Technomate 6900 Super HD Combo

easkey

This looks like one great Box.:eek::eek:
But will it work for Irish DVB-T system

TM 6900 Super HD............Spec is........

Hardware Blind Search
Ethernet
E-SATA
2x USB Ports
RF-Modulator
RGB Scart
Available in Silver or Glossy Black

taken from the 'auction' site:

2 High Definition Tuners: DVB-S/DVB-S2 Satellite & DVB-T Terrestrial Compliant (MPEG-2 / MPEG-4 / H.264)
576i & 576p, 720p & 1080i supported
1 Smart Card Reader & 2 Common Interfaces (2CI)
HDMI & Component Output (YPbPr) with Hardware Upscaler to Improve Picture Quality
Very Fast & Detailed Hardware Blind Search (power scan)
Ethernet Communication Port
E-SATA Port
2x USB Ports (Front + Rear Ports)
PLL type RF-Modulator (Ch. 21- 69) and UHF tuning function
10,000 TV & Radio Channels
USB 2.0 PVR Ready via USB External Device
USB PVR Features: Rewind/Forward, Slow Motion Rewind/Forward, Timeshift (Pause Live TV) & Record Scrambled/Free-To-Air (FTA) Channels & Record current channel and playback a recording at the same time
Music player & JPEG viewer via USB 2.0
Fast Software & Channel List download via USB 2.0
2 Scart Outputs with RGB Support
Fully Featured VFD text Front Panel Display
Super Sensitive tuner for very weak signals
Dolby Digital Optical S/PDIF
Dolby Digital by HDMI
S-Video Output
Less than 1 second channel change
DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 & 1.3 (USALS) compatible
Auto Navigation system – select as many satellites as you want to search
On-screen display with true full color resolution
Enhanced 16 Favorite channel groups
Channel control by: Favorites, Lock, Skip, Move & Delete
Channel sort by: All, Alphabet, Transponder & CAS
Parental, Installation & Receiver Lock
Multilingual OSD Menu: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Turkish, Arabic, Russian, Greek, Czech
Fast & Easy-To-Use Menu System
Extended EPG and program reservation on EPG
Teletext & Subtitle by OSD and VBI
Last channel memory function
Factory default channel list
Various games
Software & channel list upgrade via RS-232C: PC to STB, STB to PC, STB-STB and USB
Zoom function on Pause & Live channel
Multipicture display
Support for multiple language broadcasts
SCPC & MCPC receivable from C/Ku band satellites LNBs supported: Universal, Single, Single S & C band wideband LNBs
Multi TV Standards supported: PAL G, I, K, M
4:3 & 16:9 Screen Formats
90-250V AC 50/60 Hz
LNB Short Circuit protection onboard
Software & channel list upgrade via RS-232C: PC to STB, STB to PC, STB-STB and USB
Dimension 390X272X70 MM
Available in Silver or Glossy Black

It look great... Could this be the one BOX we need with HD for
DVB-S and DVB-T in Ireland.
Will it do the job

STB

Yes it does work for DTT. It has an MPEG4 chip.

There is plenty of discussion in other threads in this section.

I popped into Peats last week out of curiousty to see what they had and they had the 6900 on display. Unfortunately the people working there dont realise it has a DVB-T MPEG 4 Tuner in it and as such is sold as a HD Satelite receiver. €400 is a little on the steep side given that you'll get one for STG£250 on the net which is €315 delivered.

Rick_

OK, where do I get it for £250? I might get rid of my Humax HDCI-2000 and get this so I can have DSAT and DTT in the one box and have one customised channel list rather than 2 seperate boxes and more used space and remotes!

Any screengrabs of what the Technomate OSD looks like... Some I have seen made it look really shabby and crappy kiddy like graphics compared to other STB's. If it looks anything like the Humax Foxsats OSD I'll definitely buy it!

STB

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__technomate-6900-combo_W0QQ_nkwZtechnomateQ206900Q20comboQQQ5ftrkparmsZ72Q253A12Q257C39Q253A1Q257C66Q253A2Q257C65Q253A12QQQ5ftrksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14?fcid=99&fpos=&gbr=1&save=Save

You choose...... STG 250ish

byte

Please bear in mind that there is a TM-6900 which is older model, and there's the new TM-6900 SUPER.

The "Super" box is the only one that has the Ethernet, 2x USB, eSATA and RF Modulator.

The boxes at £250 on eBay are the standard 6900's.

I've already ordered my 6900Super from AffordableSat (thanks Snaps for the link), which has the best price I've seen so far. Without doubt, this box will get cheaper after it's been out a few months.

slegs

Is there a means to get EPG for the FTA Sat element of this box...web download etc?

watty

BBC now transmits MHEG5 "something" on Satellite for Freesat. In theory if the DTT part of this box does MHEG5, then the sat part could to via update.

Not sure if it is just Digital Text & Interactive or if the Freesat EPG is via MHEG5

Fat_Fingers

very interesting receiver... However after fiasco with Darkbox i'm going to wait and see what are the reports on this one.

byte

Got this receiver yesterday, and so far, I'm very happy with it. However, until Truskmore transmits DTT, I'll not know how good the terrestrial tuner part is.

It does have Ethernet port, but it's currently not being implemented. Menu suggests it may be used for software updates. It'd be great if somehow boxes with ethernet port could interact with the likes of digiguide.

No mention of MHEG5 support on this box, as expected, so there'll be no digital text etc.

Fat_Fingers

Thanks for the report byte! Much appreciated.
Keep us updated on your findings :)

Gerb68

I'm new to Sat recievers and looking for a box to buy. I'm still researching the net for all info but the main issue I have is I want to futureproof my purchase and at the same time getting full use of all channels available today. Is this the best box for this?
Any advise appreciated.

seanmc

Pardon my ignorance, but I would ideally like a receiver that I can record from, but that can also record the Irish channels(RTE1+2, TV3, TG4) that I currently have using the aerial.

Would I be able to receive the Irish channels using the Technomate TM-6900 plus?
Thanks!

byte

seanmc wrote: »

Pardon my ignorance, but I would ideally like a receiver that I can record from, but that can also record the Irish channels(RTE1+2, TV3, TG4) that I currently have using the aerial.

Would I be able to receive the Irish channels using the Technomate TM-6900 plus?
Thanks!

Can you receive the Irish channels digitally (DTT)? If so, this box will pick them up.

I have this box myself atm, though can't receive any DTT yet (c'mon Truskmore!). Bear in mind, that while it's a good receiver, it doesn't have MHEG5, which would be needed if you wanted the DTT EPG.

STB

I have one as well. It records the files as ".trp" which are a type of .ts file. A handy free pc player, editor, and converter for trp's is Mpeg Stream Clip 1.2. It lets you save as anything really.....

http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-win.html

You also need to have installed Alternative Quicktime 1.81 http://files.brothersoft.com/dvd_video/mpeg_tools/quicktimealt.exe

One thing about the Technomate series. If you are recording something, it does not allow you watch another channel (regardless of whether it is a sat or terrestrial channel) or between DVB-T and DVB-S.

Can not be used as a media centre for DIV-X either.

In the old days

Picked up one of the 'non super' 6900s today from ebay (ex display) and hooked it up for DTT from three rock and astra 2 plus disque switch for astra 1/hotbird. Good reception on 4 DTT irish channels, very occassional blocking artifects on set up which seem to have gone now. Nice to integrate the Irish DTTs plus Satellite channels on a favorite EPG - 7 day listing on Irish Channels available , 'now and next' on satellites. Front panel read-out of channels is a nice feature. Would be a particularly interesting alternative if someone was within range of UK/NI DTT and ROI DTT and had a dish ponting to Astra 2 - the channels could be nicely mixed and matched according to preference. Main annoyance is that switching is relatively slow between satellite channels compared to the Technmate 1000D which I've replaced. Switching between the 4 DTT channels seems a smidge slower again (only milliseconds but....!). Going slightly off topic the BBC HD and Luxe HD pics are excellent but to be honest I'd expected a bit more of a wow factor! I think the improvement on a 37 inch Plasma Panasonic which I have is noticable but marginal at that size. Haven't tried any recording etc. - will continue to use sky+. The four irish DTTs looked very lonely on their compared to the freeview uk list which were pre-loaded on the Terrestrial list and I've deleted. In short, nice to play with and cuts down on remote control clutter but has a few limitations.

Zaphod

byte wrote: »

I've already ordered my 6900Super from AffordableSat (thanks Snaps for the link), which has the best price I've seen so far.

Byte, have you tested the blindsearch on this unit yet? Does it also blindsearch for DVB-S2/HD channels?

byte

Zaphod wrote: »

Byte, have you tested the blindsearch on this unit yet? Does it also blindsearch for DVB-S2/HD channels?

Nah, I've never blind tested. I've never felt the need to!

There have been issues with blind search though, according to reports on other sites, though may have been resolved since (blindsearch used to crash box IIRC).

Rick_

So, any more news on this box? How good is the picture quality? Any HDD problems when connecting or trying to record programmes? Reception of DTT any good? Price come down at all?

jackbauer

I have one of the original 6900's. Picture is very good over hdmi , no problem recording to usb hdd or memory stick and dtt reception is perfect. I would advise you to shop around as the price being charged in Ireland is ridiculous compared to most uk suppliers.

I purchased mine from a well known dublin retailer in august last year. Had a problem with it , they weren't the least bit interested , spent months chasing technomate for an answer , eventually fixed the problem myself. Now thats just my experience but i paid way above the odds over here thinking I would have warranty support:rolleyes:

gtg60

jackbauer wrote: »

I purchased mine from a well known dublin retailer in august last year. Had a problem with it , they weren't the least bit interested , spent months chasing technomate for an answer , eventually fixed the problem myself. Now thats just my experience but i paid way above the odds over here thinking I would have warranty support:rolleyes:

I think if your experiences were that bad that you're entitled to 'name and shame'

STB

Paddy C wrote: »

So, any more news on this box? How good is the picture quality? Any HDD problems when connecting or trying to record programmes? Reception of DTT any good? Price come down at all?

I have the "old" one.

Picture is very good. You can order the channels as you wish and place them within a favourites folder (which the machine autiomatically defaults to when turned on). This means that you can mix DTT and Sat channels.

Recording via USB - you can only record the channel you are displaying. So whilst it has both DVB-S/S2 and DVB-T tuners, you cannot record off one tuner and say watch the other. Probably because it is using the one mpeg4 chip! The recorded files are easily replayed by pressing a file button on the remote which pulls up a list of recorded files displayed per programme name together with a small screen to flick through.

You cannot set to record on the sat channels as you only have now next in the epg menu which is obviously a pain for those planning to record ahead. You can do so with the DTT channels as the DTT epg data is more comprehensive.

The recorded files themselves are .trp (a form of mpeg2 transport stream) which can be also played back on a pc or converted to any other format with simple free tools.

I have text on the DTT and Sat channels and subs on the Sat channels.


There are 2 versions of the Technomate 6900.

The old one has the USB port at the front only - under a flap.

The new one reffered to as the Technomate 6900 Super.

The main differences between the old and super are additional extra ports.

The old one is roughly STG 229 -239, the Super is STG 259 and up. If you really really need one today and have recently won some money in the lotto then the 400 yo yo's that Peats are looking for wont bother you.

A very good review of both the old versus the new together with comparitive pictures is at this site

Rick_

Great STB, thanks for that post. I would have thought there would have been more differences than just the extra USB port and blind scan.

I would love to get my hands on a black one to go with my TV and stand, so I will have to shop around. I suppose for someone who wouldn't use blind scan and doesn't have a problem plugging in a HDD via USB into the front of the box then the older, cheaper model would suit me just fine?

Just checking Peats website, they aren't even selling the 6900 any more, only the 3100 and it comes with a dish!

jackbauer

Bought it from zintech in tallaght. 425e. Never again.:mad:

Fat_Fingers

6900 Super also comes with Ethernet port on the back.
I'm very happy with it. I have 2.5" drive connected at the back so you cant see it or hear it. Receiver has excellent picture, very sensitive tuner , easy to configure, easy to setup fav list (16 of them) . Recording works great. I never had any problems.

I have to admit in the past i wasted money on receivers that promised a lot but delivered very little.

Fat_Fingers

STB wrote: »

You cannot set to record on the sat channels as you only have now next in the epg menu which is obviously a pain for those planning to record ahead. You can do so with the DTT channels as the DTT epg data is more comprehensive.

I have 6900 Super, recording is not a problem. I use timer.
Check tv guide (there are few web based, the best it one that lists freesat) then set your channel and timer and it works fine. I also add extra 15 min at the start and at the end just in case there are some over runs. So far it worked very well.

Rick_

One of the features I would like in any satellite receiver is a nice OSD and so far, the only one I have seen that is in any way nice looking is on the Humax models (HDCI-2000 and in particular their Foxsat/Foxsat HD models). Why can't Humax make a combo HD SAT and HD DTT receiver that's PVR ready!! I'd buy it!

Fat_Fingers

OSD is such a personal thing that its very hard to please everyone. One thing i'm missing on Techomate is feature from Darkbox when you press info it also tells you how far you gone into current program and how long its left.

fat-tony

Paddy C wrote: »

One of the features I would like in any satellite receiver is a nice OSD and so far, the only one I have seen that is in any way nice looking is on the Humax models (HDCI-2000 and in particular their Foxsat/Foxsat HD models). Why can't Humax make a combo HD SAT and HD DTT receiver that's PVR ready!! I'd buy it!

Fully agree regarding the Humax comment (think I might have posted a similar wish a week or so ago:)). The Freesat HD PVR is excellent (remote not great though!). It's expensive being an early adopter of this DTT MPEG4 / Sat HD technology, though:eek: If only I had patience to wait for the market to settle.... now need to flog my hasty purchase of a Globalteq HD combo to cover the purchase of an Mvision HD combo.....

byte

TM6900 Super also has an RF modulator, which is absent on the standard 6900 (tbh, I can't understand why they just couldn't use another model number, like 6910 or something to avoid confusion. The word "super" seems to be a buzzword these days).

While the RF mod mightn't be important to most, it was important to me, which is one reason why I chose the 6900Super over any other. I did have an Octagon SF918HD previously, which has a more sensitive tuner (sat only) than 6900, but a horrendous UI, and iffy firmware support.

byte

TM6900 Super also has an RF modulator, which is absent on the standard 6900 (tbh, I can't understand why they just couldn't use another model number, like 6910 or something to avoid confusion. The word "super" seems to be a buzzword these days).

While the RF mod mightn't be important to most, it was important to me, which is one reason why I chose the 6900Super over any other. I did have an Octagon SF918HD previously, which has a more sensitive tuner (sat only) than 6900, but a horrendous UI, and iffy firmware support.

GerardKeating

Zaphod wrote: »

Byte, have you tested the blindsearch on this unit yet? Does it also blindsearch for DVB-S2/HD channels?

"affordablesat" seem to be gone, domain is suspended ???

byte

Seems to be down alright, from what I see, it seems to redirect to affordableshop.co.uk, and in turn redirects back to affordablesat, etc until Firefox gives up.

Shame, seemed a good enough seller.

/me curses recession

Gerb68

Has anybody used this site?

http://www.satellitesuperstore.com/technomatehd.htm

Martin_F

Got my FOXSAT HD from them last summer. Had no issues, prompt delivery.

Rick_

Delivery to NI as usual is charged extra, despite them using Royal Mail and they don't charge extra for it, so they seem to be trying to make a bit of extra money off of it.

Their webpages are a badly laid out and very basic in design, doesn't give a good indication of the company if their website is shoddy. Price wise though, they seem to be selling the Technomate Super Combo for the same price as it's going on 'auction site' and on most other online retailers, with the black version costing more.

Rick_

Just a quick question for those that own this STB - can a dragon cam be used for reception of FTV channels using a valid FTV Sky card like the Humax HDCI-2000 can? I would still like to have access to Channel 4 HD, Sky 3, FIVER and Five USA.

£289.99 + delivery seems to be the cheapest I can find for the black version... I wonder if those prices will come down at all any time soon?

gtg60

Paddy C wrote: »

Just a quick question for those that own this STB - can a dragon cam be used for reception of FTV channels using a valid FTV Sky card like the Humax HDCI-2000 can? I would still like to have access to Channel 4 HD, Sky 3, FIVER and Five USA.

What the ? Thought I'd already replied to this

Anway, any receiver that has a CI slot can use the Dragon/ FTV combo, just remember that you'll have to leave the card overnight in a Sky box once a month so it still gets the 'stay alive' signal.

Rick_

Oops.. having a bit of a slow day, if I had already asked this before, apologies! Thanks for answering again anyway!

gtg60

Paddy C wrote: »

Oops.. having a bit of a slow day, if I had already asked this before, apologies! Thanks for answering again anyway!

No, no, it's me, I must have hit 'Preview Post' instead of 'Submit Reply', d'oh!!

Rick_

We're both having slow days then!

Reassuring to know then about it working in any receiver. I just can't decide which one to get, Technomate 6900 Super Combo or the ClarkeTech... they are basically the same machine I understand, but the ClarkeTech can be a bit cheaper.

Fat_Fingers

6900 is better supported, if that is important to you.

Rick_

Well, of course I'd like good support, it's just deciding on a box that gives me what I'm looking for at an affordable price. Decisions decisions.

gtg60

Support is very important but if its not to you then the Clarke Tech looks a lot better with a decent display on the front.
Plus they seem to retail at £269 (or 299 Euro), currently there's one on eBay for £269 plus £7.50 postage to the UK.

Also worth looking at the remotes if you're 50/50 on a decision, can make a big difference to usability...

Rick_

For anyone who has one.... on the front display, does the channel number get displayed permanently, or can you turn it off so just the chanel name shows? Whats the best hard drive to use with these for quietness and compatibility.

byte

Paddy C wrote: »

For anyone who has one.... on the front display, does the channel number get displayed permanently, or can you turn it off so just the chanel name shows? Whats the best hard drive to use with these for quietness and compatibility.

You can choose to turn the Channel number off, so the whole display panel is used to show the channel name (this is for TM6900Super, possibly same on ClarkeTech).