Does anyone (I'm looking at you TivoZA) whether the specifications of the HD PVR are the same as the the current PVR when it comes to its remote spectrum? The real question is whether it will play nice with remote blasters for people using their own PVR solutions (eg Media Center, MythTV etc)?
The below comments where made by C4 in the "
PVR and PVR HD INFO" thread on the DSTV forum:
C4 said:
Also - on insistance of field trialists, we are accommodating an installation in which the HDPVR and DVPVR can be accommodated in one room. It involves disabling the front panel reception of commands on the DVPVR so it receives TV2 commands via relay from the HDPVR and TV1 commands via relay from the remote TV(s). (This can be the other way around as well) ... this all to say that it is not essential that you will have to run two wires to a second room for any decoder combination.
Based on the above comments it would appear that the HD PVR uses the same remote codeset as the current PVR (DV PVR = current Standard Definition Dual View PVR). Although this might appear to be disappointing news (given the hassles of getting the PVR to work with Windows MCE), it's worth noting that DSTV are testing a new remote codeset for the current PVR. The revised remotes making use of the new codeset are not yet commercially available but some of the initial units were released for public testing. The new remotes make use of a simpler codeset and should provide better support for remote senders, learning universal remotes and hopefully HTPC's. The new codeset will be included in the upcoming software release for the current PVR's.
Although it may be possible for the TiVo/HTPC devices to control the HD PVR, that isn't necessarily the best route to go. Since the HD PVR will outputting the same feed on all connectors (i.e. no dual view functionality), getting your recording device to control the HD PVR would limit the ability to view HD content which will only be available via the non recordable HDMI connector. To be able to view the HD content you will thus need to view the direct DSTV output and control the HD PVR via the DSTV remote (or a universal remote). Going that route could clash with your HTPC's scheduled recordings so you'd thus need to ensure the HTPC doesn't plan to record anything while you watch something directly off the DSTV decoder. Watching a recorded HDTV show from the DSTV decoder would again require ensuring the HTPC schedule will not conflict with your viewing experience. The whole situation is further complicated by the fact that after having viewed a show directly from your DSTV decoder, you need to ensure that you return the decoder to a state in which the HTPC is again able to control it (i.e. viewing the live unbuffered feed with no interactive services running).
Given the complexities of the above, the route I'd suggest TiVo/HTPC users go is to get a second DSTV decoder to record from. From the launch of the HD PVR, DSTV will be offering a new facility called XtraView (previously referred to as multiroom or add2). This offering will allow users to have a second decoder (possibly more) in their household but at a reduced monthly cost (~R50). XtraView will be supported by the HD PVR, DV PVR and the single view 1110(+2) decoders.
By going the above route and getting the HD PVR as well as connecting your existing TiVo/HTPC to a 1110 or PVR decoder, you get the benefits of HD decoder while still maintaining the functionality and versatility of your existing TiVo/HTPC setup.
One of the required upgrades for users wishing to get a HD PVR, will be that the decoder requires 4 LNB inputs. This can be achieved in one of 3 ways and the best choice will depend on your current setup. Before I go into the different setup, bear in mind that having an additional decoder as per the XtraView offering will require extra LNB connections (1 extra in the case of the 1110 decoder, 2 extra in the case of the DV PVR and 4 extra in the case having 2 HD PVR's).
Users who currently have a single LNB could opt for an octo (8 way) LNB whereas those with a dual LNB can choose to either purchase an octo LNB or alternatively get a 2x6 multiswitch. The multiswitch option has the added benefit of only requiring 2 cables from the satellite dish to the switch, the multiswitch would then be cabled to the decoder(s) as required. Considering the switch can be placed within a short distance to the decoder(s) this does alleviate some of the wires which can help offset the cost of the switch not to mention reduce the amount of clutter the wires tend to cause. Another option that is available is to use a SATCR LNB, the SATCR LNB allows you to run just once cable from the LNB to the HD PVR decoder (at present the HD PVR is the only decoder compatible with the SATCR LNB). The SATCR LNB's approved by DSTV have both a SATCR LNB connector and a standard LNB connector so it is possible to provide the required cabling for both the HD PVR and a 1110(+2) decoder using just the SATCR LNB and two wires.
Given the above, it's worth spending a bit of time planning your setup to avoid having spent thousands and being left in a situation of a setup offering less than what you had to begin with
. I'm getting the fullHD 1080p plasma. Heard that that will be the standard soon even though that fool from MC said 720p will be considered HD.....I don't believe him as most of the HD channels in japan and the states are 1080p.....soooo...spending R14k on "HD-ready" is a waste of cash....spend the R18k/R20k on a decent 1080p....
