set top boxes purchased in the UK??

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beenz

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Topic # 9753 10-Oct-2006 20:03

Simple question, will set top boxes purchased in the UK work over here if not why not?

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Bernard

sbiddle

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Reply # 48248 10-Oct-2006 20:14

DVB-T boxes?

JAMMAN2110

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Reply # 48249 10-Oct-2006 20:14

It all depends, its specifications and the specifications where you are going...

beenz

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Reply # 48250 10-Oct-2006 20:17

I was going to purchase a set top box from the UK to use over here next year, and wonderdc if it will work?

cyril7

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Reply # 48251 10-Oct-2006 20:17

DVB-S (satellite) FTA STb's will work with no problems at all, Satellite STBs for SkyUK's service will not work as even though the services use the same technology they are network locked at firmware level making it near impossible to move them across.

DVB-T (DTT) boxs may or may not work. The UK boxs have firmware that pretty much lock them into the services as provided in the UK, to let them act in a untethered mode is anyones guess, ie you may not have control over modulation parameters as these are fixed in firmware, this may stop them from working easily here. The cost of boxes here is pretty low (<$250 or 80quid) so why bother.

The DVB-T boxs currently available in NZ are fully flexible as FTA box's, however the UK's FreeView firmware used in the UK can limit what flexibity you are offered even the at hardware level the box is fully compatible.

Cyril

beenz

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Reply # 48253 10-Oct-2006 20:31

The Fusion FRT102 see

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

Which works out at only $60.00 would you think it would work or not

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chiefie

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Reply # 48256 10-Oct-2006 20:35

in short, don't bring in things that are certified for use in NZ's airwaves. sucks but that's reality.

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beenz

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Reply # 48258 10-Oct-2006 20:40

Ok but all I want to know is if it will work or not.
I did not want to go in to the legal issues or the rights or worongs of the matter!

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cyril7

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Reply # 48277 10-Oct-2006 23:09

In theory it will work, the UHF band in the UK is essentially the same plan as here, as is the fact that it uses 8MHz channeling. Assuming the firmware lets you set the modulation parameters (ie 8kcarriers, guard interval, FEC etc) then it should work no problem.

It should be remembered that some of the FreeView STB's have firmware that expects certain UK FreeView exclusive SI information to operate, if you choose one of those STB's then there is a chance it will not work. A basic FTA DVB-T receiver that is fully manual configurable should be fine. Unless I looked at the what features the firmware offered (by using it) I can not comment further.

Cyril