Saorview Box in Aldi on Thursday 12th July

Stan 10

Soarview Box in Aldi I think it is the same brand that was in Lidl a few months ago.

http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_22584.htm

STB

ALDI had it before.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=72443664&postcount=53

Kristopherus

And €25 cheaper:)

jonnygee

3 Year warranty looks good, keep your receipts.

doney84

I notice it has "usb" printed on the front ... can anyone confirm if the usb port can be used for PVR or is it just to play back media files ???

johnnylancer

New one says single scart whereas older one says 2 scart.
Dearer with lower spec?

Sam Russell

But they still have the 'Digital' aerial.:D

homer911

1080P?

Sam Russell

That would be the output from the box to the TV, not the broadcast quality. It is upscaled.

Capt'n Midnight

STB wrote: »

ALDI had it before.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=72443664&postcount=53

same blurb inc single scart on 2nd June 2011
http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_22582.htm

any chance it will have a newer firmware that could do PVR ? :pac:

or where is the best value PVR available before the switchover ?

watty

Unless it's got dual tuners and internal HDD, they will not certify it as a PVR.
The recording is thus not tested on ANY current single tuner/external USB box by Teracom as part of Saorview. You are on your own as to how good it is.

RTENL are hopeful that someone WILL submit and get passed a PVR. Currently there are only "Freeview HD" PVRs, which are not perfect for Saorview.

So there are NO PVRs "for" Saorview yet. Not even bad value ones.

coylemj

My sister bought the Aldi STB last Oct/Nov, she lives down the country so I took the precaution of downloading the manual for the inevitable tech. support phone calls, the most recent of which came in this week because of the EPG tweak.

The brand name of the box they're selling tomorrow is Akura, same as my sister's model. This is what the manual has to say about the USB port....

USB Connection.

You may connect a USB Hard disk drive or Memory stick to your STB by using the USB connection.
This feature allows you to play files or record programmes on the USB memory.
•
2.5” and 3.5” (Hddwith external power supply) are supported.
•To record a programme, the HDD or Memory stick must be connected while the STB is turned off. Turn on the STB and the box will enable the record feature.
•IMPORTANT.To avoid data loss. Ensure any files on the Memory media is “Backed up”. Akuraaccepts no responsibility for any data lost on your External Memory, under ANY circumstances.

•It is Possible that certain makes and types of external memory media may not work with this STB, e.gMP3 players.
•IMPORTANT. The STB only supports FAT32 disk format. NTFS is NOT supported. If a NTFS disk is connected the STB will ask you to format the Memory media.
Any data stored on the Memory media will be lost when the media is formatted in FAT 32.
•To connect a USB Hard drive to the STB it should have a cable as short as possible. USB 2.0 format is required.
•It is recommended that Disk Drives of 1TB (Terra Byte) or larger should be formatted on a PC in FAT 32 mode. The STB may not format drives over 1TB successfully.

•CAUTION. Do NOT unplug the USB device while the STB is turned on. This may damage the USB interface on the STB or the Memory media. Do not unplug while playing a file or programme, the data may be corrupted.
Programme Recording.
Any Memory media must have a minimum capacity of 1GB and a speed of 2.0. If the media is not 2.0 speed the STB will display an error message.
One hour of recording takes up a space of approximately 2GB.

http://akura.uk.com/Manuals.html

starviewadams

Could I plug this into a feed from a Sky dish or would I need a big outdoor aerial on the roof to get the saorview signal?

Capt'n Midnight

starviewadams wrote: »

Could I plug this into a feed from a Sky dish or would I need a big outdoor aerial on the roof to get the saorview signal?

you need a UHF aerial , even better if you match it with the channel you can use.

http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/coverage-map/



yes there is a satellite option , but not with this box, and most definitely not with a sky box, and not with an existing sky dish
more info https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055968485

Gerry Wicklow

starviewadams wrote: »

Could I plug this into a feed from a Sky dish or would I need a big outdoor aerial on the roof to get the saorview signal?

SaorView is terrestrial using a conventional aerial nothing to do with dishes or satellites. You might get away with an indoor aerial in parts of Dublin. Try a cheapo one from a Euro shop and see if it works. Don't get suckered into buying a super-dooper €25 amplified, also makes toast, con-job.

watty

Tesco sells the €25 Euro aerials that are no better than €6 models for €54. Their own brand too.


Eyewatering... The identical overpriced One-For-All version is about €12 cheaper and still not worth it.

•IMPORTANT. The STB only supports FAT32 disk format.

Rubbish for HD. Doesn't support large files. Real PVRs don't use FAT32. It's a kludge.

vicwatson

doney84 wrote: »

I notice it has "usb" printed on the front ... can anyone confirm if the usb port can be used for PVR or is it just to play back media files ???

Id like to know this too please

watty

It's not certified for recording.

Even if it works, it may only work with certain USB drives and work poorly.

Even if it always works, it likely can't record an HD film or football match (too large a file).

Even if it works, it's an uncertified recording feature. NOT a PVR.

recyclebin

Just to comment on what watty is saying:

It's not certified for recording.
I don't think the saorview spec includes recording so saying its not certified is meaningless.

Even if it works, it may only work with certain USB drives and work poorly.
This it true

Even if it always works, it likely can't record an HD film or football match (too large a file).
I am pretty sure you can record in HD but it will break the recording into two files if the recording is over a certain size

Even if it works, it's an uncertified recording feature. NOT a PVR.
A PVR is a device that can record in digital format. This is therefore a PVR. It may be a PVR with limited functions but is still a PVR.

watty

Saorview does have a PVR / Recording spec!

I am pretty sure you can record in HD but it will break the recording into two files if the recording is over a certain size

On some boxes. No assurance.

A PVR is a device that can record in digital format. This is therefore a PVR. It may be a PVR with limited functions but is still a PVR.

No. A PVR has dual tuners, Series link and internal HDD so that it "just works" no matter what you are watching. A single tuner set box that can record via USB is a "Recording feature", no assurance any particular USB stick or HDD will actually work or that longer programs work. It doesn't meet Freeview D-Book, Nordig or Saorview requirements for a PVR.

vicwatson

Anyone buy one? and is it just plug and play - providing you have aerial in place already that is

Capt'n Midnight

dvb690/t8030 akura avt8030

sw ver 8.5

igorbiscan

My aul fella bought one of these but I'm not sure if it's right for him.with the correct aerial will it pick up the BBC,channel 4,utv etc stations as well as the Irish stations?

Ronnie Raygun

It will only pick up the UK channels if you're within range of a UK transmitter. If you're in the right part of the country & already have good UK analogue reception, then there's a good chance you'll get their digital replacements at least by switchover in October.