PVR to 'PC'

[baSkey]

hello computer people!

I have a question which may well get me laughed out of town but i don't know the answer so here it is....!

i want to get a PVR box (Humax 9200T). now what I want to know is with these boxes can you, in some way, simply copy files from the box onto a pc and then (in some way rip them to a dvd from the pc)? i don't want a media centre or something i was just thinking that it would be good if you could copy some stuff off the box (top gear for example!)....

[rsvmilly]

You can simply get a hard disk recorder with a DVD writer incorporated

[baSkey]

i know i could i was just wondering if it was possible...

if one did have a dvd recorder thing how does the pc 'see' the files on the dvd you've recorded? can you rip them off using media player?

i think i want the humax cos i mostly want to have a lot of built in storage etc etc and they are a good price - i was just wondering if you *could* copy files onto the pc.

[GlenMH]

It is possible with some via USB port. Or use a scart or other lead into a video capture card on the PC..

Glen

[pmanson]

Baskey,

I'm looking at the same one as you for my old folks. Yes you can connect it to a PC via the USB2 port on the box. (It has to be a PC and not just an external HD)

However from reading around on the net it can be a bit slow at times. It also records it a strange format so you have to convert it before you burn it to dvd. Bit of a pain but I don't think it will be an issue for my parents as it records 100 hours of TV.

Also from reading around on the net some do have issues and its recommended you buy from a high street retailer (Curry's have them advertised for £199 in the paper today). I'm going to recommend my parents get it from John Lewis (its on their website for £229 but they normally price match) as returning items to there is very easy!

It looks like you can get either a good one or a Friday afternoon one but the support looks good and they are listening to people's requirements/issues.

If any one reading this gibberish has one can you confirm that the 7day EPG takes 7-8minutes to load? Does it have a daily one which is quicker?


Thanks,

Phill

[egomeister]

Topfield do a device that's similarly spec'd to the Humax - a little more expensive but apparently more stable, plus it has the facility for geeks to write hacks and updates for it to improve the fuctionality.

I believe our very own Derestrictor may be able to facilitate supply of such a device.....

[chim_knee]

I've got one of those Humax 9200T's and I'm mostly happy with it (it had a number of stalling issues which have recently been fixed).

For a whole host of opinions on it, try here http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/f

[baskey]

with some concerns about reliability (!) i have gone for the 9200. currys on line and local shops all seem to be out so i have gone to ebuyer (gulp!) they have been ok in the past so we'll see (just hope i get a tueday morning one..!). will look further into the ability to get files off it though...

quite looking forward to pvr!

[chim_knee]

baskey said:

with some concerns about reliability (!) i have gone for the 9200. currys on line and local shops all seem to be out so i have gone to ebuyer (gulp!) they have been ok in the past so we'll see (just hope i get a tueday morning one..!). will look further into the ability to get files off it though... quite looking forward to pvr!

It's very good - and amazing just how quickly you take pausing live TV, skipping ads in recording etc. for granted.

Make sure you have the latest software version (not sure whether the shops will have it - that link above will have a post on how/what to do).

[davidd]

I have a humax 9200t and it is great. The epg might take a coulpe of mins to load but I think that it is a fix on the next s/w patch.

There have been lots of debates about getting files off it, I have to do it at the weekend so if you can wait until then I will let you know.

D

[baskey]

davidd said:

I have a humax 9200t and it is great. The epg might take a coulpe of mins to load but I think that it is a fix on the next s/w patch. There have been lots of debates about getting files off it, I have to do it at the weekend so if you can wait until then I will let you know. D

yeah that would be great! hopefullymine will have arrived by then so I can have a play!

if you want to post it here or PM me i don't mind. it'd be really good to know how to do it/software required etc.

cheers

[baSkey]

ar5e. looks like i have got the aforementioned 'friday afternoon special'. i haven't even unpacked it properly. the screen didn't have one of those transparent protection cover things and it's scratched to bugg3ry so i am not having that. i am not unwrapping anything cos i want to prove i haven't used to it (as far as i can).

a shame cos ebuyer have been good for the other stuff i have bought. i just hope they aren't too bad about returns... as i have heard they can be sometimes. boo fvcking hiss.

still 3 days off!

[gopher]

I've got the 9200t and it's been fine for me, it has "hung" a few times and as mentioned the epg does take a little while to load but other than that no problem.

It did take an absolute age to download a two hour recording onto my laptop (I don't know how long, I went to bed), but I think my laptop is only usb 1 so I put it down to that.

[baSkey]

i wasn't convinced that it didn't have a plastic protecting cover... i really picked at the edges and it began to come off! so actually is all is fine! it makes you feel a bit dumb but hey ho! it's really well fitting film much better than usual and hence without having a proper attempt it wasn't clear (if you'll excuse the pun) that their was a clear film...

whatevr you can get these for only £199 from john lewis now so i'd recomend going there... i feel sorry for anyone who paid £230 to john lewis only a week or so ago...