Saorview decoder €49.99 Lidl 27th October

They had these on sale already back in May, here's the thread about it



* Can decode standard definition and high definition MPEG 4 signals
* MHEG5 compatible
* With HD resolution (720p/1080i): change between the two resolutions at the flick of a switch
* HDMI output (includes HDMI cable) and scart socket
* Auto/manual channel search , 7 day EPG (Electronic Programme Guide), Reminder setting, 16 languages to choose from Child lock feature, Subtitles, * 12/24 hour clock, Low standby energy consumption; <1W, Remote control included, Size: 30 x 5 x 18cm
* The once off purchase of an aerial is required


In late 2012 analogue TV transmissions will be switched off in Ireland and a new era of digital TV will begin. Saorview is Ireland's first free to air digital service. This means that no subscription fee will need to be paid and only a set top box such as this may need to be purchased. This product is Saorview approved meaning that it can decode MPEG4 signals and is compatible with the MHEG5 middleware needed for the EPG service on Saorview. There will be a number of television and radio stations available on Saorview in the near future. Available now are RTE One, RTE Two (which will also broadcast some programmes in HD), TV3, TG4, RTE jr & 3e.

some drop in price though,,,80euro down to 50 in a matter of months,, give it another few months and it might be under 40euro:)

No mention of a USB port for recording ....... something to watch for if that is important to you.

Still wondering if anyone can confirm if these boxes have a DVB-T2 tuner.

dowtchaboy wrote: »

Does it play .avi and similar files? Sam's adapter thingy is handy for that.

And the big question - will it record? Did anybody ever buy it at Aldi last time and report on this??

Pretty much everything you've asked have been answered already in this thread when it was previously on sale!

dowtchaboy wrote: »

The ALDI thread (5 months earlier) raised doubts that it would function as a PVR - my question was had any Boardsie tried it? Perhaps they have upgraded the firmware in the 5 months?

Yes they have tried it and yes it does work? Are we reading different threads?

Taken from the thread;

I can confirm that it does have a record function.

t c wrote: »

For €10 more you can get this in Power City.
http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-23-DI1180&pages=1&prod=DI1180&brands=DIGIHOME&image=

I have one, and yes it will record to a hard drive, but, you can only record either what you are watching, (one tuner), or set it to record when you are not watching tv. ie, toy cannot record one channel and view another. I am sure the Aldi/Lidl one is the same.

TC

How long have you had it and how reliable is it?Any issues?

Brian P. I have had it a month or so now and it has worked with no problems at all.

I have tried recording onto a 40 GB hard drive and it plays back fine. I have found that I can only playback on the tv with the Digihome connected. In other words, I also have a Freesat receiver, and I cannot record on the Digihome box and play back on the Freesat box, I believe that the file systems are different. It can be made work, but I am not that much of a techi. Anyway, I do not see much to record on the Irish TV stations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But, yes, overall I can recommend it, it is easy to set up,and even my wife has mastered it and has not given any problems. It has tele-text and 7 day programme guide.

Here is another one from Sat World in Kimmage, http://satworld.ie/product-info.php?Opticum_HDT50_Irish_DTT_Terrestrial_Receiver-pid180.html

It is only €45, it is not Saorview approved but would work just as well. I have found Sat World to be very helpful and will explain things to you and you could get a combi unit, (both Saorview and Free to Air) in the one receiver.

TC

TC

Alun wrote: »

I don't think so .. it looks like it's just an Antenna In/Out i.e. a simple pass-through of the RF signal, so no built in modulator.

Oh - pity about that. Thanks.

I'm a complete amateur so I wonder if I could ask a question - If I get one of these on Thursday and plug it in, will I still be able to use an ordinary VHS Video recorder in between it and the tv ?

I have a little indoor aerial that sits beside the tv, and at the moment the aerial is connected to the VHS recorder, and then from that there is a cable to the TV set. Would I just plug the aerial into the saorview box, and then I would guess there is a cable from the saorview box , and I wonder can I plug it into the video, or does it have to go straight into the TV set ?

Sorry if this may seem a silly question, but the video is crucial for me as I watch most things at later times.

I notice that this STB supports FAT32 and not NTFS. I also see that a no. of posters have been disappointed with this info. In practice why is this a limiting factor in recording to a hard drive? I normally record a few hours of programmes to watch later in the night. Will I be able to do this?