Problems with Freeview boxes?

Hoploz

Am I just really unlucky or is this the norm?
My 2nd set-top box has just conked out, both have been just over a year old and therefore out of warranty.

Anyone got any recommendations?

And what about those ones which are a little scart plug-in - how does the remote work if it is behind the set???

Thanks

Canucklehead

Good evening: We had 2 Freeview boxes in a row bite the dust within 4 weeks:eek: We now have a Humax PVR

HTH

Canucklehead

BexTech

I've not had any problems with them, still working years later.

Could try contact the shop etc, informing them of the sales of goods act and that you believe the item should last longer than it has, you have up to 6 years after purchase to go this route.

If it was a real cheap make then then it is harder to state you expect it to last longer than a few years, but should definitely last longer than one.

mech_2

I've lost count of how many I've seen die. All kinds of makes. I think it might be the software updates that are broadcast during the night. If the firmware gets corrupted, then the box is useless. Another reason not to leave things on standby? I don't know, but it seems to happen a lot. I'm not convinced the software updates are necessary so long as everything works, so missing them doesn't bother me.

Darkroom

Hoploz wrote: »

And what about those ones which are a little scart plug-in - how does the remote work if it is behind the set???

Thanks

They have an external sensor on a lead that you attach to the plug-in and place around the front of the tv

moonrakerz

The trouble with most freeview boxes is that they are built to a price - a very low one !

Be prepared to pay about £50 for a decent one. Ask in a specialist shop, not Argos or Currys.

I have 2, an Echostar and a Humax.

andrew-b

The Humax PVRs are supposed to be one of the best PVRs around if you can afford it ...that or a more expensive topfield. I'd definitely go for a dual tuner PVR though. We have a reconditioned Digifusion FVRT200 from microdirect that has completely changed our TV viewing habits.

However Canucklehead's 9200T is quite old technology now. Humax are currently working on releasing a dual tuner freesat pvr but its thought that after that they will be releasing a new updated dual tuner freeview pvr to supersede the 9200T

A better place for info on freeview boxes is the digitalspy.co.uk forums.

Andy

Canucklehead

andrew-b wrote: »

However Canucklehead's 9200T is quite old technology now.

Good afternoon: It may be 'quite old technology' but it works a treat;) I looked into Freesat as our freeview signal here is variable but the financial outlay doesn't add up at the moment (eg.we don't have a Rupert Murdoch and there isn't a Humax DTR on the market yet to replace what we have).

Canucklehead

andrew-b

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good afternoon: It may be 'quite old technology' but it works a treat;) I looked into Freesat as our freeview signal here is variable but the financial outlay doesn't add up at the moment (eg.we don't have a Rupert Murdoch and there isn't a Humax DTR on the market yet to replace what we have).

Canucklehead

Hi,
Yours is still better than mine :mad:. Freesat is on my list of "wants" though when/if i'll be able to afford it remains to be seen. The Humax twin tuner freesat PVR that will record HD is due out this year (see post 7 at http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=797642 ). I guess it'll be somewhere around the £300 mark plus then you've got to add on £80 or more for installation (for those without a dish already). So yep £400-ish is quite a big outlay...especially when we paid a couple of hundred 18 months back for new tv aerial for a better freeview signal. Prices will come down in time if theres a big enough demand.

I'm sure i can find a home under my TV for your old humax box if you get freesat before me!

Andy

Canucklehead

Hi. Andy: I suspect we'll trundle along with the Humax and the OH will replace our aerial instead... the 'ancient/decrepit' aerial is starting to sag from the weight of seagulls and a new one is a good price on Screwfix... so don't hold your breath;)

Canucklehead

cowbutt

mech wrote: »

I've lost count of how many I've seen die. All kinds of makes. I think it might be the software updates that are broadcast during the night. If the firmware gets corrupted, then the box is useless. Another reason not to leave things on standby? I don't know, but it seems to happen a lot. I'm not convinced the software updates are necessary so long as everything works, so missing them doesn't bother me.

As long as nothing changes in the broadcasts, then your point holds. Conceivably, though, the standards could be modified, modified firmware released and broadcast, and then at some later date when all devices can be expected to be running the modified firmware, the broadcasts start using the new standards. Devices that haven't been kept up-to-date would then experience impaired or non-functional performance.

On the other hand, there have been some recent problems with firmware updates:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/a90999/teletext-responds-to-extra-complaints.html

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/a91000/analysis-teletexts-epg-troubles.html

http://www.teletextextra.co.uk/latestnews.aspx

Maybe it's being mis-reported, but I'm frankly surprised that a broadcaster (i.e. Teletext) is apparently making modifications to firmware, rather than asking the manufacturer to make and distribute the changes.

As for the OP, see if you can find a power supply that matches the voltage and current specifications of the original and see if using it instead of the original brings it back to life. I'd personally expect that to be the most likely thing to fail on a consumer STB.