Page 1 of Which Freeview Set Top Box?

My parents are finally getting rid of overpriced NTL cable, and I want to get them a Freeview box to replace it, are there any bargains out there, I have seen some cheap in Asda and Tescos but are they any good?
And what kind of aerial do you need to buy, they don`t currently have one.

Thanks

First of all, enter your post code HERE to see if you are able to receive FreeView. I would imagine that your local aerial specialist would automatically install the correct type of aerial for receiving the FreeView signals, seeing that the analogue system won`t be around for an awful lot longer.

As for the box, I`m no expert but I`ve got a Lodos-branded box which I bought off eBay for about £30. Its a re-branded Goodmans GDB3 in a Goodmans GDB2 shell, apparently. Reading reviews on the internet, most seem to think that its a pretty good, reliable box. I`ve certainly had no trouble with it and I`m using it in my bedroom with a set-top aerial I bought from Poundland!

Have a look here the Netgem is excellent and gets v.good write ups. There is a way to get another 10% off from BT - if you sign up as a new customer or something (?) - not sure. Their delivery was excellent got the box in a day or so - just plug in and away you go.

Spartacus

The postcode checker isn`t definitive - I have Freeview even though the checker said beforehand "definitely not" for my postcode. Its a good guide, but not definite - if it says no, ring a local aerial installer for advice.

Don`t know much about cheap boxes - my Thomson was 80 odd quid last year from Argos and has been fine.

http://www.electromancer.com/artists/flip_martian

If you can get either the Thomson DVT-1100 or Grundig GRP6000 (same box, different badge) do so - comes with a DVD player too ;)

I got one from Dixons for £30 - no manual, no box, no cables, nowt - just the hardware. Cracking bit of kit, has S-video and coaxial digital output for audio. Great DVD player too (a proper Grundig manufactured player from Llandudno, not a Dixons rebranded pile of poo).

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Clayts, Moderator, DVD Reviewer
UK webmaster for Area 450 the independent Sampo/Maxent DVD site

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Quote:
The postcode checker isn`t definitive - I have Freeview even though the checker said beforehand "definitely not" for my postcode. Its a good guide, but not definite - if it says no, ring a local aerial installer for advice.
Yeah, sorry forgot to mention that! They do seem to err on the side of caution. The site tells me that I may need an aerial upgrage blah blah blah yet my crappy set-top aerial receives the signal just fine.

Be aware that if you want to watch the Top up tv channels you will probably need an older Itv / On digital box as ( I think ) there are no new boxes with card readers available yet.

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Wayne

I got my Mother a Daewoo box from Tescos for about £59 and she has had no problems with it, and it was very easy to set up. As others have already said, the postcode guide it not definitive. When I entered my Mothers postcode it told me that a new aerial would probably be required and she may not get all channels. As it was she got all the channels with her current aerial (which hads been there since that early 70`s!).