Advice on purchasing a PVR

[Cool Cape]

We have been recording on a VHS machine, which has now come to it's end and we must now purchase a PVR. We need to be able to look at one channel while recording on another. We do not have DSTV, only an MNET decoder. Please advise me which PVR will be the best to do all that.

 

[Bob-Za-Builder]

Well - not 100% sure what exactly you are wanting to record, so much of my answer may be irrelevant.

The new DSTV decoders do it built in - and it works pretty great if you are OK with paying them oodles of cash for recycled garbage. The PVR does help as it allows things like "record series" etc.

Openview "free satellite tv" also includes PVR functions.

What you need to know about OpenView and its Open PVR capabilities

According to e.tv, Openview subscribers with the latest decoder models can now enjoy premium features on OpenView with the innovative Open PVR capabilities.

www.thesouthafrican.com

(there is also a "freeview" option.)

If you aren't planning on using dstv or openview (like us) then you have a much trickier path ahead. Then you either need a smart TV with this feature and a hard drive, a media player or device or similar - and there the issue is its a complex matrix of needs, costs and options.

Another consideration is if you have decent internet is to look at the streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime. They have a decent range of TV shows and Movies, and you just need a bit of a shift in your thinking to make the jump from Live TV to On Demand Viewing.

Low-cost local Tv option - go with the Openview
Easier costly option - DSTV
Decent middle ground - Netflix.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Years and years ago I used to use a dvd/hdd recorder to time shift and record. You may be lucky and still find one at a place like makro.

Else something like a AverMedia ER310 EzRecorder Video Capture Box bit that would set you back nearly R3k.
Or AverMedia ER130 EzRecorder Stand-Alone Capture Card that will record to a usb device for R2K.
Both of these devices are HDMI input, so you would need some kind of a RF to HDMI adapter to go from the decoder to the recorder.

Just looked at DSTV packages. MNet is only available to Premium subscribers? What a shlenter! In that case, R1500 for the decoder and dish and R1000 per month.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Easier costly option - DSTV

Mnet only available on DSTV Premium. So definitely costly.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Oh I almost forgot there are people trying to get rid of HD PVR's. No one will buy them, so you should get one for free.
@johnjm

Decoders: HD PVR2 and Explorer

Folks have moved, no need for them. Come pick them up in Pretoria. Includes power supplies and remotes for them. Perfect working condition, excellent.

mybroadband.co.za

 

[Cool Cape]

Thanks so much for all the advice. As we have been Mnet subscribers since they started, when they changed to HD or whatever, MultiChoice came and installed a Mnet decoder and put up a dish for us. Free of charge. As we do not want the Premium package, which as you said, is the only one that includes Mnet. We only want to record our Mnet programs, when we are not home or if we are watching something on SABC 2 or 3 at the same time as our Mnet program. We were told that the only device that will do that, is the Explorer. Can you confirm that the Explorer will be able to do all that we need. I was quoted R2000.00 for the Explorer, Dish and Installation. We just bought as Samsung smart TV. I need advice on what to purchase for our specific need. Each store I go to for advice, wants to sell me a different product.

 

[SoldierMan]

Thanks so much for all the advice. As we have been Mnet subscribers since they started, when they changed to HD or whatever, MultiChoice came and installed a Mnet decoder and put up a dish for us. Free of charge. As we do not want the Premium package, which as you said, is the only one that includes Mnet. We only want to record our Mnet programs, when we are not home or if we are watching something on SABC 2 or 3 at the same time as our Mnet program. We were told that the only device that will do that, is the Explorer. Can you confirm that the Explorer will be able to do all that we need. I was quoted R2000.00 for the Explorer, Dish and Installation. We just bought as Samsung smart TV. I need advice on what to purchase for our specific need. Each store I go to for advice, wants to sell me a different product.

If you go the Openview way just know that they only allow for about 8 hours of recording (best check for yourself on the exact time on their website) on their PVR.

Yeah R2000 sounds about right, though you can get it cheaper as we paid R1800 from Hi-Fi Corporation.