Set-top boxes

[Rob P]

Just a quickie...

Is there much difference with say, a £40 set top box from your local supermarket and a £100 branded bit of kit?

Would anyone care to enlighten me on what I features/specs I should be looking for? Not sure if I should get a cheapy one that does the job or splash out a bit more on a more top end bit of kit.

Any particular recommendations?

[cuneus]

Sony

You mainly pay for usability and reliability + a decent EPG that works

the cheaper ones are a false economy

[vex]

EPG being Electronic Program Guide.

The other thing to look for is a smart card slot for Top Up TV and other future services.

Also some of the cheaper ones do not have a UHF out, only SCART

[arcturus]

Just as an aside, I have put a Freeview PCI card in my PC. Works well and is handy for catching up with things whilst at my desk. Records as well.

[Podie]

arcturus said:

Just as an aside, I have put a Freeview PCI card in my PC. Works well and is handy for catching up with things whilst at my desk. Records as well.

Can it do the Top-up TV malarky…?

[arcturus]

Unfortunately no; there is no way of inserting a viewing card. (I assume that's what you mean?)

[simpo two]

Plus, the Sony one looks cool; the others look like cheap crud!

[annodomini2]

Can't you interface a smart card reader?

[arcturus]

Don't think so - no obvious way of doing it. And the literature says it only supports free to air channels. Still, it's a big improvement on the analogue card I had previously.