Ultraplus 700HDMI How does it rate?

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semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#76440 2-Feb-2011 13:14

Been looking at these for a couple of weeks online, umm'ing and ahh'ing whether I should get one to replace my rubbish Hills receiver which more often that not freezes up when changing channels and reboots itself. The features that draw my attention to the 700HDMI are obviously the HDMI output even if only 576i and the ability to connect up an external hard drive. If you have one, do you find it reliable, e.g. no freezing/rebooting issues with it etc?

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727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#434479 2-Feb-2011 20:43

I believe Jaxxon here has one and thinks it's pretty decent; doubtless he'll be along.

I had a horror run with an Ultraplus 980HD and I have no confidence in the brand at all as a result. If I were offered $100 to take a 700 for a test drive, and then keep the unit, I'd decline.

SATECH

25 posts

Geek

#434587 3-Feb-2011 00:20

That is a shame , i use a 980 and we sell the ultraplus products. You havent explained what your problem or problems were . You also havent explained what steps you took to solve your problems and if your problems were solved.

We have found them to be very reliable .The customers who have purchased this product range have commented how pleased they are with the unit. The same goes for the 9000HD as well. There were a few niggles with the 9000HD but a software upgrade solved those problems.

As for the 700 we have tried and tested this model both at protype status and prior to its launch just before Christmas and find for the price $135.00 that it performs very well. The Standard Definition HDMI output looks very good compared to the normal AV outputs that most receivers provide.

The PVR function also works well as does the card reader which will accept Iredeto with ease .

The 700 is the step step up from the Globo which sold very well, We supplied Triangle /Stratos and they sold many hundreds for very few failuresinfact less than five genuine failures . We are expecting the same reliablity with the Ultraplus 700 PVR

www.jayx.co.nz

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#434604 3-Feb-2011 01:22

SATECH: That is a shame , i use a 980 and we sell the ultraplus products. You havent explained what your problem or problems were . You also havent explained what steps you took to solve your problems and if your problems were solved.

I don't want to side-track this thread by going into any finer detail. It's not, after all, a thread about my 980HD experiences. I commented solely because my experience of the brand, coloured I must say by the abominable treatment I received by the retailer, was so appalling that I would not wish it upon anyone.

Let those who have had positive experiences with Ultraplus, and in particular, the 700, extol the virtues that they found.

Meanwhile, I'm a very contented Vu+ Duo owner.

SATECH

25 posts

Geek

#434665 3-Feb-2011 09:27

As a retailor and promoter of satellite products time and time again stories like this reach our ears. Not very often in regard to ultra plus products however.What might be a straight forward issue turns into a major drama due to the attitude of the retailor .Point in question DRACO DTT boxes, these units got a hell of a name really over a very simple power supply problem which has since been solved .

I guess we are all very happy with a product until it fails , then its down to the retailor to either repair or replace . Thats when the fun can begin, getting a retailor or supplier to honour warrenties or provide after sales service.

Agian sorry to hear of your problems with a 980 and issues with the retailor.

jayx.co.nz

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#434749 3-Feb-2011 12:01

Couple of questions about the 700. 1) Probably a silly question, but can they be tuned to receive SBS? and 2) Do they show full epg data for the programmes on SBS? My Hills only shows programme name but not full epg data. Yet my parents DishTV receiver shows the epg data.

Thanks

dipkiwi

51 posts

Master Geek

#434829 3-Feb-2011 14:09

Iv'e had a 700HDMI for nearly a month and it has been running falsely. Great unit with good image quality for anybody receiving SD satellite. Recording on to a USB drive couldn't be easier. (just make sure you read the manual first otherwise its remote will confuse you)

For the $140 it's an absolute bargain and runs rings around other similar receivers.

can they be tuned to receive SBS?

Yes, it picked them up on its first automatic scan. (though some days you cannot get the SBS signal)

and 2) Do they show full epg data for the programmes on SBS?

No.

Jaxson

8042 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#434842 3-Feb-2011 14:24

xarqi: I believe Jaxxon here has one and thinks it's pretty decent; doubtless he'll be along.

Close, I am planning on getting one but no, I haven't actually got it yet.

I had the 980HD too and generally found it ok. Background to that though is that I had come from the Hyundai AH-3110 and hated that with a vengeance, mainly because the user interface was ugly as and primarily because it didn't really work with any hard drive I tried it with.

The 980HD suited my needs fine but I did have the odd hickup with it. It lost my scheduled recorded programs a few times and a few times it locked up for no real reason. I discussed my experiences with xarqi and I think a lot of his thoughts were valid, though really it depends on what the user is expecting to get out of the experience I guess. (Personally hate that press record twice on the EPG to set a recording, the first being a watch only setting?!)

I am expecting a similar Ultraplus menu concept etc from the 700hdmi but will wait and see. From where I'm standing it checks a lot of my boxes, ie hdmi and card reader and hey the pvr side of things is a big bonus too. For the price I honestly can't see a clear alternative if you are happy with the limitations that have been fairly clearly stated, ie 576i output only etc.

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xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#434847 3-Feb-2011 14:26

dipkiwi:
can they be tuned to receive SBS?

Yes, it picked them up on its first automatic scan. (though some days you cannot get the SBS signal)

and 2) Do they show full epg data for the programmes on SBS?

No.

What size dish do you have?
I use a 90 cm and have no issues with my Vu+, although a Satlink 2800 I used for a brief time struggled.

I get a 7 or 8 day EPG for SBS too, so the data is there; I wonder why you don't.

dipkiwi

51 posts

Master Geek

#434854 3-Feb-2011 14:36

What size dish do you have?

Just an old 65cm sky dish. (no doubt a bigger dish would help)

I get a 7 or 8 day EPG for SBS too, so the data is there; I wonder why you don't.

Sometimes I don't even have 1 or 2's EPG...!

I will check again later.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#434856 3-Feb-2011 14:36

Does anyone know who the OEM is for the Ultraplus 700HDMI and what other names it goes by? That may help track down any reviews.

Jaxson

8042 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#434857 3-Feb-2011 14:36

Thinking back I did get a full EPG for SBS channels too.
Used them to schedule some movies etc to record.

LNB Skew is very important, especially if you say some days you cannot get the SBS signal at all.

SATECH

25 posts

Geek

#434929 3-Feb-2011 16:32

What does the reception of a low studio to transmitter australian television signal got to do with how the 700 performs . It will perform the same way as any other DVBS satellite receiver.

For the sake of clarity , there are two sperate broadcasts of SBS, the first which has been around for donkeys years is on Optus C1 and provides 4 regional versions of SBS. Channel 7 is also on this service Aurora 12407 /30,000 FEC2/3 the FEC of 2/3 determines the Actual STB threshold in this case 2/3 requires about 4.2 DB CNR to lock and open up. the beam is NANZ so is some 4 db lower than Sky or freeview .

The second is the SBS Tasmania service with features SBS 0ne SBS two and HD, this broadcast is on a dual beam again NANZ but is half transponder format hence the symbol rate of 12,600 M/s .This signal is some 8 db lower than Sky /Freeview in Signal to NZ. The STB threshold is higher as well as they use FEC5/6 which requires over 6.4db to provide a lockable picture .

Add all these issues into one and you require a larger dish , or a damn good LNBF to provide the sort of rain fade margins we enjoy with freeview or sky on a 65cm dish.

You can get SBS to lock on a 65cm dish but you are barely above threshold , you really need a 75cm to 85cm dish which should with a decent LNBF provide 12 to 14 db CNR almost double the signal required to lock up SBS.

Any satellite receiver except the Zinwell and others which are locked to the free View frequencies will work on SBS as braodcast to Aust /NZ on Optus D1 12646 /12600 /FEC5/6

www.jayx.co.nz

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#434938 3-Feb-2011 16:43

SATECH: What does the reception of a low studio to transmitter australian television signal got to do with how the 700 performs . It will perform the same way as any other DVBS satellite receiver.

This is not so as tuner sensitivity, or some other relevant factor, can be different among models.

With the same dish and LNB apparatus, both the 980HD I had could, and Vu+ Duo I have can reliably pick up SBS from Optus D1; the Satlink 2800 could not. The question of whether the 700HDMI can do so, and under what conditions of dish and LNB, seems very pertinent if receipt of the signal is an important criterion for purchase.

(And I'd say it should be! The SBS programming is excellent - a cut above that on NZ FTA in my opinion. It's also in HD for SBS ONE, not that that is relevant here as the 700HDMI will be limited to the SD stream.)

SATECH

25 posts

Geek

#434953 3-Feb-2011 17:05

Whilst some satellite receivers claim super sensitive tuners ,the critira that will determine whether you receive a lockable picture is the Bandwidth used which determines the actual EIRP and the FEC rate which in lay mans terms determines the actual STB threshold.

Example FEC 1/2 requires 3.5 db CNR to provide a signal lock FEC3/4 requires 5.2db to lock and 5/6 approx 6.2 whilst FEC7/8 requires a whopping 8.2db to provide a lock .

This is why many individuals look at lyngsat and see a figure quoted not understanding that not all broadcasts are the same and many opt for systems based upon this critira only to be dissapointed when they only receive the stronger MCPC services and the SCPC services dont work.

Some receivers quote a minimum lock up of -25 Dbm other -30Dbm i have had many models side by side and if the signal is marginal just over threshold any slight signal loss ,ie cloud /rain and they will all pixillate .

Unless you know exactly what the signal is going into the tuner , it is hard to prove one has a more sensitive tuner than the next .

Normally it comes down to what the signal level from the LNBF is ,if you have 12 db on 12456 you will find that SBS is sitting at about 8 db and it does not take much of a drop to make that signal marginal or drop out.

ww.jayx.co.nz

SATECH

25 posts

Geek

#434963 3-Feb-2011 17:15

Oh i forgot to add i have tested most ultraplus receivers for the importer /distributor and they perform very well under normal operating conditions . If the STB requires 8.2dB for a service using FEC 7/8 and your system is only providing 7db cnr super tuner or not that STB is not making the threshold value and will not display a picture.

example ABC service on Optus C1 12728 /24450 FEC1/2 IRD threshold 3.2 db this can be achieved on a 1.8m offset dish actuall CNR 5.5db.
Imparja mux 12527 / 30,000 FEC3/4 reuires 5.2 db threshold to lock the 1.8m provides 5.5dB so the picture drops out and pixillates , increase the dish size to 2.4m or 3.5m and the received signal leaps up to 7 to 8 db and we have a picture that is stable.

I have not experienced a receiver which will lock signals when the received signal is lower than the sTB threshold value.

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