Freeview HD PVR - Digital Stream DHR8205U

It seems to have gone very quiet on this, did you get a reply from One for All?

Quiet from me as everything is working well

Not sure on the One for All I'm afraid...

Unfortunately, I've found from another forum that the next update has been delayed until end of March now instead of end of February. However, what is nice is that DS-K has informed us of this - other manufacturers take note, your customers appreciate being communicated with! They've also provided the following information on what the update will contain:

Following will be the major improvements and changes in EoM release.

1. New Features

    A. Auto Folder creation for series recording.
    B. Xvid/Divx playback.
    C. Schedule List backup/restore after SW upgrade

2. Bug Fixes

    A. It's very unlikely but timer recording cannot be completed.
    B. Two same events are listed when reserving a series (BBC HD programmes).
    C. Bug fix for split series recording
    D. Bug fix for MHEG-based BBC iPlayer (not yet being broadcast by the BBC).

3. Cosmetic Changes

    A. Mute icon, 5.1ch multichannel audio icon, DD/DDP icon
    B. Gray out the past programmes in EPG
    C. Red dot indication for recording events in EPG

So looks good!

Prof

Items 1a and 1c look great, need to have, others are also great but nice to have 

For me, 1C, 3A and 3B are the best ones (obviously the bug fixes are always good!). Not sure on 1A and I'm hoping they'll make it optional (this has been requested) - I use a lot of Series Recordings which I watch every week so it's easier for me if they're sorted in the main folder in date order rather than having to find each one in its own folder.

Hi,

I'm new to this site after looking for reviews on this product. This has convinced me to get one. I do have one question though that I hope you may be able to help me with?

I currently have my sky+ box connected via HDMI but also sending the same channels to the bedroom and conservatory via two output cables. If I was to just disconnect this cable from the sky box and put it onto the DHR would it transmit the signal to my bedroom whilst still sending the picture through HDMI to my main living room television? (I'mmm not bothered about link to conservatory as it never gets used!)

If this is not possible, is their a way around this so i would be able to watch programmes from the DHR in my bedroom?

Thanks. 

Hi there! Can you let me know what kind of output cable is going to the bedroom?

Excellent review of the DS Professorhat. Thanks for this! I've been looking for an HD Freeview recorder with minimal bugs - and this really seems to fit the bill. Great value as well on the John Lewis web site.

I've got three questions:

1. If you are watching a live program - and you rewind it, so you are now viewing the buffer: can you record the buffer? - Or will it only record the live program?

2. In What Hi Fi's review they said the DHR8205U's recordings were a 'touch softer than original'. Have you noticed this?

3. Can it output Dolby Digital 5.1 over it's optical output?

benbiggey:

Excellent review of the DS Professorhat. Thanks for this! I've been looking for an HD Freeview recorder with minimal bugs - and this really seems to fit the bill. Great value as well on the John Lewis web site.

No probs, glad it's been of help.

benbiggey:

1. If you are watching a live program - and you rewind it, so you are now viewing the buffer: can you record the buffer? - Or will it only record the live program?

Unfortunately not - this has been on the wishlist for a while, but my understanding from feedback from the developers is that implementing it is unfortunately unlikely.

benbiggey:

2. In What Hi Fi's review they said the DHR8205U's recordings were a 'touch softer than original'. Have you noticed this?

Nope - if anything I find recordings actually look better than when watching live. However, remember there have been a couple of updates to the software since WHF reviewed the box.

benbiggey:

3. Can it output Dolby Digital 5.1 over it's optical output?

It can indeed output DD 5.1 over optical (when broadcast), but not over HDMI though.

Have had my DS for a few days now and I like it more and more. After a bit of fiddling I have managed to get 95% of the functionality mapped onto my Phillips Pronto (including macros) so that I can dispense with the original remote and get back to just one on the coffee table again.

I have one query, however. I can't find a way to reorder the channels - I like a particular line up so that it matches both my other TVs and the old Digifusion PVR. I've maybe missed it somewhere, but is it possible and if so how? I know I can do a Favourites list but I reckon that will be in the same default order as the Services, am I right?

 TIA.

Yes, this is one we're all hoping for, if only so the HD channels can replace their SD equivalents at the top of the list! There's no definites as yet, but apparently the March update is going to further "enhance" the Favourites list functionality. The broad assumption on that statement is that you'll be able to re-order channels within it and also set the Favourites list in place of the regular list without it resetting back to the regular one each time. Here's hoping! I'll update here as soon as I know anything more.

professorhat:

Yes, this is one we're all hoping for, if only so the HD channels can replace their SD equivalents at the top of the list! There's no definites as yet, but apparently the March update is going to further "enhance" the Favourites list functionality. The broad assumption on that statement is that you'll be able to re-order channels within it and also set the Favourites list in place of the regular list without it resetting back to the regular one each time. Here's hoping! I'll update here as soon as I know anything more.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. It sounds as though the guys at DS are serious about developing software that gives us the functionality we want - something that seems sadly missing from most complanies. 

Indeed, and just to show how much they have done to this effect, this is a complete list of all wish list items from another well known forum that have been implemented or are due to implemented in the next update. I'll reproduce here as I think it's a good indication of just how good Digital Stream have been at not only listening to their customers but also acting on their wishes:

Wish List Items Added in Last Update or to be Added Soon:

1. Instant Recording - Pop-Up - Added Better Duration Control
2. iPlayer - Added via MHEG support
3. Media support - Xvid/DivX playback - To be Added next Update
4. Direct Number Entry in EPG - Added
5. Favourites List View - Added - Fix for bug to be implemented
6. Indication of what programs have 5.1 audio - To be Added next Update
7. Cosmetics - RED Dot To be added to EPG next Update
8. Add : PiP when watching a recording. - Added
9. PIP - Direct Number Entry to change PIP Channel - Added
10. Transfer of SD and HD recordings - Added
11. Auto Folder Creation - To be Added but then delayed to add user option control.
12. Hide the .trp file extension - Added
13. Move Mute Icon to Bottom Right Position - To be Added
14. Backup Timer Schedule List - Restore function - To be Added
15. Persistent EPG Searches - Added remembers last search.
16. Grey Out Past Programs in EPG - To be Added

Previously Added in Past Updates:

1. 5.1DD - Transcoding from HE-AAC to DD is supported over optical
2. Resume Playback - File Position Marker
3. Default sort in Media is by Date.
4. Persistent Media List Sort Order
5. EPG gathering and navigation speed improved
6. Default for TimeShift Auto-Start is “Enabled”
7. Gray-out - unreachable services in OK List
8. Chase Playback Continues even after the current recording stopped
9. Live Buffer Auto Restart when Recorder becomes Free
10. Picture Quality Control Menu
11. 576i option
12. Pillar Box 4:3 Mode - Main Menu and WIDE Button
13. “NEW” icon for new recordings
14. Audio Description Recording
15. HD Subtitle Recording
16. Fan On/Off - Auto Temperature controlled
17. JPEG photo rotation
18. Cursor position memory in Media List
19. Bring up File/Buffer Position-Banner at any time with PLAY button.
20. Continue recording even after mains power interruption situation
21. HDD repair function for an external HDD
22. Add Best QoS Mux selection if LCN conflicts

This doesn't even really include any of the minor bug fixes that were necessary. When you compare this to the likes of the big boys (especially with the likes of Philips / Pace with the HDT8520), it speaks volumes about Digital Stream's after sales support.

Hi Professorhat, I just joined up to the forum so I could say thank you very much for the brilliant review and follow ups after the updates.

I just saw this on Amazon for £169.99 and Googled it having never heard of them before. Found a couple of reviews but still wasn't quite sure but your follow up reviews of the updates has convinced me. They seem like a brilliant company for listening to customers and it sounds like brilliant piece of tech can only imporve! I am very interested in seeing what happens with the forthcoming iPlayer interaction too.

Thanks again!

Many thanks - glad it's been useful