Bush freesat box or not ?

Damien360

I have used an old grundig sky box as my freesat in my bedroom. Problem is, although it works it is a pain to continually go to other channels to get to view them. BBC1 and 2 NI are available normally via 141 and 142 but the EPG also lists all the channels that are unavailable.

I am not interseted in HD (Humax box) and have seen this on the argos website. Reviews are good. Does anyone have one of these. Are they ok and reliable. Does the EPG just list the freesat channels. Can others be added if unavailable ?

Thanks


http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321557/Trail/searchtext>FREESAT.htm

EDIT: cannot get link to work in post. Please copy and paste or repair if you can

mjsmyth

I have the Bush HD Freesat box and am impressed with it. The epg is fine, does exactly what it should do on a non PVR type box.

The EPG does just list the channels on freesat, but the different regions are all listed in the 900's so they can be accessed with ease.

Non freesat channels can be accessed by clicking in the channel list button and then hitting sawp to bring you to FTA mode.

mj

Martin_F

I have 2 Bush SD boxes. Both are fine. They do what they say on the tin. The feel of the User Interface doesn't compare to the Humax. But then the SD box is significantly cheaper. If you just want a basic inexpensive box then I couldn't really fault it. No experience of the alternative SD boxes.

Trevord

Not sure if your link is pointing at anything.

Presume you are asking about about Bush freesat.

epg is freesat channels only, but much of the english language FTA you'd be interested in is on freesat anyway.

No EPG for non freesat channels link sky news, cnn and several music channels but do these really need an EPG anyway? What is annoying is that now and next info is not available for non freesat channels at present (you'd have that on an FTA box).

The EPG has bugs that they are supposed to be fixing but the software has not been updated in about 6 months I think.

At present non freesat channels need to be added manually and they are on a seperate menu (so this will not solve the annoyance you have with the sky box)

The bottom line is freesat launched very quickly so they are still working through the teething problems.

As previous poster says the box does what it is currently allowed to do quite well - just be clear on the existing limitations.

Martin_F

Non freesat channels on the Bush box can be accessed via the normal channel + - buttons. From 101 - go down channel - you will enter the 3nnn range and can up/down through the list. Or at least that works on both of my boxes. It may depend on some menu/option settings.

aquascrotum

As a previous poster said, the Bush SD box does what it says on the tin. Fairly good EPG, simple remote, no real issues with it (touch wood). I've had mine since Freesat launched and have been v. happy with it, just wondering if I can justify spending £300 on the Humax to get the PVR function now.

Damien360

Thanks for the replys. I will pick one up next week. Nice to see something cheap that works well.

muincav

Bought 2 of these- 1 for my dad and 1 for my aunt and problems setting the postcode in both their houses to set them up initially, but came up with the soloution of using my dish to set them up--no matter what postcode I tried in their hoses I couldnt set it up, but had no problem with my dish---so if anyone has the same prob, try using someone elses dish to sort it out...sorry if typing aint great, but I have a load of Stella Artois that may be out of date anytime soon..lol
P.S.---IMO the Bush Freesat HD box it total waste of money,,,,go a few quid more for the Humax...:o

mjsmyth

Generally when there is a problem setting the postcode, it means that their dishses are slightly misalligned.

mj

snaps

muincav wrote: »

P.S.---IMO the Bush Freesat HD box it total waste of money,,,,go a few quid more for the Humax...:o

for what your paying for a bush HD box you try to get an HD box for that price. Ive got one set up and have no problems with it. SD pictures are upscaled, it is user friendly and does everything i want it to.

Damien360

mjsmyth wrote: »

Generally when there is a problem setting the postcode, it means that their dishses are slightly misalligned.

mj

Do you just pick a random postcode ?

Martin_F

Decide which UK region you want as your default. N.I, London, some other.... Then just google a shop or institution in that area. you usually will find a post code in your google results - as long as it is valid it should work ok.

fat-tony

muincav wrote: »

Bought 2 of these- 1 for my dad and 1 for my aunt and problems setting the postcode in both their houses to set them up initially, but came up with the soloution of using my dish to set them up--no matter what postcode I tried in their hoses I couldnt set it up, but had no problem with my dish---so if anyone has the same prob, try using someone elses dish to sort it out...sorry if typing aint great, but I have a load of Stella Artois that may be out of date anytime soon..lol
P.S.---IMO the Bush Freesat HD box it total waste of money,,,,go a few quid more for the Humax...:o

To clarify the postcode issue - the box needs to be receiving a good signal from both Astra and Eurobird. If the SKY dish is aligned properly it should be no problem as both sets of satellites are close together, but if it's not seeing Eurobird (which is slightly more Easterly), then it may have problems receiving its list of valid postcodes/EPG etc. Or - you may be typing them in wrong:D
I use her maj's postcode SW1A 1AA - gets me ITV London. Pick a Belfast postcode if you want UTV and BBC NI appearing on 101, 102, 103 etc.

mjsmyth

The only reason for buying the Humax is for the PVR. If you need a PVR and think that the extra £200 cost is worth it, then by all means buy it.

Apart from the PVR, the Bush is as good a freesat box as the Humax.

mj