WALKER (2018) Saorview Combo WPS818C

STB. · 26-08-2018 12:18pm

Satcodx sdx files are used almost exclusively by vestel these days.

There's a free channel list editor out there for them.

https://sourceforge.net/projects/novasatcodx/

And there are paid for ones like setedit

eggerb · 06-09-2018 1:42am

Good thread. Looks like a good alternative to the Sab Titan 4 combo box.

Is there only one USB port on this Walker WPS818C? The one on the front? If I want to connect a USB/HDD, will I have to look at a cable sticking out of the front of the unit? Not sure I like that if so.

Has anybody used the aerial out jack? I have a Saorview tuner on the TV that I’d still like to send a signal to without having to use a splitter. The reason I’m getting the combo box is so that I can record/pause live which the TV doesn’t support. I'd also like to use one remote to browse instead of jumping between my sat box and the TV remote.

Cheers.

FRIENDO · 06-09-2018 4:32am

eggerb wrote: »

Good thread. Looks like a good alternative to the Sab Titan 4 combo box.

Is there only one USB port on this Walker WPS818C? The one on the front? If I want to connect a USB/HDD, will I have to look at a cable sticking out of the front of the unit? Not sure I like that if so.

Has anybody used the aerial out jack? I have a Saorview tuner on the TV that I’d still like to send a signal to without having to use a splitter. The reason I’m getting the combo box is so that I can record/pause live which the TV doesn’t support. I'd also like to use one remote to browse instead of jumping between my sat box and the TV remote.

Cheers.

Yes, hardrive is connected to the front of the box.
Recording has worked perfect

eggerb · 06-09-2018 9:15am

FRIENDO wrote: »

Yes, hardrive is connected to the front of the box.
Recording has worked perfect

You'd think they'd have included another port outta sight. Or, an IR eye do I could hide the yoke. Search continues methinks. Cheers.

eggerb · 06-09-2018 9:27am

Then again, I could strip a USB back like this one and maybe I wouldn't notice it. Assuming it can take flash memory. Thanks again.

funnyname · 10-09-2018 3:10pm

I've a humax 1100s, would this walker box with an ext HDD give me the same freesat functionality but also saorview recording facilities as well?

FRIENDO · 10-09-2018 3:24pm

funnyname wrote: »

I've a humax 1100s, would this walker box with an ext HDD give me the same freesat functionality but also saorview recording facilities as well?

No.

funnyname · 10-09-2018 3:40pm

FRIENDO wrote: »

No.

So correct me if I've got this wrong but I've just reread the full thread and I'm taking in that I can tune in the saorview channels and the freesat ones with a combined amendable egp and then add an ext HDD to record channels?

jacob2 · 10-09-2018 7:30pm

funnyname wrote: »

So correct me if I've got this wrong but I've just reread the full thread and I'm taking in that I can tune in the saorview channels and the freesat ones with a combined amendable egp and then add an ext HDD to record channels?

its saorview and free to air satellite not freesat

FRIENDO · 10-09-2018 9:16pm

funnyname wrote: »

So correct me if I've got this wrong but I've just reread the full thread and I'm taking in that I can tune in the saorview channels and the freesat ones with a combined amendable egp and then add an ext HDD to record channels?

The Walker box gives you one list of channels including Saorview and UK Free to Air Channels.

Its a simple box to use.

The Saorview Channels come with a 7 day programme guide.

You can get Digital Aertel on RTE channels and Red button function on BBC channels.

The Satellite Channels only come with whats on Now and Next in the programme guide.

Recording on Saorview channels is easy and reliable.

You would have to set timers on UK Satellite channels if recording anything after the Now and Next programmes.

However unlike Freesat, the Walker Combo does not have serial link for recording.

You can set daily or weekly timers for recording on the Walker.

Freesat also allows you watch one programme and record another, Or record two programmes at the same time. You cannot do this on the Walker.

Johnboy1951 · 10-09-2018 9:55pm

FRIENDO wrote: »

......

Freesat also allows you watch one programme and record another, Or record two programmes at the same time. You cannot do this on the Walker.

Is that not completely dependent on the number of tuners in the STB rather than the Freesat software/firmware in the STB?

There are many non-Freesat STBs with dual Sat tuners which facilitate this.

FRIENDO · 10-09-2018 10:53pm

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Is that not completely dependent on the number of tuners in the STB rather than the Freesat software/firmware in the STB?

There are many non-Freesat STBs with dual Sat tuners which facilitate this.

Yes, but I'm presuming the owner has a freesat hdr and I'm trying to highlight the difference between that and the Walker Saorview and FTA box.

byte · 10-09-2018 10:54pm

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Is that not completely dependent on the number of tuners in the STB rather than the Freesat software/firmware in the STB?

There are many non-Freesat STBs with dual Sat tuners which facilitate this.

Yeah. I think Friendo meant to say Freesat+ (or HDR) for recording, as it's often the Freesat HDR's that get discussed in here.

funnyname · 11-09-2018 12:16am

Thanks for that comprehensive guide, I won't be getting rid of the humax for a while yet then.

FRIENDO wrote: »

The Walker box gives you one list of channels including Saorview and UK Free to Air Channels.

Its a simple box to use.

The Saorview Channels come with a 7 day programme guide.

You can get Digital Aertel on RTE channels and Red button function on BBC channels.

The Satellite Channels only come with whats on Now and Next in the programme guide.

Recording on Saorview channels is easy and reliable.

You would have to set timers on UK Satellite channels if recording anything after the Now and Next programmes.

However unlike Freesat, the Walker Combo does not have serial link for recording.

You can set daily or weekly timers for recording on the Walker.

Freesat also allows you watch one programme and record another, Or record two programmes at the same time. You cannot do this on the Walker.

FRIENDO · 11-09-2018 6:28am

funnyname wrote: »

Thanks for that comprehensive guide, I won't be getting rid of the humax for a while yet then.

I'm using a Humax freesat hdr since 2009, an excellent and reliable box.
Best box I've had and still working perfect "touch wood"

funnyname · 11-09-2018 10:55am

FRIENDO wrote: »

The Saorview Channels come with a 7 day programme guide.

So you can series link and easily record one week ahead, just like the humax but only for the saorview side of things? So potentially it's a better option than a saorview connect box?

FRIENDO · 11-09-2018 12:27pm

funnyname wrote: »

So you can series link and easily record one week ahead, just like the humax but only for the saorview side of things? So potentially it's a better option than a saorview connect box?

With the Saorview Channels you can set a recording on the programme guide over the 7 days easy.
You also have the option of editing the timer with daily/weekly timer on the recording event.
However the Walker does not offer serial link.

I cant comment on the Saorview Connect box as I don't have one

Prezatch · 13-09-2018 1:46pm

Hi Friendo, have you ever used the Ariva boxes by any chance? Kind of wondering should I get the Walker or an Ariva 253. One thing that puts me off the Walker is the usb connection at the front, plugging in a hard drive to the front wouldn't look very neat.

EDIT: Just read your post above about the difference between Freesat and UK Free to Air - I think this answers my question on what I'll go for.

mackersdublin · 13-09-2018 4:09pm

Prezatch wrote: »

Hi Friendo, have you ever used the Ariva boxes by any chance? Kind of wondering should I get the Walker or an Ariva 253. One thing that puts me off the Walker is the usb connection at the front, plugging in a hard drive to the front wouldn't look very neat.

EDIT: Just read your post above about the difference between Freesat and UK Free to Air - I think this answers my question on what I'll go for.

This Walker box and all of Ariva boxes are generic Free to air

Currently only Humax and Manhattan make Freesat boxes
https://www.freesat.co.uk/get-freesat/boxes/

St Senan · 01-10-2018 8:07pm

Played around with 1 of these this evening the exact same menus as with the Walker,Nordmende and Thoshiba saorview, satellite and smart TVs. I used my USB stick " uploaded channels from my Toshiba" to load all the UK channels on the box. Irish channels from 1-10 and UK channels straight after 10 starting at 301 onwards.

patsryan · 15-10-2018 11:36pm

Navarre wrote: »

Played around with 1 of these this evening the exact same menus as with the Walker,Nordmende and Thoshiba saorview, satellite and smart TVs. I used my USB stick " uploaded channels from my Toshiba" to load all the UK channels on the box. Irish channels from 1-10 and UK channels straight after 10 starting at 301 onwards.

I’m guessing no 7 day EPG on U.K. channels so?

The Cush · 16-10-2018 12:10am

patsryan wrote: »

I’m guessing no 7 day EPG on U.K. channels so?

No.

St Senan · 16-10-2018 3:00pm

patsryan wrote: »

I’m guessing no 7 day EPG on U.K. channels so?

https://www.tvguide.co.uk/?gw=1323 this covers all the channels that i want to see whats on for the next 7 days, it also covers what movies are on and what channels they are on also for the next 7 days. its very easy to customize also as there is no need to have a epg for channels you don't watch.

Booms · 03-11-2018 8:37pm

Got one of these about six weeks ago, to play around with.

There were no A/V adaptor cables available from (any) Power City at the time, so I had only used the HDMI cable option.

Yesterday I saw Power City had restocked, so tried using the box via SCART.

I don't know if I've got a rogue box, but the Video output is actually on the Yellow (left sound channel) cable. Very frustrating until I sussed it.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Also, the picture is quite soft, not at all the quality I was expecting. (Which again makes me wonder was I just unlucky, or are they all similar?)

Having said all that, it is nice to not have to be switching boxes/inputs when going from Satellite to Terrestrial.

FRIENDO · 04-11-2018 2:33pm

No, only using it with HDMI, all perfect

decor58 · 04-11-2018 7:39pm

Booms wrote: »

Got one of these about six weeks ago, to play around with.

There were no A/V adaptor cables available from (any) Power City at the time, so I had only used the HDMI cable option.

Yesterday I saw Power City had restocked, so tried using the box via SCART.

I don't know if I've got a rogue box, but the Video output is actually on the Yellow (left sound channel) cable. Very frustrating until I sussed it.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Also, the picture is quite soft, not at all the quality I was expecting. (Which again makes me wonder was I just unlucky, or are they all similar?)

Having said all that, it is nice to not have to be switching boxes/inputs when going from Satellite to Terrestrial.

On RCA cables audio left and right are red and white and video yellow and have been for a long time now, scart picture would be softer than hdmi, I would not have thought there was a problem with the box.

Booms · 04-11-2018 9:50pm

Thanks to both Friendo and Decor58 for your replies.

I've just reread my post.

'Tis worse I'm gettin'.

What i had meant to type was that the video is on the white cable - ie the left sound output, not the yellow which is the standard video signal cable.

(The cable is wired correctly, I tried it with another device)

And the picture quality is definitely not up to the standard of the Humax HD box.
(Even using the HDMI cable)

So, am I being unreasonable to expect a decent picture quality on the Walker?

And has anyone else tried to connect via scart or a/v and been happy/unhappy or unable to get a video output?

Cheers!

corks finest · 04-11-2018 9:56pm

FRIENDO wrote: »

The high horse brigade wrote: »

7 day EPG on satellite?

Not tested on Astra 2 yet (UK Sat channels)

7 day epg on Saorsat working perfect

NJ ref a v good EPG or its a no no,I've a Humax for UK etc, recording,and an Nvidia shield for streaming, would love to have all in one,but not happening

corks finest · 04-11-2018 9:59pm

funnyname wrote: »

Thanks for that comprehensive guide, I won't be getting rid of the humax for a while yet then.

FRIENDO wrote: »

The Walker box gives you one list of channels including Saorview and UK Free to Air Channels.

Its a simple box to use.

The Saorview Channels come with a 7 day programme guide.

You can get Digital Aertel on RTE channels and Red button function on BBC channels.

The Satellite Channels only come with whats on Now and Next in the programme guide.

Recording on Saorview channels is easy and reliable.

You would have to set timers on UK Satellite channels if recording anything after the Now and Next programmes.

However unlike Freesat, the Walker Combo does not have serial link for recording.

You can set daily or weekly timers for recording on the Walker.

Freesat also allows you watch one programme and record another, Or record two programmes at the same time. You cannot do this on the Walker.

Humax is tops,but don't Max it out with recordings,known to fail,as did my old humax

St Senan · 05-11-2018 10:32am

Booms wrote: »

Thanks to both Friendo and Decor58 for your replies.

I've just reread my post.

'Tis worse I'm gettin'.

What i had meant to type was that the video is on the white cable - ie the left sound output, not the yellow which is the standard video signal cable.

(The cable is wired correctly, I tried it with another device)

And the picture quality is definitely not up to the standard of the Humax HD box.
(Even using the HDMI cable)

So, am I being unreasonable to expect a decent picture quality on the Walker?

And has anyone else tried to connect via scart or a/v and been happy/unhappy or unable to get a video output?

Cheers!

Ive been installing this model box for the last few weeks and have not come across any issues yet with what your saying. If i was you i would bring the box back to shop where you bought it and get it replaced, There is a 2 year warranty on Walker products.

L1011 · 05-11-2018 1:27pm

Booms wrote: »

Got one of these about six weeks ago, to play around with.

There were no A/V adaptor cables available from (any) Power City at the time, so I had only used the HDMI cable option.

Yesterday I saw Power City had restocked, so tried using the box via SCART.

I don't know if I've got a rogue box, but the Video output is actually on the Yellow (left sound channel) cable. Very frustrating until I sussed it.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Also, the picture is quite soft, not at all the quality I was expecting. (Which again makes me wonder was I just unlucky, or are they all similar?)

Having said all that, it is nice to not have to be switching boxes/inputs when going from Satellite to Terrestrial.

Video on composite (the yellow pin, or whatever pin it ends up coming out on if miswired!) is always going to be soft. It is the worst possible option available short of using an RF modulator - and actually some of those are better

Booms · 05-11-2018 7:52pm

Thanks to you both for that.

I'll do some more comparisions between boxes (using HDMI), to see if there is a major difference. I'm aware that once I start querying something, I can get super critical, so thank you for your replies.

FRIENDO · 06-11-2018 7:32pm

Booms

For using the HDMI.
In the settings on the Walker you have output type, I have mine set to 1080p

Yours may be on auto and may be using a lesser output for HDMI.

tototoe · 10-11-2018 4:36pm

Just bought one of these and having real problems with the Saorview channels. Have tried auto scan, manual scan, using the preset list and missing RTE1 and Virgin media 3. All others are fine?

Anyone any idea here?

If I plug the aerial feed into the TV, I pick up all channels no problem, but on this box, no matter what I do RTE1/VM3 is missing.

Johnboy1951 · 10-11-2018 4:45pm

tototoe wrote: »

Just bought one of these and having real problems with the Saorview channels. Have tried auto scan, manual scan, using the preset list and missing RTE1 and Virgin media 3. All others are fine?

Anyone any idea here?

If I plug the aerial feed into the TV, I pick up all channels no problem, but on this box, no matter what I do RTE1/VM3 is missing.

Maybe you are not scanning the correct frequency for the mux those channels are on?

tototoe · 10-11-2018 5:01pm

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Maybe you are not scanning the correct frequency for the mux those channels are on?

Well I now set the box to UK instead of Ireland, and on a manual scan now have all irish channels, but with channel numbers from 800 up.

john.22 · 28-12-2018 6:03pm

Hi i got one of these boxes for Christmas. when i do an automatic or manual scan it finds all channels except channel 4, E4, More4, Film4. I have tried doing a manual scan with the correct frequency /polarisation but it still cannot find them.

mgn · 28-12-2018 7:15pm

john.22 wrote: »

Hi i got one of these boxes for Christmas. when i do an automatic or manual scan it finds all channels except channel 4, E4, More4, Film4. I have tried doing a manual scan with the correct frequency /polarisation but it still cannot find them.

Got one of them recently.The way i got them was to scan all channels including the encrypted ones.Pain in the ass deleting all the sky encrypted ones,but it's one way of getting them.

john.22 · 28-12-2018 7:23pm

mgn wrote: »

Got one of them recently.The way i got them was to scan all channels including the encrypted ones.Pain in the ass deleting all the sky encrypted ones,but it's one way of getting them.

Worked when i included encrypted channels, thanks for the help it was wrecking my head!

mgn · 28-12-2018 7:44pm

john.22 wrote: »

Worked when i included encrypted channels, thanks for the help it was wrecking my head!

No problem.

Antenna · 29-12-2018 11:50am

mgn wrote: »

Got one of them recently.The way i got them was to scan all channels including the encrypted ones.Pain in the ass deleting all the sky encrypted ones,but it's one way of getting them.

Better do a Auto FTA scan first, then afterwards do an encrypted scan of the specific transponders carrying these affected channels (transponder details are listed online) . This will avoid so many encrypted channels being saved.

BTW
I think if you try to record the affected channels (listed as encrypted though actually FTA) to USB, doing so is blocked on these Walkers though.

beauf · 10-01-2019 10:15pm

Which channels other than Irish Saorview ones are HD?

jack presley · 10-01-2019 10:16pm

beauf wrote: »

Which channels other than Irish Saorview ones are HD?

Don't know if it's just me but the only non-Saorview channel I can get in HD is Channel 4.

The Cush · 10-01-2019 10:26pm

jack presley wrote: »

Don't know if it's just me but the only non-Saorview channel I can get in HD is Channel 4.

Just you I'm afraid, quiet a few of the sat channels are available in HD, BBC/ITV/CH4/CH5 etc.

See the blue highlighted channels here - https://www.lyngsat.com/Astra-2E-2F-2G.html

jack presley · 10-01-2019 10:40pm

The Cush wrote: »

Just you I'm afraid, quiet a few of the sat channels are available in HD, BBC/ITV/CH4/CH5 etc.

See the blue highlighted channels here - https://www.lyngsat.com/Astra-2E-2F-2G.html

Is it just a matter of retuning again or am I using the wrong settings for the satellite (or even the wrong satellite)?

The Cush · 10-01-2019 10:49pm

jack presley wrote: »

Is it just a matter of retuning again or am I using the wrong settings for the satellite (or even the wrong satellite)?

You have Ch 4 HD , so you have the correct satellite(s).

Do a manual scan for one of the HD transponders, inputting all the required parameters - Freq/Pol/SR, and see how it goes.

jack presley · 10-01-2019 11:01pm

The Cush wrote: »

You have Ch 4 HD , so you have the correct satellite(s).

Do a manual scan for one of the HD transponders, inputting all the required parameters - Freq/Pol/SR, and see how it goes.

Cool. I’ll give that a try tomorrow.

jack presley · 11-01-2019 8:38am

The Cush wrote: »

You have Ch 4 HD , so you have the correct satellite(s).

Do a manual scan for one of the HD transponders, inputting all the required parameters - Freq/Pol/SR, and see how it goes.

Actually, thinking about this I have no idea what you mean by transponder and the freq/pol and SR. How do I set these correctly? Thanks.

The Cush · 11-01-2019 8:59am

jack presley wrote: »

Actually, thinking about this I have no idea what you mean by transponder and the freq/pol and SR. How do I set these correctly?

I'm not sure of the menu structure of your receiver but I assume it's similar to their other Vestel based TV products

If so, go to menu -> installation -> manual channel scan -> Satellite -> [enter the frequency, Polarisation, Symbol Rate (satellite should be Astra 2)] -> OK

The receiver will scan the selected frequency and store the found channels at the end of your existing list of channels from where they can be moved to your desired position and non-required channels deleted.

Example, one of the BBC HD transponders

https://www.lyngsat.com/Astra-2E-2F-2G.html

Transponder 50
Frequency - 10847
Polarisation - V (vertical)
Symbol Rate - 23000

jack presley · 11-01-2019 10:36pm

The Cush wrote: »

I'm not sure of the menu structure of your receiver but I assume it's similar to their other Vestel based TV products

If so, go to menu -> installation -> manual channel scan -> Satellite -> [enter the frequency, Polarisation, Symbol Rate (satellite should be Astra 2)] -> OK

The receiver will scan the selected frequency and store the found channels at the end of your existing list of channels from where they can be moved to your desired position and non-required channels deleted.

Example, one of the BBC HD transponders

https://www.lyngsat.com/Astra-2E-2F-2G.html

Transponder 50
Frequency - 10847
Polarisation - V (vertical)
Symbol Rate - 23000

Got that sorted, my satellite settings had a different frequency and symbol rate. I have the BBCs in HD now too! Thanks.

WALKER (2018) Saorview Combo WPS818C

Comments