With the shutting down of the analogue TV transmissions, buying a set-top digital receiver is going to be a necessity if we want to keep our existing TVs.
One of my televisions does not have a flat top, and it sits on a video recorder which is mounted on a piece of furniture which is only just big enough to support it. There is no other suitable surface nearby. The TV does not have a scart socket, but the video recorder has two (input and output).
When I first saw the Bush DFTA1001, it seemed like the ideal solution, if I plugged it into the input scart socket of the video recorder, and use that as the tuner for the TV.
I was given the first one for Christmas, but it would not set up, so I returned it to the shop, and tried to replace it. They did not have another, so I returned to the shop, on an ad-hoc basis, until one was in stock.
This tiny tuner comes in a large box, and it plugs straight into the scart socket on the TV or video, so it sticks out of the back. If you have no room behind your TV, eg for a wall mounted unit , a short scart cable is supplied, so the tuner can dangle.
Set up was easy, and it sorted through the various transmissions and allocated standard numbers to the programmes e.g. 1=BBC1, 2=BBC2, 3=ITV1 etc. The aerial plugs into the right hand side at the back, and, on the back, the power lead is plugged in, on the back, next to the remote sensor socket. The remote sensor is required to be placed where the remote control can access it, either by sticking it on to the TV with double-sided tape, or some other method of keeping it in place. The problem is that it is so small and light, that its cable pulls it to where the cable wants.
The remote control is quite small, and, apart from turning on and off, there is small delay between operating the buttons, and the unit responding, especially when changing channel.
I was a little concerned because I had heard reports of the Bush DFTA1001 being a little less than totally reliable, and requiring powering down every few hours, but I have not experienced this, and I have found it to be completely reliable in the six weeks I have had it. On occasion the screen will freeze for half a second, but this is most likely to be down to variable reception quality. This should improve after the analogue switch-off.
Most digital receivers are quite large, and require a flat surface to be placed upon. The Bush DFTA1001, is neither, and it is very good in its marketing niche.
More details
Remote Control
Good Quality
Instructions
Helpful / Easy to Follow
Durability
Good
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