Why choose Dreambox 600C as a Virgin cable PVR?

[3inform3d]

I have an elderly relative with a virgin cable subscription who wants to replace her VCR (now dead) with recording device that will provide max possible choices with EPG watch and record and WON'T tie her in to any further monthly costs with Virgin Media. I gather the choices are a used TiVo off Ebay or a new DreamBox. However, the technical set-up manuals and info that will allow me to make sensible decisions and get me started are v. hard to find. Extensive internet searches have got me here - please help! A 600c PDF file manual would be a great start.

[BIGALZ]

I have an elderly relative with a virgin cable subscription who wants to replace her VCR (now dead) with recording device that will provide max possible choices with EPG watch and record and WON'T tie her in to any further monthly costs with Virgin Media. I gather the choices are a used TiVo off Ebay or a new DreamBox. However, the technical set-up manuals and info that will allow me to make sensible decisions and get me started are v. hard to find. Extensive internet searches have got me here - please help! A 600c PDF file manual would be a great start.

I would save your money m8. The new nagra 3 encryption is already being rolled out rendering ALL 3rd party cable boxes useless. Do a search on forum and you will learn more, most of Yorkshire and London already gone People are flogging them on fleabay and telling lies as to reason for sale.

[Manic01]

Also very tricky to use unless you are geared up on db. Your relative wo a chance really.nt have

[aftermath]

get yourself a freeview box with recording facilities.

[3inform3d]

Thanks aftermath, but all the net info I can glean tells me that without an mpeg decoder (as in media recorders/streamers like my own Ellion/Hyundai or the DreamBox) freeview tuners with hard disk recording wont do the job from the cable box. The point is, she does want to record her cable programmes as she was able to do on her VCR, which had a channel tuned to the Virgin box. Any further enlightenment would be most welcome and I will have no problems setting up the system as long as I can get specs and manuals so that I can make a rational decision about which way to go.

[bilbo1161]

If she has and is going to keep her cable subscription, why doesnt she get a genuine V+ box?
This will give her the recording facilities that she wants

[3inform3d]

As I said Bilbo1161, in my original post, she doesn't want any extra charges on her present Virgin monthly subscription, but it looks like a V+ box is the only way she can achieve this at the moment ... although I still can't believe there are not devices out there that will do the job ...

[walter_red]

I know you posted a while back but for you still looking or anyone else why not do like I did and get a DVD/HDD recorder?

Connect the recorder LINE 1 input from the TV out scart on the Virgin box and off you go - the model I have also upscales the picture through HDMI output if you want. (and lets be honest Virgin boxes need upscaling!) So basically you turn on virgin box and recorder but 'watch' it through the recorder's channel on the TV - press record and it sticks it on the harddrive.

As a bonus, it can be put on to DVD if you start to fill the hard drive. You can't do that with ANY Virgin or Sky boxes so you have to start deleting stuff.