Tevion 250GB PVR STB (Aldi)

[Goshy]

Hi Folks (long time, no see)

Well, I jumped in again with another gizmo. This time it's a Tevion 250GB PVR STB Twin Tuner from Aldi for a mere $199! Model: TPVR2511Yep, I almost expect to regret this... There's nothing on web about it really, but that didn't stop me and half-a-dozen blokes hunting for them in my local Aldi first thing this morning ha ha. Sold out already??...

I'm opening the box now.... shucks no USB port, and the twin tuner PVR is "1.5" meaning you can watch one channel while recording another. No need to comment further, as this is what most "STB PVR hunters" wanted to know anyway. Oh yeah, it can time-shift.

Okay, it feels like a solid small/medium-pizza sized steel box, and quite thin with in-built power supply (no black brick).
The usual connections; RS-232, CVBS, R/L, Coaxial SPDIF, YCbCr outputs (RCA plugs) and an S-Video output.
There's twin RF-IN. RF-LOOP sockets for the antenna etc. Brightness, Constrast/Saturation output control -yummy.

The sparse manual is 24 pages. Not much about editing recordings, just the setting up, tuning, making timed recordings.
I guess I'll figure it out later. First I need to draw a cabling diagram so I don't get screwed with the cables....

In short, it's a cheapo standard definition twin-tuner digital set-top box with huge hard disk for recording what passes for "free-to-air" TV in Australia. Why'd buy it?? I decided stop using DVD-R disks (with DVD Recorder) to collect advert-laden TV programs that are rarely worth keeping. I can always cable connect it to the DVD Recorder and make a slow copy :-) if needed.

As long as it is fairly silent, does the job, I reckon $199 is good value -and the wife will love it!

-Goshy
(isn't Google amazing!)

[chops]

I bought one too!

Pretty neat unit and easy to train wives on (he he).

I have never had a standard def box before - so would note it's highest output is only 576i/p.

I does everything it claims to well. That said - if you want it to do something that is not written on the box it probably wont, so no easy way to access the data on the HDD other than the "slow" record method.

The RS232 port is for service use only.

It is a Samsung HDD though!

It uses about 1 gig per hour so that around 230 hours or so in the one little box.

The remote and functions like subtitles, teletext, aspect ratio, radio access are all well placed and well thought out.

Given it has two STB Tuners, a 250 gig Samsung HDD and a pretty user friendly interface I reckon is pretty good value.

Cheers

Chops
p.s. It does take a fair bit of time when you first power it up (5-10 mins??) It seemed to be stuck on "scanning" for channels, but I think it was actually formatting the HDD for the first time that took so long.

[linton]

It's a shame about the twin tuner only being '1.5' as you called it.
I was looking for a cheap option for 2 simultaneous recordings for when I'm not home at all. :(

[chops]

It's a shame about the twin tuner only being '1.5' as you called it.
I was looking for a cheap option for 2 simultaneous recordings for when I'm not home at all. :(

Yep - Nup, it wont do that unfortunately.

Do other twin tuner PVR's work that way?

Chops

[leggy]

I set mine up this morning and it has been running ever since. Setup was completed no problems, in fact I wasn't even in the room (perhaps that's why). Record, playback and timeshift all work as per the (poorly written) book. IMHO it's value for money.

Rob.

[linton]

Yep - Nup, it wont do that unfortunately.

Do other twin tuner PVR's work that way?

Chops
I believe most of the higher priced twin tuner pvrs do, yes. :)

[gradley]

Only problem I have had has been recording ABC from Standby. Probably an EPG problem rather than a problem with the PVR.
I found if you manually enter the start and record time, it will record ABC from standby perfectly.
I am concerned about the mount of heat it generates though.
I added extrra 6/7mm rubber pads onto its "legs", and have placed it beside the TV rather than in glassed in shelves below. The unit is noicably cooler to the touch now. Heat is usually the killer of computer HD's, so it should be the same with PVR's, although I notice the heat is concentrated away from the HD, which is located behind the scew out panel. Is the heat coming from its power supply? Maybe that is why a few have "blown up", as reported in other forums.
Overall, an excellent product for $200.

[Goshy]

I set mine up this morning and it has been running ever since. ...Rob.

The Tevion PVR unit uses short cable to connect the two tuners at the back, which means the secondary tuner will get a slightly weaker signal than the first. In the end, I connected the aerial directly to the PVR-tuner > TV-tuner then RF output to the VCR > TV.

I cut and soldered an extra short cable to connect from the Tevion RF output to the VCR RF input -which led to better analog reception on the old VCR.

I was hoping not to leave the Tevion in "standby" because it has an on/off switch at the front. A smart person would just buy a decent aerial amplifier.... but then that's another device using electricity.

Picky points of note:
-No editing of recorded programs other than Rename, Lock/Protect or Delete.
-To dub (ie. copy) recordings you need to use 3 RCA sockets doublers so you can sent playback via AV to the TV and another recording device.
-My LG VCR *cannot* dub recordings (some sort of barrier/circuit).
-My cheapo/noisy-fan MTV analog DVD/HDD Recorder *can* dub recordings.

EDIT: There is a huge thread called "Aldi $199 Twin Tuner 250gb PVR" at http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=50992
Enjoyable ping-pong reading in a matter of a couple of days!

Fine, it's a cheap box that works. Okay, It would have been better if it could have recorded two programs at once, and maybe even allowed you to watch an earlier recording at the same. Such elegant digital devices still cost more than $600.

And my wife? Well she does like it; or at least she will once I put the cable crap out of the way, label things "AV1" "AV2", and finds all the mute buttons on the remotes ha ha.

cyaz Goshy

[chops]

-My LG VCR *cannot* dub recordings (some sort of barrier/circuit).
-My cheapo/noisy-fan MTV analog DVD/HDD Recorder *can* dub recordings.


My guess would be macrovision protection via the RCA's.

Chops

[chops]

Out of interest it's a Zoran chipset in this machine.

Chops

[jokiin]

Out of interest it's a Zoran chipset in this machine.

Chops

Yes, and with LG tuners

[chops]

I don't know how they can put something like this together and make a profit at $200 ..... have components dropped in price?

Chops

[jokiin]

I don't know how they can put something like this together and make a profit at $200 ..... have components dropped in price?

Chops

These are entry level components used in this one, they are still making a profit, not a huge one, but still a profit

[leggy]

Hey jok11n,

Are you able to offer an opinion about this unit, please?

Rob.

[jokiin]

Not sure what you want to know specifically, a basic unit with limited functionality, picture is a little soft compared to some others, remote is very directional, but for $199 that's about all you can reasonably expect.

There are some other cheap units coming to market soon so you will have some choices available, expect to see some price drops in brand name units also

[leggy]

Thanks. There appears to be very little wrong with it for the price. Limited functionality for sure, but what you see is what you get. I've got one and it just does it's job with no fuss, so far anyway. If it gets thru a month or so, I guess it should be good for a couple of years?

Rob.

[Goshy]

It's a shame about the twin tuner only being '1.5' as you called it.
I was looking for a cheap option for 2 simultaneous recordings for when I'm not home at all. :(

Referring to "What you need to know about [PVR] Tuners:" at DVDForum http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=36191

With all PVRs you can generally watch a previously recorded show while they are recording.

Goshy: I'm not sure this particular Tevion 250GB PVR STB will allow this!

- Single Tuner (dubbed 1.0): You can record one thing but you can't watch live TV while recording
- Twin Tuner (dubbed 1.5): You can record one thing and watch another station live.

- Twin Tuner (dubbed 1.7): You can record two things at once (or record one thing and watch another live). One of the recordings must be manually started using the remote.

- 'True' Twin Tuner (dubbed 2.0): You can record two things at once (or record one thing and watch another live). Both recordings can be started by a timer. Very few PVRs are true 2.0 tuners.

The cheapo Tevion 250GB PVD STB is at least "1.5" under this rating system.
The DIGICRYSTAL SDT-9077P 160GB is at least "1.7" but costs about $270.

Some of the "brand-name" Twin Tuner PVR STB boxes do rate at "2.0" but they cost about $700.

[doitright]

I bought one of these PVRs recently. It's connected to a HQ German Metz CRT TV via an S-Video lead (the yellow composite video lead gave me a pixellated image). After adjusting the PVR's brightness/contrast and saturation to the best settings available, I have an image that is soft, washed out and lacks detail compared to the 'live' broadcast from every channel. For comparison, I also have a JVC S-VHS VCR and a Philips standard VHS VCR. Even images from FTA TV recorded on the latter are vastly superior to those from my Tevion PVR.

I have asked the Helpline people at Pebble Electronics (the Tevion service company) if the image/s should be as good as a well-recorded DVD but they can't tell me. They've suggested that I return the unit to them for examination and report. I will probably do this in due course.

Meanwhile, are those of you who have one of these PVRs experiencing a similar problem or are you getting a HQ image? 'chops' noted in his 29-06-2007 02:05 post that (highest) output for this unit is 576i/p which, I think, is the same as a video DVD for PAL TV. There is no way that my Tevion PVR remotely approaches that quality.

All feedback welcomed.

doitright

[chops]

Hi doitright,

I have a 1200x760?? (abouts) resolution LCD TV and the picture I get from my tevion PVR is sharp and clean (but not high res as I said in an earlier post). I also havd a HD Sony Digital Box and whilst there is definitely a difference on HD broadcasts (that the tevion can't play) the quality of the picture on standard def channels is the same (OK the tevion *may* be a tad less if I imagine it).

Given your description, your pvr definatly has some problems and should be returned.

A few things I might note that may make a difference:

1. I have noticed that mine will only output according to the settings I have set it to (ie: if you have not set it to output via the RCA that might be why it is not outputting properly).

2. I have mine outputting via the componant outputs (YBG??) which is the highest connection this box is capable of.

3. The quality of the picture you get should be as good as or better than any analogue signal you get (or record) off free to air as 576i/p(??) is the maximum for an analogue signal whereas standard def digital goast to at least 768(??) and 1080i in the case of HD signals.

4. This goes the same as anything you plug in via the RCA or SVHS connections as they are only capable of a maximum 576(??)

More than happy to have anyone correct me though as I am not sure about the precise resolution numbers as I am typing this off the top of my head.

Cheers

Chops

[Goshy]

Hi Folks,

Still using the Tevion 250GB PVR -with some extra PVC feet for air circulation under the base of the unit. The DVD/VCR combo is still powered up, but that's mainly to play DVDs and old videotapes. I guess that means despite being pretty basic the Tevion PVR does it's job!

Anyhow, Ive spotted a very similar looking Bush 160GB Twin-Tuner PVR in DSE ie. Dick Smiths for $269. By very similar I mean, it looks like the same hardware in a different casing.

Typically, my request to view the manual (for the one on display) was met with "we can't find it at the moment" thus I am left wondering if the Bush PVR can do a little more (like playback while recording) due to better firmware or design.... Googling the Bush PVR simply confirms it is a cheapo box being sold in the UK.

Anyone buying one??

-Goshy