I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD and 
a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want to 
know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview and 
also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I have 
to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box .
(And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)

"Stef"  wrote in message 
news:46504393$0$8757$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview 
>and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I 
>have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box 
>.
> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>

Yes, you can do exactly as you require with the configuration you describe.
Your Thomson will have 2 scarts, same setup loop through as VCR's.
So just one example, you buy a DVD+HDD recorder connect to Thomson,
Watch channel as you record it on both devices hard drive, your Thomson
is recording to it's hard drive as well as outputing to DVD+HD, where you
can archive or burn etc. You can also transfer recordings from the Thomson
to DVD+HD etc. If you opt for DVD+HD that has a DVB (Freeview) tuner
you now have facility to record from 3 channels simultanuously.

"loop through" <free@who.cares> wrote in message 
news:f2pn5e$av6$1@aioe.org...
>
> "Stef"  wrote in message 
> news:46504393$0$8757$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>>I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>>and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>>to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview 
>>and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I 
>>have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview 
>>box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>>
>
> Yes, you can do exactly as you require with the configuration you 
> describe.
> Your Thomson will have 2 scarts, same setup loop through as VCR's.
> So just one example, you buy a DVD+HDD recorder connect to Thomson,
> Watch channel as you record it on both devices hard drive, your Thomson
> is recording to it's hard drive as well as outputing to DVD+HD, where you
> can archive or burn etc. You can also transfer recordings from the Thomson
> to DVD+HD etc. If you opt for DVD+HD that has a DVB (Freeview) tuner
> you now have facility to record from 3 channels simultanuously.
>

Added note. You don't detail which Thomson model, but I'm not
aware of any Thomsons that you could transfer recordings *To*.

Stef wrote:
> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger
> HDD and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters
> so I want to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to
> use the freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the
> DVD recorder or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and
> just get a plain freeview box . (And if it IS possible, how simple it
> is!!)

Yes you can easily do what you want to, I'd recomend the Panasonic DMR-EX85
http://www.totaldigital.biz/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1722

Stef wrote:

> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD and 
> a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want to 
> know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview and 
> also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I have 
> to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box .
> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!) 

Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb

I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?

Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth it.

Geoff

"Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
> Stef wrote:
>
>> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>> and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>> to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the 
>> freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder 
>> or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain 
>> freeview box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>
> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.


>
> There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
> not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
> thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!
>
> http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb
>
I read the thread, it dates from Oct 2006 and it is evident from the posts
that it is a convoluted, non-practical process, involving dubious 
modifications
and bug-ridden open source "grab" software. The Thomson uses Propriatary
format files, so the convoluted and unproven process you suggest require's
modification to hardware - including deviation from the USB standard, custom
made cable/interconnects, software that is all too apparent to be flaky, 
buggy
and seemingly forever being patched. And as the thread unfolds it becomes
all too obvious the open source software and the encrypted propriatary 
Thomson
files are not happy with each other.
That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!


> I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?
>
> Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth 
> it.
>
> Geoff

Laughable wrote:

> "Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
> news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
>> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
>> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
>> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.
> 
> A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.

Oh please, I'm crying into my keyboard over here.

> That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
> adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!

This is a tech group. If you don't want those kind of techy suggestions 
to questions then I'm sure your local Currys sales rep will happily 
relieve you of a significant portion of your salary.

The OP is (of course) free to ignore my suggestion.

Geoff

"Stef"  wrote in message 
news:46504393$0$8757$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview 
>and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I 
>have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box 
>.
> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>

Yes, you can do exactly as you require with the configuration you describe.
Your Thomson will have 2 scarts, same setup loop through as VCR's.
So just one example, you buy a DVD+HDD recorder connect to Thomson,
Watch channel as you record it on both devices hard drive, your Thomson
is recording to it's hard drive as well as outputing to DVD+HD, where you
can archive or burn etc. You can also transfer recordings from the Thomson
to DVD+HD etc. If you opt for DVD+HD that has a DVB (Freeview) tuner
you now have facility to record from 3 channels simultanuously.

"loop through" <free@who.cares> wrote in message 
news:f2pn5e$av6$1@aioe.org...
>
> "Stef"  wrote in message 
> news:46504393$0$8757$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>>I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>>and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>>to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview 
>>and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I 
>>have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview 
>>box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>>
>
> Yes, you can do exactly as you require with the configuration you 
> describe.
> Your Thomson will have 2 scarts, same setup loop through as VCR's.
> So just one example, you buy a DVD+HDD recorder connect to Thomson,
> Watch channel as you record it on both devices hard drive, your Thomson
> is recording to it's hard drive as well as outputing to DVD+HD, where you
> can archive or burn etc. You can also transfer recordings from the Thomson
> to DVD+HD etc. If you opt for DVD+HD that has a DVB (Freeview) tuner
> you now have facility to record from 3 channels simultanuously.
>

Added note. You don't detail which Thomson model, but I'm not
aware of any Thomsons that you could transfer recordings *To*.

Stef wrote:
> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger
> HDD and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters
> so I want to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to
> use the freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the
> DVD recorder or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and
> just get a plain freeview box . (And if it IS possible, how simple it
> is!!)

Yes you can easily do what you want to, I'd recomend the Panasonic DMR-EX85
http://www.totaldigital.biz/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1722

Stef wrote:

> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD and 
> a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want to 
> know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview and 
> also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I have 
> to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box .
> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!) 

Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb

I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?

Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth it.

Geoff

"Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
> Stef wrote:
>
>> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>> and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>> to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the 
>> freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder 
>> or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain 
>> freeview box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>
> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.


>
> There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
> not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
> thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!
>
> http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb
>
I read the thread, it dates from Oct 2006 and it is evident from the posts
that it is a convoluted, non-practical process, involving dubious 
modifications
and bug-ridden open source "grab" software. The Thomson uses Propriatary
format files, so the convoluted and unproven process you suggest require's
modification to hardware - including deviation from the USB standard, custom
made cable/interconnects, software that is all too apparent to be flaky, 
buggy
and seemingly forever being patched. And as the thread unfolds it becomes
all too obvious the open source software and the encrypted propriatary 
Thomson
files are not happy with each other.
That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!


> I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?
>
> Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth 
> it.
>
> Geoff

Laughable wrote:

> "Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
> news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
>> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
>> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
>> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.
> 
> A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.

Oh please, I'm crying into my keyboard over here.

> That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
> adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!

This is a tech group. If you don't want those kind of techy suggestions 
to questions then I'm sure your local Currys sales rep will happily 
relieve you of a significant portion of your salary.

The OP is (of course) free to ignore my suggestion.

Geoff

"Stef"  wrote in message 
news:46504393$0$8757$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview 
>and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I 
>have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box 
>.
> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>

Yes, you can do exactly as you require with the configuration you describe.
Your Thomson will have 2 scarts, same setup loop through as VCR's.
So just one example, you buy a DVD+HDD recorder connect to Thomson,
Watch channel as you record it on both devices hard drive, your Thomson
is recording to it's hard drive as well as outputing to DVD+HD, where you
can archive or burn etc. You can also transfer recordings from the Thomson
to DVD+HD etc. If you opt for DVD+HD that has a DVB (Freeview) tuner
you now have facility to record from 3 channels simultanuously.

"loop through" <free@who.cares> wrote in message 
news:f2pn5e$av6$1@aioe.org...
>
> "Stef"  wrote in message 
> news:46504393$0$8757$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>>I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>>and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>>to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview 
>>and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I 
>>have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview 
>>box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>>
>
> Yes, you can do exactly as you require with the configuration you 
> describe.
> Your Thomson will have 2 scarts, same setup loop through as VCR's.
> So just one example, you buy a DVD+HDD recorder connect to Thomson,
> Watch channel as you record it on both devices hard drive, your Thomson
> is recording to it's hard drive as well as outputing to DVD+HD, where you
> can archive or burn etc. You can also transfer recordings from the Thomson
> to DVD+HD etc. If you opt for DVD+HD that has a DVB (Freeview) tuner
> you now have facility to record from 3 channels simultanuously.
>

Added note. You don't detail which Thomson model, but I'm not
aware of any Thomsons that you could transfer recordings *To*.

Stef wrote:
> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger
> HDD and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters
> so I want to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to
> use the freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the
> DVD recorder or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and
> just get a plain freeview box . (And if it IS possible, how simple it
> is!!)

Yes you can easily do what you want to, I'd recomend the Panasonic DMR-EX85
http://www.totaldigital.biz/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1722

Stef wrote:

> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD and 
> a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want to 
> know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview and 
> also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I have 
> to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box .
> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!) 

Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb

I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?

Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth it.

Geoff

"Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
> Stef wrote:
>
>> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>> and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>> to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the 
>> freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder 
>> or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain 
>> freeview box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>
> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.


>
> There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
> not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
> thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!
>
> http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb
>
I read the thread, it dates from Oct 2006 and it is evident from the posts
that it is a convoluted, non-practical process, involving dubious 
modifications
and bug-ridden open source "grab" software. The Thomson uses Propriatary
format files, so the convoluted and unproven process you suggest require's
modification to hardware - including deviation from the USB standard, custom
made cable/interconnects, software that is all too apparent to be flaky, 
buggy
and seemingly forever being patched. And as the thread unfolds it becomes
all too obvious the open source software and the encrypted propriatary 
Thomson
files are not happy with each other.
That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!


> I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?
>
> Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth 
> it.
>
> Geoff

Laughable wrote:

> "Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
> news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
>> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
>> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
>> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.
> 
> A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.

Oh please, I'm crying into my keyboard over here.

> That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
> adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!

This is a tech group. If you don't want those kind of techy suggestions 
to questions then I'm sure your local Currys sales rep will happily 
relieve you of a significant portion of your salary.

The OP is (of course) free to ignore my suggestion.

Geoff

"Stef"  wrote in message 
news:46504393$0$8757$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview 
>and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I 
>have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box 
>.
> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>

Yes, you can do exactly as you require with the configuration you describe.
Your Thomson will have 2 scarts, same setup loop through as VCR's.
So just one example, you buy a DVD+HDD recorder connect to Thomson,
Watch channel as you record it on both devices hard drive, your Thomson
is recording to it's hard drive as well as outputing to DVD+HD, where you
can archive or burn etc. You can also transfer recordings from the Thomson
to DVD+HD etc. If you opt for DVD+HD that has a DVB (Freeview) tuner
you now have facility to record from 3 channels simultanuously.

"loop through" <free@who.cares> wrote in message 
news:f2pn5e$av6$1@aioe.org...
>
> "Stef"  wrote in message 
> news:46504393$0$8757$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>>I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>>and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>>to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview 
>>and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I 
>>have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview 
>>box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>>
>
> Yes, you can do exactly as you require with the configuration you 
> describe.
> Your Thomson will have 2 scarts, same setup loop through as VCR's.
> So just one example, you buy a DVD+HDD recorder connect to Thomson,
> Watch channel as you record it on both devices hard drive, your Thomson
> is recording to it's hard drive as well as outputing to DVD+HD, where you
> can archive or burn etc. You can also transfer recordings from the Thomson
> to DVD+HD etc. If you opt for DVD+HD that has a DVB (Freeview) tuner
> you now have facility to record from 3 channels simultanuously.
>

Added note. You don't detail which Thomson model, but I'm not
aware of any Thomsons that you could transfer recordings *To*.

Stef wrote:
> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger
> HDD and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters
> so I want to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to
> use the freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the
> DVD recorder or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and
> just get a plain freeview box . (And if it IS possible, how simple it
> is!!)

Yes you can easily do what you want to, I'd recomend the Panasonic DMR-EX85
http://www.totaldigital.biz/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1722

Stef wrote:

> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD and 
> a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want to 
> know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview and 
> also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I have 
> to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box .
> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!) 

Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb

I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?

Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth it.

Geoff

"Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
> Stef wrote:
>
>> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>> and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>> to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the 
>> freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder 
>> or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain 
>> freeview box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>
> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.


>
> There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
> not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
> thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!
>
> http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb
>
I read the thread, it dates from Oct 2006 and it is evident from the posts
that it is a convoluted, non-practical process, involving dubious 
modifications
and bug-ridden open source "grab" software. The Thomson uses Propriatary
format files, so the convoluted and unproven process you suggest require's
modification to hardware - including deviation from the USB standard, custom
made cable/interconnects, software that is all too apparent to be flaky, 
buggy
and seemingly forever being patched. And as the thread unfolds it becomes
all too obvious the open source software and the encrypted propriatary 
Thomson
files are not happy with each other.
That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!


> I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?
>
> Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth 
> it.
>
> Geoff

Laughable wrote:

> "Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
> news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
>> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
>> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
>> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.
> 
> A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.

Oh please, I'm crying into my keyboard over here.

> That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
> adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!

This is a tech group. If you don't want those kind of techy suggestions 
to questions then I'm sure your local Currys sales rep will happily 
relieve you of a significant portion of your salary.

The OP is (of course) free to ignore my suggestion.

Geoff

Stef wrote:

> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD and 
> a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want to 
> know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the freeview and 
> also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder or would I have 
> to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain freeview box .
> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!) 

Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb

I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?

Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth it.

Geoff

"Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
> Stef wrote:
>
>> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>> and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>> to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the 
>> freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder 
>> or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain 
>> freeview box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>
> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.


>
> There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
> not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
> thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!
>
> http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb
>
I read the thread, it dates from Oct 2006 and it is evident from the posts
that it is a convoluted, non-practical process, involving dubious 
modifications
and bug-ridden open source "grab" software. The Thomson uses Propriatary
format files, so the convoluted and unproven process you suggest require's
modification to hardware - including deviation from the USB standard, custom
made cable/interconnects, software that is all too apparent to be flaky, 
buggy
and seemingly forever being patched. And as the thread unfolds it becomes
all too obvious the open source software and the encrypted propriatary 
Thomson
files are not happy with each other.
That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!


> I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?
>
> Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth 
> it.
>
> Geoff

Laughable wrote:

> "Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
> news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
>> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
>> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
>> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.
> 
> A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.

Oh please, I'm crying into my keyboard over here.

> That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
> adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!

This is a tech group. If you don't want those kind of techy suggestions 
to questions then I'm sure your local Currys sales rep will happily 
relieve you of a significant portion of your salary.

The OP is (of course) free to ignore my suggestion.

Geoff

"Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
> Stef wrote:
>
>> I have a Thomson PVR with freeview. I'm thinking of getting a larger HDD 
>> and a DVD recorder combined. I know nothing about these natters so I want 
>> to know if I'll be able to connect it up to my Thomson to use the 
>> freeview and also if necessary use both HDDs as well as the DVD recorder 
>> or would I have to disconnect the Thomson altogether and just get a plain 
>> freeview box .
>> (And if it IS possible, how simple it is!!)
>
> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.

A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.


>
> There are a few discussions on the digitalspy forum on doing this: it's 
> not as good as having a proper USB port because you have to turn off the 
> thomson to access it, but better than taking it apart every time!
>
> http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=466869&highlight=usb
>
I read the thread, it dates from Oct 2006 and it is evident from the posts
that it is a convoluted, non-practical process, involving dubious 
modifications
and bug-ridden open source "grab" software. The Thomson uses Propriatary
format files, so the convoluted and unproven process you suggest require's
modification to hardware - including deviation from the USB standard, custom
made cable/interconnects, software that is all too apparent to be flaky, 
buggy
and seemingly forever being patched. And as the thread unfolds it becomes
all too obvious the open source software and the encrypted propriatary 
Thomson
files are not happy with each other.
That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!


> I'm assuming it's the DHD4000?
>
> Of course you have to be a bit more geeky but the end results are worth 
> it.
>
> Geoff

Laughable wrote:

> "Geoff Winkless"  wrote in message 
> news:46516029$0$311$4d4eb98e@read.news.uk.uu.net...
>> Why not just upgrade the hard drive in the thomson and stick a USB->IDE 
>> adaptor on it so that you can extract shows to your laptop? Better than 
>> the decode->encode loop of the DVD recorder.
> 
> A totally unhelpful and pointless suggestion from dotty Geoff.

Oh please, I'm crying into my keyboard over here.

> That is your suggestion is it Geoff, for the OP who only wanted to know if
> adding a DVD+HD to his DVB box would be problematic, FFS!

This is a tech group. If you don't want those kind of techy suggestions 
to questions then I'm sure your local Currys sales rep will happily 
relieve you of a significant portion of your salary.

The OP is (of course) free to ignore my suggestion.

Geoff