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Group test: PVR-ready receivers December 2010
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Test PVR-ready receivers
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PVR-ready satellite receivers rOUP T
Recording ability in a satellite receiver is no longer a costly option. Here are four sub-£100 PVR-ready receivers for your consideration Not so long ago, buying a satellite receiver was a choice between buying a ‘zapper’ or spending a few hundred pounds more on a personal video recorder (PVR) with a hard disc for recording. However, an increasing number of receivers are now sold as ‘PVR-ready’. In some cases this means you need to insert a hard disc into the machine but, increasingly, all that is required is to plug an external drive into the receiver’s USB port for recording. Either way, as there’s no hard disc included, costs can be kept down. If you plan to go the external route, flash sticks are now fairly cheap (a 4GB stick costs around £5), or you can buy an external hard drive (80GB models cost about £30). The ability to pause and resume watching live TV is commonplace but, unlike many conventional PVRs, recording restrictions can apply. Most receivers have one
tuner so you can only record one channel at a time and in some cases watch another live channel if they are on the same transponder. Dual channel recording (again, if on the same transponder) is a rarity. Recordings are usually in transport stream format and can be played back on the receiver or a PC using suitable software such as VLC player or converted as required. Some receivers can play media files including JPEGs and MP3s located on plug-in drives which can also be used to apply software updates downloaded from the manufacturers’ website. We’ve gathered together four PVR-ready via USB receivers costing under £100. None of them offers high-definition reception but all are suited for European TV including (with one exception) pay-TV channels with the required viewing card.
Buying tips n:The positioning of USB sockets is worth considering. Having one on the front could be easier if shelf space is tight n:Recordings can usually be scheduled manually but the ability to set them from the EPG makes life even easier n:Fast-forward and rewind speeds can vary greatly among receivers. Bear this in mind if you plan to make lengthy recordings
n www.comag-ag.co.uk n £50 approx
Comag SL30 HDMI USB
Ratings PLUS
n Good AV performance using
HMDI
n Flexible for recording n User-friendly
Minus
n No RGB Scart n Timed recordings can be glitchy n Limited search capabilities
Build Setup Performance Features Value
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76%
Comag is a brand usually associated with budget-priced receivers, though recent efforts have shown that doesn’t mean you have to lower your expectations that much. The latest incarnation of the SL30 SD zapper is, like its forebears, free to air only but you do get a fair number of extra features – not just PVR via USB recording but also MPEG, JPEG and MP3 playback from external drives. An LNB loopthrough sits above a USB port on the rear. An HDMI (sadly, not supported by upscaling) is welcome alongside a single standard Scart output. There are no separate audio outputs. The remote has buttons covering all major functions. Multi-sat/motorised users get full DiSEqC and USALS support but not a blind scan made for feedhunting, though transponders can be searched individually.
Transponder lists can be edited, channel lists organised A-Z, by encryption status or satellite and up to eight favourites created. Searches are fast but some transponders were missed on Astra and Hot Bird and multi-sat scans were hampered by a lack of channel memory (only 4,000 can be stored). For recording, up to eight events can be scheduled manually or from the rather basic EPG, but only hard discs can be used for timeshifting. A nice bonus is the ability to record two channels at the same time (to either flash or hard drives) if they’re on the same transponder. However, some EPG-scheduled recordings failed. Pictures are at their best via HDMI, especially as the Scart offers composite-out only. A decent budget FTA box then, though with some shortcomings in the searching and video departments.
n www.turbosat.co.uk n 01795 429666 n £90 approx
Icecrypt S2000CCI
Ratings PLUS
n Solid performance n Excellent blind search n Adequate PVR functionality
Minus
n Slow to scan n PVR functions a little restricted
and slow
Build Setup Performance Features Value
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77%
Also available without CI slots but with a neat blue vacuum fluorescent display (as the S2000C VFD), the S2000CCI is a classy-looking receiver, as is the remote, which sits well in the hand. Flipping open a flap on the front panel reveals a card slot for the embedded Conax CAM, two CI slots and a USB port (there’s one on the rear too but only one can be used at a time). An LNB loopthrough can feed remaining analogue receivers and there are twin Scarts (the TV Scart supports RGB) and a composite video output. An optical S/PDIF and stereo phonos cover all audio needs. LNB switchers and motorised users get full DiSEqC and USALS support and scanning options include Automatic (relying on the receiver’s transponder database), Manual Scan (whereupon individual transponders can be selected) and Advanced, where
video, audio and PCR PIDs can be entered. Satellite scans are slower than on many other machines (4 mins, 30 secs for a full scan of Hot Bird) and a blind scan likewise (25 mins for Astra 19.2°E) as expected, but still very thorough. Channels can be ordered A-Z, as scanned or by satellite, searched for by name and favourites created. EPG data can be viewed as a six-channel programme grid or for one channel at a time and used to schedule recordings. You can record one channel while watching another if it’s on the same transponder) but you can’t watch an ongoing recording. Fast-forward/rewind speeds top out at just 3x, but you can skip about using a progress bar. MP3 and JPEG playback is supported. Picture and audio quality are good across the board on a receiver that, while not without its quirks, is worth considering – especially for Conax-encrypted channels.
Test PVR-ready receivers n www.manhattan-receivers.com n 020 8452 6699 n £85
Manhattan Plaza UPM
Ratings PLUS
Sized up against the similarly equipped Technomate, the UPM excels in many areas. A flap on the right hides a card slot for an onboard multicam and the USB port. Rear connections include an LNB loopthrough, an RGB and composite-capable Scart, an optical S/PDIF output and stereo phonos. Boasting 56 buttons, the lightweight handset is a little over-populated but all are sensibly arranged. All types of DiSEqC and USALS are supported and there are three scanning modes: Automatic (using a pre-programmed transponder database), individual transponder scans (with the ability to enter PIDs) or blind search. Standard satellite scans proved relatively sluggish (5 minutes 7 seconds for a full scan of Hot Bird) but blind scan is very fast (10 minutes for Hot Bird FTA) and very
configurable (you can specify polarisation and symbol rates). Eight favourites lists can be created. An accessible six-channel ‘grid format’ EPG can be used to schedule recordings. One channel can be recorded while you watch another if on the same transponder but to watch a recording prior to finishing requires you to jump to the live channel and rewind to the beginning. Fast-forward and rewind speeds are a respectable 20x and there are ¼ speed slo-mo, 10 sec to 5 min skip and bookmarking options. Recordings can be made either in native transport stream format or MPEG-2. JPEG display is possible but not MP3 playback. Picture quality is excellent (the tuner is sensitive) and audio is crisp and clear. Not the quickest receiver in some ways and not cheap – but still a commendable effort.
n Fast blind search n Reasonable PVR functionality n Flexible dish options
Minus
n Standard sat scans slow n No recorder loopthrough
Build Setup Performance Features Value
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80%
n www.technomate.com n 020 884 0701 n £59
Technomate TM-3500 D+ USB PVR
Ratings PLUS
The TM-3500’s compact, semi-illuminated form is attractive and, as with the Manhattan, lurking beneath a front flap is a smart card reader for an embedded programmable multicam. The sole USB port is confined to the rear of the receiver, where you’ll also find LNB and UHF loopthroughs and a 12V switching output. Two Scarts (one more than the Manhattan) see RGB supported on the TV output and there’s a composite video output and optical S/PDIF and stereo phonos. The remote is a little light and flimsy but has easy-to-follow buttons. All types of DiSEqC motorisation and USALS are supported and you can scan transponders in the database (updateable from the Technomate website) specifying channel type. An advanced scan searches individual transponders with the ability to enter
frequency, polarity and symbol rate. A ‘fast scan’ mode caters for Canal Digitaal, TV Vlaanderen and Telsat and a blind search mode isn’t very configurable but still quite quick, averaging 20 minutes for each satellite. EPG data can be displayed as a grid or viewed as a list and used to schedule recordings (also achievable manually). You can record one channel while watching another if on the same transponder, fast-forward and rewind at an impressive 32x speed and jump to a specified time. Composite pictures are predictably soft, but RGB pictures display clear colours and contrast. Audio also has strong bass and treble using the S/PDIF. Trickplay features such as picture-in-picture, a photo slide show, and mosaic feature were prone to bugs during testing, but this remains an excellent receiver with decent AV performance for an amazing price.
n Very cheap n Embedded card reader n Blind search
Minus
n PVR functions are basic n Some bugs
Build Setup Performance Features Value
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83%
And the winner is... Everyone has a list of desirable features in a receiver and a price point they may not be prepared to exceed especially in these cash-strapped times. However, all four receivers here are worth investing in whether you’re a novice or an experienced satellite viewer. If you don’t want to pay for channels or just want a free-to-air receiver to supplement your existing system (in a second room, perhaps) than the Comag is a good buy. It’s not particularly well suited to feedhunting but performs well and the potential for twin-channel recording is a notable feather in its cap. Those looking for more flexibility, such as pay-TV upgrade ability and/or a more advanced, enthusiast-friendly product will find the remainder have much to offer. The Icecrypt doesn’t have a programmable CAM, though its twin CI slots give you room to add your own CAMs as required. PVR functionality is limited in some areas and scans can be slow but it’s generally a very user-friendly machine. Shop around and you can find it cheaper than the Manhattan. ST•Gr
Verdict Technomate’s TM-3500 D+ USB PVR doesn’t get everything spot-on but still offers an exceptional amount of features considering the low asking price, including a multicam and blind search. As a sat scanner it’s acceptably fast and its PVR facilities are adequate. Most definitely a bargain.
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Talking of which, the Manhattan Plaza UPM earns a noble second place because it’s solidly constructed and packs a more flexible multicam and PVR functionality. Enthusiasts will love the configurable blind search, although it’s also suited to the more casual user. However, it’s a shame that MP3 playback has been omitted. But in terms of pounds per features it’s not the cheapest here n Grant Rennell
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Make and model Receiver price
Comag SL30 HDMI USB
Icecrypt S2000CCI
Manhattan Plaza UPM
Technomate TM-3500 D+ USB PVR
£50
£90
£85
£59
No of LNB inputs
1
1
1
1
LNB loopthrough
l
l
l
l
1.0/1.1/1.2/USALS
1.0/1.1/1.2/USALS-
1.0/1.1/1.2/USALS-
1.0/1.1/1.2/USALS
1000-45000
2000-45000
1000-45000
2000-45000
4,000
10,000
8,000
6,500
Blind search
-
l
l
l
CAM
-
Conax
Multi
Multi
Common interface
-
2
-
-
Dual recording
l
-
-
-
Pause live TV
l
l
l
l
MPEG-2, JPEG, BMP, MP3
MPEG-2, JPEG, MP3
MPEG-2, TS, JPEG
MPEG-2, JPEG, MP3
8-event
Unlimited
10-event/1 year
8-event/1 year
7-day DVB
7-day DVB
7-day DVB
7-day DVB
USB
2x USB, RS232
USB, RS232
USB, RS232
Scarts
1
2
1
2
HDMI
l
-
-
-
Analogue audio
-
l
l
l
S/PDIF audio
-
l
l
l
76
77
80
83
DiSEqC Symbol rate range No of channels
Playable media files Timer EPG support Data ports
Ratings %