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Ferguson Ariva HD Combo

  • 20-02-2010 4:21pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭


    Very limited info out there for this box. Any users views or contributions appreciated……. Just got one and getting to know my way around.


    DVB-S2_satellite.pngDVB-T_terrestial.pngHDMI_High_definition_Multimedia_Interface.pngUSB_Hi-Speed_v2008.pngTimeShift_v2008.pngUSB_PVR.png



    Ariva_HDcombo_front_open.jpg


    From .www.ferguson-digital.eu
    • Receives satellite and terrestrial High Definition channels
    • USB PVR function with TimeShift
    • PAL upscaling up to 720p & 1080i resolution
    • Dolby Digital surround audio
    • Card reader for pay TV and 2 Common Interfaces
    • Supports timers
    • Favorite channel groups, TV and radio
    • Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
    • QuickFind function
    • Supports Teletext and Subtitles
    • Multilanguage menu (OSD)
    • Pre-programmed channel list
    • DiSEqC 1.0 and USALS support
    • MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 support
    • Fully compliant with DVB-T, DVB-S and DVB-S2
    • Alphanumeric VFD display (8 characters)
    • Software upgrade via USB port
    • High Definition menu (HD OSD)
    • Audio files player
    • Photo viewer

    Connectors:
    • HDMI with HDCP
    • USB 2.0
    • Component (Y, Pb, Pr)
    • 2x SCART
    • CVBS - RCA (Cinch) video
    • 2x RCA (Cinch) analog audio
    • Optical digital audio output TOSLINK
    Ariva_HDcombo_back.jpg


    .


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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭johndoc




  • Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭johndoc


    First problem was getting the external HDD working. Used a Western digital mybook essential. The Ferguson didn't like the autorun and virtual drive which come pre-loaded on the HDD. A fix is available from the WD site

    http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/updates/?family=wdsmartwareutilities


  • Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭johndoc


    A bit more relevant to the receiver itself...

    When I got the HDD sorted (and into FAT32 - anything else might get recognised but won't work), there was a problem with the audio on playback skipping although the video was fine.
    AV settings need to be adjusted to 1080i 50hz instead of the default 60hz.

    This box does have a 7 day epg for the irish DTT channels, now and next for DVS.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 66 ✭✭timmydel1


    Hi johndoc,
    I was looking at getting this receiver myself.Can I ask how you are getting on with it ?


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,756 ✭✭✭gtg60


    And how much you paid for it? As I've googled a bit and the price I'm getting from the usual online shops seems to be a lot more than what I was expecting.

    And the usual question when it comes to these sort of boxes, can you record from the DTT tuner and watch something on the DVB-S tuner?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭johndoc


    timmydel1 wrote: »
    Hi johndoc,
    I was looking at getting this receiver myself.Can I ask how you are getting on with it ?

    Early days but not bad. I installed it in the folks house and I'm only there every couple of weeks or three.

    One thing is the text in the OSD is very small, menu and EPG. Emailed ferguson tech dept - they reckon an increase in font size is in the pipeline with a future firmware upgrade. Wait and see what happens there.


  • Registered Users Posts: 141 ✭✭johndoc


    gtg60 wrote: »
    And how much you paid for it? As I've googled a bit and the price I'm getting from the usual online shops seems to be a lot more than what I was expecting.
    I got it from Tony at satellite.ie
    He does 10% off for boardies if you click his sig.
    gtg60 wrote: »
    And the usual question when it comes to these sort of boxes, can you record from the DTT tuner and watch something on the DVB-S tuner?
    Yep, no problem.

    You can;
    Record DVB-S, watch DVB-T
    Record DVB-T, watch DVB-S
    Record DVB-T, watch another DVB-T

    No facility to watch one DVB-S, record another DVB-S

    My thinking was that I could get two and kit two rooms for less than a premium plus and if I need to record a sat channels and watch at the same time, then just record in the other room.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 66 ✭✭timmydel1


    Thanks for the update.Looks like Tony at satellite.ie has run out of stock for now.Gone from site.


  • Registered Users Posts: 594 ✭✭✭rurs


    Those recording features seem very interesting, a cut above the other budget boxes.
    I had a look through the manual, and it only mentions viewing on the same transponder while recording. Was the watch one, record another added in a firmware update?
    How easy is it to switch between tuners while you're recording, say from satellite to terrestrial, or vice versa, without messing up your recording?

    One other thing, how well does it fill up the EPG, with the mix of 7 day and now&next? Do you get a grid type view with now&next for everything?

    One more other thing :) , what drive are you using for recording? I'll probably need to get one whichever combo box I eventually get...

    Sorry for all the Qs, just trying to get an idea of what to expect before handing over the readies...


  • Registered Users Posts: 24 tooler1


    johndoc wrote: »
    Very limited info out there for this box. Any users views or contributions appreciated……. Just got one and getting to know my way around.


    DVB-S2_satellite.pngDVB-T_terrestial.pngHDMI_High_definition_Multimedia_Interface.pngUSB_Hi-Speed_v2008.pngTimeShift_v2008.pngUSB_PVR.png



    Ariva_HDcombo_front_open.jpg


    From .www.ferguson-digital.eu


    Ariva_HDcombo_back.jpg


    .

    bought this unit last week from satellite.ie
    so far i am very pleased wit it,does everything for me
    i have hotbird and astra plus local digital reception
    the hd quality is superb
    only thing is it does not play movies via the usb port but i believe
    there may be a firmware update for same, all in all a great buy
    There is a new firmware update dated 2/3/2010
    on the ferguson site
    link http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/download/HD-Satellite-Receivers/Ariva-HDcombo/


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  • Registered Users Posts: 594 ✭✭✭rurs


    Dropped into freesat.ie in Fairview and picked one up a few days ago.
    Generally happy with it, but there are a couple of annoying bugs in the scheduling of recordings, I wonder does anyone else have these problems?
    Working from the EPG, DTT can be scheduled fine, but try and do it from the now or next on Sat, and you get either a load of zeroes, if it's the first schedule you've done since turning on, or else if you've scheduled something from DTT, that info is used.
    Also, trying to set up a weekly recording doesn't work unless you do it on the day of the week you want it to happen, otherwise it starts on the same day as you entered it.
    I'm using the latest firmware, and a Buffalo MiniStation 320gb (model HD-PE320U2/BK-EU).

    On the plus side, having access to either tuner while recording is a great feature, I'm surprised more isn't made of it. If you choose your BBC/ITV regions carefully, there's still alot of choice even when recording Sat.

    In answer to my own questions earlier in the thread, you can switch seemlessly between whatever is available while recording, or else a warning pops up if you try and access something that's not available.

    The EPG is divided into three sections, a list of channels top left, a preview window top right, and the actual info along the bottom. You do have to change channel to see what's on it, but you'd have to do that anyway with the satellite Now/Next on a grid, so it's actually quite usable.

    I agree that the font is on the small side, does anyone know how often on average they release a new firmware? I've written to them with the scheduling bugs, I hope they fix them, it spoils an otherwise decent machine.


  • Registered Users Posts: 594 ✭✭✭rurs


    Beta channel editor posted on Ferguson site.
    Only had a quick look, you need to load the .usb file from usb drive, then load .cfg file which is included in zip.
    Had a quick go at ITV HD, but no luck yet. It renamed the channel, but it was still showing up in radio list. The channel list saved from the editor had messed up all my favourites too, so had to restore the previous list.
    Good to see development, I hope they sort the schedule bugs I mentioned soon. Looking at the history of firmware releases, they seem to be every 4-6 weeks, so a bit more waiting is in store...


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,160 ✭✭✭Paul Kiernan


    Can anyone please answer the following questions on this box:

    1. Can you upload recorded programs to your PC. If so, what format are they (e.g. .TS)?
    2. Will it work with a White Sky FreeSatfromSky card?

    Thanks, Paul


  • Registered Users Posts: 594 ✭✭✭rurs


    Files are .TRP, split into 2gb chunks, labelled as DATA01, DATA02 etc.
    There is also a .DAT file, an .IFO, and an .IDX in the folder.
    Media player classic has no trouble playing the mpeg2 satellite recordings, however I'm getting only sound from mpeg4 DTT, a codec issue I presume, but I haven't bothered trying to sort it, as it's not something I need to do at present.

    It doesn't seem to keep any subtitles, or alternative audio tracks in the recording.

    Can't help with the Sky card, not something I've used. If it did work,would you need to keep it alive in a Sky box?


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,160 ✭✭✭Paul Kiernan


    Thanks, Rurs.

    It sounds like the TRP files are all you need on the PC and the other 3 are only used by the Ariva which would be perfect. I use Streamclip to backup and archive recordings and it can read TRP files.

    Yes, AFAIK if I get the Sky card working it'll need to be kept alive. I have an old Sky box in another room so that won't be a problem. I'm hoping it'll give me Channel 4 HD but I'm not sure:o.

    I gather you're happy with the Ferguson and not wishing you'd got an MVision or Edision?


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,160 ✭✭✭Paul Kiernan


    Hi Mods, any chance this could be moved to the Terrestrial Forum as it really belongs there? Thanks, Paul


  • Registered Users Posts: 594 ✭✭✭rurs


    I gather you're happy with the Ferguson and not wishing you'd got an MVision or Edision?

    They all have their foibles, if the other threads are anything to go by, but at least with the Ferguson, you can record DTT, and still have access to all the other channels, so that was what sold it to me.
    I can live with the quirks, and hope they get fixed in a firmware update, but it largely does what it supposed to do, with decent PQ etc.

    I noticed you asked in the Edision thread about auto-naming of recordings. It's a pity no-one replied, but for what it's worth, mostly, the Ferguson uses Channel/Date/Time, but occasionally it will tag with the actual name, particularly from Press TV, of all channels!?! Also TV3, when it was up, and RTE NL test, but never from the Freesat channels, and it's not consistent, so I don't know if it's something to do with how the information is transmitted in the various EPGs, or what. I've emailed the developers mentioning this, but haven't heard back.

    Any other specifics you need info about, feel free to ask.

    I'd second the move request, all the other combo talk is in Terrestrial...


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,991 ✭✭✭slegs


    rurs wrote: »
    They all have their foibles, if the other threads are anything to go by, but at least with the Ferguson, you can record DTT, and still have access to all the other channels, so that was what sold it to me.
    I can live with the quirks, and hope they get fixed in a firmware update, but it largely does what it supposed to do, with decent PQ etc.

    I noticed you asked in the Edision thread about auto-naming of recordings. It's a pity no-one replied, but for what it's worth, mostly, the Ferguson uses Channel/Date/Time, but occasionally it will tag with the actual name, particularly from Press TV, of all channels!?! Also TV3, when it was up, and RTE NL test, but never from the Freesat channels, and it's not consistent, so I don't know if it's something to do with how the information is transmitted in the various EPGs, or what. I've emailed the developers mentioning this, but haven't heard back.

    Any other specifics you need info about, feel free to ask.

    I'd second the move request, all the other combo talk is in Terrestrial...

    Edision recording is channel name and date time.

    The Edision IP will be able to do record terrestrial and watch satellite and vice versa (hardware capable - upcoming formware to implement).

    The Ferguson would need an unofficial firmware to decode a Freesat from sky card as emulation for decryption is not likely to be included in the official firmware. This may exist just not aware of it does.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,160 ✭✭✭Paul Kiernan


    I've actually just bought the Edision as I know the Sky card will work with it. Hopefully they will sort out the watching DTT while recording satellite as I do this quite a lot.

    As you say, rurs, all these boxes are quite new and hopefully, over time, the little glitches will be ironed out.


  • Registered Users Posts: 39 macalase


    @rurs,

    I have noticed the same problem with scheduled recordings on the DVS, picking up 0000, instead of the proper channel name.

    I wish they could put the tv show name into the scheduled recordings too, at the moment it only shows the date and channel name when the recording is finished. CAn't be too hard for them to pull the show name from the EPG.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 66 ✭✭timmydel1


    Hi lads, can anyone confirm that my Diablo2 will work in this receiver?Thanks.


  • Registered Users Posts: 99 ✭✭andy73


    Hi guys,

    I have a TV only with component (YPbPr), can any owner of this box try for me please if the box is capable to output HD (720p or 1080i or 1080p) on component (especially when there are movies for example).

    Many thanks,
    Andy


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,178 ✭✭✭STB


    Rurs,

    TSJoiner will join the trp files (if you have more than one trp).

    For the RTE MPEG4 recordings just use TSDOCTOR an excellent free program for sorting TS files and PID errors.

    I have just done a test on the RTE NL streams with it and it fixes them.

    http://www.cypheros.de/files/TSDoctor_Eng.exe

    Install and Open the program.

    File, open the TS file (if its a TRP rename it to TS beforehand)

    It will tell you that the full range is set for the DVB stream and ask you do you want to fix the flag.

    Then Click fix. It saves the TS file with a _fixed extension on the end.

    It now opens with VLC no problem. Sorted. Takes about 5 seconds.


  • Registered Users Posts: 594 ✭✭✭rurs


    STB, thanks for the links, I had a problem with my email account, didn't get the new post notifications, hence the slow replies.
    Is there any software you'd recommend for transcoding from mpeg4 to DVD compatible files? I found TS doctor did a good job of merging, didn't bother with TS joiner.

    @macalase - I've discovered recently that if you manually schedule recordings off DTT, (which is unfortunately necessary after around midnight - programs starting 10 or 20 minutes late is not uncommon), the name of the program is stored instead of the station/time tag.
    Also, the latest firmware fixes the 0000 bug of scheduling from the EPG of sat channels, but messes up scheduling off DTT, except for now & next!

    I've also discovered you can save timeshift...so you can sort of record two things at once...set one recording going, switch stations, pause that. When the first recording is finished, press play, then record, and it will immediately show a recording equivalent to to length of time it's been paused. Press stop when you know the program has finished. Not exactly automatic, but might come in handy sometime.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,201 ✭✭✭KeRbDoG


    Picked up one of these boxes - have to say, fairly happy with it at the mo.

    Anyone figured out a better way to edit the channel list other than the "ChannelEditor" (V1.0.8 Beta) from Ferguson. It really sucks. Won't even allow yea to resize its window!

    Side note, can this thread be moved to general 'Satellite' or the 'Terrestrial' sub forums? Foreign Satellite doesn't make much sense for this box


  • Registered Users Posts: 594 ✭✭✭rurs


    Haven't had much joy with the editor myself. It seems to mess up the IDs on the terrestrial channels, so they don't transfer back correctly.

    I've done all my channel editing on the box itself. Here's my list for Three Rock and 28 east, if it's any good to you. Use the page up/down buttons (the double arrows) to skip to +1 ITV/C4 etc.

    I renamed the 8 favourite lists, but it's hit and miss whether they load, or the default names remain.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,325 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Guys you may or may not know that ferguson recommend you do a factory re set before loading a channel list, apparently the list can disappear on a power down if you do not do this.

    Desktop PC Boards discount code on https://www.satellite.ie/ is boards.ie



  • Registered Users Posts: 4,201 ✭✭✭KeRbDoG


    rurs wrote: »
    Haven't had much joy with the editor myself. It seems to mess up the IDs on the terrestrial channels, so they don't transfer back correctly.

    I've done all my channel editing on the box itself. Here's my list for Three Rock and 28 east, if it's any good to you. Use the page up/down buttons (the double arrows) to skip to +1 ITV/C4 etc.

    I renamed the 8 favourite lists, but it's hit and miss whether they load, or the default names remain.

    Right, I got bored so I fought with the editor software - 28 East & Three Rock channel list attached with all the channels I considered really crappy removed.
    Left some crap ones in there though like 'The Horror Channel' :D

    Hope someone will get some use of it

    Found out that the ComboHD cannot display "É" or characters so it looks like its borked but it isn't. I've edited the main channels to take this into account but I think I've left the radio channels as is.
    I believe the Editor just displays DVBT channels incorrectly in the channel list, when yea edit them all the data is in the correct fields.


  • Registered Users Posts: 594 ✭✭✭rurs


    @Tony, Never had that problem myself, and I would generally powerdown once a week at least.

    The annoying thing after a reset or firmware upgrade is that the schedule list is wiped, I find that more of a hassle than any messing around with channel lists.

    The only problem I've had after a power cycle is that the external drive is not always recognised, but that's only if I've forgotten to unmount it from the PVR menu before turning off the power. If that happens, I connect the drive to a Windows machine, run error checking from the drive properties, and tick "Automatically fix file system errors". That seems to do the trick.

    Tony, I've sent a few emails regarding bugs/feature requests to [email]expert@ferguson-digital[/email]...would you say that's the best contact to use?

    Most of the major annoyances have been cleared up, they seem to be on a fairly regular 6-8 week cycle of updated firmware. One out this week actually, "ICE card support", don't know what that is, so I didn't bother upgrading, presume it's a particular sub card?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 4,201 ✭✭✭KeRbDoG


    rurs wrote: »
    Most of the major annoyances have been cleared up, they seem to be on a fairly regular 6-8 week cycle of updated firmware. One out this week actually, "ICE card support", don't know what that is, so I didn't bother upgrading, presume it's a particular sub card?
    Another release is already out here - S022beta
    firmware version: S022
    fix: Chech and Slovak characters in EPG and teletext (when OSD is set to Czech)
    fix: longer EPG info

    I've also updated my channel list - edited and added the BBCi services & CBBCs manually as for some reason they didn't show up in a scan.
    Also, threw the different channels into 'Favorates' categories.


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