recommend me a set-top box?

[octo0072000]

I was looking at one of these not bought one yet just thinking about it anyone have any views on it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-M8...ctronics_VideoSwitches_SM&hash=item3a9a9a7c2d

 

[wookie]

I was looking at one of these not bought one yet just thinking about it anyone have any views on it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-M8...ctronics_VideoSwitches_SM&hash=item3a9a9a7c2d

Well it looks ok-ish but ... what are you thinking of using it for ?

You need at least a hard disc with your files on to make it useful, that will have to be over a network, so you need either another computer that is always on to act as a file server or some network-attached-storage.

Forget the WiFi your going to need an ethernet network connection to it and it only does 10/100M ethernet, it's enough but hardly future-proof. Once you start with 25Gb blu-ray rips you want Gigabit ethernet to move those files.

As for watching Tv you need at least one tuner and again a hard disc if you want to record anything.

If you need another box to add to your existing XBMC setup (I know it's changed to Kodi but I hate that name ) then it's one of a number of options, but if you just want to try XBMC I think you can just run it as an program on windows (not sure don't run windows here :grin: )

If you have a Raspberry Pi there are a few images you can try OpenElec, Raspbmc to name a couple, just bear in mind a Raspberry Pi is underpowered and will be slow and you need to buy the codec licenses to play most files but they are only a few quid.

 

[octo0072000]

Well it looks ok-ish but ... what are you thinking of using it for ?

You need at least a hard disc with your files on to make it useful, that will have to be over a network, so you need either another computer that is always on to act as a file server or some network-attached-storage.

Forget the WiFi your going to need an ethernet network connection to it and it only does 10/100M ethernet, it's enough but hardly future-proof. Once you start with 25Gb blu-ray rips you want Gigabit ethernet to move those files.

As for watching Tv you need at least one tuner and again a hard disc if you want to record anything.

If you need another box to add to your existing XBMC setup (I know it's changed to Kodi but I hate that name ) then it's one of a number of options, but if you just want to try XBMC I think you can just run it as an program on windows (not sure don't run windows here :grin: )

If you have a Raspberry Pi there are a few images you can try OpenElec, Raspbmc to name a couple, just bear in mind a Raspberry Pi is underpowered and will be slow and you need to buy the codec licenses to play most files but they are only a few quid.

just you tube etc saving files to external drive but using wi-fi as getting ethernet cable to tv is a problem
thanks for the reply

 

[Turbo]

I can also recommend a Humax pvr but go for an original humax product, not the rebranded versions from the likes of BT, talk talk etc as they are not as user friendly or reliable.
I have an old sd Humax pvr 9300t and I love it to bits. Very reliable, never misses a recording, easy to use and set up and you can customise the program lists.
I picked up a second hand Humax/BT hd youview box locally and I'm glad I didn't pay full price for it, it is crap.
The box freezes & locks up regularly needing to be rebooted to get it working again.
When setting a recording there's no facility for adding time at the start and end of programs so if a program runs late you're screwed.
The series link feature has a mind of its own.
Theres no facility to customise anything so you're stuck with the program list the way they want it. You can't delete any channels, just 'hide' them.
The youview system is great, it's just the crappy software used on the BT Humax freeview box that lets it down.. One of the latest channels is Motors TV which comes via the internet connection. You can also get all the catch up channels like BBC iplayer, 4OD, etc.

BTW you can forget about watching the recorded material on a PC. All the hard drive recorders encode the material to a system not compatible with a pc, basically to stop piracy. You can get software to convert it but its not worth the hassle. I have a Sony smart tv that lets you record direct to an external hard drive but the tv formats the hd to some strange file system incompatible with a pc.

 

[ukracer]

I recently moved my router so I got the ethernet connected to it so I we can watch Youtube, no adverts either.

How do you get You tube on a TV via ethernet/router. without a PC??

 

[wookie]

How do you get You tube on a TV via ethernet/router. without a PC??

If you've got a "smart" tv they can stream stuff direct from the internet using your internet connection. You need to connect your tv using either ethernet or wifi to your router, the only problem with wifi is whether or not the signal is good enough for the bandwidth of the video your trying to watch, if not you'll get buffering/pauses.

 

[ukracer]

If you've got a "smart" tv they can stream stuff direct from the internet using your internet connection. You need to connect your tv using either ethernet or wifi to your router, the only problem with wifi is whether or not the signal is good enough for the bandwidth of the video your trying to watch, if not you'll get buffering/pauses.

My TV is not smart...it cant change channel when it find jeremy Kyle on it....

 

[Turbo]

Best way to connect your smart tv or youview box to your router is to use home plug adaptors.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Best way to connect your smart tv or youview box to your router is to use home plug adaptors.

They do the job, but I don't like them as they are very noisy RF wise. That makes no difference to the user, but it certainly does to anyone nearby, trying to use the HF bands.

 

[neilm71]

I'm in the market for a TV box.
Needs to record from Free to Air - preferably to an external hard drive, but if not, recordings need to be accessible over LAN to PC.
Need to be able to pause "live" TV (I realise this will only work when hard drive is plugged in)
HD compatible - HDMI output(?)

Ideally, will also have a browser for streaming from other sites - youtube, my LAN server, iplayer

budget of £50-£150, including 500gb/1tb external drive if neccessary.

Get a Humax Fox T2 HDR off ebay for around £100.
You can then load up custom firmware from the internet that will allow you to copy stuff to USB and over the LAN and if set up right over the internet.
You should note that HD content is usually encrypted by the box on most set tops but the custom firmware will allow you to remove it.
The firmware also has a web interface so you can schedule recordings from any where.