Ferguson Ariva combo boxes - reliability

paulric

Hi, I'm an experienced installer and wanted to get some feedback from anyone who has had trouble with the 210 and 120 ariva boxes. I have installed 4 of the 120's and 2 of the 210's so far. I've had to return 2 of the 120's and 1 of the 210's. I've been told by the supplier that he hasn't received any faulty ones back apart from mine, which would be in line with all the positive feedback thats been posted about them on various forums. The problem with the 120's was that the screen would go blank from time to time for no reason on both of them. One of them also lost sound completely from time to time. Both boxes had to be turned off and back on, and then worked perfectly on resumption. I've ruled out a hdmi problem by trying a couple of them. This happened regularly though, maybe once a day. As for the faulty 210, when recording, the stop button did not work and the usb/pvr button wouldn't display any screen. Like the 120's, turning on and off the boxes does the trick. Also with the faulty 210, to my dismay, the processor makes a funny grinding noise every 5 seconds or so. It doesn't sound anyway smooth. I'm thinking of switching to a new combo box at this stage and wondering if anyone has any advice on another brand or am I just woeful unlucky, with 50 percent of my purchases having to be returned. Thanks.

Last

Very interesting post. I hope it gets people to think about and document different issues they may have with not only this box but others also. Most of us have come to accept it as "normal" that its "ok" if it works after a reboot (probably somewhat helped by Bill Gates & co). It may be useful if you also post what firmware revision the box is running.

Chuck Stone

I've been using a 120 for a few months and it's running fine for me. Freezes on Ch4HD the odd time and that's about it.

The thing has already paid for itself (had I been paying for basic Sky/UPC) so I can live with the little glitches personally.

Just sayin'.

NUTZZ

I wonder if patched firmware has a part to play in those with faults. A lot of people are installing incompatible firmware on their boxes and bricking it, and some of the patched firmware is very unstable too.

Johnboy1951

paulric wrote: »

Hi, I'm an experienced installer and wanted to get some feedback from anyone who has had trouble with the 210 and 120 ariva boxes. I have installed 4 of the 120's and 2 of the 210's so far. I've had to return 2 of the 120's and 1 of the 210's. I've been told by the supplier that he hasn't received any faulty ones back apart from mine, which would be in line with all the positive feedback thats been posted about them on various forums. The problem with the 120's was that the screen would go blank from time to time for no reason on both of them. One of them also lost sound completely from time to time. Both boxes had to be turned off and back on, and then worked perfectly on resumption. I've ruled out a hdmi problem by trying a couple of them. This happened regularly though, maybe once a day. As for the faulty 210, when recording, the stop button did not work and the usb/pvr button wouldn't display any screen. Like the 120's, turning on and off the boxes does the trick. Also with the faulty 210, to my dismay, the processor makes a funny grinding noise every 5 seconds or so. It doesn't sound anyway smooth. I'm thinking of switching to a new combo box at this stage and wondering if anyone has any advice on another brand or am I just woeful unlucky, with 50 percent of my purchases having to be returned. Thanks.

Have you observed those problems yourself in your own setting, and not just based on a customer's report?
Asking because it is unclear from what you wrote if these were personal or customer boxes.

Also with the faulty 210, to my dismay, the processor makes a funny grinding noise every 5 seconds or so.

Processors do not make noise!

It is likely what you are hearing is HDD access because of a setting in the STB which continuously records to facilitate such functions as Pause etc.

I would have thought "an experienced installer" would be aware of such basics.

Tony

paulric wrote: »

I've been told by the supplier that he hasn't received any faulty ones back apart from mine,

He must be the luckiest supplier in the world or he is only selling to you. All electronic devices have a failure rate of some sort and the ferguson is no different in that regard. Having said that its reliability is on a par or better than most other receivers in that price range that I know of.

kbell

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

It is likely what you are hearing is HDD access because of a setting in the STB which continuously records to facilitate such functions as Pause etc.

I would have thought "an experienced installer" would be aware of such basics.

The 210 doesnt have a HDD.

Trevord

I would describe the 120 as doing some strange things now and again, but a reboot seems to resolve theses problems.

I have noted the following

1. Occasional sound loss (solved by reboot)
2. Unresponsive/ dealyed response from remote (box thinks about it for a few seconds like an overworked PC and then races through channels)
3. Audio sync issues

4. Cant tune in RTE Kids Channel and RTE1+1 (can only get one or the other without a retune).

No. 1 and 2 are a minor inconvenience
No 3. now seems to be resolved in recent firmware versions
No.4 remains a niggle.

Any box I have ever had (Alba, Technics/Tesco, Ariva or even Humax) occasionally misbehaves.

Chuck Stone

Trevord wrote: »

2. Unresponsive/ dealyed response from remote (box thinks about it for a few seconds like an overworked PC and then races through channels)

This happens to my A120 only when the Irish DTT channel's EPG is loading.

Johnboy1951

kbell wrote: »

The 210 doesnt have a HDD.

Maybe you should have read the original post .....

As for the faulty 210, when recording, the stop button did not work and the usb/pvr button wouldn't display any screen. Like the 120's, turning on and off the boxes does the trick. Also with the faulty 210, to my dismay, the processor makes a funny grinding noise every 5 seconds or so.

paulric

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Maybe you should have read the original post .....

The grinding noise with the 210 happens irrespective of whether its recording or not. I never made reference to it happening when recording in my original post. Maybe you should have read the original post.

dodzy

paulric wrote: »

The grinding noise with the 210 happens irrespective of whether its recording or not. I never made reference to it happening when recording in my original post. Maybe you should have read the original post.

+1 on the processor not making a "grinding" noise. Its something else.

Tony

paulric wrote: »

The grinding noise with the 210 happens irrespective of whether its recording or not. I never made reference to it happening when recording in my original post. Maybe you should have read the original post.

If live pause is enabled then its recording all the time irrespective of whether you have hit the recording button or not . Is the hard drive connected when the grinding noise occurs ?

As already mentioned processors do not make noise, its imposible as they have no mechanical parts.

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Processors do not make noise!
It is likely what you are hearing is HDD access because of a setting in the STB which continuously records to facilitate such functions as Pause etc.

Onikage

Tony wrote: »

As already mentioned processors do not make noise, its imposible as they have no mechanical parts.

They can make a high-pitched whine, hiss or buzz when overheating. Nothing like grinding though.

Tony

Onikage wrote: »

They can make a high-pitched whine, hiss or buzz when overheating. Nothing like grinding though.

Not doubting you but I've never heard a processor in a sat box do this.

paulric

Thanks a million for all the feedback guys. Just to run over a few of the points made. 1, Yes, the boxes that gave trouble were for customers but I also ran the boxes myself for a period before sending them back and recorded the same problems. 2, Also, just because a box has a very competitive price with a fantastic spec, should I, as an installer just accept that there is going to be a higher amount of faulty boxes! I'd rather pay and charge that bit extra if I thought I would avoid a callback. I've installed over 120 technomate and triax free to air boxes that cost less than half of the ariva 120 ( okay, I know they weren't combo's ), over the past 2 and a half years and had only one that was faulty. Thats value for money! 3, As far as the grinding noise from the 210 is concerned, apologies if my description is a bit coarse, but my back round is electrical and not electronic or software. If it was one of those 2 maybe I could describe it more accurately. Cheers:)

Johnboy1951

paulric wrote: »

Thanks a million for all the feedback guys. Just to run over a few of the points made. 1, Yes, the boxes that gave trouble were for customers but I also ran the boxes myself for a period before sending them back and recorded the same problems. 2, Also, just because a box has a very competitive price with a fantastic spec, should I, as an installer just accept that there is going to be a higher amount of faulty boxes! I'd rather pay and charge that bit extra if I thought I would avoid a callback. I've installed over 120 technomate and triax free to air boxes that cost less than half of the ariva 120 ( okay, I know they weren't combo's ), over the past 2 and a half years and had only one that was faulty. Thats value for money! 3, As far as the grinding noise from the 210 is concerned, apologies if my description is a bit coarse, but my back round is electrical and not electronic or software. If it was one of those 2 maybe I could describe it more accurately. Cheers:)

1. Good It allows you to more properly describe the fault.
2. One should never accept faulty goods .... but we have to recognise there will always be a percentage faulty. It is the nature of production, and the costs of testing. I guess the cheaper a device is sold the less will be spent on QC .... yes it is a guess, but a reasonable one.
You cannot reasonably compare combo box with non combo units when comparing price. The 120 was/is at the bottom of the price ladder in its segment .... with all that must imply.
3. The grinding noise is most likely the HDD in use. Either change it or turn off the function that causes it to be accessed repeatedly.

DanFWalsh

I've got the Ariva 200 for myself, got it on Ebay, works perfectly. I sourced a 220 for a friend and it also works well. I think the 200 is not now being produced, has been replaced by the 220. I've taped lots of programmes, all perfect

Irreverent

DanFWalsh wrote: »

I've got the Ariva 200 for myself, got it on Ebay, works perfectly. I sourced a 220 for a friend and it also works well. I think the 200 is not now being produced, has been replaced by the 220. I've taped lots of programmes, all perfect

I have been using the Ariva 220 too since December. I have to say I've been surprised by how glitch-free it has been. Tuned in sat first, then terrestrial channels, had to list them and arrange them manually (which was a bit of a pain), but since then it has worked a dream. No complaints.

shayw

Hi,

I am experiencing regular problems with reception of Saorview channels in the room where I use the HD Ariva 120 Combo box - no problems at all with satellite channels. Sometimes the only solution is to restart the box many times in the hope of getting some reception on any of the Saorview channels.

On the other hand, I bought a Panasonic VIERA TV with Freeview HD and Freesat HD and it has perfect reception on all saorview and satellite channels. This suggests to me that there is no problem with the satellite installation.

I have done no firmware changes or meddling of any type with the Ariva 120 and I have to say I am very disappointed with it.

Regards,

Seamus

snaps

Trevord wrote: »

4. Cant tune in RTE Kids Channel and RTE1+1 (can only get one or the other without a retune).

Ive found you need to scan in 2 channel freqs if you can (Access to 2 transmitters) i use castlebar (22) and truskmore (53). You can then access both RTE kids and RTE+1. (Scan one freq after 7pm for RTE+1)

Tony

snaps wrote: »

Ive found you need to scan in 2 channel freqs if you can (Access to 2 transmitters) i use castlebar (22) and truskmore (53). You can then access both RTE kids and RTE+1. (Scan one freq after 7pm for RTE+1)

Strange one this as I can tune in both from 3rock

givecredit

shayw wrote: »

Hi,

I am experiencing regular problems with reception of Saorview channels in the room where I use the HD Ariva 120 Combo box - no problems at all with satellite channels. Sometimes the only solution is to restart the box many times in the hope of getting some reception on any of the Saorview channels.

On the other hand, I bought a Panasonic VIERA TV with Freeview HD and Freesat HD and it has perfect reception on all saorview and satellite channels. This suggests to me that there is no problem with the satellite installation.

I have done no firmware changes or meddling of any type with the Ariva 120 and I have to say I am very disappointed with it.

Sounds to me like you have a connection/cable fault between your ariva box and aerial. Did you try connecting the Ariva to tv point where you have the Panasonic tv to rule out a problem with Ariva. If Ariva works flawlessly in that room, check connections from aerial to tv point where you currently have ariva.

snaps

Tony wrote: »

Strange one this as I can tune in both from 3rock

Well im assuming, ive that problem with my TM6900 in bedroom and the Mvision 300 in Kitchen and scanning in the 2 transmitters cures it.

Tony

snaps wrote: »

Well im assuming, ive that problem with my TM6900 in bedroom and the Mvision 300 in Kitchen and scanning in the 2 transmitters cures it.

Yeah I'm wondering though why theres a difference between transmitters as some guys have this problem and others don't . It seemed it also worked ok on a previous firmware version in the affected areas . As you say it affects more than one brand of receiver.

Tony

I agree but I know of at least one case where a tv worked and the ariva had problems, it seems the DTT tuner is not quite as sensitive as a tv (common among combos) so if the signal is borderline it could lead you to believe theres a problem with the box where in fact the level is just below threshold. In that case a higher gain aerial sorted the problem out.

givecredit wrote: »

Sounds to me like you have a connection/cable fault between your ariva box and aerial. Did you try connecting the Ariva to tv point where you have the Panasonic tv to rule out a problem with Ariva. If Ariva works flawlessly in that room, check connections from aerial to tv point where you currently have ariva.

snaps

Tony wrote: »

I agree but I know of at least one case where a tv worked and the ariva had problems, it seems the DTT tuner is not quite as sensitive as a tv (common among combos) so if the signal is borderline it could lead you to believe theres a problem with the box where in fact the level is just below threshold. In that case a higher gain aerial sorted the problem out.

Its not a case of the tuner being sensative. I think it is to do with the 2 channels using the same Video pid/SID which when it switches from say RTE Junior to RTE+1 it confuses the reciever so when you re scan after 7pm the RTE+1 will work fine but then when you go to watch RTE Junior next day that wont work. So what ive done is scan in the castlebar transmitter before 7pm and then Truskmore after 7. So in my channel list RTE+1 is there from Truskmore. Then no problems. Ive reception from CAstlebar, Truskmore, Maghera all from the one aerial thats facing north towards Castlebar, Truskmore (Where our TV3 Analouge comes from) is right behind Castlebar. Maghera is behind the aerial (South of me) but my UHF grid picks it up as strong as the 2 other transmitters!

Tony

snaps wrote: »

Its not a case of the tuner being sensative.

I was replying to "give credit" different subject:)

20/20

I bought three 120Hd for family members and two of them are faulty,but what i find more annoying is the grief and questions I now get for sorting them out.

gkp1

I think I have got around the RTE1+1/RTEjr problem by using the channel editor as shown here. Seems to work ok.

iba

Hi,

Op - I have 120 and I had to send it back to Ferguson, Poland (twice).

First time the Infra-Red on the STB broke down - when I used the remote control I got no reaction from the box. I then tried with my brother's (bro has Ariva 120 too) remote control and also no response from the box. I tried my remote on my bro's box and it worked. Therefore, thats how i knew what was wrong.

So i sent it back and Ferguson allegedly fixed it and returned it to me. I say allegedly coz when I got it back, it still did not work and today Ive sent it back to them again.

At least this time they have promised to pay for the cost of posting €15.20 Registered.

Regards

Iba

superleedsdub

I bought a 120 for the in-laws recently and had to return it as the Saorview tuner didn`t work (wholesaler I bought it from confirmed it had a faulty tuner)

On a side note - what an ugly piece of kit, both physically and the OSD, horrible to navigate through the menu`s...

byte

Compared to some STB's out there, the UI on the Ferguson isn't bad, especially considering it's a budget box.

pelisor2000

They are bad.. i have to go back to few jobs. most of the time the pictures just freez, box need a restart restart. i just use Opticum X7 30-40€ extra but save time and diesel.:)

freeview1

Hi guys dose any body have a link to download cccam for ferguson ariva 200 combo it works but cant find old link? cheers

DanFWalsh

I have a Ariva 210, it works perfectly, have experienced no problems as set out above. I thinks it's a great machine.

DanFWalsh

I have a Ariva 210, it works perfectly, have experienced no problems as set out above. I thinks it's a great machine.

ecowise

Just a brief note to share my experience of the Ariva 210 which I bought on eBay from an Irish based seller around last Christmas. From the start there was an intermittent problem with the picture which often dimmed/brightened in a cyclical fashion at startup, enough to make it unwatchable. After an unpredictable amount of time the picture would normalise. Sometimes the software freezes and the remore does not work so the machine needs to be physicaly powered off and on again to clear the problem. It sometimes rejects my external usb hard disk saying it is too slow but most of the time it works ok. (It may be that the spec on the hard drive is too slow for the spec but I must admit I don't know what the relevant specs are.) The menu system is not very good in my opinion. I have upgraded the firmware and that did not solve any of the problems and I have received no response from the seller or the manufacturer's in Poland to my queries. When it does work (which is most of the time) the picture is fine but I would rather have a machine that is more reliable.