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.