Hard Drives, HDMI inputs and more...
Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) have a history that spans a decade, but only recently appear to be increasing in popularity. These are sometimes also known as Digital Video Recorders (DVRs).
Much like Foxtel IQ and TiVo, a PVR allows people to record digital television and play back their favourite TV shows. Most PVRs also enable users to record programs while they watch another.
We’ve had a lot of people ask if Kogan is going to launch a PVR. It’s something we are considering and we would like to hear your thoughts on the features you want in such a device.
There are currently a lot of new products being released that are Freeview compliant. Freeview promises new features such as enhanced Electronic Program Guide, but most of these come with Digital TV as standard. Also, Freeview compliant units often cost several hundred dollars more than their Non-Freeview counterparts.
There are many other things that make up a PVR and we’re very keen to hear your thoughts on these:
• Would you rather a PVR with a Single Tuner or Twin Tuner?
Personally, I will be connecting my PVR to a Kogan LCD TV with a built-in HD Tuner. I would therefore have no need for a twin tuner.
• What outputs do you really need on the PVR?
When it comes to quality I think HDMI is the best option. All our devices now come with HDMI inputs. Would you be happy with a PVR that only has an HDMI output?
• Would you rather a built-in hard drive or prefer to attach an external hard drive?
My view is that, as hard drives get smaller, cheaper and can hold higher levels of data, having an external drive compatible PVR would allow you to take your video collection anywhere! This also lets you use several different hard drives with your PVR and upgrade when newer hard drives become available.
• Would a USB input be an advantage? A USB input lets you playback movies and view photos on your TV via any portable device from iPods to modern Sony Walkmans.
• Have you used TiVo or a PVR before? What have your experiences been?
• Would you prefer your next PVR to be integrated into an LCD HD TV or as a separate unit?
• What would your budget for a PVR be? Keep in mind that the more features we provide in such a unit, the higher the price will be.
Thanks,
Ruslan
Comments
Hear what our customer's have to say.
Trent Petronaitis says...
Would you rather a PVR with a Single Tuner or Twin Tuner?
Not everyone has access to certain things- and people who will buy this- as essencially a set-top-box. Twin Tuner would be great, and Single in this day and age is just stupid. You need to be able to allow your customers the freedom to watch one thing and record another- or record two shows at once- while they are out of town etc.
What outputs do you really need on the PVR?
Only HDMI is a dumb move- yes it should be included, supported the most- and pushed for customers to use- but most consumers would have older TV's- or wouldn't even know what a HDMI port is- you need to allow options, and not restrict consumers to one way to use your product.
Would a USB input be an advantage?
Yes
Have you used TiVo or a PVR before?
I use a Windows Media Center PC - and have for many years, I still belive its the best way for people to go- but most people would have say one or two TV's in the house (so even if they do have a Media Center PC- they would want something simple for the other tv)- and also most other people go the simple easy to set up way- which sadly dosn't work as well as they think.
Would you prefer your next PVR to be integrated into an LCD HD TV or as a separate unit?
Like I said- I use a Media Center PC. But for your business I think you should start intergrating it into your TV's while still selling a stand-alone unit.
What would your budget for a PVR be?
Most people want something simple and cheap, so anything over 300$ and your breaking their bank - no matter how many features it supports. $100 should be the optium goal range though.
Posted at 5:24 p.m. on October 12, 2009
Anton says...
Something MythTV based - open hardware and software, if you attach to recognized, maintained software, your product's life is extended. If you build something good, that people can hack without too much effort, they'll come. Let us pull the hard-drive out and swap it when we want to.
Nice features - UPNP/DLNA server/client - record on one system, and stream to others.
LAN and WiFi - WiFi is convenient, but nothing beats a gigabyte link to the home network.
HDMI only is a bit limiting - especially something goes wrong, HDMI can be hard to debug. If HDMI is includes, SPDIF also needs to be included due to limitations on most HDMI devices when it comes to passing through audio.
Posted at 5:26 p.m. on October 12, 2009
Stephen says...
- definitely twin tuner
- easily upgradeable hard drive
- WiFi
- HDMI plus other analogue ports for older hardware
- ability to hook an auxiliary device would be good too (camera, DVD/blue ray, etc
- USB and/or memory card input
The important thing to consider in Australia is that most of our free to air content is still on standard definition. The upscaling needs to be of excellent quality, many PVRs aren't so good at this.
Posted at 5:50 p.m. on October 12, 2009
Tim says...
I would have to say I prefer a twin tuner, simply so I don't have to change sources every time two good TV shows are on.
HDMI and component provide a good choice of connections, as does a LAN connection.
As for storage, an internal Hard drive with USB based expandable memory would be useful.
Having used nothing but topfields in the past, I would be very interested in seeing how this one will work out.
Posted at 5:52 p.m. on October 12, 2009
Mikal says...
MythTV is a clear choice if you can make PC grade hardware affordable. You get the software development, guide data, and perhaps user support "for free". However, you'd still be wise to try and work with the MythTV developers if you go that route. There are several in Australia, so that shouldn't be too hard.
Tuners: two. I think the days of simple tuner devices are numbered.
USB: yes, as long as it has networking as well.
Disk: external... users can upgrade without pain, and it reduces the initial cost.
I think HDMI only output is ok, but I only have modern TVs.
In fact, why not just offer the main system, and then sell network / disk / tuner USB dongles and let the user decide what they want for their particular configuration?
Posted at 5:59 p.m. on October 12, 2009
Garth says...
There are a few good PVR/Media Centre devices out there. Some are bluring the lines between PVR, media centre and NAS.
Check out the Popcorn Hour PVR at www.popcornhour.com (www.syabas.com or www.kaifa.com.cn for the maunfacturing and core platform) and www.sarotech.com (media player). Those are a couple of my favorites.
Desirable features would be:
- Gigabit Ethernet optimally but 100Mb would suffice to keep down costs and/or wireless N networking (wireless via an optional dongle would be acceptable)
- HDMI for connection to modern flat screens (especially your own models)
- Composite outputs, maybe S-video also, for compatibility with older tvs and audio systems
- At least 2 USB ports for additional attached storage or addons (wireless, IR dongles) although for longevity you'd be starting to look at USB3 ports now...
- DLNA server/client
- RF remote with optional IR attachment
Would you think of incorporating your Blu-Ray player into the PVR? It'd increase the cost but having one device instead of 2 could be worth a few extra $$...
Posted at 6:27 p.m. on October 12, 2009
Chris Gray says...
Don't include a HDD to keep cost down, anybody can pick these up.
I don't think twin tuners are a must, as I wouldn't watch TV through the box, just use it to record stuff to watch later.
More than two USB ports, since most PVRs skimp on this, it'd be great to have more.
Good software - you might make a great piece of hardware, but the software could really ruin it if it's wonky. TV scheduling should be really prioritised, as most Oz channels don't run on time, so there should be an option to record between certain times, instead of a schedule program time.
HDMI only unless there's not much cost in the lesser forms.
LAN.only, with an optional wifi dongle - not everybody needs wifi, but again if the cost isn't huge include it.
Overall as cheap as you can make it, there are oodles of expensive PVRs in catalogues of all the retail giants, yet nearly no competition for barebones boxes like Western Digitals WDTV. Peg it around that and include more, and you're on an absolute winner.
Oh and send a few people a beta-testers box to get you some early feedback. ;)
Posted at 7:36 p.m. on October 12, 2009
Andy says...
Gotta be twin tuners - consumers hate having to change inputs. Easier having watching & recording in the same package
Posted at 8:56 p.m. on October 12, 2009
Lutz says...
Twin HD tuners
DVDR
Hard Disc
ability to copy recorings to DVDr or record dirrect to DVDR or HD or both
USB input
Upgradable HD
Divx compliant
Posted at 10:42 p.m. on October 12, 2009
Tim says...
The single most critical thing that will make your PVR sink or swim is the interface. Some of the units already on the market are horrendous. If you guys could build a stand alone model with HDMI, external HDD support, and a single tuner (as mentioned, most of us have another tuner on the TV anyway...) and an easy to use/learn interface that made sense to the average user then you'd be on a winner, I think. I'd certainly buy one... :)
Posted at 12:54 a.m. on October 13, 2009
dannie says...
Twin Tuner, 100 Lan, No HDD but space for one or USB drive. Ability to Stream content from PC, Wireless, if need be by dongle are all things I am wating for in a good cheap single box. But the interface needs to be Simple and good looking.
Posted at 1:22 a.m. on October 13, 2009
Robert says...
• Would you rather a PVR with a Single Tuner or Twin Tuner?
Definitely a Twin Tuner - a triple would give you a def competitive advantage... I prefer to not use the tuner in the TV and would rather use the tuner/s in one device. (top of the range model could come with FOUR tuners... imagine PIP-IP-IP or four sections of a TV with four diff channels - good for the multi tasking GenY youf.)
• What outputs do you really need on the PVR?
HDMI plus one other - S-video perhaps
Would you be happy with a PVR that only has an HDMI output?
no
• Would you rather a built-in hard drive or prefer to attach an external hard drive?
HDD are so cheap these days - whacking in a 1TB HDD would give you market advantage and not effect price so much. BUT need also the ability to add in extra storage easily.(USB)
My view is that, as hard drives get smaller, cheaper and can hold higher levels of data, having an external drive compatible PVR would allow you to take your video collection anywhere!
Who really does this? I reckon 90% of users would not have a portable HDD need. And if used within a household, a fixed drive can be networked.
• Would a USB input be an advantage?
YES - at least 2
• Have you used TiVo or a PVR before? What have your experiences been?
Have both a TiVO and a Media Centre PC. Prefer the GUI and ease of recording the TiVO gives, but like the more fuller functioning of the Media Centre. Use it as the main music player in the house taking music, pics etc from a NAS device. Media Centre works with X-Box (although poorly) and can be networked easily across MS devices, but TiVO not as adaptable - especially the extra storage device option (which I refuse to buy). One def advantage of the TIVO is its lack of noise. compared to an XBox and PC-based media centre, Who needs HDDs anymore - wouldn't you go with flash storage drives?
• Would you prefer your next PVR to be integrated into an LCD HD TV or as a separate unit?
Seperate Unit. I don't like integrated DVD players as they make the units look thick and clumsy. I reckon there would be a decent market for screen only TVs - large monitors without tuners, - the way things are headed, most PVRs Digital boxes etc will be stand alone and TVs dont really need tuners.
• What would your budget for a PVR be? Keep in mind that the more features we provide in such a unit, the higher the price will be. Keep it under $500 for a base model and perhaps $tivo priced for a top line ($699)
Posted at 8:55 a.m. on October 13, 2009
Joe says...
I have an old TV, so it would be nice to have a twin tuner. On the flip side very rarely does two interesting programs come on at once in Australia.
I would want a full sweet of outputs.
Having just external storage would be a great idea (though I would offer a bundle for those who are less tech savoy). For connections, eSATA and USB would be good. I frown upon firewire.
Probably a separate unit.
A integrated DVD(\BluRay) player would be nice as it would mean less boxes under the TV.
Also it would be good if you ensured it was easy to take the eternal HDD, plug it into one's computer and transfer it to a DVD. That is, it should use a standard video format. Eg, mpeg2 or mpeg4.
Posted at 9:27 a.m. on October 13, 2009
Ian says...
Definitely NOT freeview compliant becuase I understand that freeview complaince requires restrictions such as the ability to fast forward.
Twin Tuners
Internal HDD and the ability to add an external via USB
Easy way to get recordings out to a PC at high speed
(ie not like Topfield which can only copy at real time)
Gigabit LAN
WiFi
Posted at 9:52 a.m. on October 13, 2009
Steve says...
Twin Tuner, on the odd occasion there are 2-3 good things on they are all on in the same timeslot.
I don't watch anything live anymore so need to be able to record at least 2 things and watch something else, btw Foxtel IQ2 has 4 tuners, only 2 are enabled at the moment.
Yes, could live with just HDMI
Built in Hard Drive and the ability to add USB drives
Yes USB input would be a must, i would like the PVR to be my primary media center box. I currently use XBMC to play movies across my home network so would love the same function with at least 100MB Ethernet and optionally wireless.
Yes, have Tivo , IQ , XBMC and some Sat PVR's .. Tivo has by far the best recording GUI, IQ is OK .. in both cases you need a good guide source, recording by show name is a MUST HAVE and Series Link/Season Pass is a close second. XBMC/Media Centre Style of GUI is also very good.
Separate unit please, i already have a couple of current LCD TV's don't need another.
If you could keep it under $500 would be great, happy to supply my own HDD. The Software will be the deal breaker, it needs to be full function and be wife/kids friendly .. easier than it sounds !
Posted at 11:09 a.m. on October 13, 2009
Daniel says...
Hey,
WIFI for sure, I keep all my media on a NAS box and would like to put all my recorded shows there also (and be able to play them from there). If WIFI is too expensive then LAN at least so I can use a bridge to connect to my LAN which is in another room.
Internal HDD, even if it's small.
Dual Tuner is good for me, I have on my my TV but it's still helpful to use a single box, but not at the cost of a large expense as it's not that important to me.
I won't buy it integrated, only a seperate unit.
I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Cheers
Daniel
Posted at 11:26 a.m. on October 13, 2009
Feeks says...
Twin Tuner absolutely.
If you can find a unit similiar to the specs of a Dvico 6600 series but cheaper, i'm definitely interested!!!
Posted at 12:17 p.m. on October 13, 2009
Jaun-Paul says...
I have Fox IQ. I also don't watch any live TV.
We have considered switching to a HD PVR for some time but we cant find a box that does what we want. I don't want a PC in my lounge. I live in a high tech household with a bunch of guys and we want our new PVR to do the following.
- Have Twin Tuners (a must!)
- Ablity to add additional drives great (we run out of space all the time)
- Music streaming would be a bonus via USB or LAN
- A Player that could play the most popular formats MPEG, MP4, (yes we occasionally download legal content from the web).
- A clean and simple Program Guide is a must
- Simple to use navigation. FOX IQ is not great but very easy to use.
- WIFI and or high speed Lan a nice to have
Price - hard to say as the TIVO is well over priced. The Western Digital media player is well priced (approx $150-$200). I think $300-$450 depending on features.
Also a one stop box could be good. Blue Ray + PVR as a second option. I don't want any more boxes.
Posted at 12:32 p.m. on October 13, 2009
Francis says...
Have used an LG PVR for a few years, and like the TiVo's awareness of scheduling vagaries, but its price is a turn-off.
Definitely twin tuners, with ability to record two channels and watch a pre-recorded file.
1TB drive inside with external USB/eSATA drive expandability.
Gigabit ethernet if possible, for fast transfer of recordings between PC and PVR (only 10 Mbps bandwidth is required for a live HD stream, but who wants to wait an hour to copy an hour-long program?). People will be disappointed if they think WiFi will be good enough for smooth video, especially in a household with folks also surfing the Net wirelessly.
Half the PVR's market will comprise folks with an older TV, so HDMI output will be useless to them, unless adapter cables to RCA plugs could be bundled/optioned.
Definitely NOT Freeview complinat, so we can skip an ad if we want to!
DLNA client to playback music and video from networked sources.
Price $300-ish, maybe $450-ish with a Blu-Ray player.
No need for DVD burning, but copy to USB/SD might be an idea.
Will watch with interest - loving my Kogan Agora Pro, by the way!
Posted at 1:57 p.m. on October 13, 2009
David says...
What would be useful in a PVR is not just twin HD tuner with internal hard drive but have the capability of recording from an external source via a/v inputs. Also, have functions that allow the PVR to play compressed high definition and standard definition files, and with network capability. There are units on the market that do it, but are like a mini computer.
Posted at 11:44 p.m. on October 13, 2009
Tyrone Curwen says...
Im a big TV buff and currently use the Foxtel iQ2. its a great little box but there's just so many ways that it could be better. now i know that you wont be able to support Pay TV content but there are many areas that the foxtel box lest me down on. The Kogan PVR will need to be able to steam content from a PC even better if it supports connectivity with TVersity or something. TVersity allows a lot of other plug-ins such as youtube videos and such. having access to online content will be a plus. Using an external HDD for storage would be a good way to go, keeping the price of the unit down as well as allowing the user to choose the size of the drive that they desire. it would be even better if we were able to connect multiple HDD's to the unit. if it were possible it would be a great idea if you were to combined your blu-ray player with the PVR, i understand that this would increase the price of the PVR considerably however i know that there is a lot of demand for Panasonic's bu-ray recorder. making it one of the market leaders. having it inbuilt into one unit could make the product that more appealing to wider range of consumers. perhaps two different models of your PVR one with Blu-Ray and one without. either way i would be interested in buying a Kogan PVR. :)
Thanks
Tyrone
Posted at 12:05 a.m. on October 14, 2009
Ara Garabedian says...
What would be ideal from a personal preference:
- 2 HD tuners
- minimum of 500GB HDD
- Provision for external USB storage
- Ethernet a must
- I think the clincher for me will be a decent UI with a decent EPG.
- HDMI would be my preference/requirement but other outputs for wider target market
- realistically, for me, a ceiling of $300 would be appropriate. With the current high Australian dollar, $300 should be enough to get a decent spec for the PVR
Thanks for asking us our opinion on what we'd like in a PVR. Please keep us updated on specs to manufacture.
Rock on Kogan! :)
Posted at 12:50 a.m. on October 14, 2009
AshleyHull says...
The perfect tuner?
* 2 HD tuners
* HD radio optional
* HDMI out
* Recording to HDD with the ability to increase/copy via an external drive via USB or ethernet
Bonus: Id love to be able to record my XBOX/PS3 streams live.. depends if you can support recording of a HDMI input or recording from Component HD AV Cables.
Posted at 3:45 a.m. on October 14, 2009
Jason Ryan says...
2 HD Tuners (good Quality Low Channel response time tuners)
HDMI and Component
Intergrated Hard drive Min 1TB (upgradeable to 2TB SATA II)
Ethernet Capable
1080P of Course output
DVD burner
Play AVI, MKV, MPEG, MP4 and other file formats
USB 2 input
Good UI
Dont care about Freeview
All at a decent price.
Posted at 11:59 a.m. on October 14, 2009
Cole says...
- 2 HD Tuners.
- LAN and WiFi (ability to steam/download from a media server).
- I would budget about $400 - $460, but only if it was feature packed.
- Good UI (as other have said this can make or break it).
- Easily swappable internal HDD (like the PS3, only takes 1 minute), relying on and external HDD means that you may need another power source and is another item.
- Yes, I would rather buy a TV without a tuner and get a high quality PVR.
- USB would be good.
- More than only HDMI.
- Whats Freeview?
- The ability to play pretty much any file format I can throw at it, with subtitle support, ect.
- I also really like Davids idea of recording from an external source.
Posted at 2:36 p.m. on October 14, 2009
Evan says...
- Twin HD tuners - got to have them.
- Big HDD as standard (I don't want to stuff around swapping things over) and USB ports for external storage.
- Can live without networking, but WiFi would be nice.
- Ability to support Third Party Apps would be pretty cool, seems to work pretty well for the iphone, firefox etc...
- A UI my wife can use.
As for PVRs in general, I really love my topfield 7000, but it software is crap.
Posted at 3:40 p.m. on October 14, 2009
Mark says...
-Would have to have dual HD tuners
-Gigabit ethernet, 10/100 minimum
-Large, upgradeable hard drive using a standard file system
-Ethernet accessibility from my PC to the recordings
-USB for external storage
Standard file system on the hard drive would be a must for me, so if i need to pull the drive i can access it on my PC
Standard recording format so the recordings can be manipulated using software on a PC
Removable hard drive, possibly in a caddy, so the drive can be removed and upgraded easily
Posted at 10:37 a.m. on October 15, 2009
Martin Whatman says...
Match the TVIX M-6600N with dual HD tuners and a user installable HDD and DLNA compliant @ $350-400 AUD and you would be a winner
Check out the link below
http://www.alsotech.com.au/productdetails.asp?PartNo=DDVM...
Currently have a Homecast 8000 PVR, Mediagate 350HD, a Noontech box similar to the Mediagate and a DVico Fusion HDTV DVB-T. Just waiting for the Kogan 37" 1080P HDTV (can hardly wait) to arrive.
Thx for asking our opinions (dreams etc...)
Cheers
Martin
Posted at 6:59 p.m. on October 15, 2009
Mitch says...
Definately Open Source software. Even better if you can leverage the community's work in MythTV.
Let crowd-sourcing build in the features the community want and maybe there will be innovations that the big brands could never think of.
Also if you could include WiFi that would be great for streaming youTube or content of the network, maybe even bittorrent with RSS for downloading (legal) web shows.
Posted at 5:33 p.m. on October 16, 2009
Gucci Sneakers says...
There are currently a lot of new products being released that are Freeview compliant. Freeview promises new features such as enhanced Electronic Program Guide, but most of these come with Digital TV as standard.
Posted at 8:35 p.m. on October 17, 2009
Thai says...
Its will be fantastic, if you build a Networked Media player (like Popcorn Hour C-200) and can add twin HD tuners.
Posted at 5:20 p.m. on October 18, 2009
Steve says...
Maybe you should go two models:
1. The budget box - internal HDD, basic software, maybe a USB input - very basic networking if at all (many of your customers will just connect it to their TV and leave it). Simple interface. Under $300
2. The enthusiast box - One with the lot - everything mentioned in this column! Up to $600 or a tad more
Posted at 10:16 p.m. on October 19, 2009
Nicholas says...
PVR - 2 tuners, external HD, network (100m/1Gig), good codecs for avi/vob/mov/mkv etc (maybe Syabas as middleware), firmware upgradable, no Freeview! (I like jumping more than 30sec ahead in ads), HDMI in/out + comp.
I use the Beonwiz and works well except for the codecs not working well with vob or mkv files, also find 100m skips on vobs when network is being used by 4 other pcs.
Posted at 9:35 a.m. on October 20, 2009
Wooddog says...
Most stuff has been covered, 2 twin tuner, multiple outputs, put in hdd 1tb only $100 extra, would be nice if you could get an xbmc style interface which can DL movie covers and stuff to suit the titles you have got or recorded on the device, So as you record a whole season of TV show it sorts the files into folders, season and alike, This may require a subscription to ice tv or something... So it need the win7 or tivo like function to record whole season of tv shows, set and forget... no one whats to program their pvr every night or every week.
Posted at 10:46 a.m. on October 20, 2009
nata says...
Keep it simple WDHD TV + Ethernet
Posted at 4:54 p.m. on October 20, 2009
Simon Mackay says...
I would definitely consider at least two tuners a must in any PVR and perhaps look towards four tuners. This is important for handling prime-time during the ratings season when all the TV stations run the attractive shows at the same time.
I would also support user-replaceable hard disks so that users can upsize the system themselves or replace failed hard disks. This could be made easier through the ability to use a network or external storage as a way of "parking" content when the user upgrades or replaces the hard disk.
The unit could become the heart of a DLNA-based networked PVR solution which allows for PVRs or IP-connected digital-TV set-top boxes to be supplementary viewing terminals, thus allowing a person to view shows recorded on the main PVR on another TV in another room. This would also include the ability to "pause in one room, continue in another room" where you can move to another room without missing out on the show. It could also allow for viewing of content hosted on a DLNA-enabled network-attached storage device or computer running DLNA media-server software on the associated TV set.
I would make sure that the EPG can at least support the one-touch "all-episodes" record functionality implemented in the Tivo and Foxtel iQ platforms; and can work synchronously with the broadcast schedules, thus catering for shows that run-on late, start early or are suddenly cancelled.
Other key features that I would like to see include support for MPEG-4 for next-generation DVB-T services and capability to work with other distribution methods like satellite TV or IPTV, which could be used to distribute free-to-air TV.
Posted at 4:58 p.m. on October 20, 2009
Paul says...
Blu-Ray Player
Please.
Posted at 7:38 p.m. on October 20, 2009
Donn says...
I currently own a NEC twin tuner PVR, 250Gig.
It is a really good unit but it is missing a few features that I would like.
On the NEC you can only set the timer to record one program at a time, it would be great if you could set the timer for two programs at once.
It would also be good to be able to use time shift while recording a program. The NEC does not do this, if you are watching a program on timeshift and the timer record comes on, time shift stops.
The EPG only shows what is now showing and the next program, I would like the EPG to have the full program line up, some set top boxes have this.
A DVD recorder built in would be good in case you record a program you want to keep, or pass onto a friend.
Twin Tuner and large Hard Drive is a must.
1TB hard drive for plenty of storage, especially if you are recording in HD.
2 sets of audio outputs would be good so one set could go straight to the stereo, that way you could listen to the radio stations.
Is it possible to incorporate a digital radio tuner to pick up all the new digital radio stations?
Plenty of outputs on the back, we still have an analogue TV, so we need analogue outputs.
Internet access would come in handy.
Posted at 12:07 p.m. on October 22, 2009
murray says...
one box that contains the lot so i can please the wife and get rid of my stack of six units. pvr with medium size HD,blue ray recorder(dvd CD as well) for archiving,dab radio as well as FM and AM,front and back USB dig,SVHS and analogue inputs,HDMIx2 of course nice big flip out LCD screen and a dimmer for night viewing maybe a micro amp if it will fit in with 7 channel sound
thats about it
Posted at 12:27 p.m. on October 22, 2009
Tim says...
Design of the remote control is a critical thing. As an AV Tech in a school operating many machines with remotes, my view is that Panasonic design the best interfaces and remotes that are easy to use. The current kogan remotes are hard to find the channel up/down, they are small buttons and the volume +/- are reversed. (very strange). All kogan products should be compatible with universal remotes and make the IR codes available. One thing that hasn't been mentioned also is VGA output. Many people have projectors that don't have HDMI; and not all tuners have s-video. VGA would be great. USB is very handy. 5/7 channel sound integrating an amp is useless IMHO. The unit is not designed to be an AV receiver.
Posted at 9:24 a.m. on October 24, 2009
Hugh says...
• Would you like Freeview or not?
Not! Freeview ruls mean that ad skipping functinality is greatly reduced, and I'd rather be able to skip 2 mins or more than get access to Freeview.
• Would you rather a PVR with a Single Tuner or Twin Tuner?
Twin is always better - saves having to change from HDMI to TV's inbuilt tuner and back again
• What outputs do you really need on the PVR?
HDMI - plus i'd like Optical audio out to link up with my amp.
• Would you rather a built-in hard drive or prefer to attach an external hard drive?
Think to be useful to Mums and Dads straight out of the box, it would need some HDD, but I'd suggest a small-ish (250GB or so) 2.5" HDD, plus a USB or eSATA connector for a bigger customer HDD
• Would a USB input be an advantage? A USB input lets you playback movies and view photos on your TV via any portable device from iPods to modern Sony Walkmans.
Yes - nothing like a quick fix for a file on a USB stick.
• Have you used TiVo or a PVR before? What have your experiences been?
I have a Beyonwiz PVR which I really like - especially that it can browse my network for content, and plays a large number of formats.
• Would you prefer your next PVR to be integrated into an LCD HD TV or as a separate unit?
Definitely standalone.
• What would your budget for a PVR be? Keep in mind that the more features we provide in such a unit, the higher the price will be.
$600-$1000
Posted at 4:33 p.m. on October 26, 2009
Alan says...
I can see two products here, one cheaper unit with single tuner, USB hosting to plug an external HDD onto, with basic TV connection (vid + left & right audio, maybe coaxial + s-video or Y, Pb, Pr). (give or take $50 - $200 tops)
The other unit has dual tuner, large (1TB) HDD, USB hosing, HDMI and all the bells and whistles that comes with PVRs, like pausing and rewinding live TV, DVD recording, LAN and/or WiFi ($300 - $1000+)
Now with both systems, keep the open standard, not proprietorial like tivo, I like the idea of playing the recorded videos on other systems, not just that PVR only.
I never like the idea of integrating systems into one (TV + DVD + PVR), because when one stuffs up, they are all useless... so i ask you please don't do it...
I have used a PVR before, just some cheap Chinese made, plug in your own HDD, plays up more then its worth, $50 thing, since it fried, I've missed it... so for me at the moment, if you make the budget version, I'd buy it, if it works better then my last one...
Posted at 11:27 a.m. on October 27, 2009
David says...
Easy to navigate EPG - browsing EPG on a PVR is the most important thing in my mind. I've used cheaper PVR's that do not have good EPG and they are not much more useful than a VCR. One thing I don;t like about my Kogan TV is that I cannot seem to browse all channels in the EPG at once - it's a channel by channel view only.
The more tuners the better. Using MediaPortal on a HTPC, a single tuner can be used to record more than one channel if the channels are on the same MUX - so Nine HD and Go for example, could both be recorded using one tuner, leaving the other tuner free. This would be great now that the FTA providers are beginning to offer decent content on their different channels. I guess it would offer more 'bang for buck' out of two tuners.
External drives could be good as an option, but I'd always like to see an internal built in one. The ability to access recordings from other devices would be great too - ideally using LAN/WiFi.
Posted at 11:58 a.m. on October 27, 2009
Vijay Belapurkar says...
I would like to have a PVR that allows me to do the following -
1 Twin HD Tuner that allows me to record 2 FOXTEL programs at the same time with a built-in hard drive(atleast 250GB capacity), or record 2 fre-to-air channel including HD channels from ABC,SBS,Channel7, 9 & 10 and at the same time play the 3rd channel.
2 Time-shift feature
3 HDMI output for newer LCD digital TVs but conventional outputs for connection to older generation CRT TVs.
4 Built-in hard drive atleast 250 GB
5 USB input/out to download or upload in USB flash memory stick.
6 Setting time recording for one-off recording, weekly & monthly recording upto 7 programs
7 Acceptable cost between $400 to $600.
I hope & trust Kogan is bring-out in the market a PVR that closely matches what I have stated above lest it also become me-tto type and also-ran provider.
Posted at 12:43 p.m. on October 27, 2009
DN says...
I have a DVBT FTA USB DVR design. It uses external USB HDD to record, time-shift, .... If you are interested in, I will provide you a sample.
KR,
DN
Posted at 9:55 p.m. on October 27, 2009
Martin says...
Currently use a Homecast 7000 PVR + DVD + VHS + 500G Mediagate 350HD and would like to replace them all with a single box (ie 1 remote)
I would really like:
2 x HD tuners
Good user interface and a decent EPG
HDMI 1.3
2 x USB and a SD card input
Optional Wifi perhaps using a USB port dongle
10/100 LAN to backup your recorded shows and to stream from PC shares (UPNP/DLNA server/client)
Good codec support including DiVX, Xvid, avi, vob, mov, mkv and AVCHD
Easily replaceable HDD
Up-scaling blu-ray/DVD drive
Basically the KOGAN BLU-RAY BD 2.0 PLAYER combined with a mediaplayer HDD with LAN DLNA and twin HDD tuners and an EPG for $500
Posted at 10:43 p.m. on October 27, 2009
Paul says...
The interface is got to be straight forward. I have a Legend digital box and programming it to record a program is just a matter of finding it in the relevant electronic program guide.
Two turner as long as it possible to record off both.
I like the idea of the USB port, as long as it works both ways, ie PVR can read and write to it.
Important to remember the layout of the remote, don't want a great PVR let down by a scrappy remote.
Happy to see it built into the tv, although I think to use of an external drive is a good one, makes it easy to expand the storage easily.
Posted at 12:23 a.m. on October 28, 2009
Tyrone Curwen says...
I would really be interested in your PVR if it was possible to stream .ISO's over the network. that way i would be able to backup my DVD collection as well as having access to any DVD in my collection just one button click away.
Posted at 9:49 a.m. on October 28, 2009
Ruslan Kogan says...
Thanks for your feedback everyone. I love hearing from like-minded tech connoisseurs as we develop new products - your enthusiasm and insight enables us to provide the product you want at the right price.
I have noticed a few key features people are looking for in a PVR, these are:
- Twin HD Tuners
- A generous size hard drive (500GB plus)
- HDMI (as well as additional inputs)
I'd like to get your feedback as my view on the best value for money PVR differed slightly.
TWIN HD TUNERS?
What is this for? Is it to record two shows at once? Or do you want to record one show while watching another? If the main use of the twin tuners is to watch one show when another is recording, then using an HD tuner that is built into most decent TVs could cut the cost of putting this in a PVR dramatically.
GENEROUS (BUILT-IN) HARD DRIVE?
I am a big fan of PVRs that offer you the ability to use an external hard drive. To me, a decent sized external hard drive would offer a range of advantages that include:
- Flexibility and easy transportation of your media between devices.
With any USB drive, you could record a show and take it to your friend's house straight away - a very simple option.
- Take advantage of newer, cheaper and smaller sized hard drives as they are released. In a few months, you could probably get a terabyte external drive for the same amount you would pay for a 500GB built-in hard drive now.
HDMI AND ADDITIONAL OPTIONS?
OK OK OK...I hear you. We'll put lots of output options into our model (as this is a minimal cost). I personally haven't touched anything but HDMI for the last 3 years so I thought other experiences would be similar.
We will also ensure that the next Kogan PVR allows you to playback as many video codecs as possible!
Oh, and sorry for the lack of response from me, I've just come back from China and have a lot of exciting news to share with you very soon.
Keep up the discussion everyone - I love it!
Regards,
Ruslan Kogan
Posted at 12:08 p.m. on October 28, 2009
just some guy says...
Mythtv backend/frontend with Shephard epg and no freeview badge!
dual tuner
blu-ray combo
Ethernet
choice of HD
Posted at 1:07 p.m. on October 28, 2009
Tyrone Curwen says...
I'm not sure about other people but in my opinion twin tuners is a must. even though this would dramatically reduce the price of the PVR most people, including myself don't like switching from one input to another, it would be much easier to set something to record and then still retain the ability to flick through the channels on the same device. most of the time i actual watch stuff straight off the HDD because that way i can speed through the adds. and knowing that during prime time there are multiple shows that i enjoy showing at the same time i wouldn't have to worry about flicking between the PVR and my TV set. I really don't think that i would ever purchase a PVR with only on HD tuner. if your PVR does not have Duel HD tuners i will most probably look elsewhere.
Posted at 2:35 p.m. on October 30, 2009
Tom says...
• Would you rather a PVR with a Single Tuner or Twin Tuner?
Twin tuners - with the ability to record 2 channels at once so I can watch a third channel on the HD tuner built into the TV if that's what I want!
• What outputs do you really need on the PVR?
HDMI - You can buy cheaper HDMI cables and still get great quality, unlike cheap Composite cables which affect the signal quality.
• Would you rather a built-in hard drive or prefer to attach an external hard drive?
I'd rather it had USB host for connecting external hard drives... so long as you can provide hard drives that stack nicely and match your PVR aesthetically! It would be nice to be able to use USB bus powered 2.5" drives too... power supplies are a PITA....
• Would a USB input be an advantage? A USB input lets you playback movies and view photos on your TV via any portable device from iPods to modern Sony Walkmans.
Not a huge issue, but maybe a card reader?
• Would you prefer your next PVR to be integrated into an LCD HD TV or as a separate unit?
Separate unit please. But.. it has to have WiFi & an ethernet port, and it needs to be able to read & stream my iTunes Library (mac or pc).
• What would your budget for a PVR be? Keep in mind that the more features we provide in such a unit, the higher the price will be.
The higher the quality, the more I am wiling to pay. Beyonwiz offer the closest to what I am after and I have looked strongly at their offerings, but nothing is quite what I am after....
Posted at 4:39 p.m. on October 30, 2009
David McEvoy says...
I would like to see support for USB HDD (matbe 2 usb ports) with optional playback from SB device.
Don't include a HDD (to keep costs down) but include an easy-access bay and SATA connectors to install a drive.
Have you thought about also adding NAS functionality to the unit?
Posted at 12:38 p.m. on October 31, 2009
Matthew Beal says...
Twin tuner:
For the first and second generations yes but as LCD's are becoming cheaper and more wide spread that have integrated SD and HD tuners there is not much reason to to have twin that being said you could always just sell a base model with single tuner and then more premium models with twin tuners
Outputs:
Well obviously the standard HDMI, Optical, coaxial......etc
But what about inputs.....
Just to throw it out there Networking? then you can just connect to your PC or Mac and just stream straight from your computers HDD like on the PS3....
HDD
As I just touched on Networking I think this is just another issue for 'Base' Models have no internal and say SD memory stick card reader and 2 USB 2.0 connections and 2 USB connections for external HDD
Or maybe leave a space to have a HDD put in and have the software CD included??
Personal Note:
I have only come to these suggestions not from a one eyed this is what it should do point of view but a consumer point of view I have 3 external HDD and 1TB internal on my computer and the ps3 networking is a god send for easy access to movie....I also have a western digital HDMI media player for the bedroom and these are now things I wouldn't give up....
Pricing...
This is a dilemma but for a base model with single tuner no Internal HDD i'd happily fork out 200 or 300 for retail
But then if you choose to release higher models with twin tuners and internal HDDs More card readers more inputs/outputs then maybe 600 or 700 but it would have to be justifiable to rid myself of the other technologies that i'd no longer use
Posted at 4:14 p.m. on November 1, 2009
Geoff says...
Single or Twin Tuners?
A Twin Tuner would offer more flexibility, but let's be honest, how many times do we really want to record two things at once and then go and watch a third on our tellys tuner all at the same time?
To satisfy all players, maybe there could be a budget single tuner model and a higher optioned twin tuner model for those who see the need.
Internal or External Drives:
My view is, is that if you have to go out and buy an external hard drive before you can use it, then there will be little to no saving over a brand name unit from elsewhere.
A PVR by its very name suggests that it can be used to to record straight from the box and there not be a need to purchase further equipment to make recording possible.
Any unit that you consider releasing should in my view contain an internal unit. Less clutter, fewer cables, fewer power supplies, etc.
However, an output to facilitate connection of an external for those who require greater storage would be a great addition
Inputs and Outputs:
HDMI Yes, but lets not forget that many people will be buying a PVR as a set top box and recorder to replace their VCR's and allow them to watch HD TV on their old analogue monsters. If AV and SVideo outputs are left out, only late model TV buyers will consider your product.
An AV/S-Video in would also be a good feature as people can connect a camcorder etc if they wish.
Card and/or USB connectivity would also be a plus for JPEG, MP3/4, AVI, etc playback.
The user interface would have to be the most important aspect to get right though. The internet is rife with disatisfied customers of varying brand PVR's cursing either the interfaces user friendliness or its stability.
Check out how many low budget units are on sale on ebay as factory reco's because of this.
Price:
$200 - $400 would be a good target.
Already there are TIVO and Freeview twin tuner units being advertised for between $400 and $500 so anything below this would be good otherwise maybe you could consider including a DVD recorder in the unit as well but be in the same $4-500 price bracket.
If you could squeeze in all that functionality into a stable unit, people would be crazy to not take a look.
Good luck squeezing it all in.
Posted at 7:08 p.m. on November 1, 2009
Geoff says...
OH.............Almost forgot,
PVR inbuilt to an LCD TV?
.........Only if you promise not to make an add featuring Tour de France riders being played over and over in an endless loop on SBS!!
Oh...but wait, maybe that's why they called it time shift technology.
Posted at 7:16 p.m. on November 1, 2009
Kogan Victim says...
Given that the TV you sold me had no HD tuner I'd need a twin tuner model with antenna out so I can still use the almost adequate tuner built in to the TV (works OK for analogue), and the remote would need to work with the TV as well. A large hard drive and the ability to use cheap USB interface external drives goes without saying. I won't need the ability to view a true 1080i picture because you didn't give me that functionality when you built the set
Posted at 4:07 a.m. on November 2, 2009
Tyrone Curwen says...
Hey "Kogan Victim" maybe you should have looked into the set you were buying before purchasing it. i have found that the Kogan store clearly outline the specs of all the products including whether they support a 1080p/i signal as well as if they have a built in Full HD tuner or not. its not Kogan's fault that you bought a cheaper model without 1080p/i and no HD tuner. it would have been outlined pretty well if you had of looked into it.
Posted at 11:23 a.m. on November 2, 2009
Nick Evans says...
An absolute must .... a network connection that allows you to transfer content off the unit to a PC. This connection should operate both ways. The recorded content should be in a format that is understood by PC's. Additionally the unit should have the ability to be a media player that can pick up on Media servers and or Windows file system
Posted at 9:50 a.m. on November 3, 2009
Shaun Williams says...
I would like to see a DVR with Dual Tuner, inbuilt user replacable HDD and USB for Thumbdrives and external drives. Would also love too see a skinable interface with network (cable only) playing of music pictures and movies (Including ISO support). Also the ability to have more than one hooked up to a network should allow one to record on say the loungroom DVR and go and watch it on the bedroom DVR.
What would be great is maybe an XBMC box (only issue is TV support) or something that can behave as a media extender.
Posted at 7:18 p.m. on November 3, 2009
Colin says...
Full twin tuners
Timeshifting while twin recording
Playback (from start or continuing)
IceTV remote compatible
global pre-padding and global post-padding
usb input
playable of common audio, video, and picture formats (perhaps mkv and mp4 as well)
ability to transfer recordings to computer and play there (eg via ftp)
independendtly customisable skip forward and skip back (or at least 30 sec skip forward, 10 sec skip back
Posted at 7:49 p.m. on November 3, 2009
Andrew H says...
If you really want to emulate a great PVR, try looking at the Beyonwiz DP-P2 PVR, which I have I must admit and love it.
Dual Tuner:
DVB-T Compliant with Internal Loop through
Video Output:
Composite
S-Video
Component (Y, Pb, Pr)
HDMI
Audio Output:
2ch RCA for analog audio
(Dolby Digital stereo decoding)
Coaxial and Optical S/PDIF
Digital audio in HDMI
A/V Input:
Composite
S-Video
2ch RCA for stereo audio input
Interface:
10/100 Ethernet Port
2 USB Host Ports (USB 2.0 Compliant) (great for copying to your pc or external drive for backup :-) )
Memory Card Slots:
SD
CF
MMC
Memory Stick
Multimedia Playback:
Movie: mkv, wmv, avi, mpg, vob, mp4, asf, tp, trp
Music: mp3, wma, aac, ac3
Photo: bmp, jpeg, png
Posted at 10:22 p.m. on November 3, 2009
Mike says...
Currently use a pre-Freeview Toppy.
Love it. Twin tuners starting to be a bit limiting though.
Enhancing it with TAP's is probably what swung me to a Toppy.
PVR's are good for simplicity, but with the fast pace at which the technology changes, the inability to add simple improvements is a limiting factor.
What would I like in a PVR ?
Removal of the Freeview limitations
eSata connection.
At least 3 or 4 tuners.
Lan Connection.
USB Host/Slave Connectivity.
Timers that re-sync with EPG that are inconsistent.
Posted at 10:18 a.m. on November 4, 2009
Ken says...
I currently have an old Digicrystal 9000 PVR. This model is not available anymore but the software for this model is the best I have ever used. Please ensure that the Kogan software is the same as this. It is easily the most user friendly software program for any PVR I have used.
Could you also ensure that a Kogan PVR has an inbuilt DVD recorder so that programs can be burnt from the internal Hard Disk Drive onto DVD if required. An HDMI output along with USB input is an imperative. I have used my Digicrystal PVR for 5 years and due mainly to the software it is the best piece of equipment I have ever owned. However to bring it up to today's standard it needs twin HD tuners, inbuilt DVD recorder, HDMI output and USB input.
Posted at 1:34 p.m. on November 4, 2009
ben says...
How about integrating all the usual PVR/media-player features into one of your DVD/LCD tv combos? The storage can be via external usb hdd.
A 32" LCD with built in DVD, PVR, media-player, network (maybe optional wifi dongle) all controlled by a single remote would be well worth having.
p.s. PLEASE make the pvr output 1080P. This is missing in so many other PVR/media player combos.
I really don't care about DVDR, blu-ray, 27 tuners, gigabit lan or even wifi-n (unless it's going to be a media streamer).
Obviously the media-player needs to play all the formats under the sun, either out of the box or via idiot-proof firmware update.
Posted at 4:10 p.m. on November 4, 2009
Tyrone Curwen says...
Hey Kogan
what time frame are we looking at for a release date for your PVR, I'm currently looking at getting my parents a PVR for Christmas so would we be seeing a pre Christmas release of your PVR or should i try and hang out and maybe get them your Blu Ray player for christmas this year?
Thanks
Posted at 11:37 a.m. on November 5, 2009
Pete McGrath says...
I'd be mad keen on a good PVR.
Pete's essential mix (prefer and external device)
[1] Twin HD tuners
[2] Built in 320 or 500GB HDD (expandable via SATA or USB)
[3] Good interface, recording menus (see Pansonics!)
[4] Universal remote codes (Kogan's remotes are average)
[5] IceTV or web API controls
[6] component/ HDMI out
[7] under $600
cheers
Posted at 2:58 p.m. on November 5, 2009
Graeme Willox says...
Some people have suggested something mythtv based. I'd second that.
If that isn't possible, it'd be nice to have the ability for it to have it record from composite video and transmit infra-red commands so that it could change channels on a pay-tv decoder.
HDD and ability to write to DVD.
Twin HD tuners would be nice.
Posted at 4:51 p.m. on November 5, 2009
Mark D says...
It appears that the AV industry is heading towards the following:
. H264 coding of video
. Solid state rather than disk based storage
. Wireless connection to the internet
Therefore the ultiimate PVR should be:
. Housed in the TV itself allowing the TV to be a media centre with one remote control
. Have twin tuners to allow simultaneous watch and record
. Record in H264 to a solid state drive
. Allow playback of video, photo and music from a USB
. Allow copying of recorded programs from the solid state drive to a USB for sharing
. Allow wireless connection to the internet for content, browsing and firmware updates
. Provide optical or coax digital audio output port for connection to a home cinema
. Provide HDMI input from other HDMI devices
At the moment you can have any of the above in different devices (DVD recorders, PVRs, Media Centres, STBs, Media Players) but not in one elegant solution - the TV itself
Posted at 5:44 p.m. on November 5, 2009
Zed says...
• Would you rather a PVR with a Single Tuner or Twin Tuner?
Twin Tuner for sure.
• What outputs do you really need on the PVR?
HDMI, component, composite. If you just use HDMI you loose a big share of the market.
• Would you rather a built-in hard drive or prefer to attach an external hard drive?
Both and none. What i mean is, have the HDD internal bay accessable to us so we can add what ever hard drive we need in. 2.5" SATA is fine as well as external.
• Would a USB input be an advantage? A USB input lets you playback movies and view photos on your TV via any portable device from iPods to modern Sony Walkmans.
Of course.
• Have you used TiVo or a PVR before? What have your experiences been?
Typically every PVR drops the ball in some small way.
• Would you prefer your next PVR to be integrated into an LCD HD TV or as a separate unit?
Seperate.
• What would your budget for a PVR be? Keep in mind that the more features we provide in such a unit, the higher the price will be.
If all the features are in there, i would pay 400-500.
EXTRAS: As one other said, H264 please, networked (wifi + ethernet), 1080P watch, record is a MUST. DO NOT FORGET THIS OR YOU WILL HAVE LOST MORE THAN ONE CUSTOMER. Dolby decoding. Optical audio isnt 100% needed with most systems (as it runs via HDMI anyway).
Posted at 9:16 p.m. on November 8, 2009
Phil says...
Fast, accurate EPG is definitely a must, and something that i have found frustrating on my current 2 LCD's.
Also, a better remote control than you're currently shipping. I find the usable angle to be quite poor (my lounge room set up is not ideal), and the buttons that are used most often should be larger and distinguishable by touch.
I know i can purchase a universal remote, however that won't fix the angle/range issues.
I don't mean to have a go, i love my TV and have recommended Kogan to many others, just thought i'd mention it seeing as you asked !
Posted at 12:05 a.m. on November 9, 2009
Paul says...
HDMI
Optical Out
Hard Drive bay (so I can put in my own HDD, and upgrade later when it is full)
USB - To allow recording to external HDD (not that important)
Single Tuner is ok, TV has one. (two to allow two channel recording, but there is nothing really on TV I want to record)
Automatic advertising removal ;)
Posted at 3:13 p.m. on November 9, 2009
Charlotte Frajman says...
PVR with Resolution: 1080i?
Posted at 11:54 a.m. on November 10, 2009
Bert says...
I have been using PVR's since 2003 and what I would look for is:
• Able to use the ICETV EPG as well as the Freeview EPG. (some Freeview EPG channels still only have what is on now and what is on next).
• Able to user configure the skip forward amount (assuming that you are using ICETV), If you want to license the Freeview logo for this PVR one of the conditions you can't offer ads-skipping (and no copying of the recorded program either).
•2 Tuners are an absolute minimum (I use 4 now and will go to 6 due to the new extra digital channels). The way that all commercial TV stations overrun their programs scheduled times are a joke (anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes). The PVR will need to allow for this.
The people who are happy with 1 tuner are missing the point of a PVR. The purpose of a PVR is to unshackle you from watching TV shows at the time that the broadcasters decide. I haven't watched anything live for years now, and the only commercials that I watch are any that manage to catch my interest when I skip forward (not fast forward) by 30 seconds
Posted at 10:04 a.m. on November 12, 2009
Paul Boyd says...
Twin HDtuners, record 2, watch one already recorded on a large HDD, ethernet and ability to be NMP. i.e. play back all file formats via LAN, including ISO (DVD images), photos etc, browse the WWW & play back MS DVRMS files recorded by mmediacentre PC's.
Posted at 8:53 p.m. on November 12, 2009
John Boxall says...
I would love a PVR that records programs including closed captions (broadcast subtitles).
Posted at 12:59 a.m. on November 13, 2009
David says...
How about including a DAB+ tuner. I probably would not bother buying a standalone digital radio player, but if the functionality was built into a PVR it would be a huge bonus.
Posted at 1:36 p.m. on November 13, 2009
Simon says...
Twin Tuners
HDMI and at least s-video/composite
Ability to use off the shelf USB Hardrives
INTUITIVE INTERFACE (thats the key)
Series Recording (like TiVo)
Pause/rewind live tv.
Would be really cool if you could control it and the TV by one remote so that if you bought a Kogan TV and PVR you could stash the PVR in a cupboard and it would all work seamlessly like it is part of the TV.
I use Sony PlayTV and the big issues are it is not an intuitive interface at all, you can't overrun recordings easily (or by default).
Posted at 4:32 p.m. on November 13, 2009
Michael says...
Must be supported by ICETV. I've been using icetv for about 4 months, it is so easy and so good. I can set TV recordings on my mobile from anywhere anytime.
Posted at 9:46 p.m. on November 14, 2009
OzMarcus says...
Twin Tuners are a must, recording 2 off air progrrammes at the same time is quite common as the Free2Air channels tend to put good programmes on at the same time.
the biggest problem I encounter is interchangeability, so being able to output content and import content in a number of ways is important.
Archiving has to be simple for those not familiar with Digital devices (whats going to happen the first time they fill up the harddrive?).
DVD is currently a good standard for outputting programmes for family members, (Blu Ray wont be viable until a BluRay burner & the media is the same price as a burning to DVD).
Network port and perhaps optional wi-fi for access around the house.
Ability to change formats for exporting, For example export audio as mp3, or video as Mpeg2 or mp4.
Analogue audio and video in so we can put our camcorder stuff on there.
Simple editing ability (cut & paste) and chaptering like the Panasonic harddrive/dvd combinations.
Programme time search ( jump to 12 mins 30 etc)
Confidence record monitoring and Pic in Pic viewing so that you can make sure 2nd programme is recording what you expect.
Easy firmware updates via the web or import from file (USB, DVD or whatever).
2 x HDMI and good component AV out, Many of the current HD recorders dont seem to output colours correctly on standard component video systems.
Ability to split screens.(helpfull with PinP)
PVR will get used to playback video presentations in the corporate world in the not too distant future, So triggered playback of files might be nice too!
Posted at 1:30 p.m. on November 15, 2009
Don says...
It would be Handy to utilize the product in my motorhome as a media player
Powered by 12/24 Volts.
Posted at 2:29 p.m. on November 17, 2009
CHRIS says...
A single tuner would be OK (since 90%) of LCD/Plasma's have a Hi Def tuner built in. If a twin tuner is selected, it will need the ability to record on both tuners at the same time.
WiFi Internet connection (something simular to Tivo) to update program record times automatically would be great. Shows run late.
HDD (internal would sell easier at least 320Gig 500Gig+ would be nice) I would be happy either way but the average buyer may not be confident swapping HDDs.
HDMI (1080p) upscaling. I think a standard line out might be needed for all those people who don't have HDMI.
Ability to record in 720i/p 1080i/p
USB A MOST!! the ablity to save a recorded program to it in a univeral format. Also the abilty to play movies from the USB. All the normal div xvid etc.
Easy to use interface. It's no good having the features if nobody knows how to use them. :-)
Basically it should be a media centre with PVR functionality.
Posted at 8:38 p.m. on November 17, 2009
Heather says...
DEFINITELY Twin Tuner. Absolutely no point in just one. The one thing I would say is please keep the remote and things with really simple clear instructions. As simple as possible.
Posted at 1:46 p.m. on November 18, 2009
Rod says...
I would prefer to avoid MythTV as PC hardware creates far too much heat in Australian homes over the hotter seasons. I would prefer an ARM/STRONGARM/IBM PPC cpu as these are low power low heat generation processors. No matter what Intel claim, their CPUs are power hungry stovetop elements.
I would prefer three tuners. That is two 720p FTA tuners and one FTA Satellite tuner. Upscaling is an option, but in reality the stations are broadcasting HDTV in 720p, and for good reason. Bandwidth limits means that they are unlikely to move from 720p/24 now or any time in the future.
I would like one HDMI/DVI output and one Y/C (SVIDEO) output.
I would like one internal HDD, and one spare internal drive bay. The internal drive bay means that there are fewer external power supplies and cables around the unit.
USB is no advantage unless there is firmware upgradeable codec support, and a full set of current available codecs. Mobile phones, video cameras, still cameras with video, internet video formats, custom Apple formats, custom Microsoft formats, and other open and closed computer formats mean that only a few video files on a USB thumb drive ever work.
PVRs can be great, but satisfaction depends on the software. Missing the start or the end of a program because Australian stations are habitually out on their schedule. Being able to archive to an external computer or drive would help a consumer grade PVR.
A PVR does not need to be built into a TV. It would make it easier, but having to dump a TV to get a PVR would be a deal killer. A PVR built into a TV when buying a new TV would be a deal sweetener, but ONLY if you are in the market for a TV. An otional unified remote control being able to control both a Kogan TV and a Kogan PVR would be best of both worlds. If I had that setup, I would order two remote controls.
Price depends on features and quality. I would not see a great PVR with quality tuners, and great image quality that cost $350-400 being unreasonable. On the other hand, a trashy one tuner add your own HDD PVR can be purchased on eBay Australia for less than $100 these days.
Posted at 9:31 p.m. on November 18, 2009
Henry Crow says...
Hi,
I bought a Kogan HD TV and it's working great. What I would like to see in say a 500Gb PVR is twin HD tuners, at least two (2) HDMI and two (2) USB 2.0 ports, along with all the usual suspects (ie. component, S-video, etc). I would also like an in-built DVD or similar, so I can dump down from the HDD to portable media. Lastly, with HDD's rapidly increasing in size, I would like the option to be able to hot swap or at least swap the HDD for either a bigger one or one that is my preference.
Thankyou for your time,
H.
Posted at 5:05 p.m. on November 19, 2009
Tom Barton says...
There are quite a few "cut-price" PVRs out there...even a certain German supermarket chain sells a twin-tuner HD PVR with a 500gb drive for around $300. The problem with the twin-tuner units is that many of them have many and varied firmware issues to do with the intricate programming and electronics required for the maintenance and sequencing of the two tuners.
IMHO, it would be far cheaper and easier to create a single-tuner PVR because, as noted by someone here before me, most tvs now, HD or not, have HD tuners. You can use your tv's tuner whilst recording on the PVR.
The advantages of going single tuner...
-lower cost
-easier firmware programming
-less confusing for users
Posted at 3:39 a.m. on November 20, 2009
Greg says...
As an owner of both a Topfield, (SD) and a Beyonwiz (HD), and someone who uses them daily, here's my wish list:
QUAD TUNERS !!! Too many times there are 3 or more things on at once that I want to record.
HARD DRIVES: Space for one or two large 1 or 2 TB Hard Drives (internal) with the ability to add at least one more externally. Daisy chaining of ext drives would be nice. Internal drives should be swappable. External drives should be eSATA & make use of the full 3Gb/sec data transfer rate.
OPERATING SYSTEM: Too many PVR's use antiquated OS's that use the FAT (File Allocation Table) when writing to the hard disk (Limiting the maximum file size to 32MB per file)... Give any OS that does this the boot.
REMOTE: Reasonable size for fat fingers, and make the buttons BACK LIT (nothing worse than sitting in the dark watching my projector screen, and fiddling with tiny buttons I can hardly see. (My Sanyo projector has a back lit remote, and is a pleasure to use in the dark).
WIRELESS NETWORKING: Should support G & N formats.
(My beyonwiz only supports G and is way too slow).
GIGABIT ETHERNET: I've just given wireless the flick, and ran a cable to my gigabit network, but my beyonwiz only supports up to 100Mbits.
DATA TRANSFERS: Should be handled by a separate processor. My BW slows down to a max of 5Mbits moving files *IF* something is being recorded. A separate file transfer processor could eliminate this bottleneck. It takes AGES to transfer a typical 4GB file.
OUTPUTS: Don't limit it to HDMI only - you need a separate audio (optical) output as well. I've just bought a new Yamaha amp, and it has multiple HDMI ports, but they are pass through only NO HDMI AUDIO support (dumb).
Posted at 9:13 a.m. on November 20, 2009
Anthony says...
Twin tuners
Internal disk for simplicity but upgradeable. Perhaps be able to slot in a SATA disk.
Multiple USB ports.
WiFi can be via USB
Good menu system - I have a Pioneer SD DVD w 250GB which has a good one. Includes user-defined categories.
Allow USB keyboard connectivity to update saved video info.
Quiet running - perhaps variable speed fan if it needs one.
Separate to a TV so you are free to mix and match equipment.
Connectivity for a video camera.
More than HDMI outputs so you can upgrade your (old) TV later or connect it to the second (old) TV when you upgrade the PVR.
I still have TVs with tubes and just bought an ALDI PVR with twin HD tuners and 500GB internal disk, USB connectivity for $300. Haven't used it yet.
Posted at 1:05 p.m. on November 20, 2009
Ron says...
I actually would prefer a recorder that I can store programs to a hard disc AND make copies to a DVD. Agree that as hard discs improve, then an external HD makes sense. However, as with PCs, hard discs do fail and you lose the lot. I want to copy my digital home movies to hard disc, edit them, then copy to a DVD, and perhaps copy to the hard disc once edited. I find many friends want copies of things I have recorded and a DVD is good for this purpose. Not many machines are good at editing and they are certainly not as good as the old tape video recorders. Doing editing on a PC is too hard and slow. PVD .... no, I want a hard disc DVD recorder. There are not many on the market at present as most are wating to see if BlueRay overtakes everyone else. Single tuner is fine with me, I want a machine with great editing, simple logic (Pioneer does it well) and reliable performance and no more than $500.
Posted at 5:44 a.m. on November 21, 2009
Ian says...
Must have ETHERNET and internal HDD that can be upgraded with off the shelf units.
Good User Interface and USB connectivity.
Posted at 10:39 a.m. on November 21, 2009
George says...
G'day Ruslan, a PVR should have a feature who will be in touch with the "master" by let him/her know when the preferred show is close to start by displaying on the screen the channel and time . The upgrade will be if the info will be for "what's on" in the next hour , day , etc. Cheers, George.
Posted at 11:13 a.m. on November 22, 2009
Richard says...
Why not treat the PVR like a VCR and the HDD like TAPE so that when one gets full you can put another in quick and easy. Making the OS have a dabase of all programs that are saved on to each HDD and then it would be able to have a huge libray of data.
Posted at 11:13 a.m. on November 24, 2009
John Byrne says...
Definitely include a line-in input so that 'pay-per-view' can be recorded. Also, a USB that will allow recorded programs to be copied from the PVR to the computer, or to a USB hard drive, or memory stick would be fantastic.
Posted at 6:05 p.m. on November 24, 2009
Todd says...
After using a foxtel iQ and panasonic DVR for a while, I can tell you stuff in the software is often overlooked.
It needs a easy way to skip past commercials, if not automatically getting rid of them. Eg; a button to skip 30 seconds or the image you see fast forwarding is a bit ahead of where you are so when you see the show you press play and you don't miss the 30 seconds or so you would have skipped from your reaction time.
A easy and fast way to transfer the recored video, either a way of recording to a DVD faster than real time like a PC or to copy the video to a external storage in a format that can be played on a PC.
Being able to pause, rewind live TV is a given. Also you need to be able to select a show on the program guide and hit record, and it automatically sets start and stop times and names the recording, with an option to automatically record that show (by following the EPG, not just the same time each week).
It should remember when you stopped watching a show part way through and play from there next time, and offer a way to start playing from anytime during the recording, not just the start.
Posted at 5:22 p.m. on November 25, 2009
A Smith says...
I would love to see a PVR hybrid of IQ and TIVO with all the benfits of a network media player and freeview in one machine. Including USB ports, LAN and WiFi connectivity, ability to access my NAS, and playback of a wide variety of codecs including most commonly net based codecs. This would be a dream machine that lets me watch tv as i want when i want and use my extensive digital library too.
The ability to add cover art for tv shows/ movies from both freeview and net and dvd library is a MUST that most new systems are starting to incorp (just look at the latest "iSuggest option of IQ for example).. I have young kids and images are far more powerful than words or file extension names.
Posted at 12:42 a.m. on November 26, 2009
Sam-R says...
To add to the above:
* TWIN HD TUNER (MIN)
* 500GB HD
* THE ABILITY TO STREAM VARIOUS FORMATS OF AV FROM WIRELESS NETWORK
* USB FOR AV PLAYBACK NOT JUST IMAGES
* TRUE 1080P UPSCALING
* BLUERAY DVD RECORDER
Posted at 5:51 p.m. on November 26, 2009
Scott-c says...
1) A simple but effective GUI. Something intuative.
2) Software to allow padding for recordings (Every broadcaster staggers the start and finish of their programs to compete with 'Idol' and times blow out up to 20 minutes. 60 minutes id guilty of this too)
3) Twin Tuners (at least). So that padding of 5 min before a show does not kick you out of a recording on another channel therefore missing the end of other shows. Remember you won't know until you watch it later that the end is missing. Very frustrating for thrillers and CSI.
Posted at 11:54 a.m. on November 27, 2009
Nathan says...
From my TiVo experience you should go for ...
*30 sec skip
*twin tuners
*user replicable/upgradable recording HD/s
*ability to record free to air and cable TV (via external input, and external IR control)
*ability to download recordings to PC for viewing on portable devices
*online web access to set/change recordings (so built in Ethernet is needed, with an optional WiFI)
*a rock solid, easily upgradable OS
*program padding
*series recording (and a priority management system)
All I can think of for now.
Love my Kogan products, can't wait to see how you go with a PVR.
Posted at 2:45 a.m. on November 28, 2009
Arwen Goenitz says...
Windows Media 9 support.
I currently use this incredibly scalable technology to create video from tiny postage stamp sized e-mail vids to full on Blu-ray rips and everything in between.
All far better than I could have done with that useless showpony DivX and its out of sync cousin MP3 audio.
If you cant write it at least be able to read it!
Posted at 6:42 a.m. on November 29, 2009
clint says...
Hey just make it simple to use and not too expensive.
With most TVs now on the market selling built in HD tuner the PVR shouldn't sell for more than $200.
Consider all the oldies like my Mum and Dad who are at their wits end wondering how they will be able to tape their fave shows.Their generation are so confused at the moment,with so many choices of what they need and don't need.
Posted at 11:27 a.m. on November 29, 2009
Saltcastle says...
Twin Tuner as a minimum. Ch 7, 9 and 10 love to start their shows late and hence they end late - which makes it impossible to record a show on one channel from say 19:00 to 19:30 (you need to at least set the timer to record till 19:35) and then a show on Ch 9 from 19:30 onwards. These overlaps are very unpleasant (and oh so unnecessary).
Not too fussed about the outputs. HDMI of course, nothing wrong with also having a component output or two and a S-Video / composite.
USB connectivity an absolute must so one can attach a HDD if you like. Also, PLEASE allow for the recordings to be transferred to a PC for storage and also record in a format that makes it easy afterwards to edit recordings afterwords. Maybe even some basic editing on the PVR (like splicing or combining, cutting out sections etc).
Network card and easy interface - comes without saying.
Capable of playing all sorts of formats like vob, divx, etc.
Firmware upgradable.
Allow for after market developers to come up with their own ideas on how to modify the options (see Topfield).
And most importantly, PLEASE have the ability to jump (not fast forward) for a programmable amount of time. In an ideal case you have three of those buttons that allow
1) jump forward 3 min (one ad block generally)
2) jump forward 30 sec (one ad generally)
3) go back 10 sec in case you overshot.
Jumping over add blocks is in my eyes one of the greatest things a PVR can offer.
I Don't think its a great idea to build it into a TV set. Lack of felxibility is the main reason.
I have used a Topfield 5000 for the past 5 years - and I cannot imagine TV without it any more. TV now fits around my life - and not the other way.
Posted at 1:12 p.m. on November 30, 2009
Ross says...
Simply put, I would never purchase another PVR without a minimum two tuners. There are presently something like a dozen FTA channels in Sydney, and as other commmentators have mentioned, there are constant 'overlap/late start' issues with most of the commercial broadcasters.
We don't watch more than 10 - 15 hours of recorded programming per week on average, but often find conflicting overlapping issues (prime timeslots). Our current PVR is twin tuner and cannot cope ..... we could easily accomodate another machine. A large capacity HD would be ideal ..... an upgradeable one even better. HDMI should be included, at least as one option. USB seems sensible.
Wating with high hopes ..... :-)
Posted at 9:40 a.m. on December 1, 2009
Ben says...
dual tuners a must, composite/component/s-video or hdmi in for recording from external sources like cable/satellite boxes, internal and external hdd options, 802.11N wi-fi, gigabit ethernet, torrent downloading support, optical audio and hdmi out, usb x 2
Posted at 8:53 p.m. on December 1, 2009
John says...
Would like to be able to record 2 programs simultaneously so definitely would need twin tuners.
Upgradeable hard drive would be nice plus USB input and more importantly USB output. ie the ability to export recordings to usb if you want to watch them later on a laptop for example
Posted at 8 a.m. on December 2, 2009
A Smith says...
Kogan better say something soon, there is an obvious want for a quality PVR but unless I hear something soon I'll go for the cheap and practical WDTV Live.... so whats the go Kogan?
ps. Time to start watching your blog board, lots of crap spam on here which needs deleting.
Posted at 2:02 p.m. on December 3, 2009
Duane says...
Something like the Panasonic blu-ray with twin tuner HD HDD, and as an added extra, swapable eSATA drive like the LG.
Can you also build a larger LCD with DVD/blu-ray built-in with HDD and twin HD tuner so I can just have one device mounted to my wall in a minimalistic fashion...?
Posted at 10:24 p.m. on December 3, 2009
Graham says...
Everything that everybody says above...!
I'd like to see at least one analogue A/V input (composite, svideo or component) so I can record from pay TV too.
I like the Beyonwiz DP-P2 so something with similar specs to that would be great. I'd be prepared to pay up to $600.
Posted at 2:20 p.m. on December 5, 2009
Craig says...
Lots of good suggestions. Must haves for me -
-Copy video to standard external media eg. USB stick
-SD upscaling
-USB inputs with lots of compatibility XVID/DIVX etc
-upgradable HDD
-NOT integrated into TV
-low power consumption
-fast start up
-good build quality
- really good remote with control (poss. just HDMI) for other devices incl. non-Kogan ones eg TV
Like to have
-External HDD support
-Twin tuner
-EPG timer recording with option to auto add X mins to end (to account for late running shows)
-software updatable for codecs, wireless revisions, etc.
-DLNA
-802.11N, generic (not custom) dongle OK
-change EPG font size to fit more on screen
Price - I would expect to pay $500+ for a good unit, but to be honest there has to be probably at least a 30% cost advantage to a comparable model at a store, neg. price not RRP, for me to consider buying sight unseen (eg from you) unless your machine had really strong feature advantages.
Posted at 6 p.m. on December 8, 2009
Simon says...
• Would you rather a PVR with a Single Tuner or Twin Tuner?
Definitely twin or more, plus put in the ability to record multiple streams (very frustrating part of most other twin PVRs - hey, that means you can't change station if you're recording on both, but that's a limitation I could live with)
• What outputs do you really need on the PVR?
HDMI for sure, but I wouldn't limit the unit by compromising on just that alone. Definitely need optical audio output.
• Would you rather a built-in hard drive or prefer to attach an external hard drive?
Don't care whether you ship with or without, but the HDD should be internal. You should support externals via both USB and eSATA
• Would a USB input be an advantage?
Yes. Also don't forget legacy analogue devices; would be great to be able to download old videos etc. to such a beast
• Have you used TiVo or a PVR before? What have your experiences been?
I have had a fairly cheap twin tuner unit (YESS) for about 3 years. Has been absolutely excellent. I have considered what I'd do beyond this (and it's SD, so I have been considering that) and I had been thinking about building a media centre PC. For me, if you could build in a DVD option (whether it be Blue Ray or other) so that one device can do all then I'd be very happy.
• Would you prefer your next PVR to be integrated into an LCD HD TV or as a separate unit?
Separate. I see that you need 3 things in life: a TV for the display, a killer sound system for the audio and another box that handles the information to feed both.
• What would your budget for a PVR be?
Depends on what the features are! If you had a dual tuner, HD unit, with 1TB capacity, Blue Ray player, media streaming etc. then I don't think the $500-1000 range is unreasonable. You'd be killing the other competitors with such a beast.
Posted at 12:30 p.m. on December 9, 2009
David says...
This are the features I would like in a PVR
- low power consumption (under 30w), low standby (under 7w)
- USB input
- playback divx,avi, mp4 etc
- DVD playback
- photo slideshow
- HDMI output
- free epg
- transfer tv recording to usb harddrive
- record tv through the internet (website, iphone)
- Time shift
- skip commercials
Posted at 12:46 p.m. on December 9, 2009
Andrew says...
- twin is not a high priority, but I do like PIP ;-)
- hdmi only is fine
- external/USB by default, but a 3.5" hard drive bay as well
- USB slot on the front would be great for quick insert/play situations.
- support for USB wifi dongle to read/write files to the HD
- while we're on wifi - what about vodcast/rss/youtube streams?
- SD card slot
- has to be easy to do the simple stuff: quick record, playback, time-shift
- definitely a separate unit
- I'm looking at a Dvico unit for around $600 with twin tuner and 1Tb.HD, beat that and you're on a winner!
Posted at 3:58 p.m. on December 9, 2009
Boros says...
Anyone who has ever used a PVR knows that two tuners are the bare minimum. One just does not cut it.
Time skip (Jump ahead a minute) is a must, freeview compliant systems remove this feature and limit the fast forward speed to ensure the adds are at least noticed. just look at PlayTV for the PS3, freeview has ruined it.
Access to a free EPG, IceTV is nice but a free one would be preferred
able to stream TV from the internet, its starting to take off now.
Posted at 6:53 p.m. on December 10, 2009
Greg Johnson says...
Would you rather a PVR with a Single Tuner or Twin Tuner?
Twin HD tuner. Yes most of us have an LCD with built in tuner but with all the new TV channels. Chances are you're gonna want to record two things at once eventually.
• What outputs do you really need on the PVR?
HDMI and RCA will do.
• Would you rather a built-in hard drive or prefer to attach an external hard drive?
Built in 1TB HDD, with the option of adding an external drive via USB or eSATA. Also make it easy to replace the drive when need be.
• Would a USB input be an advantage?
Yes. See above. Aah what the hell. Make it two USB ports.
• Have you used TiVo or a PVR before?
Yes, and the main problem I have experienced with most PVRs is overheating. Hard drives don't like being hot so a good ventilation is a must.
A RJ45 port would be great for easy software updates and for interactive things, and make it look pretty!
• Would you prefer your next PVR to be integrated into an LCD HD TV or as a separate unit?
Why can't we have both?
• What would your budget for a PVR be?
Less than the cost of a Tivo.
Posted at 7:54 p.m. on December 10, 2009
Professor Davos says...
Dual tuner. Recording 2 shows is a must.
External drive
multiple USB
HDMI
Definately not integrated into tv.
Tivo is great, very easy to configure and use.
What I really want is network connectivity.
A device that records shows like Tivo's season pass option, and can also play any format from an external harddisk or networked NAS or computer. Don't restrict the codecs. Make the codecs updatable.
Posted at 1:20 a.m. on December 11, 2009
Denis says...
My budget would be around $400
Twin Tuners High Def
USB for connectable HDD or usb drives
or perhaps a built in 500GB Hard Drive
2xHDMI and the old "red white and yellow" connections for older TV's.
And, this is essential, A USER FRIENDLY MENU with thumbnails of recorded programs.Must be simple to use without too many unnecessary options that confuse. Just RECORD, PLAYBACK, FForward etc.
And an easy simple remote.
Thank you for your time.
Posted at 11:01 p.m. on December 11, 2009
Daniel says...
- Must be quiet!! No disk noise - I hate that.
- Twin HD Tuners
- Quite Solid State Drive (removable/upgradable)
- LAN
- Plays DVD, BlueRay/HD-DVD etc
- Low power usage - even when operating.
- Optical out, Coax Out and HDMI in/out
- USB ports (at least 2, easily accessible)
- Glossy Black is a must!
- Digital Clock on front with brightness adjustment
- Firmware upgradable via Internet or USB
- Memory Card slot (SD etc)
- Plays PS3 and X360 games ;-)
- Can print money - $100 notes.
Posted at 11:40 a.m. on December 12, 2009
Rhys says...
I'd love to see support for an IR sender (perhaps connected to a USB socket) that could change the channel on my Foxtel box and an analogue input for connecting it up.
Posted at 2:10 p.m. on December 14, 2009
Girindor says...
Basically, I want: a box that I can plug into my TV, wifi connected, which will receive television via the internet, which I can use to browse the internet and use online services such as Google Docs or Picasa, AND which I can use to zap through all my internet channels just like on a normal TV (except that I now have all the international channels I want, in real time)
I also want it to be able to record and store (happy for the storing to be cloud-based, somehow), and work really well as a media player, perhaps have the ability to integrate with Spotify. That would be amazing!
Posted at 11:16 p.m. on December 15, 2009
Todd says...
Some things high on my list are
- quiet
- network enabled to stream to other pc's or pvr clients
- api to write plugins
- gyro remote
- schedule recording over web
Posted at 9:07 a.m. on December 16, 2009
Shane says...
My PVR Requirements in no particular order:
No Feeview Compliance (Freeview is a con and removes features don’t believe the hype)
HDMI Out
Network Streaming (Both Directions)
Twin HD Tuners
User Upgradeable Hard Drive
USB Input
Media Card Reader
Open Source Firmware Upgradeable
ICE TV Compatible
User customisable GUI
Basic Buttons on unit including Record
Display on front indicating TV channels etc
Capable of playing latest HD Movies
Under $400
I'll stop dreaming now
Posted at 11:50 a.m. on December 16, 2009
John says...
Didn't read all of the above comments, but having used a Topfield for a few years, the key feature is letting the community enhance the software. My Toppy is so much better to use now (with all my installed TAP's) than it was out of the box. If you go down the road of providing an api into the firmware, rather than opensourcing the firmware, talk to some of the Topfield TAP authors for advice.
Posted at 6:24 p.m. on December 16, 2009
Rob says...
Firstly, I would like to see the comment box at the TOP of the page so anyone wishing to comment doesn't have to scroll all the way down past copious amounts of comment s to get to the comments page (webmaster?).
If I then chose to read said comments..I have the choice.
Secondly, I read in a Geare magazine early this year that Kogan was bringing in a mobile phone with similar features to an iphone...any further news to this item? If so I'd be keen as the proverbial mustard to be first in line to trial this. If they are already on the market here in OZ.....some-one clean my glasses cos I can't find them on this website.
Kogan sales manager...feel free to converse directly via email if there are any of these phones available in OZ for purchase.
Rob
Posted at 5:46 a.m. on December 17, 2009
Mark says...
• Single or dual tuner?
Twin tuner for sure from single aerial connector. Less parts, more reliable, stronger signal. The PVR becomes the first device in. I use my inbuilt tuner on the TV as back up or for the rare time I watch live TV and want to leave my current PVR alone.
• What outputs do you really need on the PVR?
HDMI and DVI should be all - I cannot see many people buying a PVR and hooking it up to an old analogue TV (not with Kogan LCD's so well priced!) and besides an HDMI capable screen, only other thing you might connect it to IMHO is a PC screen.
• Would you rather a built-in hard drive or prefer to attach an external hard drive?
Build in hard drive for storage - better reliability.
As an option, what would be REALLY cool is having in essence the "core" build on an internal solid state disk, and a standard SATA drive for storage. In the event the hard drive crashes or you decide you really need the newly released 5TB drive you pop in a new drive and the "core" recognises the new drive, formats as if it was doing the initial setup and hey presto, more disk.
• Would a USB input be an advantage?
USB for external storage and to transfer music/videos too would be great.
Also support for USB webcam would be good assuming you also supported a Live Messenger and/or Skype "plugin".
• Have you used TiVo or a PVR before? What have your experiences been?
I am currently using a PC based PVR running MediaPortal on Windows. I'd love to have a bullet proof system that I don't need to tinker with that offers the functionality MediaPortal offers. It is my single hub for ALL media (Music, photos, TV and videos) which I backup over the network to my external USB.
• Would you prefer your next PVR to be integrated into an LCD HD TV or as a separate unit?
Separate unit - less support issues (e.g. times when current PVR is not working so we swtich to live TV ... so 20th century!). Also separate purchases.
• What would your budget for a PVR be?
I'd spend up to $1,000 on a unit that offered all these things. If I built my own using PC and MediaPortal it would cost at least that - I would expect someone who developed these and then mass manufactured could drive that cost down.
Specific features I would like to see included:
* wireless keyboard (or at least support for it)
* Bluray drive option (I would have DVD in base model)
* web cam support
* gigabit NIC
* Skype/Live Messenger support
* ability to record programs by name as supplied with free to air EPG
* ability to rip Music CD's to your collection on the unit
Posted at 6:02 p.m. on December 22, 2009
Temjin says...
Copy every features from Astone AP-300! Make sure it supports RMVB formats as this is ULTRA POPULAR (if not, the only format) that Asian uses. You will open up a huge market (if you are looking to expand into Asia too) if you support it.
Wireless connectivity with computer for transfer of files is a big plus.
Any more advanced features should be reserved for the premium models. But at the minimum, support the above.
Posted at 11:18 p.m. on December 22, 2009
cameron says...
Twin HD Tuners - Both for recording (I agree that you can use the tv tuner for watching while recording, however many people want to record 2 shows at once.)
Recommend 500GB HDD, with option to add external
Does not need to be Freeview certified, as long as it is future proof by supporting H.264/MPEG-4 AVC which tv networks may start broadcasting in the future. Also should include ability to skip ad blocks when recording.
I do not suggest multiple variations of the unit (ie with HDD and without / with bluray and without) as that just increases your SKU's and production line variations. (Also Agora Netbook vs Agora Pro. I assume most went for the pro given you dont stock the standard model anymore and were flogging them off cheap. If you can avoid that again it would be a smart business move for you and us)
As long as you keep the price low and the consumers options open in terms of ability to add external HDD, connections, transfer files to external device or over network, codec support etc majority of them will be happy.
Posted at 3:10 a.m. on December 23, 2009
Mic says...
(1) Dual Tuner, Dual Hard Discs and Dual CPUs. You can be recording two seperate transmission feeds that don't interefere with each other. Aussie broadcasters are notorious for "audience splitting". 9 puts on the Cricket, so 7 puts on the Tennis. 10 puts on an action movie, 7 does the same. For something slightly more cerebral, back in the 90s, Channel 9 were running "Voyager" against Channel 7's schedule of "Babylon 5" simultaneously--at 23:00 they wonder why it doesn't rate very well? Good I had three VCRs.
(2) The parallel setup also means that the PVR can record to disc the "signal as it was received"--NOT a "re-encoded" one, which means that I should be able to stream contiguous mpeg files.
(3) As SATA drives will most likely be used, they can sit in "hot swap" cradles similar to those to connect externally to a PC. Use open-source format for drives (e.g. Linux) to bypass OS-dependency.
(4) HDMI is fine. Also consider 1394, DVI, 15-pin VGA and legacy input/outputs (RGB component, Svideo etc.) as there are many pre-digital large screens, projectors or PC monitors that may be used instead of a TV*. Additional inputs (including HDMI) should be considered for Satelite/Cable set-top boxes, and again record the "signal as received"--NOT "re-encoded". This material is also badged so piracy is pretty pointless.
* These non-TV users may appreciate a third tuner in the PVR.
(5) Include a block of 16 yellow composite video inputs for security cameras as well as the ability to recognise multiple USB/IP cameras. The unit is now suitable for two market places, domestic and security.
(6) Using the Panasonic VCR NV-F70 or NV-FS90 as a template use a flip down door control panel, and have a display on the front. This enables quick programming of Channel, start time and 3 hrs duration in the hope of getting the 1 hour that you actually want to watch. That way you get out the front door quickly without having to turn on the TV or search for the remote.
(7) Plenty of USB, 1394 and Camera HDMI inputs on the front for quick transfer of user-generated data.
(8) If people want "radio" remote control let them have it, but please include change over switches on remote and front panel for IR for the benefit of us Luddites who don't want to microwave ourselves.
(9) 1Gb NIC minimum and ability to disable "wireless". Also include an RS-232 connector so that computer access to programming is available without OS-dependency (i.e., you could use a terminal program)
(10) Source a standard combination 5.25" Blu-ray reader and DVD/CD/RW as used in PCs. This would make upgrading to Blu-ray burner much simpler.
(11) FORCED VENTILATION with a side panel filter than can be slid out through the front panel for cleaning. As a tech, I am tired of opening machines to find a blanket of dust that has to be removed and to then discover that the dust is what caused the failure in the first place.
Posted at 3:21 a.m. on December 23, 2009
Mic says...
FIRMWARE:
(12) Firmware upgradeable via optical disc with "default reset" button in case upgrade fails.
(13) Region Codes and Lockout Commands on Optical discs to be ignored. We're all tired of waiting ten minutes to get through all the previews of movies that don't interest us and the ubiquitous anti-piracy notification which has become a joke on YouTube. I'm also sick of getting subscription discs that are labeled "Region 4", only to find out that the disc itself is "Region 2".
(14) Ability to rip optical disc to hard disc, but block the ability to reburn that rip. The ability to rip is only intended as a buffer for skimming forward and backward more conveniently without wearing out the optical drive--not to duplicate the Optical material.
(15) Option to burn recorded TV program in DVD format, or just write it as an mpeg file.
(16) Full support for MP3, MP4, Xvid, DivX, SVCD, avi, flash, jpeg images, blah blah blah.
(17) Mini-DV via FireWire is individually compressed frames, NOT mpeg, so if I connect my DV-cam, I expect large AVI file(s) which can be burned directly and,after editing, can then be compressed to mpeg.
(18) Adcode recognition: The UK has had this for years. VCR's would auto-pause during adbreaks. You record the movie "Love Stinks" on Friday Night, and there is an ad for a massive markdown sale on Saturday Morning. When you get home from work on Monday and watch your Friday recording, the ad for the sale is redundant. Auto-skip during playback may be a better option, because some people do like to scan through the ads to see if there's anything of interest.
(19) Menu recognition. Static menus are not a problem (except for burn-in) but animated menus that repeat every forty seconds or so after you've nodded off during the movie are just wearing out the equipment. The unit should recognise when it has been sitting in the menu for say, 10 minutes and then shut off the playback. Upon "resume" it should pick up where it left off. Naturally if it can induce "sleep mode" in the attached monitor/TV then it should.
Posted at 3:23 a.m. on December 23, 2009
Murray Scott says...
I am not as TV savvy as some of your bloggers, recognising only about half of their acronyms. My only experience of a PVR is the DG-HDPVR5009 so you see I am a cheapskate. My biggest gripe with that PVR is implicit in many postings; its disk operating system is woeful, with no access to the disk from an external computer and no way of organising recordings except chronologically.
I like to time-shift a whole evening's TV from one or two channels. I get to watch it sometimes an hour or so later, beyond the range of DGTEC's unscheduled time-shift buffer, so I set the timer accordingly, resulting in a great mass of mostly unwanted recordings. The DGTEC offers is no way to group these for bulk erasure; you can only erase files laboriously one by one with excruciating slowness or else zap the lot.
The external HDD idea is good as long as it is formatted in PC readable format, with Windows-compatible folder structure. I want to edit captured free-to-air TV program files, clipping out current affairs interviews and scenes. An acceptable alternative would be to access an internal HDD via USB for bidirectional file transfer.
I had another problem installing digital TV and I don't know why everybody isn't squealing about it. My masthead amplifier is powered from a different mains circuit than the TV and the signal apparently comes with superimposed DC offset or 50Hz hum that saturates digital tuners. How did I discover that without a good oscilloscope? Because I got no reception except momentarily while plugging or unplugging the antenna lead. I found that it worked with the centre contact of the connector almost but not quite touching. The same problem occurred with a USB dongle tuner so I assume it occurs with other tuners too. I made up a box with capacitor coupling but even 100pf was too much, the tuner still being paralysed by hum. Replacing the cap with a pair of 20 mm twisted plastic covered hookup wire worked but I ended up using with a 200 mm extension cable made from a length of shielded twin-core, one core attached to each end with no DC path between. Message to KOGAN: put high-pass filtering on the antenna input.
Posted at 10:44 a.m. on December 23, 2009
Pip says...
YAY so happy you guys are making a PVR i have been trying to find the perfect PVR for ages...
- single digital tuner would be fine (want it to be cheap too)
- defintely want a hard drive in it but be able to access the info on it (so if there was an option for external hard drive or docking station that worked just as well as internal hard drive then would be happy to compromise)
- wireless so can play things on it from computer network !
- dvd writer - not as important if it has wireless / usb output / or removable hd
- digital inputs in to allow copying digital video to it
- would love to have easy to use software.. some PVR's are so hard to use.. please make it easy!! Simple to navigate - one touch recording...
- would prefer more outputs rather than just HDMI
- price $500 - $700 depending on features..
- would be great to access freeview menus choose what want to record - but wouldnt want to pay heaps more for this.
Look forward to seeing whats decided!
CANT wait to get a PVR from Kogan!!!
Posted at 11:29 a.m. on December 23, 2009
Ben says...
NO FREEVIEW - that is simply marketing propaganda by the free-to-air channels, to get you to accept limitations on how you use your PVR so they can still sell ads, and those limitations are the REASON we want a PVR in the first place! If it is freeview compliant, then I won't be buying one. (sorry, end of rant.)
it must have at least 2 tuners, 3 or 4 would be better.
must have network connections, prefer both wired and wireless, but either would be fine. files must be accessible from other locations, either by UPNP/DLNA streaming or network share.
easily expandable HDD, either internal or external.
in addition to HDMI, it should have optical or coax for digital audio (5.1), and some other non-HD tv output for emergencies.
USB support for both transferring and playback, possibly even a card reader for SD etc.
user customisable menus and remote buttons.
I'd like to see it under $300 barebones
Posted at 2:05 a.m. on December 24, 2009
MATT says...
-twin hd tuner
-hdmi + other outputs
-500gb or more
- usb + multi card reader for both watching and recording.
- dvd recorder so you can extend your collection & family videos etc
-easy to erase old recordings - not 1 by one
-the buttons that are used more on the remote must be hardy, these are the ones that wear out the quickest and stop working rendering the whole thing useless since they are the ones used the most...
-time shift loop - this was a feature in my 1st pvr where as soon as i started watching a channel, it started recording it and i could go back all the way to the start if i wated to refer back and it asked me if i wanted to keep the recording when i changed to another cannel or went to turn off the unit - the lopp was that it would record for as long as there was free space on the hard drive and start recording over the oldest part wen space ran out.
- edit & save - sometimes i just record for 5 hours on a tue night because there are so many good shows on 1 after another or because some times the recording stops before the end of the show & we know how annoying that is, but later i end up having so much wasted space when i just want to keep a half hour show for later on a 5 hour recording, i just want to be able keep that half hour show and delete the rest...
jump button - my pvr remote now has a 30 sec jump button where i can jump 30 secs (usual length of a regular commercial) when i press it so a commercial break is over with a few quick jumps...
auto de-frag - this would be a good feature if it could be done - after a wihile, there are lots of bits on the hard drive full of litlle bits and pieces of recordings all over the place and as things progress, it get slower and slower because it is gathering info from all over the place and sub second pauses in playback become increasingly annoying while the hard drive jumps between fragments of recording from sector to sector (maybe this wont be an issue with new technology) but a simple re arranging of recordings - de-fragmenting as it is called periodically would be a good feature - just once in a while when you turn the thing off- it would ask you if you wanted to run a de-frag overnight would be good...
Posted at 11:10 a.m. on December 25, 2009
Roady says...
most stuff has been covered already
ive had a quick read thru the posts above and the one feature i feel is lacking is this......
Being able to record from HDMI in...WHY...
at lot of new DSLR and Hi Def video cameras have HDMI outputs
and it would be awesome to be able to plug in your device
and record it to the PVR.....
by doing this you dont need a PC to upload the footage to
then have to transcode and save it....
also it means you can record direct to the PVR from the camera
LIVE,thus bypassing all the compression algorythms built into the device...to be able to record pure HDMI in a consumer PVR
would be groundbreaking and would put Kogan at the forefront
of PVR technology...
keep up the good work..Roady @West Oz...
Posted at 11:19 p.m. on December 26, 2009
Xenor says...
Would you rather a built-in hard drive or prefer to attach an external hard drive?
As a third option, have a simple removable panel (user serviceable) with a standard SATA HDD connection. That way, you can sell it with a small (or user specified) HDD, or as a driveless version for those wanting to add their own. As I see it, this approach would add little more than the cost of the sockets and panel to the unit cost, while giving the average user the all-in-one appliance.
I'd still like to see USB drive support, as I often want to quickly take a video from my PC on a flash drive.
Posted at 12:04 a.m. on December 27, 2009
Jamie Boyd says...
A good idea and it depends on what you intend to do - compete on price or function. If it is a bit of both then you have to have twin tuners - the free2air folks line up the good shows so it is a regular thing to have three program that you want to watch. Avoid freeview licensing and as such the cost and controls. Include an commercial skipping feature - mythtv does this out of the box. Network features are a must - photos, music etc off a server along with the ability to stream to other boxes. The ability to use ICETV interactive would be a big seller. You should also consider wifi but it is not as important and only if you are going draft-n as g can be a little slow for media. Obviously at ability to add external storage is important but you should consider a slot in hdd bay as well.
Posted at 9:44 a.m. on December 29, 2009
Colvin says...
- at least 6 USB ports (more the better) with a Hardware Compatibility List of devices which have been tested and will work with the PVR(Wireless Keyboard/Mouse, WiFi, USB HDD's, additional tuners, Ext. DVD/BluRay drives, card readers, etc.)
- 2 x 1Gbps Network Port (WAN and LAN option)
- A gutsy CPU and lots of RAM so that future software updates are able to deliver more features.
- space to install a USB drive internally.
- open source OS and GUI/
This will allow a low price entry level device with a large choice of function upgrades.
A set of empty compartments to host USB devices would be neat.
Posted at 4:37 p.m. on December 31, 2009
Steve says...
Barebone specs for me
- Twin tuner with ability to watch something previously recorded whilst both tuners in use. Spend the money here and get good quality tuners.
- IceTV capable.
- Stay away from freeview compliance.
- Space for internal hard drive if not included.
- LAN
- Multiple format capable including MKV, AVCHD, ISO
- Open source front end
- Networkable (i.e. transfer recordings to and from hard drive)
- <$550.00
Posted at 5:16 p.m. on December 31, 2009
Marieah says...
Almost three months of comments...time for an announcement perhaps? Prices are dropping fast at the moment.
I'd like to easily snap in and out Sata 3.5 inch hard drives, formats to include .mkv and .flv, lower end (cheaper) model with single tuner as well as more expensive twin tuner, usual usb and card reader ports.
I think there are two models here - basic single tuner for under $300 with lots of connectivity and and advanced double tuner model with even more connectivity for under $500...
Posted at 7:20 p.m. on December 31, 2009
John says...
Hey this is not the right place and I imagine it has been said already ... but regarding your full HD TVs with inbuilt dvd players - why aren't they blue ray readers? From the computer sphere I know how cheap blue ray combo drives are getting relative to dvdr/w's. I bet you guys could include a blue ray reader for no more than $50 to $75 additional cost to you. Even if it was just a straight out laptop part with one of those cut-down slide out platters we all do our best not to break, you guys would be selling a complete Blue-ray "solution" for a head-line grabbing price. Seal the deal by slapping in some live-level audio outputs for my existing stereo (if they are not standard already) and hell I want 10! OK, 2. Maybe it would tread on the toes of some of your other products but I think overall it would be a winner.
Posted at 3:04 p.m. on January 1, 2010
Dilightfuldi says...
The ability to rename files you've recorded. It's hard to recognize what shows are recorded when the EPG's are not properly synchronized. Also the ability to see more info about the recording would be great.
Posted at 6:49 a.m. on January 4, 2010
Gary says...
Wow! What an awesome question :)
HD Twin tuner
Removable HDD (Please don't limit the size)
Wireless-N
Gigabit LAN
HDMI / RGB / D-Sub / etc...
BDRW (maybe) or Blu-ray (Region free)
Good interface
Decent remote
Allow wireless keyboard and mouse
eSata x 2
USB x 3 or 4
And everything above this post please :)
Posted at 4:20 p.m. on January 5, 2010
Tyrone Curwen says...
a must to have in a set top box is the ability to set a buffer rate for the box, so that it will constantly be recording what your watching. giving the user the ability to rewind and pause live television. also if the used wishes to record something they have already been watching the box will save the file either from the start of the show or from the point that they started watching it from. My parents bought a DVR for Christmas, after using the iQ2 box i naively thought that all set top boxes would have the same abilities. on there box you cant set up recordings to record in the future, you have to manually press record and stop. you cant pause and rewind Live TV and the box wont pick up channel 7 at all. after this i would be reluctant to buy a DVR without reading a proper review, or getting a guarantee from the provider that it will pick up channel 7. i have now heard from a number of people that they have picking up channel 7 from there set top boxes as well.
Thanks,
Tyrone
Posted at 11:25 a.m. on January 8, 2010
Ian Sharrem says...
I stumbled across a PVR at DSE a couple years back. I could not believe my luck it had a true twin tuner (ie record 2 channels simultaneously while watching a recorded show!!) whereas most other units in the lower price bracket allowed recording of 1 channel while only viewing another.
Best of all the unit was being sold for $199.
It only has SD tuners, but given the price of other units on the market I could live with that at the time.
(Actually, I can record HD but the unit can not decode. No problem, I just connect via USB and download to my PC. Voilà - I can watch with VLC)
So, you can imagine my surprise that we are still seeing units selling for $500+
If the unit came in at $200-250, dual HD tuner, RF pass through, HDMI out, Component out, Stereo out and a digital audio output along with USB or Ethernet to connect to a PC to backup anything I really wanted to keep, I would buy one!
While I appreciate all the features mentioned by others, if they add to the cost then we are no longer talking a "budget PVR"
Ian
Posted at 2:08 p.m. on January 12, 2010
Ross S says...
Being a techno-idiot (T.I.)who is over 55, I recently embarked on a journey to purchase a new PVR (I didn't know at the time that's what they are called).
For the life of me I couldn't understand the explanations on the web sites were all about. All I wanted was to be able to tape favourite programmes whilst away, or when 2 were on at the same time.
Off to the local electronics stores, where it was explained to me in the same terms as on the web. Sometimes I remembered more than the salesperson.
Rang my nephew, who designs web sites and invents games. He explained it to me in such simple terms (knowing that I am a T.I.) that I knew exactly what I needed and got the following;
Twin HD tuners
250G hard drive
HDMI connection
USB2 and Card memory slots - can copy to external hard drive
Integration with other units from same maker (only need one remote)
A lot of other functions that I don't need, but come standard.
Simple to understand and use on screen recording instructions.
And most importantly (on my Nephews advice) delivery, installation and instruction on how to use the unit for under $100. best money ever spent. The guy who delivered spent 40 mins instructing me.
If you can come up with something along those lines, I'm sure that people my age will flock to your doors.
Oh dear, most of us like to see the article first to ensure it will look right. As an internet provider, perhaps a "money back if it doesn't fit" guarantee would be helpful. Not being fussy, but most of us are careful with our money and buying online scares us. We don't mind spending an extra $100-200 if it means that we will get what we want.
I hope this has been helpfull.
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The Pixie says...
We already have a PVR (only SD) and we also have Tivo. One advantage the PVR has over Tivo is that when you are working your way through a menu (in list form), with the PVR if the item you want is the last one on the list, you can just go UP and it takes you straight to the bottom item, whereas with Tivo, you have to scroll all the way down to the bottom.
It is only a small thing, but certainly very handy.
Posted at 11:24 p.m. on January 14, 2010
Dale Allen says...
Having had 3 PVR's, a single tuner Kaon, a DGtec twin tuner and a Humax twin tuner running 2 in tandem at a time I would definitely vote for a twin tuner Kogan but would prefer a 3 or 4 tuner version. Despite what many of the commenters say there have been many times when I have wanted to record 2 or 3 programs at the same time, especially now that the Commercial Free to Airs have opened up their secondary digital channels. Occasionally I would have liked to have been able to record 4
The most important requirement is for a simple, clear easy to use interface. The DGtec was appallingly clumsy, the Humax a bit better and the Kaon better still, but none were ideal.
The Humax incidentally suffers from Remote interference as it will often change channels when using the remote from the TV or the DGtec.
As to using an external hard drive, that is something I have not considered in the past but it does make sense although I do think a lot of people would be daunted at the thought of mating the two, even if it is only connecting a cable. Having said that however it does mean that in making price comparisons one would have to add $100/$150+ to the Kogan price to arrive at a 'finished' price. Perhaps a 'Delete HDD' option could be a possibility.
Don't restrict it to just HDMI output I would say no unless it is your intention to restrict it's use to Kogan TV's.
Posted at 2:18 p.m. on January 15, 2010
Sonam says...
[Public Domain]
1. **Inputs** High-bandwidth component inputs that can record and store DVD-quality video. And if possible, HDMI inputs **and** component inputs that do 1080p. This would be a very flexible platform -- for instance, for recording a HD Xbox 360 HD gameplay session.
Its simply too useful when you have Foxtel and want to multiplex eveything else without going down the IQ2 route.
Currently only the highest price PVRs give me a substitute for IQ2 this, and even than at 576i (DVD quality)
The latest Global Sources Electronic products catalog featured a PVR with component inputs.
2. An infrared blaster. So that your PVR can turn on the Foxtel box, turn on the TV, even the Xbox 360 DVD player. If its impractical to build one into the unit, provide a universal remote with a built in timer, and a wall bracket (just like how AC remotes work).
3. Audio-only channels: Digital Radio and FM radio support.
Posted at 9:06 p.m. on January 15, 2010
Felix says...
Token female here - I have a Kogan LCD TV. I want a simple apparatus that I can plug into my TV that does not require a degree in acronyms or star trek to operate. (I had a degree in VCR usage but since my VCR blew up, I have forgotten many of those skills).
I like the idea of being able to record multiple programs at once (although the comment above is correct that there is not much to record on Aus TV, invariably the two good programs per week are on simultaneously).
USB is a grand idea for portability and additional capacity but I would like some internal capacity as well.
As for the rest of the comments above, anything that improves the beast without over complicating it, has my vote.
Perhaps you could have a techno challenged version and a bells and whistles version.
PS I love your service - you get a lot of free publicity from me.Keep it up.
Posted at 9:47 p.m. on January 16, 2010
pay tv says...
Wintel has a good one, but Ruslan, Kogan can do MUCH, MUCH better and cheaper!!!!
Seriously though, look at the Wintel specs and improve on them.
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Posted at 10:49 p.m. on January 28, 2010
Darren says...
Kogan Media X-Treme
You need it on the market now !!!
Posted at 1:53 a.m. on February 2, 2010
Richard says...
Got any timelines on when something will be available? I'm in the market but am prepared to wait if something is coming reasonably soon.
Posted at 6:30 p.m. on February 2, 2010
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