Ferguson Ariva 250

Cesium Clock · 02-09-2012 12:28am

dodzy wrote: »

WTF !!!:eek::eek::eek:

If you're in D15, i've plenty. Otherwise, powercity, DID, maplins - they all have 'em.

If only every one was as clued up as you, :eek::eek::eek:

You knew what the poster was referring to though, no need for the sarcasm,

dodzy · 02-09-2012 2:53am

Cesium Clock wrote: »

If only every one was as clued up as you, :eek::eek::eek:

You knew what the poster was referring to though, no need for the sarcasm,

Ah yes, the self pronounced combo box detestor rears his head yet again.

FYI, if you had read the thread from the start, you would have noticed that Tatranska initially opened the thread and made several posts, in particular #16, where he referred to owning a sky box. I think it is fair to assume that the ariva was a self install, hence my surprise with the absence of the F connector requirement. Its a threaded connection FFS. Anyway, I did offer one to the OP for free so I really don't see the issue.

Maybe you should hunt elsewhere as your all too common posts knocking "non saorview approved boxes" and anyone showing an interest in same, are wearing thin at this stage.

uck51js9zml2yt · 02-09-2012 6:31am

I tested out the ariva on the tv with sky to check if a rabbit ears would work. it did . but in the process lost the connector.
ordered from ebay for less than the petrol to blanch.:-)

I missed out on the sarcasm...I always miss something in boards ;-)

Ph3arTh35k1llz · 02-09-2012 10:36am

Hi Tony, Got a DIY kit with two of these boxes and so far so good. thanks for the quick delivery

. is there any chance you have the original channel list that come preloaded on these boxes for the new firmware. STB's channel list seems to be missing some channels mainly CBBC and CBeebies for the kids

bmaxi · 02-09-2012 11:10am

Devon Wailing Tack wrote: »

I tested out the ariva on the tv with sky to check if a rabbit ears would work. it did . but in the process lost the connector.
ordered from ebay for less than the petrol to blanch.:-)

I missed out on the sarcasm...I always miss something in boards ;-)

Careful with the f connectors on eBay, I got some a while back and they were too small to fit any cables I have. Only cheap if they do the job.

uck51js9zml2yt · 03-09-2012 8:45am

bmaxi wrote: »

Devon Wailing Tack wrote: »

I tested out the ariva on the tv with sky to check if a rabbit ears would work. it did . but in the process lost the connector. were from big
ordered from ebay for less than the petrol to blanch.:-)

I missed out on the sarcasm...I always miss something in boards ;-)

Careful with the f connectors on eBay, I got some a while back and they were too small to fit any cables I have. Only cheap if they do the job.

they were from the same company I got the box off in Dublin.

Tony · 03-09-2012 9:47am

No problem but make sure your are on firmware 18B6 before you use this or alternatively use the "allcode and bootloader" option
http://www.mediafire.com/?3djceaonu7wde1n

Ph3arTh35k1llz wrote: »

Hi Tony, Got a DIY kit with two of these boxes and so far so good. thanks for the quick delivery . is there any chance you have the original channel list that come preloaded on these boxes for the new firmware. STB's channel list seems to be missing some channels mainly CBBC and CBeebies for the kids

MickserB · 03-09-2012 2:02pm

EoghanConway wrote: »

Had a mysterious timeout problem with mine too, solved it by moving the router closer to the box so the signal was over 80%, then it connected fine. But when I moved it away afterwards it would still connect fine! And it would automatically connect too. So try moving box + router closer together, then put them back and see if that works.

Will give it a bash Eoghan, now that you mention it, it did autoconnect once or twice since i posted and others it didnt, will move the modem into the same room, the signal level has been between 75% and 80% never higher that I seen,

Cheers

The Ayatolla · 03-09-2012 2:50pm

Whats the cheapest place online to get the Ariva 250?

Tony · 03-09-2012 2:58pm

The Ayatolla wrote: »

Whats the cheapest place online to get the Ariva 250?

satsklep but not sure if they have any stock as production just re started

MickserB · 03-09-2012 3:44pm

MickserB wrote: »

Will give it a bash Eoghan, now that you mention it, it did autoconnect once or twice since i posted and others it didnt, will move the modem into the same room, the signal level has been between 75% and 80% never higher that I seen,

Cheers

Moved the router into the same room, same, wont auto connect (getting a signal of 80 to 84 %), think the wireless on these are hit and miss, sometimes the box sits scanning as if no wireless, have to remove the dongle and re-insert it so the box finds it, then manual select it, have another wireless dongle on the way (one with an aerial on it), will try that, that dont work will have to look at homeplugs, shame as the wireless part was whats sold me on it, not having to run cables or homeplugs

Ph3arTh35k1llz · 03-09-2012 8:22pm

Thanks for the Channel list Tony.

Is anyone else having issues with the Guide not displaying now/next or only showing for the odd channel?

EoghanConway · 03-09-2012 8:32pm

MickserB wrote: »

Moved the router into the same room, same, wont auto connect (getting a signal of 80 to 84 %), think the wireless on these are hit and miss, sometimes the box sits scanning as if no wireless, have to remove the dongle and re-insert it so the box finds it, then manual select it, have another wireless dongle on the way (one with an aerial on it), will try that, that dont work will have to look at homeplugs, shame as the wireless part was whats sold me on it, not having to run cables or homeplugs

I'm on firmware version 1.19 if that's any help?

Tweebs · 03-09-2012 10:49pm

Ph3arTh35k1llz wrote: »

Thanks for the Channel list Tony.

Is anyone else having issues with the Guide not displaying now/next or only showing for the odd channel?

I am having the same problem, seems to only be happening on one of my boxes however mainly (sometimes on the other box but not as much as the one downstairs). The upstairs box shows the now and next mostly and when checking the downstairs box is it not doing the same thing, bit odd as they are both coming from the same dish and aerial. The box downstairs has quite a few problems, the installer has refitted the cable which sorted out some of the problems but not all, now and next on downstairs box is obvious, not sure about the other issues of certain stations hanging (still also have an issue as to where he put the cable, need to contact him again to get this matter sorted, am quite concerned about this matter), but still having some problems, need to view certain channels to see if some problems are persisting, can't really do it at the moment as I have been watching as much as I can of the Paralympics on C4.

MickserB · 04-09-2012 9:40am

EoghanConway wrote: »

I'm on firmware version 1.19 if that's any help?

Yeah its the one I am on to mate, gonna try the new dongle when it arrives see if it improves it, but if it dont I am looking at homeplugs, which I dint want to use

bmaxi · 04-09-2012 10:26am

Ph3arTh35k1llz wrote: »

Thanks for the Channel list Tony.

Is anyone else having issues with the Guide not displaying now/next or only showing for the odd channel?

AFAIK the EPG will only show now/next for channels on the same transponder, if your channel list is set up to show consecutive channels which are on different transponders, now/next will only show when a channel is selected. I'm open to correction on this but I seem to remember being told this was the case.

Tony · 04-09-2012 10:37am

Indeed yes, the epg only populates the info when it picks it up from the individual transponder.

bmaxi wrote: »

AFAIK the EPG will only show now/next for channels on the same transponder, if your channel list is set up to show consecutive channels which are on different transponders, now/next will only show when a channel is selected. I'm open to correction on this but I seem to remember being told this was the case.

Tweebs · 05-09-2012 11:12am

Tony wrote: »

Indeed yes, the epg only populates the info when it picks it up from the individual transponder.

Yes, it seems to do that on mine, well did on the upstairs one, the other one hardly showed any now and next even though the channel lists were identical. The new cable seems to have sorted that out. One of the other issues between the two boxes is that BBC HD and BBC One HD did not work properly on the downstairs box, it kept giving "No Signal" and would say this for sometimes upto 30 - 40 seconds before you got a picture. This did not happen at all on the other box. The new cable has reduced this to 1 - 2 seconds.

The Ayatolla · 05-09-2012 1:44pm

I remember someone posted a link to the software for editing channel listings on a PC, I had a trawl through and couldn't find it, does anyone have it handy?

Ph3arTh35k1llz · 05-09-2012 1:56pm

The Ayatolla wrote: »

I remember someone posted a link to the software for editing channel listings on a PC, I had a trawl through and couldn't find it, does anyone have it handy?

Channel Editor can be downloaded here http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/download/HD-Satellite-Receivers/Ariva-250-Combo/Editor.zip/

Ph3arTh35k1llz · 05-09-2012 1:58pm

bmaxi wrote: »

AFAIK the EPG will only show now/next for channels on the same transponder, if your channel list is set up to show consecutive channels which are on different transponders, now/next will only show when a channel is selected. I'm open to correction on this but I seem to remember being told this was the case.

Ok thanks thats a bit naff but hey it saves ~50 euro a month so I will live with it. Since all these boxes are coming out with internet connectivity I guess its just a matter of time before they Hopefully work out a way of downloading the EPG that way!

The Ayatolla · 05-09-2012 2:20pm

If i have a patched or custom firmware on the box, is there a way of uploading a new channel list without affecting firmware?

MickserB · 05-09-2012 6:04pm

I would imagine so,
.................................................

Right, the tale of the dongle continues, tried another one, just the same, I am resigned to say the wireless option on the Ariva 250 is bad, its not connecting when it should, moved router into the room and its signal is at 84% on average, change the security option in the router to WPA then to WPA/2, sometimes it auto connect, sometimes it dont, it sits scanning then times out, a few times,

Turn box on and off, it may or may not connect, turned it off and on told me it need's to be a RALINK type, which it is. very hit and miss in my book, eventually I got it to connect, its not something you want or have to be doing each it's turned on,other than its good box and pic is excellent

ForceOfNature · 05-09-2012 7:03pm

Hi Folks,

So I am totally lost with what steps i need to take - I have looked through various threads but its foreign language to me.

Firstly I am going to go for the Ferguson Ariva 250 as it looks like what i need.

This is the current set up I have :

Sky Dish - Which recieves the free english channels.
Analogue aerial - Irish channels with a dodgy picture.

So if i buy this box can I use the F connector which is coming from my sky dish now????

And if i then buy a digital aerial will that also go direcly into this box?????
(Will I have to change the type of cable?? the connectors???)

Finally - at the minute I am feeding 2 rooms from the old sky dish (with 2 Identical set top boxes) However I cant get the same channels in both rooms.
With some channels I get - No Signal Available

I think I may need to boost the digital signal - is this possible????

Sorry for the stupidity but its all going over my head and I am running out of time before analogue is switched off.....

Thanks guys

Tony · 05-09-2012 7:11pm

ForceOfNature wrote: »

Sky Dish - Which recieves the free english channels.
Analogue aerial - Irish channels with a dodgy picture.

So if i buy this box can I use the F connector which is coming from my sky dish now????

Hi, yes you can use the existing dish

ForceOfNature wrote: »

And if i then buy a digital aerial will that also go direcly into this box?????
(Will I have to change the type of cable?? the connectors???)

Your existing aerial may well work and you do not need to change the connector. Can you receive Tv3 and TG4 at present?

ForceOfNature wrote: »

Finally - at the minute I am feeding 2 rooms from the old sky dish (with 2 Identical set top boxes) However I cant get the same channels in both rooms.
With some channels I get - No Signal Available

I think I may need to boost the digital signal - is this possible????

No you cannot boost a satellite signal in this way . Its more likely to be (in order of probability) cable, dish alignment or an lnb problem.

slayerking · 05-09-2012 8:19pm

Anybody any idea when the 250 combo is going to be back in stock?

Seems to be out of stock on most of the online stores at the moment?

Compton · 05-09-2012 8:24pm

seems next week is when most will get it back

5h4mr0(k · 05-09-2012 11:49pm

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

Does anyone with the 1.18 version have the weather feed working? I keep getting a "no network available" error even though rss, maps, YouTube etc. is working.

Does it work in 1.19? (youporn fix?)

I upgraded my firmware, but I'm still getting the network error message on the weather. Does anyone have it working?

ForceOfNature · 06-09-2012 4:33am

Thanks for the info Tony - Much Appreciated

Your existing aerial may well work and you do not need to change the connector. Can you receive Tv3 and TG4 at present?

>>> well i am going to change the aerial anyway as the current one is a monster and easily catches the wind. (Any Recommendations for a High Quality Aerial in a location with not great Signal Quality??)
I can currently get TG4 no problem.
I am in Donegal and we could never get TV3 in my location.

No you cannot boost a satellite signal in this way . Its more likely to be (in order of probability) cable, dish alignment or an lnb problem.[/QUOTE]

I am no expert but I dont hink the problem is the Dish.

I think i have the cable coming from the Dish to the first Room.
Then I use the "OUT" option from the back of the first box to the other box in the next room.... maybe this is not an ideal way of doing it.

What about getting an improved LNB??
The one I have is an original single LNB from a 10 year old sky dish???
is there an advantage of a double LNB??

Cheers Tony

5h4mr0(k · 06-09-2012 7:44am

ForceOfNature wrote: »

Thanks for the info Tony - Much Appreciated

No you cannot boost a satellite signal in this way . Its more likely to be (in order of probability) cable, dish alignment or an lnb problem.

I am no expert but I dont hink the problem is the Dish.

I think i have the cable coming from the Dish to the first Room.
Then I use the "OUT" option from the back of the first box to the other box in the next room.... maybe this is not an ideal way of doing it.

What about getting an improved LNB??
The one I have is an original single LNB from a 10 year old sky dish???
is there an advantage of a double LNB??

Cheers Tony[/QUOTE]

Each box needs it's own feed from the dish, so you should probably get a quad LNB.

MickserB · 06-09-2012 8:47am

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

I upgraded my firmware, but I'm still getting the network error message on the weather. Does anyone have it working?

I am on the last firmware and once you set up your city its working, youporn has a password on it also as a default

Tony · 06-09-2012 9:14am

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

Each box needs it's own feed from the dish, so you should probably get a quad LNB.

Agreed on both counts

dodzy · 06-09-2012 9:44am

MickserB wrote: »

I am on the last firmware and once you set up your city its working, youporn has a password on it also as a default

Mickser, turn off boldface. Makes you look like ya wanna be a mod.

5h4mr0(k · 06-09-2012 1:42pm

MickserB wrote: »

I am on the last firmware and once you set up your city its working, youporn has a password on it also as a default

I've tried a few different cities, all the same result.
Went into the YouPorn section with default password, but gives the network error and doesn't download anything. Maps, RSS, YouTube all work without any errors.

MickserB · 06-09-2012 8:10pm

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

I've tried a few different cities, all the same result.
Went into the YouPorn section with 0000 as password, but gives the network error and doesn't download anything. Maps, RSS, YouTube all work without any errors.

Are you using wireless or connected direct? I have now switched to a direct line into the box, using homeplugs, wireless is to hit and miss:mad::mad:

5h4mr0(k · 06-09-2012 8:20pm

MickserB wrote: »

Are you using wireless or connected direct? I have now switched to a direct line into the box, using homeplugs, wireless is to hit and miss:mad::mad:

Direct connection into it. What DDNS settings are you using?

icdg · 06-09-2012 8:30pm

Lets not talk about anything which we wouldn't want kids accessing here, there is no 18+ restriction on this forum.

5h4mr0(k · 06-09-2012 10:14pm

icdg wrote: »

Lets not talk about anything which we wouldn't want kids accessing here, there is no 18+ restriction on this forum.

All I want is to get the weather feeds on the box working.

Ronnie Raygun · 06-09-2012 11:30pm

If the problem actually lies with your internet setup, you might want to get that sorted, rather than cluttering this thread with endless back & forth.

MickserB · 06-09-2012 11:55pm

Is this thread not about ariva 250 box is it not, if not what's it for?? Some one is havin an issue with the box, whether its the box settings or not, it relates to this box, which could benefit others if they had the same issue, same way I had an issue with the wireless on this box, i posted my question and followed up with what i tried to see if I could get the wireless to work, for the benefit of others also, what the OP asked is a genuine question, so I ask again, whats this thread for if not to discuss, help and advise or you gonna tell the other members here to check whatever their problem is and dont clutter up the thread

Ronnie Raygun · 07-09-2012 12:08am

It would be of more benefit to others if they just sorted the problem & posted the solution rather than "I did this & it didn't work, then I did that & it still didn't work".

MickserB · 07-09-2012 12:17am

Ronnie Raygun wrote: »

It would be of more benefit to others if they just sorted the problem & posted the solution rather than "I did this & it didn't work, then I did that & it still didn't work".

Are you having a laugh? If he or they knew the reason they wouldn't be asking now would they!! would there be need for forums or discussions like this place, if we all knew the reason why something didnt work, so your moaning cause someone asks a question and posts back, if thats the case the other's in this thread is just clutter to cause they ask a question or seek help, :eek:

EoghanConway · 07-09-2012 10:59am

The wireless support is not the best, any issue returns the "timeout" error even at reported signal strengths of ~70% which I would consider high as my laptop can get a reported 18Mb/s at about 25% strength (RSSI). That alone merits highlighting and discussion.

STB · 07-09-2012 11:11am

EoghanConway wrote: »

The wireless support is not the best, any issue returns the "timeout" error even at reported signal strengths of ~70% which I would consider high as my laptop can get a reported 18Mb/s at about 25% strength (RSSI). That alone merits highlighting and discussion.

Its more to do with the wifi dongle itself. The unoffcial ones built opn the Ralink RT5370 chip are glitchy with the boxes AP. I noticed that it does disconnect and the USB Wifi device get were hot. What wifi devices are you guys using ?

EoghanConway · 07-09-2012 11:16am

STB wrote: »

Its more to do with the wifi dongle itself. The unoffcial ones built opn the Ralink RT5370 chip are glitchy with the boxes AP. I noticed that it does disconnect and the USB Wifi device get were hot. What wifi devices are you guys using ?

Yes this is quite possible indeed, especially considering I have one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150Mbps-Mini-USB-WiFi-Wireless-Adapter-150M-Network-LAN-Card-IEEE-802-11n-g-b-/190687433061?forcev4exp=true

MickserB · 07-09-2012 11:26am

Since i switched to a direct line via homeplugs, the box is working perfect, youtube is not hanging, RSS feeds are perfect, I understand the wired option is always best, but the wireless on this box is dire, perhaps a firmware update may resolve it or improve it perhaps, not sure, Some folks may buy this box as it offers the wireless option to them as they may not be able to use the homeplug's or run a cable to the box, I would hold off if I were them - Mine timed out at over 80% in some cases.

EDIT - @ STB - I tried one like this and also a different model with an antenna built onto the dongle, the one Eoghan linked ran as hot as hell, so you could be onto something there, the other one I tried wasnt as hot, but still seemed to perform the same

STB · 07-09-2012 12:06pm

Okay Eoghan/MickserB,

I have a few of those myself. They work fine for a week and then stop working. They also are very in and out to get it loading and talking with the stb. I am guessing that the driver whilst on the device and readable by the API is not fully there/unstable as it it disconnecting itself. Given that these things heat up so much I am guessing that it is a safety mechanism. There is nowehere for the heat to disapate as they are practicly solid with no air holes. I wonder do the official ones have the same issue.

Hard wired its fine of course. Fine for me as my router is by the TV.

MickserB · 07-09-2012 12:34pm

had a look at the "official" one and the build is not to dissimilar, but i wonder if the cheap one is running hotter trying keep up so to speak, the driver is not up to the task of whats required. Be interesting to see some comments from anyone that has a "official" one

Tony · 07-09-2012 12:59pm

I've found those small dongles to be pretty short range and not reliable unless they are close to the router.

MickserB · 07-09-2012 1:15pm

On the tests I done Tony, the router was upstairs first, signal level of about 75% on avg, I moved it into the same room to see would it remedy it, approx 8 to 9 foot away from the box, clear line nothing blocking or in front of the router, signal level of 80/85%, but the same if not sim results, manual connect sometimes, auto some others, time outs in connecting, freezing (on UPC 25 meg bbandand getting solid speeds od 20 to 25 all the time), etc, ran as hot as hell also, that was on the one pictured in the Ebay link, not payng 25 quid to see of the Ferguson runs the same

Ferguson Ariva 250

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