PVR with no digital tick, any good?

Encantador

A relatives hard drive recorder has stopped working since the digital switchover. Can`t see any sign of the `Digital tick` on the box or manual etc, it is a few years old.

Anyone know if it can be converted at all or is it scrap?

Thanks

Spank

Make & model would help

googler

Seconded - give us a clue as to which one.

Nilrem

If it's a non digital model the chances are you can "convert it" by pairing it up with a digital STB, via scart if the PVR can record via scart, or via an aerial cable if not - but if it can only record from the aerial you will need a digital STB that has an RF/aerial output* (most of the cheapest models don't).

Once that's done you'd need to tell the PVR to record from the correct input at the right time manually, and tell the STB to change to the right channel at the right time.


This assumes the PVR doesn't have a built in digital receiver, and doesn't just need something like a full rescan of the available channels.

*Some can output an analogue signal that VCR's and TV's can pick up like a normal analogue station (the same way VCR's and games consoles used to connect to the TV basically).

kwikbreaks

I don't think I've ever seen a hard drive recorder that wasn't Freeview or Freesat.

It might be junk but it might just want retuning. As I was on Freesat when my area had the analogue turnoff and it didn't affect me I can't be sure but I do recall lots of adverts saying retune on some given date. Check the menus and go through the setup procedure.

Like the others said the only way to be sure is to get the make/model.

Encantador

Thanks for the replies.

Model details are....

LG RH265/6
HDD/DVD Recorder

It`s about 4 years old. Will try the set-up procedure as soon as I can get there.

Thanks again.

bigdave196

From looking at the manual that I found online (here) it looks like it doesn't have a digital tuner, but it does appear to have several Component Video In sockets, so you could set a digital set-top box with Component Video Out and connect that up to convert it

kwikbreaks

From the FAQ..

What is a Set-Top-Box?

External Digital TV Tuner' would be the simplest explanation. Unless it is a in-built digital tuner TV, You need a digital TV receiver (Set-Top-Box) connected to your TV to view digital broadcasting.

So it could be bodged to work work with a Freeview box but with no way to automatically record a program from the program guide (as a proper PVR will do) it would be very inconvenient in use. The media player functions will still work.

It's a bit of a dinosaur that was probably advanced in its day as it used an HDD rather than just DVD-RW.

Encantador

Thanks guys, very very helpful.

I think it needs replacing, it`s for a pensioner, don`t suppose you can reccomend one that will do the job but not too complicated or expensive.

Just needs to be able to record a few progs, so no massive HD required.

Otherwise it`s off to the `experts` at Currys...:rotfl:

Thanks

davetrousers

Look at the Humax website at the "A rated" PVRs