Just a little bit about me, I'm studying for a maths degree and am a qualified mechanic and a bit of...
Just a little bit about me, I'm studying for a maths degree and am a qualified mechanic and a bit of a perfectionist! lol
Member since:02.12.2008
Reviews:8
I have been using this box now for around 9 months and have found it relatively easy to use. The EPG is not as easy or as clear as Sky's offering, but it works. I particularly like the way in which is shows how long a program has been on and the resolution of the broadcast.
The box itself is actually very small and streamlined, hardly takes up any room at all - very impressive. Most of the buttons are hidden under a flap on the front of the player that pulls down, and there is a good sized LCD display that is easy to read.
The remote is a nice size in the hand, not too small or too chunky with a nice weight to it. The layout is OK, although operating the EPG effectively does take time to master.
The unit is simple to set up and install all the necessary channels. Once you put your post code in, it will tune itself and store all the channels. It generally updates itself every couple of weeks (it will ask you first) and only takes around 2 minutes. It is also possible to do a manual tune of non-freesat channels, although there is no EPG for these channels and to be honest most of them aren't worth bothering with, but if you have the time they are there.
I am running the box through the HD port of my Philips LCD TV and find the picture clear and quite sharp (a definite improvement over the Sky box picture). I'm not sure if it's the box that is making the difference or the fact its running through the HD port instead of the SCART socket that makes the difference. The colours appear natural and smooth with only a little jaggedness around objects. The sound is also clear and strong.
The HD picture on the other hand is FANTASTIC, the difference is very noticable. Infact I have trouble adjusting to SD broadcasts afterwards as the picture looks blurry in comparison! It's about time that all channels are broadcast in HD. There is also a big difference in sound quality in HD, the sound is much crisper, bass is much stronger and more defined.
I do however, have a few issues with this box. The first being the time it takes to switch on. When I read up on some reviews of this box when I was considering which one to buy, reviewers were saying how quick it was. I can quite categorically say this is NOT TRUE! It takes around 10-15 seconds from pushing the power button on the remote before the unit actually displays anything. This is definately not what I call fast, although others might think so.
My other gripe is the volume when viewing HD. If you have been watching SD and then decide to switch over to HD, don't! You have to turn the volume almost completely off on the TV first, else you will probably blow the speakers on your TV! We forgot once or twice in the beginning, not anymore - it sounds like a lorry crashing into your house it's that loud! Conversely, after watching HD, you have to turn the volume right up to watch SD, this is really annoying if you like channel hopping - so beware. I don't know if this is a peculiarity of this box, or a common trait that it shares with all freesat boxes as I have no other experience with freesat boxes.
Overall I am happy with this box, it was when i purchased it one of only 3 different models available and I still think I made the right choice. There is an optical connection on the rear of the unit for the sound that might 'cure' the problem in sound levels that I am experiencing but can't say as I have not tried it.
To sum up, if you want a good quality box with a good picture and want to watch a little HD then this is the box for you. I think it's worth the extra money compared to the SD boxes as it gives more flexibility. Overall I would give this box 7/10, only losing marks because of the sound issues and slowness at start up.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Please note: To enjoy freesat broadcasts you will need a dish and cabling installed. ... more
freesat does not require a contract or a subscription just a one-off payment for your dish and installation. To organise installation, please visit or call one of our...
* Receives HDTV signals * Improves SDTV on an HD LCD TV * Has HDMI - digital interface ... more
for perfect transmission of picture and sound * Simultaneous playing of transmission over HDMI, YPbPr or Scart * Easy installation and operation * Resoluti...
Postage & Packaging: £ 0.00 Availability: In Stock
very helpful by (100%):
