Ferguson Ariva 150

stwome01 wrote: »

http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/download/HD-Satellite-Receivers/Ariva-150-Combo/

On the first page ....

5. Only one of the two USB ports can be used at the same time

Would this mean the wireless dongle and USB drive cannot be used at the same time?

Right, I've had a little bit of a play around with the Ariva 250 so here's my first impressions:

First off, after unboxing it the first thing you'll notice is it's small - you'll get an idea of just how small from the pics attached. After quickly plugging everything in I stuck in a Cyfra+ card - the channels were already tuned in so away I went. The top of the box has a Conax symbol but I'm reliably informed the card reader can handle Conax, Seca-Mediaguard and Viaccess.

Channel change is speedy enough and menus are clear. HD picture is very nice and clean, SD can look good enough but if you feed it a pixelated mess it's not a miracle worker. I have output set to 720P as this setting seems to suit my TV best, there's options in there right up to 1080P for those that want/need them. Now for a pleasant surprise - the receiver outputs full 5.1 audio (when available) through the HDMI. Brilliant! Audio quality generally is good but I have noticed lip-sync issues at times - very slight but noticeable. Maybe there's a firmware update for this, can't say as I've looked.

The front of the unit displays channel name and is dimmable too in the menus - good for viewing a movie channel in a darkened room. When off the unit just has a single red LED illuminated - no clock if this is something you care about. Menus are clear and operation is slick. From what little I've tried the Web interface seems to work okay - includes YouTube, RSS News feeds and even a Weather app if you can't be arsed looking out of the window. YouTube played a couple of 720P videos through the receiver with no issues at all.

The remote feels nice in the hand (if a little lightweight) and has a rubberised back. The top is shiny plastic but very susceptible to fingerprints - see pic - so I reckon it'll look pretty tired quite quickly. Button response seems fine, unlike my previous Protek MK-I receiver which had possibly the worst remote on the face of the planet. The remote is capable of controlling five devices including the STB and, in addition to a database of preset codes, has a learning function. I've entered codes for my Panasonic plasma and Pioneer blu-ray but it looks like I'll have to teach it the codes for the Yamaha amp.

Motor control appears to be working well (though even I'd struggle to break it this quickly) and a blind scan on 28'E didn't seem to take too long. I couldn't see an option for scanning individual transponders but I might just be being thick (what? me? read the manual?). I've attached a 320gb hard drive but not had chance to set any recordings so far - sorry.


Good Bits
Good picture quality
5.1 audio through HDMI
Multi-function remote with learning facility
Slick interface and web apps

Not so Good Bits
Slight lip-sync issue
That shiny remote won't stay that way for long!


That's about it for now. Hope this helps.

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ChorleyMatt wrote: »

Right, I've had a little bit of a play around with the Ariva 250 so here's my first impressions:

First off, after unboxing it the first thing you'll notice is it's small - you'll get an idea of just how small from the pics attached. After quickly plugging everything in I stuck in a Cyfra+ card - the channels were already tuned in so away I went. The top of the box has a Conax symbol but I'm reliably informed the card reader can handle Conax, Seca-Mediaguard and Viaccess.

Channel change is speedy enough and menus are clear. HD picture is very nice and clean, SD can look good enough but if you feed it a pixelated mess it's not a miracle worker. I have output set to 720P as this setting seems to suit my TV best, there's options in there right up to 1080P for those that want/need them. Now for a pleasant surprise - the receiver outputs full 5.1 audio (when available) through the HDMI. Brilliant! Audio quality generally is good but I have noticed lip-sync issues at times - very slight but noticeable. Maybe there's a firmware update for this, can't say as I've looked.

The front of the unit displays channel name and is dimmable too in the menus - good for viewing a movie channel in a darkened room. When off the unit just has a single red LED illuminated - no clock if this is something you care about. Menus are clear and operation is slick. From what little I've tried the Web interface seems to work okay - includes YouTube, RSS News feeds and even a Weather app if you can't be arsed looking out of the window. YouTube played a couple of 720P videos through the receiver with no issues at all.

The remote feels nice in the hand (if a little lightweight) and has a rubberised back. The top is shiny plastic but very susceptible to fingerprints - see pic - so I reckon it'll look pretty tired quite quickly. Button response seems fine, unlike my previous Protek MK-I receiver which had possibly the worst remote on the face of the planet. The remote is capable of controlling five devices including the STB and, in addition to a database of preset codes, has a learning function. I've entered codes for my Panasonic plasma and Pioneer blu-ray but it looks like I'll have to teach it the codes for the Yamaha amp.

Motor control appears to be working well (though even I'd struggle to break it this quickly) and a blind scan on 28'E didn't seem to take too long. I couldn't see an option for scanning individual transponders but I might just be being thick (what? me? read the manual?). I've attached a 320gb hard drive but not had chance to set any recordings so far - sorry.


Good Bits
Good picture quality
5.1 audio through HDMI
Multi-function remote with learning facility
Slick interface and web apps

Not so Good Bits
Slight lip-sync issue
That shiny remote won't stay that way for long!


That's about it for now. Hope this helps.

20120708_124828.jpg

20120708_124901.jpg

20120708_124812.jpg

20120708_133236.jpg

class job, good first write up mine's delayed till monday. ups pricks

O'Prez wrote: »

Lads can ye post up images of the onscreen displays for info etc?

Took some earlier to do a "walk through" on the YouTube bit - hope they're okay?

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O'Prez wrote: »

Do you know if you can load a channel list saved from the 120 on to it?

No its not a good idea

Unwraps 250. Plugs in. Greeted with polish menu & manual. Polish language default*

Tony laughs quietly to himself. *

Tony wrote: »

Nah Grab yourself a copy of the english manual (its a common manual for 150 and 250 ) theres a link kindly provided a bit back in the thread.

edit: http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/download/HD-Satellite-Receivers/Ariva-150-Combo/manual_EN.pdf/

Thank you kind sir. Had it already prepped Was just gonna start on a channel list this evening. Then I had a brain fart and contemplated with taking the list from the 120. Might just take the chance, against my better judgement. Somebody needs to crash this baby !

New firmware for Ariva 150 and 250, Fixes some bugs and lets you connect to your receiver via Android phone using "Ariva Remote" app now available in Google play store.

http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/download.html

https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=Ferguson

Sorry but I'm still working on that as we have another order of 150 coming in tomorrow , I work with another company now to bring in bigger numbers of boxes so its not my decision alone I'm afraid.

Gwendolyn Unsightly Washboard wrote: »

Tony
Did you come up with a price for the 250 for boardsies?

If you cant post it, maybe you can pm me.
thanks

Has anyone tried the usb dongle function?
As in dongles other than the ferguson one?

givecredit wrote: »

Im afraid not.

No problem, I wondered as I'm not aware of any bugs so far . That may just be standard ferguson text they put on every new firmware .

Picking up both Kippure and Three rock transmitters now on an indoor aerial in Tallaght . This could be a solution for anyone who can receive both transmitters and is experiencing the RTE +1 problem. What you do is manual scan in one transmitter during the day when RTE jnr is on and the other one at night when RTe +1 is on