Best basic freeview set top box?

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SuperHemi

39 posts

Geek

#208859 2-Mar-2017 15:36

I’m in the market for a UHF freeview set top box for my old Panasonic plasma TV (which doesn’t have a freeview tuner built in).

I don’t need PVR functionality – I’m just after a reliable box that does the basics well.

I see The Warehouse has the DishTV T2100 for $119 at the moment. Is this likely to be my best option? (From a quick search of this forum it looks like there have been some problems with these boxes, not sure whether these have been resolved by firmware updates?).

Are there any other better options in this price range?

Thanks in advance for your help!

mattwnz

20515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4795

#1729014 2-Mar-2017 16:36

I've got one, although haven't set it up properly. I have tried it out though and it is quite clunky and laggy esp with the ondemand stuff, but that seems to be a problem with most of these standalone boxes. There aren't a large number of options out there. I haven't heard about issues, but presume that that is software related with patches?

JimmyH

2898 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1554

#1729084 2-Mar-2017 19:01

There used to be quite a few boxes on the market, but the number seems to have shrunk a lot recently. Most of the models I have seen at the budget end have been Dish ones and, as mattwnz notes, there has been quite a bit of discussion here and elsewhere about issues that some people have had with then.

Personally, I have a Panasonic recorder. I know you aren't specifically after a PVR unit and they cost a bit more money as well, but In my experience they are sound and reliable units. Plus, personally, I don't know how anyone could realistically endure watching Freeview for any significant amount of time without the ability to fast-forward through the interminable ad breaks.