HD Freesat box reccomendations?

[David WE Roberts]

I'm getting more and more pissed of with our Bush HD Freesat box.
It seems to get all arsey from time to time, possibly due to overheating,
and then needs to have a nice rest in a quiet darkened room until it feels
better.

Witness previous queries about using an old Sky box as backup.

I'm now wondering if it is worth replacing with something more modern (by a
couple of years) possibly with PVR capability to internal HDD/memory or
external USB storage.

Any recommendations up to about £100?

Cheers

Dave R

--
No plan survives contact with the enemy.
[Not even bunny]

Helmuth von Moltke the Elder

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

[PeterC]

On Mon, 2 Jul 2012 13:43:11 +0100, David WE Roberts wrote:

> I'm getting more and more pissed of with our Bush HD Freesat box.
> It seems to get all arsey from time to time, possibly due to overheating,
> and then needs to have a nice rest in a quiet darkened room until it feels
> better.
>
> Witness previous queries about using an old Sky box as backup.
>
> I'm now wondering if it is worth replacing with something more modern (by a
> couple of years) possibly with PVR capability to internal HDD/memory or
> external USB storage.
>
> Any recommendations up to about £100?
>
> Cheers
>
> Dave R

This gets v. good reviews
http://www.satbuyer.co.uk/manhattan-plaza-hd-s-freesat-hd-digital-box-p144.html

Tesco had an installation offer for Freesat that included this box; some
people bought it but had the kit delivered but not installed (already having
FS) as the price was so low that the other bits were almost free. I don't
know if the offer is still on.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

[J G Miller]

On Monday, July 2nd, 2012, at 17:19:42h +0100, Peter C wrote:

> This gets v. good reviews
> http://www.satbuyer.co.uk/manhattan-plaza-hd-s-freesat-hd-digital-box-p144.html

From <http://www.joinfreesat.co.UK/review-manhattan-plaza-hdr-s-freesat-hd-receiver>

QUOTE

One thing you certainly can’t ignore are the number of vents on the top of the casing

UNQUOTE

It is important to note that this model has absolutely no DiSEQc capabilities.

[David WE Roberts]

"J G Miller" <mil...@yoyo.ORG> wrote in message
news:jssjf5$smf$2...@dont-email.me...

I assume that means it can't switch (live or when recording) between
multiple LNBs?

[Woody]

"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:a5djc2...@mid.individual.net...

> I'm getting more and more pissed of with our Bush HD Freesat
> box.
> It seems to get all arsey from time to time, possibly due to
> overheating, and then needs to have a nice rest in a quiet
> darkened room until it feels better.
>
> Witness previous queries about using an old Sky box as backup.
>
> I'm now wondering if it is worth replacing with something more
> modern (by a couple of years) possibly with PVR capability to
> internal HDD/memory or external USB storage.
>
> Any recommendations up to about £100?
>

Humax Manager's Special (i.e. graded) from www.humaxdirect.co.uk
at £79.95

I just bought one on Fleabay and it is superb.


--
Woody

harrogate three at ntlworld dot com

[J G Miller]

On Monday, July 2nd, 2012, at 18:06:09h +0100, David WE Roberts asked:

> I assume that means it can't switch (live or when recording)
> between multiple LNBs?

Correct -- or turn a motor.

Of course, if you are only interested in what Freesat has to offer
then this point is irrelevant.

[Ian]

In message <zKlIr.547065$PV.5...@fx09.am4>, Woody
<harro...@ntlworld.spam.com> writes

Higher price for pvr capability.

<http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/prodCat.asp?cat=factory&type=sat>
--
Ian

[R. Mark Clayton]

"J G Miller" <mil...@yoyo.ORG> wrote in message
news:jssjf5$smf$2...@dont-email.me...

I have a Manhattan ST550. great receiver, but when after 18 months I put a
[new] drive in it, it would not format it :-((. Does have DiSEQc.

Modulator has blown up since, but I can work around that.

[David WE Roberts]

"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:a5djc2...@mid.individual.net...

> I'm getting more and more pissed of with our Bush HD Freesat box.
> It seems to get all arsey from time to time, possibly due to overheating,
> and then needs to have a nice rest in a quiet darkened room until it feels
> better.
>
> Witness previous queries about using an old Sky box as backup.
>
> I'm now wondering if it is worth replacing with something more modern (by
> a couple of years) possibly with PVR capability to internal HDD/memory or
> external USB storage.
>
> Any recommendations up to about £100?

Just got the Screwfix sale brochure and there is a Ross HD+ kit which
includes a twin tuner 320Gb HD+ satellite recorder kit for £99.99.

Anyone any experience of this bit of kit?
At that price it looks worth getting even though I already have a quad LNB
and dish.

[John Legon]

David WE Roberts wrote:
>
> "David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
> news:a5djc2...@mid.individual.net...

>> I'm now wondering if it is worth replacing with something more modern
>> (by a couple of years) possibly with PVR capability to internal
>> HDD/memory or external USB storage.
>>
>> Any recommendations up to about £100?
>
>
> Just got the Screwfix sale brochure and there is a Ross HD+ kit which
> includes a twin tuner 320Gb HD+ satellite recorder kit for £99.99.
>
> Anyone any experience of this bit of kit?
> At that price it looks worth getting even though I already have a quad
> LNB and dish.

I'm surprised that this is a twin-tuner model since I think the Ross HD+
kit which B&Q sell for &180 only has a single LNB. As a PVR it would
almost certainly be limited by the lack of the Freesat EPG, with only
now and next information. Might be worth looking at the manual which I
think can be downloaded from the Ross web site.

My Ross HD kit with USB recording has worked very well for the past
couple of years, but the current model is different (and possibly better).

[John Legon]

John Legon wrote:

> David WE Roberts wrote:
>> Just got the Screwfix sale brochure and there is a Ross HD+ kit which
>> includes a twin tuner 320Gb HD+ satellite recorder kit for £99.99.

> I'm surprised that this is a twin-tuner model since I think the Ross HD+
> kit which B&Q sell for &180 only has a single LNB. As a PVR it would
> almost certainly be limited by the lack of the Freesat EPG, with only
> now and next information. Might be worth looking at the manual which I
> think can be downloaded from the Ross web site.

It is a twin-tuner box and there's no Freesat EPG, the manual for model
HDR-8610USB is here:

http://www.nexusinds.com/ross/uk/support

[David WE Roberts]

"John Legon" <jo...@nospam.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:NdGdnZf6g7b0GmnS...@brightview.co.uk...

Thanks!

From the reviews at
http://www.screwfix.com/p/ross-hd-satellite-kit/34927?_requestid=858990#product_additional_details_container

"
"Although this system will allow you to receive & watch free to air SD & HD
satellite signals, it is not a Freesat compatible or licensed system,
meaning that the EPG "Electronic Program Guide" will only list the current &
next program only! Unlike a proper Freesat system which will list all
programs up to 8 Days in advance. So without a decent EPG it's pretty
useless as a convenient recording system! This is why the system is much
cheaper than others on the market BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[J G Miller]

On Thursday, July 5th, 2012, at 09:23:09h +0100, David WE Roberts wrote:

> Unlike a proper Freesat system which will list all
> programs up to 8 Days in advance. So without a decent EPG it's pretty
> useless as a convenient recording system!

And what about the 1000s of TV stations which are not on the Freesat EPG?

[John Legon]

David WE Roberts wrote:

>> John Legon wrote:
>>> As a PVR it
>>> would almost certainly be limited by the lack of the Freesat EPG,
>>> with only now and next information. Might be worth looking at the
>>> manual which I think can be downloaded from the Ross web site.
>>
>> It is a twin-tuner box and there's no Freesat EPG, the manual for
>> model HDR-8610USB is here:
>>
>> http://www.nexusinds.com/ross/uk/support
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> From the reviews at
> http://www.screwfix.com/p/ross-hd-satellite-kit/34927?_requestid=858990#product_additional_details_container
>
>
> "
> "Although this system will allow you to receive & watch free to air SD &
> HD satellite signals, it is not a Freesat compatible or licensed system,
> meaning that the EPG "Electronic Program Guide" will only list the
> current & next program only! Unlike a proper Freesat system which will
> list all programs up to 8 Days in advance. So without a decent EPG it's
> pretty useless as a convenient recording system! This is why the system
> is much cheaper than others on the market BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
> "

It is of course possible to use the timers to record programmes, and
that should include the BBC Olympic SD and HD "red-button" streams which
I don't think can be recorded on Freesat boxes (?). With my Ross HD
USB-recording box, which has similar firmware, there is no restriction
in transferring HD recordings to a PC.

[Peter Duncanson]

On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:48:31 +0100, John Legon <jo...@nospam.demon.co.uk>
wrote:

As I mentioned in the "Freesat EPG - BBC Olympics", there is currently a
blank section of the Freesat EPG under the "BBC Olympics" genre which is
apparently ready for the SD and HD Olympic streams to be accessed as
"channels" in their own right rather than only via Red Button. The BBC
Olympics channels are currently showing test material and can be
accessed in non-Freesat mode. That is different from the existing Red
Button channels on Freesat which can be accessed only via Red Button.

All this strongly suggests that the BBC Olympic channels will be
accessible via the EPG and therefore recordable.

> With my Ross HD
>USB-recording box, which has similar firmware, there is no restriction
>in transferring HD recordings to a PC.

--
Peter Duncanson
(in uk.tech.digital-tv)

[John Legon]

Thanks for the clarification. All of the channels/streams are equally
accessible and recordable on my Ross receiver, so the distinction from a
Freesat box still seems worth making.

I can also record the Freesat EPG stream and view the contents to get
program details and times, though this is obviously not as convenient as
having the built-in EPG.

--
John L

[David WE Roberts]

"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:a5djc2...@mid.individual.net...

> I'm getting more and more pissed of with our Bush HD Freesat box.
> It seems to get all arsey from time to time, possibly due to overheating,
> and then needs to have a nice rest in a quiet darkened room until it feels
> better.
>
> Witness previous queries about using an old Sky box as backup.
>
> I'm now wondering if it is worth replacing with something more modern (by
> a couple of years) possibly with PVR capability to internal HDD/memory or
> external USB storage.
>
> Any recommendations up to about £100?

Just bought a SilverCrest box from Lidl for £69.99.
Allegedly HD and PVR functionality via USB to stick or HDD.
Will report back.
Oh, and DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.2 for LNB and rotor control.
Only does 1080i but I can live with that.
Even includes SAT-ZF loop through.

[David WE Roberts]

"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message

news:a6ge7a...@mid.individual.net...

>
> "David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
> news:a5djc2...@mid.individual.net...
>> I'm getting more and more pissed of with our Bush HD Freesat box.
>> It seems to get all arsey from time to time, possibly due to overheating,
>> and then needs to have a nice rest in a quiet darkened room until it
>> feels better.
>>
>> Witness previous queries about using an old Sky box as backup.
>>
>> I'm now wondering if it is worth replacing with something more modern (by
>> a couple of years) possibly with PVR capability to internal HDD/memory or
>> external USB storage.
>>
>> Any recommendations up to about �100?
>
>
> Just bought a SilverCrest box from Lidl for �69.99.
> Allegedly HD and PVR functionality via USB to stick or HDD.
> Will report back.
> Oh, and DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.2 for LNB and rotor control.
> Only does 1080i but I can live with that.
> Even includes SAT-ZF loop through.

Bugger.
EPG playing silly buggers so I Googled it.
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1596941 says
"The Silvercrest will NOT show the freesat EPG and is definitely NOT
Freesat+. The Silvercrest is definitely incompatable with virtually all
functions of the freesat EPG as its EPG is the standard DVB-S EPG which on
28 East (the freesat/Sky satellite group) will only display "now and next"
EPG data - thus any programmes you wish to record more than two programmes
in advance would have to be set in the old manual way you set recordings on
an old VCR, i.e. start time, finish time and channel number. Also you would
not have accurate recording."

and one poster complained of random freezes.

So back to Lidl for a refund tomorrow.
Shame, because it has a lot of very interesting and useful functionality
including the ability to save the channel list to USB stick, edit it on the
PC, then load it back onto the box.
However the EPG just makes it too much of a pain in the arse to use.
Possibly why it was reduced from �79.99 to �69.99.

Oh, well.

Dave R

[J G Miller]

On Sunday, July 15th, 2012, at 21:57:56h +0100, David W E Roberts explained:

> "The Silvercrest will NOT show the freesat EPG and is definitely NOT
> Freesat+.

...

> So back to Lidl for a refund tomorrow.

Were you under some sort of delusion that it would show the Freesat EPG?

[David WE Roberts]

"J G Miller" <mil...@yoyo.ORG> wrote in message

news:jtvfe5$c3v$1...@dont-email.me...

It said on the box that it had an EPG.
I hadn't realised that there was a special EPG format for FreeSat only used
in the UK and that this box didn't support it.
Shame, because the picture was very good.

[David WE Roberts]

"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message

news:a6gu9r...@mid.individual.net...

>
> "J G Miller" <mil...@yoyo.ORG> wrote in message
> news:jtvfe5$c3v$1...@dont-email.me...
>> On Sunday, July 15th, 2012, at 21:57:56h +0100, David W E Roberts
>> explained:
>>
>>> "The Silvercrest will NOT show the freesat EPG and is definitely NOT
>>> Freesat+.
>>
>> ...
>>
>>> So back to Lidl for a refund tomorrow.
>>
>> Were you under some sort of delusion that it would show the Freesat EPG?
>
> It said on the box that it had an EPG.
> I hadn't realised that there was a special EPG format for FreeSat only
> used in the UK and that this box didn't support it.
> Shame, because the picture was very good.

Having looked back up thread I see I posted a review about a similar problem
on another box.
The penny hadn't dropped that the box needed to specifically say "Freesat
EPG" to be fully UK compatible.
A bit like people not initially realising that an HD Ready FreeView TV
doesn't necessarily decode FreeView HD.
I was thinking that the problem up thread was that there wasn't an EPG - not
that there was an EPG but it worked with mainland Europe satellites and not
UK satellites.
I suspect others will fall into the same trap.

[J G Miller]

On Sunday, July 15th, 2012, at 23:24:07h +0100, David W E Roberts wrote:

> It said on the box that it had an EPG.
> I hadn't realised that there was a special EPG format for FreeSat only used
> in the UK and that this box didn't support it.

Yes the problem is that the FreeSat EPG is proprietary and manufacturers
have to pay money to the FreeSat consortium to be allowed to include
the necessary software in their receivers as part of meeting the
requirements to label their receiver as FreeSat.

And for BBC HD stations the situation is even worse, because the
BBC encrypt that data to prevent people from using it on non
BBC approved equipment.

"All your BBC HD EPG data belongs to us" -- the BBC.

[J G Miller]

On Sunday, July 15th, 2012, at 23:24:07h +0100, David W E Roberts wrote:

> It said on the box that it had an EPG.
> I hadn't realised that there was a special EPG format for FreeSat only used
> in the UK and that this box didn't support it.

[Andy Burns]

J G Miller wrote:

> the problem is that the FreeSat EPG is proprietary [...]

> the BBC encrypt that data to prevent people from using it on non BBC
> approved equipment.

Instead of 'prevent' I think you mean 'put a mole hill in the way of'

[John Legon]

David WE Roberts wrote:
>>> Any recommendations up to about �100?
>>
>> Just bought a SilverCrest box from Lidl for �69.99.
>> Allegedly HD and PVR functionality via USB to stick or HDD.
>> Will report back.
>> Oh, and DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.2 for LNB and rotor control.
>> Only does 1080i but I can live with that.
>> Even includes SAT-ZF loop through.
>
>
> Bugger.
> EPG playing silly buggers so I Googled it.
> http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1596941 says
> "The Silvercrest will NOT show the freesat EPG and is definitely NOT
> Freesat+. The Silvercrest is definitely incompatable with virtually all
> functions of the freesat EPG as its EPG is the standard DVB-S EPG which
> on 28 East (the freesat/Sky satellite group) will only display "now and
> next" EPG data - thus any programmes you wish to record more than two
> programmes in advance would have to be set in the old manual way you set
> recordings on an old VCR, i.e. start time, finish time and channel
> number. Also you would not have accurate recording."
>
> and one poster complained of random freezes.
>
> So back to Lidl for a refund tomorrow.
> Shame, because it has a lot of very interesting and useful functionality
> including the ability to save the channel list to USB stick, edit it on
> the PC, then load it back onto the box.

Being able to easily transfer recorded programs to a PC and edit them
should be another advantage.

> However the EPG just makes it too much of a pain in the arse to use.

All is not necessarily lost since it may be possible to record the EPG
data and display it on a PC using the Freesat EPG parser program. This
obviously isn't the same as having the EPG available to set recording
times, but at least it presents the data in a searchable format.

I recently posted the following screen grab after searching the EPG as
recorded on my Ross HD FTA box for "olympic":

http://www.john-legon.co.uk/temp/capture_06072012_180400.jpg

The question is whether there are any Freesat PVRs in the price-range
you're looking at. I think the new Manhattan HD Freesat box will sell
for about �180, for example.

[PeterC]

On Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:19:53 +0100, John Legon wrote:

> The question is whether there are any Freesat PVRs in the price-range
> you're looking at. I think the new Manhattan HD Freesat box will sell
> for about �180, for example.

That'll be the 320GB one, due 'soon'; the 500GB and 1TB models are G2, but
might be too late for the Olympiad.

[Grimly Curmudgeon]

On Sun, 15 Jul 2012 21:57:56 +0100, "David WE Roberts"
<nos...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>However the EPG just makes it too much of a pain in the arse to use.
>Possibly why it was reduced from �79.99 to �69.99.

Eh?
I find that level of functionality no problem on my Comag box.
It's easy to set a recording timer, ffs.

[David WE Roberts]

"Grimly Curmudgeon" <gri...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:8jgq0856kc4oih2tq...@4ax.com...

However it isn't easy to see what is on now and next, let alone in a few
hours time.
If you want to use computers, paper listings etc. to see what is on then
help yourself.
We like to use the EPG to show us what programmes are on and pending so we
can decide what to watch over the next hour or so.
Freesat and Freeview generally allow that - different sets have slightly
different menus but they all do much the same.
This box showed bugger all - and no, that isn't a sex education program.
It isn't just for recording.
The main function is to watch TV.
Recording is the bonus.
Only not if the main function doesn't work effectively.

[Grimly Curmudgeon]

On Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:12:40 +0100, "David WE Roberts"
<nos...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>However it isn't easy to see what is on now and next, let alone in a few
>hours time.
>If you want to use computers, paper listings etc. to see what is on then
>help yourself.
>We like to use the EPG to show us what programmes are on and pending so we
>can decide what to watch over the next hour or so.
>Freesat and Freeview generally allow that - different sets have slightly
>different menus but they all do much the same.
>This box showed bugger all - and no, that isn't a sex education program.
>It isn't just for recording.
>The main function is to watch TV.
>Recording is the bonus.
>Only not if the main function doesn't work effectively.

Well, yes. I see what you're at.
In fact, I do use the old original Sky box's own 7-day planner for
recording SD things to a DVR via scart [1]. The Comag simply records
via USB to an external drive.

[1] I only discovered this relatively recently, and I'm sure it didn't
used to offer this facility (autochange from the 7-day planner and
series link), but hadn't checked it for years.

[David WE Roberts]

"Martin" <m...@address.invalid> wrote in message
news:22o2189csv71k4mu7...@4ax.com...

> Having missed the beginning of this thread, I would like to know which
> Freesat boxes if any were recommended.


None in the suggested price range - sub-�100 HD Sat with USB PVR function
seems to be only (as discussed above) continental systems which haven't paid
the FreeSat licence to use the unique FreeSat EPG and so are fine everywhere
but the UK.

As others have said, if you want a cheap PVR and are prepared to get your
program listings elsewhere and then manually program the recorder then there
are systems around (Ross was mentioned) but for general watching with
recording as a bonus the lack of a FreeSat EPG makes it very hard work.

Cheers

Dave R

[PeterC]

On Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:21:38 +0100, Martin wrote:

> Having missed the beginning of this thread, I would like to know which
> Freesat boxes if any were recommended.

I've spent a few weeks looking at tests, reviews and ratings. Rather fancied
a Manhattan, but they're still not out, so went to RS in MK yesterday and
got a Humax Foxsat-HDR 500GB. �209.95 then price-matched with Laskys for
�199.99.
Seems to work OK, is frequently recommended in AV Forums and 'no-one ever
got fired for choosing IBM'.

[David WE Roberts]

"Martin" <m...@address.invalid> wrote in message

news:n4p418d3a9gk7p697...@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:09:13 +0100, "David WE Roberts"

> That's fine with me I want to use one in The Netherlands.

>>
>>As others have said, if you want a cheap PVR and are prepared to get your
>>program listings elsewhere and then manually program the recorder then
>>there
>>are systems around (Ross was mentioned) but for general watching with
>>recording as a bonus the lack of a FreeSat EPG makes it very hard work.
>

> Does that mean no Freesat EPG in NL too?


FreeSat and free to view satellite are two very different things.
FreeSat is a UK thing on Astra 20.wibble E and continental free to view is
on Astra 19.wibble E (gross over simplification).
So if you are watching BBC, ITV etc. on 20.~ you have to decode exactly the
same signals as in the UK and need the extra FreeSat software in your
satellite kit.
If you are watching the general free to air stuff then any box should be
O.K. within any limitations of the FTA EPG on that particular box.

[Andy Burns]

Martin wrote:

> Any idea why Freesat/Humax Foxsat-HDR 500GB needs to know the users
> postcode?

To give you the correct regional variations of channels ...

[Bill Wright]

David WE Roberts wrote:

> FreeSat and free to view satellite are two very different things.
> FreeSat is a UK thing on Astra 20.wibble E and continental free to view
> is on Astra 19.wibble E (gross over simplification).

And many other satellite positions.

Bill

[Ian]

In message <sg6t5exmyicd.1k...@40tude.net>, PeterC
<giraffe...@homecall.co.uk> writes

>On Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:21:38 +0100, Martin wrote:
>
>> Having missed the beginning of this thread, I would like to know which
>> Freesat boxes if any were recommended.
>
>I've spent a few weeks looking at tests, reviews and ratings. Rather fancied
>a Manhattan, but they're still not out, so went to RS in MK yesterday and
>got a Humax Foxsat-HDR 500GB. £209.95 then price-matched with Laskys for
>£199.99.
>Seems to work OK, is frequently recommended in AV Forums and 'no-one ever
>got fired for choosing IBM'.

Others can get the Humax Foxsat-HDR (Grade A) for £179 and £6.00 from
Humax Direct.

<http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/product.asp?ProdRef=10105>
--
Ian

[PeterC]

If I put in my postcode I get Anglia (West), so I found a place not too far
from Oxford and used that pc (OX33 1BL) to give Oxford and South. The other
regions are available in the high numbers and, on the Humax at least,
another region can be swapped for the primary one that's shown due to the
pc.

[PeterC]

I was tempted, but a nice new one and RS' 5-year warranty where, with luck I
can get the cash back... (if I can be arsed for 20 quid).

[Peter Duncanson]

On Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:57:14 +0100, Martin <m...@address.invalid> wrote:

>On Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:03:10 +0100, Bill Wright <bi...@invalid.com>
>wrote:

>I think I am right in saying that only one satellite is transmitting
>Freesat and whether they like it or not the footprint covers a good
>part of Europe.

There is a cluster of satellites involved. They are at nominally 28�E.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free-to-air_channels_at_28%C2%B0E

--
Peter Duncanson
(in uk.tech.digital-tv)

[John Legon]

Indeed ! My channel list currently includes some 16 satellite positions
or clusters received using a 60 cm dish with a motor and a standard
generic FTA satellite receiver, which will record to USB in SD and HD,
in a format that allows me to transfer my recordings to a PC for editing
and archiving.

The Freesat channels and regional variations and the red button streams
and non-Freesat channels are all equally accessible and recordable as
separate channels which can be sorted and assigned to favourites lists.

The drawback to this system is the lack of the Freesat EPG, but since
the receiver has a LNB loop-through it will feed a second receiver which
could be a cheap SD Freesat box for those times when I want to look at
the EPG. I would have to park the dish at 28.2 E and put the first
receiver on standby to give the Freesat box control of the LNB, but it's
a system that might work as an alternative to using the Freeview EPG, or
the Freesat EPG parser program which I run a on a PC.

[UnsteadyKen]

Martin wrote...

> What does Grade A mean?
>
It means it was only dropped once while stuffing it back in the box,
and you have to look closely to see that the dog has chewed the remote.
http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/prodCat.asp?cat=factory&type=sat

--
Ken O'Meara

[charles]

In article <MPG.2a7cd6f11...@news.btinternet.com>,

or in the case of a mobile phone supplied to me by the company's shop -
dropped in water.

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

[Ian]

In message <iq751890u6gmdngfm...@4ax.com>, Martin
<m...@address.invalid> writes
>On Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:52:44 +0100, Ian <ne...@nospam.demon.co.uk>
>wrote:

>What does Grade A mean?

From Humax,

" These products are either older models we are attempting to clear from
stock, or "Grade A" ("Grade A" units are marked with the suffix -G or
-GSP at the end of the part code). Grade A's are predominantly store
returns that have been tested and where appropriate repaired to an "as
new" standard in our own service centre or factory. They come fully
boxed with all accessories and full instructions and are all backed up
by a complete 1 year on site warranty."

My 9200T, Freesat HDR and Fox T2 have all been Grade A.

I like the idea that something that could go wrong has gone wrong, and
been fixed before I get it.

None of them has given me any problems.
--
Ian

[Bill Wright]

Martin wrote:
> On Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:03:10 +0100, Bill Wright <bi...@invalid.com>
> wrote:
>

> I think I am right in saying that only one satellite is transmitting
> Freesat and whether they like it or not the footprint covers a good
> part of Europe.

Continental free to view is available on many satellites.

Bill

[Ian Jackson]

In message <juvfms$qc9$2...@speranza.aioe.org>, Bill Wright
<bi...@invalid.com> writes

Yebbut....
The audio is usually in Continental.
--
Ian

[Jim]

Cheapest way to get Freesat-equivalent functionality is to add a
satellite tuner (�50 or so) to an existing PC. Some applications can
decode the Freesat EPG data for inclusion in the program guide, while
Windows Media Centre gets guide data from an Internet source.

Even if the PC isn't directly connected to a TV, it can still stream
live and recorded programmes to a "Smart" TV or STB.

[Bill Wright]

Jim wrote:

> Cheapest way to get Freesat-equivalent functionality is to add a
> satellite tuner (�50 or so) to an existing PC.

Does it need a dish as well? If so might that triple the cost?

Bill

[Jim]

The comparison was with the cost of a Freesat recorder, as per the subject.