Echostar T101-FTA+ (with 7 day epg)

Advantages: cheap, very easy to use, good tuner
Disadvantages: very slow, ugly user interface, picture blacks out occasionally

...also provided to directly access the subtitles on/off menu. However the remote control lacks the volume buttons I've seen on other receivers' remote controls, so that's something of a minus in my book, as you will need the tv remote control at hand for that. Onto the actual user experience then.. The Echostar began with its automatic setup screen on first use, which tells you to ensure the aerial is plugged in and to press "ok" (I'm just using an indoor aerial). Scanning takes several minutes and feels somewhat slower than other boxes I've used. You might think that's not really a problem as it's not something one does often but in the last month new channels and radio stations have been added to freeview (and more to come I believe) which necessitates rescanning, plus as you will read, slowness does unfortunately appear to be...

feroxy 25.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Echostar T101FTA

A simple solution, but not The solution.

Advantages: Basic and cheap
Disadvantages: Not very powerful, lack of support, sluggish

...The Echostar T101 FTA is amongst the many digital freeview boxes available in the UK, aiming to provide the most basic freeview features at a very low price. The device itself is silver and rather small and can fit comfortably onto your hand, or more likely, the TV. It has 5 connectors on the back - power, RF in, RF out, and 2 SCART sockets for the TV and VCR. The front of the device includes a simple black display with a single, solitary LED that blinks RED or GREEN depending if the device is on standby or operating. In the package comes a remote control (with batteries), and is about as simple as a digital box needs. Set up is quick and painless - it includes a SCART cable and an RF lead so you can add it to your existing setup. Once connected and operating, it automatically prompts to do a scan to find all available channels...

johnsto 25.12.2004 · Read review
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Review of Echostar T101FTA