[ahfh1]

Hi,

I've got an analogue 14' TV in the kitchen and have just lost BBC2, which has given me the push to buy a freeview box.

Seeing as it's going in the kitchen, I'm after a cheapo one which I won't mind if it gets covered in grease/dirt etc.

Having read this forum, it seems that any box will do, as long as the reception is good. The reception is excellent in the kitchen, but what I'm also after is a cheap box (no more than £30) with a fast, clean EPG.

I know Asda do some for around £20, but am afraid the EPG may be sluggish and take seconds (rather than 1 second) to flick from one channel to another.

Cheers

[Geofbob]

Sorry that I can't provide info on EPG speed - but can't see what this has to do with flicking from one channel to another - as long as you know what channel you want, you don't need to refer to the EPG.

[ROYOLD]

Also check out your aerial requirements on this website:

UK digital TV reception predictor

You may have analogue in the kitchen but may need connection to a proper aerial point for digital.

e.g. On Winter Hill analogue broadcasts on 500KW. Digital on 10KW at present apart from BBC channels which have switched and increased power to between 66KW and 100KW.

May be OK with an indoor aerial if you have a window facing the transmitter and are not too far away.

[ahfh1]

Originally Posted by Geofbob

Sorry that I can't provide info on EPG speed - but can't see what this has to do with flicking from one channel to another - as long as you know what channel you want, you don't need to refer to the EPG.

Let's say there are 20 freeview channels. Channels 1 to 5 are obvious e.g. press number '1' for channel 1. But say I want to watch Sky Sports News, then I don't know what channel this is on, so I'd bring up the EPG to select the Sky Sports channel. I'd like the EPG to come on screen quickly and for me to navigate to Sky Sports quickly.



Cheers

[Geofbob]

Originally Posted by ahfh1

Let's say there are 20 freeview channels. Channels 1 to 5 are obvious e.g. press number '1' for channel 1. But say I want to watch Sky Sports News, then I don't know what channel this is on, so I'd bring up the EPG to select the Sky Sports channel. I'd like the EPG to come on screen quickly and for me to navigate to Sky Sports quickly.



Cheers

Yes, I can see that's the case when you first get the box; but once you know Sky Sports News is on 83, you can go straight there. In fact, if you don't know the number of a channel, it may take you longer to find it on the EPG than for the EPG to populate with programme info - there are over 60 TV channels listed in the Freeview EPG,

[JonRushton]

Yes, I can see that's the case when you first get the box; but once you know Sky Sports News is on 83, you can go straight there. In fact, if you don't know the number of a channel, it may take you longer to find it on the EPG than for the EPG to populate with programme info - there are over 60 TV channels listed in the Freeview EPG,

Thats really irrelevant though, as the EPG is for more than changing channels. I was recently forced to change from my media center epg to the built in one on my samsung telly, and while its not too sluggish, it was SO very annoying, as i've been used to pretty much instant scrolling and channel changing. I watch quite a bit of telly, and call me lazy, but since digital, i've never bothered to remember channel numbers, as i'm not loyal to particular channels, i choose my viewing based on what is actually on, hence the epg is quite important in my eyes when selecting a product, if its rubbish, i'm more likly to just not watch telly.

As for the original question, sorry, can't help, but maybe visit currys or somewhere that has them on display and ask to have a play?

[Geofbob]

Originally Posted by JonRushton

Thats really irrelevant though, as the EPG is for more than changing channels.

Of course - but it was the OP who specifically mentioned the EPG in terms of "flick[ing] from one channel to another"; & I pointed out that to do that you didn't need to refer to the EPG.

I certainly agree that a fast EPG is an asset, but I don't think an EPG which takes longer than a second to populate is "sluggish", as the OP implied.

[JonRushton]

It depends what your used to at the end of the day i guess. If you used to use virgin or ntl before they improved their epg, you wont mind. If you started with skys epg, then you'll be spoiled. if you use VMC epg, then you aint really ever gonna be pleased by anything else :P

But in the title of the thread, it does say "fast EPG" which to me means overall not just channel surfing. I only own 1 freeview box, and thats an old Pace onDigital box, which my parents inherited, and to which is now decomissioned in prep for the switchover, and while its fairly speedy, it was somewhat limited in its features and lovely yellow and green style.

[ghinzani]

Has your old portable got a scart input? Only if it hasnt you will have to get a special freeview box with RF out (ie it comes out the aerial).

[Past My Best]

How about creating your own list in MS Word, print it off, laminate it and attach it to your fridge with a magnet? (Unfortunately that’s about the extent of my technical ability – but it should work)

I’m having problems with the EPG on my new Telly, it seems to have a mind of its own. Fortunately I have Sky+ and I don’t have to rely on the EPG unless I’m recording two programmes on Sky and watching a programme on Freeview. If the transmitters that are supplying the signal to my area (Just North of Chester) aren’t sorted out in December, I’ll be producing my own laminated list simply because life’s too short……………….

[Geofbob]

Originally Posted by Past My Best

How about creating your own list in MS Word, print it off, laminate it and attach it to your fridge with a magnet? (Unfortunately that’s about the extent of my technical ability – but it should work)

Or an even lower-tech solution - buy a TV guide - we get the Sun on Saturday (60p), read Jeremy Clarkson, then bin the paper & keep the guide.

[Past My Best]

I'd suggest everyone bins Jeremy Clarkson and reads the Telegraph

or better still Bin Jeremy Clarkson

[Geofbob]

Originally Posted by Past My Best

I'd suggest everyone bins Jeremy Clarkson and reads the Telegraph

or better still Bin Jeremy Clarkson

Not much to choose between the Torygraph & Sun, now Murdoch's backing Cameron! (Are we slightly off topic?)