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simpsonsFAN · 08-05-2005, 00:42

Unfortunatly only Tivo could do this and thats not even produced anymore, Freeview PVR's only have a Digital Tuner and no scart input so they cannot record from cable - you do get the occasional Freeview PVR with a scart input but they dont have a "IR Wand" to change channels on the ntl set top box, nor do they have a EPG or tv guide so you would be messing about with manual timers anyway. Tecknically the HDRW720 could answer all your problems, it is one of about 2 pvrs with a scart input, a IR wand and a (limited) EPG, but the reality is that it is basically a over priced under performing "media center PC" without all the extras. If you really need a PVR for cable then you need a Tivo - 5 years old and still the only one! You can get them from places like ebay or alternatively Tivoland.co.uk - Although Tivo is not without its problems, sure it has a bigger EPG than sky+ and radio times put together, It does feel abit slow now (lighting fast compaired to ntl epg) but it is showing its age, also with all scart based PVRs it lacks the ability to watch one channel and record another, you proberly wont need this, but its nice to have.

If you would prefer you could wait for the telewest three tuner pvr with HDTV support that will tecknically blow sky+ out the water for telewest - then wait for ntl and telewest to merge then you will be king of the hill on hardware grounds - but as tivo showed us, its 5 year old hardware is still going strong with the best software. Tell me can you search by director or by actor of a movie when browsing for something to watch on sky? the answer is no because Tivo still hold ALL the old patients.

Anyway back on topic, your freeview PVR will only record freeview and would be better used as a paperweight if your trying to record NTL or sky.
-Chris

08-05-2005, 00:42	#6
simpsonsFAN Inactive Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 287	Re: PVR and NTL Unfortunatly only Tivo could do this and thats not even produced anymore, Freeview PVR's only have a Digital Tuner and no scart input so they cannot record from cable - you do get the occasional Freeview PVR with a scart input but they dont have a "IR Wand" to change channels on the ntl set top box, nor do they have a EPG or tv guide so you would be messing about with manual timers anyway. Tecknically the HDRW720 could answer all your problems, it is one of about 2 pvrs with a scart input, a IR wand and a (limited) EPG, but the reality is that it is basically a over priced under performing "media center PC" without all the extras. If you really need a PVR for cable then you need a Tivo - 5 years old and still the only one! You can get them from places like ebay or alternatively Tivoland.co.uk - Although Tivo is not without its problems, sure it has a bigger EPG than sky+ and radio times put together, It does feel abit slow now (lighting fast compaired to ntl epg) but it is showing its age, also with all scart based PVRs it lacks the ability to watch one channel and record another, you proberly wont need this, but its nice to have. If you would prefer you could wait for the telewest three tuner pvr with HDTV support that will tecknically blow sky+ out the water for telewest - then wait for ntl and telewest to merge then you will be king of the hill on hardware grounds - but as tivo showed us, its 5 year old hardware is still going strong with the best software. Tell me can you search by director or by actor of a movie when browsing for something to watch on sky? the answer is no because Tivo still hold ALL the old patients. Anyway back on topic, your freeview PVR will only record freeview and would be better used as a paperweight if your trying to record NTL or sky. -Chris