herbie_g
06-02-2008, 01:52 PM
The first thing that attracted me to this unit was it's price ($95.00+GST, Stewarts Electrical, Palmerston North). From looking at the box, it appears a very basic unit which possibly reflected it's price. After connecting it up though, it became apparent that not all was as it seemed...
Connecting it up was fairly straight forward, though programming was less so. Once programming was complete, all channels could be sorted/deleted/moved or renamed as expected.
One of the really nifty hidden features of this receiver is it's blind scan facility. This feature allows the user to scan from the bottom of the frequency band to the top (10750-12750 on Ku), plus it allows a symbol rate search from as low as 1000 to 41000, making it really easy to find not only new services but also intermittant feeds.
The first logical attempts at placing the PID's for Imparja/NITV via D1 were unsuccessful, however after a bit of lateral thinking (and perseverance) were entered successfully.
Once fully programmed to your rquirements, data can be saved & downloaded between reveivers using an RS232 connection (lead not included).
Picture quality was ok when viewed via composite, though perhaps not quite as good as my Topfield PVR. The other option (via RF) was not tested. Scart/Component are not available features with this unit. Sound quality, also via analogue RCA was surprisingly good.
Another hidden feature is USALS, which is usually a fool-proof method of allowing a motorised dish to reposition when receiver changes channels between satellites. I was very pleased to see this feature and sort about eagerly to activate it, my eagerness turned fairly quickly to disappointment as I was unable to kick it into action. Maybe a bit more perseverance is required...
The remote is very easy to use, and looks much like to one used for the MaxPlus 9300. Interestingly, this concealed yet another hidden feature, keys for the Aurora service carrying services on C1 from Australia. Again, first attempts to activate were fruitless, but I'm sure with a bit more lateral thinking maybe more fruitful.
Also via the remote, you can load up multiple channels in a mosaic fashion allowing 9, 12 or 18 channels to be viewed at once. Teletext is standard.
Overall, A very nice looking unit - much the size of Zinwell's Freeview STB. Has all the basic features that most consumers would be happy with. EPG (when transmitted) and system menus are easy to follow. Channel changes are less than a second between channels. Some very helpful hidden features not listed in the box, or in the easy to follow manual. Very price competitive.
On the downside, some of the programming features (both visible & hidden) don't appear to follow a logical order, so some lateral thinking & perseverance is required. May require a firmware upgrade to improve.
For the price, it's an irrestiable unit packed with features that you'll love to play with. It's just a great buy!
Connecting it up was fairly straight forward, though programming was less so. Once programming was complete, all channels could be sorted/deleted/moved or renamed as expected.
One of the really nifty hidden features of this receiver is it's blind scan facility. This feature allows the user to scan from the bottom of the frequency band to the top (10750-12750 on Ku), plus it allows a symbol rate search from as low as 1000 to 41000, making it really easy to find not only new services but also intermittant feeds.
The first logical attempts at placing the PID's for Imparja/NITV via D1 were unsuccessful, however after a bit of lateral thinking (and perseverance) were entered successfully.
Once fully programmed to your rquirements, data can be saved & downloaded between reveivers using an RS232 connection (lead not included).
Picture quality was ok when viewed via composite, though perhaps not quite as good as my Topfield PVR. The other option (via RF) was not tested. Scart/Component are not available features with this unit. Sound quality, also via analogue RCA was surprisingly good.
Another hidden feature is USALS, which is usually a fool-proof method of allowing a motorised dish to reposition when receiver changes channels between satellites. I was very pleased to see this feature and sort about eagerly to activate it, my eagerness turned fairly quickly to disappointment as I was unable to kick it into action. Maybe a bit more perseverance is required...
The remote is very easy to use, and looks much like to one used for the MaxPlus 9300. Interestingly, this concealed yet another hidden feature, keys for the Aurora service carrying services on C1 from Australia. Again, first attempts to activate were fruitless, but I'm sure with a bit more lateral thinking maybe more fruitful.
Also via the remote, you can load up multiple channels in a mosaic fashion allowing 9, 12 or 18 channels to be viewed at once. Teletext is standard.
Overall, A very nice looking unit - much the size of Zinwell's Freeview STB. Has all the basic features that most consumers would be happy with. EPG (when transmitted) and system menus are easy to follow. Channel changes are less than a second between channels. Some very helpful hidden features not listed in the box, or in the easy to follow manual. Very price competitive.
On the downside, some of the programming features (both visible & hidden) don't appear to follow a logical order, so some lateral thinking & perseverance is required. May require a firmware upgrade to improve.
For the price, it's an irrestiable unit packed with features that you'll love to play with. It's just a great buy!