Freeview Boxes - Does Quality Vary?

[Scott_Mac]

Have moved into an apartment and want to get a Freeview box to go in my bedroom as running an LCD off a terrestrial feed scares me.... have Sky+ in the lounge and used to have that in bedroom at old place, can't get multiroom where we are though as it's off a shared dish

Having spent a fair whack of money on the LCD i don't want to waste my time and buy a pants freeview box... so is there a variation in quality. The Sony V800 thingy gets good reviews but some of the Philips ones looks ok and are half the price...

Any pointers or advice appreciated to a Freeview newbie

Thanks folks.

[Rasczak]

There is a considerable difference between Freeview boxes - picture quality and audio quality are obviously the main concerns but speed of menus, performance of EPG and other interactive elements is also important. IMHO you can't beat the Sony D800 at present.

[Scott_Mac]

Sounds farely conclusive there then

Thanks.... do i dare mention that is it worth moving up to a PVR when we're talking the £100 price point, only an extra £50 for the Thomson DHD4000 for instance??

Am happy to go with the Sony though

[Rasczak]

do i dare mention that is it worth moving up to a PVR when we're talking the £100 price point, only an extra £50 for the Thomson DHD4000 for instance??

The Sony digibox isn't cheap - no doubt about that - but it's performance is better than the Thompson who have obviously made a price-focused effort. In order to get a PVR with (near) the performance of the Sony and you are looking at £280 for a Topfield 5800.

[Scott_Mac]

OK, answers that then - thanks!

[Rob100]

I have both a Sony box and a Netgem iPlayer feeding my Plasma through JS Tech RGB2VGA.

The Netgem does have the slight edge on PQ, but I'm being really fussy here. The biggest (and probably only) complaint I have about the Netgem is the speed of changing channels etc - it's so slow! The Sony OTOH is blinding fast.

If you plan on using the original remote, stick with the Sony as the Netgem remote is awful.

Rob.

Originally Posted by Rob100

I have both a Sony box and a Netgem iPlayer feeding my Plasma through JS Tech RGB2VGA.

If your plasma has component input, have you tried component out from the iPlayer?

Dave

[Rob100]

Originally Posted by DaveP

If your plasma has component input, have you tried component out from the iPlayer?

Dave

Yes I have, but PQ is better using RGB and JS Tech RGB2VGA IMHO. Edges of logo's etc (especially reds, such as Sky News) are more jagged (bad English I know!) when using component. FYI my Plasma is Panny 42PW5.

However component from my DV88+ is better than RGB. There seems to be no rule for sure to say component is always better than RGB. It seems to vary from one device to the next is what I've found.

Dave - BTW players arrived yesterday. Will not get chance to test until tomorrow night though

Rob.

Originally Posted by Rob100

Dave - BTW players arrived yesterday. Will not get chance to test until tomorrow night though

Rob.

Thanks, keep me posted!

[strees]

Scott

I have the Sony (have had it a year now) -excellent PQ and it was (at the time) the only freeview with optical out.

Sort it out mate ...

:D

[Rob100]

Originally Posted by strees

Scott

it was (at the time) the only freeview with optical out.

No it wasn't! The Netgem was out long before the Sony and that has optical out. IIRC the awful Pace Twin that I owned for a few weeks b4 buying the Netgem also had an optical out.

Rob.

[strees]

okay, I will rephrase. It was the only decent looking bit of kit with an optical out. The fact (after I'd bought it) i read the rave reviews was just a bonus. I wanted optical out for the surround amp.

[Scott_Mac]

You're just a GJOB aren't you streesy... :D

You're also clearly stalking me... it's only for the TV in my room hence i loathed to waste cash, but it seems to be the way forward. Cheers all!

[strees]

Stalking!!! Cheeky bugger. Look, just because I turned you down (I am sorry, I am just not that way inclined) doesn't mean you can follow me from forum to forum. I am sure this is in breach of the restraining order - perhaps I should speak to my solicitor about this.

[Scott_Mac]

Do you know any good solicitors

Cheers for all the advice, just ordered the Sony from Amazon for £80 delivered.