TVDrive - Page 2

MPK · 20-12-2005, 11:02

Grumble, what I meant was that it is not necessarily the case that the TVDrive HDMI output requires HDCP. Considering that the box transmits the HD signal via component, which cannot have any HDCP it might well be that the HDMI output does not require HDCP either. Therefore, it is possible that you'll be able to watch HDTV via your DVI input. But before buying a cable you might want to check with Telewest (although I wouldn't be surprised if they had no idea what HDCP is...)

grumble · 21-12-2005, 12:55

Sorry for delay - have attempted to attach a picture of the back of the box for TAZMANUK. Should be able to pick out (from left to right):

- cable in
- rf out x2
- audio out (phono)
- component hdtv out
- scart out x2
- smartcard in
- hdmi out
- optical audio out
- usb
- ethernet
- SATA
- remote out

Have been travelling for last few days - but the box seems to have failed to record a couple of programmes - and it seems to have rebooted itself half a dozen more times. Will watch more carefully and post over the next few days.

Re MPK and HDCP/HDMI oooerrr?! Had not appreciated the distinction - though equally pessimistic about the prospects of getting an answer - thank you!

quadplay · 21-12-2005, 13:04

Also interesting is that the smartcard goes in the back! Much less chance of little fingers getting hold of it!

handyman · 21-12-2005, 14:03

[quote=grumble
- SATA
[/quote]

screeeeeeech...........

A SATA port

you can add your own external storage :glee:

shame i'm not on telewest or ntl but looks exiting for the future if I move.

quadplay · 21-12-2005, 14:16

Woah there! We don't know whether it's enabled - like the Serial or Parallel ports on early Pace boxes it might be for 'future use'!

handyman · 21-12-2005, 14:18

I'm 'woahing' nothing....going straight to exitement full steam ahead.

grumble · 21-12-2005, 16:26

The telewest TVDrive guide doesn't refer to this port, but then it isn't really a technical guide at all. I've read elsewhere that the box is based on the SA 8300, and that seems to suggest support for an external SATA drive -

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/con...xes/8300hd.htm

But I have no facility (or need!!) to test.

TAZMANUK · 24-12-2005, 09:29

Thanks grumble for the picture.

I just have a further question to anyone who knows about the component port further.

If i was to connect this tvdrive via component from box to tv, should i still also connect the scart to tv or no longer use the scart apart from having one connected to a vhs player or dvd recorder to archive things from the box for archiving.

dingdangdo · 27-12-2005, 17:39

Does the acess to the internet from yout STB run OK ie not having to reboot your box to get access etc etc ?
Cheers

grumble · 28-12-2005, 12:22

The PACE STB had become fairly unstable, and kept losing its connection requiring the STB to be rebooted to re-establish an internet connection. It never used to be a problem but had got a lot less reliable over the past couple of months. The connection through the TVD box has been more reliable so far.

Stuart · 28-12-2005, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by handyman

I'm 'woahing' nothing....going straight to exitement full steam ahead.

I wouldn't get too excited yet. NTL have never enabled the Parallel or Serial ports on the Pace Boxes, and IIRC (I can't be bothered to dig my Samsung out of the TV cabinet), the Samsung has a USB port that has never been enabled.

It's possible Telewest won't do anything with the SATA port.

TAZMANUK · 04-01-2006, 17:13

Grumble do you have any more infor on the tvdrive for us on how its been over xmas etc etc?

grumble · 04-01-2006, 17:31

Generally ok though:

(1) It did completely fail to record one film

- it captured a failure reason code which I've kept for the Telewest bods.

(2) Series recording also seems to behave less well when it starts to get full

- i.e. less than 15 hours free. I'm not sure what is happening here, but the series link recordings do not take place (even though they're marked as planned in the EPG). I could speculate that it is looking at the recording priorities over the full 8 days in the EPG and calculating that some of them cannot take place because there isn't enough room in total? Not the way I would code the software tho'. Again noted for the Telewest bods.

(3) If you series link mini-series, e.g. two / three parters, you seem to get orphaned series in the recording list when they finish. Not a major issue, just looks silly.

Other than these [and (1) and (2) are fairly serious] it has behaved fairly well, recorded a lot, used delay-tv a lot too. About the only serious function I haven't tried is the archiving - so I'll give that a go over the next week too.

quadplay · 04-01-2006, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumble

(3) If you series link mini-series, e.g. two / three parters, you seem to get orphaned series in the recording list when they finish. Not a major issue, just looks silly.

How do you mean 'orphaned series'? Do they appear in the to-do list but without a time and date?

grumble · 04-01-2006, 19:18

Yes - and I can understand that - the problem is that they also lose the programme title! Come up as 'Unknown' or 'Untitled' or something similar (I'm at work).