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PVR decoder
- Thread starter herp
- Start date
Get one! 
Very very easy to use and very convenient.
I have no idea if you can transfer it, but my best bet would be "nope". I think it stores the data in the DSTV MPEG2 compressed format on the disc, thus you basically 'decode' the information as you view it from the disc (using the HD).
Pure speculation, though!
You should be able to transfer it via analogue to your PC using the VIVO. Ideally one would get a digital video capture card that can do the decoding of the DSTV signal itself (would need a smart-card or something) and then record it directly on the signal, but I don't believe anything like that exists for SA.
Very very easy to use and very convenient.I have no idea if you can transfer it, but my best bet would be "nope". I think it stores the data in the DSTV MPEG2 compressed format on the disc, thus you basically 'decode' the information as you view it from the disc (using the HD).
Pure speculation, though!
You should be able to transfer it via analogue to your PC using the VIVO. Ideally one would get a digital video capture card that can do the decoding of the DSTV signal itself (would need a smart-card or something) and then record it directly on the signal, but I don't believe anything like that exists for SA.
protagon1st
Member
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To answer your first question, of course it is worth getting one if you A) want to record shows for later viewing or B) watch alot of sport, pause/slow-mo/rewinding of live sport rocks.
Unfortunately it is impossible to transfer the content to a pc. The content on your PVR is stored in a encrypted format on the harddrive so even if you take the harddrive and plug it into your pc it would be totally unuseable. Multichoice wouldn't have it any other way.
The only way to transfer to the PC would have to be through a analogue method (using the TV-in on your VIVO card)
Unfortunately it is impossible to transfer the content to a pc. The content on your PVR is stored in a encrypted format on the harddrive so even if you take the harddrive and plug it into your pc it would be totally unuseable. Multichoice wouldn't have it any other way.
The only way to transfer to the PC would have to be through a analogue method (using the TV-in on your VIVO card)
While the DSTV PVR is a reasonable option you may want to take a look at their forum to see some of the current problems users are experiencing, as stated there you will discover that they have no plans for letting you transfer content to a PC.herp said:
If transferring recorded shows from a PVR to your PC is quite high on your priority list then TiVo may be a better option. With a TiVo you are able stream recorded shows to your PC as well as back up shows to DVD. Then of-course there is always the benefit that TiVo is the only device in SA that supports Season Passes
Yes it is.herp said:
If you want to use Windows Media Center then the requirements are quite high and very specific about what is and what isn't supported, for more details about this option see here.
If you PC doesn't meet the requirements or if you don't want to go the Microsoft route you can always try MythTV.
andres101
Expert Member
there are actually a few opensource pvr applications. even some for windows.
mythtv has the most features, but it a little harder to get going than the windows ones (it runs on linux). if you want to use mythtv and don't have (much) linux experience, use knopmyth.
the best (opensource) windows one is MediaPortal.
mythtv has the most features, but it a little harder to get going than the windows ones (it runs on linux). if you want to use mythtv and don't have (much) linux experience, use knopmyth.
the best (opensource) windows one is MediaPortal.
Azrael
Senior Member
I've played around with DSTV's PVR a bit - quite nice, does its job - and only that...I like the flexibility of a PC based PVR system. Takes a bit more to set up - but once it's done it blows the DSTV PVR away. I nice Opensource app i'm using currently is MediaPortal ( http://www.team-mediaportal.com/ ). Alot more customizable than Windows MCE. And you can easily re-encode all your recordings as xvid or whatever you choose from within the program. Works like a charm with the Windows MCE remote control!
Silent_Bob
Expert Member
my mate got a media centre pc this week and i checked it out this weekend, very awesome, does everything, i reccomend if you are happy with one feed from dstv then get a media centre pc with a MS digitly signed tv card or use vivo IF SUPPORTED
Go the Multichoice PVR route ... sure its not brilliant - but its very good.
The convenience of in-built TV guide as well as 3 in-built tuners ( watch 2 separate channels simultaneously while recording a third ) is fantastic.
And if you are wanting to transfer to PC I simply output via analog to my miniDV camera which is hooked to the computer - and edit and burn from them. Quality is great and while it may not be the most convenient I find that I really don't have a need for burning that many programs to DVD ( the 80gb harddrive stores a fair amount of programming )
The convenience of in-built TV guide as well as 3 in-built tuners ( watch 2 separate channels simultaneously while recording a third ) is fantastic.
And if you are wanting to transfer to PC I simply output via analog to my miniDV camera which is hooked to the computer - and edit and burn from them. Quality is great and while it may not be the most convenient I find that I really don't have a need for burning that many programs to DVD ( the 80gb harddrive stores a fair amount of programming )