Freeview boxes from £23.99 - Can you beat it?

Shimla

1196rachel wrote:

I've had 3 set-top boxes over the last 5 years. The first 2 completely froze up and couldn't be reset. My latest one, a cheap Alba one, freezes very regularly. The remote control doesn't work all the time, despite the light on the machine indicating it's receiving some signal from the remote.
I think I have a reasonable signal, but the co-ax cable from the aerial to the box is old and shabby.
So is the consensus of this thread that I am better to spend more on a Freeview box? Are these more reliable, or is it the poor signal/connection/the house wiring (?) which make all the boxes fail?

Thought I was saving money buying a cheap model. Am I wrong?

I had the similar problem ie my arial cable is completely gone as it is 25 years old. I bought digital TV (built in freeview tuner) and it worked briefly then it would not get any signals. I could not afford to get a new ariel (cost etc). Then I tried ordinary indoor arial which sits near the window and I get all the freeview channels via this. Only in extrem weather signals are distorted. Maybe I am just lucky to have good freeview signals. Also I have old Sky box (digital one) for which I stopped subscribing as it was getting too much for me. Via that I also get all the terrestrial channels and quite a lot of free view channels as well (Sky sports news, Euro news etc).

So it it seems that it does not matter if your box is cheap or expensive if your arial is not good you will not be able to get good picture. As my Digital TV is still under gurantee, the techie who came to see what was wrong with viewing the freevew, told me that it was the ariel wire which was disintgrating as he tested the freeview with his high strength indoor ariel. But as I said before, could not afford a new ariel and still making do with indoor one sitting near the window where it gets best reception (if I move it to another location it will not work so well).

kizziedog

Posted by Madoglewis :-

West Avon Systems has Hauppauge DEC-1100T External Mini-Freeview Receiver for £17.60 + £6.38 postage making the total price £23.98

Sounded good so tried to buy. Their ordering system doesn't accept credit cards. When I queried this, they emailed the reply :-

Thanks for your email. Unfortunately we are still waiting for the upgrade from our merchant to allow us to take the orders by credit card. As soon as this is done credit cards will be added.

Haas anyone had experience with this company? I am so unused to sending cheques that I now become cynical when they can't accept credit cards!

LouLou

Someone mentioned a rebadged Humax in a previous post?

Being an owner of a PVR8000T, which I couldn't be without, I'd be interested to know what names, and where I can find one I want another box for my bedroom.

Thanks x

alansnowden

I can beat that offer

Ebuyer sells freeview for


£13.61
£16.00 inc VAT
quickfind code: 116278
211 in stock. Usually ships same day
manufacturer #: FRT100

Converts your existing TV to Digital
2 SCART Sockets Automatic Installation
Multi Guide (EPG)
Full Digital Text
RF In/Out (Loop Through)
:T

Qty Product QuickFind Stock Price (ex VAT) Line Total
Fusion FRT100 Set Top Box Grade A Stock 116278 211 in stock £13.61 £13.61
- remove item Cart Total: £13.61

(Super Saver)
Shipping Band: *£3.99
Approx Cart Weight: 1.26Kg

Shipping Surcharge: £0.00
SubTotal: £17.60
VAT: £3.09
Total: £20.69

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/116278

keith_c_3

I have been using the topfield T5800 PVR for about 9 months. Though it is not cheap the flexibility if timeshifting and recording are really worth it. It can also double up as an mp3 jukebox. There is a user forum at http://forum.toppy.org.uk.

firespire

keith_c wrote:

I have been using the topfield T5800 PVR for about 9 months.

I haven't the faintest idea why you post is titled "Freeview box for £16" when the Topfield is at least £250. Plus you are deviating off the topic of the thread about cheap freeview receivers.

keith_c wrote:

Though it is not cheap

It is the most expensive pvr

keith_c wrote:

the flexibility if timeshifting and recording are really worth it.

There are other that do the timeshifting and recording exactly the same and are much less. It is only worth going for the top end Topfield if you want to connect to a pvr and add the user created applications.

firespire

LouLou wrote:

Someone mentioned a rebadged Humax in a previous post?

Being an owner of a PVR8000T, which I couldn't be without, I'd be interested to know what names, and where I can find one I want another box for my bedroom.

Thanks x

It wasn't a rebadged Humax but it was a company rebadging their own box as a Humax.

Humax have their own Freeview box: Humax F2-FOX T which you can get at Currys (code: 052042) amongst other places. Which is supposed to be very good and the one to go for if you want something made my Humax.

The rebadging issue was the Humax MG-TU1 which is not by Humax but a company called Access Devices. Which is a good box but it is not what you are looking for if you want a Humax made box.

Both boxes can be seen at -
http://www.humaxdigital.com/uk/products/product_list.asp

Did-dad_saves_the_day!

firespire wrote:

Plus you are deviating off the topic of the thread about cheap freeview receivers.

I thought this site was about bargains - admittedly, the Toppy never was much of a bargain; however, sorry to bang on about it, but ... the Inverto IS a bargain at less than £150 at Boots. Just depend wheher you want cheap and potentially nasty or a seriously GOOD bit of kit!
OK, it's Not quite beating £23.99 but some people need to be aware of other options.

firespire wrote:

There are other that do the timeshifting and recording exactly the same and are much less. .

Once again, pointing to the Inverto IDL7000PVR - 8OGB DVR with Freeview!
I see loads of people banging on about cheap things but surely something cheap is only worth it if it's also reliable and has the required functionality. Personally, we (My non-techie wife and 3 kids) wouldn't be without twin tuners and a hard drive!

firespire

Did-dad_saves_the_day! wrote:

I thought this site was about bargains -

I agree PVRs are great but this specific thread is not about pvrs really.

It is -

MSE_Martin wrote:

If you've spotted a cheaper box anywhere - please click reply and post it below.

So now there are two threads started by Martin for the same thing both in constant use the other is the Great Cheapest Freeview Box Hunt

I personally think posts about PVRs which people think are bargains should be in another seperate thread.
Although the best place to discuss the pros and cons of each PVR will always be Digital Spy

santhana

I had a chance to buy the Panasonic TU-Ct41 from ebay. The seller Costprice4u had previously sold a camcorder to me 7 months back in good nick. The Panasonic freeview is more reliable than my Sagem and Digifusion set top boxes. I have decided not to go for these cheap models as they often freeze. The Panasonic that I have bought retails at over £45 in high street and I got it for a great bargain at £27.99 + delivery. The company also offers a good warranty and they have been very reliable.