Looking at getting a freeview box for cheap as poss and was just wondering
what deals are kicking about.
TIA.

"Lee"  wrote in message 
news:9on6h1hjepodjcfe4kestvjrm2kui3ij86@4ax.com...

> Looking at getting a freeview box for cheap as poss and was just wondering
> what deals are kicking about.
> TIA.


Here u go.... Argos are doing one for 29.99p Was 34.49

Sagem ITD58 Set Top Box
http://tinyurl.com/8wamz

Hope this helps....

looks good - i need one too - does the fact it only have one scart input 
matter folks?

"Blue Horizon"  
wrote in message news:3nh5e0F1eo7cU1@individual.net...

> "Lee"  wrote in message 
> news:9on6h1hjepodjcfe4kestvjrm2kui3ij86@4ax.com...
>> Looking at getting a freeview box for cheap as poss and was just 
>> wondering
>> what deals are kicking about.
>> TIA.
>
> Here u go.... Argos are doing one for 29.99p Was 34.49
>
> Sagem ITD58 Set Top Box
> http://tinyurl.com/8wamz
>
> Hope this helps....
>
>
> 

On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 20:19:34 +0100, "Blue Horizon"
 wrote:


>:>"Lee"  wrote in message 
>:>news:9on6h1hjepodjcfe4kestvjrm2kui3ij86@4ax.com...
>:>> Looking at getting a freeview box for cheap as poss and was just wondering
>:>> what deals are kicking about.
>:>> TIA.
>:>
>:>Here u go.... Argos are doing one for 29.99p Was 34.49
>:>
>:>Sagem ITD58 Set Top Box
>:>http://tinyurl.com/8wamz
>:>
>:>Hope this helps....
>:>
>:>

Thanks for reply Blue My auntie has a Sagem freeview box and not sure what
model is but it really is crap constantly freezing channel 5 being worst but
this could be due to her aerial not sure.
Thanks again.

On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 20:15:18 GMT, Lee
 wrote:


>On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 20:19:34 +0100, "Blue Horizon"
> wrote:
>
>>:>"Lee"  wrote in message 
>>:>news:9on6h1hjepodjcfe4kestvjrm2kui3ij86@4ax.com...
>>:>> Looking at getting a freeview box for cheap as poss and was just wondering
>>:>> what deals are kicking about.
>>:>> TIA.
>>:>
>>:>Here u go.... Argos are doing one for 29.99p Was 34.49
>>:>
>>:>Sagem ITD58 Set Top Box
>>:>http://tinyurl.com/8wamz
>>:>
>>:>Hope this helps....
>>:>
>>:>
>Thanks for reply Blue My auntie has a Sagem freeview box and not sure what
>model is but it really is crap constantly freezing channel 5 being worst but
>this could be due to her aerial not sure.
>Thanks again.

Philips are the best 60 ish from ASDA .

British free to air stuff is crap due to the power of th esignal, last
I heard at least.

I never had much success with it. Fortunately there isn't much worth
having on it.

So that's all right then.

"Weatherlawyer"  wrote in message
news:1125347549.673931.95850@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

> British free to air stuff is crap due to the power of th esignal, last
> I heard at least.


It depends where you are. In most areas you can get perfectly satifactory
reception.

>
> I never had much success with it. Fortunately there isn't much worth
> having on it.


Well it is Freeview. If you want more then you have to pay for it. You get
all the channels available on terrestrial analogue TV plus some additional
ones and radio also.
-- 
Colin Reddish

"Colin Reddish"  wrote in message 
news:0DLQe.4175$l7.2196@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...

>
> "Weatherlawyer"  wrote in message
> news:1125347549.673931.95850@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> British free to air stuff is crap due to the power of th esignal, last
>> I heard at least.
>
> It depends where you are. In most areas you can get perfectly satifactory
> reception.
>>
>> I never had much success with it. Fortunately there isn't much worth
>> having on it.
>
> Well it is Freeview. If you want more then you have to pay for it. You get
> all the channels available on terrestrial analogue TV plus some additional
> ones and radio also.
> -- 
> Colin Reddish
>
>


freeview is out and out tata  why not simply pay sky for a superb, service 
where you can get what you want.

You pay cheap prices you get a cheap service et al.

"UKHierarchy"  wrote in message
news:GILQe.246$w4.156@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...


> freeview is out and out tata  why not simply pay sky for a superb, service
> where you can get what you want.


There could be many reasons why you would not want to pay Sky. Can't afford
it, not value for money.

>
> You pay cheap prices you get a cheap service et al.


If the service you get from Freeview (or terrestial analogue) meets your
needs then why pay more.

You have clearly not grasped the concept of this newgroup.
-- 
Colin Reddish

"Colin Reddish"  wrote in message 
news:C7MQe.3556$x4.508@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...

>
> "UKHierarchy"  wrote in message
> news:GILQe.246$w4.156@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>
>> freeview is out and out tata  why not simply pay sky for a superb, 
>> service
>> where you can get what you want.
>
> There could be many reasons why you would not want to pay Sky. Can't 
> afford
> it, not value for money.


The idea of giving Rupert Murdock any money makes my stomach turn as well.

-- 
Dan

"Colin Reddish"  wrote in message 
news:C7MQe.3556$x4.508@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...

>
> "UKHierarchy"  wrote in message
> news:GILQe.246$w4.156@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>
>> freeview is out and out tata  why not simply pay sky for a superb, 
>> service
>> where you can get what you want.
>
> There could be many reasons why you would not want to pay Sky. Can't 
> afford
> it, not value for money.
>>
>> You pay cheap prices you get a cheap service et al.
>
> If the service you get from Freeview (or terrestial analogue) meets your
> needs then why pay more.
>
> You have clearly not grasped the concept of this newgroup.
> -- 
> Colin Reddish
>
>


ty colin, i perfectly understand the concept of the ng, but after using 
freeview previously, its simply a load of cack imho, anyway i dont pay my 
sky bill my business does and all my lovely customers who pay me money every 
month.

I'm very pleased with my Thomson box with 2 scart sockets.

> ty colin, i perfectly understand the concept of the ng, but after using
> freeview previously, its simply a load of cack imho, anyway i dont pay my 
> sky bill my business does and all my lovely customers who pay me money 
> every month.
>


Thats like someone saying I dont pay my sky bill my employer who pays me 
money each month does.


-------
Trebor
-------

> Philips are the best 60 ish from ASDA .


Sony VTX-D800 is the best for pic quality and stable software no questions 
asked. Never crashes.
Unfortunately not cheap as you would like.

Steve

UKHierarchy wrote:

> "Colin Reddish"  wrote in message
> news:C7MQe.3556$x4.508@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> >
> > "UKHierarchy"  wrote in message
> > news:GILQe.246$w4.156@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
> >
> > > freeview is out and out tata  why not simply pay sky for a superb,
> > > service
> > > where you can get what you want.
> >
> > There could be many reasons why you would not want to pay Sky. Can't
> > afford
> > it, not value for money.
> > >
> > > You pay cheap prices you get a cheap service et al.
> >
> > If the service you get from Freeview (or terrestial analogue) meets
> > your needs then why pay more.
> >
> > You have clearly not grasped the concept of this newgroup.
> > --
> > Colin Reddish
> >
> >
>
> ty colin, i perfectly understand the concept of the ng, but after
> using freeview previously, its simply a load of cack imho, anyway i
> dont pay my sky bill my business does and all my lovely customers who
> pay me money every month.


ty ukh, for so clearly identifying yourself as one who's opinion is out of 
context and worthless.

UKHierarchy wrote:

> "Colin Reddish"  wrote in message
> news:0DLQe.4175$l7.2196@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...
> >
> > "Weatherlawyer"  wrote in message
> > news:1125347549.673931.95850@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >> British free to air stuff is crap due to the power of th esignal, last
> >> I heard at least.
> >
> > It depends where you are. In most areas you can get perfectly satifactory
> > reception.
> >>
> >> I never had much success with it. Fortunately there isn't much worth
> >> having on it.
> >
> > Well it is Freeview. If you want more then you have to pay for it. You get
> > all the channels available on terrestrial analogue TV plus some additional
> > ones and radio also.
> > --
> > Colin Reddish
> >
> >
>
> freeview is out and out tata  why not simply pay sky for a superb, service
> where you can get what you want.
>
> You pay cheap prices you get a cheap service et al.


BBC 3 (and 4) are great.
Little Britain came from this channel remember.

E4 is great if you like the american imports and BB(!!)

And the news channels are also very useful.

And the additional radio stations are also a great bonus.

Not bad for an outlay of £35 for life IMHO.

On Tue, 30 Aug 2005 15:37:17 +0100, "pammyT" <fenlandfowl
@talktalk.net> wrote:


>
>"UKHierarchy"  wrote in message
>news:GILQe.246$w4.156@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>> You pay cheap prices you get a cheap service et al.
>>
>>
> I have to wonder why then you subscribe to this newsgroup.
>


Perhaps because some people can distinguish between 'cheap' and a
'bargain' or 'discount'.

Sadly, most people on this NG are only ever interested in finding 'the
cheapest x available', even though it is rarely a bargain or a
discount.

Perhaps the NG should be renamed alt.consumers.uk-cheap-tat

;-)

Weatherlawyer wrote:

> British free to air stuff is crap due to the power of th esignal, last
> I heard at least.
> 


I have 2 freeview boxes - one attached to my main aerial and one to a 
small aerial in the loft. Both give excellent pictures and never freeze 
up - I've probably got a pretty good signal from Rowridge.

My Mum lives in N Shropshire and gets her reception from the Wrekin - I 
picked up a cheap Sagem for her last year and lashed out 17 quid on a 
decent antenna (the Wrekin needs a wideband for digital) which I fitted 
myself. The Sagem has few frills which is perfect for my 80+ yr old 
Mum's first foray into the digital world as it is easy to use. She too 
gets a cracking picture and has very few (if any) serious pixellation.

If your freeview is poor, particularly on some channels, check you have 
the right aerial fitted ( http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd.exe?   ) 
and check the cable is good with good plug connections. In many areas 
you may need a different aerial to the one you use for analog (the 
Wrekin is a good example). If you don't need a new aerial remember the 
old one has probably been up there years - are you sure it is still 
horizontal, pointing in the right direction, free from water, got a 
decent cable connection etc? If you are getting poor reception a few 
minutes checking these things might help.

If you need an antenna CPC is good but the choice may be overwhelming.

Brian

I picked up one from Asda for about 34 and am very chuffed. I think its a 
Durabrand. I've got it connected to my portable TV using the TV aerial and 
the reception and picture are fantastic. Recommended.

"Lee"  wrote in message 
news:9on6h1hjepodjcfe4kestvjrm2kui3ij86@4ax.com...

> Looking at getting a freeview box for cheap as poss and was just wondering
> what deals are kicking about.
> TIA. 

<snip>

>:>"Lee"  wrote in message 
>:>news:9on6h1hjepodjcfe4kestvjrm2kui3ij86@4ax.com...
>:>> Looking at getting a freeview box for cheap as poss and was just wondering
>:>> what deals are kicking about.
>:>> TIA. 
>:>

Thank you all for your feedback much appreciated!

o'Really wrote:

> On Tue, 30 Aug 2005 15:37:17 +0100, "pammyT" <fenlandfowl
> @talktalk.net> wrote:
>
> >
> > "UKHierarchy"  wrote in message
> > news:GILQe.246$w4.156@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
> > > You pay cheap prices you get a cheap service et al.
> > >
> > >
> > I have to wonder why then you subscribe to this newsgroup.
> >
>
> Perhaps because some people can distinguish between 'cheap' and a
> 'bargain' or 'discount'.
>


True, but if you read again you might notice that that is equally true of 
people who say the same as ukh.


> Sadly, most people on this NG are only ever interested in finding 'the
> cheapest x available', even though it is rarely a bargain or a
> discount.
>


Sadly most people that say things like that usually struggle to actually 
comprehend the phrases 'value for money' and 'appropriate for purpose' even 
more than those they attempt to criticise.


> Perhaps the NG should be renamed alt.consumers.uk-cheap-tat
>
> ;-)


I expect you wouldn't spend any less time reading it.

"UKHierarchy"  wrote in message
news:5iMQe.2569$Ys5.2185@newsfe7-gui.ntli.net...
 anyway i dont pay my

> sky bill my business does and all my lovely customers who pay me money
every
> month.



 This'll be the same business that has a capital of 2 and is dormant, will
it?  ;-)

In message <EVWQe.61854$Il.5414@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, Haymish 
<not@this.address> writes

<snipped>


>I have the following boxes:
>
>Daewoo Stepal DS608P
>Philips DTR1500
>and a Technosonic box from boots.com
>
>Despite living less that 3 miles from the Wrekin transmitter I am in a very
>poor reception area. I have had a digital aerial fitted, but the signal is
>still not very good.


I always worry when I see the term "Digital aerial". IMHO, digital 
aerials are generally a con unless the term relates to a high 
performance aerial which will increase forward gain sufficiently to make 
a major difference in signal strength.

Most of the aerials I have seen sold as Digital aerials would be best 
used in areas of significant "ghosting" where multiple signal paths were 
a problem, not in areas where signal strength was the problem.

I live in a no-go area for Freeview according to the website but, being 
a sceptic and having some experience of aerials, I was surpassed to see 
a neighbour having a "Digital" aerial fitted a while back. I went to see 
him and listened to his tale of woe as the reception using a Daewoo 
SetPal box was awful. Apparently the aerial fitter told him it was the 
best he could get and he'd have to live with it.

I dragged an old but functional 18 element aerial out of the shed and 
had it fitted to the top of the mast in no time with a loose lead down 
to the set. Luckily, the Daewoo had a signal strength meter built in and 
on the digital aerial is showed about 25% Signal strength, 75% Signal to 
Noise and 80% Signal quality.

On the 18 element it showed 60% Signal, 75% Signal to Noise and 80% 
Signal quality. The picture was far more stable and he could receive 
more channels than on the "Digital" aerial.

Anyway, I added a 26DB amplifier behind the set and achieved 95% Signal 
on the best channels and 75% on the worst.

Because of the "wider" channel spread of Freeview channels, some 
existing aerials may not be suitable and it could be a benefit to fit a 
wideband aerial rather than a specific aerial for your area.

I was so impressed with the results of the above that I installed a 
similar set-up and now have Freeview with excellent reception in a no-go 
area.


>
>Using the same aerial (Only one box connected):
>
>The Philips and Technosonic have real problems and are unable to access some
>channels. Half of the channels that are detected have frequent picture
>breakup / loss.
>
>Using the same aerial, the Daewoo, which uses the setpal tuner, brings in
>almost all the channels and the picture rarely breaks up.


I now have both the original single SCART SetPal and the new Dual SCART 
SetPal and the newer box is a great improvement. More features and when 
used on my aerial without the amplifier, a more stable picture.

-- 
Phil Morris

Phil Morris wrote:

> In message <EVWQe.61854$Il.5414@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, Haymish
> <not@this.address> writes
>
> <snipped>
>
>> I have the following boxes:
>>
>> Daewoo Stepal DS608P
>> Philips DTR1500
>> and a Technosonic box from boots.com
>>
>> Despite living less that 3 miles from the Wrekin transmitter I am in
>> a very poor reception area. I have had a digital aerial fitted, but
>> the signal is still not very good.
>
> I always worry when I see the term "Digital aerial". IMHO, digital
> aerials are generally a con unless the term relates to a high
> performance aerial which will increase forward gain sufficiently to
> make a major difference in signal strength.
>
> Most of the aerials I have seen sold as Digital aerials would be best
> used in areas of significant "ghosting" where multiple signal paths
> were a problem, not in areas where signal strength was the problem.
>
> I live in a no-go area for Freeview according to the website but,
> being a sceptic and having some experience of aerials, I was
> surpassed to see a neighbour having a "Digital" aerial fitted a while
> back. I went to see him and listened to his tale of woe as the
> reception using a Daewoo SetPal box was awful. Apparently the aerial
> fitter told him it was the best he could get and he'd have to live
> with it.
> I dragged an old but functional 18 element aerial out of the shed and
> had it fitted to the top of the mast in no time with a loose lead down
> to the set. Luckily, the Daewoo had a signal strength meter built in
> and on the digital aerial is showed about 25% Signal strength, 75%
> Signal to Noise and 80% Signal quality.
>
> On the 18 element it showed 60% Signal, 75% Signal to Noise and 80%
> Signal quality. The picture was far more stable and he could receive
> more channels than on the "Digital" aerial.
>
> Anyway, I added a 26DB amplifier behind the set and achieved 95%
> Signal on the best channels and 75% on the worst.
>
> Because of the "wider" channel spread of Freeview channels, some
> existing aerials may not be suitable and it could be a benefit to fit
> a wideband aerial rather than a specific aerial for your area.
>
> I was so impressed with the results of the above that I installed a
> similar set-up and now have Freeview with excellent reception in a
> no-go area.
>


Don't fancy fitting an aerial in Telford do you...LOL.


>>
>> Using the same aerial (Only one box connected):
>>
>> The Philips and Technosonic have real problems and are unable to
>> access some channels. Half of the channels that are detected have
>> frequent picture breakup / loss.
>>
>> Using the same aerial, the Daewoo, which uses the setpal tuner,
>> brings in almost all the channels and the picture rarely breaks up.
>
> I now have both the original single SCART SetPal and the new Dual
> SCART SetPal and the newer box is a great improvement. More features
> and when used on my aerial without the amplifier, a more stable
> picture.


Hi Phil

Your new box; are you refering to the ds700? Does this box have the setpal 
tuner too?

I know nothing about aerials and was at the mercy of the local fitter who I 
am sure (from looking at it) has supplied me with a cheap and nasty aerial. 
Would you be able to suggest an aerial that might do that job in the Telford 
area, hopefully in the sub 50 price range (preferably less)?

Thanks

Haymish

In message <J8BRe.47090$5m3.26118@fe1.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, Haymish 
<not@this.address> writes


>Don't fancy fitting an aerial in Telford do you...LOL.


Unfortunately no Haymish, my days of rigging professionally are long 
gone.


>> I now have both the original single SCART SetPal and the new Dual
>> SCART SetPal and the newer box is a great improvement. More features
>> and when used on my aerial without the amplifier, a more stable
>> picture.
>
>Hi Phil
>
>Your new box; are you refering to the ds700? Does this box have the setpal
>tuner too?


I have the DS700D and it does not have the same signal features as the 
older model (at least as far as I can see).

>
>I know nothing about aerials and was at the mercy of the local fitter who I
>am sure (from looking at it) has supplied me with a cheap and nasty aerial.
>Would you be able to suggest an aerial that might do that job in the Telford
>area, hopefully in the sub 50 price range (preferably less)?
>


I use http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk for my electrical needs and they 
probably have a branch somewhere near you. ISTR that an 18 element 
aerial is about GBP 10.00 plus VAT.

-- 
Phil Morris