which eurovox should i buy?

[davidmac007]

hi there,new to this stuff and fed up payiong rip off prices from virgin media. can anyone advise me which box to buy, im with virgin media and based in berkshire. I want to get as many channels (inc sport and movies). I currently have a package with virgin media, will I need to keep this ?

[satsmo]

Adviseable to keep a basic package. If you want to record programs go for the EX5000, (you can only watch/record channels on the same frequency). Its a single tuner PVR with HDD.

If you want a simple straight forward box go for the 1000SL.

[davidmac007]

Many thanks !
Id like a box that records. Does this one?
also is it as easy as installing the box, downloading the firmware and then I will have sky sports. movies etc fro free? Or am i missing somthing
many thanks - sorry if these are basic questions but its all new to me..!

[glynn1976]

does these have boxes sata or ide hdd cheers

[satsmo]

Many thanks !
Id like a box that records. Does this one?
also is it as easy as installing the box, downloading the firmware and then I will have sky sports. movies etc fro free? Or am i missing somthing
many thanks - sorry if these are basic questions but its all new to me..!

The EX5000 records but as said you can only watch/record on the same frequency. Yes its simple enough, flash, plug, scan and play. All the info you need can be found at the top of the section, in the red stickies.

[satsmo]

does these have boxes sata or ide hdd cheers

Original recommendation was for PATA but SATA also works.

[reddave]

I agree with Satsmo on the 1000SL,very neat box easy to set up please do read the red sections as all important info is there. When flashing try and use a PC with a serial port as I found using usb to serial to be a pain in the ****. total set up time of 10-15 mins then you are watching sports!!http://www.digital-kaos.co.uk/forums...smiley-048.gif

[davidmac007]

thanks guys, very helpful. any ideas where the best place to buy this one is ?
cheers
david

[gadgetfiend]

SATA HDD will not work it has to be IDE.

[satsmo]

I use PATA but have known others the have no problems using SATA.

All Parallel ATA and Serial ATA drives are IDE. IDE is a type of drive that can be split into Parallel and Serial ATA.IDE was a term developed by Western Digital awhile back, but it not actually a standard or specification in the drive industry, just a marketing term to indicate that more electronics are separated between the drive and host.

Although I am sure you know the manufacturers confuse people with this concept.

[HiTeck]

Amen

[gadgetfiend]

I use PATA but have known others the have no problems using SATA.

All Parallel ATA and Serial ATA drives are IDE. IDE is a type of drive that can be split into Parallel and Serial ATA.IDE was a term developed by Western Digital awhile back, but it not actually a standard or specification in the drive industry, just a marketing term to indicate that more electronics are separated between the drive and host.

Although I am sure you know the manufacturers confuse people with this concept.

Yes you are correct however unless I'm totally missing the point here completely a SATA drive cannot physically connect to the EX5000 PVR because the connections are obviously completely different.

[satsmo]

Its not really an issue on my part as I use PATA. Others have said they use SATA and I have debated the point also, but these guys know more than I do in relations to IDE connections and their interfacing than I do. Something to do with addressing the SATA PHY registers.

I too brought up the query of SATA will use card edge whereas PATA will use pins. My reply so far has been nothing as of this morning. Maybe there is a way to mod it, but that defeats the purpose to the general user.

So I stand corrected on the SATA reference until someone can prove it fully, without modification.