Freeview HD/Freesat HD deals discussion

Sid_Harper

I remain absolutely gobsmacked at how, what are relatively uncomplicated (in terms of functionality) consumer devices continue to be built with such poor reliability and software. I've had about 5 freeview recorders so far, different brands (and insides), all with reliability issues. I managed to grab an ex-display SD Topfield 250Gb for £70 recently which is serving the 26" in the bedroom which will do for now (I'm sure it'll die too!).

I'm loath to spending any money on FV HD until the TVs die and I get one with HD chipset built in as then the reliability is down to the TV manufacturer.

Searcher2

Sid_Harper wrote: »

I managed to grab an ex-display SD Topfield 250Gb for £70 recently which is serving the 26" in the bedroom which will do for now (I'm sure it'll die too!).

I think you may be surprised by your Topfield. I was a Humax lover but finally gave up a few months ago when there recent fix on the SD models to stop the remote control freezing after digital cutover resulted in the EPG not updating properly.

I too bought the Topfield and updated it with MyStuff Tap (relatively straightforward once you've found it) and I haven't missed a program yet. Unlike the Humax it uses 'actua'l timers AND allows padding at the same time. It's not quite as user friendly I find (because there are so many options).

The reliability on them seems to be very good.

I am hanging on to it until the HD market sorts itself out. I'd rather have reliability than razor sharp images (do they add that much anyway?).

michaels

DO any of the HD freeview TV's support freeview HD reception with a software upgrade?

TehJumpingJawa

michaels wrote: »

DO any of the HD freeview TV's support freeview HD reception with a software upgrade?

No chance.

Freeview HD (DVB-T2) requires different signal reception hardware to Freeview (DVB-T).

Also the Freeview HD video stream is encoded using H.264, while it's audio is HE-AAC, plain old Freeview is encoded using only MPEG2.
As most (if not all) TVs & set-top boxes do this decoding in hardware, this would be another source of incompatibility.
Though even if the decoding was done in software the processing requirements to decode an H.264 stream far exceed those of an MPEG2 stream.

U've_been_framed

£70 for 2 or 3 HD channels? I think that I'll wait.

Sid_Harper

Searcher2 wrote: »

I think you may be surprised by your Topfield. I was a Humax lover but finally gave up a few months ago when there recent fix on the SD models to stop the remote control freezing after digital cutover resulted in the EPG not updating properly.

I too bought the Topfield and updated it with MyStuff Tap (relatively straightforward once you've found it) and I haven't missed a program yet. Unlike the Humax it uses 'actua'l timers AND allows padding at the same time. It's not quite as user friendly I find (because there are so many options).

The reliability on them seems to be very good.

I am hanging on to it until the HD market sorts itself out. I'd rather have reliability than razor sharp images (do they add that much anyway?).

I bought a Humax 9150 and it was like a jet aircraft in the bedroom so it went back (competition for me ). I recognised the Toppy as a bargain when I walked into my local Currys and it was on clearance (never used, just for display). Got MyStuff whacked onto mine too so here's hoping it lasts!

Completely agree - there're only a handful of HD channels; there's a growing trend for built-in HD sat and FV tuners and another for built-in HD recorders. Give it a year and it'll be commonplace in time for my next telly!

Retro_Bunny

ian-d wrote: »

The best buy according to the article is the Bush HD from Argos, but be aware this really is a cheap brand, riddled with reliability issues, so have your receipt handy just in case. It would be worth looking at the range from Satbuyer (http://www.satbuyer.co.uk/freesat-digital-boxes-c10.html), as they generally compete with the best priced stores, if your looking for cheap HD, then the Metronic or graded Humax are a good shout; alternatively the high end would be the new Humax or TechniSat models.

I've had this Bush Freesat HD for nearly a year, and have yet to have a problem with it. As with any electrical item, I've had to switch off mains and do a full 'restart' (but it keeps installed channels) maybe 3 times in this first year, but it's good apart from that - and it was only £65 a year ago. But bear in mind it's a cheapy.

veronarona

I've just capitulated and ordered one of the Technika HD STBs that Tesco Outlet is selling on eBay, they're "refurbished" - except that that usually means they're customer returns which are okayed as long as they vaguely work :cool: but at £40 delivered...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290467522055&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

A new series of Mad Men is starting soon

= = = = = =

As for the Hitachi "HD" recorder and similar discussed earlier in the thread, in their case the HD stands for Hard Drive - this thread is dedicated to High Definition.

The Hitachi is a Vestel clone and probably a T825 model which is terribly glitchy. I have a 250gb Hitachi and a 250gb Wharfedale version (same difference) - the latter sat in my hallway waiting to be returned due to the same skipping/freezing problems, until it was too late... one day I connected it up and it was perfect, then Vestel issued an OAD software upgrade and the darn thing's almost as bad as it was before Vestel boxes do need a good signal but the playback probs are not signal related, it's an infuriating mystery because they are so user friendly :mad: The best place for support is www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums and look for "Digihome" under Terrestrial/Freeview/PVRs (kinda).

Hitachi have actually taken boxes back for upgrading to resolve issues relating to Digital Switchover, which will affect all T825 and other versions, I think further OADs may be forthcoming at some stage.


veronarona

TehJumpingJawa

veronarona wrote: »

I've just capitulated and ordered one of the Technika HD STBs that Tesco Outlet is selling on eBay, they're "refurbished" - except that that usually means they're customer returns which are okayed as long as they vaguely work :cool: but at £40 delivered...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290467522055&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

A new series of Mad Men is starting soon

Returned because they are full of irritating bugs, including frequent crashes.

I'd be inclined to buy one from Tesco's for £50 (using discount code), see if you like it - if so, return it and buy the ebay one for £10 less.

A lot of effort though - and HD without a PVR seems rather pointless to me. I'm going to wait until there is a £200 (or less) HD PVR that *works as advertised*.

zinger_2

U've_been_framed wrote: »

£70 for 2 or 3 HD channels? I think that I'll wait.

Freeview HD will be adding more channels as capacity is freed up as switchover takes place. BBC1 HD is expected by the end of this year. And if you don't want to pay for a cheap box, you can try to get one for free! Freeview HD is holding a competition, giving away 5 Technika Freeview HD boxes on Twitter. I can't post the link yet, but the details are on the Freeview HD blog.
:j