HD Satellite Kit €50 in B&Q

thund3rbird_

Ross receiver + dish -

from what I could make out from the box it's this receiver
(receiver on it's own selling for £61.48 on uk site)

Tony

Good price alright but just bear in mind its not a freesat box so no 7 day programme guide or red button interactive services.At €50 though even the receiver on is own is a good deal.

moonshadow

Sorry Tony could you explain please for the technophobes (me)just what it does

meercat

fitted one today for a mate of mine
easy install and set up
couldnt fault receiver either
cheap system and does job

emptyshed

Its free to air satelite receiver.
I got 2 the last time they had them, both working great still.

In Ireland they pick up the Astra 2 satellite and Eurobird satelite....assuming its english speaking channells ya want)
(Depending on whats around your place, i.e. if there's high buildings etc they could block signal.

Around 300 english speaking channells including ITV, Channel 4 ,BBC, and all the regional variations, eg. wales, scotland, london etc.
lots of terrible god and shopping channels. (No irish stations though, eg. rte, tv3 etc... but ya can tune them in via ariel)

I have about 8 film channels, most old films, probably 6 news channells, a few music channels etc.... oh it also does radio stations, mostly uk ones if I remember.

I probably only flick through about 10 channells, but they are free, no bills.

Go to satelite finder.com (I think), put in your address and see if you can get coverage).

Handy enough to install...ideally if you can see your tv...or have a small portable tv close e to dish while installling.

Ricky91t

This is pretty good, I've maybe this one or the older model, Picks up BBC, ITV and Luxe in HD, Great quaility picture too.

The channel interface isn't great compared to a sky box, but hey it's much cheaper!

It's also got a PVR function ( well mine has ) you can recored/pause/rewind TV you need a memory stick though, formatted to fat 32 iirc!

Ghost Train

It's an ok box

pvr feature very basic but works most of the time

it will need to be retuned every so often to keep the channel list up to date

Tony

It picks up free to air HD and standard satellite channels using a dish basicially.

Hope this helps, lots of info in the satellite forum here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?daysprune=&forumid=55

moonshadow wrote: »

Sorry Tony could you explain please for the technophobes (me)just what it does

Bizzi Lizzy

Quick question, I have one of the Lidl dishes installed, and if I bought this one would I need to change the dish or could I just use the one that I have up already?

Tony

You can use existing dish, i'd take a look at the mounting though, the lidl mounts tend to break a lot.

Bizzi Lizzy wrote: »

Quick question, I have one of the Lidl dishes installed, and if I bought this one would I need to change the dish or could I just use the one that I have up already?

CorkMan

Got it today. Will I be able to tune in RTE2 HD? I can watch it via coaxial via my Samsung LE40C750, but the picture messes up a fair bit and the audio is annoying when this happens.

My Dad says it is the TV lines outside, that they are old but they are OK for analogue but not digital.

Ghost Train

CorkMan wrote: »

Got it today. Will I be able to tune in RTE2 HD? I can watch it via coaxial via my Samsung LE40C750, but the picture messes up a fair bit and the audio is annoying when this happens.

My Dad says it is the TV lines outside, that they are old but they are OK for analogue but not digital.

No you'll only get uk channels
http://www.lyngsat.com/28east.html

Badgermonkey

CorkMan wrote: »

Got it today. Will I be able to tune in RTE2 HD?

This is a satellite system.

You'll only receive RTE via an aerial.

tmcw

With a suitable dish/lnb, will it allow the channels on Saorsat to be viewed? (if/when they're available).

gazzer

Are these for sale in all B&Q stores or just certain ones? I will be up in Dublin later and wouldnt mind picking up one of these

Mr Keek

tmcw wrote: »

With a suitable dish/lnb, will it allow the channels on Saorsat to be viewed? (if/when they're available).

No, it will only allow you to watch the UK Freesat channels, and a couple of HD ones like BBC HD BBC1 HD, ITV1 HD and Channel4 HD in April. You'll get all these channels http://www.freesat.co.uk/what-you-get/our-channels

The point Tony made earlier is that this box is not a branded Freesat Box and by that he means, you will not be able to view a 7 Day TV guide, only a Now & Next Program. And the Channels will not up date them selves i.e Channel4 HD launches in April, with this box you will have to reTune it for C4 HD, with a freesat box it will update itself when you switch it on,

Most the Freesat Boxs with HD are over €100 so this is really good value. With a PRV, you will be able to record programs onto a USB Stick or External Hard Drive.

Invincible

tmcw wrote: »

With a suitable dish/lnb, will it allow the channels on Saorsat to be viewed? (if/when they're available).

No,you will not receive the Saorview channels on this,there is a dual receiver mentioned in the terrestrial forum here that has an MPEG4 tuner built in and willalso recieve Satellite channels.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055836245

Mr Keek

Guys, also very worth while checking out Board's very own Adverts site for this stuff, even an old Sky bix will so the trick for these channels. Some great bargins to be had

http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/electronics/satellite/251/

Grumpypants

I got this box before when it was 120euro, the dish is fine but the box isnt great its quite slow when your flicking channels. I picked up a freesat box in Maplin for 50euro and it works brilliantly, just plug the new box in instead of this box.

Ghost Train

tmcw wrote: »

With a suitable dish/lnb, will it allow the channels on Saorsat to be viewed? (if/when they're available).

If it happens it will probably be suitable

Tony

I think TMCW was reffering to the soon to be launched saorsat service which is aimed at prople who cannot get Saorview terrestrial reception. This receiver in theory should also work with saorsat but it will mean either a separate dish or a multi lnb set up. As saorsat will be using a different frequency band called KA band it will need a different LNB. The LNB is the thing that goes on the end of the arm on the dish that the cable connects to.

Lots of info on this in the satellite forum.

tmcw

Invincible wrote: »

No,you will not receive the Saorview channels on this,there is a dual receiver mentioned in the terrestrial forum here that has an MPEG4 tuner built in and willalso recieve Satellite channels.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055836245

Thanks for the replies, but I did say Saorsat, but probably premature to ask given it's not available yet.

Couldn't care less about the EPG, find them cumbersome and slow (detest the Sky boxes and their EPG) and prefer to include and line up my channels how I want; in fact, I'd have to be jumping in and out of Freesat mode with a Freesat box, as I view other sat positions like 26E and 19E, so a FTA box is really what I want.

I must do a search and see if I can see any reviews or videos of it working. Thanks again.

EDIT: Thanks Tony and Ghost Train.

norbert64

Ricky91t wrote: »

This is pretty good, I've maybe this one or the older model, Picks up BBC, ITV and Luxe in HD, Great quaility picture too.

The channel interface isn't great compared to a sky box, but hey it's much cheaper!

It's also got a PVR function ( well mine has ) you can recored/pause/rewind TV you need a memory stick though, formatted to fat 32 iirc!

Ghost Train wrote: »

It's an ok box

pvr feature very basic but works most of the time

it will need to be retuned every so often to keep the channel list up to date

What video format does she record in, and what's the quality like.
Also, any chance it's a simple copy and paste .ts files to PC jobby, like the HUMAX?

jimmycrackcorm

Can the dish be used with a Dreambox for those typical uses by people?

Bizzi Lizzy

Tony wrote: »

You can use existing dish, i'd take a look at the mounting though, the lidl mounts tend to break a lot.

Thanks Tony, I already have had to replace the mount on the Lidl dish, had it about a year when it broke.

breaux

Grumpypants wrote: »

I got this box before when it was 120euro, the dish is fine but the box isnt great its quite slow when your flicking channels. I picked up a freesat box in Maplin for 50euro and it works brilliantly, just plug the new box in instead of this box.

There is no way in the wide world you got a FREESAT box in Maplins for €50 (at least not in the good 'ol ROI)................more like €450.!!!!!

wil

breaux wrote: »

There is no way in the wide world you got a FREESAT box in Maplins for €50 (at least not in the good 'ol ROI)................more like €450.!!!!!

Well definitely not a freesat HD anyway.

norbert64

I would imagine they probably meant Freesat SD box.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/grundig-freesat-sd-digital-box-261705
Could have been a sale over Xmas with a big discount?

Getting back to the OP and his kit, if you can wait until Wednesday and provided they still have the stock, we could get one of our parents to pop in and use there Over 60's card to get 10% off the price.
Mind you, is this kit already discounted, as they may not let you double up?

BTW, after a little more investigating, I discovered that the receiver does indeed record using transport streams, in 2 GB chunks.

tmcw

norbert64 wrote: »

BTW, after a little more investigating, I discovered that the receiver does indeed record using transport streams, in 2 GB chunks.

Was looking for some info myself on your earlier question, found a manual on the Ross website, but it didn't mention any details like this. Would you mind pointing me to where you found your info about the transport streams? Thanks.

norbert64

tmcw wrote: »

Was looking for some info myself on your earlier question, found a manual on the Ross website, but it didn't mention any details like this. Would you mind pointing me to where you found your info about the transport streams? Thanks.

Didn't find any official specs I'm afraid. I just happened upon a few message boards like this one, where existing owners talk about it
http://www.digitaltvbanter.co.uk/uk-tech-digital-tv-digital/27920-ross-hd-box-timer-recording.html

I imagine it would be the same principal for this kit too. :cool:

Mr Keek

Got this Pack yesterday, just got it for the Decoder Box itself for my bedroom, we've the Humax Foxsat HDR down in the livingroom.

At €50 for a HD box that records, this is an absolute bargain. Thanks OP.

Got mine in B&Q Galway, they were out of stock so I had to order and pay for it at the customer service desk. Expecting a call from them on the 25th. They did mention that the €50 price tag ends either yesterday or today, if you want this at this price, then get yer skates on!

norbert64

Now sold out in Liffey Valley
Also sold out in Tallaght (although the B&Q rep said they're taking orders for the kits, and will stick by the €50 sale price, which actually ends tomrrow. She's normally €99)

Swords said they still have loads in stock though. :cool:

Big consumer thread on it here, if anyone fancies reading some other reviews.
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/109/33654808-b-q-satellite-ross-freesat-box-page-18.html

5h4mr0(k

I got one of these last year for the world cup. I ended up bringing it back as I found the delay when changing channels on the box was painful. It was maybe 3 seconds, and if you say pressed channel up 5 times then it would take 3 seconds for each press. It would have driven me nuts.

norbert64

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

I got one of these last year for the world cup. I ended up bringing it back as I found the delay when changing channels on the box was painful. It was maybe 3 seconds, and if you say pressed channel up 5 times then it would take 3 seconds for each press. It would have driven me nuts.

Must have updated things in this new version.
Grabbed one myself and am actually rather impressed with it. Response times are quite quick. The now/next epg takes a few secs to appear at times, but anyone who's been using ''OTHER CHANNELS'' on sky, will barely notice any difference.

I was also quite surprised and pleased, to see FIVE on the channel list.

The USB PVR feature is relatively easy to use. Just pop in your flash drive, press record and it dumps a transport stream file, into a folder with the channel name.

Okay, so it's no HUMAX, won't support saorview/sat and the lack of a proper EPG leaves a lot to be desired, but considering an official freesat HD box is probably double the price, this is quite the bargain, IMHO.

FYI, it's a ROSS HDR-8130USB.