Hi,

I've only just heard about set top boxes today and I'm keen to get one. Would appreciate any assistance with these questions.

Can I record more than one program at once?

Can I watch while recording?

Does it automatically pick up the start and finish time of programs?

Do I still need a video/dvd player?

Am I better off buying a new TV?

Which model would you recommend?

thanks

1st of all I think your mistaking a STB with a PVR.. ie Digital SetTop Box and Personal Video Recorder. They are very Different...

A STB come in 2 flavours SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition)

If you dont know what they are Search on here and youll find out...

A PVR same sort of thing HD and SD a Few SD boxes around Toppy etc and only 2 for the HD and they are Pricey the Toshiba and up and coming LG.

A PVR whther it be HD or SD allows you to record.. Yup while watching and also on other channels depending on the Model... Also allows for time shifting... ie Your watching the footy... phone rings you answer it and hit record on the PVR... finish your phone call and hit play and watch from where you stopped whilst its still recording the rest of the program in the background.. (very basic explanation of time shifting).

Automatically pick up start times no unless you program it or you use a Home Theatre PC (HTPC) and use something like webscheduler.

Yup DVD is around for a while yet well until HD DVD and BLue Ray make an impact... FORGET comparing DVD to HDTV they are like chalk and cheese.. a 2 hr HD Recorded movie would probably take 2 normal DVD's in space..

Buying a New TV well if you want a better pic and sound you should a Wide Screen HD TV would be good and a nice Amp/Reciever to recieve the Dolby Digital Sound and or Mpeg sound...

Othewise you can use a SD STB right now with your current TV it will have features like you either get a picture or you dont no ghosting etc... Dolby Digital or Mpeg sound better than Normal TV Stereo.. Next and Now Electronic Program Guide and Wide Screen to name just a few... Will the Picture quality be any better... Maybe alittle but very little..

Which Model ?? Find a TV and then we can start talking... Tell us what you have and maybe we can help

Wayne


PS Yes Guys I remember what it was like when I first hit here.. SHE's new but !!!!

Thanks very much Wayne.

I think a PVR is what I am looking for then.

I have a Phillips 68cm Power Vision (over 5 years old).

By the way - I'm a girl! Ha ha...

Correction? A lady.

Yes a 28 year old woman.

Hmmm 28 I would never have guessed with a name like Justme28 8-)

So, can you guys help me, or should I continue to trawl through the forums??

I believe if you buy a PVR, there's none on the market that also plays DVDs. IE you will have to buy a stand-alone DVD player. Beware of letterboxing if you tv is the older 4:3 type, black horizontal bars top and bottom.

How do I figure out what type my TV is? eg 4:3

Is it Square or Rectangle ??

4:3 is your normal type TV... and 16:9 is referred to as wide screen...

4 by 3 tv means the length of the screen is 4 units while the height of the screen is 3 units. 16 by 9 (aka widescreen) means length is 16 units and height is 9 units ie more rectangular. Note that with major movies released on DVDs, eg Gladiator or Batman Begins, you will still get black bars top and bottom (abeit narrower ones)on a widescreen tv (because most major movies are released in the 2.35:1 format).

It seems that there are a lot more newbies frequenting this site now. Maybe some of the more prolific posters can do a stickie on basic requirements for digital tvs eg different tv tech, types of connections and types of STD/PVR. Any takers.

Hi justme28...........

Hopefully most of your questions have been answered, but we need you ask you a question...............

Why do you think you want a new STB ?

The only reason to get a STB is if you want to watch "Digital" TV, which comes in two flavours, Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD).

Honestly, without taking a poll, I'd guess that 99% of the regulars around here wouldn't recommend you actually go and get a STB just because you want one.

However, If you really were after a PVR, that's a different kettle of fish .............

As much as I love my Toshiba HDD-J35 ( Toshi J35) unless you were planning on upgrading your TV in the next year or so, you may be better off going for a real cheap "E-Bay Special" PVR.

Have a think about what you want and want to do and let us know a bit more about what you want and I know you'll get bombarded with heaps of information !!!

Austen.

There is your answer... 68cm. WS CRT's come in 66cm, 76cm etc. so I guess yours is square...

No kidding

JSmith :ph34r:

You would be better off buying a new TV if you want to view digital in either SD or HD so that you can take advantage of the WS format, and HD if you get a better TV. There are quite a few brands, but you want a 76 - 86cm CRT TV (best PQ, very heavy, no larger than 86/96), or plasma, or LCD. If you go for the CRT option you will get the best value for you money in some ways. You will need one though that is 100HZ and does 576p/720p/1080i signals for HD broadcasting.

JSmith :ph34r: