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Lidl saorview set top box.

  • 12-04-2012 08:31PM
    #1
    County rebel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 77 ✭✭


    Hi i see next week in lidl they have a set top box for 54.99euro dont think its saorview approved is it worth buying? .THANKS


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Comments

  • #2
    Compton
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,157 ✭✭✭Compton


    Pretty sure it is Saorview approved!


  • #3
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,088 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    County rebel wrote: »
    Hi i see next week in lidl they have a set top box for 54.99euro dont think its saorview approved is it worth buying? .THANKS

    It has the Saorview Logo on the front, so is an approved product.


  • #4
    recyclebin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,541 ✭✭✭recyclebin


    I wonder why it has a CI slot? It was probably designed for a different country with pay DTT but reprogrammed to be saorview compatible. I can't see a need for CI slot in Ireland for a long long time.


  • #5
    Kristopherus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


    Its an Akura, which has already been Saorview approved.Does this having a usb socket mean that you can record to external hdd?


  • #6
    Hotblack Desiato
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,616 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    This post indicates no. Presence of a USB slot doesn't indicate recording capability, or even playback, it could be for firmware upgrade only.

    It's possible that firmware upgrades could since have changed this situation and enabled these features. But Lidl are making NO claim for recording ability or even playback, so it would be rather unwise to assume the box can do something when the retailer isn't claiming it can. It is being sold as a basic Saorview approved box and nothing more.

    Interestingly, this box was 49.99 the last time it was around a few months ago, it should be getting cheaper not dearer!

    Don't know how it performs e.g. changing channel, calling up teletext etc. some approved boxes and TVs are very poor in this regard.

    I'm partial to your abracadabra,

    I'm raptured by the joy of it all.



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  • #7
    Ronnie Raygun
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,351 ✭✭✭Ronnie Raygun


    ninja900 wrote: »
    Interestingly, this box was 49.99 the last time it was around a few months ago, it should be getting cheaper not dearer!

    :confused: They flew out of the shops the last time, why would they lower the price?


  • #8
    petronius
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 849 ✭✭✭petronius


    Does it do MPEG-2 as well as Saorview(MPEG4)?
    Assuming it is a rebadged product probably aimed at UK or German market ?
    yes i note it is a few euro dearer that the last issue


  • #9
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    petronius wrote: »
    Does it do MPEG-2 as well as Saorview(MPEG4)?

    Yes, it does.


  • #10
    tfitzgerald
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,289 ✭✭✭tfitzgerald


    Worth buying or not?


  • #11
    Mint Sauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,293 ✭✭✭✭Mint Sauce


    I'm sure its been asked before, but cant get a definate answer on it. We have a Rabbit Ear style arial on the top of the TV. Can get RTE1/2, TV3, and TG4. Will we get the Irish Digital Stations if we connect the Rabbit Ears to the Saorview Box, or are we going to have to get a Roof/Attic arial first?


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  • #12
    Cantona's Collars
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,709 ✭✭✭✭Cantona's Collars


    irish-stew wrote: »
    I'm sure its been asked before, but cant get a definate answer on it. We have a Rabbit Ear style arial on the top of the TV. Can get RTE1/2, TV3, and TG4. Will we get the Irish Digital Stations if we connect the Rabbit Ears to the Saorview Box, or are we going to have to get a Roof/Attic arial first?

    If your reception is good at the minute then the rule of thumb is that your Saorview reception will be perfect using your existing aerial.


  • #13
    antoobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭antoobrien


    irish-stew wrote: »
    I'm sure its been asked before, but cant get a definate answer on it. We have a Rabbit Ear style arial on the top of the TV. Can get RTE1/2, TV3, and TG4. Will we get the Irish Digital Stations if we connect the Rabbit Ears to the Saorview Box, or are we going to have to get a Roof/Attic arial first?

    It will depend on the signal in your area but I have gotten standard set of rabbit ears to work with a STB in Killester (Dublin) and just outside Galway city.

    A roof/attic aerial will only be needed if the signal is too weak in your area.

    Judging by the fact that you can get TV3 & TG4, it'll probably work for you.

    check the coverage map on the soarview website. It'll give you a good idea.


  • #14
    Macy0161
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,690 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    tfitzgerald wrote: »
    Worth buying or not?
    The real advantage of lidl and aldi is the 3 year warranty - their prices aren't as comparatively cheap as they used to be on electrical equipment.


  • #15
    181151
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10 ✭181151


    will this box give you satellite stations.Can it work off 12 volt from cig lighter in car


  • #16
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    181151 wrote: »
    will this box give you satellite stations.Can it work off 12 volt from cig lighter in car

    No.


  • #17
    Nyquistic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 50 ✭✭Nyquistic


    I got one of these last time around, you can record to USB if you plug a USB device in before you turn on the box. It's basic but it works.

    The disadvantages are (1) you can only record what you're watching (2) you can only watch it on the box, i.e. the format is unreadable on a computer, at least I couldn't read it with any conversion application and the dude I emailed in service said they don't support that and (3) you can set the timer to record, but if you're watching something on a different channel at the time it will just switch over to the other channel in order to record.

    It doesn't replace a bog-standard VHS video recorder in terms of functionality but hey, for small money you get digital (i.e. flawless, including HD) reception and basic recording capabilities.

    It doesn't receive satellite, run off 12V or boil eggs or make coffee. The USB device has to be formatted as FAT32 (which most USB sticks are these days) but if using a stick (flash drive) it needs to be fairly fast, and if you want to try a hard disk then it needs to have it's own power supply.

    And yes, I'm going down early tomorrow morning to pick up a second one .... :cool:


  • #18
    jkbrackens11
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 263 ✭✭jkbrackens11


    Got one of these today.

    When I connect it to the wall socket, the FTA and sky channels go.

    Is there any way of getting the sky channels working along with the Saorview without having to get another wall socket or aerial on the roof?


  • #19
    recyclebin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,541 ✭✭✭recyclebin


    jkbrackens11 wrote: »
    Got one of these today.

    When I connect it to the wall socket, the FTA and sky channels go.

    Is there any way of getting the sky channels working along with the Saorview without having to get another wall socket or aerial on the roof?

    That doesn't sound right. Do you have a sky dish? Where is the sky signal coming from?

    It sounds like your after connecting your Saorview receiver into the dish.

    You need to connect your dish to the aerial on the roof.


  • #20
    zg3409
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,368 ✭✭✭zg3409


    jkbrackens11 wrote: »
    Got one of these today.

    When I connect it to the wall socket, the FTA and sky channels go.

    Is there any way of getting the sky channels working along with the Saorview without having to get another wall socket or aerial on the roof?

    Saorview uses a TV aerial not a dish. If you have no TV aerial on the roof, or rabbits ears, then the box will not work.

    Have a look here:
    http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/coverage-checker/coverage-map/

    If you are within 3 miles of a mast an indoor aerial probably will work, if not then you need an outdoor aerial.

    Saorview only broadcasts RTE/TV3/TG4 etc.

    To get BBC and RTE for free, and ditch Sky, you need both a Saorview box and TV aerial, and a satellite box and dish. There is such a thing as a combo box, which is easier to use than two boxes.


  • #21
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,088 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    Nyquistic wrote: »
    (2) you can only watch it on the box, i.e. the format is unreadable on a computer, at least I couldn't read it with any conversion application and the dude I emailed in service said they don't support that

    Is it encrypted or is that your PC just could not play the format?

    What is the format of the recorded file?

    Thanks


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  • #22
    Nyquistic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 50 ✭✭Nyquistic


    Johnboy1951 wrote: »
    Is it encrypted or is that your PC just could not play the format?
    Not encrypted, it's a .ts file but most codecs choke on it because it appears to have an errors in the encoding. I've had some success using XMedia Recode but there are all sorts of glitches like missing sound, files cut in pieces that you can't join seamlessly, and the errors are not consistent -- seems to depend on the material and as well as the length of the file. Overall it's a mess and you'd spend more time trying to hack the format that you would watching TV. Playback on the device itself is fine, though, and as I said, when I contacted Akura support the guy just said it was never intended to be played back other than on the device itself.


  • #23
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,088 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    If it is not encrypted then it should be possible to re-encode it for use elsewhere.
    I am happy to know it is not encrypted, thank you.


  • #24
    Gerry Wicklow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,574 ✭✭✭Gerry Wicklow


    Nyquistic wrote: »
    Not encrypted, it's a .ts file but most codecs choke on it because it appears to have an errors in the encoding. I've had some success using XMedia Recode but there are all sorts of glitches like missing sound, files cut in pieces that you can't join seamlessly, and the errors are not consistent -- seems to depend on the material and as well as the length of the file. Overall it's a mess and you'd spend more time trying to hack the format that you would watching TV. Playback on the device itself is fine, though, and as I said, when I contacted Akura support the guy just said it was never intended to be played back other than on the device itself.

    http://cypheros.de/index_e.html
    TSDoctor is a great utility for fixing damaged TS files. Not a freebie but 30 day try before you buy


  • #25
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,857 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Im picking up Saorview and TV3 and 3E in crystal clear picture and sound on this indoor areal.

    All for 10 euro too.


  • #26
    Nyquistic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 50 ✭✭Nyquistic


    Gerry Wicklow wrote: »
    http://cypheros.de/index_e.html
    TSDoctor is a great utility for fixing damaged TS files. Not a freebie but 30 day try before you buy
    Thanks Gerry I'll give it a shot! :cool:


  • #27
    Kristopherus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


    paddy147 wrote: »
    Im picking up Saorview and TV3 and 3E in crystal clear picture and sound on this indoor areal.

    All for 10 euro too.

    +1. Excellent indoor aerials.


  • #28
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,857 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Kristopherus wrote: »
    +1. Excellent indoor aerials.


    Also just got this new complete 80cm satellite system for 50 euro.:D


  • #29
    Kristopherus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


    paddy147 wrote: »
    Also just got this new complete 80cm satellite system for 50 euro.:D

    Now to take the bid grin....... The fittings on that dish are shyte. If there is any way you can get your hands on galvanised 1.5in tubular elbow & completely new brackets and u-bolts, you will have a strong storm-proof fixing. If you use the stuff that came with the dish the first force 6 wind that hits the dish will knock it off alignment. There are many posters on these forums who will tell you the same.:D:D


  • #30
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,857 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Kristopherus wrote: »
    Now to take the bid grin....... The fittings on that dish are shyte. If there is any way you can get your hands on galvanised 1.5in tubular elbow & completely new brackets and u-bolts, you will have a strong storm-proof fixing. If you use the stuff that came with the dish the first force 6 wind that hits the dish will knock it off alignment. There are many posters on these forums who will tell you the same.:D:D


    Where can I get such a tubular elbow and brackets then??

    Thanks.:)


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  • #31
    Kristopherus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,906 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


    You can get the brackets in any good hardware shop, builders providers, www.setellite.ie, www.tvtrade.ie.


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