Recording Cable TV

vooshy · 20-01-2007, 11:39

Hi I've been browsing the forums looking for the best option to buy to record NTL:Telewest Stuff. So far seen someone who says that a Sony DVD Recorder has a way of downloading the TV Guide from Cable Boxes, and also many of you who use a different Set Top Box with a PVR built in. I don't really want to change my set top box, and would rather record my TV to DVD's than videos. I would like the box to be able to change channel for me, even if it just sends remote control codes to the set top box to change channels. I know it will only record one channel at a time, but I'm okay with this. I have a standard Samsung set top box.

dranny69 · 20-01-2007, 12:22

HI.........
I have a philips HDD recorder which i use with my pace stb. this works fine for me and it enables me to record programmes and then edit them to burn to the built in dvd recorder. it doesnt have freeview built in but my tv does so its not a problem for me. the only thing is it wont change the stb channel so i have to leave the box set at the channel i want to record, i`m not sure that any dvd recorder is able to switch channels on a stb. but i`m usually wrong so hopefully someone will let you know for sure!!

vooshy · 20-01-2007, 14:38

Well being an IT Technician I could build a system that would do it using a TV card, dvd recorder an infra red adapter and software but Id rather purchase a system that did it for me with less hassle and probably less cost.

RealDiamond · 21-01-2007, 22:23

TV guilde data is downloaded via RF antenna.

DVD-RW
vs
DVD+RW

This format war is now over as multi format DVD recorders/players are cheap. PVRs dont allow you to keep TV shows they will need to be erazed for more room at some point.

Scart leads do allow External equipment to send signals to controll equipment to allow auto recording On DVD recorders. so you only need to set the cable box and only press 1 button on the dvd recorder, its called Ext link on Panasonic models. Sony will have there own version. The only problem is The NTL box planner is so limited in the number of days.
so it will need a IR blaster built in, if such a model is available, to record From NTL. This catch 22 is why so many want NTLs PVR just and only for The EPG that should already be included on the samsung box by default. But thats also why it cost more per month as they have to pay out for the EPG data and make a profit, even internet EPG cost money per year to use.(as an Eye TV user i got 1 year free.)

Hom3r · 21-01-2007, 22:40

I have asont DVD-r/HDD recorder.

It has its on built in EPG called Guide+, this is updated by ITV or Eurosport.

It changes channels on my pace box for me.

vooshy · 22-01-2007, 20:23

Think I found one that will be able to control the box since it has an IR Blaster, for those who interested in what I chose, I chose the "Sony RDRHX725 DVD Recorder with 160GB HDD Recorder" Its a very hard job finding UK recorders with IR Blaster, seems to be a big thing in the USA as Tivo uses it.