New Vast PVRs now available

[Smacca]

And that all seems fair enough, Point 2 in particular. Besides, a USB stick is never going to be large enough really if you want to use the PVR seriously.

Exactly. Admittedly, it will work for a very short period of time. But you'll be forever swapping them out with new ones. Better off avoiding anything other than a 3.5" powered HDD. (Yet to test a powered USB hub, I'll buy one soon enough)

Anyway, you know what they say, fools rush in...... I've just ordered one of these

Ah well, if you're going to have a VAST box, you're better off with the PVR version.

How about, from now on, anyone who is willing to spend $400+ on a new VAST PVR, pools their money into someones PayPal account, and we fly over Europe's best card hacker to divorce these sons of bitches once and for all??

"Hello, is this the Frankfurt pub?"

[gordon_s1942]

You blokes are going to have to start a new Thread to post what you think is worth recording on either VAST or Terrestial TV as I cant see anything there.
If and that's a bloody big IF it is worth recording, you only have to wait a couple of months and it'll be released on DVD like Underbelly Razor with unseen TITY-lating scenes they claim.
Or be like me and live long enough for it to be repeated ad naseum as most is from what I see.

[jaydenillman]

Oh, and for those looking for an even better deal, that I missed out on as I couldn't find it before I made my eBay purchase, try this .

They are the same bloke

[petez69]

It may be a good idea to switch it on regularly. Recently we have had reports from three differenct councils in Queensland that VAST boxes sent to residents who didn't get around to setting them up for a few months would not work at all. When they were switched on there was an error code saying the unit would not connect.

Apparently if you don't set these up within six months of the card being activated the box will not work at all. When the councils contacted Optus they were told neither the box or the VAST card could not be reactivated and the client would have to buy new ones.

I know this happens if you buy a wireless internet dongle and don't put credit on it for a few months. You end up having to buy a new wireless modem/dongle but if this is happening to VAST boxes it is an outrage.

Has anyone else had this happen?

Beerman

I'm trying to remember back to the goldie days what happened if you missed a few key rolls...I always leave the box on to make sure I get updates. I don't really believe if you've missed a few updates that its stuffed forever..I remember in the Austar days, infact Selectv that I had, you could ring up and give them the card number and it would send out a key update..

As for as the SIM not being reactivated after say 6 months, thats a carrier issue and they do that by choice, not because there is a technical reason :-)

Cheers

[8DashP]

They are the same bloke

Yeah I know. And I googled for ages trying to figure out what his web site might be, but couldn't find it. It was only when i got the Paypal receipt from eBay, that I got the web site address

[mtv]

Why would councils be just sending activated VAST boxes/cards to residents without setting them up?... eg: dish installed, cabling, etc.

[Tiny]

Yeah I know. And I googled for ages trying to figure out what his web site might be, but couldn't find it. It was only when i got the Paypal receipt from eBay, that I got the web site address

Thanks for sharing, the prices are great compared to other places, UEC4121PVR $322 including postage & HDMI cable.
$415 with 1TB Hard Drive.

[Rodnic]

Thanks for sharing, the prices are great compared to other places, UEC4121PVR $322 including postage & HDMI cable.
$415 with 1TB Hard Drive.

I'm not defending the original UEC 'set top box' price as it is 'over the top', but a terrestrial PVR/set top box with twin tuners is well over $415.

[mtv]

I'm not defending the original UEC 'set top box' price as it is 'over the top', but a terrestrial PVR/set top box with twin tuners is well over $415.

Some are... not all.

example:

[gordon_s1942]

I remember leaving the Austar card out too long once and had to get it reactivated so does that mean that 'They' send some kind of 'progressive number' when they do the updates and its 'stored' in the software somewhere and is written to the Smart Card but if the STB isnt powered up over an extended period, no update and no Smart Card?
Other than the advise to leave the stb 'powered' on for any OTA updates, there is no warning the STB will be rendered useless if disconnected after a given period of time which is rather alarming I think.
I think this needs to be clarified by UEC/VAST/Optus as soon as possible because I am sure for what ever reason, someone's STB will be disconnected perhaps by being packed away or left and the power goes off and stays off unbeknowns to the user.

[toyboy11]

Nope. The DSD4121 is Freeview 2 compliant, which means no ad-skipping.

Satplus's write up says you will be able to FF&RW, will be interesting to see what the pvr will do?

[mtv]

Satplus's write up says you will be able to FF&RW, will be interesting to see what the pvr will do?

Yes, you can FF and RW, but you can't set the jump forward to one, two or three minutes to just 'skip' commercial breaks.

[Tiny]

I remember leaving the Austar card out too long once and had to get it reactivated so does that mean that 'They' send some kind of 'progressive number' when they do the updates and its 'stored' in the software somewhere and is written to the Smart Card but if the STB isnt powered up over an extended period, no update and no Smart Card?
Other than the advise to leave the stb 'powered' on for any OTA updates, there is no warning the STB will be rendered useless if disconnected after a given period of time which is rather alarming I think.
I think this needs to be clarified by UEC/VAST/Optus as soon as possible because I am sure for what ever reason, someone's STB will be disconnected perhaps by being packed away or left and the power goes off and stays off unbeknowns to the user.

Hi Gordon, my neighbor just got back from 4 months traveling, the VAST UEC4121 at his place was not even plugged in for that time.
When he turned it on it booted up & scanned with no problems, all channels & picture good.
Hope that eases your mind.

[gordon_s1942]

I dont mind in the least to having to ring to get a card rebooted if it needs to be done but that both the card and STB could rendered completely useless after a period of time WITHOUT prior warning is unacceptable, I am sure you will agree.

[OSIRUS]

I dont mind in the least to having to ring to get a card rebooted if it needs to be done but that both the card and STB could rendered completely useless after a period of time WITHOUT prior warning is unacceptable, I am sure you will agree.

I don't think the Vast STB could be rendered useless ....

it just won't have the latest update.....

& an automatic OTA update, or manual "hit" or "install " will bring it back up to date....

(you may have to just wait.....until it updates....unless you do a manual hit or install)

BTW you can re-hit your card online

I also notice in the drop down box that you can choose between the UEC DSD4121 & Multi-service cam to receive the hit on the card

[beerman]

Why would councils be just sending activated VAST boxes/cards to residents without setting them up?... eg: dish installed, cabling, etc.

MTV,

Many rural councils own homes that they provide free for workers who will come and operate a local business for a contracted term. These properties do not qualify for the Satellite Subsidy Scheme. The council therefore provides a VAST box as part of the deal. These buildings usually already have a sat dish that has been configured for C1. When someone moves in they send the tennant the VAST box (previously they provided Aurora boxes).

[toyboy11]

Yes, you can FF and RW, but you can't set the jump forward to one, two or three minutes to just 'skip' commercial breaks.

Like my Mediastar does no doubt.

[8DashP]

Thanks for sharing, the prices are great compared to other places, UEC4121PVR $322 including postage & HDMI cable.
$415 with 1TB Hard Drive.

*SIGH*

Sent by Express Post Platinum, last Thursday, still hasn't arrived. Good old Aus Post tracking says they have received it for posting, but hasn't gone any further yet....

[gordon_s1942]

Depends on where it was posted and what your route is.
I have had items posted in Perth WA on the Monday and it arrived here on Wednesday but an Item posted to Ballarat in Victoria took 5 days.
Even worse is mail to NZ, thats takes 12 days either way.
'Here' btw is near Lithgow, 160kms West of sydney.

[viewer]

*SIGH*

Sent by Express Post Platinum, last Thursday, still hasn't arrived. Good old Aus Post tracking says they have received it for posting, but hasn't gone any further yet....

It only gets scanned again when it reaches your delivery centre, and again when it is delivered. If you live on a rural roadside run, it will be carded for customer collection.

I would imagine it should be out for delivery today, if you are inside the designated platinum network...refer to the postcode areas on the product. If you are outside the designated route, you will likely get it tomorrow.