ikasu 320 gb pvr - Personal Video Recorders

g jones · 26-05-2007, 15:14

This model was on price drop tv last night and sold for about £118 + p&p.http://www.price-drop.tv/ProductDesc...ype=Categories
Does anybody recognise it from the picture and is it any good ?
I am after a pvr and it seemed a good price but would like to know more before commitimg to buying one.

Gwynfor

PTD · 26-05-2007, 16:40

Picture's not clear but it looks like classic Digihome (Vestel) styling, and the spec looks identical. The 320GB bit is interesting as there was speculation that current Digihome models wouldn't take drives above 160GB, so maybe new software, and perhaps dual record?

Post in Digihome and see what they think.

creddish · 26-05-2007, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTD

Picture's not clear but it looks like classic Digihome (Vestel) styling, and the spec looks identical. The 320GB bit is interesting as there was speculation that current Digihome models wouldn't take drives above 160GB, so maybe new software, and perhaps dual record?

Post in Digihome and see what they think.

Or even this Humax 9200T

Colin

PTD · 27-05-2007, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by creddish

Or even this Humax 9200T

Colin

Mm, hard to say. Can't find much about Ikasu either.

iDan · 27-05-2007, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by creddish

Or even this Humax 9200T

Colin

Doubt it!

creddish · 27-05-2007, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly_Man

Doubt it!

I doubt it too. Did you see the smiley?

. Has a similar shape box though.

Colin

PTD · 27-05-2007, 16:49

There's a 160GB version on the site showing the remote, which is definitely not the one used on the current Digihome clones, but I still wouldn't rule out a Vestel model.

futaura · 27-05-2007, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTD

There's a 160GB version on the site showing the remote, which is definitely not the one used on the current Digihome clones, but I still wouldn't rule out a Vestel model.

Hard to say without seeing some grabs of the UI. But, the description on the site does mention that recordings can be edited, which the Vestel/Cabot software is not capable of, so I doubt this PVR has anything to do with Vestel.

creddish · 27-05-2007, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by futaura

Hard to say without seeing some grabs of the UI. But, the description on the site does mention that recordings can be edited, which the Vestel/Cabot software is not capable of, so I doubt this PVR has anything to do with Vestel.

Some (e.g. ricability) claim that being able to change the name and delete a recording counts as editing, which the the Cabot software can do.

Colin

PTD · 27-05-2007, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by futaura

Hard to say without seeing some grabs of the UI. But, the description on the site does mention that recordings can be edited, which the Vestel/Cabot software is not capable of, so I doubt this PVR has anything to do with Vestel.

Yes a demo would be revealing, not something price-drop are big on though in my limited experience of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by creddish

Some (e.g. ricability) claim that being able to change the name and delete a recording counts as editing, which the the Cabot software can do.

Colin

The Daewoo can't change the name of a recording, I don't know if the Digihome can. It's either the epg name or the channel name.

Digihomes, and my Daewoo, actually have an edit button on the library screen. But it doesn't do what one hopes or expects it to do, it just allows changes to file attributes like Allow delete, or Allow playback. Not an edit in my view but looks enticing on a spec.

It's not even clear if it's true dual record as it mentions live record in conjunction with channel recording, which just sounds like timeslip to me.

I think it's one to keep an eye on though, price permitting.

creddish · 27-05-2007, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTD

The Daewoo can't change the name of a recording, I don't know if the Digihome can. It's either the epg name or the channel name.

The TechnoTrend (Technosonic, Tevion etc.) PVRs which use the Cabot "middleware" allow you to rename programmes. It's not documented in the Manual though. You highlight the recording in the Recordings List and press the green button.

Quote:

Digihomes, and my Daewoo, actually have an edit button on the library screen. But it doesn't do what one hopes or expects it to do, it just allows changes to file attributes like Allow delete, or Allow playback. Not an edit in my view but looks enticing on a spec.

It's not even clear if it's true dual record as it mentions live record in conjunction with channel recording, which just sounds like timeslip to me.

I'm confused by your last paragraph. If you are talking about the Daewoo 9502/3 then as you have one I guess you would know if it true dual record? The manual certainly implies that it is.

Colin

PTD · 28-05-2007, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by creddish

...

I'm confused by your last paragraph. If you are talking about the Daewoo 9502/3 then as you have one I guess you would know if it true dual record? The manual certainly implies that it is.

Colin

The Daewoo bit was an aside; I then sneakily switched context back to the main thread just to keep you on your toes.

Just to be clear, the Daewoo is dual record, and you can't edit recordings or recording titles.

creddish · 28-05-2007, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTD

The Daewoo bit was an aside; I then sneakily switched context back to the main thread just to keep you on your toes.

Just to be clear, the Daewoo is dual record, and you can't edit recordings or recording titles.

I see!! Getting your own back for me commenting on your BCC typo in the Technosonic thread

Colin

PTD · 29-05-2007, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by creddish

I see!! Getting your own back for me commenting on your BCC typo in the Technosonic thread

Colin

Hee-hee, not consciously but you never know!

Radio_Daze · 31-05-2007, 09:13

I got the 160gig version of the Ikasu pvr from price-drop the other day for £77 plus postage. I can confirm that you can only record one programme at a time. Picture quality is really good, but a bit limited on socketry with just two scart sockets, one for TV and one for VCR. There is a coaxial digital audio output too.

The manual for this thing is really badly written with just eighteen pages which don't tell the user a lot at all, obviously translated from Chinese or Korean and does'nt even tell you how to connect it up, not that it is difficult for most, but some may struggle.

One problem I encountered is that although this PVR is supposed to have teletext, it does not work. So I phoned the distributer, a company called Fasin8, on 0161 975 0458 to be told that teletext would not be available for a few months! (strange) I was advised to download the latest manual from their web site, www.fasin8.co.uk I was told that the manual could be found under manuals, but blowed if I can find it. I intend to ring back later today.

Also there does not appear to be any interactive menu's, the red button only switches between TV and Radio stations! There is a seven day EPG though.

I'm still not decided on whether to keep this thing or not due to the above problems, but I suppose it is good value for money overall.

nvingo · 31-05-2007, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio_Daze

One problem I encountered is that although this PVR is supposed to have teletext, it does not work. So I phoned the distributer, a company called Fasin8, on 0161 975 0458 to be told that teletext would not be available for a few months! (strange) I was advised to download the latest manual from their web site, www.fasin8.co.uk I was told that the manual could be found under manuals, but blowed if I can find it. I intend to ring back later today.

Also there does not appear to be any interactive menu's, the red button only switches between TV and Radio stations! There is a seven day EPG though.

I'm still not decided on whether to keep this thing or not due to the above problems, but I suppose it is good value for money overall.

That's because the UK teletext and interactive content is different to the rest of the world. That's a problem I expected to see reported once people began to use these "grey imports".
I guess they're going to upgrade once the MHEG software is written.

PTD · 31-05-2007, 20:57

Hmm, not looking good then. From the looks of that Site of the Perpetual Advert the chances of an OAD will be slim to none.

I take it back, not one to keep an eye on methinks.

iDan · 31-05-2007, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio_Daze

I got the 160gig version of the Ikasu pvr from price-drop the other day for £77 plus postage. I can confirm that you can only record one programme at a time. Picture quality is really good, but a bit limited on socketry with just two scart sockets, one for TV and one for VCR. There is a coaxial digital audio output too.

The manual for this thing is really badly written with just eighteen pages which don't tell the user a lot at all, obviously translated from Chinese or Korean and does'nt even tell you how to connect it up, not that it is difficult for most, but some may struggle.

One problem I encountered is that although this PVR is supposed to have teletext, it does not work. So I phoned the distributer, a company called Fasin8, on 0161 975 0458 to be told that teletext would not be available for a few months! (strange) I was advised to download the latest manual from their web site, www.fasin8.co.uk I was told that the manual could be found under manuals, but blowed if I can find it. I intend to ring back later today.

Also there does not appear to be any interactive menu's, the red button only switches between TV and Radio stations! There is a seven day EPG though.

I'm still not decided on whether to keep this thing or not due to the above problems, but I suppose it is good value for money overall.

The correct website would be www.fascin8.co.uk.

The manual can be found here : http://www.fascin8.co.uk/support/f8o-139.pdf

iDan · 31-05-2007, 21:55

Just looked at the manual, it's nothing like any other PVR on the market.

Radio_Daze · 31-05-2007, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly_Man

The correct website would be www.fascin8.co.uk.

The manual can be found here : http://www.fascin8.co.uk/support/f8o-139.pdf

Thanks for the correction Telly_Man, at least I now have a decent manual. Still not sure that this thing will ever have teletext though!

Think I will end up sending this pvr back. Shame, as it really does have a very good PQ.

creddish · 31-05-2007, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio_Daze

Thanks for the correction Telly_Man, at least I now have a decent manual. Still not sure that this thing will ever have teletext though!

Think I will end up sending this pvr back. Shame, as it really does have a very good PQ.

One un-usual and useful feature in a budget PVR is that it has an RF Modulator.

Colin

PTD · 01-06-2007, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio_Daze

Thanks for the correction Telly_Man, at least I now have a decent manual. Still not sure that this thing will ever have teletext though!

Think I will end up sending this pvr back. Shame, as it really does have a very good PQ.

Well now we've got the right site, I've looked at the manual and if it all works ok, for a single record twin tuner I don't think it's at all bad for the money. But if you need teletext then obviously it's unsuitable.

No editing but you can rename recordings. Timers look a bit limiting at 15 events if I read it right.

Some of it reminds me of the Technosonic 101, particularly the bookmarking/repeat/goto options with the colour keys.

And there is at least a serial port for upgrades, and a possible site to download it from if an OAD seems unlikely.

PS. PQ?

iDan · 01-06-2007, 22:55

PQ = Picture Quality.

PTD · 02-06-2007, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly_Man

PQ = Picture Quality.

doh! I'll get me coat.

Radio_Daze · 07-06-2007, 21:39

My Ikasu has gone wrong already. Hard drive has erased itself and it will no longer record.

So back it goes!

26-05-2007, 15:14	#1
g jones Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bangor North Wales Services: Freeview Llanddona & Winter Hill,Sky fta .aol bb.Dab winter hill + liverpool Posts: 375	ikasu 320 gb pvr This model was on price drop tv last night and sold for about £118 + p&p.http://www.price-drop.tv/ProductDesc...ype=Categories Does anybody recognise it from the picture and is it any good ? I am after a pvr and it seemed a good price but would like to know more before commitimg to buying one. Gwynfor

31-05-2007, 09:13	#15
Radio_Daze Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Walsall, West Mids. Services: Pioneer PDP436XDE TV, Humax PVR, Humax Foxsat HD Satellite Rec., Pio LX60 Posts: 32	I have the 160g version. I got the 160gig version of the Ikasu pvr from price-drop the other day for £77 plus postage. I can confirm that you can only record one programme at a time. Picture quality is really good, but a bit limited on socketry with just two scart sockets, one for TV and one for VCR. There is a coaxial digital audio output too. The manual for this thing is really badly written with just eighteen pages which don't tell the user a lot at all, obviously translated from Chinese or Korean and does'nt even tell you how to connect it up, not that it is difficult for most, but some may struggle. One problem I encountered is that although this PVR is supposed to have teletext, it does not work. So I phoned the distributer, a company called Fasin8, on 0161 975 0458 to be told that teletext would not be available for a few months! (strange) I was advised to download the latest manual from their web site, www.fasin8.co.uk I was told that the manual could be found under manuals, but blowed if I can find it. I intend to ring back later today. Also there does not appear to be any interactive menu's, the red button only switches between TV and Radio stations! There is a seven day EPG though. I'm still not decided on whether to keep this thing or not due to the above problems, but I suppose it is good value for money overall.

26-05-2007, 16:40	#2
PTD Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Manchester Services: Winter Hill Posts: 1,530	Picture's not clear but it looks like classic Digihome (Vestel) styling, and the spec looks identical. The 320GB bit is interesting as there was speculation that current Digihome models wouldn't take drives above 160GB, so maybe new software, and perhaps dual record? Post in Digihome and see what they think.

27-05-2007, 16:49	#7
PTD Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Manchester Services: Winter Hill Posts: 1,530	There's a 160GB version on the site showing the remote, which is definitely not the one used on the current Digihome clones, but I still wouldn't rule out a Vestel model.

31-05-2007, 20:57	#17
PTD Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Manchester Services: Winter Hill Posts: 1,530	Hmm, not looking good then. From the looks of that Site of the Perpetual Advert the chances of an OAD will be slim to none. I take it back, not one to keep an eye on methinks.

31-05-2007, 21:55	#19
iDan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Yorkshire. Services: Sky+, XBOX 360, Nintendo DS, Nokia 5800, Dell Inspiron Mini 9. Posts: 8,821 Blog Entries: 14	Just looked at the manual, it's nothing like any other PVR on the market.

01-06-2007, 22:55	#23
iDan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Yorkshire. Services: Sky+, XBOX 360, Nintendo DS, Nokia 5800, Dell Inspiron Mini 9. Posts: 8,821 Blog Entries: 14	PQ = Picture Quality.

07-06-2007, 21:39	#25
Radio_Daze Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Walsall, West Mids. Services: Pioneer PDP436XDE TV, Humax PVR, Humax Foxsat HD Satellite Rec., Pio LX60 Posts: 32	My Ikasu has gone wrong already. Hard drive has erased itself and it will no longer record. So back it goes!