I'm considering getting a Sony HXD-890 or Panasonic EX-768 HD/DVD recorder to replace my Pana VHS recorder. I'll be using it with a Virgin cable box (as well as the onboard Freeview).

I've seen reports that the Sony 890 has two different EPGs. Can anyone explain what that means? I'm interested because I did read some reports of the Pana EPG being poor.

Also, can the Sony link directly to my Virgin box in a way that makes recording easier by 'using' the Virgin info?

Thanks in advance: I really appreciate the impartial advice here.

The two epgs are the Guideplus epg and the Digital epg.
As you intend to connect your cable stb,then you can use the Guideplus epg,and get 7 day listings,and it will allow one button epg recording,padding,daily recording etc,from your cable stb,and works perfectly fine with Virgin media stb's,even to the extent of changing the channel for recording.

Thanks Duniya.

What's the difference between guideplus epg and digital epg?

Also, how does the Virgin box know what to do? Are you saying you just set up the scart connections and it will know what you want to record by the settings you make in the guideplus?

Seeing as a Freesat HD PVR is looking beyond my reach for Xmas, I too am considering a Sony HDD recorder, mainly to condense two boxes into one!

Just wondered if anyone knows if the hard drive upgrade is a possibility and whether there is any issue recording from Sky digiboxes?

Would also be useful if the DVD player was region-freeable.

HI
i have had the hxd890 for a year now

great machine

records from sky hd+ box no problem

it can be made region free by purchase of a remote control device which i have done

unsure of the hdd upgrade options

hope this helps

jh

Just to repeat my questions, in case TV Duniya or anyone else can help:

On the Sony 890, what's the difference between Guideplus epg and digital epg?

Also, how does the plugged-in Virgin box know what to do? Does one just set up the scart connections and the Virgin box will know what you want to record by the settings you make on the Sony in the Guideplus?

Now I've re-read the posts you can ignore the following. The Sony must have something like i-Link where you put in an STB code and it 'follows the lead' of the V box.


I've decided on a 790, as the hard drive can be upgraded to 500GB or 1TB, depending on how brave you are.

Generally speaking, I'd say you have this the wrong way around. The Sony EPG will be used to set recordings on the Sony.

Your Virgin box (and I've no idea how this works never having had one), I'd assume is an STB with VOD (a little like my Tiscali box), so it will have an output to record from (VCR SCART).

When you set the Virgin box on a timer (from Standby) the Sony will have a mode where it 'wakes up' to record the STB input. So, I'd assume the Virgin box will be where you'll set your Virgin record settings and the Sony will be independent (recording Freeview).

On kit I've had before, this type of 'sleep timer' is exclusive to internal timer events, so you might not be able to do both at the same time.

Hope this helps and is what you meant.
Last edited by winactive : 27-11-2008 at 09:11

Thanks Winactive, but I think I'm more puzzled than ever by all that. Can anyone clarify?

The Guideplus epg is transmitted via analogue teletext,(usually ITV 1 (analogue)or Eurosport(satellite)whereas the digital epg is transmitted via DTT,and is similar to what is found on most DTT(Freeview)stb's.
If you click the link,in my first reply,the Guideplus epg and functions are fully explained.
The Sony Guideplus models come with an IR transmitter called the G-Link,which controls your external stb,whether that is a Sky digibox,Cable stb or free to air satellite receiver.
You then set up your recordings,from your stb(cable/satellite),via the Guideplus epg,which has 7 day listings which are downloaded twice a day,when the Sony is in standby(6.58PM and 3.00AM)

Thanks Duniya, that's very helpful. I did have a look a the link in your earlier post, but your explanation is clearer.

That sounds good - I picked up my RDRHXD790 today, set it up in about 15 minutes while I was doing something else - picked the wrong EPG - hehe RTFM!!!

I was then wodering how it would pick up the Sky box settings, but reading this it all makes sense!! Will try when I get back to the machine maybe tomorrow, I will hardly be spending a lot of time with it, so it needs to 'just work'.

Glad things have moved on - the Sony seems to have a large and complex menu, it seems fussy but I think it might just be me getting old! LOL

There's no input for my Tiscali box! Thought it would be a SCART in, but it seems it only has one SCART in - and the Sky box is in there for Setanta.
Last edited by winactive : 29-11-2008 at 22:58

If you have an external aerial,then that is the recommended route for the Guideplus epg via Analogue ITV 1.
Connect the aerial,in to the Digital IN,then connect a RF cable from Digital OUT to Analogue IN.
Only if you don't have an external aerial,then use the Sky digibox (connectd via scart),set to Eurosport(ch:410)
As for the Tiscali stb,you'll have to connect it at the front,to the RCA inputs behind the drop down flap.

Digital out loops to the telly for the on-board FV.

Guideplus via ITV will be no good in 3 years

I guess seeing as I have the Sky digi by SCART, I could update that way. Is there any reason why it is Eurosport? And will it work seeing as I'm FTA/FTV anyway? (Eurosport is not in my channel package - although if it is on Eurobird, will it update via Setanta?)

you could buy the new freesat + box

or possibly sky + charge to be dropped so maybe one of them

The Guideplus epg is transmitted via the analogue teletext on Eurosport,and only Eurosport,in the UK.
You don't have to subscribe to it.
It will work as long as the teletext on Eurosport is working.
Check by using your TV's remote control,notthe Sky digibox remote control.
Set Eurosport as the host channel manually,that way it will download the listings far quicker and remember to initially have the Sky digibox ON,not standby.
Whilst the Sony should be on standby.

Didn't even get that far - the setup wouldn't acknowledge the Digibox - it tried sending code 1536 to activate it - the box is a Thomson, it failed setting the channel to 101 - it says 100 and channel not found.

Is this the correct code - can it be entered manually and is the software the right version in this box it is 115?

Actually I bought this because a Freesat PVR was outside my budget.

Sky+, yes if no sub, would be happy with one of those, but the HDD is small - I have a 500GB en route.

Got to do the region hack first! Then the HDD upgrade!

Right, the GLink is sending 1001 to the Sky box, that's why it's not setting correctly.

I have used Satellite|Sky Digital|Sky Digital also Satellite|Sky+|Sky+ and neither work. I have reset the Sky Digibox and checked the SCART - it is a 100% wired SCART.

Stumped. GuidePlus version is 1.04.

could you do auto view on the sky box and record of the scart channel Line 1 or whatever?

http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/3295080121.pdf

on page 32 of manual

this site may help

http://www.europe.guideplus.com/

you sound as if your almost there

looking through that website of guideplus the PACE 2600 is not compatible with G-Link

http://www.europe.guideplus.com/En/h...xtrec_not.html

and has a V symbol on the right hand side meaning : V = the receiver outputs GUIDE Plus+ TV data properly

so dont choose G-Link

that's the frustrating thing - almost!!

I looked at the site and I have the manual - there are hundreds of boxes, but no options on the Sky boxes.

Under Thomson it sends other different codes that don't work.

I don't know. That's what I was bashing on about in the earlier reply.

Tried a manual update for software and rebooted the Sky box. Still no joy.

That's ok, my Sky Digibox is a Thomson.

is it a Pace 2600 ??