Got one of these the other day and surprised how good it is for the money. Pretty good GUI and remote. (No HDMI cable included of course.) No great smarts to it (like online content), but it does series recording.
1Tb hard drive
3 tuners so can record 6 channels from 3 providers.
Basic media file player (like from a USB drive).
Both of those were more expensive than what today's deal is.
Yes. I just put them in for the comments that are in them.
Use the gift cards purchased at Coles and you'll only spend $150, plus you'll have a few dollars left over.
Can these giftt cards be used online?
Yep.
Excellent, now i can record 6 simultaneous Free To Air cooking shows
Don't forget the home renovations shows as well
Review and feedback here - http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2263085&p…
I still have a few issues with latest firmware, but great machine for the price. Scheduled recording is via programme guide,
and if start times change due to overrun, sometimes schedules can be lost.
When you save a recording, what kind of name does the machine give to the file? The name of the program?
They appear on the GUI with channel, program name, date & a thumbnail picture. You can sort the display on date or program name. You can't edit recordings on the HardDrive. There is an option to move recordings off the HardDrive onto your own USB stick but I haven't tried that.
Cheers. I had to manually rename the files on my old PVR which was a pain. What file format does it save to? Just wondering if I could record to external HD and play on another media player.
Also, I'm assuming the media player can handle formats like mkv, mp4?
Haven't fully explored it yet but I believe it's .ts which is playable by some media players or apps. Not sure hat formats it can play -
product page:
http://www.uec.com.au/au/index.php/products/new-product/pvr9…
the main issue still is that this unit still deletes all files without warning. and randomly can jump and continue executing firmware commands at any address with random data.
Jeez, $138.20 today!
So much for the sale ending yesterday.
It did, but today they have a fresh offer with a code (see OP)
Well, not really. He used $20 of gift cards. That's still a currency of sorts with value no matter how he got them. Still, if you can follow how that purchase works very cheap.
Would definitely not recommend this PVR beyond basic recording / playback use. I got rid of mine after a few days.
But, if you want a 3 tuner recorder with series record, it will be fine at regularly discounted price online.
While it does the basics - record 6 programs on 3 networks & you can watch another program on those networks or replay a recording, it's firmware is still in development stage. Update of firmware & manual is available at manufacturer's site.
It nicely saves EPG info with image of program. Handy later to know what you recorded.
Interestingly, can wipe programs preset time after recording - freeing up the 1GB for new recordings. Archiving wanted recordings to external device & wiping old recordings would make a good strategy.
It has 2 USB at back & 1 front - very good. Connecting external USB flash drives works, but powered external HDD usually crashed it. Given the large file size of recordings, accessing larger capacity external drives is necessary. It can play some video file formats from all 3 USB ports.
It can't copy recordings to USB device, keeping original. Rather it cut & pastes. Recording on external device gets a useless file name (REC1.ts etc). It presents a list of USB ports to transfer to, but can only use USB1 on the front. You can't transfer back, but can play from external drive.
If there is no room to transfer, it warns. BUT, if it thinks there is space & there isn't enough, it wipes the original & fails to copy to external!! Who designs software like that. FAIL!
Series record works, but expect extra recordings occasionally of program after scheduled recording. Relies on title of program in EPG, has no provision not to record repeat programs (just delete extras, no big issue at price)
Can select priority of recordings if there is a conflict in recording times. Handy when multiple recordings of series recording occur at same time as a scheduled recording - set priority to scheduled recording.
Recordings can't be renamed.
Has Ethernet port, screen for Apps, box says about Apps as a feature, but not implemented.
If you use an LG TV, the remote's codes will conflict with it! Ring/email manufacturer in Sydney to send you suitable remote (free, but annoying wait while TV turns off if you mute remote etc). Again, who designs consumer electronics like this?
Also has no effective standby power state - consumes power (15W) all the time. Only shuts down output to TV.
Assume this is so series record can access EPG for changes. Extremely energy inefficient compared to most PVR.
You need to factor in about 2-3 times running cost, and possible extra strain on components.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/205713
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/203345