NO SIGNALs on Technosonic PVR - return the box?

I realise there is also a group uk.tech.tv.video.pvr. but this one has
more traffic.

For Christmas we got one of those Technosonic PVR 101s that Aldi were
selling; last week we set it up.

It's a quantum leap for us: marvellous facilities ... if only they all
worked.

We have had a digital receiver for several years (we had ITV-Digital and
its predecessor, name forgotten). We have used that box ever since: it
has been very reliable and our signal is *excellent* (from - er - what
is the b/casting station? I'm on the North side of the Tyne Valley.)

The Technosonic works great for most of the time, although the user
interface could be a little better (can't complain at £99.00 though).

However, it seems very prone to getting into a NO SIGNAL state.
Sometimes it hauls itself out, sometimes I switch it off and on again.

Naturally this is a complete bugger: there's no way of knowing if a
timed recording is going to take place. And of course it's a constant
irritant when watching 'live'.

My questions:

(1) Should I take it back?

(2) If so, what would the panel recommend (having now experienced a
proper PVR, I am willing to pay twice as much).

(3) Or, should I hang in there, and hope for a system update that will
cure this problem (s/w is currently 1.1).

I could of course phone the Technosonic helpline - and probably will -
but forewarned is forearmed. (And I've had enough experience of
"helplines" to know how most of them operate.)

Your views appreciated!

John

In article ,
John wrote:
However, it seems very prone to getting into a NO SIGNAL state.
Sometimes it hauls itself out, sometimes I switch it off and on again.

It will record correctly even whilst the NO SIGNAL stops you from direct
viewing. There has been an upgrade and it gets rid of some of the errors - my
father reports less NO SIGNAL problems but others disagree. The reception is
first class - and my father lives in a distinctly iffy reception area.

If you are prepared to pay twice as much then get yourself a Humax (that's
what I did) or a Toppy for three times as much.

The Technosonic does not (quite) do what it's supposed to do. At the price
that slight 'not quite' is a real pity because it's so close to a fantastic
bargain.

--
John Cartmell [email protected] followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
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"John" wrote in message

However, it seems very prone to getting into a NO SIGNAL state.
Sometimes it hauls itself out, sometimes I switch it off and on again.

There are a few know issues with the box, the most common of which is the No
Signal problem.

For more information see pvr101.blogspot.com.

There are engineers looking at the problem this week and we are expecting
news of this sooner rather than later, so it may be worth hanging on to the
box just a little longer. If they iron out this and a few of the other bugs
it will be an excellent piece of kit.

Jc.

In article ,
"Josey" [email protected] wrote:

pvr101.blogspot.com

Blimey - this alone repays 100-fold the effort of asking a question in
this group! Thanks so much Josey. Thanks also to John C for his
response.

John