Hi technical wizard type guys.
We've just got a new Panasonic 42" Plasma TV with built in Freesat and Freeview tuners. I also bought a new Panasonic 400GB HDD recorder with built in DVD player. All great so far, except I'm £1300 worse off but such is life.
The quality of the TV is just wonderful, especially on BBC HD and on upscaled DVD's from the DVD player, but I'm a bit disappointed that we've only got one tuner on the HDD recorder and, whilst we can record from the TV tuner to the HDD, we can still only record one programme at a time and can't pause the TV if we are recording another channel.
This got me thinking about buying a second PVR but I was recommended to install a MCE system or HCPC, same thing I assume.
So, to cut a long story not particularly short, I was looking for some advice on what sort of specification I should be looking for on such a box of tricks.
Ideally I would want the following functionality:
Ability to record two channels at one time.
Ability to watch Blu Ray discs.
Ability to surf the Internet wirelessly over my existing wireless network.
Ability to play PC games. (I don't have any at the moment but my daughter is quite keen on such things, so needs to be capable of satisfying a teenager in waiting)
Upscaling output to 1080p to get the best quality from the TV. (I think that's right)
Want to stream music and video from other devices or store on internal HDD, I'm not sure which is best.
Surround sound, not fussed over 5.1 but want to output to a decent amplifier, which will have to wait, or through the TV in the meantime.
I can't think of anything else I would like this thing to do unless there is something really cool that I've missed.
I plan to build this myself and have a very capable assistant so I'm not too concerned about this. Also, I am happy to spend decent money on such a system although I don't want to throw money down the drain on stuff I won't need or is overspecified.
I've got exactly the same Tv/dvd combo, like you I was minorly disapointed with the tuner issue, I've already got a BT Vision PVR so ultimately am using that and have the option to record up to three different channels, unless you want to record HD that is!! 
Am thinking about Sky HD but will probably bin that idea due to cost 
Games and internet, I plug my laptop into the tv, works well.
X-Box 360 and psp3 could be plugged in via HDMI connections I believe.
Can't get my external HDD to work on the dvd (formatted to FAT 32) however so have uploaded music by memory stick via the USB port.
That also works well.
My amp is plugged into the back of the tv so anything on tv or dvd (films, music etc) can be played through the speakers. 
Hope that helps
Try Freesat HD then
Got the freesat HD, only reason I mentioned it is because I believe you get a dual channel HD PVR, thus you can record one, watch another
Yes you do - it is the Humax HDR - good piece of kit and works quite well - just letting the first few bugs settle
Part of the logic in deciding to go for the Panasonic built in Freesat TV was that it negated the requirement for another set top box. I may consider the Humax at a later date, when there are more HD channels available on Freesat. Thanks for the advice though Martin
We hardly ever watch anything live - most stuff we record
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Topic: MCE Advice (Read 2556 times)