TV Boxes - alternatives to Manhattan.

ThisIsWeird

Hi all.

Mil is having problems with her Manhattan reception - lots of break-ups and pixelating on her recordings. I'm currently looking in to how good the aerial reception is - her Samsung TV says it's '99% strong' with 'zero bit errors', but I understand that Manhattan boxes can be very fussy, and require - for them - a near-pure signal quality. (And the instructions found on t'net on how to access the Manhattan's signal quality meter were wrong :-( )

Anyhoo, as I'm looking in to this, I thought it worth exploring alternatives. She now has BT Fibre interweb, so that could be a good option. The BT TV box is, however, £20 pm, so near double what she's currently paying for her 'net, and I know she won't like that… She really only needs the terrestrial channels - she can get anything else via her PC.

So, what alternatives are there for internet-sourced 'Freeview'? It will need to be able to record at least two channels simultaneously.

Thanks.

wongataa

The options for new boxes are boxes from Manhattan or Humax. The Manhattan T3-R has been discontinued now as the replacement T4-R will be out soon.

Is the reception OK on the TV? Have you tried a different aerial cable to see if that is the cause of the issues?

ThisIsWeird

Thanks.

Yes, the actual TV reception is perfect, which is no surprise as it shows as 99% strength and zero error. I haven't been able to check what the Manhattan itself reports, but I assume the cables are fine as it goes to the Manhatt and then to the TV.

GDB2222

We have one of these, and it works well recording off the aerial. £44. 

https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail/?id=smedbtt2100b

ThisIsWeird

Thanks GDB.

Yes, I understood that Manhattan and Humax were the two biggies in this field. Interesting that the Humax has a 'BT' logo on it, as that is something else we'd considered, as she's just had BT fibre installed. But it looked as tho', if used via the interweb, it would cost her around £20 pm?

I think having an internet-supplied service might be the best option, so we're looking at the Manhattan '4' (I don't know if hers is a 2 or 3, but both are now a bit outdated, certainly the former). The 4 has WiFi connectivity.

Do you know if, when used via the internet, the visible interface - how she selects channels, progs, and records - will be similar?

Neil49

I've got the Manhattan t3-r with pretty average signal quality and have no problems with it. In fact we watch virtually all our tv through the Manhattan rather than via the tv tuner. 

The t3-r connects via WiFi for iplayer etc so you may have an older box. 

I would start by contacting Manhattan via their website and describing the problem to them. I contacted them this morning regarding the lack of ITVX and they responded in a couple of hours. They issue interim software updates every so often and they be able to advise you on whether there is an update available for your unit. 

Just for information, their software update for ITVX is currently being validated with Digital UK and ITV

Rodders53

Where is this (approx postcode of shop/church/school very nearby ideally)? How near to the transmitter?  What sort of aerial and is there any amplification involved?

I'm not one to propose this glibly without the above info but: it could be too strong a signal (if there is amplification involved in the aerial system especially) as that gives similar pixellation issues as having too weak a signal.

Neil49

ThisIsWeird said:

Thanks.

Yes, the actual TV reception is perfect, which is no surprise as it shows as 99% strength and zero error. I haven't been able to check what the Manhattan itself reports, but I assume the cables are fine as it goes to the Manhatt and then to the TV.

Double check the hdmi connection from the Manhattan to your tv. Is it the correct type (the one supplied by Manhattan will be) and is it plugged in correctly. Your live TV connection is via the aerial cables but playback of recorded programmes plus iplayer etc are via the hdmi connection. 

What is the quality of programmes on iplayer from the Manhattan like. If that is also poor then you have an issue with the hdmi connection rather than the recordings. 

Grey_Critic

At this time of year when trees have leaves then it can interfere with the signal.

ThisIsWeird

Rodders53 said:

Where is this (approx postcode of shop/church/school very nearby ideally)? How near to the transmitter?  What sort of aerial and is there any amplification involved?

I'm not one to propose this glibly without the above info but: it could be too strong a signal (if there is amplification involved in the aerial system especially) as that gives similar pixellation issues as having too weak a signal.

EX39 5BE, and transmitter is Huntshaw. 
Interesting point - I used a signal strength meter to check what's coming through the aerial cable, and it was hugely stronger than at my own house a couple of miles away. 

Yes, there's an amp fitted, and I noticed it was turned up to max. I took a photo of the aerial, but don't have it to hand.

Worth checking - thanks.

ThisIsWeird

Neil49 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Thanks.

Yes, the actual TV reception is perfect, which is no surprise as it shows as 99% strength and zero error. I haven't been able to check what the Manhattan itself reports, but I assume the cables are fine as it goes to the Manhatt and then to the TV.

Double check the hdmi connection from the Manhattan to your tv. Is it the correct type (the one supplied by Manhattan will be) and is it plugged in correctly. Your live TV connection is via the aerial cables but playback of recorded programmes plus iplayer etc are via the hdmi connection. 

What is the quality of programmes on iplayer from the Manhattan like. If that is also poor then you have an issue with the hdmi connection rather than the recordings. 

Pretty sure it's the recording quality itself that's dodgy. She doesn't have it connected to the 'net, so doesn't have the players on it.

Watching live via the box is ok on SD, but can be dodge on HD.