ePVision PHD-VRX Owners Thread - Page 6

I'm getting an education concerning cable. Right now I'm in the mountains of western North Carolina and my antenna only gets 2 PBS channels, so I'm playing with cable. I have an old TVIX 3310 that only has one tuner, but it can work with the cable feed. I definitely need something better like the PHD. I'm still working my way thru programming recorded in Florida off my antenna. Those recordings are stunning compared to cable. But then they are 5gbytes each as opposed to the 1gbyte cable recordings.

When this device is recording, it displays "rEC-1" or "rEC-2". Why not "Rec-1" or "Rec-2"?

Caps Lock was on during the programming. [joke]

At the start of this thread, the author made a brief comparison between this device and a Tivo. I'd be much more interested in a comparison in the same price range. How would it stack up against the PalDVR, CM7000, or CM7400?

Excellent comeback, Joe!

DB100,
Because on this display, "Rec-1" would show up as "Aoc-1". There's only so much you can do with 7 segments.

Aaaaaah. I get it. That's funny. I never even thought about the limitations of those 7 segments (88888). Never mind....

Just got mine on Friday; OTA antenna tuner is very good, and pic quality also good with tweaking. Remote is slow to change channels and use Channel Up-Down buttons. The Channel Master remotes were better on both models. Will probably get a Logitech universal remote. Haven't yet connected to cable or tested DVR features. But for OTA antenna, both the CM7000 and the VRX have more reliable tuners than the 7400 for antenna reception. For some reason, the 7400 tuner is problematic.

Yeah, but I betcha they got a really good deal on these surplus digital clock readouts . . .

Thanks for the info.

I've been using my PalDVR (CM7000?) for years now...well worth what I paid for it. I'm interested in this device because of what it can do that the PalDVR cannot do. It can do cable and, in theory at least, it's recordings can be moved to a PC for archiving. So, I hope the quality is comparable to the PalDVR.

OTA antenna reception in western NC can be problematic due to the mountainous terrain. However, if you are on the right side of the mountain near Asheville, some folks can receive a good signal from Asheville, Greenville-Spartanburg, and even Charlotte. A good, high gain HiVHF/UHF antenna and possible 269 preamp for AVL/GSP, and a good high gain uhf antenna and preamp for Charlotte, such as 91XG or CM4228. I am in GVL SC and get good reception of AVL/GSP and Charlotte channels.

They are using a 7 segment LED display, not a lot of choices on how to make characters since they are intended for numerals only.

I used the words "in theory" because I thought someone had posted that VLC could not play an .mpg file recorded by this device? Has anyone actually loaded a recording into VideoReDo?

I noticed there is a firmware update: firmware (version VRX.242.18.10) -

My question is, how do you know what firmware version you have? Is there a selection on the machine where you can check?

Overall I am satisfied with unit though the slowness of the remote is frustrating and the fact that checking the guide means changing channels. I also noticed that after decades of cable with the usual male trait of having a remote in my hand and checking other channels very two minutes means that I now want to push a button of some kind all the time! LOL

Same here. I'm satisfied with the unit, too. I thought I wouldn't be (after reading this thread), but after "playing" with the unit for a few days, I can honestly say that I like it. I actually canceled my cable service just a few hours ago. I kept the internet, but canceled the cable. I'll be saving $85 a month.

What is the "Net" feature for? Every time I press the button it takes me to Youtube.

You asked and answered your own question. ePVision hasn't added support for any other online video services yet.

Yes I did (answer my own question). Lol. I only asked because I wasn't sure. I kept asking myself "Why is this thing taking me to Youtube?" I didn't know this unit supports Youtube.I have a Magnavox streaming device sitting alongside the VRX. It's like the Roku, except it has a Youtube channel. I noticed that whenever I'm using the VRX's remote, it will TURN ON the Magnavox player (I have to keep turning it OFF). Since the Magnavox has the Youtube channel and the VRX's remote keeps TURNING ON the Magnavox, I actually thought the VRX was turning on the Magnavox and then starting up the Youtube channel, somehow. But, that didn't make sense because the Magnavox isn't "even connected" to the VRX. I have to keep reminding myself NOT to point the VRX's remote towards the Magnavox.. No matter what I'm using it for (changing the channel, turning the volume up/down, scheduling a recording), if i have it pointing towards the Magnavox, it will turn it on.

Mmmmm. I'm seeing mostly positive reviews. Interesting.

How is the quality of the video compared to going directly into a TV? The only reason I want to get one is for watching football at higher quality than my directv as well as pausing, rewinding, etc. How does it compare to plugging straight into the tv?

And I guess you didn't read the name of the user you were quoting, apparently. I didn't ask that question.

I've owned and own a few DVRs. The VRX doesn't even come CLOSE to being as good of a DVR as the ones I've owned/own. That said, I'm still satisfied with my purchase.

A DVR is like a box of chocolates..........

Is it possible to manually schedule a recording at the same time of day and day-of-week every week (e.g. record at 7:00 PM on Thursdays on channel 6.1)? This is such a basic scheduling task, but this unit doesn't appear to have it.

From reading the scheduling pdf, it seems you are right. No "weekly" option. That is not logical. Half of my recording is "weekly".

http://www.epvision.com/HDTVSTB/Documents/PHD-VRX_Recording_Features_Guide.pdf