GTMedia GTCombo 4:2:2 receiver

[Channel Hopper]

Without going into the back office to find the box and contents, were you supplied a ordinance map style manual with the Combo (albeit with text that needs a magnifying glass and a bright light to read) ?

 

[jeallen01]

If you mean that tiny multi-language folding thing that tells you how to connect it to a TV, dish and so-on and to (possibly?) operate the R/C, but SFA else, then Yes, I have it!

 

[funtime261]

Evening all

I really hate to admit this but I'm really struggling to understand how to drive this box, even basic stuff such as creating satellite channel lists (and getting it to scan the sats I that want it to - rather than those it appears to decide to itself!!) - especially given the lack of detailed instructions coming with it.
(For example, about an hour ago, I tried to get it to blindscan THOR, and since then bottom of the onscreen display shows 0.8W THOR 5/6/7 etc - BUT it actually appears to be throwing up a long list of channels which are most definitely on the Astra 2 complex at 28E!!!)

I know this is my first Android box and that in itself is causing me "problems", as well as the fact that I have "got a lot of other things going on around me" that are very distracting & time-consuming, but I really could use some basic instructions & help on how to get the hang of using it - so can anyone point me in the right direction(s) (and not just at the freesat.cn website, which I find somewhat confusing and not at all helpful!)?

Thanks in advance.

You are definitely not on your own. After using many Enigma2 images which have all been intuitive to use, the GT combo is a nightmare and I quickly lose patience and go back to my enigma2 box. But as you say just to do the basic things it just doesn't wash. After spending another hour the other other day playing I gave up.

 

[Manikm909]

its great a secondary box for blind scanning only - thats what i use it for - i wouldnt want it as a primary stb

 

[moonbase]

I got one 'ere for sale if any toby wants to buy it?

 

[mike33]

I'm struggling with this box too,very time consuming so back to my enigma2 box which is much easier to use and so I am also putting mine up for sale if anyone's interested.

 

[John]

its great a secondary box for blind scanning only - thats what i use it for - i wouldnt want it as a primary stb

That sums it up for me as well - it looked like it had so much potential when first revealed...

 

[Manikm909]

u never know - there could be a game changer firmware released at some point....

 

[scopus]

That sums it up for me as well - it looked like it had so much potential when first revealed...

Gone the same way as the GTC it predecessor, unfortunately...

 

[moonbase]

Gone the same way as the GTC it predecessor, unfortunately...

Yes, after a lot of initial promise it has fizzled out into a non entity box. It is a shame as it did look to have potential but they have messed up with the firmware.
I got one for sale 'ere if any toby daft enought to buy it, cheap wad, a bullseye excluding postage. I may as well trouser a bullseye if I can get it rather than have a dusty door stop.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Gone the same way as the GTC it predecessor, unfortunately...

I recall countless receiver models of the VU marque coming through a few years back before they got it right, and the OpenVIX took their time to perfect the imagery (and it is still not what I would class as 'intuitive')

 

[scopus]

I recall countless receiver models of the VU marque coming through a few years back before they got it right, and the OpenVIX took their time to perfect the imagery (and it is still not what I would class as 'intuitive')

Agree...To me the combo is easier to drive than any offering of Enigma 2..

 

[moonbase]

I recall countless receiver models of the VU marque coming through a few years back before they got it right, and the OpenVIX took their time to perfect the imagery (and it is still not what I would class as 'intuitive')

Just my personal opinion but I thnk OpenViX is straightforward to use. However, I accept that E2 is not for everyone and it can be a bit daunting.
I prefer OpenViX to OpenATV where the English menus are a mix of English and German.

Also, OpenViX comes with most of what you need included in the image and from their online feed. OpenATV needs an ipk installing before you can download the hidden Poop pourer from their online feed. OpenPLi needs the blind scan plugin downloading from their online feed as their image does not include it. All in all, OpenViX is probably the simplest "out of the box" image for E2, but again, personal opinion.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Just my personal opinion but I thnk OpenViX is straightforward to use. However, I accept that E2 is not for everyone and it can be a bit daunting.
I prefer OpenViX to OpenATV where the English menus are a mix of English and German.

Yes, it has more than most but that does not make it intuitive (still looking how to create a favourite list for a customer - I've drawn a blank so far).

The preferred enigma incarnation currently is from Egami, clear and precise in its instruction, though for some reason it does not connect wirelessly to certain broadband routers.

 

[jeallen01]

Morning all

Sad to say, but I'm "glad" to see that I am not by any means the only one who is completely disappointed in this Rx in terms of the way it "works" (or basically doesn't!) and the "user support" (or lack of it!) - I think it could be a classic case of f/w written by people who do understand and are comfortable with how it works, but with absolutely no understanding & consideration for users who don't and thus of what the latter need to be able to use from "day 1"!
NB: I thought that the Octagon SX88 user-supplied documentation was (is?) rather poor - but that's bloody marvellous by comparison, and the on-line support and f/w updates were/are always pretty good.

Thank goodness I didn't pay top whack for the box (it was £78 delivered) and so I've not lost too much if it can never be made to work. Don't think I'll try to sell it on ATM because of the "competition" (and certainly no-one here would, or should, want to buy one anytime soon)!

 

[moonbase]

... Don't think I'll try to sell it on ATM because of the "competition"...

Please dont hold back from listing it for sale due to me wanting to offload one.
If you are lucky enough to grab a toby who is daft enough to buy it you should get rid of it.
Stick it on eBay, you might strike lucky.

Better still, give it a few kisses with a 5lb club hammer, it might make you feel as though you have had value for your £78.

 

[Manikm909]

Morning all

Sad to say, but I'm "glad" to see that I am not by any means the only one who is completely disappointed in this Rx in terms of the way it "works" (or basically doesn't!) and the "user support" (or lack of it!) - I think it could be a classic case of f/w written by people who do understand and are comfortable with how it works, but with absolutely no understanding & consideration for users who don't and thus of what the latter need to be able to use from "day 1"!
NB: I thought that the Octagon SX88 user-supplied documentation was (is?) rather poor - but that's bloody marvellous by comparison, and the on-line support and f/w updates were/are always pretty good.

Thank goodness I didn't pay top whack for the box (it was £78 delivered) and so I've not lost too much if it can never be made to work. Don't think I'll try to sell it on ATM because of the "competition" (and certainly no-one here would, or should, want to buy one anytime soon)!

well - i think its unfair to say "lack of user support" - GTMEDIA have released several firmware updates, addressing many issues that people have had - the 16east issue for one - many more that i didnt notice.

have you listed any of your concerns on the GTMEDIA forum?

 

[jeallen01]

Well, if version 16 of the firmware hasn't adressed the "basic issues" then when can we expect one that does?

As for reporting these issues on that forum, I suspect that I would be considered a bit of an idiot by many others because they are the ones who DO understand the f/w, but can't comprehend why newbies to the box like me cannot!

 

[Channel Hopper]

After a week of trying the latest firmware I can say that the Android Combo does everything I would wish in a £50 receiver and slightly more, regardless of the promise of 4:2:2 delivered on a plate.

It is as sensitive as the SF8008, drives the dish as I would like, blind scan is accurate and fast, is has 4k even though I'm not using it yet, the interface isn't Enigma and it now records and plays video and audio back from the USB stick, I haven't tried the SD card slot so far.

The remote control is relatively well laid out though bluetooth operation is just a bit flakey when first powered on but that could be the other devices nearby.

Even the clock appears to be behaving itself.

The next upgrade should tidy up features beyond the basic receiver foibles making it a decent box for the DXers.
If the development team ever add a pseudo FreeSat epg then it would also appeal to those looking to replace an ageing Sky HD box, cutting their electricity bill as well.

 

[moonbase]

After a week of trying the latest firmware I can say that the Android Combo does everything I would wish in a £50 receiver and slightly more, regardless of the promise of 4:2:2 delivered on a plate....

Your recommendation might boost my prospects of a sale for the GT Combo I got here for a bullseye excluding delivery, anyone ?