Record HDTV and Play AVIs and MkVs

[Hawk Dork]

Is there any thing that will record HDTV and play XVids and MkVs?
A mate is trying to buy something that does in a single box.

I got a DVD player with usb and a WD and a tv recorder on my satelite reciever for my stuff but he wants a one box fits all solution.
(he has normal HDTV via an aerial)


Anything ???

 

[drd23]

AFAIK there isnt anything that records and can play both AVIs and MKVs that comes in a single box unless you get a HTPC built.

Most, if not all, good PVRs (Beyonwiz, Topfield etc) can record and play AVIs though.

Im sure someone will correct me if Im wrong though about PVRs not playing MKVs

EDIT: If your mate gets a PVR, make sure its not a freeview branded one as they are feature limited compared to non-branded from the same manufacturer

 

[King Elvis]

Porky, get a low power HTPC mate, can do all of the above and more.

ASRock Ion330 for example.

 

[Hawk Dork]

AFAIK there isnt anything that records and can play both AVIs and MKVs that comes in a single box unless you get a HTPC built.

Most, if not all, good PVRs (Beyonwiz, Topfield etc) can record and play AVIs though.

Im sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong though about PVRs not playing MKVs

EDIT: If your mate gets a PVR, make sure its not a freeview branded one as they are feature limited compared to non-branded from the same manufacturer

looks like this is might be the one
http://www.dealspace.com.au/product_info.php?&products_id=37
USB is on the back makes it hard to play an AVi off it via a stick and price is a bit steep

any one got one /seen one and recommend it?

 

[drd23]

I've got the P1 and its basically the same thing with a few less features (the P2 can record Foxtel for example while the P1 can't). There are 2 USBs on the back and one one the front on mine (that big black section opposite the display screen is a flip down 'door' with a USD slot. Can also be hooked up to a home network via ethernet (or wirelessly if you use a bridge).

I have had my P1 for about 4 years (when the P1 was $800+ and the P2 $900+ IIRC) with no problems. Doesnt play all AVIs (it only has certain codecs) but I rarely find an AVI that it doesnt play. Dont think it plays MKVs though. Beyonwiz and Topfield are the 2 best PVR brands out there and I would def recommend one. Firmware is constantly upgrading too to add some minor features which is a plus

 

[King Elvis]

...

That is a massive rip off Porky, you can get a fully functioning HTPC for much less than that!

Check these out at least;

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=172&products_id=16681

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1064&products_id=16051

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1185&products_id=16763

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php...VDRW-W7HP-Complete-System-Black-w-MCE-Remoter <- I've got one of those. It's ultra low power, has a remote, and is a full functioning PC. If he buys a USB TV Tuner he can also use it to record TV ($30).

Seriously mate, you'd be crazy to get one of those things at that price.

 

[drd23]

While I agree with Elvis that the P2 is quite expensive, afaict none of those options have a built in tv tuner (or recorder).

If you are serious about getting a HTPC, I would suggest browsing http://www.dtvforum.info/ for better info

 

[FIGJAM]

That is a massive rip off Porky, you can get a fully functioning HTPC for much less than that!

Those prices were 4 years ago. You can get the DP-P2s for $500odd.

 

[King Elvis]

Still a bit of a gyp in my opinion.

drd23 - I said that mate, you can get a USB TV Tuner for ~$30 these days; that does the job for this purpose.

 

[FIGJAM]

I'd probably be going your way with the HTCP nowadays, but a bit over a year ago, the twin tuner (had a TV without), Beyonwiz and IceTV worked a treat for my purposes.

 

[drd23]

Still a bit of a gyp in my opinion.

drd23 - I said that mate, you can get a USB TV Tuner for ~$30 these days; that does the job for this purpose.

My sister has one of those $30 USB tuners and they work fine, but could be better. Probably better off going with a PCI-E TV Tuner card.

And at the very least you would need 2 TV tuner cards/USB sticks because of the inability of FTA networks to stick to their program guides .

 

[King Elvis]

Fig, it's not that they're bad, I know people with the TiVo setups, and they're bloody nice pieces of gear, but they're middle aged women with NFI about Computers.

If you had any idea of how to setup and use a HTPC, it smokes them, in my opinion at least.

drd, I've got one mate, does 1080i, isn't perfect, but does the job.

You only need 2 of them if you're recording two channels though - just download the other show instead

 

[HarryTiger]

Mediastar/Vantage HD8000T 1TB Twin HD
http://crazystu.com.au/mediastar_hd8000T_twin_tuner_pvr-p-5036.html

$318 + ship

I don't have that one but have investigated and all reports are pretty good. Won't play mkv's but you can convert them to mp4 without re-encoding.

He has lots of others too at cheapest prices you're likely to see.

 

[Hawk Dork]

Thanx everyone
just sent of the recommendations to my mate he is in the Goldy for a few weeks and will have a look around, kick some tyres, bend some ears(we have no shops or people to ask in town)