Mr Flibble Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 I've been given the task of getting a non tech-savy family member into digital tv with a budget of around $250. (I could probably stretch this to $350 but that's about it) (At present will be connected to a 68cm CRT) Given the budget, I figured an entry level PVR should be achievable & a better solution than a std STB. 12 months ago, I set another family member up with a Digicrystal 9000PVR which suits them fine but unfortunately these have been discontinued & I can't locate another one. I'm aware of the Wintal & Supernet (same hardware, different case) but not keen on buying over the net. The verdict on the Digicrystal 9077 running the latest firmware seems to be split between those whose boxes have occasional remote unresponsiveness & those who still want to throw it through the nearest window At the same price ($270) as the 9077, the 9070 was looking good (true twin tuner) but those in the Digi 9070 thread are still complaining of lost recordings etc which makes this model a non-starter until the firmware is sorted out. In another thread jok11n, one of the members here who appear to have some inside knowledge of all things Digicrystal, mentioned that new models were due out soon. So, the questions to those in the know (assuming they're not trade secrets) are... - Do these new models address issues that might have been hardware based in the 9070 & 9077 or are they different beasts altogether (ie higher priced, HD, etc)? - Will future firmware releases be aimed at addressing the issues with the 9070 & 9077 or do these new models supercede them? - Quite a few posts in the 9070 thread indicate that in its current state it is virtually useless as a PVR. Will it continue to be supported & firmware upgraded until it works as it should? - Is there any chance of further improvements to the 9077's remote responsiveness via firmware? And finally, are there any other PVR's in this price range which people have and actually work as they should? An occasional double press of a remote button is ok but if it plays up big time, loses recordings, etc I can see it going into a cupboard & I'll be in the doghouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jokiin Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 9000 are still around but very hard to find 9077 will continue, not sure if the remote can be improved further 9070 is being updated to new model with component output and 250gb Another twin tuner SD model with higher spec coming also HD PVR due soon Firmware support is ongoing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Norman Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Give up on trying to find a "PVR" that is perfect for $250.00. It doesn't exist. If fact you'll be in the doghouse regardless of how much you pay. Rule 1 - Don't do anything for family members.. As for the 9070 being a useless PVR - You should stop believing everything you read. My 9070 is excellent. While it's true I don't often schedule recordings but just for fun I programmed it to record 2 programs everyday for the past 2 weeks and there has not been one problem at all. As far as I am concerned it's an excellent product - end of story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techo Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 I agree with Ian Norman the 9070 is an excellent PVR (same with the Yess DVB-T2688), just lacks component output. It is also important to stick with official firmware releases, no betas. IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Flibble Posted February 20, 2007 Author Share Posted February 20, 2007 Thanks for your quick reply jok11n, sounds like the 9077 is the only Digicrystal still in the race in this price bracket. Or will the 9070's replacement still be around $300? (might be worth waiting for) Wow Ian, tell me what you really think If this was meant in a light hearted way maybe you could have used a few smilies?? Give up on trying to find a "PVR" that is perfect for $250.00. It doesn't exist.I never claimed I was looking for a 'perfect' PVR but no matter what the price I expect timers to fire when they are scheduled to, recordings not to delete themselves at whim & the unit to respond to 95% of remote button pushes when aimed at the unit within the prescribed tolerances. Is it really too much to ask of a product for it to work generally in accordance with its specifications? Would you expect a brand new (albeit entry level) car to only start 50% of the time? If fact you'll be in the doghouse regardless of how much you pay. Rule 1 - Don't do anything for family members.. As for the 9070 being a useless PVR - You should stop believing everything you read. I don't believe everything I read, that is why I started this thread - to get a broader view of these units rather than just those who were having problems. The statement that the 9070 in its current state is virtually useless as a PVR are my words after reading multiple reports of users having the unit lose/delete recordings of it's own accord. To me, if a PVR can't record something and keep it until the user decides to delete it, it is virtually useless as a PVR. The fact that it is being replaced so soon by a newer model suggests to me that it has issues which can't / are difficult to address? My 9070 is excellent. While it's true I don't often schedule recordings but just for fun I programmed it to record 2 programs everyday for the past 2 weeks and there has not been one problem at all. As far as I am concerned it's an excellent product - end of story. If your unit works to your satisfaction then that's great. I thank you for your input but regarding lost recordings, you admit that you don't often schedule recordings & that you have only tested it for one week. Again, this thread is about getting a wider view of how owners of these units are getting on with them. Edit: techo's post raises more questions (& hopefully puts the 9070 back in the race to boot ) Are those of you having major issues (lost recordings) with the 9070 using Beta firmware? Are the official firmwares ok in this regard? In the 9070 thread it was a bit hard to follow who was having what issues with which firmware. Lack of component outputs (it has rgb through scart though right?) isn't a deal-breaker but as it will be connected to a 4:3 tv, lack of an aspect ratio button on the remote may be a problem (I'm sure I saw somewhere the 9070 didn't have one?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Norman Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 I should have used smilies - just too dam lazy Didn't mean to to cause a problem. I keep reminding myself "Must stop posting on forums" - "Must stop posting on forums" Always get into trouble I'll go away quietly now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jokiin Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Thanks for your quick reply jok11n, sounds like the 9077 is the only Digicrystal still in the race in this price bracket. Or will the 9070's replacement still be around $300? (might be worth waiting for) Not certain on the price, I would guess around $300 based on spec's and where it sits compared to other models, not sure when it will be released as yet, I have one but haven't had a chance to plug it in as yet so can't comment on any of the changes over the 9070, will probably be hooking it up in the next day or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Flibble Posted February 20, 2007 Author Share Posted February 20, 2007 Ian, No problems, in hindsight my previous reply could be read as being uptight which is not how it was intended either Thanks again for your input jok11n, A true twin tuner with component out & 250GB HDD in the $300 ballpark sounds very interesting indeed. Hopefully there won't be too many teething problems If you could report back once you've had a play with your new toy that would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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