Maplin i-CAN Freeview HD STB €45

Apogee

Maplin have stock of these boxes currently for €45.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/i-can-freeview-hd-receiver-591756

Review:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/digital-tv-receivers/adb-i-can-easy-hd-2851t-692104/review

Has anyone experience of how well (or otherwise) these work with Saorview?

NB Doesn't appear to support USB recording

byrnefm

I bought my parents one of these when they were in Tescos in Limavady last year. I haven't heard any bad reports from them on it. The channels are in the 800s but the TV guide seems to work fine with it from what I can tell. Certainly much better than the Technika ones that Tesco had after that (which had the EPG out an hour problem) for Saorview. Neither is Saorview certified but the i-CAN box was definitely the better box - and pretty small too.

As you noted, the box can't record.

Ging Ging

I bought one in Maplins for my parents house too.

Bit of a problem though. All available Saorview and Freeview (as of today) channels tune in with good quality.

However with the Freeview channels when switching between channels sometimes (quite often the previous channel signal disappears, blank screen. Scrolling down the epg or selecting another channel and then returning to the problematic channel sometimes restores the channel signal but its very hit and miss.

This blank screen also results in the affected channels being deleted from any lists I add them to.

Both saorview and freeview can be recieved by other means at the same address so I definitely think its the box. I can't seem to find a link for a firmware update on the I-Can website?

Has anyone had similar problems? I'm considering returning it as its pretty useless at the moment:mad:

Ging Ging

Also I did full rescans of chanels but the same thing kept happening.

STB

Yes Apogee, thread here a few days ago from GB Cullen.

They are on sale for STG 29.99 (apx €37) in various Uk branded stores at the moment (including RicherSounds) for those looking for one.

That thread with pics>
a few images showing an 11 year old 13 ins portable converted to saorview

and here.

ADB make good boxes. I tested one a few years back. Solid.

SPAWKER

Have 2 of these working away no problem with both Freeview and Saorview on the same Epg puts the BBC's on 1 etc. And the Rte's in the 800s. Does digital txt on the Rte's and ordinary txt on Tv3 also the time on it is Bst.
New firmware can be found at
icaneasy.tv

watty

Maplin is almost always overpriced and most of their TV stuff doesn't work here. The Satellite gear and i-CAN Freeview HD STB work but overpriced.

swoofer

45 euro overpriced? and it gets digital text.

excollier

Well, if £29 / E45 is overpriced for a working stb, which is all most people want, then what constitutes a fair price?
Most Saorview boxes are dearer than that and can not receive Freeview HD if you live in range of the NI transmitters.

swoofer

and you get an hdmi lead= 8 euro or more.

Onthe3rdDay

watty wrote: »

Maplin is almost always overpriced

Most of Maplins stuff is expensive and there is usually a cheaper alternative. However, they do have the odd item that is more than competitive.

The items are not overpriced however. It's basic capitalism. They charge as much as they think they can get and they seem to get enough to stay in business.

Capt'n Midnight

GBCULLEN wrote: »

45 euro overpriced? and it gets digital text.

That's €7 more than they charge UK customers :mad:

BTW no stock listed on the island

richer sounds might have some
http://www.richersounds.com/product/freeview-freesat-pvr/ican/easy-hd-2851t/i-can-freevew-hd

excollier

Everything (except diesel and petrol) is more expensive here. Thank goodness I live near the border!

watty

GBCULLEN wrote: »

and you get an hdmi lead= 8 euro or more.

€2.50 in Limerick city my last HDMI lead.

I agree this is one of Maplin's less overpriced (I have seen x5 markup!) as only marginally more expensive.

Very occasionally they have a bargain. But mostly grossly overpriced. Dunnes next door often has the SAME cable or lamp at 1/2 the price.

The Electrical & HW shop in William St is far cheaper for mains sockets plugs and lamps. Dunnes, Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Dealz Euroland up to 1/3rd price for same item.

So without comparing "on line" Maplins are generally overpriced, full of poor quality items and incompatible items. They have even in the past stocked items illegal here.

Last week they had adverts on products that contravened Advertising standards / SOGA.

watty

excollier wrote: »

Everything (except diesel and petrol) is more expensive here. Thank goodness I live near the border!

B*llsh*t is cheaper and in generous supply.

reboot

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

Most of Maplins stuff is expensive and there is usually a cheaper alternative. However, they do have the odd item that is more than competitive.

The items are not overpriced however. It's basic capitalism. They charge as much as they think they can get and they seem to get enough to stay in business.

I agree with all that,you just have to say"Maplin",light the blue touch paper,and stand back,
with some people.
I found the little TV/monitor they sell has been invaluable in locating channels at DSO.
Just last week I bought several of the following from their Belfast store.
"4in 1 solar charger" It will play music from an SD card,has a good FM Tx,which means you just tune it into your car radio,solar or USB charged.Comes with all the cables and adapters.Lcd display,charge indicator etc. Overpriced?I don't think so. At £4.99!
Some people still do not have broadband in their area and I always like to buy in store after I have picked the thing up.
Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.