Log in
Register
Menu
Log in
Register
Home
What's new
Latest activity
Authors
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
Latest activity
Members
Current visitors
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Terrestrial Broadcasting
Terrestrial Television, Digital and Analogue
Sky picnic
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Fisty McB" data-source="post: 1083619" data-attributes="member: 389824"><p>I had one some time ago, bought one in 2009 (I think) online from Currys for £20 inc. delivery. Main reason I bought it for was to view the new ROI DTT test transmissions at the time for what would later become Saorview - the channels it carried at the time were all in SD, and the Sagem manufactured receiver could decode SD MPEG4 video (allegedly the proposed Picnic service was planned to use MPEG4 video, before Ofcom put the kibosh on the idea). The fact that these receivers suddenly flooded the market came as a surprise as there was no previous public indication that such receivers had been manufactured.</p><p></p><p>The GUI was decent, the remote control OK, but the STB itself was larger than it really could have been compared to other "Freeview" single-tuner STBs on the market at the time, and it also had an almost built-in fault - the power transformer supplied with the receivers were not properly isolated, causing a stray AC voltage at the DC plug. This would cause the receiver to regularly freeze & lock up, not responding to remote control commands or front panel buttons, so would require the power to be turned off/on. Replacing the power supply with a suitable DC 12V 1.5A replacement that was isolated cured it.</p><p></p><p>Eventually as HD services started on Saorview which the "Picnic" receiver couldn't handle, and TV's with built-in DTT tuners were becoming more available at cheaper prices, the Picnic STB was becoming redundant. I dropped it in the electronics bin in the local council skip a good few years back.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Fisty McB, post: 1083619, member: 389824"] I had one some time ago, bought one in 2009 (I think) online from Currys for £20 inc. delivery. Main reason I bought it for was to view the new ROI DTT test transmissions at the time for what would later become Saorview - the channels it carried at the time were all in SD, and the Sagem manufactured receiver could decode SD MPEG4 video (allegedly the proposed Picnic service was planned to use MPEG4 video, before Ofcom put the kibosh on the idea). The fact that these receivers suddenly flooded the market came as a surprise as there was no previous public indication that such receivers had been manufactured. The GUI was decent, the remote control OK, but the STB itself was larger than it really could have been compared to other "Freeview" single-tuner STBs on the market at the time, and it also had an almost built-in fault - the power transformer supplied with the receivers were not properly isolated, causing a stray AC voltage at the DC plug. This would cause the receiver to regularly freeze & lock up, not responding to remote control commands or front panel buttons, so would require the power to be turned off/on. Replacing the power supply with a suitable DC 12V 1.5A replacement that was isolated cured it. Eventually as HD services started on Saorview which the "Picnic" receiver couldn't handle, and TV's with built-in DTT tuners were becoming more available at cheaper prices, the Picnic STB was becoming redundant. I dropped it in the electronics bin in the local council skip a good few years back. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Terrestrial Broadcasting
Terrestrial Television, Digital and Analogue
Sky picnic
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top