Lidl Silvercrest 80GB Dual-tuner sat receiver

tapfit2004

from mon 13 oct. €169. i presume it has 2 tuners as it says you can record while watching something else. also says you can record via usb connection to an external hard drive. is it worth a look?

http://www.lidl.ie/ie/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20081013.p.SilverCrestDigitalSatelliteReceiver

muincav

there is also a HDMI Digital Satellite Receiver for 49.99,, not too shabby for a starter system....:D

christo82

Plus they have the normal FTA receiver from their package on sale by itself for €49.99. That's good for people who may already have a dish(Sky or otherwise) who just need a budget receiver for a second TV.

Trevord

tapfit2004 wrote: »

from mon 13 oct. €169. i presume it has 2 tuners as it says you can record while watching something else. also says you can record via usb connection to an external hard drive. is it worth a look?

http://www.lidl.ie/ie/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20081013.p.SilverCrestDigitalSatelliteReceiver

I expect this would have just now and next type EPG, so my first question would be how practical is it to go programming a unit like this to record stuff without the benefit of a full 7 day EPG? In other words, if you want to set it up to record stuff while you are out, would the recording function fall a long way short of sky + is terms of user friendliness?

Since this is a new unit my nearest reference is my experience of the SL65 receiver (also on sale next week). I can tell you that the timer function on the SL65 (which you'd use to automatically changes channels while you are out) is very clunky - so Comag would want to have done some homework on the software interface to make the twin receiver/recorder user friendly.

Is the CI slot a real plus? Would it allow you to subscribe and access any encryted channels at all on 28 E ? (From memory the answer is No, but I'm always open to correction).

tomslick

The epg on 28 is a real problem due to the complicted system used to broadcast it. The CI slot can be used with a Dragon CAM to read sky cards but by the time you have paid for box and CAM you'd have gotten a "real" sky+ box cheaper. Also you'd have 7 day epg.

If you really want sky+ on the free you'll have to wait for Freesat PVR due out soon (they have been saying that for a while)

Dman001

Would it be possible to use a Sky dish with the HDMI Receiver?

byte

Dman001 wrote: »

Would it be possible to use a Sky dish with the HDMI Receiver?

Yes.

As long as you're aware that the HDMI receiver isn't HD.

byte

Hmm, I was dubious as to whether it had two tuners (other single tuner receivers can sometimes record two channels also if both on same tp)

However, according to the German manual, it does indeed have two tuners.

I'm assuming this is the SL80 2 100CI (seems to be the only Silvercrest PVR).

Zonda999

byte wrote: »

Yes.

As long as you're aware that the HDMI receiver isn't HD.

Yes but it will upscale the picture wont it??

I notice it has digital optical out too.Does that mean it'll output 5.1 on certain broadcasts??

jakeyb

Guys, am right to ssay that the HDMI receiver will only give digital output and not true HD?

Headshot

does the 80gb dual tuner sat receiver accept ftv cards?

Rick_

I would have bought this if it actually was a HD receiver. I could even use my Dragoncam and FTV card to get Channel 4 HD. Only problem would be that it probably wouldn't do ITV HD on it either if it was a HD model.

forestman

Hi Guys,

Am new to all this so bear with me. Just to get to the point of it, if I buy this sytem, can I just slot in my sky card and start viewing? If I can do I then need to get a dual LNB to provide a second feed or is that accomplished by some other means? at the money if there was a lot of work then a SKY+ box would seem preferable wouldn't it?

GerardKeating

forestman wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Am new to all this so bear with me. Just to get to the point of it, if I buy this sytem, can I just slot in my sky card and start viewing? If I can do I then need to get a dual LNB to provide a second feed or is that accomplished by some other means? at the money if there was a lot of work then a SKY+ box would seem preferable wouldn't it?

NO, SKY cards only work in SKY boxes.

And a Sky+ box will require a dual LNB feed as well, basically each Sat tuner needs a seperate LNB feed, make no different LIDL/SKY/FreeSat.

byte

jakeyb wrote: »

Guys, am right to ssay that the HDMI receiver will only give digital output and not true HD?

Yes, you're right

Dman001

So you cant receive BBC HD with it?

murphaph

Dman001 wrote: »

So you cant receive BBC HD with it?

You cannot. This is NOT a HD receiver, just an ordinary one with a hard drive etc. stuck on.

mumhaabu

byte wrote: »

Hmm, I was dubious as to whether it had two tuners (other single tuner receivers can sometimes record two channels also if both on same tp)

However, according to the German manual, it does indeed have two tuners.

I'm assuming this is the SL80 2 100CI (seems to be the only Silvercrest PVR).

Can you speak or read German? If so could you check its manual to see if it supports either USALS, Goto X or DiSEqC 3 anyway these are basically the same thing only badly named and it allows you to align to one antenna and the motor will drive itself to whatever position it picks from there. Looks good and €169.99 doesn't seem too bad for a Satellite Receiver with PVR.

I wonder what are similar models retailing for on the Market?

byte

From what I can gain from the specs, is that it only supports DiSEqC 1.1 and 1.2. No mention of GOTO X, USALS or DiSEqC 1.3

Shame, really. Also can only store 2000 channels.

biologikal

byte wrote: »

From what I can gain from the specs, is that it only supports DiSEqC 1.1 and 1.2. No mention of GOTO X, USALS or DiSEqC 1.3

Shame, really. Also can only store 2000 channels.

USALS is mentioned on page 104. From Babelfish...

"Universal Satellite AUTOMATIC location system. Thus all DiSEqC 1,2 engines can be adjusted automatically. With the new computation model satellites let themselves position in the orbit with an accuracy of more than 0.1 degrees."

... whatever that means. Only in the glossary though.

watty

I think these lidl (with or without PVR) are poor value.

If you only want 28.2E free, then a UK freesat receiver is the best solution.

If you want foriegn pay TV or Motorised, or blind scan or 422 feeds, anything extra or hobbyist or other than simplest no-EPG Free UK channels, then they are very poor.

A PVR particularly is useless compared to Tivo, Sky or "Freesat PVR" as it has no decent EPG to schedule recordings from.

Neither the 49 Euro or 169 Euro are good buys. The HDMI is a cynical attempt by manufacturers to cash in on HD and Flat screen market. A Scart will work just as well with an HD-TV or flat TV. Maybe on a 48" set there might be a marginal improvement using HDMI than SCART.

If you have HDMI only then maybe worth while, but such an expensive HD set really why not buy an HD Receiver? Only Satellite has HD.

forestman

GerardKeating wrote: »

NO, SKY cards only work in SKY boxes.

And a Sky+ box will require a dual LNB feed as well, basically each Sat tuner needs a seperate LNB feed, make no different LIDL/SKY/FreeSat.

Thanks for that Gerard, cant see a huge advantage in going that route so.

An Ri rua

Neither the 49 Euro or 169 Euro are good buys. The HDMI is a cynical attempt by manufacturers to cash in on HD and Flat screen market. A Scart will work just as well with an HD-TV or flat TV. Maybe on a 48" set there might be a marginal improvement using HDMI than SCART.

If you have HDMI only then maybe worth while, but such an expensive HD set really why not buy an HD Receiver? Only Satellite has HD.[/QUOTE]

HI, sorry but I'm not v knowledgeable about these things. I had a Lidl SL55 receiver but it fried a while ago! was going to buy this receiver and just slot it into my existing set-up. What's better value than this at €49 yoyos for FTA? It does work fine with FTA doesn't it?

micksack

Hi there all neebie here i saw that sat receiver today, the one for €50, and was wonder where would i be able to find a list of channels that will be availible on it if i connect it intoo my sky dish.

thanks for your time

BCawley

micksack wrote: »

Hi there all neebie here i saw that sat receiver today, the one for €50, and was wonder where would i be able to find a list of channels that will be availible on it if i connect it intoo my sky dish.

thanks for your time

This is most of the channels I think, not positive tho.
One of the lads can give the most up to date list i'm sure

TheDriver

One must laugh in fairness, people always rush into Lidl and buy up everything to do with satellite and then investigate if its any good!!

watty

The 80G box is spectacularly bad value.

The list of channels is roughtly same as sky box with UK EPG on it and card removed or upside down.

Bozacke

Hello,

If these boxes are bad value, then can someone suggest where I can get a UK freesat PVR? I assume they are only available in the UK and since I'mheading up North next week if someone could suggest a suitable alternative if the price is right I'll be looking to get one? Thanks!:):)

MisterAnarchy

GerardKeating wrote: »

NO, SKY cards only work in SKY boxes.

They will work in certain linux receivers too.

watty

Awkwardly. And on PC ISO card reader + PC sat card. But it's a very hobby solution. Not for the average couch potato.

watty

Bozacke wrote: »

Hello,

If these boxes are bad value, then can someone suggest where I can get a UK freesat PVR? I assume they are only available in the UK and since I'mheading up North next week if someone could suggest a suitable alternative if the price is right I'll be looking to get one? Thanks!:):)

Google is your friend. But mail order is more expensive than a trip to UK in some cases. Avoid eBay unless you are experienced in buying sat gear AND eBaying.

server_girl

hey guys.. reading through this thread, being a total eejit wrt sat tv i still have a few quetions...

i currently have sky +, am sick of paying hideous amounts of money for it when i watch it about once a week and only really watch movies or the standard channels. so... i bought one of these 80gb Sat receivers from Lidl yesterday... i still have my receipt kept safely as it will go back if it doesn't do what i want it to do...

basically, i just want some free tv that i can record, not over fussed by HD or non-HD... would be happy with the number of channels availabe on the satelite.ie website... will this box provide these for me? will it pick up this freesat stuff? i see you guys mention something called a PVR box, is this what's needed for freesat? am going to the UK this weekend, so could pick up something different there if required. appreciate any info... cheers

mjsmyth

that box will allow you to do the following:

Watch the fta channels listed on satellite.ie
Record the fta channels listed on satellite.ie

What it will not let you do is:

Cannot link programs like you can do on Sky Plus for recording.
It only has a now and next epg (as far as watching fta uk channels anyway..) and therefore you do not get a 7 day epg.

The comag box you bought is a pvr (personal video recorder).

With regards to freesat... there is a Humax PVR coming sometime soon. As for what it will offer, I don't know apart from it will have the freesat 7 day EPG. Hopefully this will allow for series linking and so on.

mj

server_girl

mjsmyth wrote: »

that box will allow you to do the following:

Watch the fta channels listed on satellite.ie
Record the fta channels listed on satellite.ie

What it will not let you do is:

Cannot link programs like you can do on Sky Plus for recording.
It only has a now and next epg (as far as watching fta uk channels anyway..) and therefore you do not get a 7 day epg.

The comag box you bought is a pvr (personal video recorder).

With regards to freesat... there is a Humax PVR coming sometime soon. As for what it will offer, I don't know apart from it will have the freesat 7 day EPG. Hopefully this will allow for series linking and so on.

mj

That is so helpful - thanks so much, I would stupidly have assumed it could do the series link... cool - I think I'll return it and get one with EPG on it. Thanks again :-)

mill

hi

i live in an apartment block that has a comunal sky dish on
the roof there is also a freesat box avalibale.... would
this box be of any use to me???

any info thanks....

mjsmyth

If you have an active satellite connection to your apartment from the dish, then yes, the freesat box should work just fine. One would presume that the dish is pointing at the Astra 2 / Eurobird 1 cluster (most commonly known as, but totally incorrect, Sky)

mj

mill

mjsmyth wrote: »

If you have an active satellite connection to your apartment from the dish, then yes, the freesat box should work just fine. One would presume that the dish is pointing at the Astra 2 / Eurobird 1 cluster (most commonly known as, but totally incorrect, Sky)

mj

wot is the differance between astra2 and eurobird? which is better

snaffles

I bought one of the SL80/2 100CI boxes - purely on the basis that it was adevrtised as being able to watch one channel whilst recording another.

I assumed that it would be possible to put in place of an existing box, using a single LNB stream.

I have been thumbed through the manual for several hours now, and I'm getting more confused as i look at it.

It says the following in the manual on page 35...



A cable bridge is a coaxial cabel about 10cm in length, with an F-socket at each end. If the cable bridge is connected correctly, you can do the following with only one connected satellite feeder:

• During a recording, change to the channels on the polarisation plane on which the recorded program is present;
• Make a second recording within the polarisation plane of the first recorded channel;
• If there are two recordings, change the channel on the transponders of the recorded channels.

All the channels of one polarisation plane are also available to you throught the picture in picture.
High signal quality for each is essential.




Doesn't this second point mean that i can record one channel whilst watching another, OR are there lots of strings attached ?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

mjsmyth

without being condescending... there is no need to worry. Both are in approx. the same area of the sky, so you receive from both satellites if your dish is aligned properly.

What you think of as Sky TV Channels all broadcast from either the Astra 2 or Eurobird satellites. That includes all the fta ones listed on satellite.ie

mj

byte

@ snaffles, yes, you can.

What the manual suggests you do is loop from the Output of Tuner1 into the Input of Tuner2 (assuming main incoming feed is connected to Input of Tuner1).

If the channel you record is Horizontal Low, then you can only watch channels that are also Horizontal Low, for example.

Of course, having two full incomign LNB feeds would be more versatile.

Zimmerframe

If you want to unconditionally record 2 channels, you need two feeds, that goes for whatever receiver you buy.
With a sat system, the channels are split into either vertical or horizontal polarisation, so if you use the patch lead, and you are watching a vertical pol. channel, then you can only record a vertical pol. channel. So if recording, you can't flick through channels etc. or you would change polarisation.
So in my opinion it's not much use without a twin feed.

snaffles wrote: »

I bought one of the SL80/2 100CI boxes - purely on the basis that it was adevrtised as being able to watch one channel whilst recording another.

I assumed that it would be possible to put in place of an existing box, using a single LNB stream.

I have been thumbed through the manual for several hours now, and I'm getting more confused as i look at it.

It says the following in the manual on page 35...



A cable bridge is a coaxial cabel about 10cm in length, with an F-socket at each end. If the cable bridge is connected correctly, you can do the following with only one connected satellite feeder:

• During a recording, change to the channels on the polarisation plane on which the recorded program is present;
• Make a second recording within the polarisation plane of the first recorded channel;
• If there are two recordings, change the channel on the transponders of the recorded channels.

All the channels of one polarisation plane are also available to you throught the picture in picture.
High signal quality for each is essential.




Doesn't this second point mean that i can record one channel whilst watching another, OR are there lots of strings attached ?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

snaffles

Thanks guys !

I was beginning to get a headache from all the jargon.

Looks like a new LNB is the only way to go.

Thanks again.

byte

Yeah, best job in the long run.

DERICKOO

is this any good at lidl 14/12 can one recieve bbc hd or itv hd with this.

HDMI Digital Satellite Receiver

• Can be connected to LCD/plasma appliances with HDMI digital transmission for high quality audio and video
• Free to air: receives all unencrypted digital TV and radio programmes via satellite
• With HDMI connection and lead
• Includes remote control with 2 x AAA batteries
• Connections: 2 x euro scart, F lead(in and out; loop-through), HDMI lead, audio out (cinch L+R; stereo), AC 3 coaxial digital audio out & RS-232 lead
• Encoded channels such as Sky cannot be received
• Features: Multi-language menu, Optical and acoustic signals help when aligning antenna, Save up to 4500 channels and 800 pages with super-fast videotext8-way multifunction timer and EPG(Electronic Programme Guide,Software update via satellite Astra, 19.2° east, Sleep-timer
• Price per item

tomslick

DERICKOO wrote: »

is this any good at lidl 14/12 can one recieve bbc hd or itv hd with this.

HDMI Digital Satellite Receiver

• Can be connected to LCD/plasma appliances with HDMI digital transmission for high quality audio and video
• Free to air: receives all unencrypted digital TV and radio programmes via satellite
• With HDMI connection and lead
• Includes remote control with 2 x AAA batteries
• Connections: 2 x euro scart, F lead(in and out; loop-through), HDMI lead, audio out (cinch L+R; stereo), AC 3 coaxial digital audio out & RS-232 lead
• Encoded channels such as Sky cannot be received
• Features: Multi-language menu, Optical and acoustic signals help when aligning antenna, Save up to 4500 channels and 800 pages with super-fast videotext8-way multifunction timer and EPG(Electronic Programme Guide,Software update via satellite Astra, 19.2° east, Sleep-timer
• Price per item

No HD channels. HDMI out is the same as saying SCART out. It is only a connection nothing else. The picture is ment to be slightly better than normal but I have my doubts.

Trevord

You have to wonder if people are being conned into thinking they are buying a HD bargain with these SD products LIDL are selling that have a HDMI connection.

They had a "HDMI" tv a few weeks ago. No mention anywhere in the ad that it was only SD.

tomslick

Trevord wrote: »

You have to wonder if people are being conned into thinking they are buying a HD bargain with these SD products LIDL are selling that have a HDMI connection.

They had a "HDMI" tv a few weeks ago. No mention anywhere in the ad that it was only SD.

I know of a few people who have bought the hdmi "HD" equipment from LIDL. They are not too pleased when you actually explain to them what it really is. The same thing happened years ago when scart came out. Salemen where saying you get a digital connection. Nobody seemed to care it was all being fed from an RTE arial.
Don't think its really a con but a bit sneaky

ellie2

I am in no way techy so please bear with me.

I currently only have RTE, have never had a satellite.
Will this box give me the satellite channels eg BBC ITV,

and is it difficult to install?

Thanks for any help

polyfusion

It will indeed give you BBC1234, ITV1234, and other free-to-air channels.

But you will also need a satellite dish and LNB, cable, and the means to attach the dish to an outside wall and point it correctly at the correct satellite. If you're in no way techy, it will be difficult without understanding how the thing works and doing some research.

Also, the offer coming up in Lidl (on 14/12/09) isn't the same as this thread originally implied. Main differences is that it's only single tuner and has no hard drive.

Toft

For clarification will it pick up any free HD channels but simply not give you the full HD quality? or does it just pick up SD channels and connect via a HD connector.
Also I've an old Sat dish on my house and I'm stuck out in headford,Galway so am I too far away from civilization to get any use out of it ?
Should we just wait for something better to come down the line?

breaux

also charging €10 extra this time than they did when they had it for sale previously. Need to get with the program that everyting is heading downwards on price - not up.