ALDI HD Sat receiver - Freesat? + USB record

dowtchaboy

ALDI have a sat receiver next week (Thus 3rd) for €99.99.

Ho-hum I thought - the usual FTA thingy - but it isn't!

It mentions Freesat in the text though it is NOT clear if it is really a Freesat box, with 7 day EPG etc.

It also has a USB socket to enable recording - that's nice!

No mention if USB socket can be used to play avi and so on.

Free-to-Air HD Satellite Kit
each €99.99
Get HD reception of Freesat channels (BBC and ITV) with this high definition satellite receiver. Stores up to 4000 channels. USB socket to enable recording to USB storage device (storage device not included).

Kit comprises:

Remote control
45cm diameter satellite dish
Dish wall fixings
LNB with weatherboot
10m satellite cable
1m nickel plated HDMI cable
LED satellite finder compass

They also have a dirt-cheap 32 inch TV with HD (?) - if you look at UK ad it says Freeview - DVB-T

Tony

It will receive Freesat channels but its not a freesat box. I'd also be concerned at the dish size, 45 cm is too small for good reception in all weathers.

wil

Found the tech specs for the model pictured.

Philex SkyLine HDSR 400
site with sw update
http://www.philex.com/catalogue/product/?id=528&cat=1030

setup
http://www.philex.com/assets/downloads/products/28260R_IM_Step_v1payol.pdf
manual
http://www.philex.com/assets/downloads/products/28260R_IM_v1_1.pdf

(also posted on bargains forum)

STB

Dish is too small as Tony says.

Its a pity they sell package these boxes with dishes which are really meant for the German market.

False economy and using "HD reception of Freesat channels" is only telling half the truth.

Euro_Kraut

I presume this dish would be too small to pick up German channels?

Also is it a problem if I live only on the first floor of an apartment block? The block is 5 stories high and the dish would be on a balcony facing the inner courtyard.

STB

It wouldnt be a problem if you were living in Germany. In Ireland it is normally recommeded that you use an 70/80 for 19.2.

They are more difficult to hide in apartment blocks.

Euro_Kraut

STB wrote: »

It wouldnt be a problem if you were living in Germany. In Ireland it is normally recommeded that you use an 70/80 for 19.2.

I see. I need a minimum 70cm dish then?

They are more difficult to hide in apartment blocks.

Why do you need to hide them?

STB

Euro_Kraut wrote: »

I see. I need a minimum 70cm dish then?



Why do you need to hide them?

Yes and make sure your balcoy is facing the right way to receive it before buying one. Use dispointer.com to find your apartment. if you are not facing the right way it wont work.

Most apartment complexes do not allow individual Satellite dishes. This would be in your lease agreement. Theres zillions of threads on that subject on boards.

You certainly cant bolt one on in the majority of multi unit devleopments.

Best of Luck

FREETV

Euro_Kraut wrote: »

I presume this dish would be too small to pick up German channels?

Also is it a problem if I live only on the first floor of an apartment block? The block is 5 stories high and the dish would be channels as on a balcony facing the inner courtyard.

I bought the Ross HD Satellite kit sold in B&Q a couple of weeks back, the picture is good on the three HD channels but one should use the scart socket for the standard digital channels instead as in my opinion the hdmi upscaling degrades the picture quality. It has a 65cm dish, Sky mini dishes are only 60. Better value now as they are on special offer now for 30% off. I over tightened the Ross dish and made the holes for the fittings wider so added a couple of extra washers to grip the dish but it still works well to get the German and UK channels also on Astra 28.2E. The Ross kit will work out better for you. I use an 80cm Comag dish from Lidl for Astra 28.2E which I modified to make the lnb arm tighter in windy conditions to avoid picture breakup.

matikala@gmail.

This (Philex,Aldi) HD receiver is pure rubbish..installed one of them to my friend.Some of the channels have picture/sound sync problem.And this models does not have option to correct this issue ( official freesat HD boxes have sound sync option listed )
Dish is small and cheaply made - not suitable for Ireland users
Coax.Cable is rough ( not flexible at all..)
Satellite finder pure s...t .
Cheapest acceptable HD receiver prices around will start from 90 euro,
99 euro whole lot.. - You get what you pay for..

djimi

So this is not worth going for then? I was considering getting one as I literally only want ITV HD and OpenAccess; Im not interested in any other channels on it.

FREETV

djimi wrote: »

So this is not worth going for then? I was considering getting one as I literally only want ITV HD and OpenAccess; Im not interested in any other channels on it.

If you want to go for a budget satellite kit then maybe go for the Ross HD Satellite Kit for under 90 Euros in B&Q at the moment. I have one as well as the Comag Silvercrest SL65 sat kit that I bought in Lidl two years ago and no problems yet with either of them. If you just want to receive fta sat broadcasts with now and next epg on Astra 28.2E then the Ross kit will suffice. Oh and the picture quality of ITV HD is excellent on my tv using the supplied hdmi cable with the Ross kit. They have a channel software update also on the Ross.co.uk, Nexus Industries site.

djimi

Sounds good man; is that a special offer of do they have them all the time?

SmashingPilot

Decided to with the HD kit from B and Q, really glad I did too.
An added update made available from the manufacturer's website means no painful scanning of channels and everything is organised straight away. So setup is straightforward. Also, its cheaper than the Aldi HD kit too. Haven't tried the recording feature yet though.

Just watching Britain's Got Talent in HD now and must say I'm quite impressed with the quality.

FREETV

djimi wrote: »

Sounds good man; is that a special offer of do they have them all the time?

It is a Summer special offer. I paid the full whack for it a couple of weeks back. It definitely is worth the 86.75 now though as BBC1 will be HD in the Autumn and BBC HD, ITV HD, Luxe HD channels are available with more HD channels being added in the future. You could use a scart cable when watching the sd channels also if you prefer not to use the hdmi as blockiness using hdmi for upscaling seems to be visible when watching sd channels from various set top receivers that I have seen.

FREETV

SmashingPilot wrote: »

Decided to with the HD kit from B and Q, really glad I did too.
An added update made available from the manufacturer's website means no painful scanning of channels and everything is organised straight away. So setup is straightforward. Also, its cheaper than the Aldi HD kit too. Haven't tried the recording feature yet though.

Just watching Britain's Got Talent in HD now and must say I'm quite impressed with the quality.

It is cheaper as you said and better quality and value too as you also get a 65cm dish. I found it very easy to install. I used a different u bolt for a two inch galvanised heavy duty steel pole. The one supplied, although strong is suitable only for the mounting hardware provided in the kit.

SmashingPilot

In contrast to a few others, the SD channels seem to look pretty good when they are upscaled. Maybe it depends on the TV, I guess???

FREETV

SmashingPilot wrote: »

In contrast to a few others, the SD channels seem to look pretty good when they are upscaled. Maybe it depends on the TV, I guess???

I have a Samsung 50" plasma tv and when using the hdmi on most of the sd channels they look very good but even better using my other Comag Silvercrest SL65 SD sat receiver using the scart socket only. I saw the same blockiness on a Panasonic Viera only 12 months old so I presume that maybe upscaling of sd channels degrades the picture when it shows dark content. It could be the cheap standard hdmi cable included though as I haven't tried a different hdmi cable with the Ross receiver yet.

SmashingPilot

Ah ok, I havent actually tried it with the scart on the SD channels. They were grand via HDMI but I'll give it a try with the scart tomorrow just to see.
TV I'm using the box on is a 42" Sony Bravia just for reference.

BlackWizard

I just picked up the Aldi HD Sat receiver. Is it really that bad?

Should I bring it back and try to get one of the ones from B&Q? Does the B&Q have all the equipment like cables, sat finders and HDMI cables?

FREETV

BlackWizard wrote: »

I just picked up the Aldi HD Sat receiver. Is it really that bad?

Should I bring it either back and try to get one of the ones from B&Q? Does the B&Q have all the equipment like cables, sat finders and HDMI cables?

I think that you should bring it back or else buy a larger dish. The dish is too small with the Aldi kit you bought and is designed primarily for the German market, it won't pickup all of the channels either as far as I know on Astra 28.2E and the picture will keep breaking up in heavy rain and moderate winds. I have no experience of SLX, Skyview receivers however so I cannot comment on them. You can get the Ross Kit for 86.75.
The Ross HD satellite kit in B&Q doesn't include a sat finder and the u bolt for attaching the dish to the wall/floor bracket only fits the one included as it is short in lenght but you could easily buy another u bolt to tighten it on to a wider steel pole. You may be able to use a small cheap compass away from the dish and mounting bracket to give you an indication of where to point it to find a satellite or try to see a sky mini dish near a neighbour, point it in that general direction turn it from left to right while adjusting the elevation in numerous degree readings before hand until you can obtain the highest signal stenght and signal quality by moving the dish in very small distances and observing the info reading from the Ross receiver. Try to bring a small portable outside when it is dry and connect it up or else get someone to ring you on your mobile while outside to tell you the readings or shout them out to you from the window. The skew and angle of the lnb is also important in getting the best signal readings.

djimi

Is it possible to pick up a signal finder from anywhere, or is it difficult to set up a dish without one? Like is it just a case of pointing the dish in the general direction of other dishes in the then playing around with it until you hit the sweet spot? How accurate does the dish have to be, like how much leeway do you have when setting it up?

Gosh

SmashingPilot wrote: »

Decided to with the HD kit from B and Q, really glad I did too.
An added update made available from the manufacturer's website means no painful scanning of channels and everything is organised straight away. So setup is straightforward. Also, its cheaper than the Aldi HD kit too. Haven't tried the recording feature yet though.

Just watching Britain's Got Talent in HD now and must say I'm quite impressed with the quality.

How did you get the update to work - I downloaded the .img file from their website and it would not auto-update by turning off and restarting with USB stick in port (as per website instructions), got on to their tech support who then sent me a .bin file to put on a USB stick - went through all the motions of updating (via the USB menu) and telling me to reboot but didn't appear to change the software version.

Tech support told me latest version should be 1.0.6 but before and after update I've still got 1.0.5

When I do System Information from menu it shows

MCU V2.4
Software V1.0.5
Hardware BMCL106-M2


Does yours show 1.0.6?

FREETV

Gosh wrote: »

How did you get the update to work - I downloaded the .img file from their website and it would not auto-update by turning off and restarting with USB stick in port (as per website instructions), got on to their tech support who then sent me a .bin file to put on a USB stick - went through all the motions of updating (via the USB menu) and telling me to reboot but didn't appear to change the software version.

Tech support told me latest version should be 1.0.6 but before and after update I've still got 1.0.5

When I do System Information from menu it shows

MCU V2.4
Software V1.0.5
Hardware BMCL106-M2


Does yours show 1.0.6?

Hi, my box shows the software V 1.0.6 after updating. Try taking out your usb stick, put it back in while the receiver is on standby and press the red power button of the Ross remote control and it should update then. I presume that the new software was properly stored in your stick already and that you checked your usb sticks volume. Hope that works for you.

pvccat

hi girlfriend baught one of these hdmi recievers so she could recieve hd football she was so excited - fell to me to install - easy screw dish to wall , feed cable through wall ,connect up and away we go --- well not quite !! - in fact not even quite - signal level big fat zero - four trips up the ladder - nothing - then realised aiming at wrong satellite - so re positioned - got every satellite in the clarke belt apart from astra 2 - spent most of saturday 6 feet in the air - got irate so hit dish with hand and came down the ladder for a pork pie and a brew and guess what happened half way through my " dinner " - signal level rose on astra 2 - up ladder locked dish with screws great only to find by tightening locking screws id drifted off satellite - rubbish dish , hard to set lnb, and when i did eventually get 100 % signal i only got 33% quality - i then put the ladder away cut my losses and decided to find out exactly what i could recieve to be greeted by four free channels , 175 locked channels denoted by a pound sign on screen display ,and no hd and a very upset girlfriend so thanks aldi 40 hours lost not a happy bunny !!!!!!!!!!!

FREETV

pvccat wrote: »

hi girlfriend baught one of these hdmi recievers so she could recieve hd football she was so excited - fell to me to install - easy screw dish to wall , feed cable through wall ,connect up and away we go --- well not quite !! - in fact not even quite - signal level big fat zero - four trips up the ladder - nothing - then realised aiming at wrong satellite - so re positioned - got every satellite in the clarke belt apart from astra 2 - spent most of saturday 6 feet in the air - got irate so hit dish with hand and came down the ladder for a pork pie and a brew and guess what happened half way through my " dinner " - signal level rose on astra 2 - up ladder locked dish with screws great only to find by tightening locking screws id drifted off satellite - rubbish dish , hard to set lnb, and when i did eventually get 100 % signal i only got 33% quality - i then put the ladder away cut my losses and decided to find out exactly what i could recieve to be greeted by four free channels , 175 locked channels denoted by a pound sign on screen display ,and no hd and a very upset girlfriend so thanks aldi 40 hours lost not a happy bunny !!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, what a pain for you both when your expectations were so high, the 45cm dishes are at least 15cms too small for Astra 2 reception, those dishes that size shouldn't be sold in Ireland. An 80cm dish would be ideal for your needs. We all live and learn so don't worry. They might take the lot back if it is still in good condition or else you should purchase a larger dish and you'd have no problems even in heavy rain with a large dish when it is properly aligned and the elevation and skew of the LNB are optimised for the best signal quality.

STB

45cm dishes will cause you no amount of grief. They are also known as Zone 1 dishes. You might get it set up okay and it may look okay during good weather but come high winds and any rain and half your stations will be gone (especially those on the tightest, Astra 2d - BBC HD Ch4/Five). Solution : Bigger Dish required at least 60cm.

Ultimately its Sky who are responsible for these 45cm dishes being out there in the first instance but are targeted at being sold in the UK only. Even those in the UK have problems with these dishes during inclement weather.

People in Ireland use Zone 2 dishes (60cm) at least for Astra 28.2.



@ pvccat: Take it down bring it back. Shouldnt be selling stuff that wont work in Ireland. Only suitable for parts of the UK market certainly not Ireland.

Maplin are at the same thing at the moment with a Fortec Passion Kit. And I am not joking you - they have packaged it with a 43cm dish.

ROS123

Freetv, I have an existing SKy + receiver and dish with a quad lnb. I am looking for a freesat HD for the world cup primarily, but to use as a second receiver in a bedroom in the future. I was reading your posts about the Ross receiver in B&Q and I was wondering at €86 is it a better option than the sagemcom ds186 €130 http://www.sagemcomdigital.co.uk/documents/Sagem-Freesat-DSI86HD-Datasht.pdf

I am going to use my existing dish and am more concerned about the quality and size of the box, the ross ones looks big to hide away in a bedroom. Can the Ross version get as many free hd channels as the sagemcom. Any advice would be most helpful.

Tony

The sagem is an official freesat box so it has things like 7 day tv guide and red button interctive features so its a big step up in quality and features.

ROS123 wrote: »

Freetv, I have an existing SKy + receiver and dish with a quad lnb. I am looking for a freesat HD for the world cup primarily, but to use as a second receiver in a bedroom in the future. I was reading your posts about the Ross receiver in B&Q and I was wondering at €86 is it a better option than the sagemcom ds186 €130 http://www.sagemcomdigital.co.uk/documents/Sagem-Freesat-DSI86HD-Datasht.pdf

I am going to use my existing dish and am more concerned about the quality and size of the box, the ross ones looks big to hide away in a bedroom. Can the Ross version get as many free hd channels as the sagemcom. Any advice would be most helpful.

ROS123

Tony will it have the same range of channels ?

Tony

ROS123 wrote: »

Tony will it have the same range of channels ?

Yes but you may have to add one or two manually like sky news. Checkout the richer sounds forum for good pricing on the sagem.

djimi

ROS123 wrote: »

I am going to use my existing dish and am more concerned about the quality and size of the box, the ross ones looks big to hide away in a bedroom. Can the Ross version get as many free hd channels as the sagemcom. Any advice would be most helpful.

I cant comment on the quality of the Ross box as I bought it stupidly thinking I could set it up myself and am now waiting on a technician to do it for me, but as for the size of the box its tiny; Id say about half the size of a Sky box or a normal sized DVD player.

ROS123

Thanks guys for the prompt responses, I am already trying to get in touch with RS. One more question please, is it a matter of plug and play, when I connect it to my existing dish. That is with the exception of the manual channels (sky news) I think there is only one cable required because it doesn't record. Do I need a UK postal code for ITV HD etc ?

FREETV

ROS123 wrote: »

Freetv, I have an existing SKy + receiver and dish with a quad lnb. I am looking for a freesat HD for the world cup primarily, but to use as a second receiver in a bedroom in the future. I was reading your posts about the Ross receiver in B&Q and I was wondering at €86 is it a better option than the sagemcom ds186 €130 http://www.sagemcomdigital.co.uk/documents/Sagem-Freesat-DSI86HD-Datasht.pdf

I am going to use my existing dish and am more concerned about the quality and size of the box, the ross ones looks big to hide away in a bedroom. Can the Ross version get as many free hd channels as the sagemcom. Any advice would be most helpful.

I would go for the Sagemcom sat box as it has better specs and has the 8 day Freesat EPG as Tony advised you below. The Ross HD kit is ok if you are on a budget but if you went with it you could upgrade to a Freesat PVR twin or triple tuner in the future if necessary The Ross box is quite small and compact, it does what it says on the box but the Sagem is better and you already have an old sky dish so buy that if you can afford it. You should be able to add the other FTA channels that aren't on Freesat manually. Hope that we have both been able to help you. Tony knows his stuff.

Tony

FREETV wrote: »

Hope that we have both been able to help you. Tony knows his stuff.

Thanks for the kind words

johnnyrotten

Get the Humax HD Box. Its the Dogs!

Medceltic

Can I get free HD French Channel with "Ross Freesat HD Satellite Receiver records and play back via USB" with Sky Dish on Hot bird ????

Ronnie Raygun

No reason why you couldn't. No reason to bump this old thread either.

Medceltic

Explain, please !!

Gerry Wicklow

AFAIK French HD channels are subscription but the SD versions are FTA.

Medceltic

I am using an analog box,,, with Sky dish on Hotbird,, but l am watchng only TV5 channel.
FTA HD box are expensive,,, found one on ebay,,Ross Freesat HD Satellite Receiver records and play back via USB
is it any good ?

Gerry Wicklow

The Ross boxes are the budget end of the market. Things are cheap for a reason.
Here is a list of FTA channels available from 19 degrees. Many of the main German channels are now free in HD.

http://en.kingofsat.net/pos-19.2E-fta.php

Peter Rhea

Medceltic wrote: »

I am using an analog box,,, with Sky dish on Hotbird,, but l am watchng only TV5 channel.

I think I asked you this before, but where are you finding analogue channels on Hotbird?

Gerry Wicklow

I thought all analogue channels closed last May?

Medceltic

Well l am having one they call it digital box. not HD..
I have,,, TV5 europe and World.
I had Arte, french and German but the went,,,, they ask for HD.... so my aim is Arte HD, on Hotbird with a new Box.

Gerry Wicklow

Arte (France)
Hot Bird (13Degrees) 11623 V DVB-S QPSK 27500 3/4

Arte (Germany)
Astra 1 (19 degrees)
10743 H DVB-S QPSK 22000 5/6
Arte (France)
11934 V DVB-S QPSK 27500 3/4

http://en.kingofsat.net/find.php?question=arte&Submit=Zap

Cantona's Collars

Ronnie Raygun wrote: »

No reason why you couldn't. No reason to bump this old thread either.

Lidl have HD fta boxes on sale next week for €69.99.

Medceltic

Can I get free to air HD French channels with Sky dish size ? and What satellite would be good for Ireland ??
I am using Hotbird, watching only ARTE et TV5 Monde and Europe.
I have HD free to air Box, Ferguson RCU-500-V.2.. but the box sound useless doesnt record with or without USB.. doesnt accept the USB despite it had the slot.
Cheers my Friends.

Medceltic

Can l get Astra 19.2E easily in Ireland by Sky Dish ??

kooga

Medceltic wrote: »

Can l get Astra 19.2E easily in Ireland by Sky Dish ??

yes you can . i have 19.2 and i am based in cork. re getting the french channnels, the main french channels like TF1 France2 3 4 M6 are available free to view that means you need a french TNT sat box paired with a card. I bpought on eof those last summer in carrefour shop in france when on holidays for €149 ( the card is valid for four years) and its working away plenty of HD channles plus you can combine that box with all the other predominately german channels on 19.2

DHFrame

STB wrote: »

It wouldnt be a problem if you were living in Germany. In Ireland it is normally recommeded that you use an 70/80 for 19.2.

They are more difficult to hide in apartment blocks.

I use a standard sky minidisc (minidish even) for uk freesat in stradbally. Would there be a difference for this box? Personally I have stopped buying aldi/lidl stuff because its crap. Home plugs that don't work, jigsaw that won't saw straight, sander that I can't get sanding strips for and cuts out every 5 mins. Buy cheap by thrice.