PVRs in HK

[ben_gb]

Hi,

Does anyone know if any of the TV/Cable companies in HK are offering any sort of PVR (personal video recorder) features, like Tivo or Sky Plus in the UK?

Or, do they offer good-enough on-demand video to make PVRs unnecessary?

Another option could be to use a media-centre type setup (I have used SageTV in the UK and US), but the lack of TV listings seems to be a problem in HK. Also I'd like to use HD, which self-built media centres can't really handle.

Thanks for any comments.

Regards,
Ben

[KnowItAll]

Ben - What are you trying to record? Most of the content is pretty old / stale here in HK.

A few folks have gotten IR blaster type solutions to work with their media centers to record from Now Broadband TV.

[ben_gb]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

There are a couple of things that I'd like to do:

1. regularly record various series off channels such as BBC entertainment, AXN, Star etc, so I don't have to remember to record each individual show

2. maybe record a few films from HBO etc so I've got a small library of things to watch when there's nothing actually being broadcast that I want to see

3. record some chinese shows (esp. mandarin ones), so I can pause/rewind/repeat sections for language learning.

4. I like the 'time warp' facility you can get with some PVR systems, where you can rewind 'live tv' a few mins or as far back as the beginning of the show, or pause it while you make some tea

I haven't actually subscribed to any HK TV service yet (currently staying in a hotel), but I am planning to get something when I have my own place. I thought HK might be more advanced, and have PVR or good video-on-demand options available as part of the cable service...?

I have in the past setup several HTPC systems, but they tend to be quite a lot of work to keep running, and quality is limited because you can usually only record s-video. Also, if there is no easy online way to download well formatted, future TV listings (eg 14 days ahead) with programme synopses etc, then the scheduling options aren't so great.

Regards,
Ben

[aussben]

The new HKBN HD receivers can record they are the only ones that can. But you have to check if you building supports HD, all of HK will be supported in around August.

Cheers

Ben