Dear friends and everyone, we are finally ready to release the third installment of this series. This article should be the national debut of the ER310.
Before diving into this article, I want to quickly recap the first two posts (which covered the reasons behind choosing the ER310 and the purchasing process) to help new readers get up to speed.
Today’s post will focus on the unboxing experience of the ER310. Let's get started!
First, the Parcel from Bay: ER310 Unboxing
As mentioned earlier, the purchase was facilitated through parcels shipped by China Post across the Taiwan Strait. Here’s a snapshot of the parcel details:
- Shipping cost: 260 NT$ (approximately $9 USD)
- Weight: 1183g
- Dimensions: 1129g (volume weight)
On the back of the parcel, nine stamps made up the total NT$260 postage. Interestingly, despite the widespread use of electronic stamps, there were still physical stamps being used. However, someone had scribbled over them with a marker, which was somewhat disappointing.
Once the package arrived, the excitement began. The outer packaging of the ER310 is octagonal and sleek, giving it a premium feel. The front of the box displays the AVerMedia logo, the official image of the ER310, and its tagline.
The top of the box doesn’t have much going on, but the bottom is packed with information, including the contents of the package, various logos, barcodes, and a QR code linking to AVerMedia’s official website.
According to the label, the contents include:
- ER310 host
- HDMI cable
- Infrared emitter
- Power adapter
- Power plug
- Remote control (with batteries included)
- Quick Installation Manual
The left and right sides of the box contain the product specifications in traditional Chinese and English, respectively. Some key specifications include:
- Support for both HDMI and component video inputs, as well as RCA L/R.
- Equipped with a network port, though it only gathers time, timezone, and DST information.
- Built-in SATA II interface and USB 2.0 interface, allowing the insertion of a 2.5-inch hard disk (up to 12.7mm thick) and external storage devices like portable hard drives or USB drives. These interfaces are used for saving files, exchanging files, and firmware updates.
The back of the box features a multilingual summary of the product’s advantages and a connection diagram.
Opening the box revealed the ER310, standing proudly. The packaging seemed quite minimalistic, with the host sitting alone in the box without any protective covering. This gave the impression that the ER310 might be vulnerable to damage during transit.
Let’s move on to the next section, where we’ll explore the ER310’s design and accessories.
Second, Video Wang Lu Chen Rong: ER310 Design and Accessories
Taking the ER310 out of its box, the first thing to do is to inspect all the components. Here’s a quick rundown:
- **Appearance:** The ER310’s shell is made of matte black plastic, with a coarse texture on the top and bottom panels compared to the smoother sides. Overall, it feels solid and well-built.
- **Front Panel:** The front panel houses the USB 2.0 port, an infrared receiving window, and indicator lights. These lights provide clear feedback on the ER310’s operational status under different circumstances.
- **SATA II Interface:** Located at the bottom of the hard drive bay, the interface is marked with English text. Removing the cover reveals a bare drive bay.
- **Back Panel:** The rear panel is home to various interfaces, including:
- Infrared emitter interface: Connects to an external infrared emitter.
- Composite and audio interfaces, HDMI input and output: These allow the ER310 to handle both analog and digital inputs seamlessly.
- Network interface: Only used for collecting time-related information.
- Power connector: 12V1.5A, a significant upgrade from the ER130’s 5V2A.
- **Power Supply:** The power supply has undergone notable improvements compared to the ER130. First, the power specification has been upgraded to 12V1.5A, nearly doubling the power output. This is likely due to the inclusion of an internal hard drive. Second, the power interface has been changed from the ER130’s T-type USB connector to a round connector. The power supply also supports a wide voltage range (100-240V), making it globally compatible.
- **Remote Control:** The remote control is identical to the one used with the ER130. One noticeable difference is that the gray button on the top-right corner works on the ER310 but not on the ER130 since the latter lacks HDMI input.
- **Infrared Emitters:** These small plastic blocks emit infrared signals and can be attached to the set-top box’s infrared receiver using double-sided tape. They connect to the ER310 via a long twisted wire (over two meters long).
- **HDMI Cable and Quick Guide:** The box includes a standard HDMI cable and a concise quick guide.
With the unboxing and initial inspection out of the way, let’s delve into the functionality of the ER310 in the next section.
Third, Unattended Recording: ER310 Features
Compared to the ER130, the ER310 builds on its predecessor’s strengths while introducing new features. The ER310 retains most of the ER130’s capabilities but adds some enhancements that make it stand out.
This section will cover the following:
- Boot settings and menu display
- Infrared function settings
- Scheduled recording settings
- File management functions
- Automatic switching to external storage devices
**Boot Settings and Menu Display**
1. **Language Setting:** Since the ER310 isn’t officially sold in mainland China, the language options are limited to Traditional Chinese.
2. **Authorization Instructions:** By default, the “User Experience Improvement Project†is enabled. Users can disable this feature in the settings submenu after initial setup.
3. **Pass Through Function:** It’s recommended to enable this feature so that the ER310 outputs the signal synchronously through HDMI whenever it’s powered on, regardless of whether it’s actively recording.
4. **Quick Setup:** The system will automatically configure the network settings, time, and storage path. To proceed, the user must connect either an internal or external storage device and a wired network. Alternatively, users can manually set the time after booting.
5. **Setup Result:** After completing the setup, the system will display the network connection status, current date and time, and the selected storage path. Initially, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of selecting the storage path, but after testing, I realized its importance. More details will follow in the file management section.
6. **Welcome Screen:** Once setup is complete, the system provides basic operating tips and a welcoming message.
**Infrared Function Settings**
To enable the ER310 to control the set-top box, follow these steps:
1. Open the main menu and navigate to the “Settings†submenu, selecting “Infrared Device.â€
2. Connect the infrared emitter to the ER310 and attach it to the set-top box’s infrared receiver.
3. Select the input source (e.g., HDMI).
4. Choose the set-top box you wish to record. Since the ER310 isn’t available in mainland China, pre-stored set-top box parameters won’t be available. Instead, select “Add Another Set-Top Box.â€
5. Adjust settings like the interval between button presses, set-top box wake-up time, and special key learning.
After completing these settings, you can proceed with the “Key Learning†process.
**Scheduled Recording Settings**
1. **Making a Reservation:** With the time, date, and set-top box input source configured, you’re ready to schedule recordings.
2. **Adding a Reservation:** Navigate to the “Scheduled Video List,†and press “F1†to add a new reservation.
3. **Input Channel Number:** Use the remote control’s directional keys to input the desired channel number and confirm.
4. **Set Recording Time:** Specify the start and end times, recording frequency, and end date.
**File Management Functions**
The ER310 allows for easy file management between internal and external storage. However, this feature is limited to managing the ER310’s own recorded videos and images.
**Automatic Switching to External Storage Devices**
If an external storage device is inserted before the ER310 boots up, the system will prompt you to switch storage paths upon startup. Pressing “F1†will complete the switch.
Fourth, Routine Complaints: ER310 Small Defects
While the ER310 excels in many areas, it’s not without its flaws. Here are a few shortcomings:
- **Transfer Speed:** Despite being released in August 2016, the transfer speeds are surprisingly outdated. Using the internal hard drive is fine, but transferring files externally is painfully slow. For instance, copying a 541MB file took 1 minute and 42 seconds, averaging 5.3MB/s. This is unacceptable in 2017.
- **Video Quality:** The video quality isn’t particularly impressive. While sufficient for basic recordings, it falls short for those requiring higher resolution. Upgrading to a dedicated HD capture card is advisable for better results.
- **Network Port:** The network port is functional but limited to fetching time data, which isn’t always accurate. My tests showed it lagging a few seconds behind Beijing time. Additionally, uploading videos or updating firmware requires a USB drive, which seems counterproductive.
V. Conclusion: ER310 Deserves Its Title as the Super Video King
In conclusion, the ER310 performs admirably as a TV recorder, despite its drawbacks. Its ability to handle unattended recordings and its robust feature set make it a worthwhile investment for those in need of such functionality.
Thank you for reading! If you have any questions about usage or purchase, feel free to leave a comment. I hope this series has been insightful and enjoyable.
Signing off,
[Your Name]
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