Hi Guys.

I'm after the best bang for buck for a digital set top box with hdd recording. High Def would be best, but from my research, this isn't possible under $500. Pls advise if this is incorrect.

So far, the only two boxes that meet my requirements are the Wintal PVRx10 and the Opentel 4200. Are there others

Minimum features are as follows:
Good picture quality
STandard def tuner
svideo out
80gb hard disk
time shift/time delay
reliability.
ease of use. (i have a wife)

Like to have
HD tuner
component out
usb out (for xfer to external hard disk)

Things you should know.
I already have a HD stb, so i don't HAVE to have dual tuner, but it's a nice to have.
i have a hd 44inch tv (lg dlp rear pro)

Anyway, can anyone recommend one over the other ?...or a comparable alternative ?

Given my requirements, is the optentel worth the extra $$$

Thanks in advance

I was in the same position as youself, bought the Opentel due to twin tuners and used my old SD box in another room.

I had a few niggling hassles at first but guys on this forum set me straight as the users manual is a little confusing in parts. We now watch the programs we like when we want.

I think wth the firmware upgrades this unit can only get better as time rolls on. Others say new firmware any day now.

Picture is beautiful
Set up recording easy
Nice looking unit at a nice price.

Ask Kristal for DBA members special price.

cheers...

I notice the Opentel quotes up to 40 hours recording versus 28 hours of other PVRs like the Wintal.

How does it get the extra 12 hours ?

40 hours on an 80gb drive is garbage - you are lucky to get 28! You might get 40 hours if you recorded the SBS program guide - but hey!

I have been running a Strong 5390 with 80 GB combined with a HD box for the last year or so and am very happy with the performance. I would say it meets all your minimum requirements PLUS the new models have 120GB HDD so you should get about 40 hours out of it. Only down side is you might need to shop around and haggle harder to match price.

Best of luck,
Dik

I own both a Wintal X-10 PVR (80GB) and Strong 5390 PVR (120GB) and I would say the Wintal is probably the better value for money. The Wintal cost me around $300.00 and the Strong $500.00.

The Strong PVR seems to have a few more 'bugs' than the Wintal, but it's easier to use. Picture quality on both is good, even though they are both SD.

On another note, I don't have a High Def TV any more (long story), but when I did, I could hardly tell the difference between HD & SD broadcasts unless it was showing the test pattern (1080i - channel 9) . I don't think the picture quality of most of the broadcasting stations material is good enough at this stage to really display HD effectively.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I think I will go with the Wintal in that case. I have found I can get one for $290 Cash with the scart-svideo cable included, which seems to be a pretty good deal at the moment.

long term, I want to get a dual hD tuner, pvr, dual layer dvd burner, but they're 2000+ at the moment...so I figure this will do for now, and when the Topfields come down i'll get one of them to replace the wintal and my current HD stb

Cookster, can you please tell me where you found it for $290. I'm getting prices of $369 and $395 at the moment.

Thanks

I got it from an ebay seller. Do a search on WINTAL on ebay and you'll see a whole lot of PVR-X10's sold by Global Savings. I found that www.smartstore.com.au in Moorabin are the global Savings. I rang the number and got a price of $290, cash, pickup.

However my mate just bought one for $254 shipped (ebay auction) He paid before lunch via paypal and got it delivered the next day. This was the digicrystal 9000 though, which I am told, and it does look to be a rebadged wintal pvr-x10. (same insides, different outsides)

For the record

I am really loving the x10. it does all i could ask it for and after scanning this forum have found a few useful tips to make it a easier to use. PQ is almost as good as my HD, but I need to get the scart/svideo converter for maximum quality and do a proper comparison

i plan to keep this a while until there is an affordable HDTV, Twin Tuner, PVR with dual layer burner as well. Then I can get rid off my x10, hd stb and dvd player all at once.

for $290..it's hard to beat.

What TV are you using?