Can help you with a couple of your "neg points".

Press "Timer" and it will display a list of shows that you plan to record.

Signal Strenth is in manual tuning.

Thanks for the info, very useful! I knew they would be there somewhere Like I said, I haven't fiddled about with it much

hi guys with the software upgrade that allows you to record 2 programs at once is it still possable to watch a 3rd program while recording 2 (like you can with the humax)?

Unfortunately, not, no. I guess you mean live tv, with a channel on the same mux as one of the recordings. Of course, you can watch a previous recording while recording 2 programmes.

Yes i did mean live tv.
Was looking at getting the Durabrand DPVR801 from asda for my parents and thought about upgrading the software.

So whats the general view on this machine is it good or not so good?

I have the humax 9200t and love it.

Isn't this one of the T816 clones. If so, its a genuine twin record and no reason to upgrade the software. Check the white abel on the side on the packaging for T816 within the model number.

Oh not sure will have to look when i get into asda, but i guess it's still the case you cant record 2 programs and watch live tv at the same time?

Yes, unfortunately (you can only watch either of the two channels that are recording). I will be suggesting this feature to Vestel in the future, but I figure they're busy enough with all the issues currently reported, and plus they are working on Freeview Playback Group 2 support at the moment (e.g. series link).

I'm not familiar with the Durabrand model numbers, but as said, do make sure you don't get an old T810 single record model - it's not worth the hassle upgrading it with twin record software, which has its drawbacks anyway. Software for these models is not developed anymore, so bugs have to be put up with. Probably the Durabrand is a T816 anyway, and you're much better off with that, since it is tehnically a better machine for various reasons, and software updates will come for the T816 in the future.

Hi everyone.

I have only breifly glanced through this thread, and hence I might have missed information already provided. So sorry if this is just a repeat.

The Asda 'Dual' Digihome clone is a T810 based hardware system. ie, it is the 'older' single record model, and necer has been record two channels at once (unless you use the 'bootleg' firmware available from the web). Although this was a good model, the main thing I disliked about it, was the black band which appears at the bottom on some tv screens!

This has been fixed in the newer T816 hardware. The Digihome is now known as the DTR80, and has also appeared as a number of clones. Argos alone sells Digihome, Hitatchi (itself a clone of the previous Sharp box), and Wharfedale (the latter supposadly adding HDMI upscaling - when available!!!). Asda T816 is now badged as the Onn make of box, and I am not sure as to it's price. However, both the Digihome from Argos, and a Tesco's Techwood version, both retail at only £85 anyway. Thus, to still pay £80 for an 'old' PVR80 seems a tad steep to me.

Also, the last firmware update given out for the PVR80 was version 5.3, not 4.7. I think it would be better to go for a newer DTR box, rather than just save £5 and not have anymore firmware updates for the hardware! If a 160GB version is required, the Hitachi basic model with 160GB drive, is only £99. Well worth the extra perhaps. Even better still, it might be worth the wait for an HDMI model. However, Argos have ceased to give out possible delivary dtaes on the unit, so when it will appear is anyone's guesse at the moment. Vestel say the problem has been resolved, but the boxes havn't appeared as yet.

Again, apologies if this post is a total waste of space, time, reading, etc.

Kind regards to all.

Tim Peel (Nottingham).

Going by the following thread, the Evesham DTR250 might be a good alternative.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=670469

It is apparently a T816 clone and is just £99 on the Evesham site. That seems to be the cheapest price for a 250MB true dual record machine.

http://www.evesham.com/products/info...D-5CC112701BC5

Anyone seen anything better? I'm tempted to retire my T810 box to my parents and upgrade to one of these.

That would require THREE tuners I think the Humax allows you to record two and watch live, but only on the same Mux as one of the recordings... or is that the Topfield?

parthena

Looked today and they're the T810 model not the T816.
Also wnet to tesco and the techwood is T816 so looks like i'll be going for it.

thanks for all the advise

You may need to look on the PVR itself - I am sure I've seen that someone bought one which was marked T810 on the outer box but turned out to be T816.

parthena

The Tech Specs on the Evesham site state that this machine has 32mb of DDRRAM. I thought that all the T816 machines had 64mb compared with 32mb for the T810 models. This would make this a T810 machine. However, they do state that it is Freeview Playback with twin tuners to watch one channel and record another but do not mention recording two channels at the same time. Maybe they have just omitted to mention it. I may contact Evesham for clarification. If this is a true T816 machine with 250 GB it does seem good value at £99

Another ponderable is what sort of service Evesham will provide as regards to OTA updates for this machine.

I am now even more confused than before! I have been following the Digihome threads for some time looking for a replacement for my trusty Humax PVR800t and I seem to be no nearer an answer!

Hi Rich-h.

This sounds like a T810, as the same statement to be able to record one channel and watch another was made for the PVR80/160, but neglected to add about dual record, which it couldn't do (unless using the 'bootleg' firmware).

Indeed, the T810 only had 32MB DDRAM, which is why it couldn't dual record successfully. It might be an idea to email Evesham to ask what firmware version the box comes with, as this will be a 'give away' as to the hardware model. Vestel provide all the OADs, but there has been some discussion as to whether some updates are aimed at specific models at a particular time or not. It is also thought that there won't be any more updates for the T810 hardware, as it is no longer supported.

Having said all the above, it is strange that a T810 caould handle a 250GB HDD, as there has been previous threads stateing that there is an upper 160GB HDD limit, which cannot be got around by the older hardware. This would mean it would have to be the T816 hardware to accept a 250GB HDD, in which case, £99 is unbelievably cheap!

Maybe, it is just that the previous details havn't been updated correctly for the newer model. I will have to navigate myself to look at the site myself shortly. Got to go now though, to make Mum a drink, and make her bed for her!:yawn:

Tim P.

That's what I thought but in the other thread (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=670469) someone said that they had emailed Evesham who had confirmed it was a T816 machine. As Tim suggested, getting the firmware version from Evesham would both confirm the model and clarify if it is true dual record.

It is a worry, though, that there may be different branches of the T816 firmware. Who knows which make/model is most likely to get updates! At least with the T810 boxes, all the varieties got the same upgrade.

I'm 99.9% sure that all T816 boxes have 64Mb dram, and likewise the T816 firmware requires this. Vestel led me to believe that this was the primary reason that twin record software was never released for the T810 boxes (32Mb).

Thanks Tim P and others for your replies. I have emailed Evesham Technical Support for clarification and will post their reply as soon as it is received.

Rich

In the other thread covering the Evesham box (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...php?p=18586874) someone has bought one and has confirmed (a) that it is true dual record and (b) that it is T816 based.

Now all we need to know is how up to date (or not) the firmware is.

Hi
The firmware for the Evesham is 3.7. on the packaging label it says 10/10 T816 Is that any help

Thanks chrisy 2001.

On that basis I ordered one yesterday and it was delivered this morning. Excellent service plus free delivery.

I also received a reply from Evesham as follows:-

"Thank you for your email.

In response to your inquiry about Evesham DTR250, I am happy to advise as follows:

The Evesham DTR250 has Version 37 software installed on the T816 based machine.

We have it confirmed by our Research and Development department that the manufacturers Vestel have not committed to any future firmware upgrades.

I hope that helps

Please do not hesitate to contact us via email if we can be of any further assistance.

Regards,

Internet Sales | Evesham Technology"


I also can confirm that it is a T816 machine with 3.7

The companies producing these boxes are obviously at the mercy of Vestel regarding any firmware upgrades. We will find out just how good Vestel are if and when 'series link' becomes available under Freeview Playback. (Don't hold your breath!)

Meanwhile, I can advise that the Evesham is performing well so far. Just a couple of minor gripes re the EPG and timer/event settings which, of course, will apply to all the T816 3.7 machines.

Entering text to search for a specific program in the EPG is very clunky compared to the Humax which has a virtual keyboard and searches seem to take forever.

When editing an event which has been scheduled via the EPG to add some manual padding the program title is lost and replaced by the channel details. This is a real pain when wanting to do a quick check on the timer schedule to see what is due and all you can see are the channels. The old Humax PVR8000T retains the program title. Hopefully,when I have a bit more confidence in event recording, I won't feel the need to add manual padding.

Overall, then, I reckon the Evesham is great value at £99.99 and free delivery compared to the other Vestel T816 boxes around at the moment and the minor gripes above would not have stopped me buying one. In fact I will give it a week to see how it performs and then probably buy another for my Daughter. It should certainly keep me going until the manufacturers finally come up with a decent HDD/DVD Recorder Freewiew box with twin tuners.

Rich

I also ordered one yesterday and am expecting delivery on Monday. I also asked exactly the same questions by email, but only had a reply saying that they had referred the questions on. I then both phoned and also later used their online communications - both told me what I did not want to hear. i.e. not T816 and firmware unknown. I was able to get the information I needed from this forum in the end, though it looks like you managed to get your email passed to someone reliable at Evesham.

Do all of the machines being mentioned in this thread have tha ability to autopad a scheduled recording.
kas

No. All the ones with Freeview Playback firmware (which is most of them) support accurate recording only, with no ability to autopad, since in theory there is no need for it. Of course, in reality it's a different matter because only the BBC channels support accurate recording reliably at the moment.

How ridiculous is that then?
I am looking to get a PVR for my elderly parents and it would appear none of the current models have autopadding. If only BBC are playing the game with accurate what happens to recordings on all other channels are we just supposed to accept that we will miss the end if it runs a few minutes late (rant over). My folks will not be pleased with that.
I think i am right in asying that my Humax (9200T) with latest software has both (either to use or turn off)!
Anyone know of a box around the £100 mark that will suit my folks and do autopadding.