| Strategy for Bell ExpressVu Satellite setup and Home Theatre - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| Inzane |
Hi Guys,
I'm kinda struggling with a decision. I currently have two TV rooms, my main HT room with my gear (and only a 32" TV) and my living room with only basic stuff (and a 27" TV).
I currently have Bell's basic satellite package with the 3120 receiver with my 32" TV. The other TV has nothing currently. I'm planning on getting a new TV soon, either a 46/47" or 51/53" CRT RPTV. This new TV will replace the 32" with my main HT setup. The 32" TV will replace the 27" in the living room and I'll be probably getting rid of the 27".
I've been wanting a 2nd satellite receiver for quite a while. My choices are:
$399 - 5920 - PVR receiver, 80hrs recordable HD
$399 - 6120 - HDTV
$599 - 5220 - dual tuner PVR
At first I was struggling between the 5920 and 6120, not really sure if I'd want HDTV more (relevant with the new TV I want to get), or the PVR (something both my wife and I want, regardless of which TV). At first I thought why not wait for a recordable HDTV receiver.. however those are not out yet and they may cost considerably more because the storage space req'd to tape HD is huge. In the end priority wise and value wise, the PVR > HD.
So I was all set to get the 5920 until I recently discovered the 5220. Hmmm... Now I'm wondering is it worth the extra $200 to get the 5220? Do I need a dual-tuner receiver if this is going to be the 2nd receiver in the house anyway? Or is it mainly the advantage of being able to watch another channel while you record something else (and is THAT worth $200?). OR would it be beneficial to get a 5220 so if I wanted to get a 6120 later, I could add the 6120 on my big-screen tv and have the 5220 connected to BOTH TV's and could still watch recorded shows (albeit standard definition) on the big tV, just switching from one receiver signal to the other.
Hehe.. Follow all that? Help. :blink: |
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| TrevorK |
I'm going to ask the dumb question - have you ever watched HDTV?
I watched a footbal game once in HDTV that was far and away the best quality I have ever seen. Total difference. And I assume ExpressVu has quite a few true HD channels?
I would probably do some searching and see when the timeline for a HDTV PVR receiver is - because you know you'll eventually want to end up with that.
The PVR capability is also amazing - but I'm pretty sure Shaw has HDTV PVR receivers for digital cable, so how can Bell be that far behind? |
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| Inzane |
| Its not just timeline... I was under the impression an HD-capable PVR will be quite a bit more expensive. The storage requirement is massive for HD compared to SD content. |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by Inzane
Its not just timeline... I was under the impression an HD-capable PVR will be quite a bit more expensive. The storage requirement is massive for HD compared to SD content.
Shaw's was $800 I believe.... |
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| Inzane |
quote:
Originally posted by TrevorK
Shaw's was $800 I believe....
Hmm... that's not too bad actually. But is dealing with Shaw's customer service worth it? :dunno:
I've been proud to have a totally Shaw-free household for at least the last two years. Don't think I'll be too quick to go back. |
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| Z3r03rr0r |
| I am not certain on the name of the card but I know that there is a card you can get for your computer that can deal with the HDTV signals recieved from your satelite, and it is my understanding that you could use this card in conjunction with PVR software to use your computer as a PVR and actually save a lot of money over the higher end reciever that isn't on the market yet. I am sure that google will come up with some decent results on this for you |
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| rage2 |
PC based PVR's can not capture HD except for OTA (over the air) broadcasts, which we don't get.
Bell's HD PVR (9210) has been cancelled. They're not expecting to release a HD PVR until Q4 2005, a year away at best.
Shaw's 6208 is the only HD PVR available locally at $800. If you have a used (dead) bell receiver, give it to Shaw and get the 6208 for $400. It's a great PVR and shaw covers about 1/2 the shows that Bell has. Bell does have more HD channels, but most are timeshifting channels, which isn't necessary with a PVR.
The only other option is the HD Tivo from DirecTV. Grey market, and semi legal now thanks to the recent court ruiling on Thursday. $999USD, I got 3 of them coming up here on Monday! Complete HD solution for every TV hehe. Each receiver has dual tuners, and a basic subscription to DirecTV is fairly cheap... comparible to shaw's full package, cheaper than bell's full package, but the show selection is WAY better than any canadian provider.
And yes, if you've EVER seen HDTV, you'll never go back. For network shows, about 90% of non reality shows are HD now, so there's always something to watch. Especially if you have a PVR that records stuff when you're not home or sleeping. |
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| Z3r03rr0r |
quote:
Originally posted by rage2
PC based PVR's can not capture HD except for OTA (over the air) broadcasts, which we don't get.
I beg to differ clicky |
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| rage2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Z3r03rr0r
I beg to differ clicky
Thanks for the link, it just proved my statement correct :D.
The HD tuner card in question only captures HD OTA broadcasts.
quote:
The MyHD 120 is capable of off-the-air reception of digital and analog TV signals. As such, it does require an antenna connection. We used a Terk TV55 HDTV antenna, which resembles a skinny cruise missile more than your typical TV antenna. The TV55 comes with mounting gear to simply attach the antenna to your house, underneath the eaves, if you don't want to go to the trouble of mounting it on a pole.
Because our local stations here do not broadcast HD OTA, and probably won't for quite some time since it costs millions to upgrade, don't expect any HTPC HD PVR based systems (that works in Alberta) for a while.
Shaw, DirecTV and Dish Network are your only choices if you want HD PVR here. |
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| Z3r03rr0r |
| sorry that page wasn't quite what I wanted research dvb cards it is possible to plug your satelite into your PC through a DVB card that can take the HD signal and descramble it that way getting away from needing to buy an expensive reciever. you will also possibly need to add a tv capture card as well to make the PVR portion depending on the card |
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| rage2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Z3r03rr0r
sorry that page wasn't quite what I wanted research dvb cards it is possible to plug your satelite into your PC through a DVB card that can take the HD signal and descramble it that way getting away from needing to buy an expensive reciever. you will also possibly need to add a tv capture card as well to make the PVR portion depending on the card
#1 - That would be illegal hacking.
#2 - Bell HD has switched to new encryption and is not hackable, so it won't work. |
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| Z3r03rr0r |
| not hackable I am sure that some people would beg to differ on that I personally don't have a clue on how to do it but I am certain someone can break the bell encryption |
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| Inzane |
Back to the original intent of this thread... I am not interested in STEALING satellite signal in any fashion.
I'm looking for legal, legitimate options. |
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| rage2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Z3r03rr0r
not hackable I am sure that some people would beg to differ on that I personally don't have a clue on how to do it but I am certain someone can break the bell encryption
I'll bet you $100 that Bell's HD channels are not hackable today ;).
quote:
Originally posted by Inzane
Back to the original intent of this thread... I am not interested in STEALING satellite signal in any fashion.
I'm looking for legal, legitimate options.
I'll give you more info today or tomorrow on the DirecTV HD Tivo unit. They should be arriving this morning! |
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