132 replies to this topic

[pgdownload]

Pete's PVR Post

This post is intended to cover most of the common questions asked and links provided by many members of the forum. It should be a good place for initial PVR related enquires, as well as providing specific answers to some oft repeated queries. There also some straight forward cable and digital TV advice here too.

Digital Background:

If your new to digital TV then the STB/PVR/DVDR FAQ is a good place to start.

Also please read this HD PVR comparison thread. It also includes some good information on the upcoming Freeview.

Why buy a PVR?

A PVR is a digital STB with a hard drive (HDD). In general a PVR enables you to decide when and how you will watch a show, not the networks. Some of the features of many PVRs include:

1) Chaseplay - Sit down and start watching a recording from the beginning while it is still finishing
2) Skip Ads - Most PVRs have the ability to skip forward a set amount (eg 30 secs) at the press of a button.
3) Pause Live TV - Great for phone calls, discussing what's on etc.
4) No more tapes - Go away for a week and all your TV is recorded
5) Picture Quality - Excellent on all channels (except 31) - PVRs record the exact digital signal, so recordings are 100% the same as watching live.
6) Record two things at once.
7) Connection to a PC - Some PVRs allow you to download recordings to a PC for viewing or editing.
8) Ease of use - create timers from the broadcast EPG, single box for recording and watching all your shows.

Why is a PVR different from a DVDR?

Most DVD Recorders (DVDR) are analogue recorders only (the same as your old VCR). They generally only have a single tuner which means they can only record one thing at a time. You can connect a STB to a DVDR however this can be a fiddly arrangement (see traps below)

Hybrid SD DVDR/PVRs are now on the market and these units have one digital and one analogue tuner. They are not as powerful as a dedicated twin tuner PVR, however they have the advantage of also being able to record from other analogue devices - in particular PAY TV.

Currently their is only one digital HD twin tuner DVDR on the Australian market - the Panasonic BW300.

Should I buy a DVDR or PVR?

If you have the funds you can get both. Use the PVR for general viewing and recording FTA TV and you can send the occasional show to the DVDR for recording and burning a DVD (ie press PLAY on the PVR and REC on the DVDR to copy over the show).

DVDRs will convert and compress the digital signal into an analogue format. They can record HD channels (ie from a HD STB) but the resulting file will only be SD quality.

PVRs are well suited to people that record, watch and delete most of their TV. If you wish to keep lots of permanent copies (or want to record PAY TV) then a DVDR is possibly a better option (Or buy a PVR that lets you download files to a PC for editing and burning there).

SD and HD digital TV in Oz

Until the start of 2007 the commercial networks were required to broadcast only one SD and one HD channel (simulcasting) with exactly the same content, just different picture quality. Now they are free to air different content on the SD and HD channels (multi-channelling). In 2009 they have been allowed to add a second SD channel (ie 2 SD and 1 HD). These channels are being marketed under the Freeview Banner (see below).

As a general rule of thumb the primary SD channel (which is simulcast with the analogue broadcast), will always have shows that rate well. This is because 100% of the population has access to the analogue and SD content, while much less than that have access to HD TV in Oz to date.

So in deciding whether to get a SD or HD STB/TV/PVR you will now also need to decide if you want to be able to access the content on the HD channels.

Should I buy SD or HD?

- SD PVRs are a bit more reliable then HD models and they are always cheaper.
- Most SD PVRs do not have DVI or HDMI outputs (see cables below)
- Recording (on a PVR) in HD takes about 7.5 Gig an hour, SD takes about 3.5 Gig per hour
- On TV screens under about 42" the benefit of having HD resolution can be considered fairly minor. When sitting 2 metres back (and flipping between SD & HD on the same channel) most eyes are unable to spot any difference.
- HD PVRs have improved a lot in the past few years, but most still have 'quirks' that make them less than bullet proof.
- The new content on the HD channels makes having HD tuners more desirable, even if you only have a small or SD TV.
- Up to 50% of prime time content is now broadcast as proper HD (ie it is not an SD show up converted to HD)
- If you have a new big HD screen it would be a shame to waste it :)

Traps when buying a PVR

1) You can't record Pay TV on a PVR (eg Foxtel)
2) Most PVRs mention a 7 day EPG - the networks have now begun broadcasting between 3 and 7 days of EPG. See also ICETV and Freeview below.
3) Refer to the 'Tuners' section below for the main thing all PVR buyers should know.

Traps when buying digital

1) Channel 31 is not broadcast digitally (this may change later in 2009)
2) Changing channels can take longer than analogue  (a good response time is considered under 1 second)
3) TVs with 'inbuilt' digital tuners often don't allow you to 'onsend' the digital image to an analogue  recording device (eg a VCR or DVDR) - an external STB/PVR will.
4) 'HD Ready' is extremely misleading. This generally means the unit can recieve a HD signal but no necessary display a HD signal. For example most HD Ready SD plasmas have only 480 lines of pixels - SD TV has 576.
5) Many people get a STB and DVDR for recording. This is fine but you should be aware that you need to set timers on both boxes to record something while away and that the PQ can be reduced a bit as the recorder converts and compresses the signal from the STB/PVR.
6) Recording HD to an external device (eg VCR, DVDR) is of very little value as these devices can really only record to a maximum of SD resolution.
7) TVs smaller than 42" have limited picture quality benefits from being HD.

What you need to know about Tuners:

With all PVRs you can generally watch a previously recorded show while they are recording.
With all PVRs you can also watch the channel you are recording - usually with the ability to pause and resume (the show not the recording) at any time.
'Channels' refer to all channels in the same mux. Currently ABC and ABC2 are in the same mux and SBS abd SBS News are inthe same mux.

- Single Tuner (dubbed 1.0): You can record one thing but you can't watch live TV while recording
- Twin Tuner (dubbed 1.5):  You can record one thing and watch another station live.
- Twin Tuner (dubbed 1.7):  You can record two things at once (or record one thing and watch another live). One of the recordings must be manually started using the remote.
- 'True' Twin Tuner (dubbed 2.0):  You can record two things at once (or record one thing and watch another live). Both recordings can be started by a timer. These days most PVRs are true 2.0 tuners.

Although many people might assume they don't need to record two things at once however networks now routinely start shows not at the scheduled time. So to record 8:30-9:30 on Ch9 and 9:30-10:30 on Ch10 might require timers for 8:20-9:45 and 9:20-10:45. These timers overlap between 9:20 and 9:45 and so a twin tuner is needed.

Note that its always an option to switch back to the TVs inbuilt analogue (or digital) tuner (as long as its still hooked up to the aerial or you have a 'pass through' connection from your STB/PVR).

Cables

This is debated endlessly on the forum. FWIW cables have a lot of margin and sales staff love selling them - less scrupulous ones will play games demonstrating the 'difference' by not comparing apples with apples. As always the absolute cheapest of anything is seldom a good buy. However a good set priced between $30 and $70 or so is all most people would ever need. This is especially the case with HDMI/DVI cables as the technology means there is no benefit for spending any more (for lengths under 5m). You can buy DVI/HDMI convertors ($20) so either plug type is as good.

Assuming the best cable type is HDMI and pegged at 100% for picture quality then in relative descending order of PQ: HDMI (100%), DVI (100%), RGB (95%), Component (95%), SVideo (85%), Composite (75%) and RF (65%). Many people find SVideo to be excellent PQ. Its usually a bit 'softer' than other options but this can be easier on the eyes. If buying HD grab a unit with HDMI out/in (if available) but don't not buy something just because it doesn't have HDMI. Note that Composite cables are red, white & yellow. Component are red, green, blue, white and yellow. In both, the white and red are the audio connections. RF is your old fashioned aerial connection plug.

Some factors in buying a PVR.

- The manufacturer RRP of a PVR usually bears little relation to the actual store price of the units.
- SD PVRS cost around $250-$500 while HD PVRS cost around $500-$1000)
- A PVR can be a single tuner or twin tuner model. It can be SD or HD.
- Different 'models' by the same manufacturer usually only differ because of the harddrive size.
- You cannot record PayTV (eg Foxtel) with a PVR (Consider the IQ or a DVDR).
- If you have read this then in all likelyhood you will know more than any sales staff about PVRs
- A hardrive of 120G (40 hrs) is generally sufficient space for SD for most users (Though you can't have too much)

Note that models with larger drives are often priced at an (unreasonable) premium as they are otherwise identical to smaller models. Some PVRs can have their drive easily replaced.

Archiving

- You can always 'on send' a show to another recorder (DVDR or VCR) for permanently archiving a show. (Press PLAY on the PVR and REC on the DVDR)
- Some PVRs allow you to download the digital file to a PC and it can be fully edited and burnt there.
- Recording Hi Def to an external device (eg VCR, DVDR) is of little value as these devices can really only record to a maximum of SD resolution.
- In general though a PVR is ideal for users that like to record, watch and delete.

ICE TV and the EPG

PVRs are all designed to use an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) - this makes organising and setting timers a breeze. The networks have started broadcasting a 3-7 day EPG. The EPG is still not an accurate reflection of what is currently on, but more a program guide of intended air times for each day. Padding will still need to be added to any timers set using the EPG to account for late startings etc.

Alternatively, an Oz company is providing a legal downloadable 7 day EPG that is reliable and well formatted for about $3 a week.  They have also developed a wireless device that allows the EPG data to be send straight from the web to your PVR. BeyondWiz, Topfield, Mediastar/Arion & DGtech support ICE.

ICETV: http://www.icetv.com.au

Tivo

Tivo has been launched in Australia. These are HD units that use their own 7 day EPG. They generally require a permanent connection to the internet to work (either wireless or wired). Tivo's primary feature is the ability to set "season passes" for any show and it will automatically be recorded whenever it airs. Its main drawback is the lack of a ad skip button (although its FF/REW is very responsive). The Tivo can also download content directly from the Internet (see Internode). It is expected by April that a TivoToGo capabliity will allow users to offload content to a PC.

Topfield

Topfield have been producing SD PVRs for several years now. Their SD PVRs are also unique in the market in that they have a programming interface that lets users create applications that enhance it functionality (better ad skipping, 7 day EPG, etc). These are called TAPs. Usually they require you to connect to a PC (once) and upload a TAP file. Note HD Toppy's can not run TAPs. Read more about them in the Topfield AQA FAQ.

Models
There is a large number of PVRs now available. The following are all worth considering for one reason or another. In general I suggest going for either a 1.0 or 2.0 tuner as the ones in between are usually overpriced for what they provide. Remember to check out the links and search the forum for more info.

1) 1.0 SD Tuner PVRs - Wintal / Supernet / Digicrystal. All basically the same PVR, pretty reliable and at $150-$250 its hard to go wrong. Avaliable on Ebay or at Strathfields etc..

Wintal Specs: http://wintal.com.au...s/43121058.html
Online Purchase: http://www.smartstor...?products_id=51
Wintal FAQ: http://www.dtvforum....showtopic=19891

2) 2.0 SD Tuner PVRs - Topfield 4400, 5000 and MP, Humax Smart, MediaStar, Arion, Healing

Topfield FAQ: http://www.dtvforum....showtopic=16828
Toppy v Humax: http://www.dtvforum....showtopic=27386
Humax Online Purchace: http://www.staticice...i?q=humax smart
MediaStar: http://www.dtvforum....showtopic=35235
Arion (Essentially a Mediastar Clone): http://www.dtvforum....showtopic=44393
Healing: http://www.healingdi.../site/index.htm

3) HD Tuner PVRs - We are still struggling to find a reliable fully featured HD PVR and each model has had its own issues and limitations (Some of the long threads are best started toward the end):

Increasingly HD PVRs are the way to go. They provide access to all content and are much cheaper than they used to be. Most major models have now matured to the point of being reliable and

Please read about many of the current HD PVRs on the Oz market here

4) DVDRs with digital tuners - There are now quite a few models on the market (The Panasonic DMR-EX87 being a popular model):

DVDRs with Digital Tuners list

So what to buy?

There is no one answer to this. Please read other posts discussing what suits certain households and what's well regarded by other forum members. If you can't find an answer that fits for you then post a query - forum members can be very helpful in discussing the options.

Most of all have fun. These are great little machines  :)

Edited by pgdownload, 13 March 2009 - 09:01 AM.

[tonymy01]

pgdownload, on Jun 6 2006, 10:40 AM, said:

Single Tuner (dubbed 1.0): You can record one thing but you can't watch live TV while recording

Peter, this line can be a bit confusing to newbs.   You can watch live TV while recording, but it is the same channel as the one recording (or same mux... so if you are recording ABC, you can watch ABC2).
Otherwise, a good overview... but I have to ask "why"?   Isn't there enough here already (what is wrong with Tassie Devils sticky)?  You may as well trash one of the boring stickies and put this in.
Regards

[pgdownload]

tonymy01, on Jun 6 2006, 11:10 AM, said:

Peter, this line can be a bit confusing to newbs.   You can watch live TV while recording, but it is the same channel as the one recording (or same mux... so if you are recording ABC, you can watch ABC2).
Otherwise, a good overview... but I have to ask "why"?   Isn't there enough here already (what is wrong with Tassie Devils sticky)?  You may as well trash one of the boring stickies and put this in.Regards

Hi Tony,

I figured the ability to record and watch the same channel would be self evident. But probably best to err on the cautious side (updated). I made this thread more as a personal drop point. I don't intend it to become a sticky but hopefully I (and anyone else) can point a new user to it rather than rehashing the same information. Might even get myself a sig.

Its meant to be a lot more concise than the Devil's overview (which is excellant BTW) and benefits from pretty much ignoring the DVDR side of things (which I find has so many variations and nuances). Its also covers the PVR specific links I find myself having to search for again and again.

Glad you don't rate it as boring I asked Coral to rationalise the Topfield stickies (as I link to them early in the AQA) but he's decided to go with things as is.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[DavidH]

Hi I just joined having just discovered the forum and DTV.  I read a lot before I purchased my Toppy MP on the weekend.  

One question I had related to the SD or HD question above.  I have an 80cm analogue TV that works well apart from being analogue and 4:3 that I don't want to replace right now.  I received conflicting advice as to whether a HD PVR *would work* with a 4:3 analogue TV using SVideo input.  I thought I might be better "future-proofed" with the HD PVR.

In the end I decided on the Toppy although it's SD.  It works fine even with letterbox format - it's still about the same size image as 35-37 inch widescreen (which is all that would fit in the space without renovating) anyway.  If I ever buy an HD plasma, I'll buy a HD PVR then - hopefully they will have fixed the bugs by then.

[pgdownload]

Hi David,

Can't think why HD over SVideo would be an issue. What's coming OUT of the box is analogue (same as is comming down the antenna) You TV would just display it to the best of its resolution. However still I agree with your choice. HD PVRs will drop considerably more (an more importantly increase in functionality and have less bugs). Maybe make your next stop a widescreen HD TV in a year or more's time (should be about $2000 for a good one) then a year later go the HD PVR. Always nice to have something to look forward to.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[davidl]

How about adding the Strong SRT5390 to the Single Tuner list.

http://www.strong-technologies.com/

More expensive than the other single tuner models (though dropping to under $500) but very reliable and easy to use, great after sales service and brilliant PQ.

Great post Pete!

David.

[50MXE20]

pgdownload, on Jun 6 2006, 08:40 AM, said:

Pete's PVR Post

Peter, I reckon you should ask the mods to sticky this?!?

[pgdownload]

Lyle, on Jun 14 2006, 10:23 AM, said:

Peter, I reckon you should ask the mods to sticky this?!?

Thanks Lyle, but I'm sort of keeping it a bit informal at the moment - some of the info is farly transitory. Tassie Devil's post covers a lot of this as well. Anyone's free to provide the link as part of a response to a posted query. I'll see how the PVR scene morphs over the next few months (I suspect it will do so quite a bit) and maybe update it into something a bit more formal.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[Mining Man]

Lyle, on Jun 14 2006, 10:53 AM, said:

Peter, I reckon you should ask the mods to sticky this?!?

Why? So more people can come in here and ignore it and the other stickies, and start new threads asking simple questions already answered accurately and succintly in the stickies directly above?  

Apologies for the sarcasm Lyle. I sense that pg compiled this absolutely fantastic beginners guide out of frustration with a number of recent posts.  

How about we use this thread as somewhere to come and philosphise about soccer / football scoring and offside rules etc, while at the same time continually *bumping* it to the top.

Either that, or get the sticky threads areas doubled in size and font, make them bold, colour them purple... whatever it takes to get some people to actually take the time and read them!!

Ahhhh, that's better.

[50MXE20]

Ahhh purple! Love it.

pgdownload, on Jun 14 2006, 09:01 AM, said:

Anyone's free to provide the link as part of a response to a posted query.

Yep, done that a couple of times.

[Fintan]

THANK YOU FOR THIS POST !!!!!

I almost missed it  - just came across it when trawling through looking for tips and hints after being burnt by a DGTEC (but at least I got my money back).  Just the right level for a new user, and more informative that the choice.com.au report which cost me $11!

[Chug13]

I know this is probably not the right place for this, but I was a little worried about starting a new thread, and please forgive me if this has been covered already - but I have spent the last few days trolling through this and the topfield forums and havent had any luck yet

After a lot of research on this site, I decided to go check out the units and current prices at my local HN/Good Guys. Then at the store I started to talking to a salesman and he tried to push the HD units big time - then once I mentioned that I had done my research on here - he quickly changed his tune and knocked about $75 off the already discounted Topfield units

So I purchased the MP on the saturday mainly to record the Aus v Bra game on Sunday night, and played with the timer recordings to make sure they were working correctly, and set the timer for the game starting 15 minutes before broadcast started and set it to 3 hrs 15 mins. When I got home I was horrified to find the recording had cut out after 2 hours... why is this??

I havent had a chance to install new firmware yet, is this the problem - or is there something more fundamental I have/havent done wrong?

And like I said - sorry if this is covered elsewhere - but I am buggered if I can find it anywhere

[pgdownload]

Yep Chug, This would be better off in its own post - no reason to fear starting a thread of your own.  

But never mind. First up you'd probably be best posting Topfield related queries in the Topfield forum - it has a lot of people that can provide indepth help quickly. As to your issue, its not a normal 'bug' so I'm suspecting its something you've done a bit incorrectly.

Unfortunately you haven't provided enough information to narrow down the cause.

1) Are you using Auto Time?
2) Did you have any other timers set to fire around then?
3) Could there have been a power outage?
4) Is the recording exactly 2 hours long?
5) What times did you set your timer for?
6) Is the hard drive full?
7) Is it possible the reception went out around midnight (is your SBS signal stregth good?)
8) Did you have any other timers set (for any date?) - are they showing the correct date still?
9) Was it a one off timer?

Basically I would suggest, recreating your experience and set a similar timer for tonight. See what happens.

There have also been reports that some PVRs are having troubles with the SBS signal at the moment. Yours is the first I've heard of a Toppy user having trouble, so as I said I suspect the issue is more likely a simple mistake.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[tonymy01]

I noticed the other night on one of the 1.30am to 4am games, that SBS went black for 2 secs, I decided not to continue watching black, so changed to another channel and back to SBS and it was OK.   I don't know if I had have waited whether it would have come good or not, but this seems consistant with the gazillion posts on the Sony HD-PVR thread where people are saying that SBS dissapears at that time of the night during their HD recording of it.
But 2hours sounds a tiny bit suss, as this is the default for just doing a simple recording... but isn't consistant with the "setting timer" post, so I decided this was likely not the issue.
Regards

[Chug13]

Thanks for the quick reply guys

Peter to answer your q's, it is set on Auto time, it was the only timer setting for that time, there was no power outage as I as watching the game in the next room, the recording is exactly 2 hours, I set the timer for 11:30pm (Perth time) and set to 3hrs 15mins, it was the only recording on the HDD - I had made only 2 other recordings since purchasing and they were 10 and 15 mins respectively, as far as I know the reception was fine - like I said I was wathcing it in another room, and previously when 1 is having reception issues the other drops out as well, no other timers were set or have been set since and it was a 1 off timer

In regards to tonymy01's reply - just before the broadcast I was playing with a manual recording (also on SBS), then when I went to look for the file, it wasnt there. So is likely that I have just run the manual recording into the timer recording and it has written over the timer details and just recorded the default time?

Thanks again for your reply

[tonymy01]

The Topfield CANNOT record 2 things on the same channel.   So if you did a manual 2 hour recording, this will kill the timer if it is due to start on the same channel.    If you run PBK or improbox both of these packages will give you a warning in their own way shape or form that a timer is due to start soon when you do a manual recording.
Regards

[pgdownload]

I'd say Tony's on the money there Chug. So:

1) You started a manual timer (default is 2 hours) on SBS and didn't realise it.
2) Your Timer tried to start recording but failed to start because the channel was already being recorded.
3) This wouldn't be an issue if the manual recording was on another channel.

At least you know what happened and how to avoid it.

If you haven't already, have a read of AQA and maybe look to installing PBK.

Enjoy the rest of the Soccer )

Peter Gillespie

[Chug13]

Thanks Tony/Peter

I managed to record the replay the next day anyway so at least I got it eventually

I am going to install the new firmware and TAPS so I am up to date - but like I said I had only had it for about 36 hours and it was my first dabble into PVR's so it took me a bit to get going  

[Eraser]

pgdownload, on Jun 6 2006, 10:40 AM, said:

Pete's PVR Post


There is no correct answer to this. If you have been pointed here from another thread then presumably information specific to your query was also provided.

If you are looking at HD then the LG is good value at $900 (although it is only 1.7 tuner). If you can afford it the Sony is looking polished (after the first patch is applied). The one to wait for is the Topfield 7000 PVR which is due out in about 3 months.

Hi,

Thanks for the great post. I'm looking at getting a twin tuner HD PVR, with a USB connection, and one that will link upto either component or HDMI. From my reading, the HUMAX SMART looks like a great little product, but unfortunately the manual says it only does RGB/CVBS/S-Vid out of it's SCART I went to check the Topfield web site, and the 7000PVR has been waiting for..... 2 years! Now, I'm willing to wait another 3 months (which makes it September), which is pretty much when I'm going to buy my new LCD screen (unless something else comes and grabs me by the goolies and says MUST BUY! Anyway, cut a long rant short, but how certain, or otherwise are you of the Toppy coming out in August/September? Is there another solution, as the LG and Sony don't have USB out (I obviously want to... "archive").

Thanks for your help.

[pgdownload]

Eraser, on Jun 23 2006, 08:56 AM, said:

Is there another solution, as the LG and Sony don't have USB out (I obviously want to... "archive").Thanks for your help.

Hi Eraser,

Unfortunately I've got no huge certainty on August/September. As you've said its been years in the making and no one's foolish enough to draw yet another line in the sand for this particular model. I do know that Topfield are very eager to get a HD model out, but how that translates into release dates is ...

Maybe give Topfield a call. They might be ready to say something a bit more definitive. If you want to bridge the next 3 months maybe grab a Digicrystal ($250) and keep the box. Wrap it all back up and give it to some lucky relative for Christmas? If you want USB out then none of the HD boxes to date have it, so you may just be stuck waiting regardless.

Peter Gillespie

[basejump]

as said by others - thanks for a great post.

however, can you pls expand on the comment "TVs smaller than 36" (86cm) have limited benefits from being HD" - having just ordered a 32" R series samung LCD I am clearly interested - my main motivation for not getting a monitor and a PVR was avioding the need for extra cabling - i am wall mounting and therefore was keen for an integrated tuner and figured it may as well be HD - however, perhaps i needed have bothered. FYI i will be viewing the tele at various distances from 1 to 3 metres.

thinking to the future, do ppl think there will be a PVR with the capacity to wireless stream HD or am i dreaming?

[marcdavis]

Does anyone know anything about the Topfield 7000 PVR that is apparantly being released in a few months. Does it just have a bigger hard drive or some new feature like ethernet port etc? Rgds, Marc

[mark190706]

I've just bought a Sony SVRHD700 and Hitachi 37" LCD (connected via HDMI) and I'm brand new user. I've had a look at the various threads relating to the Sony (picture loss et al), but my questions are more basic:
1. I know that not all programming is broadcast to fill the 16:9 aspect - noticed that overseas programming generally does not. I know I can change the picture size to fix, but can the Sony be setup to automatically show all programming without the letterboxing effects?
2. From time to time the picture has a couple of rows of pixels that pixellate - is this normal? Its only occassional and may be intermittent interference, but interested to know if it can be prevented.
3. Is anyone aware of user guide for the Sony - I recall seeing something posted on this forum which provides pages of userful tips, but can't recall which product is was and can't find it again.

Thanks
Mark190706

[pgdownload]

1. I know that not all programming is broadcast to fill the 16:9 aspect

Automatically no. All digital TV is actually broadcast in 16:9 format (they just add black pixels to either side if the show is 4:3) so there's no way for the PVR to know to 'zoom in'

2. From time to time the picture has a couple of rows of pixels that pixellate - is this normal? Its only occassional and may be intermittent interference, but interested to know if it can be prevented.

I might be confusing machines but I think there is a FW upgrade that might address this. Otherwise it could be your signal strength is a bit low (does the machine have an indicator?)  Also check if the issue occurs is while watching live or while watching timeshifted or recorded info for a clue to the cause.

3. Is anyone aware of user guide for the Sony - I recall seeing something posted on this forum which provides pages of userful tips, but can't recall which product is was and can't find it again.

There is a long Sony PVR thread its probably in there (which by the way you'd proabably get a much better response if you posted in rather than here.   Might be a good idea to start rading back from it 70 pages:

http://www.dtvforum....showtopic=32371

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[mark190706]

pgdownload, on Jul 19 2006, 12:17 PM, said:

1. I know that not all programming is broadcast to fill the 16:9 aspect

Automatically no. All digital TV is actually broadcast in 16:9 format (they just add black pixels to either side if the show is 4:3) so there's no way for the PVR to know to 'zoom in'

2. From time to time the picture has a couple of rows of pixels that pixellate - is this normal? Its only occassional and may be intermittent interference, but interested to know if it can be prevented.

I might be confusing machines but I think there is a FW upgrade that might address this. Otherwise it could be your signal strength is a bit low (does the machine have an indicator?)  Also check if the issue occurs is while watching live or while watching timeshifted or recorded info for a clue to the cause.

3. Is anyone aware of user guide for the Sony - I recall seeing something posted on this forum which provides pages of userful tips, but can't recall which product is was and can't find it again.

There is a long Sony PVR thread its probably in there (which by the way you'd proabably get a much better response if you posted in rather than here.   Might be a good idea to start rading back from it 70 pages:

http://www.dtvforum....showtopic=32371

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Thanks Peter
I'm aware of the thread for the Sony and will use it once I've used the product a little longer.