hi all

My Old Man is turning 50 in May and we are going to buy him a Pioneer 508xda. I was also hoping to get him a PVR to go with this. However, my concern is, that my dad watches a lot of international tv via FTA satellite. The receiver for the satellite is digital (SD I think), are there any PVRs available which can record HD tv and that also have a component input to allow recording of FTA satellite tv?

Thanks for your help guys,

I don't think PVRs can record from any other sources, I believe you would need a DVD recorder in order to do this.

I don't know of any HD PVR's that have component inputs, that leaves you the option of SD or Anoluge PVR and use a HD set top box to record the HD channels in SD mode to the PVR.
Another option is to get Foxtel IQ to record his programs from Foxtel about $15 a month plus the cost of box (not sure the price I think it's about $150), if he still has the old VCR you could record Foxtel on it.
Foxtel IQ is the best solution if you can afford it, as I believe you can record 2 channels at the same time.

Thanks but its not Foxtel IQ, its one of those big black mesh satellite dishes that picks up the AsiaSAT2 satellite with channels from europe...

Maybe, I'll just keep the VCR specifically to tape programs from the satellite service and use a HD PVR to record HDtv

sorry double post

Unless I'm missing something Foxtel (and the IQ ) are completely irrelevant to the OPs requirements.

There is no all in one solution for mixing Satelite and FTA (esp HD) recording. You'd be best to approach things as two separate boxes.

An option is to get a satellite PVR like this: http://www.mediastar.com.au/DW820PVR/index.html

Note the 8022 model is not HD per say but it does upscale the image to quasi HD (I the PQ is improved a bit) which might be handy.

But this doesn't handle the FTA side of things.

It can be a bit expensive but you could get a HD PVR and a analogue DVDR (Something like the Homecast PVR $600 and an decent DVDR under $500) - you basically replace the VCR with the DVDR and plug the existing satellite box into it for recording that and the PVR handles the HD stuff)

A cheaper option would be a hybrid DVDR/PVR which has a single SD tuner and analogue inputs (svideo max though I believe) This is a good all in one box solution for about $500 - that can record from the satelite box and also SD digital (just not HD channels) You could also add in a standard HD STB ($100 at Dick Smith) as an option.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

How about a Beyonwiz DP-S1 or DP-P1 HD PVR with the optional LiDiC (Line In Digital Converter)?
It doesn't have component but does have composite and S-video.
The LiDiC is currently available at half price at http://www.beyonwiz.com.au/redemption_offer.asp

That's really sweet! I didn't know the Beyonwiz could do that.

Stupid question time, can you get one of those devices for other PVRs? Or is it a Beyonwiz only accessory?
I've got a Topfield 7000PVR and would love one of those boxes to record foxtel.

thanks for all your replies... i'll do a bit more research on all the options mentioned and I'll let you know how i go.

that LiDiC add-on looks interesting...why can they just have that inbuilt in the PVR? it would solve many problems for those who want to record foxtel and satellite tv!

I would assume the issue is cost, other HD PVRs don't have the option so they probably want to minimise the total cost of their unit.

true...but atleast it would seperate it from all its competitors and become more marketable to foxtel users

BW only sorry.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

I think the Strong STR-4910 will probably let you record both HDTV and FTA satellite from C-band satellite but according to Strong it won't be released until May. But there is no component input in this PVR so you probably have to replace your exisiting Satellite receiver.

Please read the beyonwiz forums before buying the LiDiC.
Make up you own minds, but from what I read there it doesn't really seem to work properly at the moment...

I think the beyonwiz PVRs are well and truly differentiated very successfully from their competitors. Serious Foxtel users should get the iQ not an "external" PVR. With the iQ you get the EPG and the ability to record by programming one device not two.

Very true, except the iQ has an additional monthly subscription cost.
And if you want to permanently archive any foxtel recordings, you need a second analogue capture device anyway. Which either means a PC, or a DVD recorder.
(Or the LiDiC if it worked, and you already owned a BW).

NinjaTurtle,
I believe the Panasonic DMR-EX75/77 family of DVDR does allow component capture via Scart. There is a 200 page EX75 thread on this forum if you care to read and let me know

agreed - but at least it comes without an upfront purchase price; and you can send it back whenever you like and somebody else picks up the tab for repairs.