Comag DVB-T receiver report - Lidl 59.99

Bought a Comag DTT receiver model DVB-T in Lidl on Monday.

In Short:
It was far too insensitive / faulty and I took it back for a refund.

In detail:
The box doesn't appear to have a model number other than DVB-T.
Brief spec:
The box does have EPG.
Connectivity: (on rear)
Two scarts, (only selectable options: RGB /Composite)
5 pin din S-Video
Optical digital o/p
Phono socket co-axial digital o/p
Phono trio: Composite video, left & right audio.
RS232 9 pin connector (for upgrade via PC - over air also possible)
Aerial loop through. (No modulator)
Power on/off switch
Power lead cannot be detached.
No conditional access slot- (didn't open box)

I connected it up in place of a Philips DTR 1500 that was working perfectly
satisfactorily.

Scanning for channels:
After auto scanning, there were only a few stations displayed.

Manually scanning each mux produced something from each, but in the final
analysis there were only 28 stations shown out of a possible 58 or so.
Indicated signal strength across the muxes varied from 20 to 28%

I live in an area of good signal strength and these indications compare
unfavourably with my Philips DTR 1500, typically 75% signal strength;
Nokia 9850T- signal strength 100%; Pace 735 -signal strength 80%. All of
which receive all available channels without difficulty. I concluded that
either I had a duff box or the receiver was so insensitive that it was only
useable in areas of exceptionally high signal strength.

Baffling terminology:
For non technical viewers the set up screen is very confusing, making
reference to 'Transponders' and asking which 'mux' (from a list in another
pane) the receiver is to scan. By 'Transponder' they mean frequency in
MHz and by 'mux' they mean the transmitter channel allocation but presented
in a rather unusual way.

The 'muxes' are shown as transmitter channel allocations plus frequency.
e.g. a transmitter having digital channels of 23, 28, 30, 32, the 'muxes'
would be 23 490000, 28 530000, 30 546000, and 32 562000, - selected from a
complete set from 10-60. Baffling for non technical users!

There is also the option of selecting guard band (1/4,1/8, 1/32 or
whatever) and mode (2K or 8K) and 'FTA only' or 'all'.

Other observations:
There was 'something odd' about the presentation of the station list.
The list could be sorted by various options, but the 'normal' listing:
Ch 1=BBC 1, ch 2=BBC 2, ch 10=BBC 4, ch 40=BBC news 24.
didn't appear to be one of the options.

Previously I bought a Comag SL55 digital satellite receiver from Lidl and
I'm pleased with the results. I had hoped this receiver -which IMO is
quite pricey- would be as satisfactory, offering the advantage of 7 day
EPG. I also liked the good connectivity but for me lack of S-video on
either scart is a significant drawback.

It was disappointing to take the box back but 60 pounds is a lot for a
dodgy box to keep as novelty value. At the store there was no problem
getting a refund, the drawback being they don't refund there and then but
take name and address for refund by cheque in the post.

ISTM there is a question of how much signal strength should be sufficient
for a box to work properly. AFAIK know manufacturers do not provide such a
bench mark, but perhaps someone can advise.

I would be interested to hear experience of anyone else who bought one.

Roger

I bought one last week too.

I agree with your comments. The interface is amazingly techie focused
it will blow the average user's mind. I bought it for a second TV , I
have a Sagem box on the main TV so I can swop to compare. The Sagem
shows 70 to 90% signal strength whereas the Comag 20 to 30%, however
the signal quality still shows 70 to 80% and it picks up most
channels. The aerial socket appears to have the option of a 5V output
been sent to it. For a mast head amp??? Maybe that accounts for the
insensitivity.

The only set of channels I cannot receive are the Multiplex D list
TMF, The Hits etc. I am 23 miles from the transmitter and they are
shown as only transmitting at 1k1W, It picks up Multiplex C at 1k5W
OK. The Sagem has no problems it picks up all stations.

The biggest problem is that teletext does not work. The EPG is OK.


I am a little disappointed with the box, although for what I want from
it on a second TV its fine, although I think someone at Lidl might be
writing out alot of refund cheques. soon

I do not think this box has ever been tested it the UK. I spent the
first ten minutes navigating the menus in German.

Dave


On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 14:21:50 -0000, "Roger"
wrote:

Bought a Comag DTT receiver model DVB-T in Lidl on Monday.

In Short:
It was far too insensitive / faulty and I took it back for a refund.

In detail:
The box doesn't appear to have a model number other than DVB-T.
Brief spec:
The box does have EPG.
Connectivity: (on rear)
Two scarts, (only selectable options: RGB /Composite)
5 pin din S-Video
Optical digital o/p
Phono socket co-axial digital o/p
Phono trio: Composite video, left & right audio.
RS232 9 pin connector (for upgrade via PC - over air also possible)
Aerial loop through. (No modulator)
Power on/off switch
Power lead cannot be detached.
No conditional access slot- (didn't open box)

I connected it up in place of a Philips DTR 1500 that was working perfectly
satisfactorily.

Scanning for channels:
After auto scanning, there were only a few stations displayed.

Manually scanning each mux produced something from each, but in the final
analysis there were only 28 stations shown out of a possible 58 or so.
Indicated signal strength across the muxes varied from 20 to 28%

I live in an area of good signal strength and these indications compare
unfavourably with my Philips DTR 1500, typically 75% signal strength;
Nokia 9850T- signal strength 100%; Pace 735 -signal strength 80%. All of
which receive all available channels without difficulty. I concluded that
either I had a duff box or the receiver was so insensitive that it was only
useable in areas of exceptionally high signal strength.

Baffling terminology:
For non technical viewers the set up screen is very confusing, making
reference to 'Transponders' and asking which 'mux' (from a list in another
pane) the receiver is to scan. By 'Transponder' they mean frequency in
MHz and by 'mux' they mean the transmitter channel allocation but presented
in a rather unusual way.

The 'muxes' are shown as transmitter channel allocations plus frequency.
e.g. a transmitter having digital channels of 23, 28, 30, 32, the 'muxes'
would be 23 490000, 28 530000, 30 546000, and 32 562000, - selected from a
complete set from 10-60. Baffling for non technical users!

There is also the option of selecting guard band (1/4,1/8, 1/32 or
whatever) and mode (2K or 8K) and 'FTA only' or 'all'.

Other observations:
There was 'something odd' about the presentation of the station list.
The list could be sorted by various options, but the 'normal' listing:
Ch 1=BBC 1, ch 2=BBC 2, ch 10=BBC 4, ch 40=BBC news 24.
didn't appear to be one of the options.

Previously I bought a Comag SL55 digital satellite receiver from Lidl and
I'm pleased with the results. I had hoped this receiver -which IMO is
quite pricey- would be as satisfactory, offering the advantage of 7 day
EPG. I also liked the good connectivity but for me lack of S-video on
either scart is a significant drawback.

It was disappointing to take the box back but 60 pounds is a lot for a
dodgy box to keep as novelty value. At the store there was no problem
getting a refund, the drawback being they don't refund there and then but
take name and address for refund by cheque in the post.

ISTM there is a question of how much signal strength should be sufficient
for a box to work properly. AFAIK know manufacturers do not provide such a
bench mark, but perhaps someone can advise.

I would be interested to hear experience of anyone else who bought one.

Roger

"Dave" wrote in message
news
I bought one last week too.



I can't understand you paying so much for a Freeview box especially for a
2nd. set.

One seems to be able to boxes from £39 in big stores.

They are allmost as cheap as DVD players.
--
Regards,
David

Please reply to News Group.

"Dave" wrote in message
news
I bought one last week too.

I agree with your comments. [snip] The Sagem
shows 70 to 90% signal strength whereas the Comag 20 to 30%,
Thanks for your confirmation.
Signal strength percentages are only a guide, but what is indicated as a
strong signal on other boxes appears to shows up as only a weak signal on
the Comag meaning its relativly insensitive. Pity, it appears a versitile
box for a techno phobe (like me?).

however the signal quality still shows 70 to 80%

AIUI the signal quality is showing the error rate. With digital its all
or nothing, so if you get a station the quality will show a high value,
around 70-80 % even though the signal may drop out in adverse conditions-
bad weather etc.

The aerial socket appears to have the option of a 5V output
been sent to it. For a mast head amp??? Maybe that accounts for the
insensitivity.

Yes I forgot to mention the 5 Volt DC option, IMO that's really unsual.
As you say it's probably for a masthead amp, but I wouldn't have thought it
should have an adverse effect on sensitivity as aerial connections are
usually DC isolated. IIRC the default is 'off', which I used.

The biggest problem is that teletext does not work.
Interesting, I never got round to trying that.

I would be intriged to know the return rate on these Comag boxes, but I
suspect its not high because if users don't get all the stations they could
they may not realise. I wonder how many get no stations at all!

Also its quite difficult for a non technical person to feel confident about
returning it on the strength of 'it works, but could work better'.

Roger

For anyone interested I've posted a couple of shots showing the
connectivity options on the rear of the Comag DVB-T box he

http://freespace.virgin.net/enigma.1666/index.htm


May include some set up screen shots later...if I get round to it...

Roger

"Roger" wrote in message
...
For anyone interested I've posted a couple of shots showing the
connectivity options on the rear of the Comag DVB-T box he

http://freespace.virgin.net/enigma.1666/index.htm


May include some set up screen shots later...if I get round to it...

Roger


Having Sky myself, I have never bothered with the whole Freeview thing (but
will get round to it when the boxes come down in price for the rest of the
bedrooms) but I didnt realise that Freeview boxes come with Digital Audio
outputs. I especially like the addition of the S/PDIF on the Comag there!
I wish Sky boxes would come with digital audio outputs. Upstairs I have the
a standard Sky box connected to my Pro-Logic telly via Scart which works
very well, but in the living room I have a Dolby-Digital telly, which really
is NOWHERE as good as the whole 5 speaker deal. After recently buying a 5.1
system for the computer I thought it might be nice to get another (only £30)
for downstairs, but the stupid Sky box only has audio outputs for left and
right.

I believe Sky Plus has digital out but theres no way Im paying £200 for a
box, plus their installation charge when I already have a quad LNB and two
reels of CT100.

Just a wee thought.

Andrew

"Andy" wrote in message
news:41a108cf$0$33625

Upstairs I have the
a standard Sky box connected to my Pro-Logic telly via Scart which works
very well, but in the living room I have a Dolby-Digital telly, which
really
is NOWHERE as good as the whole 5 speaker deal. After recently buying a
5.1
system for the computer I thought it might be nice to get another (only
£30)
for downstairs,

I find that SOME Freeview boxes have digital audio output, but this just
gives L and R when my digital A/V amp used. Have to set A/V amp to prologic
to get all speakers working.
--
Regards,
David

Please reply to News Group.

"Alan Pemberton" wrote in message
rve.co.uk.invalid...
David wrote:

I find that SOME Freeview boxes have digital audio output, but this just
gives L and R when my digital A/V amp used. Have to set A/V amp to
prologic
to get all speakers working.

Yes, there's no 5.1 on terrestrial. I think that's fairly widely
understood.

Thanks for clearing that up Alan, I'll stick with Sky then. I was actually
thinking of cancelling my Subby to Sky and geting re-installed under a
different name, cause there doing a Sky+ box for £99 for new customers at
the moment. VERY tempting.

Cheers,
Andy