Ferguson Ariva 120 Users Thread

Brian P · 30-10-2011 9:25pm

Am I correct in assuming that when recording to an external drive,it is not possible to add a few mins to the beginning and end of the recording to allow for too early a programme start or a possible overrun as with Sky?

Is it acceptable to split the cable from the aerial and then run , say, two cables to two receivers for saorview (not the sat .cable) without degrading the signal quality?

Tony · 30-10-2011 9:38pm

Brian P wrote: »

Is it acceptable to split the cable from the aerial and then run , say, two cables to two receivers for saorview (not the sat .cable) without degrading the signal quality?

You will lower the signal level doing this so it really depends on what level you have to start with . If it does not work you can add an amplifier at the split point.

danjo-xx · 30-10-2011 9:39pm

Brian P wrote: »

Is it acceptable to split the cable from the aerial and then run , say, two cables to two receivers for saorview (not the sat .cable) without degrading the signal quality?

I have the aerial lead split in the hallway and one goes to my Arivia box and the other to tv with built in tuner and no problems. Depends on strenght of your signal but I think you can also use a booster if necessary.

Brian P · 30-10-2011 9:58pm

Thanks guys:)
Actually the more I think of it I might even replace the actual cable I have at the moment as in the past I simply joined two pieces of (similar)cable together to run to my main tv for an analogue picture ( wife likes Aertel in the morning). This tv has an excellent Sky HD signal for the Irish channels but I think that my saorview picture of the same channels( using the joined cable) is marginally inferior. The joined cable might possibly be the cause? I haven't read of any threads where posters found the Ariva picture to be in any way inferior to Sky.

Dislanger · 31-10-2011 9:15am

locum-motion wrote: »

Thanks, but no, I didn't know that. I'm not the most tech-savvy person in the world! I'd never come across the word 'codec' before.
So, how do I find out what codecs are supported, and how would I go about re-encoding them?
Thanks again.

The programme recommended on many threads for converting media types, and which I use, is Format Factory; converts almost anything. It's free and very user friendly

norbert64 · 31-10-2011 11:43am

Brian P wrote: »

Am I correct in assuming that when recording to an external drive, it is not possible to add a few mins to the beginning and end of the recording to allow for too early a programme start or a possible overrun as with Sky?

I'm afraid you are correct.

The Fergie doesn't have a regular automatic epg like sky. It has a basic 7 day epg for dtt, and just now/next for satellite.
Neither of which you can set to record from.

With the timer, or your manual recording, you basically just record the channel, at a specific time, which covers the run of your preferred program.
For all intents and purposes, like a vcr, you're simply recording the channel stream.

Mind you, with the timer, you can have a repeat recording. So if you add the extra few mins at start/end then activate the repeat feature, that's kind of what the sky box does in principal I guess. Ok, so it's a DIY jobby at best, but better than nothing. :cool:

locum-motion · 31-10-2011 1:03pm

Brian P wrote: »

Am I correct in assuming that when recording to an external drive,it is not possible to add a few mins to the beginning and end of the recording to allow for too early a programme start or a possible overrun as with Sky?

When recording manually, press the record button TWICE. When you press the second time, 02:00 pops up on screen, as the default length of time the machine will record for. You can then change it to whatever you like. If the movie or programme I want to record is scheduled for, say, 1:45, I set the record time to 1:50.
Using the Timer function, I also build in an extra five minutes before I click Save.

Trevord · 31-10-2011 1:39pm

Upgraded to the latest firmware version on Saturday. (version Tony uploaded referred to in Post #47 above)

Major lip sync issues on RTE 1 last night. 1 to 2 second difference I'd say.

(Checked freeview box at same time and it seemed to be in sync).

Issue resolved by switching to another channel and then going back to RTE1.

Anyone having similar experience with the latest release ?

Surfn · 31-10-2011 2:47pm

Tony wrote: »

You will lower the signal level doing this so it really depends on what level you have to start with . If it does not work you can add an amplifier at the split point.

sorry for kinda running of topic hear, i just seen this post and was wondering, Tony, Whats the best way to go about this. i want go to 2 different rooms with the cable comming from the saorview aerial without any signal loss. i dont think ya can do like u can with an lnb for satellite and have 2 cables running from it.is the only option to split it say in the attic and use a 2 Way TV Amplifier with Bypass. i just want to have the least amount off signal loss.im sort of in an area which is low lying and surrounded by hills.

Peter Rhea · 31-10-2011 3:25pm

You should really start a seperate thread. Do you have a power point in your attic?

Surfn · 31-10-2011 3:43pm

Peter Rhea wrote: »

You should really start a seperate thread. Do you have a power point in your attic?

i know peter i just saw tonys post and i thought he would see it in here 1st, yes i do have a power point in the attic. would this here be the way to go http://cpc.farnell.com/triax/334032/2-way-domestic-tv-distribution/dp/AP00716 and would this actually boost the signal even more so if it wasnt split

Peter Rhea · 31-10-2011 4:22pm

18 dB seems a lot of gain for a distribution amp, you could probably run multiple tvs off 1 output on that particular model depending on what the input signal is like.

Tony · 31-10-2011 4:40pm

Peter Rhea wrote: »

You should really start a seperate thread.

Agreed, this thread is really for 120 specific discussion. I should have suggested a new thread but thought it would only be a single post answer.

norbert64 · 31-10-2011 6:49pm

hehe, isn't the other thread actually more for 120 discussion. :P
This was supposed to be some kind of small ''summary'' help thread, no?

A lot of queries here could/should have been posted in the existing Ariva 120 UBERTHREAD. :cool:

COB MGV8 · 01-11-2011 9:17pm

I have managed to attach an externally powered harddrive to my Ariva 120, and it can pause live tv and record etc - the first time I use it. Thereafter, I have to delete the REC folder it creates to get it to work again. If I don't do this, the Ariva comes up with a "no rec partition" message. Anyone else had this problem ?

locum-motion · 02-11-2011 2:23am

COB MGV8 wrote: »

I have managed to attach an externally powered harddrive to my Ariva 120, and it can pause live tv and record etc - the first time I use it. Thereafter, I have to delete the REC folder it creates to get it to work again. If I don't do this, the Ariva comes up with a "no rec partition" message. Anyone else had this problem ?

Not me, anyway.

Brian P · 02-11-2011 3:57pm

COB MGV8 wrote: »

I have managed to attach an externally powered harddrive to my Ariva 120, and it can pause live tv and record etc - the first time I use it. Thereafter, I have to delete the REC folder it creates to get it to work again. If I don't do this, the Ariva comes up with a "no rec partition" message. Anyone else had this problem ?

If I ran into trouble like this I would automatically Format my external drive just to see what happens

COB MGV8 · 02-11-2011 11:07pm

Brian P wrote: »

If I ran into trouble like this I would automatically Format my external drive just to see what happens

I'll give that a go and see what happens

mumof2 · 04-11-2011 3:47pm

Im looking at the Ariva 120 Combo HD box, and notice I can record with it, but got confused reading the following:
"This combo HD box will allow you to watch Freesat channels from the UK using a 60 cm dish (sky dish) as well as the new RTE digital service using an aerial."

I only have a sky dish, and wish to get Irish channels as well as FTA.

@ Tony, I can't seem to PM you, as Id like a price on 2 maybe 3 boxes, and have a few questions regarding the recording of irish channels while watching digital fta channel

Thanks

Edit: After reading some more, it does look like I need an aerial, so I guess I need a Saorview Combi box if such exists? Can anyone point me in the right direction pls? Thanks very much.

Tony · 04-11-2011 3:59pm

I'm sorry you cannot send Pm's as I've disabled them . You have to bear in mind that this particular forum cannot be used for commercial interaction.

mumof2 wrote: »

Edit: After reading some more, it does look like I need an aerial, so I guess I need a Saorview Combi box if such exists? Can anyone point me in the right direction pls? Thanks very much.

Not sure what you mean by this , the ferguson can receive the saorview channels using an aerial ?

mumof2 · 04-11-2011 5:41pm

Tony wrote: »

I'm sorry you cannot send Pm's as I've disabled them . You have to bear in mind that this particular forum cannot be used for commercial interaction.

Not sure what you mean by this , the ferguson can receive the saorview channels using an aerial ?

My point is I don't have/want to get an aerial......

So - all in all - will the Ariva 120 do the trick (receive FTA + Irish Digital Chanels) not having an aerial? I only have a sky dish. (And I understand about the commercial side of things on boards btw;))

Once Im happy Im getting what I need I can then contact you personally if required:D Thanks Tony.

Trevord · 04-11-2011 5:55pm

mumof2 wrote: »

My point is I don't have/want to get an aerial......

So - all in all - will the Ariva 120 do the trick (receive FTA + Irish Digital Chanels) not having an aerial? I only have a sky dish. (And I understand about the commercial side of things on boards btw;))

Once Im happy Im getting what I need I can then contact you personally if required:D Thanks Tony.

At a minimum you will need a rabbits ears for saorview and more likely a loft or roof aerial if unless you are in a very strong signal area.

mumof2 · 04-11-2011 6:05pm

Trevord wrote: »

At a minimum you will need a rabbits ears for saorview and more likely a loft or roof aerial if unless you are in a very strong signal area.

That doesn't make any sense - why would I want to go and buy a combi box only to have to go and buy rabbit's ears or aerials just to get Irish channels - I thought they were going digital??

Tony · 04-11-2011 6:08pm

They are digital right now but you still need an aerial. The only way to get RTE free at present is using an aerial . Just because something is brodcast digitally does not mean that it comes via satellite . Again we are getting off topic so perhaps you should start a new thread if you need further help.

mumof2 wrote: »

My point is I don't have/want to get an aerial......

So - all in all - will the Ariva 120 do the trick

No, as you quoted yourself it uses an aerial to get RTE (digitally)

"This combo HD box will allow you to watch Freesat channels from the UK using a 60 cm dish (sky dish) as well as the new RTE digital service using an aerial."

locum-motion · 05-11-2011 12:15am

Tony wrote: »

No problem, if its any help i have the latest firmware with a channel list built in which you are welcome to use http://www.mediafire.com/?frz54tnv1fjabra

Heres a how to guide , follow it to the letter apart from unzipping the file which you do not have to do http://www.mediafire.com/?ji0kdvqodn3v07i

Hope this helps

Tony,
I tried to download that firmware from that link, but when I clicked the computer told me that's an audio file and offered to open it using iTunes.
Is that correct?
TIA,
Ross.

Tony · 05-11-2011 12:28am

locum-motion wrote: »

Tony,
I tried to download that firmware from that link, but when I clicked the computer told me that's an audio file and offered to open it using iTunes.
Is that correct?
TIA,
Ross.

No off course not, its a ferguson firmware file not an audio file. You should save it directly on to a USB key, no need to unzip it or do anything else

locum-motion · 05-11-2011 12:29am

Thanks, Johnboy & Dislanger.
So, I'm downloading FormatFactory to my laptopas we speak. (Or 'as I type')
Once that's done, I need to change the format of the movies on my HDD into something the FA120 can read, right?
I presume that to do that I need to plug the HDD into my laptop. What do I do then? How do I know what format to convert them to? They currently are .avi. Will they still be in the .avi "wrapper" afterwards, or will it be .ste (something else)?
Thanx in advance,
L-M

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

AVI is a 'wrapper' for the video.
The video is in a 'format' determined by the codec.
There is a list of supported video codecs in the manual ... don't have it to hand presently, but it was referenced earlier in the thread.

You process the AVI file to change the video to a supported format.
You do so on your computer.
What application you use to do that is dependent on your operating system.
Some suggestions for Windows were also given earlier in the thread ...... sorry I don't use Windows so cannot advise what app is most suitable.

I hope that helps you get started ........ and maybe someone with the relevant info can chime in.

regards.

EDIT: Sorry ...... maybe the info is in the main Ariva 120 thread

Dislanger wrote: »

The programme recommended on many threads for converting media types, and which I use, is Format Factory; converts almost anything. It's free and very user friendly

locum-motion · 05-11-2011 12:33am

Tony wrote: »

No off course not, its a ferguson firmware file not an audio file. You should save it directly on to a USB key, no need to unzip it or do anything else

Seemed a little odd, but I presume that it's someting to do with the .abs file extension. Maybe windows uses .abs for audio and ferguson uses it for firmware, or something.

I've saved it to a USB key now anyway. I'm away ATM, but when I get home I'll try plugging it in.

Thanx,
L-M.

joolsveer · 06-11-2011 4:57pm

I bought a Ferguson Ariva 120 from Tony recently. I am very happy with the reception of Irish and British stations. When I record a programme on my hard drive via the USB port on the front I get a name on the file that is not related to the programme I recorded. I recorded the Munster V Leinster match on Friday on TG4 and it is named BBC News. Is there anything I can do to have the names assigned properly?

locum-motion · 06-11-2011 10:41pm

Done. My machine is now on 2.15b8

locum-motion wrote: »

Seemed a little odd, but I presume that it's someting to do with the .abs file extension. Maybe windows uses .abs for audio and ferguson uses it for firmware, or something.

I've saved it to a USB key now anyway. I'm away ATM, but when I get home I'll try plugging it in.

Thanx,
L-M.

Brian P · 07-11-2011 2:09am

joolsveer wrote: »

I bought a Ferguson Ariva 120 from Tony recently. I am very happy with the reception of Irish and British stations. When I record a programme on my hard drive via the USB port on the front I get a name on the file that is not related to the programme I recorded. I recorded the Munster V Leinster match on Friday on TG4 and it is named BBC News. Is there anything I can do to have the names assigned properly?

Look to the bottom of the Media Player page where your programme is incorrectly named and press red button(Rename). Make your correction there. Press Exit to save the correction.:)

discobrother1 · 08-11-2011 2:52pm

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone has a channel list for the 2.15b8 patched firmware or if not will a dumpfile.abs- userdb from the official 2.15b8 work on the patched version?

Cheers

NUTZZ · 08-11-2011 2:56pm

discobrother1 wrote: »

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone has a channel list for the 2.15b8 patched firmware or if not will a dumpfile.abs- userdb from the official 2.15b8 work on the patched version?

Cheers

I have a channel list for 2.15B5 patched if you're interested!

discobrother1 · 08-11-2011 3:40pm

Hi Nutzz

Thanks for the offer mate. I already have a good 2.15b5 channel list but im having 'issues' with the firmwares 'connection' so i was going to upgrade to the b8 but then have no userdb for it. Tbh the b5 has become unusable so i have no choice but to try b8

NUTZZ · 08-11-2011 7:57pm

discobrother1 wrote: »

Hi Nutzz

Thanks for the offer mate. I already have a good 2.15b5 channel list but im having 'issues' with the firmwares 'connection' so i was going to upgrade to the b8 but then have no userdb for it. Tbh the b5 has become unusable so i have no choice but to try b8

Really? I haven't had any problems with B5, I upgraded to B8 a while ago but had to downgrade again as B5 is just so stable and reliable. Are you sure it's the firmware and not 'other' factors?

kierytek · 08-11-2011 8:30pm

Hi, can anyone help me, how do you play avi files or MPEG4 files via usb on this box. All I get is sound, tried converting file from avi to mpeg4 but still get the message - video codec not supported,. Any help greatly appreciated

joolsveer · 08-11-2011 9:19pm

Brian P wrote: »

Look to the bottom of the Media Player page where your programme is incorrectly named and press red button(Rename). Make your correction there. Press Exit to save the correction.:)

Thanks but that does not address my problem. I want the box to record the correct name for each programme recorded. My vu+ duo does and my Humax Freesat STB does.

Brian P · 09-11-2011 12:22am

joolsveer wrote: »

Thanks but that does not address my problem. I want the box to record the correct name for each programme recorded. My vu+ duo does and my Humax Freesat STB does.

Hopefully a near future firmware update will do so.

Benolam · 09-11-2011 8:07pm

I have had this problem also. I have seen it on two Ariva 120 STBs. I have done a few tests. It seems that if the STB is left 'on' and on the channel to be recorded when the recording starts the correct name appears on the recording.
If the STB is in standby or on a different channel when the recording starts the wrong programme name will appear on the (correct) recording.
My guess is that it is not picking up the correct EIT (now & next) quickly enough after coming out of standby or changing channel.
Also when a recording is taking place there are no menu functions available.
I have a few other negative points too, but, in summary: for around €100 its fine for watching TV on Irish DTT and UK Sat channel. If you want a serious PVR this is not the box for you.
Anyone else have a PVR related comment?

Kristopherus · 10-11-2011 12:47am

I have the same issues as you, Benolam. Am hoping for a firmware update too.You will also find that if you recording a Sat channel, only those channels on the same transponder will display. You cannot watch CBS Reality while recording any of the Beeb channels. The No Info issue applies to all channels, Sat & DTT:(.

Benolam · 10-11-2011 11:18am

Kristopherus, the STB has only one sat tuner so this is expected behaviour. A download won't fix it.

However I would like to be able to playback existing recordings while a new recording is taking place, but they are not accessible. Bad design!

STB · 11-11-2011 11:15am

kierytek wrote: »

Hi, can anyone help me, how do you play avi files or MPEG4 files via usb on this box. All I get is sound, tried converting file from avi to mpeg4 but still get the message - video codec not supported,. Any help greatly appreciated

locum-motion wrote: »

Thanks, Johnboy & Dislanger.
So, I'm downloading FormatFactory to my laptopas we speak. (Or 'as I type')
Once that's done, I need to change the format of the movies on my HDD into something the FA120 can read, right?
I presume that to do that I need to plug the HDD into my laptop. What do I do then? How do I know what format to convert them to? They currently are .avi. Will they still be in the .avi "wrapper" afterwards, or will it be .ste (something else)?
Thanx in advance,
L-M

Short Note. You cannot simply remux (which is super quick) because it will keep the Video codec that the original file was encoded in. MOst of these files are XVID that cause problems.

Most AVI's "out there" are MPEG4 XVID - these WONT play in their present form, even though they are meant to be Part 2 MPEG4 ASP files but they are not strictly part of MPEG4 suite. MPEG4 is not MPEG4 H264 Pt 10 (AVC).

So you end up having to transcode to X264 so that the Ferguson can read the files. It expects a MPEG4 H264 AVC file. It doesnt matter what wrapper it is in (AVI/MKV/MP4 etc).

Example on how to encode to H264 file from existing files that currently don't work. (Download and install format factory first)

You have a choice of All to AVI, All to MKV etc, choose one say All to AVI.

Throw your file in.

Click on Output Setting.

Under Video Encode Click on Video Stream and change to AVC H264.

Click Ok.

Click Start.

bmaxi · 11-11-2011 12:27pm

Not sure which thread to be posting on now but I'll go with this one.
On RTE1+1 I'm getting sound but no picture. I've tried a rescan both before and after 7PM but only succeeded in losing RTE Jnr. Anyone else experience this? I'm getting my service from MT. Leinster.

Johnboy1951 · 11-11-2011 3:27pm

bmaxi wrote: »

Not sure which thread to be posting on now but I'll go with this one.
On RTE1+1 I'm getting sound but no picture. I've tried a rescan both before and after 7PM but only succeeded in losing RTE Jnr. Anyone else experience this? I'm getting my service from MT. Leinster.

That happened here too - receiving from Maghera, but a rescan brought it in last night

bmaxi · 11-11-2011 10:57pm

Rescanned tonight and it was back. I'll have to wait 'til Monday to see it RTE Jnr is gone again

blueser · 12-11-2011 8:51pm

Not sure if this has been asked before, therefore apologies if it is indeed a repeat post. When I plug in an external HD, it starts to record there and then. I sthere any way I can disable this using the menu function? I had a quick look but I couldn't see anything obvious about it.

theoneeyedman · 12-11-2011 9:56pm

Hi : has anyone got a code for a universal remote for this unit,?

Gerry Wicklow · 12-11-2011 10:05pm

blueser wrote: »

Not sure if this has been asked before, therefore apologies if it is indeed a repeat post. When I plug in an external HD, it starts to record there and then. I sthere any way I can disable this using the menu function? I had a quick look but I couldn't see anything obvious about it.

It's meant to do that for the timeshift (pause and rewind) to work. If you turn it off you loose those functions.

blueser · 12-11-2011 10:15pm

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

It's meant to do that for the timeshift (pause and rewind) to work. If you turn it off you loose those functions.

Cheers for that info.

NUTZZ · 13-11-2011 12:48am

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Hi : has anyone got a code for a universal remote for this unit,?

As far as I know for the One For All remotes, the codes that work for the Ariva 120 are; VCR 2614, SAT 2638

Ferguson Ariva 120 Users Thread

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