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Freeview HD receiver for £70

  • 04-11-2010 10:00PM
    #1
    holidaysong
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 406 ✭✭


    I just purchased this Metronic Zapbox Freeview HD receiver from Amazon for my parents in Dundalk. It's only £70 (inc. free P&P to Ireland) and could be a good bargain for someone else, especially those in a Freeview overspill area.

    My parents only have one MPEG-2 STB at present so I was looking to get them something Saorview compatible. Also, I wanted a DVB-T2 box so they'd get the Freeview HD channels post 2012 (for those in overspill areas a Freeview HD box is actually probably a better long term buy than a T1 Saorview box).


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Comments

  • #2
    Apogee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,906 ✭✭✭Apogee


    holidaysong wrote: »
    I just purchased this Metronic Zapbox Freeview HD receiver from Amazon for my parents in Dundalk. It's only £70 (inc. free P&P to Ireland) and could be a good bargain for someone else, especially those in a Freeview overspill area.

    My parents only have one MPEG-2 STB at present so I was looking to get them something Saorview compatible. Also, I wanted a DVB-T2 box so they'd get the Freeview HD channels post 2012 (for those in overspill areas a Freeview HD box is actually probably a better long term buy than a T1 Saorview box).


    When you get a chance, could you post a few photos of the box in operation? In particular, the layout of the Irish and UK channels on the EPG - either via favourites or otherwise.


  • #3
    holidaysong
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 406 ✭✭holidaysong


    Yeah no problem. I'll report back (with photos) next week when it arrives.


  • #4
    galtee boy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,590 ✭✭✭galtee boy


    Has anybody got a Freeview + HD receiver up and running with Saorview ? If so, does it record, pause, rewind ok ? Does it show 7 day epg for Saorview and what sort of epg does it display ( any chance of pictures ! ), in other words, does the box come with a particular epg display/format in it's software and that in turn is populated with info from the Saorview signal ? What about over the air updates to software etc ? The box can't get any updates, that the manufacturer will send using Freeview ( assume here, we're not in a part of Ireland that can get Freeview ). Does MHEG5 work on it here ? as in Saorview epg and digital aertel. Thanks for any replies.


  • #5
    slicedpanman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 480 ✭✭✭slicedpanman


    to hijack galtee boys list of questions I'd also like to know; does series-link work on any of the FreeViewHD PVRs on SaorView?

    Possibly the broadcasters aren't sending the relevant data just yet to allow it to work...


  • #6
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 22,785 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    No series link on my sagemcom freeview hd with saorview anyhow.
    In contrast when you click record on a uk channels programme on this machine,it asks you do you want to record the whole series and you either click ok to yes or no

    I'm wondering do they do series link at all?

    Live pause and one touch recording works fine as does setting programmes to record in the planner up to a week in advance by clicking record in the epg.


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  • #7
    slicedpanman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 480 ✭✭✭slicedpanman


    Deleted User wrote: »
    I'm wondering do they do series link at all?

    me too BB - I've not seen any mention of it anywhere... :confused:


  • #8
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,460 ✭✭✭✭watty


    The answer is they can, if the Broadcassters submit the relevant XML


  • #9
    yop
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 16,716 Mod ✭✭✭✭yop


    Ok, can I be blonde (wait I am :) ) , but I have a Samsung LCD with in build tuner, its MPEG2, so I only have sound.

    Will the above box work then for me to get the Ireland freeview?

    Thanks v much


  • #10
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 22,785 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    how long ago did you buy the tv?
    If it's less than 2 years ago,popular wisdom round here is,with the sale of goods act, you can return it and the shop must give you your money back or a replacement that has mpeg 4 as the tv is not fit for purpose in that it soon will not be able to receive irish terrestrial tv.


  • #11
    yop
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 16,716 Mod ✭✭✭✭yop


    Black Briar, no I bought it near 5 years ago.

    I have a 22" Samsung with build in MPEG4 decoder and it works a treat.

    There is I think, a cam slot in the Samsung 40" LCD that I have (the 5 yr old one).


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  • #12
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,460 ✭✭✭✭watty


    cam slot is no use
    The Neotion "CAMs" such as Pocket Duo or NP4 will not convert TVs or Set-boxes
    Warnings

    * The NP4 or any other Neotion CAM will never meet NorDig 2.0, Soarview Specification or do HD TV. Do not Purchase. It will Fail

    http://www.neotion-processor.com/processors/processors.pdf
    The CAM slot is only good for UK topup TV and French SD payTV TNT (not TNT HD).

    Cams can't do HD on MPEG2 sets.


  • #13
    byte
    Moderators, Regional North West Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 19,243 Mod ✭✭✭✭byte
    byte


    Deleted User wrote: »
    how long ago did you buy the tv?
    If it's less than 2 years ago,popular wisdom round here is,with the sale of goods act, you can return it and the shop must give you your money back or a replacement that has mpeg 4 as the tv is not fit for purpose in that it soon will not be able to receive irish terrestrial tv.
    The only argument I can see, is if the TV was promoted as a digital TV (eg. it had MPEG2), then there might be a case there.

    If the TV was sold not promoting a digital tuner, then I'd doubt there's a case.

    (I'm basing this on a TV sale around 2 years ago).


  • #14
    holidaysong
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 406 ✭✭holidaysong


    yop wrote: »
    Will the above box work then for me to get the Ireland freeview?

    Yes, it'll work for Saorview.


  • #15
    Dman001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,534 ✭✭✭Dman001


    Quick question. If you are in an area that can receive Freeview, will a Freeview HD box pick up both Freeview (HD and non-HD) channels and Saorview? Apologies for going slightly off topic.


  • #16
    holidaysong
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 406 ✭✭holidaysong


    Dman001 wrote: »
    Quick question. If you are in an area that can receive Freeview, will a Freeview HD box pick up both Freeview (HD and non-HD) channels and Saorview? Apologies for going slightly off topic.

    Yes it will. All the channels will show up on the one EPG which makes it very handy. The Saorview channels usually show up in the 800s but you can rearrange them yourself on most models.


  • #17
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,460 ✭✭✭✭watty


    yes


  • #18
    Dman001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,534 ✭✭✭Dman001


    holidaysong wrote: »
    Yes it will. All the channels will show up on the one EPG which makes it very handy. The Saorview channels usually show up in the 800s but you can rearrange them yourself on most models.
    Cool was wondering how the box would handle both Freeview and Saorview. Hmm might shell out for a Freeview HD box so, and get the best of both worlds. Cheers.


  • #19
    lawhec
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,757 ✭✭✭lawhec


    A Freeview HD receiver should be fine for Saorview transmissions, but unless you also have access to UK DTT transmissions, it's almost certain that you won't be able to perform over-the-air software upgrades on the equiptment if it is not certified as Saorview compatible. The receiver might be able to get a software update another way e.g. Ethernet, serial port etc. but it's certainly not as convienent. I'd expect any Saorview certified equiptment to be able to receive possible OTA updates in the future on the RTÉNL multiplex(es), but that's no certaintity that updates will take place for a certain product.


  • #20
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,493 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    Dman001 wrote: »
    Quick question. If you are in an area that can receive Freeview, will a Freeview HD box pick up both Freeview (HD and non-HD) channels and Saorview?

    Yes, Black Briar above has a Sony freeview-HD TV picking up Saorview and freeview and freeview-HD. I think he really likes the TV.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=68362389&postcount=18
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=68362788#post68362788
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=68393454#post68393454
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=68560989#post68560989


  • #21
    Avns1s
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,435 ✭✭✭Avns1s


    holidaysong wrote: »
    Yes, it'll work for Saorview.

    You know that for definite? Because I don't see anything in your link that suggests that it will.


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  • #22
    Dman001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,534 ✭✭✭Dman001


    Avns1s wrote: »
    You know that for definite? Because I don't see anything in your link that suggests that it will.
    I believe the Freeview HD channels broadcast in MPeg 4, the same as Saorview, so it should work.


  • #23
    Avns1s
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,435 ✭✭✭Avns1s


    Dman001 wrote: »
    I believe the Freeview HD channels broadcast in MPeg 4, the same as Saorview, so it should work.

    Cheers mate.


  • #24
    holidaysong
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 406 ✭✭holidaysong


    Apogee wrote: »
    When you get a chance, could you post a few photos of the box in operation? In particular, the layout of the Irish and UK channels on the EPG - either via favourites or otherwise.

    Received the Freeview HD box yesterday. The Irish and UK channels work seamlessly together in the EPG. The Irish channels originally show up in the 800s in the EPG. However, you can edit the channel numbers yourself and I resorted them to match how they appear on analogue in the house. Here are some photos:

    5162065157_4fee440c63.jpg

    5162667818_d6b186843c.jpg

    5162666474_84a54b838a.jpg

    5162062843_567c794e7f.jpg

    5162672504_4577cb2d7b.jpg


  • #25
    Apogee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,906 ✭✭✭Apogee


    Excellent stuff - thanks holidaysong!


  • #26
    doney84
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 383 ✭✭doney84


    This looks great :)

    2 questions ...

    Does it have a 7 day epg ?
    Does it do mheg-5 (Saorview epg) ?


  • #27
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,460 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Freeview and Saorview use same MHEG5,
    Though what happens if both can be received I don't know.


  • #28
    carveone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,346 ✭✭✭carveone


    Thanks for the pictures. Looks like a reasonable competitor to the other cheap HD box mentioned on boards, the Sigmatek DVBR-520. One concern I had with these boxes is the startup time though. One review of the Metronic mentioned something like 15 seconds.

    Just seems a bit extreme considering the cheap Freesat boxes Lidl were selling (Comag SL50s and the like) had a startup time of around 3 seconds.

    Otherwise looks good and I think I'll pick one up myself :)


  • #29
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,493 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    doney84 wrote: »
    This looks great :)

    2 questions ...

    Does it have a 7 day epg ?
    Does it do mheg-5 (Saorview epg) ?
    watty wrote: »
    Freeview and Saorview use same MHEG5,
    Though what happens if both can be received I don't know.

    There is no MHEG-5 Saorview epg ... yet or MHEG-5 freeview epg, only Digital Text. Programme schedule data is carried in the DVB-SI stream and displayed in the receivers native programme guide as you can see in the first picture above with the Irish and UK channels included.

    If two mheg-5 applications are available i.e. Saorview & Freeview, only the one related to the channel being viewed will be launched.


  • #30
    doney84
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 383 ✭✭doney84


    The Cush wrote: »
    There is no MHEG-5 Saorview epg ... yet or MHEG-5 freeview epg, only Digital Text. Programme schedule data is carried in the DVB-SI stream and displayed in the receivers native programme guide as you can see in the first picture above with the Irish and UK channels included.

    If two mheg-5 applications are available i.e. Saorview & Freeview, only the one related to the channel being viewed will be launched.


    Thanks for clearing that up Cush. Thinking of getting one of these as i was looking for a box that could combine Saorview & Freeview. DVB-T2 box seems the only way to go if i want the UK free to air HD channels and my understanding is it will also do the Irish HD channels(when they become available!) ... Getting closer to getting rid of that $ky sub :D


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  • #31
    holidaysong
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 406 ✭✭holidaysong


    doney84 wrote: »
    DVB-T2 box seems the only way to go if i want the UK free to air HD channels...

    Just to clarify that if you're getting your Freeview overspill from NI (rather than Wales) that there will be no HD channels until 2012.

    You can also get these UK HD channels on a Freesat box by the way, which could be an option for you as state you currently have Sky.
    doney84 wrote: »
    ...and my understanding is it will also do the Irish HD channels(when they become available!)

    Check my fourth picture. It's RTÉ's HD test channel.


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