Can you confirm if you set the output resolution to 1080i output on the Arris box that it doesn't send HDR? And also if you use Netflix/Amazon Prime on the Arris box and have the Arris box set at 1080i output resolution do Netflix/Amazon Prime also output at 1080i resolution and what refresh rates these apps output at? In other words do the apps output at 24hz/50hz/60hz or are they fixed at just the one refresh rate? Normaly you have to select 1080p output resolution for a 24hz refresh rate anyway.Swapped out the noisy 2tb box for a 1tb one and a partial refund. The 1tb box is very quiet - no clicking and chattering in use.
Yes it's quite annoying that they can't even get the basics correct, but unfortunately that goes for the majority of manufacturers now anyway. I think they all have a secret code that their not allowed to give the customer what they want, but lets enjoy the money pouring in anyway.That’s good news. I’d only go for the 500GB model anyway.
Just for grins, I’ve sent Freesat an email asking them to clarify exactly what the 5.1 audio problem is and, given its impact, when it will be fixed. I’ll report their response here, assuming I get a response, of course.
Can you confirm if you set the output resolution to 1080i output on the Arris box that it doesn't send HDR? And also if you use Netflix/Amazon Prime on the Arris box and have the Arris box set at 1080i output resolution do Netflix/Amazon Prime also output at 1080i resolution and what refresh rates these apps output at? In other words do the apps output at 24hz/50hz/60hz or are they fixed at just the one refresh rate? Normaly you have to select 1080p output resolution for a 24hz refresh rate anyway.
Recording from your TV is only worth considering if the unit has 2 satellite inputs. That will allow you to watch something and record something else at the same time. LG's braindead software won't let you watch something on Freeview whilst recording two things at the same time on satellite. It certainly doesn't work on my single DTV/DSAT tuner LG TV. My experiences trying to record Freeview material on a timer left a lot to be desired.I’ve finally cancelled Sky Q and pondering whether or not to invest in a Freesat box for recording / pause live TV / forwarding through ads. Or, missing out on those features and just connecting the satellite cable directly to my TV which is a LG 65E9 OLED TV with onboard Freesat tuner.
Anyone able to comment on the picture quality via the Freesat box connected via HDMI compared to directly connecting the satellite cable to the TV? Any difference? Any benefit in using the box beyond the features noted? I use an Apple TV 4K for all other streaming services such as Netflix etc so don’t need to use the Freesat box for those.
Good luck and thanks for trying.Here's the relevant part of the message text that I've just received from Freesat regarding the 5.1 audio issue:
----- begin -----
The technical team are still currently testing different TV's and AV setups to find what is causing this issue, unfortunately, it does not look like there will be a fix for this issue within the next two months.
This is purely down to all the testing that needs to be done to allow it to work for the vast majority of AV/ soundbar equipment.
----- end -----
What that doesn't explain is why, if I've understood recent postings in this thread correctly, is why the latest firmware update has effectively killed the option altogether. Why not leave it in place so that if it's a compatibility issue and its effects are random, users have the option for 2.0 or 5.1 audio? What I also don't understand is why the option is broken now, as, from what I can work out, it's been working OK. Or has it always been broken?
I'll ask the question and see what they say. This dog's dinner makes SkyQ quite attractive.
It’s now expected, certainly in the tech. world, for customers to act as beta testers. Everything is rushed to market and we’re expected to wait for fixes that should have been present on day one, as promised. While we wait, manufacturers have already got our money. As much as I want an Arris box, to be able to record 4 streams at once, the broken audio is not something that I’m prepared to accept. I can wait, for now, for it to be fixed before I buy.
Recording from your TV is only worth considering if the unit has 2 satellite inputs. That will allow you to watch something and record something else at the same time. LG's braindead software won't let you watch something on Freeview whilst recording two things at the same time on satellite. It certainly doesn't work on my single DTV/DSAT tuner LG TV. My experiences trying to record Freeview material on a timer left a lot to be desired.
Bear in mind that the UK streaming services only offer 720p picture quality with stereo audio (with the occasional 4K stream on iPlayer), whereas linear TV will offer full 1080i/p HD picture quality and 5.1 audio on material so encoded. I notice the poor picture quality from the UK streamers on my 49-inch non-OLED LG. It will look pretty rough (I reckon) on a 65-inch TV.
Unfortunately, the Arris Freesat PVR is far from perfect -- see earlier in this thread, so if you wanted to go the Freesat PVR route it''s worth tracking down a new Humax HDR1100S -- they are still about -- or grab a decent FTA box with customisable software.
Wow, that bad, eh? Just how did this piece of junk get to market, or was it working OK then got broken with a later software update?Good luck and thanks for trying.
I can't see why they need testing to be so extensive - all they need to do is to have the Surround setting as one that passes broadcast audio using the flag set within the broadcast, be it 2.0 or 5.1.
Instead, the setting (when it worked) had the box impose a 5.1 flag on everything, over-riding 2.0 flags. This can cause many AV receivers problems, the most obvious of which is an inactive centre channel and no capability to apply surround processing of any kind (even if there is encoding within the stereo audio).
Some broadcasters don't help by broadcasting everything flagged as 5.1 whether it's stereo or 5.1 (C5?) but most are ok.
My comments regarding the streaming quality are as stated. You might well use an ATV box and at best, all that will happen is that your TV or the ATV box will upscale the low rent 720p feed to 4K. Ugh. You shouldn’t see any problems with apps. like Netflix because they provide decent quality.
I’m currently using a Manhattan SX receiver for Freesat live viewing and picture quality is marginally less good than my LG TV, but the audio is far better, as is the user interface, especially if you want to access non-Freesat channels (try that on your LG TV!)
The picture quality from my Humax 1100S is pretty good, again not quite as good as my other Freesat sources perhaps, but perfectly acceptable to me. The Arris box is too broken at present I think, unless you’re happy with just 2.0 audio and forced HDR. Sadly, choice is pretty limited — discontinued kit (so no further software updates), if you can find it, or new rubbish. What a choice!
Still no reply from Freesat. Will chase.
Have the prices of the Arris boxes just jumped? | eBay
A bit strong, given the broken software, methinks.