The stylish yet simple fascia of the Force 1122s right from the start asks to be put in between expensive hi-fi set by Bang&Olufsen. This is not just accidental resemblance. The Force receiver is in fact available in a special version specifically designed to be part of a Bang&Olufsen set compatible with BEO4 remote control.


Opening the flap panel fascia reveals two embedded card readers to the left of the receiver, four digit led display with IR control and three basic operation buttons in the middle and two CI slots to the right. Aesthetics fade at this point as the opened 1122s looks naked and unfinished. The electronics behind the LED display are clearly visible behind a smoked plexi window. Three buttons except their normal channel switching and power up functions can be also used to put the receiver in special modes - such us channel list update via serial port.

At the rear of the box we have three SCRT sockets - monitor, two way VCR and external AUX, two F-type sockets with one of them being a loop through, standard two RF loop bayonets and c-inch audio output. Finally, last but not least, is the massive 25 pin parallel port for external connectivity. One could ask how come Force didn't implement digital audio output for the box designed to be part of one of the most expensive HiFi sets in the world - and the answer is - we don't know - but surely 1122s is begging for optical output.

The box is light, it feels solid and even if you don't like 1970's Volvo dashboard designs we can assure you - Force will look nothing but smart on the shelf next to your TV set - no doubt about it.

The remote at first looks longer than anything you have ever had on your living room table before. Grey, slim, with well positioned controller buttons offers quick access to most of the extra functions without stretching your fingers too much plus, what's more important, you can assign functions to the four extra coloured buttons in the main operating area. Buttons are soft and responsive, but at the end of the second week we've noticed they do have tendency to become a bit "sticky" and refuse to pop back from time to time.