Thanks for the information on MPEG Streamclip, I bought my unit on Sunday (2 days ago) I have downloaded the USB info and MPEG Streamclip, and apart from my computer crashing, I have transfered Three programs to computer and made MP2 files - GREAT. Thanks once again. Dasach (New Member)

Dasach,
You're welcome. Have fun with your new toy!

I wandered in to my local DSE Powerhouse (Woden ACT) this afternoon to find that this PVR had a tag listing "New Low Price" of $399 - implying that this is the new ongoing price, I assume. There was also a general poster listing a Manager's Special of 10% off STB's etc, so maybe is can be bought for around $359?
Value for money is looking good.

at that price it would be a no-brainer - but i checked the ds powerhouse web site and they're still listing the 499 price.

I went to the Powerhouse at Woden at lunchtime today, the price tag underneath the box said $499, and yes there was a Managers Special of 10% off on DVD players, recorders, and set top boxes.

Yes, Saturday they had the "New Low Price $399" tag on the PVR and by Sunday afternoon, it was back to $499. Must have been a one day special. A few weeks ago the same store had the 40inch Sony 1920x1080 X series LCD (very nice!!!) out for a "New Low Price" that was $500 off the previous price and it did not last for more than a couple of days. Must be their way of labeling short term specials rather than an ongoing price reduction.

Well over 2 months on since I got my unit I can happily report that I am still happy with it. One of the best buys I have made.

I noticed that Tandy (Westfield Hurstville, NSW) are selling this unit on special at the moment for $449, a discount of $50.

I'm almost tempted but have to clear some other bills first.

Cheers,

Barry

Available again for $449 at Dick Smith Electronics.

Any problems being experienced by owners of this PVR?

Mine has required a reboot every couple of weeks but aside from that it has been good. As I noted in an earlier post, it has a readily audible hum, but I have gotten used to it now. If you have a largeish sized room and/or a glass-doored cabinet you will not notice the hum.

Still going strong, no major problems to report. Touch wood!

After reading through all the info on this forum (thanks to everyone posting in this thread!), I decided to give the dse unit a go. Picked one up for $449.

I'm happy with it so far, it's definitely good value when you compare it like-for-like with the other market offerings.

Although it switched off dead within 30 minutes of connecting it up (which I put down to "performance anxiety"), once I switched off/on it settled in nicely (no problems since). The only thing I did was turn off the auto-chaseplay because I only need it occasionally - and I prefer the manual option anyway.

I've had it for 9 days, and have a big decision to make. Do I keep it, or try for a mediastar 920/Arion? I'd say I'm 90% for keeping it, but have the following issues:

1. Can't hit Save when in chase-play, to save the buffer for watching later (normally happens when I realise something good is coming up on another channel!) - has anyone found a way to do this?
2. Not sure whether it will support TAPs, specifically extended EPGs like IceTV (hence the interest in MS 920).
3. Losing the buffer when browsing in the EPG - why can't I choose to keep watching my current channel in the window, rather than previewing the EPG's selected channel?
4. Doesn't seem to allow piggybacking on ABC/SBS channels (i.e. recording/watching ABC+ABC2 on one tuner etc.)
5. No analog RF pass-through (needs a splitter).

Except for these little issues, I'm pleased with it so far.

Have any other owners of the DSE 160 PVR noticed this hum in their machines?

I suppose you can always turn up the amplifier to hide it or as doggerel suggested put it in a glass doored cabinet.

Noise is very subjective and it rarely gets mentioned in this forum, but I like "silent" PCs and AV equipment and the only true way of checking the noise from different PVRs would be to try all of them in your living room alternatively. Not very practical so I can only depend on what users say about their machines.

The DSE PVR looks like it would be good to try because of the DSE 14 day return policy.

To tell the truth, I struggle to hear anything from the unit. I can hear the hum when I'm standing 2 feet from it, but unless I was specifically listening for it, it would just blend in with the normal background noise (I don't live on the M4 or anything, either!)
There's bound to be some disc humming, because it's a drive with a standard case, just like in an un-insulated PC.

IMHO if you're looking for silent operation (in a home-theatre setup for example) you'd probably not be looking at the lower end of the market anyway. I suppose it comes down to how much you want to spend - do the toppys have noise insulation?

But you're right about the 14 day "trial". It's the best way to be sure.

Bought one at Tandy at Macquarie Center at North Ryde for $420 after asking for a discount from the label price of $449 like is so far but can someone help me out with info on how to use ICE tv EPG with this box?

I just purchased one Yesterday, after spending a few days on here.
At this stage I don't see it lasting more than 14 days.
All of my issues have been reported previously, but I guess it took me to actually have it all physically happening. I also didn't think I would care about some of its deficiencies.

The inability to record from the buffer will be annoying. If the Arion/Mediastar can do it then so should this.

The lack of an RF loop is bizarre. You are required to purchase a RF splitter booster to feed your VCR/TV, so calculate that as an extra cost.

No single button to change aspect ratio for my 4:3 TV.

Inability to load EPGs. If I am wrong please let me know as I would love to able to load OZ Tivo or ICE.

Cant change the order of Stations. SBS should be 28 not 31. ABC and ABC2 should be next to each other. etc...

Seemingly no real support in the area of Firmware updating.

I decided to get this over the Arion/Mediastar simply because I could walk into the store and get it. Neither of the other 2 have any real physical sale support in Melbourne. Mediastar is vaugely available via Harvey Norman but they never stock it.

My experience has been exactly the same (see my previous posts). I decided to ring HN Moore Park to see what they could do on a MS920. They price matched the DS unit ($450), so decision made!

Benefit of my experience:
DS +
Easy to use.
Interface is simpler, with less menu navigation (probably because it has less functions than MS920!).
Instant Replay (timeshift) can be initiated by pressing Pause (don't need to have it always on).
Bigger drive (160Gb).
Has SCART out (just a personal preference - I have a European TV).
Whisper quiet.
2 week change-of-mind policy.
Easier to source (most DS shops have them).

DS -
Less configurable.
Limited timer options (only record, no reminder/sleep option).
Can't save timeshift buffer.
Doesn't support TAPS, or extended EPGs.
No sub-channels (e.g. ABC and ABC2 on one tuner etc.)
No RF pass-through.
Very limited user-support network (as far as I can tell).
No single button for changing aspect ratio.

MS920 +
See DS - !!

MS920 -
Can't initiate timeshift manually (need to record, then chaseplay).
Hum can be intrusive (normal operating hum, not the additional noise caused by metal case - which is even louder). Note here: I moved the unit off the top of the TV, and the noise has all but disappeared.
Smaller drive (120Gb).

In conclusion, if these two squared up on the football pitch the score would be DS 3 - 5 MS920.

Not sure what you mean here... MS timeshifts by default, or that can be turned off and then yes you can record on the occasion you want to timeshift... DS's lack of user EPG was 100% minus IMO (sorry, not intending to thread steal....)

temporary1 your import is always valuable.

The DSE has actually been quite the good machine. It is only because I can see how it could be so much better with a few minor changes.

One of the LEDs has already failed.

I have made the decision to go for the Arion, I want the bigger drive. $480 on their website. $30 for 40Gig, easy. Not to mention HN don't seem to have them, so I have no idea what price it would be here in Melbourne.

Sorry, that's what I meant. With the DS, when timeshifting is OFF you can still initiate it manually by pressing the pause button (rather than going back into the config menu to change the default setting).
With the MS (and correct me if I'm talking rubbish), it's a bit messy. You need to change the config menu setting, or use record/chaseplay.
My concern here is what happens if you leave the recording duration as say 2 hrs, but want to use timeshift for the whole night? If the recording stops after 2 hrs, it sort of defeats the purpose.
I suppose it's a personal preference thing. I don't like to have timeshifting on permanently - just use it when I need it. Will probably have to get used to going into the menu to change the setting.

I agree about the lack of EPG (it's on my DS minus list - but maybe should have highlighted it, because it is my main bug-bear).

Mestophalies - agree with you entirely about the DS. It's a decent unit and if I didn't know about the MS, I'd have been happy to stick with it. Good luck with the Arion

for those that are interested, dse's latest sale starting thurs 22nd has the pvr for $399

OK, that makes sence. Must have had a blond moment. I use timeshift on all the time, because it is always those moments where you go "what did he say" because the dog decided to bark or someone demanded your attention NOW ... and you forgot to record

What a surprise - more BS from a sales droid.

Dick Smith stores all have the exact same "buying power" - like all large chains, their buying (and Tandy's, now owned by Woolworths as well) is done centrally. If a Powerhouse can sell something for $419, so can a smaller "regular" DSE store, and don't let them try to persuade you otherwise!

Typical, I just purchased mine 10 days at the "Sale" price of $449.
Moot point now though as I took it back on 2 days ago for a refund.

Good unit, but with no EPG, inability to record from buffer, annoying output set up, no RF pass through and a few other things I chose the Arion instead.

But if those things aren't important, then thats a good price for a decent unit.
Remember to add $50 for a RF splitter booster.

Quick question.

Why are people paying so much ($450-$499) for a twin tuner SD PVR?

I mean considering Strathfield will let you have a Digicrystal SD PVR for $249 before haggling?

True twin tuners are a world ahead of single tuners.
Once you black you can't go back.

Has anyone tried to upload any software from any of the UK Homecast PVRs into the DSE?

They seem to have additional functionality - e.g. ability to cut parts of the recording.

The T8000PVR appears to be the same as the DSE but the manual doesn't download properly and apart from a Jukebox which can play mp3s, I can't see what additional functions the s/w for the T8000PVR has.

I think that represents decent value for money. After all, you get what you pay for and if you're happy without the RF pass-through, 7 day EPG and other limitations, you'd be laughing.

The "value for money" concept applies to the digicrystal too. You get what you pay for. I wouldn't buy one of those, based on the multitude of comments I've read on this forum.
As far as I can gather (and this is just personal opinion) there's 3 or 4 levels of quality in the oz SD PVR market:

1. Topfield
2. Arion/Mediastar
3. DSE/Panasonic/Sony/Pioneer/LG/teac (some flakiness in these)
4. DGTEC/digicrystal/wintal/panomax/MTV/Aldi/Supernet (might be a bit harsh, but I've heard bad things about them)

Have I just insulted everyone on this forum?

Incidentally, I've been having nightmares about that DSE remote. I keep remembering how spongy and plastic it felt (especially the Ok button). Shiver.

Incidentally, I've been having nightmares about that DSE remote. I keep remembering how spongy and plastic it felt (especially the Ok button). Shiver.
[/quote]

I actually prefer the DSE remote to my Arions. I hate any remote where the battery compartment is not in your palm, it makes the weighting all wrong especially if you need to use buttons in the bottom half.
Thinking of getting a universal like the Logitech.

First time user here.

Went out shopping for a PVR yesterday after spending about 6 hours on this site getting very confused. Man, but some people can rabbit on about absolutely pointless rubbish. I just want simple info on features, problems and perhaps comparisons to other offerings.

Anyway, to put my money where my mouth is: checked out most of the usual suspects: JB, BL, HN, GG, Domayne, DS in Sydney eastern suburbs. Best deal I could find was Toppy 5000MP for $749 from HN Alexandria (plenty in stock, silver and black) until I found the DS6000 for $399 from Moore Park SupaCenta Powerhouse.

I've been doing my best to challenge the unit since yesterday so I can return it during the 14 days no questions asked if I'm not happy and pick up the Toppy I've got on hold instead. What I've found follows and I'd appreciate any suggestions for further tests.

Good:
-- 2.0 + playback
-- Topfield "built" and supported
-- fast channel change (<1sec)
-- time-shift (can use pause even if turned off in settings)
-- chase-play (change to channel, press rewind, play, hold < to reach start)
-- adjust length of current manual or timer recording (while in real-time, < or >)
-- jump to multiple of 10% through file (only on playback, 0-9)
-- jump 1/120 of recording length or 1 minute for time-shift (< or >, for chase-play % of total expected length not current length)
-- rename recordings (only once complete)
-- no timer problems with dodgy time broadcast as repeating timers have no starting date (see Toppy threads)
-- instant repeat
-- prompts if timer fires when tuners occupied but see below

Bad:
-- no recovery to continue current recording if temporary power-failure (timer wiped as soon as recording starts) *1
-- sleep setting kills current recordings without warning
-- no antenna throughput
-- 10 timers only
-- no DLS adjustment
-- no PQ choice for recordings
-- no confirmation when deleting timer
-- timers don't fire if in timer menu
-- no numerical button entry to timer (have to scroll)
-- no component output even from SCART
-- if manual recording and timer recording when second timer due to fire and no response to prompt, second timer discarded *2
-- if two manual recordings when one or both timers due to fire and no response to prompt, timers discarded *2
-- presumably recording stops prematurely or is missed if dodgy time broadcast (see Toppy threads)
-- no TAPs
-- only rename recordings after complete
-- no quick way to jump to start of current recording for play
-- no editing of recordings (can't trim or split)
-- can't pause actual recording (like with VCR)
-- no time-shift buffer save
-- limited menu access while recording
-- cannot set auto-standby after manual recording (presuming no other recordings running)
-- 4.7Gb chunk used by system
-- HDD usage about 10% higher (so far) than total reported file sizes
-- no EPG (although I think the current offering from IceTV is more trouble than it's worth)

Unknown so far
-- Total average recording capacity
-- Intermittent glitches
-- HDD upgradeable

*1 A daily recording seemed to pick up again some times but not others, which may be related to whether another timer fires. Future timers start no problem
*2 Interestingly, if one manual recording and both timers fire and no response to prompt, manual recording is stopped and both timers kick in

To respond to some other comments, I haven't noticed any noise from the unit or the loss of sound problem in chase-play or time-shift.

If anyone can suggest further tests that would be fantastic.

Only ten timers, this is a huge limitation. Originally I thought this was mis-reported.
You also want to add a lack of EPG on this DSE unit.

Had thought about it then forgot in all the other detail. My personal feeling is the IceTV offering is pretty useless so this doesn't bother me much.

I found only having 10 timers wasn't such an issue with no EPG as you will record in blocks instead of individual programs as you would with an EPG.
I have being using OzTivo EPG as posted on pg 7. Works a treat and I couldn't go back to no EPG.
Now I set to record individual programs so the get named correctly and less work to edit out unnesacary portions of programs.
I will give ICE a go soon.

I was in the same postion as you 2 weeks ago. I purchased the DSE and new after the annoyance of setting it up with the limited outputs that it would be going back. As I have posted before I thought it was a good unit but just fell short on a few issues important to me.
You have to ask yourself, "am I happy with its limitations?" If nothing in the negative is all that important to you then keep it. If those problems are worth $350 extra for your Topppy or $100 for Arion/Mediastar, then like me you will take it back.
If you are happy keep it. If it will always niggle in your head that you could/should have gotten a better unit then back it goes.
Have fun...

Wasn't it built by Homecast.

Is the Ds9200 at $399 a good buy or should I be looking at paying a bit more for a Mediastar 920
All so confusing when buying your first PVR which unit would you recomend
Thanks for any info.

Wally

I would and did spend the extra $105 delivered for the Arion. Same deal goes for Mediastar. Thats the other shoice thats up to you.
If you can walk into a Harvey Norman and get a Mediastar then get that. As there was no local support for the MS near me I went for the Arion with the extra 40Gig HDD. Great support from supplier (MetaTronic) and next day delivery.
Opac are giving great support to all MS owners.
All 3 units are good, the Arion/Mediastar are simply a big step up on the DSE.

As I have said many times before because it bugged me soooo much. With the DSE you will need to calculate the extra expense (approx $50) for a RF splitter booster.
As I already get a pretty week signal the last thing I wanted to be doing was splitting again, regardless of booster.

I bought the DSE last week and actually consider the lack of RF pass through a bonus. Stops my wife using the analog tuner in the TV, as it now has no reception

Two digital tuners in the DSE and one in the Digicrystal PVR feeding into the TV should be enough. The Digicrystal has RF pass through so I have the aerial feed going in there first.

If no-one else has tried to update with the UK software I might have a go this weekend.

$399 - good price if you want to mainly capture the prime time tv head to heads and chaseplay.

i tried to make an offer a few weeks ago when the price was $449 (i had $400 in my mind) but they wouldn't budge $1.

i now own the arion and am happy with all the features (cutting, free epg, saving buffer, up to 4 channel recording while playing another from the harddrive).

even so at $399 if i was buying today i would consider that a fair price for a budget twin pvr seemingly a lot more reliable than the offerings from digicrystal.

Zappa
What did you pay for the arion and where did you buy it from and what model is it.

Thanks
Wally

Hi Wally,

Try the MetaTronics website or ebay.

As weird as this will sound coming from someone who purchased an Arion. Please consider a Mediastar first.
Think about supporting your local retailer and distributor with overheads that smaller (private?) operators don't have to compete with.
I made the choice of the Arion due to complete lack of support for it here in Melbourne. The great convenience and service provided by Metatronics and the larger HDD won me over.

See this post ( http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=43476&st=20 )
if you live in one of the above well serviced regions then go in. If not then go here ( http://www.metatronics.com.au/product_info...?products_id=28 ) its now $475. Sam has been a great help to all of us who have purchased one. I received the unit next day and he answers my e-mails immediately including 1am messages. I have also had great response from Philip at Arion itself for the latest software. Which I will load this weekend.

Sorry if this confuses things more but I believe in supporting those who support you first.
Ignore some posts about the display looking cooler with the Vaccum Formed display, as cool as it may be its surely no reason to purchase the Artion.
And as other have said you probably upgrade the HDD size in future. But for short the extra 40Gig is helpfull.

Just to add a few more points that might sway people one way or the other:

-- Timer is set using start time and duration rather than end time
-- 4.7Gb space appears to be for time-shifting and cannot be recovered even if automatic time-shifting is switched off. About 75 to 90 minutes' worth is recorded and the buffer cannot be extended
-- Can't access the HDD stats while recording although the stored titles list gives a progress bar type display
-- There is a manual time setting, which appears to have battery backup. Not sure how accurate it is.

Despite the many and varied annoyances, we will keep the DS given the price. When we want to upgrade our TV (currently a 68cm Princess!) to an HD capable flat-screen, the price of fully-featured HD capable STBs will have dropped enough that the total cost of the two units will probably be close to what we'd pay for the Toppy now (even if we can't sell the DS on EBay).

As I probably won't post or read again until we're shopping in another few years, good luck to all and happy viewing.

hi every one i have just purchased this pvr very happy with unit except when veiwig playback will freeze for 20-40 sceconds then resume again has any one had this problem any imformation welcome
regards jamie

Well I certainly wouldn't be happy with that problem! No that has not happened to me in 3 months of using. I would try reformatting the hard drive as described earlier in this thread. Or call the support number on your DSE docket. Failing that - swap it for another unit!

hi wally - i think mestophalies answered your question - cheers.

I decided to pay the little bit extra for the TF5000 ended up getting the TF5000PVRT Masterpercie paid $600 at the good guys in Geelong they also quoted the TF4400 at $437
Thanks for all the input which made it easier to decide.

Wally

congrats wally - great price

Hi All,

New member here so be kind - especially if I returned the DS PVR because I had no idea!!
I've been keeping a watch on this forum for the past 3 or so weeks for info on the DS PVR. Thanks heaps for everyone's info.

Bought the DS PVR from Powerhouse Fountain Gate 12 days ago for $449. Good price!!

Am totally new to PVR's, had a Liteon DVD Recorder which wasn't reliable so I bought this under the 14 day return policy and played with it for the past week or so. Had the no sound after fowarding through the ads issue as mentioned previously in this thread, so based on the feebdack here had to format the HDD. Before I could do that I had a few recordings on there that I wanted to keep. Downloaded the USB tool off the Homecast website. Had no end of trouble getting it to read the PVR. Spent about 2 hours just trying to get it working with my lappie not recognising the USB device etc. Finally got it working after turning the PVR off and back on. Downloaded the shows to the lappie (took ages) so I could format the HDD. Did that then went to upload the shows back onto the PVR and it failed - lost all my recordings - not happy.

Ended up shopping round today for a Topfield and bought one for $499 (TF5000PVRt).

Returned the DS PVR tonight - what a great policy.

Apart from the few issues above I was relatively happy with it. The only reason I got the DS PVR originally was because of the price as the best price I'd got for the Topfield was around the $780 mark. But now that I got the Toppy for $499 there was no question but to return it.

Check out the below forum for Toppy pricing:
http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...3286&st=780

The DSE twin tuner PVR is now $399 until 11 March. Is this a good price?