Interesting Solution re. The PVR Conundrum?

[Lazarus]

When my first generation Humax HDR gives up the ghost, I most definitely don't want to spend a small fortune on the only Freesat branded replacement currently available (the much derided Arris) and I've been considering an Octagon SF8008 with an internal M.2 SSD instead (World Of Sat will preconfigure as a Freesat look-alike).

However, in researching other options, WoS also do a pre-configured ZGemma H7S and a slightly left-field ( and inexpensive!) option of the Amiko "SimpleFree" Triple Tuner.

Package 3 Amiko SimpleFree.TV Tripe Tuner HDD + FREE 240GB SSD INCLUDED

Package 3 Amiko SimpleFree.TV Tripe Tuner HDD + FREE 240GB SSD INCLUDED

www.world-of-satellite.co.uk

It's not mimicking Freesat per se, as with the Octagon or ZGemma, but instead is supported by daily EPG housekeeping over the interweb thingy.

Now, given it will be used exclusively for 28E, I'd very much appreciate any comments, especially from users (If any). Looks simple enough for her indoors to adapt to and for me not to have to get to grips with E2.

The current WoS offer includes a 256GB SATA SSD, which is ample for us.

 

[scopus]

WOS say the Amiko has a tripe tuner..lol

 

[Lazarus]

Yeah, I spotted that!

 

[Pincera]

WOS say the Amiko has a tripe tuner..lol

Don't like tripe

 

[Lazarus]

Wot, no takers?

I guess I might have to shell out 99 sovs and just try it out/review it myself.

Now, where's the padlock key for my wallet

 

[Pincera]

Wot, no takers?

I guess I might have to shell out 99 sovs and just try it out/review it myself.

Now, where's the padlock key for my wallet

It does appear to be a well specced product at a very reasonable price however, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

 

[Lazarus]

The key issue is that it has been well and truly SWMBO-proofed.

 

[scopus]

It does appear to be a well specced product at a very reasonable price however, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

I've had Amiko receivers in the past from the A3 days, always found them good and well built. They do tend to abandon the software development early though..

 

[Lazarus]

I've had Amiko receivers in the past from the A3 days, always found them good and well built. They do tend to abandon the software development early though..

In this particular instance, the crux of the matter is whether they keep on with the daily EPG housekeeping for a good while!

 

[scopus]

In this particular instance, the crux of the matter is whether they keep on with the daily EPG housekeeping for a good while!

I can't say I have ever used them for Freesat, so unable to answer that question.

 

[astra19]

I like the idea of this. I'm impressed they've come up with it now, though I feel like it would have been more popular in the past.
I could have been doing with this lately with the constant reshuffling of channels due to the DVB-S2 switchover.

 

[Lazarus]

The entire concept of the packaging and delivery of FTA UK TV is in flux - what with Digital UK morphing into summat else (can't bring their new title to mind) and the emergence of Freely (qv)

 

[Pincera]

Isn't the maximum life of the "Satellite side" of the Amiko product limited to 5 years, I thought I had read somewhere that Freesat broadcasts from Astra might end in 2029. In 5 years we might need a new TV and would certainly look at buying one with Freely enabled, strange that you are forced to buy a new TV to gain access to Freely but I imagine that was to model that satisfied the TV manufactures. Five years is is a long in technology terms and who knows what delivery\entertainment systems might come available in that time.

Switching on your TV on early to let the valves warm up is long gone

 

[Lazarus]

Switching on your TV on early to let the valves warm up is long gone

Oh how I miss watching that little white dot slowly fade away after the National Anthem ......

 

[Pincera]

Oh how I miss watching that little white dot slowly fade away after the National Anthem ......

With the first Colour TV sets you didn't need the heating on due to the amount of heat put out by the TV, when we used to switch our first colour TV on the Street lights would dim

 

[PaulR]

Oh how I miss watching that little white dot slowly fade away after the National Anthem ......

I hope you were respectfully standing to attention at that point.

 

[timo_w2s]

Isn't the maximum life of the "Satellite side" of the Amiko product limited to 5 years, I thought I had read somewhere that Freesat broadcasts from Astra might end in 2029. In 5 years we might need a new TV and would certainly look at buying one with Freely enabled, strange that you are forced to buy a new TV to gain access to Freely but I imagine that was to model that satisfied the TV manufactures. Five years is is a long in technology terms and who knows what delivery\entertainment systems might come available in that time.

Switching on your TV on early to let the valves warm up is long gone

Isn't/wasn't there a plan to make a Freely Freesat unit? Or maybe it's just for Freesat TVs.

Personally, I think they should make a little puck or Fire TV stick type thing to plug into existing TVs but I guess that's not going to help shift more TVs from the shops.

 

[Lazarus]

Well, I've done more research and ummed and aahed about this and I've even reconsidered the Arris.

My conclusions are that, for 28E only, with 7 day EPG, the E2 boxes are rather more expensive ( especially as they don't come with SSD/HDD) and have no particular advantage. The Arris, at £230, looks like an unduly expensive white elephant.

Ergo, I am seriously tempted now to buy the Amiko and learn how to live with any foibles and shortcomings I might find.

 

[Pincera]

Well, I've done more research and ummed and aahed about this and I've even reconsidered the Arris.

My conclusions are that, for 28E only, with 7 day EPG, the E2 boxes are rather more expensive ( especially as they don't come with SSD/HDD) and have no particular advantage. The Arris, at £230, looks like an unduly expensive white elephant.

Ergo, I am seriously tempted now to buy the Amiko and learn how to live with any foibles and shortcomings I might find.

We have an Arris box its expensive but nothing to write home about, my wife likes to record the soaps, I am also considering the Amiko box as I am fed up of watching TV via the Apps, BBC IPlayer, ITVX etc.

I am sure I read that Freely will only be available on new TVs and there will be no plugin box, as pointed out by @timo_w2s the new TV approach helps sell more TVs and I suppose that is a big factor in getting the TV manufactures to adopt and design TVs for freely.

Although there is an App for Freely its on.............................. a NEW TV!

Will there be an app for Freely TV?


The Freely TV app is already available on various models from Hisense, Bush and Toshiba, which launched earlier this year, as well as the new Panasonic with Tivo OS televisions. 8 Oct 2024

 

[Lazarus]

^^^^

I am going to place an order tomorrow - will post a review idc.