Cheapo scart DTT receiver.

ArraMusha

I've read through previous treads on the limitation with these units (thanks for the info.)and I've decided on this digital terrestrial scart receiver.

I realize that it wont be compliant to the new teletext requirements in MPEG5.

Main spec considerations:
It has MPEG4 AVC/H.264 HP@L4.
Chipset = MSD7818.Product type is labelled DTR5104M.
Has a HDMI port.

Link

Before I open the paypal wallet...please "pick holes" in this device...by letting me know about anything else I need to consider... I welcome all feedback...

winston_1

It's already got plenty of holes in it. Maybe these will help with the ventilation as these type of units are known to overheat.

watty

Many have PSU that breaks all EU EMC laws and is fire/safety risk in Ireland/UK due to wrong or poor plug.

It's not much bother to run an extension SCART or HDMI from a proper box even on wall mounted TV as the "SCART" model needs aerial & power cables anyway.

Also models more compatible not much more. Certified boxes are 1/3rd to 1/2 of TV licence or about 1 or 2 months pay TV charge, have a 2 year retail guarantee, are safe, don't jam radios and work with all non-PVR features.

Johnboy1951

I had difficulties getting the unit to plug in properly to an older TV ..... I eventually had to use an extension from the scart socket of the tv and plug the device into the extension to get a reliable connection.
Mostly the reason was the plastic surround of the TV socket.

I would have much preferred a device with a scart socket so that I could have used a cable ....

Other than that it worked well while I used it.

ArraMusha

Thanks for the feedback.

I'll order it and measure the current draw.

Then throw away the power supply that comes with it and stick a CE marked switching supply in instead.

Kristopherus

You would be better off getting the Ferguson T65 Mini. Available from satsklep.pl. About €40 delivered to your door and no customs worries as its coming from within the EU. Just my 2 cents.

ArraMusha

Kristopherus wrote: »

You would be better off getting the Ferguson T65 Mini. Available from satsklep.pl. About €40 delivered to your door and no customs worries as its coming from within the EU. Just my 2 cents.

This Ferguson unit doesn't mention MPEG4 at L4 which is needed for Net2 HD..as far as I understand it...?

Peter Rhea

Saw a couple of these in my local Tesco earlier, with a big 'Saorview approved' sticker on the packaging of one of them. For €39.

watty

Eventually for all main Irish channels

watty

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Saw a couple of these in my local Tesco earlier, with a big 'Saorview approved' sticker on the packaging of one of them. For €39.

I'm sceptical. Are they on www.saorview.ie ?

A Limerick Tesco is selling regular Freeview boxes cheaply (Not Freeview HD).

Peter Rhea

No sign of them on the approved list (yet). I'll keep an eye on it.

Kristopherus

ArraMusha wrote: »

This Ferguson unit doesn't mention MPEG4 at L4 which is needed for Net2 HD..as far as I understand it...?

Here you go:http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/terrestrial-tv/339-ferguson-ariva-t65mini.html

ArraMusha

Ordered this 'yoke' today, 25 eura from hong kong. Told the lad to mark it as a gift...

If it arrives I'll bench test it in the lab and stick up the findings here.

The nicely priced unit in Tesco at 39eura, is also another one worth considering.

raddo

Bought one of these from ebay last month, arrived on Monday.
Great size and swivel Scart connection makes it ideal for a small portable TV, exactly what I bought it for.
Came with a two pin plug/adapter with a rating of 5V and 2000mA (2A), that current rating seems quite high but haven't measured the actual draw from the unit.
Plugged it in and connected it to a TV via Scart, felt that the Scart plug didn't actually seem to plug in fully but still worked and was quite solid in the TV connector.
As for the unit, no problem setting it up and watching TV, no digital teletext, EPG is basic enough but has everything that you would need.
Remote control is very good, quite ergonomic and easy to use.
One issue that I had was that after having the unit on for about a hour, when I was disconnecting and putting it away, I felt that the HDMI socket/connector on the box was very hot. So hot that you could not put your finger on it for long.
Is this an issue that might affect the unit if it is powered on for a long while, I don't know?
I didn't check the HDMI output from the box as the TV I was using didn't have a HDMI input, also never tried USB, playback or recording.
So overall it seems like a handy solution for 25 euro, but the heat generated by the unit may be an issue.
It'll be interesting to see what your tests come up with ArraMusha.

ArraMusha

OK Raddo, I'll let you know how I get on. I plan on doin a thorough evaluation, including an infra red temperature analysis of the PCBA...I dont want to have this yoke overheating...if it does it'll be flung into the muck-spreader.

Noticed that the 'chape' scart boxes in Tesco (that plug directly into the telly scart, like this one) were sold out in the local branch, but they still had loadsa small boxes for 39eura.. cant remember the brand, but didn't see MPEG L4 on the box!

The Cush

ArraMusha wrote: »

Noticed that the 'chape' scart boxes in Tesco (that plug directly into the telly scart, like this one) were sold out in the local branch, but they still had loadsa small boxes for 39eura.. cant remember the brand, but didn't see MPEG L4 on the box!

"Go Clever DVB-T200" mpeg-4 L4.1 if I remember correctly when I saw them last week.

winston_1

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Saw a couple of these in my local Tesco earlier, with a big 'Saorview approved' sticker on the packaging of one of them. For €39.

Well they are clearly not approved. Someone should throw the book at Tesco. Every fiddle helps, as they say.

JRH

ArraMusha wrote: »

If it arrives I'll bench test it in the lab and stick up the findings here.

.

Oh please Do ! ...

All i know is you stick it in and it works fine :rolleyes:

jonnygee

The Cush wrote: »

"Go Clever DVB-T200" mpeg-4 L4.1 if I remember correctly when I saw them last week.

They got some tvstar t1020,s in for the weekend, I think thats the 39 euro one being referred to, goclever pretty much sold out. To be honest it,s not a bad price for it as it has been selling for 45 to 50 euro anywhere iv,e seen it.
A very compact box, not the scart adaptor type, needs a scart or hdmi lead, not approved, no mheg5, works fine for the channels as do the other unapproved boxes, pretty poor remote control though.
Unless you need a very small box then the tvstar t1010 that is /was being sold in supervalu for 45 euro would be a better buy.
At this stage an old saying "beggars cant be choosers" comes to mind. No offence intended to anyone but if you have left it this late to buy then choices are very limited.