Gemstar can handle 2 tuners in some form or other, it's just that Pioneer didn't use it or there is some hardware prob that stopped it to do with the way video is shuffled around between inputs and outputs on the main board. And we'll probably never know now, as Pioneer are quitting the SD hard disk recorder business to concentrate on HD only. Darn.
But yup, roll on getting the Guideplus EPG data over freeview just so long as they still support cable box's coming in over scarts still and the two systems are properly integrated. Oh and I want my pigs to fly too....
Thank you AlcAm for your detailed reply to my comment on Guideplus. I now understand the reasons for the limitations I referred to.
I must say that when a review of the 540HX described the single tuner as a Freeview tuner, implying it to be a good feature, I was somewhat puzzled because many people would already have an STB to get Freeview.
Many thanks once again.
I must say that when a review of the 540HX described the single tuner as a Freeview tuner, implying it to be a good feature, I was somewhat puzzled because many people would already have an STB to get Freeview.
Many thanks once again.
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