Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

Best "Value" Combo Box?

  • 22-02-2016 10:01AM
    #1
    breeno
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 803 ✭✭✭


    Hi Guys,

    I've had enough of paying for TV I barely use but the other half isn't ready for streaming only just yet!

    Any recommendations for a combo box for Saorview and Freesat? Now/next or EPG would be good if possible. Recording would be handy but could probably live without it.

    Are any of the boxes sub €100 any good or would they be a pain to use?

    Any help appreciated.


«1

Comments

  • #2
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    breeno wrote: »
    Hi Guys,

    I've had enough of paying for TV I barely use but the other half isn't ready for streaming only just yet!

    Any recommendations for a combo box for Saorview and Freesat? Now/next or EPG would be good if possible. Recording would be handy but could probably live without it.

    Are any of the boxes sub €100 any good or would they be a pain to use?

    Any help appreciated.
    You could look at some of the ferguson ariva boxes
    Around 100 yo yo
    basic but do the job pretty well
    now and next
    Recording can be done via usb but if your going to do much recording you should probably look for something like the edission with a built in hdd (the important bit is built in hdd )
    if money is no object some of the more hi spec boxes ( vu + technomate gigablue or mutant boxes ) more ram faster processormay be a better option
    but for a first toe in the water to free tv you cant go wrong with a basic combo
    RTE and satellite in one box with 1 remote
    Google freetv.ie they have some useful video guides showing various boxes
    no connection just have bought from them before and found them to be reliable


  • #3
    AnCatDubh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,393 ✭✭✭AnCatDubh


    In my experience (all of 1 kind of box :D) the Ferguson Ariva 153 is a good basic box.

    I did what you are proposing and absolutely no regrets. If you want to see any of the 'issues' people have with them (though there aren't many to be honest) see this boards.ie thread - You should pick one up Sub €100 (think mine was €85 in a bricks and mortar). I bought a second one for my Dad to replace a two box setup (Saorview & Satellite separates) and he loves it. I had a couple of issues with recording but genuinely, I think they were more to do with the external drives, and currently after about a year it remains absolutely fine. There are other models in the range too - the 150, 250 and so forth. But for a basic box the 153 is fine.

    BTW - You get full EPG with Saorview on it, and now/next for Satellite. Won't do series link but it can schedule weekly or individual recordings and automatic reminders (based on time/date). You can view or record satellite channels while watching Saorview or vice versa plus a few channels on the same transponder.

    Overall and given the meagre investment it is definitely a good way to get [back] into free television viewing.

    Cheers.


  • #4
    breeno
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 803 ✭✭✭breeno


    Thanks guys, will go with the Fergusion box as soon as I convince the OH to cut the cord!

    Appreciate the advice!


  • #5
    richardw001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 575 ✭✭✭richardw001


    anyone experience of this one ?

    http://www.freetv.ie/combo-box.html

    I have gone through 3 of the revez ones in under a year and a half from another irish supplier - and am looking for one to replace a revez one that wont power up for my parents .


    (In fairness to the ferguson ones - they have one of those for a good number of years and its fine btw)


  • #6
    codar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 57 ✭✭codar


    @ richardw001
    If your parents record from satellite while watching saorview or vice versa, this may not suit them as it states in the description:
    No cross tuner recording / watching available
    You probably should talk to freetv.ie to clarify this before purchase.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    thebackbar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 473 ✭✭thebackbar


    hi,

    on a similar note can someone recommend a decent combo box that includes a recorder, im willing to spend up to 250 euros.

    thanks


  • #8
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    thebackbar wrote: »
    hi,

    on a similar note can someone recommend a decent combo box that includes a recorder, im willing to spend up to 250 euros.

    thanks
    you could look at the edission os3+

    Or just seen this technomate on swords sat
    http://www.satexperts.ie/shop-categories/boxes/technomate-tm-nano-3t-detail

    You would need to add a hard drive an old laptop drive would do
    lots of them about


  • #9
    Prisoner6409
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 669 ✭✭✭Prisoner6409


    Anyone know how the box's mentioned in the threads above might work with a video sender, to send the picture/audio to a second tv but more importantly the ability to use a remote control to change stations ect.


  • #10
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    Prisoner6409 wrote: »
    Anyone know how the box's mentioned in the threads above might work with a video sender, to send the picture/audio to a second tv but more importantly the ability to use a remote control to change stations ect.
    I would imagine something like
    http://www.freetv.ie/triax-trilink-kit.html
    this would suffice but I do not have one myself
    I used an odroid android box to stream from the alien 2 over the network in HD instead


  • #11
    damon5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 831 ✭✭✭damon5


    Had enough of virgin now getting way pricy so wondering what is out there that could do the same functions record at least two channels at the same time,pause,rewind,fastforward etc etc.
    Looking for satellite channels,discovery channels,history,planet earth etc
    Film channels and kids channels and mostly for the OH to keep her sweet rte1 and 2,bbc1 and 2,ch4,utv,tv3 you know the ones,have a sky dish that's cabled into house from previous and will have to keep the virgin broadband for wifi etc,many thanks


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 20,585 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    Some of the channels you list are pay ones so you need a supplier that has them - Sky, eir, Vodafone. But you can get most of what you are looking for with Freesat and Saorview at no subscription - FREE. The dish will give you Freesat and you will need an aerial for Saorview.


  • #13
    damon5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 831 ✭✭✭damon5


    Sam Russell wrote: »
    Some of the channels you list are pay ones so you need a supplier that has them - Sky, eir, Vodafone. But you can get most of what you are looking for with Freesat and Saorview at no subscription - FREE. The dish will give you Freesat and you will need an aerial for Saorview.

    Thanks for reply,what about being able to record at least 2 programes at the same time and pause option etc too ...


  • #14
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 20,585 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    damon5 wrote: »
    Thanks for reply,what about being able to record at least 2 programes at the same time and pause option etc too ...

    Well, to answer that, it gets complicated. Freeat and Saorview require different solutions.

    Freesat: You need two cables from your dish to be able to record two programmes at once, or you can watch one and record another. However, some channels have +1 versions which increase your options, and BBC has regions that offer some programmes at different times/days. I think you may be able to do more than just this providing you are fortunate on which channels you wish to watch and record - they have to be on the same transponder.

    Saorview: If you have a Saorview PVR (Walker are the only ones making one) then you should be OK, but otherwise it depends on the equipment you have. Some UK Freeview PVRs work quite well but do not have series link (used to have but ... long story).

    Hope that helps.

    If you pay €50 a month, a years sub is €600 which should be way more than enough to cover the cost of a good setup. You already have the dish.


  • #15
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    damon5 wrote: »
    Thanks for reply,what about being able to record at least 2 programes at the same time and pause option etc too ...
    you need a triple tuner like the edission os3 / technomate something with a built in hard drive simplicity / reliability
    the triple tuner will allow you to record say 2 sat stations and watch RTE at same time
    or record RTE and 1 sat station while watching a different sat station
    They are usually 2 sat tuner + 1 terrestial tuner ( triple tuner )
    some of the more high price sat receivers gigablue / VU+
    you can add cards / modules with twin tuners or usb tuners to increase the total amount of tuners and record more stations


  • #16
    damon5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 831 ✭✭✭damon5


    Cheers for the info amikoalien2 appreciated,its such a minefield of knowledge and information that i have to plough through to wean off the tit of my service provider at this time....

    amikoalien2 wrote: »
    you need a triple tuner like the edission os3 / technomate something with a built in hard drive simplicity / reliability
    the triple tuner will allow you to record say 2 sat stations and watch RTE at same time
    or record RTE and 1 sat station while watching a different sat station
    They are usually 2 sat tuner + 1 terrestial tuner ( triple tuner )
    some of the more high price sat receivers gigablue / VU+
    you can add cards / modules with twin tuners or usb tuners to increase the total amount of tuners and record more stations


  • #17
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    damon5 wrote: »
    Cheers for the info amikoalien2 appreciated,its such a minefield of knowledge and information that i have to plough through to wean off the tit of my service provider at this time....
    Yep can be a little daunting at times
    I started out with an amiko alien 2 got rid of sky and the box was grand
    a triple tuner and a usb hard drive for recording and pause
    Worked ok most of the time but the usb drive seem to loose its marbles too often
    usually just about when herself was about to record the bakeoff or something like that
    after about a year I opted for the VU+duo 2 and ripped out the drive from my now defunkt sky box formatted it and stuck it into the duo2
    and not one single crash or wiggy
    She is happy and i get to sit and doodle on the pc in peace
    :-)


  • #18
    damon5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 831 ✭✭✭damon5


    amikoalien2 wrote: »
    Yep can be a little daunting at times
    I started out with an amiko alien 2 got rid of sky and the box was grand
    a triple tuner and a usb hard drive for recording and pause
    Worked ok most of the time but the usb drive seem to loose its marbles too often
    usually just about when herself was about to record the bakeoff or something like that
    after about a year I opted for the VU+duo 2 and ripped out the drive from my now defunkt sky box formatted it and stuck it into the duo2
    and not one single crash or wiggy
    She is happy and i get to sit and doodle on the pc in peace
    :-)

    You say...and ripped out the drive from my now defunkt sky box formatted it and stuck it into the duo2,could you enlighten pls,have a sky box just sitting here looking for an autopsy LOL


  • #19
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    damon5 wrote: »
    You say...and ripped out the drive from my now defunkt sky box formatted it and stuck it into the duo2,could you enlighten pls,have a sky box just sitting here looking for an autopsy LOL
    I removed the hard drive from the old sky box
    and formatted it and put it into the new vu+duo2 sat box and I use that for recording

    some sat boxes will have enough space for a 3.5 in Hdd
    Some only have enough space for a 2.5 in laptop drive
    The Duo 2 can take either size
    :-)


  • #20
    damon5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 831 ✭✭✭damon5


    amikoalien2 wrote: »
    I removed the hard drive from the old sky box
    and formatted it and put it into the new vu+duo2 sat box and I use that for recording

    some sat boxes will have enough space for a 3.5 in Hdd
    Some only have enough space for a 2.5 in laptop drive
    The Duo 2 can take either size
    :-)

    Nice one,would youtube have videos of how this is done,dont want to over impose the knowledge and direction your giving me to completing this mission that I,m on...


  • #21
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    damon5 wrote: »
    Nice one,would youtube have videos of how this is done,dont want to over impose the knowledge and direction your giving me to completing this mission that I,m on...
    removing the drive is straight forward enough
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGCiJAJDv18
    point to remember is that the sky box drive is 3.5 in ( 3 1/2 inches wide )
    So if you get a new sat receiver it must be able to accomodate a 3.5 in driive
    Or you could possibly use a 2.5 in laptop drive if you had one lying about


  • Advertisement
  • #22
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    damon5 wrote: »
    Nice one,would youtube have videos of how this is done,dont want to over impose
    Were all out to help each other so dont worry about asking :-)


  • #23
    damon5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 831 ✭✭✭damon5


    amikoalien2 wrote: »
    Were all out to help each other so dont worry about asking :-)
    Cheers,i just googled vu+duo2 and a forum I came across for this was giving info on this product from 2013,does that mean this is the same box but has been upgraded over time....


  • #24
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    damon5 wrote: »
    Cheers,i just googled vu+duo2 and a forum I came across for this was giving info on this product from 2013,does that mean this is the same box but has been upgraded over time....
    No same box and hardware from 2013 I think
    there was a Vu+duo and then they brought out the Duo2

    But remember there are cheaper alternatives as a first toe in the water
    You dont have to go straight to the most expensive one

    As the title suggests Best Value combo box

    I got that box for the extra grunt from the processor and extra ram
    for streaming the tv to my pc or android device when im in bed
    but both these can be had now in cheaper boxes like the edission or technomate
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4QVBpRYIVU

    have to say though I love the little extra Lcd on the duo for showing picons or weather forecast a real gimmic
    but I am a real messer when it comes to fiddling around with tech


  • #25
    damon5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 831 ✭✭✭damon5


    amikoalien2 wrote: »
    No same box and hardware from 2013 I think
    there was a Vu+duo and then they brought out the Duo2

    But remember there are cheaper alternatives as a first toe in the water
    You dont have to go straight to the most expensive one

    As the title suggests Best Value combo box

    I got that box for the extra grunt from the processor and extra ram
    for streaming the tv to my pc or android device when im in bed
    but both these can be had now in cheaper boxes like the edission or technomate
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4QVBpRYIVU

    have to say though I love the little extra Lcd on the duo for showing picons or weather forecast a real gimmic
    but I am a real messer when it comes to fiddling around with tech

    The head is totally spinning now,think I,ll just through the tv in the skip and admit defeat : (


  • #26
    amikoalien2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 214 ✭✭amikoalien2


    Nah it will be worth it in the end
    there is a lot more scope for messing ( or not ) with these boxes
    you can arrange the channels in whatever order you like
    you can stream to your pc or ipad
    you can use the box as a media player
    you can watch youtube videos if you connect the box to your internet

    There is no doubt it can be a learning curve if you want

    Or you could just sit back and watch whats on offer

    Really moving from sky with 2 kids was a bit of a gamble but they havent really missed the disney rubbish at all
    I prefer to see them watching some of the BBC stuff like winter watch and more educational docs like the hunt


  • #27
    damon5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 831 ✭✭✭damon5


    amikoalien2 wrote: »
    Nah it will be worth it in the end
    there is a lot more scope for messing ( or not ) with these boxes
    you can arrange the channels in whatever order you like
    you can stream to your pc or ipad
    you can use the box as a media player
    you can watch youtube videos if you connect the box to your internet

    There is no doubt it can be a learning curve if you want

    Or you could just sit back and watch whats on offer

    Really moving from sky with 2 kids was a bit of a gamble but they havent really missed the disney rubbish at all
    I prefer to see them watching some of the BBC stuff like winter watch and more educational docs like the hunt


    Okay think I,ll sleep on it and pray for a miracle to my solution LOL,thanks for all your help,much appreciated ...


  • #28
    dingbat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 741 ✭✭✭dingbat


    Ariva 153 vs 252

    Hi folks. A basic question: what's the difference between the Ariva 153 (which a couple of people here have said is a fine starter box) and the 252?

    I'm diving into free TV for the first time and want something that will give my wife no hassle while she's on maternity leave.

    Thanks for your help. Excited to be almost free from Sky and Virginmedia/UPC.


    (Note to mods: moved my question here as I thought it a more appropriate thread)


  • #29
    steveon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭steveon


    There is no real difference for basic viewing on any of the Arivas..Tony would know them much better as he sells them.

    I think the 153 also mite provide a 7 day epg on the terrestrial side and plays a larger number of video file types from playback on a usb....

    You can get the full rundown on all Arriva Models

    http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/hd-receivers.html


  • #30
    galtee boy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,553 ✭✭✭galtee boy


    damon5 wrote: »
    The head is totally spinning now,think I,ll just through the tv in the skip and admit defeat : (

    There must be a business there for somebody to sell these type of boxes pre programmed with 7 day EPG for sat and terrestrial, all fta channels pre programmed in order ( ROI first followed by UK etc ), basically plug and play. Most people are not as computer literate and tech savvy as you need to be, to set up these boxes as an alternate to Sky.


  • Advertisement
  • #31
    PabloAndRoy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,501 ✭✭✭PabloAndRoy


    galtee boy wrote: »
    There must be a business there for somebody to sell these type of boxes pre programmed with 7 day EPG for sat and terrestrial, all fta channels pre programmed in order ( ROI first followed by UK etc ), basically plug and play. Most people are not as computer literate and tech savvy as you need to be, to set up these boxes as an alternate to Sky.

    I think the piece in bold might be the issue as there is no way to do this commercially that I am aware of whilst remaining on the right side of the law. AFAIK these boxes use XMLTV for the 7 day EPG and the UK&Ireland one can only be used for non-commercial means (aka DIY) ... I may be corrected on that, but that is my understanding.
    "In accessing this XML feed, you agree that you will only access its contents for your own personal and non-commercial use and not for any commercial or other purposes, including advertising or selling any goods or services, including any third-party software applications available to the general public."

    source: http://wiki.xmltv.org/index.php/Britain_and_Ireland


Advertisement