Ferguson Ariva HD Combo

Hi,

I got this Ferguson box last week, very impressive. Originally I couldn't pick up any terrestrial channels on an automatic scan, but using Kerbdog's channel listing (thanks!) and rebooting the box has it running fine for Irish DTT.

Has anyone had any success picking up the UK Freeview channels?

My Samsung TV will pick them up, as will the PlayTV box on the PS3 - so I have at least passable coverage from the rooftop aerial.

Thanks,
Eddie

KeRbDoG wrote: »

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.

Do the BBCi not show up as stream-0, stream-1 etc? I think they did for me.

Did you create the list entirely in the editor, and then load it? I think I had a list I'd created on the box, loaded it into the editor, but when I loaded it back the order in the favourite list was jumbled. Must have another go.

I see you left out Press TV & Russia Today...worth a look for Max Keiser if want an alternative take on the world economy:)

@fast eddie: you could try scanning the particular mux number, instead of a complete scan. The other thing worth a look is the antenna power setting. Turning it off/on has fixed no signal for me, although I do have it powering a masthead amp.

@Tony: They replied to me once, before I'd bought it, confirming the watch one tuner record another feature. I don't expect a reply anymore, just to make the right people aware of issues.

KeRbDoG wrote: »

Another release is already out here - S022beta

Another firmware release already - S023

firmware version: S023
fix: teletext bug in S022

KeRbDoG wrote: »

Edited the favourites on the box mostly, then some more edits in the editor software.
I think I got a little delete happy initially so i might have deleted BBCi/stream-0 etc. by mistake. Missed Press TV & Russia Today - arse, will manually add those in which I noticed I could only do via the editor? Any way of doing this via the boxes menus I wonder...

You could always scan the particular transponders these channels are on, and then delete the channels you don't want? But you probably knew that... I don't think there's any way to add individual channels without scanning.

I saw that myself, they have an rss feed on the download page, which I'm following.

Nothing particularly useful in the last few updates from my point of view. I've mailed them about a teletext bug (subpages don't work well), also the highlighted program in the epg jumps back to start of the day, after looking at the detailed info for the current or later time.

Anyone else mailed them with these problems or others?
Maybe a bit of pressure from users could influence them...

Info on external hard disk here. Any disk can be formatted in FAT32, how it's powered is the point.

As regards the PVR question, I suppose you could argue that a fully featured PVR would have an internal HDD, and also have twin satellite tuners, so you can watch and record the full range of channels at once. With the Ariva, if you are recording a satellite channel, say BBC1 London, you can only watch channels on the same transponder (ie frequency), which in the case of BBC1 London is BBC2 England, BBC3, Five etc, or the Irish channels on DTT.

However, you're looking at €400 plus for a triple tuner combo, plus extra cabling from the dish. If it's the case that you're just not at home when something is on, a twin/triple tuner is overkill. If you just want a drop in replacement for an existing satellite and terrestrial install, plus the added bonus of PVR features, the Ariva is as good as any.

I went on a scheduling blitz recently, and discovered that the maximum number of recordings you can schedule is 21.

There's a lot to take in alright, keep the questions coming and it will all become clear!

Yea could get yourself a 2.5" 1TB USB powered drive for €100~ delivered from Amazon

Ah, just noted;

HDD only up to 750 GB are supported

Ignore me so

whiterteeth wrote: »

Thank you rurs for your very helpful and encouraging reply.

I think I can get a 320 Mb Iomega hard drive for about €75 here in Dublin. I hope that I won't need to format it, looks difficult, but merely plug it in and away it goes! Again thanks

I was in Bray today!

There's a menu item on the box itself to format a usb disk, try that first. I'm not sure why Ferguson go into so much detail on that FAQ page. I can't remember how I did it...

I'd be inclined to go for a disk that needs no external power supply, or needs a second usb port for power. Which drive specifically were you thinking about? I see Peats and Power City have the same Iomega models at reasonable prices that seem to fit the bill.

Interesting, guess it was just one or two reviewers that had this problem.

You seem to get more useful info from ferguson than I do

rurs wrote: »

Cross posts and purposes, Tony:D

I've been using a usb powered Buffalo MiniStation 320gb (model HD-PE320U2/BK-EU) since day one, no problems, spins down after a few minutes in standby, can record and watch HD etc.

Ferguson recommend the WD My Passport Essential, I think they're USB powered?

I suppose a self powered drive is guaranteed to work, it's a bit more chancey with a usb powered one, but it's another load of wires to accommodate...

What proportion of your customers have had problems(if that's not too "personal" a question:-))Surely if the drive is designed to work from a single port on a laptop, it should get enough power from the STB?

joe250 wrote: »

Looks like this guy works fergusonshop.com.

And since the thread is about the combo box I'm not sure of the relevance of the post.

How does this receiver compare to the Humax Foxsat HD PVR? Apart from the obvious that it can receive DTT channels and doesn’t have built-in HDD!!
The Humax is an excellent receiver so just wondering how good the Ferguson is in comparison if anyone has experience of both before I decide on giving it up!

I was thinking about a combo box now that DTT is available countrywide.

Also, is it possible to receive TV3 via analogue without having to unplug the aerial from the receiver and plugging into the TV? I.e. can I just switch the input source on the TV and watch TV3 on normal analogue until it is available on DTT?

Dont give it up, just get a Terrestrial only HD box that can take an external hard drive .

harry1 wrote: »

H
The Humax is an excellent receiver so just wondering how good the Ferguson is in comparison if anyone has experience of both before I decide on giving it up!

Thanks irishchris and Tony for replies.

Tony wrote: »

Dont give it up, just get a Terrestrial only HD box that can take an external hard drive .

Yeah, I'm thinking of doing that too.

FRIENDO wrote: »

Hi,

I got a Ferguson Ariva HD Combo for my parents around a month ago.
I did a factory reset and I am happy with the Irish DTT and satellite channels.
However my Father powers the receiver and tv off from the mains every night. When powering the receiver power on in the morning Irish Dtt channels may not be on (Black screen "no signal") I may have to power receiver on and off a couple of times to get Dtt channels back or carry out a Terestrial scan to get them back.
Satellite channels work fine on powering the reciever.

Has anybody noticed this problem or is it just this box.

Thanks for any help

I heard this this was an issue, always good to ensure the box is running the most up to date firmware/software. Other than that, I'd say leave it plugged in and on standby