Eurovox EX5100 Question (EPG + HDD)

[PV-Provo]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the whole Eurovox / Dreambox / Starview etc scene, so just had a few questions before I splashed out on one.

Have been looking through all the options and have decided that the EUROVOX EX5100 w/HDD is prob the best option for me as I want a PVR (what started me on this). Just wondering about 2 things that I could not really figure from reading posts etc.

- How far forward is the EPG (I read 7 days somewhere but would be nice for someone who actually has 1 to confirm that). Actually on that note, what is the EPG of the EX7000 HD like? Someone said that 'you can only see to the following morning' which is why I ruled it out, but if anyone can confirm that?

- Has anyone tried recording something to the HDD and then pulled it out and connected it to a computer (Caddy or enclosure or whatever). If so what do you get on it? I ask because It would be good to record to MPEG-2 then author DVDs from recorded films etc. Could always convert it to MPEG-2 from whatever it records to of course.

Cheers for replies!!

[Goodman]

The EPG says that It will be for 1 Week but frankly I have never seen it for 1 week.

The Hdd data is useless for the PC. once you unplug it from the vox and connect it to PC , PC will ask you to format it as it doesn't understand the format system.

[PV-Provo]

Hi Goodman, thanks for the reply,

Thats a shame about the HDD, it would have been good to hook it up to the PC. mabey a program like Macdrive, or even Linux would read it, they can make sense of more file systems than windows. Actually I saw someone saying that on the EX7000 they formatted the disc to FAT32. Obv that could be read by the PC, so that could be a real good reason to spend the extra £50.

I kinda suspected the EPG was not that good. Out of interest how far forward does it go? Actually (sorry so many questions!) when you set something to record is it like S*y+ where you choose the programme in the EPG, or is it like old VCRs where you just type in the time and date? If its the latter then I would not really need a hugely good EPG, i get a TV guide anyhow!

[lincsat]

I've seen the EPG go as far as 4 days, but it was patchy. It only seems reliable for 12 hours or so.

You use and HDD in a USB2 caddy for the EX7000, formatted in FAT32 so you can read it (and play the recordings) on a PC. The EX5100 uses a different partition system and the PC will not recognise the partition itself - you don't even get as far as the file format. There is no way that I know of to read the drive in a PC.

[PV-Provo]

Ah cool, thanks Licsat!

That clears a few things up and totally rules out the 5100 for me I think, as I recon that burning DVDs of the recordings on my PC is pretty much integral for why I would want one.

Time to save a few more pennies me's thinks!

Cheers for now guys!

[panamx]

Hi Everyone im jay

Just wanted some help as i have just bought a eurovox 5100 pvr, how to i setup this up as i have already updated the fireware. And can anyone please provide me with the virgin media code for the bristol area.

Thanks