Foxtel IQ/PDR opinion

[warren]

So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my initial
opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by date
and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have the
obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping via
a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited space on
each tape etc.

The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do a
lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and be
more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
their PDR's.

I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless you
got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is not
as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.

This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come our
way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO up
there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you have
Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your house or
you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost of a
recordable DVD.

The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more soon, is
that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for that
morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on Sunday
morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but so
be it.

I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may prove
an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to use
the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA shows
which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.

That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.

Warren

[ren]

They asked me to tell the same story but I said no. Did they offer you as
much I they did me, I'll be curious to know.


"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
> initial
> opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
> date
> and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
> the
> obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
> via
> a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited space
> on
> each tape etc.
>
> The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do a
> lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
> DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
> be
> more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
> their PDR's.
>
> I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
> didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless you
> got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is not
> as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
>
> This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come our
> way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO up
> there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
> unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
> though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you have
> Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your house
> or
> you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost of
> a
> recordable DVD.
>
> The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more soon,
> is
> that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
> that
> morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
> Sunday
> morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
> afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but
> so
> be it.
>
> I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
> prove
> an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to use
> the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA shows
> which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
>
> That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
>
> Warren
>
>
>

[warren]

A very sad and cynical world you live in Ren when you can't praise a new
product without being accused of having an ulterior motive.

So if you have issues with the product, please share?

For the record - NO ONE asked me to write this shpeal!!


"ren" <renegade@come.au> wrote in message
news:a7Kae.22292$5F3.14305@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> They asked me to tell the same story but I said no. Did they offer you as
> much I they did me, I'll be curious to know.
>
>
> "warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
> news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> > So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
> > initial
> > opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
> > date
> > and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
> > the
> > obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
> > via
> > a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited
space
> > on
> > each tape etc.
> >
> > The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do
a
> > lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> > players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
> > DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
> > be
> > more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
> > their PDR's.
> >
> > I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
> > didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless
you
> > got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is
not
> > as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
> >
> > This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come
our
> > way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO
up
> > there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
> > unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
> > though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you
have
> > Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your
house
> > or
> > you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost
of
> > a
> > recordable DVD.
> >
> > The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more
soon,
> > is
> > that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
> > that
> > morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
> > Sunday
> > morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
> > afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but
> > so
> > be it.
> >
> > I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
> > prove
> > an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to
use
> > the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA
shows
> > which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
> >
> > That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
> >
> > Warren
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Bear]

I too love mine but it would be even greater if it could handle FTA 7, 9 &
10!
Without them its spoilt a bit and I'm still left with most of my recording
on my VCR................ Perth Satellite

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
> initial
> opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
> date
> and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
> the
> obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
> via
> a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited space
> on
> each tape etc.
>
> The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do a
> lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
> DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
> be
> more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
> their PDR's.
>
> I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
> didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless you
> got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is not
> as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
>
> This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come our
> way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO up
> there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
> unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
> though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you have
> Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your house
> or
> you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost of
> a
> recordable DVD.
>
> The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more soon,
> is
> that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
> that
> morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
> Sunday
> morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
> afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but
> so
> be it.
>
> I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
> prove
> an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to use
> the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA shows
> which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
>
> That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
>
> Warren
>
>
>

[Jason Cornelius]

"Bear" <who@where.net.au> wrote in message
news:426bb301$0$24072$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>I too love mine but it would be even greater if it could handle FTA 7, 9 &
>10!
> Without them its spoilt a bit and I'm still left with most of my recording
> on my VCR................ Perth Satellite

If you have the cash, get the Topfield 5000. It's the IQ for standard TV.
And has been around alot longer.

Jason.

[warren]

Why can't it do FTA - Satellite dish?
"Bear" <who@where.net.au> wrote in message
news:426bb301$0$24072$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> I too love mine but it would be even greater if it could handle FTA 7, 9 &
> 10!
> Without them its spoilt a bit and I'm still left with most of my recording
> on my VCR................ Perth Satellite
>
> "warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
> news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> > So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
> > initial
> > opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
> > date
> > and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
> > the
> > obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
> > via
> > a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited
space
> > on
> > each tape etc.
> >
> > The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do
a
> > lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> > players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
> > DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
> > be
> > more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
> > their PDR's.
> >
> > I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
> > didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless
you
> > got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is
not
> > as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
> >
> > This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come
our
> > way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO
up
> > there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
> > unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
> > though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you
have
> > Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your
house
> > or
> > you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost
of
> > a
> > recordable DVD.
> >
> > The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more
soon,
> > is
> > that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
> > that
> > morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
> > Sunday
> > morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
> > afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but
> > so
> > be it.
> >
> > I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
> > prove
> > an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to
use
> > the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA
shows
> > which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
> >
> > That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
> >
> > Warren
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Italo]

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do a
> lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> players.

Not really and only if you use your recorder to tape shows off TV and never
plan to keep them or do anything else. DVD recorders give you far more
flexibility.

--
Italo

[Trevor_S]

"Jason Cornelius" <filter@jasecornelius.com> wrote in
news:426bbe4f$0$24040$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au:

<snip>

> If you have the cash, get the Topfield 5000. It's the IQ for standard
> TV. And has been around alot longer.

No it isn't (the iQ of the FTA "world"), there is no intergrated guide
(discounting ICE) If you want an intergrated guide based PVR the only way
is a homebrew kit using MCE, MythTV etal as the basis. The Toppy is
simpily a twin tuner HDD based recorder, not significantly different to any
other HDD based recorder

--
Trevor S


"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth."
-Albert Einstein

[Netmask]

Why aren't you using a Topfield PVR 5000?

"Bear" <who@where.net.au> wrote in message
news:426bb301$0$24072$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>I too love mine but it would be even greater if it could handle FTA 7, 9 &
>10!
> Without them its spoilt a bit and I'm still left with most of my recording
> on my VCR................ Perth Satellite
>
> "warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
> news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>> So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
>> initial
>> opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
>> date
>> and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
>> the
>> obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
>> via
>> a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited space
>> on
>> each tape etc.
>>
>> The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do a
>> lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
>> players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
>> DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
>> be
>> more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
>> their PDR's.
>>
>> I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
>> didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless
>> you
>> got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is
>> not
>> as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
>>
>> This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come
>> our
>> way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO up
>> there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
>> unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
>> though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you have
>> Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your house
>> or
>> you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost
>> of a
>> recordable DVD.
>>
>> The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more soon,
>> is
>> that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
>> that
>> morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
>> Sunday
>> morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
>> afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but
>> so
>> be it.
>>
>> I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
>> prove
>> an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to use
>> the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA shows
>> which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
>>
>> That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
>>
>> Warren
>>
>>
>>
>
>

[Bear]

Fox only retransmit ABC and SBS in the West.............. I have to get the
rest from my STB and record analogue to VHS.

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426c3040$0$5178$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
> Why can't it do FTA - Satellite dish?
> "Bear" <who@where.net.au> wrote in message
> news:426bb301$0$24072$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>> I too love mine but it would be even greater if it could handle FTA 7, 9
>> &
>> 10!
>> Without them its spoilt a bit and I'm still left with most of my
>> recording
>> on my VCR................ Perth Satellite
>>
>> "warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
>> news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>> > So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
>> > initial
>> > opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
>> > date
>> > and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
>> > the
>> > obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
>> > via
>> > a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited
> space
>> > on
>> > each tape etc.
>> >
>> > The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do
> a
>> > lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
>> > players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows
>> > to
>> > DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me
>> > and
>> > be
>> > more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording
>> > through
>> > their PDR's.
>> >
>> > I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
>> > didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless
> you
>> > got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is
> not
>> > as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
>> >
>> > This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come
> our
>> > way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO
> up
>> > there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
>> > unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
>> > though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you
> have
>> > Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your
> house
>> > or
>> > you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost
> of
>> > a
>> > recordable DVD.
>> >
>> > The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more
> soon,
>> > is
>> > that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
>> > that
>> > morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
>> > Sunday
>> > morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
>> > afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd
>> > but
>> > so
>> > be it.
>> >
>> > I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
>> > prove
>> > an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to
> use
>> > the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA
> shows
>> > which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
>> >
>> > That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
>> >
>> > Warren
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

[Fred At Home]

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
> initial
> opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
> date
> and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
> the
> obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
> via
> a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited space
> on
> each tape etc.
>
> The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do a
> lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
> DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
> be
> more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
> their PDR's.
>
> I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
> didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless you
> got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is not
> as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
>
> This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come our
> way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO up
> there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
> unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
> though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you have
> Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your house
> or
> you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost of
> a
> recordable DVD.
>
> The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more soon,
> is
> that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
> that
> morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
> Sunday
> morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
> afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but
> so
> be it.
>
> I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
> prove
> an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to use
> the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA shows
> which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
>
> That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
>
> Warren
>

This may not be an option for everybody, but I've been using one of my
computers as a VCR for quite a while now and it works really well. I record
to the PC via a Hauppauge PVR250 and it captures in MPEG2. The PC can hold
about 120 hours at DVD quality. The capturing is done to 2x120Gb drives in
RAID array. I can burn to DVD if I wish to and the end result is brilliant.
It's quick too. I can edit out ads, author and burn a two hour program in
just over 20 minutes. I can time-shift, pause a program and edit all at the
same time.

[warren]

I understand about 5% of your post.

"Fred At Home" <fredhome@fscans.cjb.net> wrote in message
news:426c7d51$0$8121$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>
> "warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
> news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> > So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
> > initial
> > opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
> > date
> > and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
> > the
> > obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
> > via
> > a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited
space
> > on
> > each tape etc.
> >
> > The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do
a
> > lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> > players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
> > DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
> > be
> > more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
> > their PDR's.
> >
> > I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
> > didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless
you
> > got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is
not
> > as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
> >
> > This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come
our
> > way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO
up
> > there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
> > unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
> > though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you
have
> > Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your
house
> > or
> > you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost
of
> > a
> > recordable DVD.
> >
> > The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more
soon,
> > is
> > that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
> > that
> > morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
> > Sunday
> > morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
> > afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but
> > so
> > be it.
> >
> > I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
> > prove
> > an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to
use
> > the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA
shows
> > which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
> >
> > That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
> >
> > Warren
> >
>
> This may not be an option for everybody, but I've been using one of my
> computers as a VCR for quite a while now and it works really well. I
record
> to the PC via a Hauppauge PVR250 and it captures in MPEG2. The PC can hold
> about 120 hours at DVD quality. The capturing is done to 2x120Gb drives in
> RAID array. I can burn to DVD if I wish to and the end result is
brilliant.
> It's quick too. I can edit out ads, author and burn a two hour program in
> just over 20 minutes. I can time-shift, pause a program and edit all at
the
> same time.
>
>

[maiet]

more than me

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426c84d5$0$4653$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
> I understand about 5% of your post.
>
> "Fred At Home" <fredhome@fscans.cjb.net> wrote in message
> news:426c7d51$0$8121$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
> >
> > "warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
> > news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> > > So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
> > > initial
> > > opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used
by
> > > date
> > > and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you
have
> > > the
> > > obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for
taping
> > > via
> > > a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited
> space
> > > on
> > > each tape etc.
> > >
> > > The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will
do
> a
> > > lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> > > players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows
to
> > > DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me
and
> > > be
> > > more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording
through
> > > their PDR's.
> > >
> > > I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily
I
> > > didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless
> you
> > > got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is
> not
> > > as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
> > >
> > > This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come
> our
> > > way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO
> up
> > > there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
> > > unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box
even
> > > though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you
> have
> > > Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your
> house
> > > or
> > > you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the
cost
> of
> > > a
> > > recordable DVD.
> > >
> > > The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more
> soon,
> > > is
> > > that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs
for
> > > that
> > > morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
> > > Sunday
> > > morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
> > > afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd
but
> > > so
> > > be it.
> > >
> > > I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
> > > prove
> > > an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to
> use
> > > the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA
> shows
> > > which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
> > >
> > > That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
> > >
> > > Warren
> > >
> >
> > This may not be an option for everybody, but I've been using one of my
> > computers as a VCR for quite a while now and it works really well. I
> record
> > to the PC via a Hauppauge PVR250 and it captures in MPEG2. The PC can
hold
> > about 120 hours at DVD quality. The capturing is done to 2x120Gb drives
in
> > RAID array. I can burn to DVD if I wish to and the end result is
> brilliant.
> > It's quick too. I can edit out ads, author and burn a two hour program
in
> > just over 20 minutes. I can time-shift, pause a program and edit all at
> the
> > same time.
> >
> >
>
>

[Firefly]

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do a
> lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
> DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
> be
> more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
> their PDR's.

Sorry, but this is one of the most ridiculous things I've read. For a start
there are over 5 million TV viewing households in Australia. Foxtel only has
about 23% of this market. Foxtel only expects around 2% of its entire
susbcriber base to be silly enough to pay out $495 for the iQ. That's about
25,000 iQs in a marketplace of over 5,000,000. So how possibly could the iQ
do ANY damage to DVD recorders which have a far bigger market?

[Firefly]

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426b9d8a$0$10306$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>A very sad and cynical world you live in Ren when you can't praise a new
> product without being accused of having an ulterior motive.
>
> So if you have issues with the product, please share?
>
> For the record - NO ONE asked me to write this shpeal!!
>
You should really be embarrassed then. The comments about doing damage to
DVD recorders and putting the iQ up there wit the iPOD and digital camera
are laughable.

[Hammers]

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
> initial
> opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
> date
> and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
> the
> obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
> via
> a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited space
> on
> each tape etc.
>
> The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do a
> lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
> DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
> be
> more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
> their PDR's.
>
> I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
> didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless you
> got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is not
> as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
>
> This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come our
> way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO up
> there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
> unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
> though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you have
> Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your house
> or
> you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost of
> a
> recordable DVD.
>
> The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more soon,
> is
> that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
> that
> morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
> Sunday
> morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
> afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but
> so
> be it.
>
> I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
> prove
> an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to use
> the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA shows
> which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
>
> That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
>
> Warren
>

I agree Warren. I've had mine for 5 weeks now and really getting good value
from it. It isn't perfect and could be improved as could pretty much
everything on the planet.

[warren]

"Firefly" <brightlight@nite.com> wrote in message
news:ri1be.24002$5F3.14562@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
> news:426b9d8a$0$10306$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> >A very sad and cynical world you live in Ren when you can't praise a new
> > product without being accused of having an ulterior motive.
> >
> > So if you have issues with the product, please share?
> >
> > For the record - NO ONE asked me to write this shpeal!!
> >
> You should really be embarrassed then. The comments about doing damage to
> DVD recorders and putting the iQ up there wit the iPOD and digital camera
> are laughable.

Not the IQ but the PDR in general. The IPOD replaced the CD walkman, the
digital camera replaced the camera with films and PDR/PVR/hard drives
recorders/set top boxes/Tivo or whatever other term you wish to use will IMO
in time replace the video recorder. I believe this technology will quite
quickly damage the DVD recorders although the USA would have those figures
as PDR's have been out for a while there I believe. Why would one fork out
$1000 for a DVD recorder when 99% of stuff we tape gets repeated and people
wouldn't bother holding it anyway. I will keep my video recorder but I doubt
I will ever use it again.

Time will tell.

[Jason Cornelius]

"Trevor_S" <bill@gates.com> wrote in message
news:Xns96436D6624739billgatescomisforme@203.59.27 .131...
>
> No it isn't (the iQ of the FTA "world"), there is no intergrated guide
> (discounting ICE)

Actually there is, but it won't work without the TV stations transmitting
the data.
Foxtel on the other hand, does.
It's a fault of the networks, not the technology.

Jason.

[Firefly]

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426cf84e$0$5181$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>
> "Firefly" <brightlight@nite.com> wrote in message
> news:ri1be.24002$5F3.14562@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>>
>> "warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
>> news:426b9d8a$0$10306$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>> >A very sad and cynical world you live in Ren when you can't praise a new
>> > product without being accused of having an ulterior motive.
>> >
>> > So if you have issues with the product, please share?
>> >
>> > For the record - NO ONE asked me to write this shpeal!!
>> >
>> You should really be embarrassed then. The comments about doing damage to
>> DVD recorders and putting the iQ up there wit the iPOD and digital camera
>> are laughable.
>
> Not the IQ but the PDR in general.

The iQ *IS* the PDR. The correct term is PVR. PDR seems to be unique to
Foxtel.

> The IPOD replaced the CD walkman,

No it hasn't. The mp3 player replaced the CD walkman. The iPOD may do it if
the prices come down. For the moment, mp3 players are still selling far
better than the iPOD.

> Why would one fork out
> $1000 for a DVD recorder when 99% of stuff we tape gets repeated and
> people
> wouldn't bother holding it anyway.

Like any technology prices come down very quickly once products are
accepted. I paid $1,000 for my first CD-ROM back in 1992. They're now $24
or less. I paid $900 for my first VCR in 1983. The last VCR that I purchased
2 years ago cost $185. The same will happen with PVRs and DVD recorders. 99%
of the stuff does not get repeated on FTA which is where the biggest market
is. People still archive stuff permanently so DVD recorder sales will
continue. The device that will prevail will probably be the PVR with DVD
recorder. In a few years they'll be a lot cheaper than the Foxtel iQ.

[Steve Batt]

"warren" <warren@code.com> wrote in message
news:426b53a0$0$10302$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> So I had the new IQ box installed a few days ago in my house and my
> initial
> opinion is brilliant. The old video recorder was way past it's used by
> date
> and I am so glad to give it the flick. With the video recorder you have
> the
> obvious - average recording sound/picture, not user friendly for taping
> via
> a timer, hard to find your program in the middle of a tape, limited space
> on
> each tape etc.
>
> The interesting thing about this piece of technology is that it will do a
> lot of damage to another new piece of new technology - recordable DVD
> players. Sure there will be some people who will want to record shows to
> DVDs to keep, however I think the majority of people will be like me and
> be
> more than happy with their play only DVDs and do their recording through
> their PDR's.
>
> I looked at couple of other hard drives before this came out (luckily I
> didn't purchase them) however they were only able to record FTA unless you
> got it as part of a recordable DVD with a built in hard drive which is not
> as user friendly as the Foxtel PDR.
>
> This IMO is one of the best new technical breakthroughs that have come our
> way when you consider the alternative - the shitty video recorder. IMO up
> there with the IPOD and Digital camera! The downside of course is that
> unlike the IPOD and Digital camera, you don't actually own the box even
> though you pay an initial $395. It is as only as good as long as you have
> Foxtel and you pay $6 a month unless you have a second box in your house
> or
> you have the premium package. Still worth it when you consider the cost of
> a
> recordable DVD.
>
> The only hiccup I have found to date and no doubt I will find more soon,
> is
> that you can't put a show in the manual record on the day it occurs for
> that
> morning. IE I tried to manually record the Sunday program which is on
> Sunday
> morning for next week through the manual weekly recording program this
> afternoon and was unable as I need to wait until tomorrow. A bit odd but
> so
> be it.
>
> I read previously that the series link can give you problems. This may
> prove
> an issue however most shows I tape are weekly and on FTA so I tend to use
> the manual program as you are unable to use the series link for FTA shows
> which is I guess is another "so be it" situation.
>
> That's my ramble, would be interested in others opinion.
>
> Warren
>
>
I just refuse to pay a lump sum for something I cannot keep.

Steve