DTT/SAT Combo Boxes List 2009

the500club · 29-12-2009 12:43PM

spfeno wrote: »

Dived into the deep end and just purchased the MVision HD300 Combo from SaorTV for teenagers/kids playroom

Have been toying around with the box and have managed to scan in the satellite channels (satellite is fixed with a quad LNB and another line running to main room with Sky subscription) and have saved & organised the channels I require BUT it isn't picking up any of the Terrestrial channels when I scan.

I'm living in Ratoath and have a large, roof mounted Yagi aerial pointing toward Three Rock (at least I'm assuming its Three Rock). All the terrestrial channels were being received perfectly prior to MVision box purchase (so why change it I hear you ask; )

SaorTV mentioned it could be receiving analogue signal from an in-fill transmitter (and not Three Rock - again as I've said I assume its Three Rock since its pointin that way).

Anyhow, on this thread a page or two back a question was asked relating to picking up DTT signal from a tranmsitter and not a relay but no aswer was given - so I'll ask it again

1. How do you know if your UHF aerial is pointing toward a main transmitter and not a relay

2. Since I'm living in Ratoath, does anyone know where I should have the UHF aerial pointing to in order to get DTT signal. Rather leave it alone if I don't have to move it as it's a large roofmounted piece of kit (professionally installed a number of years ago)

Hoping someone can help as its really bugging me

Hi,

If you can check on your TV what freq your watching analog rte1 on, you will be able to find out which transmitter your are receiving from, click on link to see what freq each transmitter is working on http://www.rtenl.ie/downloads/television-frequencies.pdf once you know what transmitter your on it will also let you know if it is H or V.

Let me know how you get on thanks

Stoner · 03-01-2010 11:22PM

STB wrote: »

Cheapest - Mvision HD200, DarkBox Combo and Metabox HD CXCI - all atround the €200 mark delivered. Alsat were doing a deal on the Darkbox Combo before Christmas for £160 (with Metalgear Motor included).

I'm looking at spending this kind of money, do any to the PVR-EGP options have a series link type function, or do you have to go into the guide once a week to plan everything?

thanks

STB · 04-01-2010 12:36AM

Stoner wrote: »

I'm looking at spending this kind of money, do any to the PVR-EGP options have a series link type function, or do you have to go into the guide once a week to plan everything?

thanks

Those type combo boxes you posted from will not pull down 7 day EPG from satellite. You only get now and next on those for Sat OR full day for DTT so you are limited in the pick option pressing record on the epg items you can record on sat anyway. I suppose you could use the timer facility to bypass this problem (thats why they are cheaper)

A linux type combo box will pull down the 7 day EPG when patched (such as the Qbox or Axbox HD but they are double the price).

Tony · 06-01-2010 10:29PM

Ferguson now have a combo box http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/hd-ariva-receivers/177-ferguson-ariva-hdcombo.html

STB · 09-01-2010 02:22AM

How do you find the Fergusons Tony ? I see you are selling them.

......................................................................................................................
Clarke Tech HD 6600 TRIPLE TUNER

Not to be outdone Germany outfit Clarke Tech have just released their version of the Technomate Triple Tuner.

2 DVBS2 tuners & 1 DVBT HD tuners with internal HDD. same price range as new Technomate.

Front

Back

datasheet

STB · 09-01-2010 02:43AM

More like a PC! But if you have the cash.......... €630

Jepssen Digital Box HD Core 2 Quad Q8200

Digital Satellite HD Receiver (DVB-S2, DVB-S) for TV and Radio channels, free to air and scrambled (Common Interface opt.)
Digital Terrestrial HD Receiver for TV and Radio channels, free to air and scrambled (Common Interface USB opt.)
Terrestrial Receiver for TV and FM Radio channels
PVR (Personal Video Recorder) with hard disk from 400GB till 1 TB (Terabyte/1000GB), Mpeg-2/Mpeg-4 H.264 real time recording and reproduction with “Time Shift” function
Multimedia Player, in order to reproduce all audio/video formats (DVD, DivX HD, DivX, DivX Pro, Xvid HD, Xvid, WM9, WM9-HD, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD-R, VDC, SVCD, DVCD, CD, MP3, CD-R, CD-RW, etc.)
DVD Recorder, for recording and storing in the DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD-R, CD+RW, CD+R, CD-RW, CD-R, etc. formats (opt.)
Digital Home Theatre 7.1 HD, 8 HD audio channels, complete of some effects and controls in order to run up to 7 speakers and 1 subwoofer
Card Reader, for reading and writing on all the most popular memory cards (CF, SD, etc.)
Photo Album&Editor in order to record, to catalogue and editing photo and images in the several formats existing
Web TV with 56K or ADSL modem (IPTV, internet, email, videotelephone, etc.)
Game Station with graphic 3D processor
Computer with Dual/Quad Core CPU AMD or Intel
AMD Live!/Intel ViiV Ready
Max Graphic Svga 256MB/512MB PCI-E
2GB Ram DDRII 800MHZ
Lan 100 Mbps or Lan 1000 Mbps (WLan 802.11g 108Mbps opt.)
LCD System Control Panel (opt.)
Hard Disk mobile rack (opt.)
rear inputs/outputs: Sat Antenna, Terrestrial Antenna, HDMI or DVI, RCA, S-Video, SCART, Svga, 1 Mic, 8 speakers (7.1), 4USB 2.0, 1 Game/Midi
frontal inputs/outputs: 1Mic, 1 Headphone, 2 USB 2.0
direct connection to any audio/video equipment (television set, videoprojector, auxiliary AV HI-FI system, PC monitor)
2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Optical Trackball Keyboard for the control at distance (up to 10meters 360°) complete of multimedia function keys
Infrared remote control with "Green Button" for Windows Vista
PowerCinema 4
Windows Vista (opt.)

Tony · 09-01-2010 12:25PM

Good feedback from customers so far but to be honest I've not had time to really go through all the features. Mike at freesat.ie is also selling them and hes had good reaction so far.

STB wrote: »

How do you find the Fergusons Tony ? I see you are selling them.

Apogee · 09-01-2010 10:02PM

It's surprising that no manufacturer of combo boxes has managed to incorporate the Freesat EPG (apart from Linux machines), while Fortec did so with the Passion receivers well over a year ago.

Tony · 09-01-2010 10:29PM

I'm not that surprised since its licensed software so therefore there are costs and approvals needed. Commercially though it would be a winner in my view and increase viewership.

Apogee wrote: »

It's surprising that no manufacturer of combo boxes has managed to incorporate the Freesat EPG (apart from Linux machines), while Fortec did so with the Passion receivers well over a year ago.

snaps · 09-01-2010 10:52PM

Tony wrote: »

Ferguson now have a combo box http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/hd-ariva-receivers/177-ferguson-ariva-hdcombo.html

This is an interesting machine. Ive got a 6900 cr that has great support. Good price as well if there is a discount for boardsies!

Tony · 09-01-2010 11:20PM

snaps wrote: »

l if there is a discount for boardsies!

Of course

Apogee · 10-01-2010 12:16AM

Tony wrote: »

I'm not that surprised since its licensed software so therefore there are costs and approvals needed. Commercially though it would be a winner in my view and increase viewership.

I don't think that Fortec did licence it from Freesat. They only released the firmware update after the compression tables had been circulated on the net and even then the early implementations were buggy. A manufacturer could easily post an unofficial firmware image on a forum somewhere - much like the way all the softcams magically appear for the different boxes.

Tony · 10-01-2010 12:57PM

I've been on to ferguson about doing just that but got little interest, they dont seem to realise what a boost to sales it would be.

Apogee wrote: »

I don't think that Fortec did licence it from Freesat. They only released the firmware update after the compression tables had been circulated on the net and even then the early implementations were buggy. A manufacturer could easily post an unofficial firmware image on a forum somewhere - much like the way all the softcams magically appear for the different boxes.

Apogee · 11-01-2010 07:17PM

Is the Ferguson group who sell the combo boxes the same Ferguson group who sell the official Freesat receivers?

Tony · 11-01-2010 07:59PM

I did not know ferguson sold freesat boxes, do you have a link?

Sam Russell · 11-01-2010 08:13PM

Tony wrote: »

I did not know ferguson sold freesat boxes, do you have a link?

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/587842/FERGUSON-F101HDSAT

Tony · 11-01-2010 08:47PM

Interesting but unfortunately not the same company. I think what has happened is the Ferguson brand name has been sold to different companies in different areas. My Dad actually worked for Ferguson when they were a big company in Ireland and Uk many years ago.

Sam Russell wrote: »

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/587842/FERGUSON-F101HDSAT

muchos04 · 11-01-2010 09:29PM

Tony,

Does the Ferguson combo box listed on your site allow for 7 day EPG? Its a good price on your site.

Are the Irish tailored specific boxes coming on the market soon that you'll be selling?

Regards
Muchos04

Tony · 11-01-2010 09:38PM

Afraid not it only has now/next information. There will not be any box specifically made for Ireland but any box with MPEG 4 for DTT should work here.

muchos04 wrote: »

Tony,

Does the Ferguson combo box listed on your site allow for 7 day EPG? Its a good price on your site.

Are the Irish tailored specific boxes coming on the market soon that you'll be selling?

Regards
Muchos04

muchos04 · 11-01-2010 10:35PM

what do you recommend in the way of combos? preferrably cheapest?

Tony · 11-01-2010 10:36PM

I think its best if others make recommendations. As a retailer i'm not exactly objective

muchos04 · 11-01-2010 10:44PM

fair enough Tony. Must admit though i really like the Ariva. It looks quite good. i'll have another look at it.

Tony · 11-01-2010 11:48PM

No problem, i'm sure there will be reviews as more people get to use it.

snaps · 12-01-2010 08:18AM

Well ill say one thing about Fergussons, Ive got a SD version 6900 CR which i paid 39e for (Along with a Cyfra+ sub), I use it in the bedroom. Its an amazing piece of kit, Has a USB hard drive attached so i can record. I have it attached to a fixed dish for UKFTA and also my 1.1m motorised dish for the foreign channels (i use a disqce switch to select dishes). It has a multicypt card reader which reads my Al Jazeera and Cyfra+ cards with no problems. Also 3rd party S/W is readily available on the internet to keep them upto date. Ive checked for S/W for this combo unit and its readily available to keep it in tip top condition!

With satellite.ie's boards discount and good service, its a fantastic price and come next week when its back in stock ill be getting one to run along side my TM6900 downstairs and bring my Freesat HD box upstairs!

For me the DTT test channels from Truskmore are much stronger than my Analouge from Castlebar, So Watching Irish TV on my 47" LCD is a no no on analouge! Analouge is ok in the kitchen and bedrooms on smaller tv's.

muchos04 · 12-01-2010 12:04PM

What does the Ferguson Ariva combo cost for Boards.ie members?

Should i worry that DTT DVB-T might not come in and therefore the box will only be semi utilised or that a different version i.e. DVB T2 is adopted? Will the box be able to be updated to cover any changes which might happen in the digital market?

snaps · 12-01-2010 01:00PM

muchos04 wrote: »

What does the Ferguson Ariva combo cost for Boards.ie members?

Should i worry that DTT DVB-T might not come in and therefore the box will only be semi utilised or that a different version i.e. DVB T2 is adopted? Will the box be able to be updated to cover any changes which might happen in the digital market?

The DTT transmissions will come in, If its only the main channels. It has to, under european law. The infrustructure is already in place by RTE.

The only DTT that may not come in is pay DTT

Apogee · 12-01-2010 11:17PM

Tony wrote: »

Interesting but unfortunately not the same company.

I'd have thought if they were different companies, then there would be no conflict of interest, so the combo manufacturer would be interested in reverse-engineering the EPG and selling more boxes. Unfortunately not it would seem.

Tony · 13-01-2010 12:46AM

Apogee wrote: »

Unfortunately not it would seem.

Agreed

STB · 13-01-2010 02:27AM

Apogee wrote: »

I'd have thought if they were different companies, then there would be no conflict of interest, so the combo manufacturer would be interested in reverse-engineering the EPG and selling more boxes. Unfortunately not it would seem.

I gather that the 28.2 EPG "engineering" involved Rapture TV who post over at digitalspy.................

Apogee · 13-01-2010 09:12PM

No, I don't think so. My understanding is that the new RealDigital project (Rapture TV, Fortec and Information TV) will involve the transmission of a completely separate EPG stream independent of Freesat. This EPG will cover the Freesat line-up plus other free-to-air channels and potentially encrypted channels as well.

DTT/SAT Combo Boxes List 2009

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