edblax Posted May 23, 2006 Posted May 23, 2006 I've been looking at getting a Supernet/Digicrystal PVR for the world cup. I've been leaning towards the Digicrystal after I read on here that its remote has an aspect button, which the Supernet doesn't, which makes it much easier to use with a 4:3 TV (which is all I have). However I'm noticing on ebay that the Digicrystals are going for around $200, while the supernets are around $75 (crazily low!) So I'm wondering how difficult it is to use the Supernet with a 4:3 TV, whether the Digicrystal is worth the extra cost. Also, if I have a problem is the customer service generally better from ebay or Strathfield? Thanks, Ed
jokiin Posted May 23, 2006 Posted May 23, 2006 Are you sure you are looking at the right model of Supernet? Anybody selling them for $75 would go broke real quick
edblax Posted May 23, 2006 Author Posted May 23, 2006 Obviously i was wrong =p It was just the set top box that went for 75 :$ So say they're 175, would I be better off with a Supernet from ebay or a Digicrystal at 230 from Strathfield?
jokiin Posted May 23, 2006 Posted May 23, 2006 Yeh, the 80G PVR - one went for $67 this afternoon and one for $75 about 10 minutes ago At less than half what they cost it's worth bidding on one if you are lucky enough to win, I guess they'll shaft you on the postage but it would still have to work out cheap. Is there any reason why you want to be changing the aspect ratio often, I find that it's something I just set and forget, I have widescreen and 4:3 TV's with set top boxes and don't remember the last time I changed these settings for any reason. Obviously i was wrong =p It was just the set top box that went for 75 :$So say they're 175, would I be better off with a Supernet from ebay or a Digicrystal at 230 from Strathfield? That makes more sense, I thought there must have been something wrong. Depends how you like to shop I guess, warranty issues are much easier to resolve through a retail outlet than ebay, although there is not a lot that ever goes wrong with these anyway, you need to be aware of postage costs also.
edblax Posted May 23, 2006 Author Posted May 23, 2006 See above on the prices.. So it's not really an issue, I just set the aspect once and that'll do? FINALLY, I think I read that someone bought one from Strathfield and paid an extra 20-30 dollars for a warranty? What's the standard warranty from strathfield?
jokiin Posted May 23, 2006 Posted May 23, 2006 See above on the prices..So it's not really an issue, I just set the aspect once and that'll do? FINALLY, I think I read that someone bought one from Strathfield and paid an extra 20-30 dollars for a warranty? What's the standard warranty from strathfield? Standard warranty is 12 months, the extra warranty adds another 2 years. It's an exchange warranty also, no waiting to send it away etc, you get a new one on the spot. Fault rate is very low though.
squarei Posted May 24, 2006 Posted May 24, 2006 I am always hitting the aspect ratio button with my 4:3 TV. I like to have it in wide screen for movies etc (with the bars top and bottom) but I have to change it back when 4:3 shows are on - perhaps your TV automatically adjusts for this?
edblax Posted May 25, 2006 Author Posted May 25, 2006 Got the digicrystal, 182 incl postage from ebay. Can't wait! Any special tips on how to get the most out of it?
Colin 2905 Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 Connect to mains power and tv... .... and antenna.
daryl Posted May 25, 2006 Posted May 25, 2006 Got the digicrystal, 182 incl postage from ebay. Can't wait! Any special tips on how to get the most out of it? Hi Ed, I got mine about 2 weeks ago. Before it arrived, I read the following two webpages: http://www.bhatt.id.au/blog/digicrystal-90...box-review-faq/ http://www.around-oz.com/innovations_mh/wintal_pvr.htm and once it arrived I read some of the manual and then did as the two posts above suggested, plugged it all in. It is quite easy to use, and once you get used to the remote, it is all pretty intuitive. I may not be getting the most out of mine, but for what I want and as a replacement for the vcr, I'm very happy.
Quelch Posted May 27, 2006 Posted May 27, 2006 Ed, I recommend buying through Strathfield I bought my Digicrystal PVR 9000 thru Strathfield and apparently if I have any problems can deal with them direct Paid extra over the internet pricing for this security of course Also had the latest firmware/software already installed (March 2006) You never know what the one purchased thru ebay may have I also paid the extra for the extended warranty which is an exchange warranty as I understand My decision was made after lots of study in these forums and lots of know-how from contributors Let us know how you get on John
cray- Posted May 28, 2006 Posted May 28, 2006 i took the plunge on ebay today and got a digicrystal for 170$ delivered. i had a quick play with one in strathfield on friday and decided it would do the job for me. vcr replacment to go along with my HD STB. really dont watch much fta tv anymore thanks to channel BT. will get a bit of a workout during the world cup. personally i thought the 50$ saving was worth the gamble on ebay. and 12 month warenty is good enough for an item of this quality. basically it will hold me over untill i get a twin tuner HD recorder. good luck with ur purchase. cray-
The Whimpering Warrior Posted May 28, 2006 Posted May 28, 2006 You can see the otrher threads I have commented in. I got a Supernet 80G PVR through Ebay (just waiting for it to be delivered) for $186 nc postage. Question: Firmware upgrade. How is this done? Connection via PC and download or is it done through Antenna? Col
cray- Posted May 28, 2006 Posted May 28, 2006 prety sure i saw a serial port on the back of the unit. meaning hook up to pc and send across a file.
jokiin Posted May 29, 2006 Posted May 29, 2006 Question: Firmware upgrade. How is this done? Connection via PC and download or is it done through Antenna? An RS232 port on the back of the unit and a Serial cable, very easy, tools and firmware are on the Digicrystal site if you want to look into it before it arrives
Neon Kitten Posted May 29, 2006 Posted May 29, 2006 prety sure i saw a serial port on the back of the unit. meaning hook up to pc and send across a file. The serial port can't be used to transfer recorded shows to your PC (and why would you want to with the punishing amount of time it'd take via serial?!) It's there for firmware updates.
kaanage Posted May 29, 2006 Posted May 29, 2006 He may have meant a firmware file! :edit: oops, no he didn't!!!
The Whimpering Warrior Posted May 29, 2006 Posted May 29, 2006 I may have asked this before but here goes. Anyone know the max size hard drive for the Supernet PVR? How easy is it to replace?
jokiin Posted May 29, 2006 Posted May 29, 2006 I may have asked this before but here goes. Anyone know the max size hard drive for the Supernet PVR? How easy is it to replace? There is a modified firmware that allows for bigger hard drives, it doesn't work on recent versions of these boxes though, depends when yours was manufactured whether it will work or not. The standard 80gb drive will give you around 27 hours of recording though so even as standard it's not bad.
The Whimpering Warrior Posted May 29, 2006 Posted May 29, 2006 OK. I will find out what version mine is when I get it. I was told it was dispatched today.
cray- Posted May 29, 2006 Posted May 29, 2006 The serial port can't be used to transfer recorded shows to your PC (and why would you want to with the punishing amount of time it'd take via serial?!)It's there for firmware updates. He may have meant a firmware file!:edit: oops, no he didn't!!! i most certainly was refering to the fw upgrades. the post right above mine asked the question...i know i should have quoted him but i thought it was obvious....sending a few gig over serial...bwahahahahahahahaha
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