Is the HD PVR worth it?

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Fee

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Hi all, i need a bit of advice please. I want to get an HD PVR decoder in this week but not sure if its worth it. I dont know much about the technical side of things but from what i hear its very problematic so can sum1 please advise me.
 
If you want a pvr (and you do) then you don't really have a choice as they don't sell new sd pvrs anymore. (unless you can find someone willing to part with one)

I got a hd pvr back in december and it really was a piece of sh*t compared to the sd pvr. It was slow and horrible to use and I would have told you to stay away but after the last update it is much better and finally usable.

There is only 1 HD channel (Mnet HD) and the clarity is incredible especially the sport. The difference in quality of the premier league soccer games between the HD channel and SS3 is huge and you get widescreen so you can see more of the games.

I'm am happy with mine at the moment but there are still people with really strange issues. You can read about them on the dstv forum. So beware you could land up with a dud.
 
i have no idea nertherder but if so what would the difference be?
 
Best bet is to hire one from Teljoy ..... that way, if it bombs, you just get a new one / free fix instead of a R4000 ornament.
 
There is a new one coming out soon, but the hardware specs are exactly the same and it runs on exactly the same software, so there should be no difference between them, except that the current ones are made by Pace and the new ones will be made locally (read: cheaper for multichoice, same price for you). If you can get an sd pvr, then rather go with that. I find myself using the dstv on demand all the time on my sdpvr. That feature (along with all the other interactive stuff except some sport stuff and weather) is not available on the hdpvr... yet...

It was all supposed to be there a couple of updates ago, but all they have managed to do in about 5 updates is get the basic functions working properly. and then only barely...

The one hd channel is cool, but I still find that the program guide is out on it...

My advice, go sd if you can get one...

Best bet is to hire one from Teljoy ..... that way, if it bombs, you just get a new one / free fix instead of a R4000 ornament.
Click to expand...

I'n not sure how much it costs to hire from Teljoy, but for an extra R35 a month you can do the same with mnet.... the crap thing is = you lose all your recorded stuff every time..
 
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Fee said:
i have no idea nertherder but if so what would the difference be?
Click to expand...

The multichoice representatives on the dstv forum have said that a new model hd pvr will be manufactured by UEC a south african company responsible for most of dstv's sd decoders and the sd pvr. But they have said multiple times that it will have the same issues as the pace decoder (the one currently available) as it will run the exact same rubbish software. It will also be the exact same price as the pace decoder.
 
kingrob, i do just wana get 1 but whats the point if it gives problems. Im very impatient and it sounds lyk the hdpvr will jst piss me off.
 
The claims of the UEC box running same code etc is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy the PACE crap. imo

UEC manufactures dirt cheap (relatively speaking) , low quality component , goods.

The fact that they have closer ties to DSTV over the years , should give them an advantage - but alas , it does not.
 
Fee said:
I dont have SDPVR but if i did, why would the hdpvr frustrate me?
Click to expand...
It is slow (especially when recording)
It is buggy (hangs/reboots, recordings disappear, etc)
The installation is expensive (R1300 for a SAT-CR LNB (single cable) and you need a 90CM dish at least for when it gets 'cloudy')
There is only one channel (Multichoice's own), no Discovery HD, no ESPN HD, no MTV HD.
ONLY displays HD with an HDMI connection (why does it even have YPbPr connectors??) to ensure you don't 'pirate' the outdated shows screened by MNet.
 
avr-rulez said:
The claims of the UEC box running same code etc is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy the PACE crap. imo

UEC manufactures dirt cheap (relatively speaking) , low quality component , goods.

The fact that they have closer ties to DSTV over the years , should give them an advantage - but alas , it does not.
Click to expand...


Its not a marketting ploy avr... the Multichoice software is built on the OpenTV core, which both the PACE and the UEC boxes support.

Why would MC redevelop the HDPVR software from scratch for a new decoder, they would (and this is at least the ONE intelligent thing they're doing) keep one codebase for the HDPVR system which runs on whatever HDPVR they have on the market..
 
If you are mad about sport I would suggest it, English Premier league, Super 14 and the Confed cup in HD was awesome. Other than that just not worth it until they put more HD programming on.
 
I was in the same boat...wasnt sure about getting one due to all the problems. Decided what the hell, as I could get it as a gift. So jumped in and got it. Initially I noticed all the bugs etc and problems. In all honesty...it wasnt that much of an issue for me....most things in life dont get to me that easily. Knew about the issues...so just "dealt" with it.

Then they released the new software in May and it fixed most issues. So that was great! Only problem I experience now is the screen goes black for a min. A quick channel up/down fixes that. So its no biggy.

I recorded Wall-e on Sat night on HD....watched it last night as I have seen Iron Man. Man...HD is just amazing...and worth all these issues the HD PVR has....thats my opinion. When you sit and watch your fav series and movies in HD...its just amazing....and so worth it.

I recon get one...but if you the kinda person that gets irritated when your milk is not in the right slot in your fridge...the bugs on the HD PVR will get to you. So it might not be a good idea then...
 
DSTV's captured market price for the HDPVR is at least twice that what you pay in competitive markets elsewhere (eg)

My guess is the price will remain high until terrestrial digital with HD comes along to compete.

Or, if a compatible box is supplied by a third party. Anyone know if this is a legal possibility?
 
I was forced to upgrade to HD PVR when my dual view decoder got struck by lightning because they "did away" with dual view decoders. I'm not impressed with HD PVR, the HD channel is so problematic and you can only watch 1 channel and record two. I used to be able to watch two channels with pic in pic, now no more.
 
Oh... for goodness sake people. Stop complaining about one channel, price etc. If you are not happy with that, don't get it. We are a very small market compared to those first world countries. During next year there will be more HD channels. You will probably have to pay more for the package, because buying programming like Discovery HD won't be cheap. This is what DirecTV, Sky etc. do. You pay a bit more for the HD package.

I would say get it Fee. Just make sure you use a reputable installer... and get the Pace box. It is a better quality product and the UEC box will run the same firmware, as mentioned before.
 
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