Bit of a rant thread (Freesat/saorview advice needed)

Turlock

Hi Folks,

Just having a bit of an experience trying to purchase a combo box over the last few days so wondering what peoples take on this is and then what their best advice is.

So my neighbour had a freesat/saorview "Acorn" combo box which he used for years that suddenly died on him. As it happens I'd a Ferguson 250 Combo that someone had given me so I was able to set that up and install it for him.

After a few teething issues around his use of the box mainly on how to use the UI, he's about 80 but very with it we got him sorted. He'd problems using the remote though and it's come down to the fact that he needs to basically stand in front of the box pointing it directly at it for the box to respond.

Me being me thought for the sake of it it's probably better to buy a new combo box with a working remote and what I'd assumed would be a much more user friendly interface given how popular these receivers now are.

After a load of searching online I'm struggling to figure out which box to go for. It seems that there are quite a few out there almost to the point where each vendor have their own branded receivers.

Although I'm very IT competent and have an idea of what I need I just can't find anyone to actually talk to. My criteria are basic but not technical so they don't show in the tech specs but someone who knows these systems would be able to answer them in a couple of minutes

• Combo box that can handle saorview and freesat
• Wide/Normal angle remote
• Quick boot time
• User friendly interface

*Other thing I have a question on is the channel listings, it sounds like they update now and again so need to be reprogrammed, this isn't specific to a box but something I'd like to clarify. Retailers generally seem to keep http links for their updated channel listings as they happen

To break this down I assume the remote I have is broken although maybe it's just a cheap build issue. Basically I need a remote that behaves like normal remotes.

The quick boot time is a dig at the Powerpoint Saorview box which from standby seems to take about 2 minutes to display a channel

The user interface is more nice to have as from what I can tell they all have a pretty similar UI. Ideal would be Sky menu but I understand that's a rolls royce solution when we're on a penny sweet budget

With that in mind I thought best bet is to find a bricks and mortar shop where someone can confirm the box I need and can sell it to me so headed to a big enough shop off the Kylemore road.
The customer service was the most ignorant thing I've ever seen, only info I could get were that their boxes ranged from 50 to 100 euro. I dug hard for more info and when eventually managed to get the difference between the 50 and 100 euro box was told it has a faster processor. I tried to clarify what the benefits of that were and was told it'll change channel quicker. I went into the shop with 100 euro in my hand to do a quick check and nab a box but had to actually walk out with the levels of ignorance.
That was sales, if I bought a faulty box I can only imagine the effort trying to return something would be.

After a quick search online I found that a major general electronics reseller supply boxes. On arriving though their choice was seriously limited and the sales blokes didn't really know anything about the finer details on them.

Having given up trying to find something in Dublin my next choice was to contact a seller based about 1.5 hours from Dublin. They've serious presence on you tube and looked exactly like the type of people who'd be able to help me out. I rang them this morning on the number on their site and when the phone was answered I started by saying I was looking for a box but just need to clarify a couple of points and was told that the number was only for a depot and I'd have to email in any queries.
Granted they note on their site that email is their preferred method of contact and I understand that from a technical support point of view but sales??

Pretty lost now and just can't get over the incompetence of dealing with these sellers. I know that's OTT after only dealing with one and a half shops (I haven't emailed because I think if I'm going to do that I'll just email an ebay seller with cheaper options and then really it's hard to judge the major reseller on lack of indepth knowledge) but still.

So in conclusion, anyone know a good receiver that would meet my criteria above or would they have a seller they'd recommend that I could talk to? I'm based in Dublin and budget is in around the 80 -> 100 quid range.

The Cush

Have a look at this thread

https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057898524/1

Turlock

Cheers for that, I'm concerned about the BBC issue as that's one of a few channels that he actually watches, other than that it looks great.

To clarify whether there's a patch available or not generally I'll search the model number, find the manufacturers website and chase that way. When I search the model number the only results I get are from Power City and I can't find the manufacturers website at all.

I know that it sounds like I'm being a bit anal but it's just that I've to hand this over to an 80 year old who's tasked me with fixing his telly. If I give him a box that doesn't do BBC I know he'll just ask when that'll be fixed and me saying "dunno" means he'll wonder why did I buy him this box

Just to clarify, I'm not doing this for financial gain, he's a great neighbour and I can help him out so that's all I'm trying to do. I'm aware my posts have a touch of diva to them haha

jake1970

The BBC issue is only an issue if the box is connected to the internet.

Ten Pin

...the remote...he needs to basically stand in front of the box pointing it directly at it for the box to respond.

If it's still working but only up close then the remote might just need new batteries. Or maybe clean the circuit board inside the remote.

Turlock

jake1970 wrote: »

The BBC issue is only an issue if the box is connected to the internet.

Legend thanks, it won't be so that's perfect

Turlock

Ten Pin wrote: »

If it's still working but only up close then the remote might just need new batteries. Or maybe clean the circuit board inside the remote.

Yeah I tried new batt's, a few sets as I tried one and he'd tried one but no joy. I tried to open the remote to see if there was anything but it's all glued together I think. Tried to force it a bit and snapped it apart

Reckon Walkers box is a good runner, I'll drop into PC later to check it out.

@TheCush, thanks for your help on this and the other thread, much appreciated

decor58

Turlock wrote:

To clarify whether there's a patch available or not generally I'll search the model number, find the manufacturers website and chase that way. When I search the model number the only results I get are from Power City and I can't find the manufacturers website at all.

It said Glen Dimplex on the unit I saw in Powercity, now what their support is like I don't know but they are a reputable company.

The Cush

decor58 wrote: »

It said Glen Dimplex on the unit I saw in Powercity,

Walker is a Glen Dimplex company.