Set top box reduced

Sam Russell

I have got a new batch of these boxes in, and I got a better deal so can reduce the price. Now they are €45 each plus postage if required. They were great value at €50 so they must be even better now. See the advert on adverts.ie for details.

darth_maul

Sam Russell wrote: »

I have got a new batch of these boxes in, and I got a better deal so can reduce the price. Now they are €45 each plus postage if required. They were great value at €50 so they must be even better now. See the advert on adverts.ie for details.

bought a couple of these from Sam, they are a nice little box, perfect for old crts as they can be mounted behind the TV, but also come with a HDMI cable for newer TV's

Wide Road

What brand of set top box are you selling?
Can you pause etc?
Has it a 7 day epg?
Is it HD?

St Senan

Wide Road wrote: »

What brand of set top box are you selling?
Can you pause etc?
Has it a 7 day epg?
Is it HD?

http://www.adverts.ie/tv/digital-tv-adapter-stb-for-irish-digital-service-saorview/714023

Sam Russell

Wide Road wrote: »

What brand of set top box are you selling?
Can you pause etc?
Has it a 7 day epg?
Is it HD?

Yes, Yes and Yes.

It is unbranded, I ordered them from China, direct from the manufacturer. It is low power, good picture quality, fast processor, and works well. Works with an external HDD. It is set up to default to Ireland, and it is just plug and play. You still need an aerial, of course. It has both Scart and HDMI connectivity, and comes with all cables. Even the batteries are installed.

It does not have MHEG 5. But other than that ...........:)

Antenna

What voltage does the STB itself run on (output from the '13Amp power unit'), in case that power unit fails and has to be replaced in the future ?
I assume its the common 12V DC (or is it different)?

Can HDMI and SCART both work at the same time ? (i ask this question because i read UPC HD boxes don't allow that!) (for example if someone wanted HDMI to TV, SCART to DVD Recorder etc)

Does the box itself have an on/off and channel up and down buttons (in case remote goes missing or for when batteries fail)

Sam Russell

Antenna wrote: »

What voltage does the STB itself run on (output from the '13Amp power unit'), in case that power unit fails and has to be replaced in the future ?
I assume its the common 12V DC (or is it different)?

No, it is 5 v DC. The unit is a 3 pin plug, and it is quite standard. CE certified, etc.

Can HDMI and SCART both work at the same time ? (i ask this question because i read UPC HD boxes don't allow that!) (for example if someone wanted HDMI to TV, SCART to DVD Recorder etc)

Yes both outputs are active at the same time. I would think that it would work well in that way, for recorder and TV. However, it has a useful personal recorder function used with an external HDD. It will allow viewing one channel and recording another on the same mux.

Does the box itself have an on/off and channel up and down buttons (in case remote goes missing or for when batteries fail)

No. If the remote goes missing, you are stuffed. However, I will keep spares, and can order more if required. The unit comes with batteries installed, and they should last a few years. They are standard AAA ones. If you think that a spare remote would be useful, I am sure I can sell you one, but I would think that would only make you careless with both.

The unit is very low power (8W) so it is very unlikely to give trouble, but if it does, I will sort it out for a reasonable time after purchase.

Trevord

Antenna wrote: »

Does the box itself have an on/off and channel up and down buttons (in case remote goes missing or for when batteries fail)

The idea with this box (and calling it a box almost gives the wrong impression cos its quite small - its more a device really) is to be as compact as possible. Its designed to hide behind your tv rather than to be a piece of electronic furniture sitting on the shelf of your tv stand.

No buttons on it for changing channel or turning it on or off. All this is done through the remote.

It does have an on/off time type menu. You can specify that it stays on 24/7 or for shorter durations - as little as 3 hours at a time if you want to be very energy efficient.

A universal remote from aldi or lidl can control the box if you lose or don't like the standard remote.

Overall, its a very good product so far and does not misbehave (no freezing or hanging or failure to record)

@Sam - the only niggle I have is that the duration of the now and next EPG display can't be altered. It only stays on for one or two seconds when you change channel and for me sometimes that is not enough time to read the programme names and the start and end time info. I end up pressing the info button to make it reappear. If you are requesting further modifications to the software maybe that is something you could add to the wishlist.

Sam Russell

@ Trevord
I will bear that in mind to look for variable time.

As to the name, I normally refer to it as a Digital TV Adapter. A much better title, I think. As you say the box is very small and hides behind the TV out of sight, where they all should be. I also think the PVR function is good as well.

Johnboy1951

I agree the display time is not long enough .... I also have found myself having to bring it up a second time to read the info.

I actually dislike the mechanical part of the device --- the plug and swivel rather than a scart socket and cable --- and would much prefer a similar device with socket.

Of course I am using it on an old CRT TV, so access and space behind the TV is severly limited. When used with a scart extender the device is not easy to get stabilised .... at least in the location I am using it.

That aside the results from the receiver are excellent.

@Sam
You might consider offering a similar product without the swivel mechanism, as I believe they also are available.

regards.

Sam Russell

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I agree the display time is not long enough .... I also have found myself having to bring it up a second time to read the info.

I actually dislike the mechanical part of the device --- the plug and swivel rather than a scart socket and cable --- and would much prefer a similar device with socket.

Of course I am using it on an old CRT TV, so access and space behind the TV is severly limited. When used with a scart extender the device is not easy to get stabilised .... at least in the location I am using it.

That aside the results from the receiver are excellent.

@Sam
You might consider offering a similar product without the swivel mechanism, as I believe they also are available.

regards.

Thanks for your comments. I never intended going into business with this box, I just got it in for my own use and a few friends. I offered it on adverts.ie, and it took off. I do not make much out of it, and only offer it to counteract the rip-off factor in this business. It took me a long time to find the product, and I will not be looking for any other one. It is a good product as it is and performs well, but it may have some mechanical issues with the scart connector, but the SCART design is crap in my opinion. Also, it is not always easy to connect it securely to every CRT TV as they put their connectors in the most unlikely places.

The box has been very well received by those that have bought it, and when this batch is gone, well, it's gone.

wil

Excellent unit, very happy with mine, compact, cool running hidden behind the TV as it should be.
Do they do sat receivers?

I cant understand why any stb has to be bulky these days, so many are power hungry toasters.

Fast switching especially on HD channels compared to my stb.

Good PVR too, same quality about 1Gb/hr .TS files that play easily in VLC unlike my stb .trp files which are erratic at best.

Think it "proves" the importance of MHEG5 is somewhat overplayed. It's probably as well off without it.
Can do without the mHegache

kierank01

Sam Russell wrote: »

I have got a new batch of these boxes in, and I got a better deal so can reduce the price. Now they are €45 each plus postage if required. They were great value at €50 so they must be even better now. See the advert on adverts.ie for details.

The box seems to be really compact, which is good, but if it is intended to stay behind the tv, how can the remote work if there is not line of site?

Sam Russell

kierank01 wrote: »

The box seems to be really compact, which is good, but if it is intended to stay behind the tv, how can the remote work if there is not line of site?

Well, that's the trick. There is a little IR sensor that sticks to the front of the TV, or some other convenient spot. [It is colour coded for black TVs].

The whole thing is hidden when installed.

rochep

I understand RTE is going to put its services on Astra - so does this mean we will no longer need a DVB-T tuner - if we have a satellite dish ?

John mac

rochep wrote: »

I understand RTE is going to put its services on Astra - so does this mean we will no longer need a DVB-T tuner - if we have a satellite dish ?

No its not.

More info here and here

its on astra already, but you have to pay Sky to receive it.

Sam Russell

rochep wrote: »

I understand RTE is going to put its services on Astra - so does this mean we will no longer need a DVB-T tuner - if we have a satellite dish ?

The satellite service (Saorsat) is discussed on the satellite threads. It needs a second separate dish with a (currently unavailable) Ka LNB. It is intended for the last few % who will not be able to receive Saorview from an aerial. It will be more expensive to get it working, certainly in the short term. It is better to think of the Saorsat service as a backup for the transmitters, than as a viable alternative for Saorview.

The aerial is by far the easiest solution for most people.

GerardKeating

rochep wrote: »

I understand RTE is going to put its services on Astra - so does this mean we will no longer need a DVB-T tuner - if we have a satellite dish ?

where did you hear that. Very unlikely.

selfbuilder1

Received my box today from Sam. I only ordered it on Friday so it was super fast delivery. Very easy set up just plug and play. Very happy with the picture and has saved me getting a new tv for the kitchen. Highly recommended.

lawhec

wil wrote: »

Think it "proves" the importance of MHEG5 is somewhat overplayed. It's probably as well off without it.
Can do without the mHegache

That'll depend on what the broadcasters on Saorview intend to do using MHEG5 in the future. Right now there's just an upgraded text service in parallel to WST for RTÉ. There are different possibilities, say interactive screens, primitive encryption for PPV channels (used currently on Freeview in the UK), interaction with internet-streamed services e.g. BBC iPlayer currently on some Freesat HD receivers, and so on.

For now though, if you can live without Aertel Digital then the receiver looks a decent buy for the price.

Sam Russell

lawhec wrote: »

That'll depend on what the broadcasters on Saorview intend to do using MHEG5 in the future. Right now there's just an upgraded text service in parallel to WST for RTÉ. There are different possibilities, say interactive screens, primitive encryption for PPV channels (used currently on Freeview in the UK), interaction with internet-streamed services e.g. BBC iPlayer currently on some Freesat HD receivers, and so on.

For now though, if you can live without Aertel Digital then the receiver looks a decent buy for the price.

If you have an MPEG2 TV, this is a brilliant and simple way to give you what you thought you bought when you got it originally, a digital TV. The picture quality is as good as you could expect. It also acts as a PVR.

RTE have not got series link working yet, which I would think is more important that MHEG 5. Nor have they even admitted that they have a digital service yet. When have you heard a promo for RTE News Now?

I think Saorview is not flavour of the month within RTE anymore. Redundancy anyone?

kierank01

Sam Russell wrote: »

Nor have they even admitted that they have a digital service yet. When have you heard a promo for RTE News Now?

They may have not advertised news now, but they have definately advertised rte2 hd for for the gaa matches.

lawhec

Sam Russell wrote: »

If you have an MPEG2 TV, this is a brilliant and simple way to give you what you thought you bought when you got it originally, a digital TV. The picture quality is as good as you could expect. It also acts as a PVR.

I'm pretty sure that the receiver will also be OK for CRT TV's as well, or LCD & Plasma displays with no DVB-T tuner. Also in terms of PVR facilities, it's a very crude one that only really works while a 1 Mux network is in place, which could be changed by the end of this year - a proper PVR needs at least two tuners.

Sam Russell wrote: »

RTE have not got series link working yet, which I would think is more important that MHEG 5. Nor have they even admitted that they have a digital service yet. When have you heard a promo for RTE News Now?

Both series link and MHEG5 have different potential uses in the future. AFAIK there is no officially approved Saorview PVR right now so the series link under NorDig standards are not urgently needed yet. While I haven't heard of RTÉ promote their News Now channel, they have promoted Saorview in different manners e.g. news reports, advising of HD content on RTÉ2...

Honestly, I don't have any problem with the receivers in question. I have a similar styled Freeview (MPEG2 only) receiver that plugs into the back of a SCART socket though it's not being used right now - it's just that anyone buying a receiver with the intention of receiving a service that it's not certified for it may not be fully compatible. Example - I've a portable DVD & DVB-T receiver that is "MPEG2 universal". The main Freeview channels can be watched but MHEG5 text doesn't work (it does WST text only) and there is no real opportunity to upgrade the receiver software either by connecting to a computer or USB pen drive, or by OTA updates (well in theory it can, but it is highly unlikely to be possible in the UK).

Sam Russell

lawhec wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that the receiver will also be OK for CRT TV's as well, or LCD & Plasma displays with no DVB-T tuner. Also in terms of PVR facilities, it's a very crude one that only really works while a 1 Mux network is in place, which could be changed by the end of this year - a proper PVR needs at least two tuners.

Both series link and MHEG5 have different potential uses in the future. AFAIK there is no officially approved Saorview PVR right now so the series link under NorDig standards are not urgently needed yet. While I haven't heard of RTÉ promote their News Now channel, they have promoted Saorview in different manners e.g. news reports, advising of HD content on RTÉ2...

Honestly, I don't have any problem with the receivers in question. I have a similar styled Freeview (MPEG2 only) receiver that plugs into the back of a SCART socket though it's not being used right now - it's just that anyone buying a receiver with the intention of receiving a service that it's not certified for it may not be fully compatible. Example - I've a portable DVD & DVB-T receiver that is "MPEG2 universal". The main Freeview channels can be watched but MHEG5 text doesn't work (it does WST text only) and there is no real opportunity to upgrade the receiver software either by connecting to a computer or USB pen drive, or by OTA updates (well in theory it can, but it is highly unlikely to be possible in the UK).

If RTE do not fundamentaly alter their transmissions, these boxes will continue to work properly. I remember having a TV without teletext some years ago. I did not miss the teletext because I never had it.

Most viewers want a TV that works and gives trouble free viewing. For a second TV in a kitchen or bedroom, that is all they want. If a TV is not equipped for Saorview, the options are
1. new TV, or
2. a STB.
If the new TV costs €200 for a 20 inch, and the STB costs €45, then you make a particular choice, depending on your needs. However, if the new TV cost €500 to replace a 3 year old LED 40 inch, you might make another choice, as the STB looks a better deal.

I am just trying to bring lower cost choices to people.

lawhec

Sam Russell wrote: »

If RTE do not fundamentaly alter their transmissions, these boxes will continue to work properly. I remember having a TV without teletext some years ago. I did not miss the teletext because I never had it.

The teletext comparison has some merit, but the difference between it and MHEG is that WST was never mandated as part of a platform specification for analogue transmissions (funnily enough it actually is for most DVB-T specs, the UK D-Book is an exception), only as a "bolt on" to transmissions. It's like having a Sky receiver that has no OpenTV software enabled. You can still use the receiver to watch of course, but things like Sky Active, BBC Red Button, Sky News Active etc. become unavailable. You can still watch programmes, but some elements of the service is missing.

Sam Russell wrote: »

Most viewers want a TV that works and gives trouble free viewing. For a second TV in a kitchen or bedroom, that is all they want. If a TV is not equipped for Saorview, the options are
1. new TV, or
2. a STB.
If the new TV costs €200 for a 20 inch, and the STB costs €45, then you make a particular choice, depending on your needs. However, if the new TV cost €500 to replace a 3 year old LED 40 inch, you might make another choice, as the STB looks a better deal.

I find that such SCART type receivers are better for secondary TV's like portables simply because of the space they save (that's only my opinion).

Sam Russell wrote: »

I am just trying to bring lower cost choices to people.

My arguments are only on a technical basis. As a stand-alone DVB-T MPEG4 HD receiver, €45 I reckon is decent value.

Sam Russell

lawhec wrote: »

The teletext comparison has some merit, but the difference between it and MHEG is that WST was never mandated as part of a platform specification for analogue transmissions (funnily enough it actually is for most DVB-T specs, the UK D-Book is an exception), only as a "bolt on" to transmissions. It's like having a Sky receiver that has no OpenTV software enabled. You can still use the receiver to watch of course, but things like Sky Active, BBC Red Button, Sky News Active etc. become unavailable. You can still watch programmes, but some elements of the service is missing.


I find that such SCART type receivers are better for secondary TV's like portables simply because of the space they save (that's only my opinion).

My arguments are only on a technical basis. As a stand-alone DVB-T MPEG4 HD receiver, €45 I reckon is decent value.

Thank you for your comments.

I think RTE could improve RTE NewsNow by making it full screen with the fluff around the edge removed for normal viewers and, if required, added using MHEG5 facilites. I would prefer a full screen news broadcast in good resolution without the side-bar and other framing stuff. If I want them, (and I have MHEG5) I just press the green button.

For most viewers MHEG5 features are not needed and will not be used. [Personal opinion]

wil

lawhec wrote: »

...... There are different possibilities, say interactive screens, primitive encryption for PPV channels (used currently on Freeview in the UK), interaction with internet-streamed services e.g. BBC iPlayer currently on some Freesat HD receivers, and so on.

For now though, if you can live without Aertel Digital then the receiver looks a decent buy for the price.

All excellent reasons for avoiding MHEG5 if possible.

I have so many pc's, laptops, iThings etc in my house I actually appreciate the lack of interactivity that the common or garden bog standard broadcast offers. If I wanted Rocky Horror I'd invest in a corset and stockings but much like games on a phone or text voting on x-factor, its not something you are going to catch me doing.

Recording is a bonus but not critical, with so many alterative methods of delivery available and years of unwatched recordings,I already need a catchup service for all the catch up services.

What's Aertel Digital? - asked and answered.:D

BSOH

Some things learned about the Sam Russell STB (SRSTB). First, picture is excellent.

With a hard disk drive attached, the recorder part of the SRSTB is a sight more versatile than my Bravia KDL-37EX403 TV (plus HDD). It plays a variety of video formats (e.g. XVID) that the Bravia+HDD won't.

It will play, without fuss, a .VOB (copied from the VIDEO_TS folder of a DVD). That may be of interest to people with lots of videos copied to DVDs that they would prefer to play from a HDD.

If it's a big video with several .VOBs (each about 1GB) you probably need to use VOB2MPG to first produce an mpg file, which the SRSTB will again play without fuss.

The Bravia won't play the mpg file as such, instead I had to feed it through TSMUXER to produce an .m2ts file: fast, but still awkward.

The recorder of the SRSTB natively produces .ts files, which the Bravia+HDD won't play, but simply changing the extension to .m2ts does the trick. OK if you only have one .ts file, if you have more than one I'm not sure if you can just bung them together. Maybe I'll find out after the hurling final tomorrow!

Hard-won Experience Section: I accidentally plugged in a USB-powered HDD to the SRSTB (instructions warn against that). It wouldn't record, but neither did it damage the SRSTB either. It does however seem to have screwed up the HDD somewhat - it won't work on the Bravia any more - makes a faint hunting click every second or so - although it seems fine on the computer...go figure.

Sam Russell

BSOH wrote: »

Some things learned about the Sam Russell STB (SRSTB). First, picture is excellent.

With a hard disk drive attached, the recorder part of the SRSTB is a sight more versatile than my Bravia KDL-37EX403 TV (plus HDD). It plays a variety of video formats (e.g. XVID) that the Bravia+HDD won't.

It will play, without fuss, a .VOB (copied from the VIDEO_TS folder of a DVD). That may be of interest to people with lots of videos copied to DVDs that they would prefer to play from a HDD.

If it's a big video with several .VOBs (each about 1GB) you probably need to use VOB2MPG to first produce an mpg file, which the SRSTB will again play without fuss.

The Bravia won't play the mpg file as such, instead I had to feed it through TSMUXER to produce an .m2ts file: fast, but still awkward.

The recorder of the SRSTB natively produces .ts files, which the Bravia+HDD won't play, but simply changing the extension to .m2ts does the trick. OK if you only have one .ts file, if you have more than one I'm not sure if you can just bung them together. Maybe I'll find out after the hurling final tomorrow!

Hard-won Experience Section: I accidentally plugged in a USB-powered HDD to the SRSTB (instructions warn against that). It wouldn't record, but neither did it damage the SRSTB either. It does however seem to have screwed up the HDD somewhat - it won't work on the Bravia any more - makes a faint hunting click every second or so - although it seems fine on the computer...go figure.

Thak you for your kind words.

With regard to your HDD, I would think you have corrupted its data structures because of eratic power during writing. I suggest that you do a full low-level format of the drive on the PC, possible doing it two or three times using different file structures to force rewrites of file tables.

That hunting/clicking is bad tracks/sectors causing retries.

dmm1000

I have Sams device as well - highly recommended for what it does

( Sam ) regarding the PVR - any possibility they could incorporate the program name into the recorded file title in a future firmware update ?

DeepBlue

The USB port which allows you to insert a USB stick and play back XviD avi files along with .ts files amongst others was an unexpected bonus on this STB.
For me it has as much value as being able to get Saorview on the STB making the unit itself fantastic value.