Freeview on Topfield TF6000F

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ZollyMonsta

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#20908 9-Apr-2008 18:59

An installer in Wanganui just installed one of these boxes for Freeview for my mum.

My questions... Are these boxes Freeview compatiable.. in the sense that they will pick up new channels and add them automatically (without user interventon)?

Will it put the channels on the correct channel numbers?

And does it support the full 7 day EPG?

Cheers,
Grant

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

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Spyware

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#122385 9-Apr-2008 19:12

No, no and I think so. The good thing is that your mother gets to do transponder scans and may even consult lyngsat.com from time to time. Buy her a crimping tool and sat meter for Xmas.

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ZollyMonsta

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#122388 9-Apr-2008 19:25

Marvellous <sarc> I did warn her.. Especially after my Sister went and got a Kaon (which requires her to get retuned in the shop with every channel addition / has no epg / channel numbers are all over the place).

I'll let mum know she should have gone with an official box for ease of use.

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ZollyMonsta

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#122390 9-Apr-2008 19:32

Another quick question.. Which is the better official freeview box? Hills or Zinwell?

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rugrat

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#122404 9-Apr-2008 20:34

From what I've read else where, Hills is better.
It isn't as fussy on the signal before it loses picture etc, and isn't locked onto freeview only network. Do a scan and if non freeview signal present that's not encrypted will tune into that as well.

cyril7

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#122408 9-Apr-2008 20:41

Of the two certified boxs the Hills is definitely better, however both certfied boxs have had terrible return rates according to one noel lemming mangager I spoke with recently.

Personally I would stick with the toppy, its a good box and I would recommend it to anyones grandma compared to the issues the certd boxs have shown. Tuning is not exactly that complex, and re arranging the channel lineup is really simple compared to rearranging all the found channels on most analog TVs after they have done a autoscan.

The Toppy definitely supports 7day EIT based EPG last I looked.

Only negative comment on the TF6000 is the lack of video support (ie no component) an important feature I think, hence I normally recommend the Strongs.

Cyril

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#122431 9-Apr-2008 21:20

What model is the DSE badged freeview box?

The topfield box is probably a good box.. the issue here is for $29 more Mum could get an official DSE freeview box.
There are no family members in Wanganui capable of tuning the reciever for her so any fixes for new channels add/deletes would require the installer to come and do and cost money.

Sounds like a bit of an 'on the side' job done by the installer (read as 'pay me cash.. here's a receipt').

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rugrat

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#122433 9-Apr-2008 21:26

ZollyMonsta: What model is the DSE badged freeview box?

It's the Zinwell. Just DSE's name on it instead.

cyril7

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#122434 9-Apr-2008 21:31

The DSE boxs are Zinwells. Many read most installers have been so burnt by certified boxs that they will never go there again, and Toppies and Strongs are the most reliable and consistant consumer boxs out their, period!

As for retuning and all that, FreeView have layed out PID resources for as many programs as they see they are most likely to fit on the system. As such TVNZ7 was slotted on the 12483 mux under the pid set previously loaded as Reserve7. So even if you have not reloaded, you will see TVNZ7 in this channel, only difference is that some boxs will not pickup a new label (ie TVNZ7 instead of Reserve7) but you still will see the channel.

Personally I have explained rescanning and re-organising channels on FTA boxs to folk many times, most readily follow, its typically much easier than tuning old VCRs.

Cyril