Advice on freeview boxes needed!

[gaz010]

I am considering getting Sagem ITD68, PHILIPS DTR2520/05 or the Sagem ITD 72.

I have read that the philips box is quite noise however. This would not be good as this box is for a bedroom. So ideally it would be good to get a quiet box.

Advice pleases thanks.

Gaz.

 

[mike7]

I'm not quite sure what sort of noise you are talking about. These are all standard Freeview boxes (without hard drives). I've got a Philips box in the bedroom and it has never kept me awake at night.

 

[fernandez]

Some PVR Freeview boxes - i.e. receivers with a built in hard drive - can be noisy due to the fan and hard drive, BTVision being amongst the worst by all accounts.
However, as has already been pointed out, the boxes you are considering are not PVRs and will make no discernible noise unless you happen to have animal-like hearing

 

[gaz010]

Ok thanks.

I have also read that there is some issues with Sagems boxes where by the picture gets squished is there any truth in this.
I got this information at another forum being the radio and telly forum.

However most things in there get slated for some reason.

Also i will be hooking it up to a samsung dvd vid combi player.
Will the player be compatible to record on as it is the samsung DVD V6700s

 

[JayCee]

I got this information at another forum being the radio and telly forum.

You've come to the right place for good solid reliable advice.

Will the player be compatible to record on as it is the samsung DVD V6700s

I don't see why not.

 

[fernandez]

I have also read that there is some issues with Sagems boxes where by the picture gets squished is there any truth in this.

The "squished" picture syndrome is usually caused by incorrect settings on the receiver (not just Sagem's) and/or the (widescreen) TV

People try to watch a 4:3 broadcast filling a 16:9 widescreen and , of course, the picture has to be stretched to achieve this - hence the "squished" picture

 

[gaz010]

People try to watch a 4:3 broadcast filling a 16:9 widescreen and , of course, the picture has to be stretched to achieve this - hence the "squished" picture

Is that somthing similar to when you watch DVD's and the set up is for wide screen. It will automaticaly go to the 16:9 setting.

So if you set the setting of the Freeview box or TV setting to the standard ratio 4:3 that should fix the problem.

 

[fernandez]

Is that somthing similar to when you watch DVD's and the set up is for wide screen. It will automaticaly go to the 16:9 setting.

So if you set the setting of the Freeview box or TV setting to the standard ratio 4:3 that should fix the problem.

If you use a standard 4:3 TV then set the Freeview box to 4:3, likewise if you have a widescreen TV then set the box to 16:9.
The problem occurs with some boadcasts of programmes made in 4:3 when, in an attempt to fill a widescreen TV people "zoom" and try various other methods to get rid of the black bars at either side of the picture.
There's loads of posts concerning "Stretchyvision" in various parts of this forum including this

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350360&highlight=stretchyvision

and this illustrates the effects

http://www.protechtv.co.uk/jargon_wide.asp

 

[gaz010]

Thanks very much for this information. It certainly has cleared up a few points for me.

Now Just to decide on ether the PHILIPS DTR2520/05 or the Sagem ITD 72.

I don't think i will bother with the Sagem ITD68 as it only has the one scart socket.
And i don't fully understand how the daisy chain works

I.E Do i need to have my combo player at the ON position when i am watching TV. As it is at the moment it is on the OFF mode?

 

[fernandez]

These should help connecting things together
http://www.consumingexperience.com/2005/09/your-tv-connecting-audiovisual-av.html

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/connect.html

Your combo player can be left switched off if all you're doing is watching TV provided the above advice is followed.

Don't worry You'll find out these things as you go along and then often wonder what all the fuss and hassle was about

 

[ROYOLD]

Some freeview boxes will not pass the RF loop signal from input to output unless the box is left either on or at least on standby.
Take note of this if you are daisy chaining a freeview signal from the aerial thru the STB to DVD/VCR combi to TV.

The best way to check is by viewing the picture on the TV with various combinations.
STB off/on standby : Combi off/on standby.
I don't know about the STB but possibly the combi will give some RF amplification to the freeview signals when either ON or on standby.

Another connection diagram website is available from Sony :

http://support.sony-europe.com/tutorials/tv/diagrams/diagrams.asp?l=en

 

[gaz010]

You are giving me plenty to think about.

Some freeview boxes will not pass the RF loop signal from input to output unless the box is left either on or at least on standby.
Take note of this if you are daisy chaining a freeview signal from the aerial thru the STB to DVD/VCR combi to TV.

This i think is my main concern!

the boxes that i mentioned before which will pass the RF loop thing best or would my best bet be to go with the philips

 

[fernandez]

The RF signal not being passed unless the box is in standby is common practice with most equipment as the passed/looped through output is usually amplified to overcome any losses due to splitting the signal.
In any event, green issues aside, the majority of equipment nowadays especially Freeview/Sky/other satellite/DVD recorders is not designed to be switched off but left in standby - Freeview/Sky boxes need be be in (at least) standby to receive OTA (Over The Air) updates etc. and in the case of DVD/VCR future timed events would be lost by switching off completely.
Believe me this matter is not a cause for concern

 

[LV426]

Believe me this matter is not a cause for concern

Agree totally. For example, my DVD recorder uses .68W when in standby according to the book. Thats a bit less than half a kWh a month or, in cost terms, less than 4p at the rates I pay for electricity. There are much more effective ways of saving money and the climate.