DStv HD PVR: PACE versus UEC
MultiChoice recently launched the new UEC High Definition PVR, providing DStv subscribers a choice in the HD PVR market. The price for the new UEC HD PVR is R2999, exactly the same as the current PACE HD PVR.
According to MultiChoice the features and functionalities offered on both the Pace and UEC HD PVRs are exactly the same, but there are a few small differences in terms of performance and build. The two decoders have different processors – something which MultiChoice says may result in slight variances.
Both the UEC HD PVR and Pace HD PVR are capable of supporting 1080p as an output resolution, but neither are capable of receiving a 1080p broadcast. The option to output to 1080p is however not enabled in the software at this stage, but this decision could be reviewed dependent on market demand.
MultiChoice added that they have no immediate or medium term plans to broadcast in 1080p due to the bandwidth requirements of this form of broadcast.
Questions have been asked by consumers as to what they can expect in the HD PVR environment in future and MultiChoice said it will endeavour to launch new software and features to both decoders within similar timeframes. They added that they may stagger implementation as is the international norm.
The following table provides an overview of how the two decoders compare:
|
UEC HD PVR
|
Memory
|
PACE HD PVR
|
| 256 MByte |
DDRAM
|
256 MByte |
| 32 MByte |
FLASH
|
32 MByte |
| 32 KByte |
Non-volatile Memory
|
64 Kbyte (emulated) |
|
Core Architecture
|
||
| 450 Mhz |
Processor Performance
|
456 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS |
|
Video and Audio
|
||
| MPEG-1 Layer1, Layer2 (AKA Musicam) |
Audio Decompression
|
MPEG-1 Layer1, Layer2 (AKA Musicam) |
| MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 MP@ML and AVC (H.264) |
Video Decompression
|
MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 MP@ML and AVC (H.264) |
| PAL I / PAL B / 625 |
Line Output
|
PAL I / PAL B / 625 |
|
MPEG-2 MP@HL and all lower levels |
MPEG Profiles & Levels
|
MPEG-2 MP@HL profile |
|
Rear Panel Connectors
|
||
| 4 Satellite inputs including SatCR Remodulator RF in and RF out Baseband Video Stereo Audio YPbPr TV Scart Power Cable Connector Digital Audio S-Video |
Connectors
|
4 Satellite inputs including SatCR Remodulator RF in and RF out Baseband Video Stereo Audio YPbPr TV Scart Power Cable Connector Digital Audio |
|
General
|
||
| 50mm / 430mm / 290mm |
Dimensions (Height / Width / Depth)
|
59mm / 387mm / 270mm |
| Infra Red |
RCU
|
Infra Red |
DSTV HD PVRs – comments and views
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- Pace HD PVR
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- DStv HD PVR UEC
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