4ife irish digital set top box

EdmondShiels3

I want to find out if the 4ife set top boxes that are sold in curry's are any good.

Moac

I bought one yesterday in DID/ Clery's and have screwed up_ totally my own fault !! ... Help needed!

When I switched on, the Installation screen showed Country = Ireland but of course I scrolled through to see what other countries were there and I cannot scroll back to Ireland!

Does anyone know how to reset the box?

It is a SV-201 HD Digital Terrestrial Set Top Box.

deadshort

Press the menu button
Scroll down to setup & more
Scroll across to the X.
This resets the box.

recyclebin

The 4ife box does not appear to be Saorview approved. You can get a Saorview approved box for around the same price in Tesco, Argos, Power City, etc.

4ife from Currys

Alba from Argos

Technika from Tesco

Vision from Power City

winston_1

Moac wrote: »

I bought one yesterday in DID/ Clery's and have screwed up_ totally my own fault !! ... Help needed!

When I switched on, the Installation screen showed Country = Ireland but of course I scrolled through to see what other countries were there and I cannot scroll back to Ireland!

Does anyone know how to reset the box?

It is a SV-201 HD Digital Terrestrial Set Top Box.

Yes you've certainly screwed up. Not approved, and therefore no MHEG. Return it as not suitable/mis sold.

4ifesupport

Moac, the 4ife range of products are in all retail stores around Ireland.
They consist of approved and non approved:
SV-201 Terrestrial HD Digital Box.
SV-400 Terrestrial and Satellite Combo Box
SV-500 Terrestrial and DVD Set Top Box
And the SV-600 Approved Terrestrial and Satellite Combo Box.

For more information please visit http://www.4ife.ie/

Kind Regards,
4ife

winston_1

Not impressed with that web site. A company that puts "digital aerials" on it's web site when there is NO SUCH THING is not a company I would deal with or recommend.

Go with a company that knows about what it is selling.

4ifesupport

Sorry to hear that Winston.
To clarify, A digital Aerial is an aerial/antenna capable of receiving the new digital signal, providing more channels and enhanced services.
I appreciate your response. All consumers have the right to their own justification and merit.
Kind Regards,
4ife

St Senan

http://www.4ife.ie/ sure that's Electroplus.

4ifesupport

Electroplus distributes the brand that is 4ife.

Extinction

4ifesupport wrote: »

Sorry to hear that Winston.
To clarify, A digital Aerial is an aerial/antenna capable of receiving the new digital signal, providing more channels and enhanced services.
I appreciate your response. All consumers have the right to their own justification and merit.
Kind Regards,
4ife

There is no such thing as a digital aerial, an aerial capable of receiving a digital signal is called a UHF aerial, not a digital aerial. Most people already have one.

St Senan

4ifesupport wrote: »

Electroplus distributes the brand that is 4ife.

And Electroplus and 4ife work from the same address 12 knockmitten lane.???

Quote from Electroplus You-Tube page
Electroplus, Ireland's leading entertainment distributors, have teamed up with the Irish Wildlife Trust to launch their new brand called '4ife' for the Irish digital switchover market.

The 4ife box is only a re-badged Vestel same as the Walker Combi.

Extinction

Maybe somebody in 4life should have a read of this page from the saorview website, http://www.saorview.ie/help-support/faqs/aerials/
It explains about aerials how there is no such thing as a digital aerial. Calling an aerial a digital aerial is just mis selling and trying to confuse the public.

The Cush

4ifesupport wrote: »

To clarify, A digital Aerial is an aerial/antenna capable of receiving the new digital signal, providing more channels and enhanced services.

From Saorview

Will my VHF aerial work?
No, you need a standard UHF aerial to get SAORVIEW. Most people already have this type of aerial. If you get TV3 with your aerial, that aerial is likely fine to get SAORVIEW. There is no such thing as a digital aerial.

Do I need a digital aerial?
There is no such thing as a digital aerial. You need a standard UHF aerial to get SAORVIEW. Most people already have this type of aerial. If you get TV3 with your aerial, that aerial is likely fine to get SAORVIEW.

http://www.saorview.ie/help-support/faqs/aerials/

A standard rooftop UHF aerial is fine. The majority of homes with an existing rooftop UHF aerial will be able to receive the SAORVIEW signal. Remember – there is no such thing as a digital aerial.

http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/step-2-check-aerial/

Going Digital website

Your Top 5 Questions

1. Do I need an aerial to receive Saorview?
Yes. Like the old TV network, SAORVIEW uses an aerial to receive the TV signals. SAORVIEW is received through a standard UHF aerial either on the TV viewer’s roof or indoors. So in most cases your current aerial will work. If you have concerns about this contact your local aerial installer or SAORVIEW for more information. Please remember however there is no such thing as a ‘digital aerial’.

28. I get TV from an aerial on my roof. Will I have to change this aerial?
There is no such thing as a digital aerial so in most cases your current aerial will work.

http://www.goingdigital.ie/Sections/Frequently+Asked+Questions/Frequently+Asked+Questions.htm

Do I need an aerial to receive Saorview?
Yes. Like the old TV network, SAORVIEW uses an aerial to receive the TV signals. SAORVIEW is received through a standard UHF aerial either on the TV viewer’s roof or indoors. So in most cases your current aerial will work. If you have concerns about this contact your local aerial installer or SAORVIEW for more information. Please remember however there is no such thing as a ‘digital aerial’.

http://www.goingdigital.ie/Info/Top+Questions/Do+I+need+an+aerial+to+receive+Saorview.htm

The Digital Aerial Myth - http://www.paras.org.uk/04-aerial.shtml

St Senan

Surely someone in Electroplus/4ife knows that there is no such thing as a digital aerial.

St Senan

Extinction wrote: »

Calling an aerial a digital aerial is just mis selling and trying to confuse the public.

With less than a month away from the ASO I would say that the public has never been more confused since the civil war.

Gerry Wicklow

Navarre wrote: »

Surely someone in Electroplus/4ife knows that there is no such thing as a digital aerial.

Ah yes, but do the suckers customers? :rolleyes:

Extinction

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Ah yes, but do the suckers customers? :rolleyes:

It's very difficult for customers to know what the truth is when you have companies such as this using the switchover to fill their pockets as much as possible. Any company who prints 'Digital aerial' on their product is trying to muddy the waters to gain sales. You don't see companies such as triax print 'digital aerial' on their equipment.

A quote from another chancer, MYTV, https://www.mytv.ie/pages/index.jsf?page=16
'At My TV we recommend that as part of switching from either analogue to digital or Pay to subscription free TV you replace your aerial to ensure you get a consistent, high quality TV signal'

I read that as another blatent attempt at screwing money from people who actually don't need a new aerial. Customers can get a consistent, high quality signal from their existing UHF aerials.

St Senan

I see our Saorview installer from China above is also is trying to sell DIGITAL aerials to the unsuspecting public.



I am sure its happening else where but its gone crazy down this way with all these new Saorview installers taking down perfectly good working aerials and replacing them with these fabulous new shiny DIGITAL aerials that only saorview will work with.

CGI_3

Extinction wrote: »

A quote from another chancer, MYTV, https://www.mytv.ie/pages/index.jsf?page=16
'At My TV we recommend that as part of switching from either analogue to digital or Pay to subscription free TV you replace your aerial to ensure you get a consistent, high quality TV signal'

I read that as another blatent attempt at screwing money from people who actually don't need a new aerial. Customers can get a consistent, high quality signal from their existing UHF aerials.

Also screwing potential customers with a sky high 0818 phone number. I make it a point to avoid any company / service that cant give a simple geographic phone number.

Rudekid69

I think you are getting a bit over excited about this digital aerial thing. I think the reason manufacturers are using the 'Digital Aerial' title is because most users don't understand UHF etc. SAORVIEW are the ones bandying the word 'Digital' about, so that is what the consumer will be looking for if they need an aerial.
I think the advice you get depends where you buy your equipment. Most retailers would tell you to try the aerial you have first before buying a new one. Afterall they want to sell you at set top box or a new TV, an aerial install is an obstacle I would imagine.

St Senan

Rudekid69 nice 1st post???
The only people getting excited over DIGITAL aerials are the people who sell aerials and are calling them DIGITAL aerials. There are thousands of households who don't need new DIGITAL aerials at all but these households don't know this and are not been told this. There are guys out there removing perfectly good working Aerials and replacing them with shiny new DIGITAL aerials at an extra cost to people just to make more money.

Sponge Bob

I give mytv till Christmas at most.

St Senan

I will give all these so called Saorview sales reps and installation contractors until the new year. RTE were told by the rural installer not to let Saorview go the same route as Sky that is sold and installed through sales agents and sub contractors. The retailer list on the Saorview site will be getting smaller in a few months.

Extinction

Rudekid69 wrote: »

I think you are getting a bit over excited about this digital aerial thing. I think the reason manufacturers are using the 'Digital Aerial' title is because most users don't understand UHF etc. SAORVIEW are the ones bandying the word 'Digital' about, so that is what the consumer will be looking for if they need an aerial.
I think the advice you get depends where you buy your equipment. Most retailers would tell you to try the aerial you have first before buying a new one. Afterall they want to sell you at set top box or a new TV, an aerial install is an obstacle I would imagine.

Most users would understand that all they need is a UHF aerial if companies called them UHF aerials, the reason people are confused about 'Digital Aerials' is because some dishonest companies use this term in an attempt to confuse people into thinking they need to change their aerial.
Saorview are indeed bandying the word digital about but they still don't call a UHF aerial a digital aerial. The advice does depend on where you buy your equipment, if you go to a reputable retailer or installer you will be told the truth and an aerial install won't be an obstacle but when you go to some you will be told as in the post above that a digital aerial does all sorts of magical nonsense.

Sponge Bob

You don't need to talk technically about an aerial at all bar to say

"Have you TV3 or TG4 and did you get a new aerial installed so you can get them.??"

Extinction

Or in the case of MYTV, recommend that the existing aerial is replaced for no reason.

patwicklow

Sure folks were living in rip off Ireland just one big money racket to watch rubbish television to keep the likes of gay byrne in money with his silly adverts codding the old people, thats the country we live in brain washing bullshlt!

Extinction

So 4Life are at it again but with aerials this time, a Saorview ready aerial thats also HD ready. I also see the CAI logo in there, think I'll email them and ask them if they are aware that their Logo is being used alongside these nonsensical statements.

lawhec

Extinction wrote: »

So 4Life are at it again but with aerials this time, a Saorview ready aerial thats also HD ready. I also see the CAI logo in there, think I'll email them and ask them if they are aware that their Logo is being used alongside these nonsensical statements.

Digital UK might be interested as well seeing as the UK digital tick logo is on the product, yet there is nothing in Digital UK's Registered Equipment list that matches the product code.

St Senan

Extinction wrote: »

So 4Life are at it again but with aerials this time, a Saorview ready aerial thats also HD ready. I also see the CAI logo in there, think I'll email them and ask them if they are aware that their Logo is being used alongside these nonsensical statements.

Its has been a year of nonsensical decisions and statements
The year 2012 will be known as the year Ireland was invaded by Gold (saorview) prospectors and cowboys.
The year of DIGITAL aerials.
The year of done-deal saorview adds.
The year of the Combi-Box.
The year of self called SAORVIEW installers.

But what it will really be remembered as is the year when many a good decent tax paying, insured aerial rigger went out of business because he couldn't compete with the non tax paying non insured saorview installer who was charging €80-€100 less for an upside down sky bracket a black tip €8 aerial and a unapproved €50 mpeg4 box.

swedex

Navarre wrote: »

Its has been a year of nonsensical decisions and statements
The year 2012 will be known as the year Ireland was invaded by Gold (saorview) prospectors and cowboys.
The year of DIGITAL aerials.
The year of done-deal saorview adds.
The year of the Combi-Box.
The year of self called SAORVIEW installers.

But what it will really be remembered as is the year when many a good decent tax paying, insured aerial rigger went out of business because he couldn't compete with the non tax paying non insured saorview installer who was charging €80-€100 less for an upside down sky bracket a black tip €8 aerial and a unapproved €50 mpeg4 box.

If you think 2012 was bad for cowboys, brace yourself for the septic tank shenanigans in 2013. Instead of "digital aerials" you will hear a common phrase "Sure you can drink the water that comes out of it!". :eek:

St Senan

Ha. Maybe all these Saorview installers will move on to the septic tank business next year when the aerial business is completely destroyed.

mcginncf

In reply to the first post in this thread, yes I bought the 4ife SV-201 in Currys because of its small size to fit inside our TV cabinet.

Perfect fit, booted up first time, installed various options and its worked perfect this last week. I get all the cross channel digital channels from Wales too. For 50 spots, its the business!

Extinction

Navarre wrote: »

Ha. Maybe all these Saorview installers will move on to the septic tank business next year when the aerial business is completely destroyed.

Can't wait to see the Department of Environment approved 4Life septic tank next year.

Extinction

Interesting that the same packaging appears on the 4ife website but without the CAI logo or Digital tick logo? I can't see it on the list of benchmarked products on the CAI site and I don't see 4ife mentioned as members of the CAI either.

Cantona's Collars

Navarre wrote: »

Ha. Maybe all these Saorview installers will move on to the septic tank business next year when the aerial business is completely destroyed.

With the amount of shit work they've done,the septic tank game would be right up their street.

FRIENDO

CANT PAY, WONT PAY

Robclw

mcginncf wrote: »

In reply to the first post in this thread, yes I bought the 4ife SV-201 in Currys because of its small size to fit inside our TV cabinet.

Perfect fit, booted up first time, installed various options and its worked perfect this last week. I get all the cross channel digital channels from Wales too. For 50 spots, its the business!

Just found this site while searching for answers about the 4ife SV-201, I have registered to vent my anger with 4ife and indeed Currys and other retailers for selling a product with such bad support :mad:
I bought the SV-201 in Currys Galway, got it home and it worked for a few days, sometimes with the picture freezing and receiveing interference sometimes perfect. Then all of a sudden the box stopped taking commandes from the remote. Checked the batteries and tested the remote nothing wrong with them, the problem is in the box. As the remote is the only way to turn the unit on from standby the box is useless when not able to receive commands from the remote. Now strange thing is when the tv is switched off the the box can be switched on and off using the remote so don't know whats going on there, the tv is a walker if anyone can throw some light on this problem.
When I went onto the 4ife website, there isn't a contact number for support only a form to fill in. Did this but didn't get a reply so my only option now is to return the box to Currys, which is a long way from where I live
Look forward to anyone elses experiences with this product or any product for 4ife.

swoofer

have you a maplins in galway?

Robclw

GBCULLEN wrote: »

have you a maplins in galway?

GB to make matters worse I'm not from Galway, I live about 80 miles north of Galway so will have to return it to a currys when I get to a town that has one. But to answer your question, I may be in Dublin soon and I know where maplins is there, so have you a suggestion?

Tnx

swoofer

yes i have, will send u a pm.

SarahC11

hi i just bought one of these boxes tuned it in and all that comes in in bbcs. i had rtes from the Ariel so anyone know why they wont tune in through the box??

watty

Robclw wrote: »

J... but didn't get a reply so my only option now is to return the box to Currys, which is a long way from where I live ...

Actually under Sale of Goods Act, it's Curry's problem. For 2 years!

When you buy something that is a "contract" with the Retailer. There is effectively an at least 2 year Guarantee for all manufacturing defects. Also if the unit is not as described or advertised (on packaging OR in Store) then you are entitled to a refund even if it's working perfectly.

i.e. They claim it's Saorview compatible. That claim can only be made if the Box is certified, or the Retailer has the lab and gear to prove it perfectly meets the Saorview spec. Anything else doesn't meet a legal SOGA concept of Saorview compatible.

If not certified they can ONLY claim it's DVB-T, MPEG4, MHEG5 etc to extent the manufacturer actually has those certified.

winston_1

SarahC11 wrote: »

hi i just bought one of these boxes tuned it in and all that comes in in bbcs. i had rtes from the Ariel so anyone know why they wont tune in through the box??

Impossible. Ariel is a washing powder. The upper case A gives it away. In fact the only upper case letter in your whole post.

TJJP

SarahC11 wrote: »

hi i just bought one of these boxes tuned it in and all that comes in in bbcs. i had rtes from the Ariel so anyone know why they wont tune in through the box??

The issue you have is likely that the amplified freeview signal is overiding the saorview signal on this box. Plug out the aerial power supply and do a full rescan/ reinstall of the box/channels. This will bring in saorview channels in the 800's (if they're not there already?). Then plug back in the amp power supply, this will power up the NI/UK signal, and scan for new channels. All the Freeviews should come in then. Hope that makes sense?

The Cush

TJJP wrote: »

The issue you have is likely that the amplified freeview signal is overiding the saorview signal on this box. Plug out the aerial power supply and do a full rescan/ reinstall of the box/channels. This will bring in saorview channels in the 800's (if they're not there already?). Then plug back in the amp power supply, this will power up the NI/UK signal, and scan for new channels. All the Freeviews should come in then. Hope that makes sense?

The poster has no Saorview coverage in Balbriggan until Oct 24th - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056779537

SarahC11

sorry for my bad spelling winston i think people knew what i was talking about though.
thanks tjjp and the crush who already solved my problem! i wouldn't of even thought coverage was an issue in balbriggan so would never of thought of checking! hopefully the bbc channels will stay when i am able to tune in the saorview!:)

mcginncf

I've had my 4ife SV-201 two weeks now still working perfectly except the subtitles keep switching back when I change channel. So I'm bringing it back to Currys to exchange for another one.
Perhaps the remote control problem mentioned could be the TV remote signal receiver is confusing it if it works ok when TV is off ??

Ronnie Raygun

TJJP wrote: »

The issue you have is likely that the amplified freeview signal is overiding the saorview signal on this box. Plug out the aerial power supply and do a full rescan/ reinstall of the box/channels. This will bring in saorview channels in the 800's (if they're not there already?). Then plug back in the amp power supply, this will power up the NI/UK signal, and scan for new channels. All the Freeviews should come in then. Hope that makes sense?

Not a lick of sense ...

The Cush

mcginncf wrote: »

I've had my 4ife SV-201 two weeks now still working perfectly except the subtitles keep switching back when I change channel.

Do the subtitles keep switching off or on?