Freeview box with the best remote for elderly person?

My wife's aunt (96 & 3/4) is about to lose her analog signal. Many Freeview
boxes seem to have pretty crap remotes in terms of egonometrics,
particularly for the elderly. Unfortunately, remotes are rarely on display
in the shops.

As an added complication, she isn't at all keen to replace her TV, an
ancient box that start life as a colour TV (now lacking any colour) that
doesn't have a scart socket.

Any recommendations (preferably boxes with an in-built modulator)?

Tim

On Wednesday, September 02 2009 at 21:32:26h +0100, Tim Downie asked:

Any recommendations (preferably boxes with an in-built modulator)?

Yes the TVonics

MFR-200 http://www.tvonics.COM/digital-set-top-boxes/mfr-200.html

or MFR-300 http://www.tvonics.COM/digital-set-top-boxes/mfr-300.html
(with audio description)

because the remote control is comfortable and has easy to use large buttons.

Note that these models have a modulator but no PERITEL socket for SCART cable,
which is available on other models from TVonics.

You can buy jumbo remotes in pound shops now.

The trouble with most jumbo remotes is that:
1. They need to be set up to work a particular make of item and
changing the batteries or pressing the wrong buttons can un programme
them.
2. They almost always will control more than one item, which can lead
to confusion in its self. ie..It wont work the box unless it is in box
mode.
3. They will only work with some makes of freeview box.


Definitely the TVonics mini Freeview box is good for older people,
especially as it has a modulator so it can be tuned to channel one on
the TV so it is always there when the TV is switched on. Stick it to
the back of the TV, they wont even know its there. (It has a magic eye
to stick to the front so the remote will still work.)

Also it has a "Home" button which resets the box to BBC 1 and gets rid
of menus and anything else which may have appeared by mistake!!

Beware, though, as it is available with the nice big remote but also
is being sold a bit cheaper by some suppliers with a very small flat
remote.

Also, the RF modulator comes set initially to channel 38 which is too
close to, or on top of digi or analogue channels in some parts of the
country, so remember to go through the set-up routine and then alter
the RF channel to a better one if necessary and retune the TV again to
suit. (This is actually a bit tricky when you are working with an RF
connection only as you will lose the pic as soon as you start to move
the output channel of the box. You have to count the button pushes and
then tune the TV so you find the pic again before you can see what you
are doing so that you can store your setting on the box!) Dont then
do a reset of the box or you will revert to 38 again and loose the
picture!

"Tim Downie" wrote in message
...
My wife's aunt (96 & 3/4) . . . Any recommendations (preferably boxes
with an in-built modulator)?

She won't need a modulator for the box. Just brass handles.

Bill

Tim Downie wrote:
My wife's aunt (96 & 3/4) is about to lose her analog signal. Many
Freeview boxes seem to have pretty crap remotes in terms of
egonometrics, particularly for the elderly. Unfortunately, remotes
are rarely on display in the shops.

As an added complication, she isn't at all keen to replace her TV, an
ancient box that start life as a colour TV (now lacking any colour)
that doesn't have a scart socket.

Any recommendations (preferably boxes with an in-built modulator)?


Wouldn't it have been kinder and a lot easier for her in the long run just
to have said that because the TV is so old it's not going to work (at least
without complications) after DSO and she will have to buy a new TV? After
all the old TV is going to give a lousy picture by comparison and will
probably be even far more complicated to operate with a separate set top box
than a purpose made TV.

On Sep 2, 9:32*pm, "Tim Downie"
wrote:
My wife's aunt (96 & 3/4) is about to lose her analog signal. *Many Freeview
boxes seem to have pretty crap remotes in terms of egonometrics,
particularly for the elderly. *Unfortunately, remotes are rarely on display
in the shops.

As an added complication, she isn't at all keen to replace her TV, an
ancient box that start life as a colour TV (now lacking any colour) that
doesn't have a scart socket.

Any recommendations (preferably boxes with an in-built modulator)?

Tim

As she's over 75 shouldn't she be getting a 'free' box anyway? My
parents ( both over 75) live in weymouth and received an 'Alba' box a
few weeks before DSO. It's actually a good box; RF moulator, remote
with big(ish) buttons and very quick response to key presses.

Well, I know the RNIB supply TVonics boxes as they have large easy to use
remotes, at least the ones they supply do, and also audio description, of
course.
I'm not sure about the telly, I'd think that it might be wise to suggest the
old TV is becoming dangerous and get a new one based on that, but unless
its got a decent remote you might have a problem.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email:
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________


"Tim Downie" wrote in message
...
My wife's aunt (96 & 3/4) is about to lose her analog signal. Many
Freeview boxes seem to have pretty crap remotes in terms of egonometrics,
particularly for the elderly. Unfortunately, remotes are rarely on
display in the shops.

As an added complication, she isn't at all keen to replace her TV, an
ancient box that start life as a colour TV (now lacking any colour) that
doesn't have a scart socket.

Any recommendations (preferably boxes with an in-built modulator)?

Tim

As she's over 75 shouldn't she be getting a 'free' box anyway? My
parents ( both over 75) live in weymouth and received an 'Alba' box a
few weeks before DSO. It's actually a good box; RF moulator, remote
with big(ish) buttons and very quick response to key presses.

Only if she is also in receipt of means-tested benefits or disabled.
The rest have to pay £40.

Bear in mind these are people who lived through the war so surely you
don't expect the ones who have saved a bit of money (or earned a
half-way decent pension or are too proud to claim pension credit) to
get something for free? Mr Brown & co have made clear the money is
needed for those who didn't, and for the more deserving younger folk.
Eg you do know that *anyone* on means-tested benefits gets a free box
including all those on means-tested JSA?
--
R

On Sep 3, 10:07*am, "neverwas" wrote:
As she's over 75 shouldn't she be getting a 'free' box anyway? My
parents ( both over 75) live in weymouth and received an 'Alba' box a
few weeks before DSO. It's actually a good box; RF moulator, remote
with big(ish) buttons and very quick response to key presses.

Only if she is also in receipt of means-tested benefits or disabled.
The rest have to pay £40.

That's odd, my parents get nowt other than the basic state pension and
didn't pay for the box!

"Ivan" wrote in message
...
Tim Downie wrote:
My wife's aunt (96 & 3/4) is about to lose her analog signal. Many
Freeview boxes seem to have pretty crap remotes in terms of
egonometrics, particularly for the elderly. Unfortunately, remotes
are rarely on display in the shops.

As an added complication, she isn't at all keen to replace her TV, an
ancient box that start life as a colour TV (now lacking any colour)
that doesn't have a scart socket.

Any recommendations (preferably boxes with an in-built modulator)?


Wouldn't it have been kinder and a lot easier for her in the long run just
to have said that because the TV is so old it's not going to work (at
least without complications) after DSO and she will have to buy a new TV?

You'd think so wouldn't you? ;-)

After all the old TV is going to give a lousy picture by comparison and
will probably be even far more complicated to operate with a separate set
top box than a purpose made TV.

My thoughts too but hear hearing problems have made her very distrustful of
newer TVs. She can *hear* her present TV, the picture quality doesn't seem
to matter to her. She doesn't seem keen to dabble with new-fangled stuff
like loop aerials etc.

Tim