Satellite Receiver Recommendation

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alasta

6687 posts

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#133870 6-Nov-2013 10:49

Hi all.

I'm looking to replace a Dish TV S7070r which is driving me mad, and I'm having trouble finding any decent alternatives in the big box stores but I've found a couple of options at freeviewshop.co.nz:

Ultraplus 720
Xcruiser XDSR385

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with these?

I probably don't need the more advanced features of the latter and would prefer to pay as little as possible as the device won't get a lot of use, but I'm willing to pay more if the cheap option risks being unreliable like my existing device. I will be doing a bit of recording, but not often.

X

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#928053 6-Nov-2013 11:16

My experience with an Ultraplus 980HD put me off the brand for good.
The vendor was freeviewshop and the treatment I received when I pressed for a solution was deplorable.
The issue was finally resolved by application of the Consumer Guarantees Act.

I'll not deal with them again, nor can I recommend either brand or vendor to others.

Just my opinion based on my experience. Others doubtless have had a less harrowing time.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#928059 6-Nov-2013 11:22

Just as a follow up, I ended up with a Vu+ Duo, a fantastically capable and reliable unit. I suspect that there is no longer a local importer but if I were to need to replace my unit, if it ever misses a beat, I'd look to source one from Australia or the UK.

There is a Vu+ Solo, a one tuner version, that might serve your needs.

alasta

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#928373 6-Nov-2013 19:50

Thanks, appreciate the feedback. Obviously it's not what I want to hear, but it's good to hear others' bad experiences before I get stung myself.

butlerboy

457 posts

Ultimate Geek

#928390 6-Nov-2013 20:44

I personally wouldn't touch an Ultraplus or anything that the NZ distributor (not Freeviewshop) of this unit supplies. Back in the day they distributed the Draco stb and I had major issues when the unit died. Basically they wouldn't stand behind their product and I had a few unprofessional emails from them. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!!!!! This is just my experience and others may have positive things to say, I sadly can't.

Gilco2

1556 posts

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#928401 6-Nov-2013 21:38

well I have different experience. I have both the Ultraplus X9200HD and the Dishtv S7090pvr.

Have had no problem with the Ultraplus since buying it almost 2 years ago. Only thing I have found is series record not reliable but that is minor and was not a feature when I bought it but added later.

Also the Dishtv S7090 has been excellent. It did however stop accepting input from the remote. Contacted dishtv and sent unit to them. Had new front panel fitted and unit was back in my hand 4 days later.

Also not related to satellite had a dishtv t1050 which was faulty and quickly replaced by Dishtv. I honestly cant fault their product support.

Those are my experiences

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

alasta

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#928409 6-Nov-2013 21:54

Thanks everyone for your feedback. It sounds like buying a different device is not guaranteed to leave me any better off, so I'll probably persevere with the S7070r for a bit longer.

I'm thinking I might have a go at reloading the firmware via USB, and then try pushing Dish TV's support a bit harder if that fails. It didn't occur to me that there could be a hardware fault but now I'm wondering if it was coincidence that the problems started soon after the last OTA firmware update.

Apsattv

2381 posts

Uber Geek

#928454 7-Nov-2013 06:11

The Xcruiser XDSR385 is a good single tuner unit with extras such as "freetv" "Internettv"
. Software is from the same "family"as the Ultraplus units.