Freeview Box

The_Machine

I've been looking around for a freeview box for a while and contemplated buying the Sony box for around £80 because it would link up with my Sony VCR to automatically record programmes.

Then, I considered a Humax PVR because the entry level model is a similar price to the Sony and wouldn't need to link up with a VCR at all.

However, in the end, I spent £27.97 at Asda on the Durabrand box and I have to say it is excellent! I'm really impressed with it (not easy!).

My postcode search told me I am in a bit of a dodgy signal area and that I'd need an aerial upgrade. I was expecting this anyway as my aerial is already rubbish for terrestrial telly (it's been vandalised by an overweight pigeon!).

However, when I plugged the little box in, it merrily went away and found all the available channels, and with full signal strength too. At the moment the picture quality is a tiny bit fuzzy at times, but I think this is due to the basic scart cable that comes with it. I'll buy a better one to hopefully get round this at some point.

The instructions in the box are easy enough to follow (they actually have the Plain English Campaign's Crystal Mark for clarity!). There are quick start instructions and also, more detailed instructions which tell you how to connect up your VCR etc.

Best of all though is the 7-day programme guide and the ability to set up to 5 timers whereby the box automatically switches itself over to a particular channel at a certain time. You can also set reminders on individual programmes in the programme guide, giving you about a dozen reminders/timers in total.

All I have to do now is set my video to record from the 'Line 1' channel and then make sure the box switches itself over to the correct channel in time. Brilliant!

A big thumbs up from me!

HTH

Machine

Fatal_Swan

The_Machine wrote:

At the moment the picture quality is a tiny bit fuzzy at times, but I think this is due to the basic scart cable that comes with it. I'll buy a better one to hopefully get round this at some point.

As well as the scart cable, it might be worth trying a better aerial cable too. Also, I've found that if the aerial cable's tangled up or there's something pressing on it the picture can deteriorate - maybe something to check.

Always good to hear of success with freeview boxes cos there seem to be so many dodgy ones around...!

brigittejohn

http://www.electrical-deals.co.uk/ServiceCareSite/product/DTR320.htm

Digital Terrestrial Reciever
DTR320 £21.99

Experience the digital interactive TV phenomenon
Automatic installation
Electronic Program Guide nn
Free SCART cable
Freeview access
Parental lock
Pulse Killer Chip
2 SCART sockets