Bargain Alert: New Ferguson HD DTT/Sat Combo Box - €63 before postage

applewoodgo wrote: »

If I had known it was on the list I wouldn't have bothered.

You did not think to look ?

applewoodgo wrote: »

Can you tell me what this new firmware is supposed to fix?

At this point its not clear that you are on the new firmware since you said yourself you used a back up file . I repeat there is no stand alone channel list, perhaps you missed my post on that. It was also pointed out earlier that an old channel list should not be used, surely it is unwise to ignore that advice. If you can wait a few days I'll be posting new chanel list/firmware here although there are many helpful guys here who might make one up sooner.

applewoodgo wrote: »

I hope you can prove me wrong because I am at the end of my rope; I have wasted more time following this thread, hoping finally to get this box fully functional and to have some peace of mind.

Its not a matter of proving anyone wrong and I think you need to get a little perspective here

applewoodgo wrote: »

I think its about time to hand this matter over to a consumer watchdog.

I'm not sure what a consumer watchdog can do for you

applewoodgo wrote: »

If I had known it was on the list I wouldn't have bothered. These channels, according to an earlier thread had been moved and this was the new transponder.

This point has been mentioned by another member in an earlier thread.

Your search may have worked for you but it didn't for me. When it continued to search other transponders, I pressed the exit button and it stopped searching.

Can you tell me what this new firmware is supposed to fix? Has it fixed anything? I emailed Ferguson in early July with regard to the wrong naming of recorded programmes well in advance of the previous upgrade and now two upgrades since, the problem is still there. I hope you can prove me wrong because I am at the end of my rope; I have wasted more time following this thread, hoping finally to get this box fully functional and to have some peace of mind. I think its about time to hand this matter over to a consumer watchdog.

Yes you are right to be frustrated but I think you need to step back from the situation for a minute. There are definately some annoying issues to sort out and these faults are common to many users but some of the issues you are having seem to be specific to you.

1. Single transponder scan
The box can definately scan single transponders. I tested it at the weekend to do this for some BBC transponder changes that are in process. It worked fine. The channels for the scanned transponder appear at the bottom of the channel list.

2. The wrong name for the recording.
I noticed this also. I presume the box is taking the programme name from the EPG? If a recording starts before the programme you want to record has started the previous programme name may still be current and the recording may take that name. Bear in mind also that some basic boxes just name the recording by its date and time and completely ignore the programme name.

3. The box still has bugs so call in a watchdog
Yes the box has bugs. but progress is being made to resolve them. The Humax Foxsat (a premium end Freesat box) still has annoying bugs about 3 years after its launch. So the fact that the Ariva box still has bugs is not unusual. The developers seem to be working to address issues which is a good sign.

4. Updating software
Don't be first to stick your toe in the water. Let others play with the new software when it comes out and when you know what the software update achieves then decide whether you want to go to the trouble of implementing it on your box.

Should we have a new thread that summarises where we are now with this box based on some key posts in this thread? (and maybe lock this thread with a final post directing people to the new one ?)

Key Points would be

Link to software page
Link to channel editor
Link to the how to pdf for updating software
Known issues
List of known compatible drives
What else .............?

Trevord wrote: »

Should we have a new thread that summarises where we are now with this box based on some key posts in this thread? (and maybe lock this thread with a final post directing people to the new one ?)

Key Points would be

Link to software page
Link to channel editor
Link to the how to pdf for updating software
Known issues
List of known compatible drives
What else .............?

I agree 100%

@Tony - zap is offside with his wtfc comment but the rest of his post is spot on IMHO.

Remember folks we're on the same side

Mike1961 wrote: »

@Tony - zap is offside with his wtfc comment but the rest of his post is spot on IMHO.

Thats fair comment

Tony wrote: »

You did not think to look ?



At this point its not clear that you are on the new firmware since you said yourself you used a back up file . I repeat there is no stand alone channel list, perhaps you missed my post on that. It was also pointed out earlier that an old channel list should not be used, surely it is unwise to ignore that advice. If you can wait a few days I'll be posting new chanel list/firmware here although there are many helpful guys here who might make one up sooner.



Its not a matter of proving anyone wrong and I think you need to get a little perspective here



I'm not sure what a consumer watchdog can do for you

1. An earlier poster had signalled that True movies had moved and provided the Transponder info to retune hence my reason to add the channel. That doesn't alter the fact that it continued to search other transponders. I hit the exit button to get it to stop.

2. Yes, I am using the new firmware, V2.15B8. I followed the instructions supplied with the firmware, see attached PDF file. I installed the firmware first and then installed my channel list edited in the Ariva Editor. I did not integrate the firmware like you suggested, see attached text file.
As for my perspective, it's well and truly in place. If i buy a product, I expect it to work from day one. If it doesn't, then under consumer legislation, I am entitled to a full refund. I have been quiet patient here, hoping that Ferguson would put matters right. The least they could have done was answer emails to those of us who hightlighted issues or inform us through their dealership that they were aware of certain problems and were in the process of puttin these right.

3. You haven't answered the question as to what this firmware is supposed to fix and also why the box still names timer recordings wrong.

4. As for informing the consumer watchdog, the have enough information in this very thread to ask Ferguson to withdraw the product until they fix any outstanding flaws. Why put a product on to the market until it's tested fully. Where is their quality control?

Tony wrote: »

The guy can speak for himself if hes offended by my comments , even if there was a problem your use of profanity hardly helps , delete the comment, I'll delete the response and we're all good.

If you think I'm out of line then report the post and let a mod deal with it.

There's no profanity in my post and frankly I can't believe we're still talking about this. Anyway, I consider the matter closed and plan to resist the urge to reply if you post on the subject again ha ha, we'll see how I get on with that!

applewoodgo wrote: »

Why put a product on to the market until it's tested fully. Where is their quality control?

Amazingly its quite common in the world of AV. Arcam released the 4k AVR 600 a couple of years ago and apparently it was riddled by bugs to start with. I bought a 2k pioneer amp and it had big problems with Hdmi control and sky. My worst experience however has to be the Popcorn hour A200 which nearly did my head in...all i wanted to do was open a tin, put the feet up and watch a movie...instead i spent months on internet forums trying to get it to work.

The 120 is a breeze compared to that believe me, but I feel your pain..

Tony wrote: »

Ok but we need to find out why it does not happen on other boxes


But ferguson say in the release notes not to use and old channel list


I've no idea as I'm not part of fergusons development team.


Yes of course you can ask but I'd seriously doubt they would stop production. Honestly in all my years selling satellite I've yet to see a satellite receiver that was 100 % perfect from day one.

1. It's happened to Zab. His box also continues to search Transponders.

2. What's the difference between an old and a new channel list unless you have added or deleted channels. If the channel list is stand alone with no embedded firmware, then where is the problem. As I said earlier on, I installed the new firmware and then installed a clean channel list free from any firmware or add-ons. This method worked for me and no problems encountered as a result.

3. You are a distributor after all and you have sold many boxes to the members of this forum. The least you might do is persue Ferguson for answers in the interest of good aftersales service.

4. I don't intend to spend the rest of my life waiting for Ferguson; I have waited long enough, and enough is enough.

applewoodgo wrote: »

. What's the difference between an old and a new channel list unless you have added or deleted channels.

I've no idea at this point as I said i am not part of the development team. They do warn against using an old channel list and for whatever reason you have chosen to ignore this . I repeat again there is no stand alone channel list and I don't know why you argus against this.

applewoodgo wrote: »

3. You are a distributor after all and you have sold many boxes to the members of this forum. The least you might do is persue Ferguson for answers in the interest of good aftersales service.

Your comment seems to assume that I have not done this already ?

We communicate to ferguson all the time about issues raised here but its their decision as to whether they act on them or not .

applewoodgo wrote: »

Regardless of the price, any product, under consumer law, is supposed to be fit for purpose otherwise it shouldn't be sold.

What do you mean it should be fit for the purpose?? it is, it shows tv picture from satellite & terrestrial and gives you sound.. whats the problem?

Tony wrote: »

I've no idea at this point as I said i am not part of the development team. They do warn against using an old channel list and for whatever reason you have chosen to ignore this . I repeat again there is no stand alone channel list and I don't know why you argus against this.

Your comment seems to assume that I have not done this already ?

We communicate to ferguson all the time about issues raised here but its their decision as to whether they act on them or not .

No Tony, your comment (I've no idea as I'm not part of fergusons development team) suggested that you didn't. If you had, then why didn't you say so. There would be no reason for this arguement if Ferguson listed the fixes intended with there firmware updates. Maybe you could suggest that. At least we would know where we stand with regard to fixes and outstanding issues. I dont believe that that's too much to ask. Other firms do it; why can't they.

dooferoaks wrote: »

I am not belittling anyones frustrations here, but my 2 pence worth and hope I am not doing a Lisa Simpson.

Ned Flanders:Do I hear the sound of butting in? That's gotta be little Lisa Simpson, Springfield's answer to a question no one asked!

I don't own a 120 yet, STILL hope to soon. I think sometimes we have been spoilt by the ease of use of a sky box. It has limitations itself though, part of the reason I want a 120 is so I can, at last, move the channels into an order I want, not possible with sky. And list Terrestrial and sat all in the same list.

When you can pay 50 plus for a decidedly average sat box and 50 for Saorview capable viewing, sometimes with NO option to record, and just as many niggles, whether it gives you the correct prog name or not, the 120 seems like fairly good value.

I would still have a lot of hope that if Ferguson don't pull their finger out, there is going to be enough tech savvy users in Ireland (and on boards!) to make it a good little box.

Before you make up your mind, check out the Smart cx61 here http://www.tvtrade.ie/satellite-receivers/combined-digital-receivers.html

It is similar to the Ferguson 120, recordes two channels at once, has the usb socket (which was very annoying to other members) at the back, allows you to edit channels like the Ferguson, in fact, I think the software is the same. Its now priced at €119. Check out the video guides on this site. Shows everything you need to know about setting up and using. And more importantly, I haven't heard any bad reviews about this box.

Your Simpson video has just uploaded. Thanks for the much needed light relief.

applewoodgo wrote: »

Before you make up your mind, check out the Smart cx61 here http://www.tvtrade.ie/satellite-receivers/combined-digital-receivers.html

It is similar to the Ferguson 120, recordes two channels at once, has the usb socket (which was very annoying to other members) at the back, allows you to edit channels like the Ferguson, in fact, I think the software is the same. Its now priced at €119. Check out the video guides on this site. Shows everything you need to know about setting up and using. And more importantly, I haven't heard any bad reviews about this box.

Your Simpson video has just uploaded. Thanks for the much needed light relief.

its.... sooo... ugly.................

dooferoaks wrote: »

Thanks, I will give it a look. I cant afford any yet, and that ones a bit more expensive. Did you find that box a LOT easier to set up applewoodgo?

No, I haven't bought one yet but looking at the videos, the software interface is the same as my Ferguson 120. Anyway, an extra €20 or so for peace of mind is very desirable. I am fed up with my head stuck in my computer screen for the last 5 months looking for soloutions for my Ferguson.