Freeview Box Recommendations
 

Hi all

Anyone got any links to recent Freeview box tests/reviews please?
Had a cheap Durabrand jobbie for about a year but it has been unreliable and
does not automatically update channel listings etc.

So would like recommendations on fairly basic model and also (in case I'm
feeling flush) a more feature rich model with hard drive for program
recording etc.

TIA

Phil

Freeview Box Recommendations
 

"TheScullster" wrote in
. uk:

Hi all


So would like recommendations on fairly basic model and also (in case
I'm feeling flush) a more feature rich model with hard drive for
program recording etc.

Apologies for joining in, but I'd also be interested in sensitivity,
something most of them seem to be coy about, but it matters to me.

I know that the GDB4 is much better than the Matsui DTR3 on exactly the
same aerial, and the GDB4 has a claimed sensitivity of -82dB, which I
understand is good.

But if I wanted a better box, or a PVR, I'd need to know the chances of
getting at least acceptable reception on at least some of the muxes.

Specially, if, like scullster, I hoped to go upmarket. ATM [email protected] need an
auxiliary analogue tuner to make sure I could get usable recording!

mike

Freeview Box Recommendations
 

"mike" wrote in message
...
"TheScullster" wrote in
. uk:

Hi all


So would like recommendations on fairly basic model and also (in case
I'm feeling flush) a more feature rich model with hard drive for
program recording etc.

Apologies for joining in, but I'd also be interested in sensitivity,
something most of them seem to be coy about, but it matters to me.

I know that the GDB4 is much better than the Matsui DTR3 on exactly the
same aerial, and the GDB4 has a claimed sensitivity of -82dB, which I
understand is good.

But if I wanted a better box, or a PVR, I'd need to know the chances of
getting at least acceptable reception on at least some of the muxes.

Specially, if, like scullster, I hoped to go upmarket. ATM [email protected] need an
auxiliary analogue tuner to make sure I could get usable recording!


Will better sensitivity mean problems from anologue transmissions?
I remember my Philips ONdigi box had a 13db attenuator in line with the
aerial to get it to work.

--
Regards,
David

Please reply to News Group

Freeview Box Recommendations
 

On 6 Jul, 12:09, "TheScullster" wrote:
Hi all

Anyone got any links to recent Freeview box tests/reviews please?
Had a cheap Durabrand jobbie for about a year but it has been unreliable and
does not automatically update channel listings etc.

So would like recommendations on fairly basic model and also (in case I'm
feeling flush) a more feature rich model with hard drive for program
recording etc.

I got the Bush one that's built into a SCART connector - seems very
sensitive, certainly not as many picture breakups as my elderly Netgem
iPlayer - the Bush one is now available at Argos for £35, btw.

Failing that, the Humax Fox F2T is highly regarded though even that is
getting a bit long in the tooth.

For top sensitivity without a doubt the Humax 9200t PVR is hard to
beat. Not the cheapest PVR but definitely the best at c£190 or so.

JPG




TIA

Phil

Freeview Box Recommendations
 

"David" wrote in news:rOpji.19849$%[email protected]
gui.ntli.net:


Specially, if, like scullster, I hoped to go upmarket. ATM [email protected] need an
auxiliary analogue tuner to make sure I could get usable recording!


Will better sensitivity mean problems from anologue transmissions?
I remember my Philips ONdigi box had a 13db attenuator in line with the
aerial to get it to work.


I don't know; the problem seems to be the differece between the powerful
muxes, and the weaker ones.

However I do need a sensitive box to get the weaker ones, and if I need to
I can use attenuators; they're easier to find than more signal!

mike

Freeview Box Recommendations
 

The Humax Fox2T has to be the very best box around for many reasons:


The menu system has to be the largest and clearest around and
certainly the easiest to navigate around.

The connectivity is second to none. 2 Scart sockets It has RGB, S
Video and composite available on both the TV AND the VCR sockets.
Audio out, seperate composite video out, Digital audio out.

It has a modulator so it can also feed older TV's without scart or to
other rooms if necessary.

It has a seperate list for radio stations, switchable from radio to TV
with one button.

It has a large, clear remote which can control the basic functions of
most well known brands of TV to save using two handsets. (Try the
Philips codes if all else fails for cheaper makes of TV, by the way,
as so many are made by Vestel who use Philips codes.)

Certainly I have found them to be sensitive alongside others.

You can erase unwanted channels easily if required and create
favourites.

The build quality and casing are much better than many (Metal case)

And they are guaranteed for 2 Years.

I could (and usually do !) go on.



I know it looks as if I have a vested interest, I don't. I do sell and
install them, and many other makes and models but I would go for one
of these every time if I had the choice and could persuade customers
not to waste their money on cheap ones. The old addage of you get what
you pay for is true.
Certainly they have been around for some time. They haven't changed a
bit, and don't really need to. If they do, it will probably be because
of financial pressure from those who will only buy cheap, and so
corners would inenitably be cut.
But thats only my oppinion, of course!

Then, of course there's the PVR9200. Magic!!

Freeview Box Recommendations
 

On Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:56:41 -0700, widgitt
wrote:

The Humax Fox2T has to be the very best box around for many reasons:

Many beg to differ:

http://www.reviewcentre.com/review230890.html

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...-f2-fox-t.html

I bought one several years ago following a 'Which' recommendation. I
noticed immediately that it wasn't as sensitive as my neighbour's
cheap Sagem which I'd borrowed to prove my aerial was digitally
capable. Had to buy a booster to solve the problem.

Apart from that I was initially very impressed, then the cracks
started to appear.

At first it would crash every couple of weeks, just after the warranty
expired it was almost daily. There was no way I could go away for the
weekend knowing that on return my VCR had captured what was expected.

Certainly they have been around for some time. They haven't changed a
bit, and don't really need to.

Quote from Manual:
2. Detail Programme Information
You can see detailed information about the current programme.
Press the i button where I-plate is displayed to view detailed
information.

No you can't .The lack of program info once the EPG has populated is
totally unacceptable. Humax have been aware of this for a long time
and have failed to come up with a fix, despite several false
promisses. Shoddy and unacceptable customer service.

It was a reasonable box in its day but having seen a number of boxes
bought by friends and colleagues over the last twelve months, all at a
fraction of the price of the FOX , I am of the onion that it's now
poor value for money.

Only wish the Sony was still around

Graham C.

Freeview Box Recommendations
 

No problem with Info on mine. I use it frequently but I have just
checked it thoroughly on two stock boxes. EPG fully populated and
"info" works fine both when viewing a programme and from a highlited
programme on the guide. Press i button twice for full info when
viewing a prog.

I get a very good signal on all MUXS from the Hannington transmitter
but I have just set up four different receivers on a good 4 way
passive splitter fed from a variable attenuator. Thomson, old Philips
OnDigital, Humax Fox and Sagem.Gradually reducing the signal, the
Thomson and the Philips started to break up first and the Humax and
Sagem were both almost equal next.

I agree the Sony was also good and had a dual purpose remote but, of
course, it has been pushed out on price as well.
The vast majority (hundreds of brand names) now are of Vestel origin
and the menus are all essentially the same. Usually small fiddly
handsets, unlike the Sony and Humax, and rather cluttered menus and
EPGs.

Out of many, many Fox's I have only returned two and both of these
went dead within a few minutes of use.
(and another, but the customers' cat peed in that!)

Freeview Box Recommendations
 

On Sat, 07 Jul 2007 04:34:52 -0700, widgitt
wrote:

No problem with Info on mine. I use it frequently but I have just
checked it thoroughly on two stock boxes. EPG fully populated and
"info" works fine both when viewing a programme and from a highlited
programme on the guide. Press i button twice for full info when
viewing a prog.

Do your boxes have the 'games' installed?

Humax reported a while ago that the lack of 'Info' whan the EPG is
fully populated is to to insufficient memory in the box. Deleting the
games would free up enough to allow the info to work. However they
were reluctant to do so.

If you do have a box without games then they are releasing new stock
with updated software. If you do have games they they've fixed the
problem some other way, despite saying it couldn't be done.

Either way they should offer the upgrade as a firmware download.

Graham C

Freeview Box Recommendations
 

TheScullster wrote:
Hi all

Anyone got any links to recent Freeview box tests/reviews please?
Had a cheap Durabrand jobbie for about a year but it has been unreliable and
does not automatically update channel listings etc.

So would like recommendations on fairly basic model and also (in case I'm
feeling flush) a more feature rich model with hard drive for program
recording etc.

TIA

Phil



It's worth having a look on eBay for refurbished Digihome PVRs - I got
an 80GB disk one for £48. The mostly seem to be Argos catalogue returns
but are pretty much 'as new'.