[17:36 UTC]
[Sat, 04 May 2024]
[ Forum Stats ]
8 forums
368 topics
1910 posts
2103 registered users
[ Usenet stats ]
361778 posts
18564 topics
1 guest
1 member
reading forum right now..
Register Now!
|
|
|
Hardware Reviews
|
| |
Search user reviews by:
Receivers listed by name
User reviews -> L -> (Lemon_Volksbox_Alpha_VFD)
| Lemon Volksbox Alpha VFD |
 |
|
|
| Opinion No. 1 |
By DVB Fan from Tuzla [ ] |
|
| Pros: |
Pros: Digital, analogue and ADR in one neat, user friendly receiver, easy to set-up, stable and realiable, digital teletext, EPG |
| Cons: |
Cons: hmm.....almost nothing! |
Points:
Perform : 9
Features: 6
Value/dosh: 3
Overall: 6 pts |
A quick glance at its front panel will tell you it`s a sturdily built receiver housed in a smart black casing. Three buttons on its fascia control channel changing and stand-by power, while a green vacuum fluorescent display (VFD)indicates channel number and channel name.
No card slot is supplied because the Volksbox is strictly a free-to-air receiver and is unable to unscramble pay-TV channels. But there`s nothing to stop viewers adding external decoders for watching D2 Mac and Videocrypt channels (unfortunately now non-important because too much channels are gone analogue system). This receiver has three Scart sockets: one for a TV, another for a VCR, and a third for a analogue decoders.
On the rear is an RS 232 serial port for attaching a PC (for software downloads from internet), plus a single LNB input (with extended IF tuning from 920-2150 MHz) and two more F-connectors.
Enthusiasts will be pleased to see that there are three pairs of stereo audio outputs- one for linking to TV, another for hi-fi and a third for a high-end system.I can also link up the system to a Digital Audio Tape Recorder (DAT) via its optical inputs or, if my DAT has co-ax inputs, via the receiver`s digital co-ax output instead. Includes 6x audio phonos.
Once the system is hooked up setting it up to receive channels is surprisingly easy because the Volksbox comes pre-programmed with digital, analogue and ADR frequencies from 32 satellite positions.
>From the Satellite Installation onscreen menu you select a satellite to watch, swing your dish round to the correct position, and the station appear in the great Channel List. These include digital, ADR and analogue stations in satellite order (although the numbering can be changed later. Digital channels using either MCPC or SCPC formats are supported by the Volksbox`s 2000-30000 symbol rate range. Else, I can also watch all usually problematic SCPC channels for DVB reception, like POP TV, Olay TV and CNBC-E from 10°E (Eutelsat W1). I created also list s of my favourite channels; I can sort channels with sequences: exchange channel, shift channel, delete channel, shift channel block, copy channel), I can see QPSK Status, Service Informations and Signal Noice Rate (SNR).
The advantage with pre-set channel installation process, howerver, is not merely its simplicity, but that there`s no long delay while the receiver searches for channels. The Volksbox can deliver the Astra channels in a matter of seconds, for instance, and any it misses (due to new channel launches) can be added by manual search. To install new digital channels I need only enter the transponder`s frequency, polarity and SR into the menu and the receiver finds Forward Error Correction (FEC) figure and Packet Identifiers (PIDs) of channels available. PIDs (Video, audio, PCR) can also be manually entered.
Except manual search option for new channels Volksbox`s options includes automatic channel search option (you need enter two or only one SRs, and then you can start ATS. For example, for Hotbird SRs 27500 and 29900 I need about 45 minutes to check what`s new, and then new free-to-air channels and momentary unscrambled pay-TV channels will be added on the Channel List.
Swithing DVB and analogue channels are too quickly, it takes about 0.8 sec.to change channels into List. That`s without any problems, but....when I choosed italian DVB channels Magic, Countdown, Sardegna Uno and Napoli International I lossed picture for a couple of seconds receiving (only on these channels!!!). Maybe that`s because that they are non-DVB standard channels still...who know...:-(
With a EPG function you can still page up some programme details, such as title, start and finish times, next programme info, something about emissions... (if station have it, by a dab of the remote handset`s "Help" key.
Unlike other integrated analogue/digital receivers, the Volksbox`s analogue installation process is handled by the same menu as is used for the digital channels. But when you select an analogue frequency, the menu ask you to select a channel name, a channel category (plento of types, as general, movies/series, music, sport, news, children, entertainment, international, business, culture, regional, info, shopping, documentries, events are given), various audio settings (50 *us, 75 us (*I can`t right sign that with a my keyboard)and J17 de-emphasis and either 130, 180, 280 or 380 MHz bandwidth), plus decoder mode. The latter includes "FBAS clamped" for using either a Premiere or Videocrypt decoder, and base-band for D2 Mac decoders.
Although the Volksbox does not integrated positioner for controlling a dish it can, nonetheless, be used as part of a multi-satellite setup. A wide range of LNBs may be accommodated, including C-Band units (with an inverted video facility). Local oscillator frequencies can be manually inserted to suit your LNB. The system also has DiSEqC 1.0 switching, enabling it to control up to eight LNBs from one dish.
Pressing the remote control`s "Radio" key puts the receiver into audio mode and brings onscreen a list of audio channels in analogue, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1.5 (ADR)format. The frequency, polarity, bandwidth and audio carrier for each can be altered as you choose. When ADR channels are selected, a panel of helpful text appears onscreen with the station`s name, audio format (stereo or mono) and tuning details. The CD-quality sound really is quite astonishing and is difficult to differentiate from the similarly high-quality MPEG-2 broadcasts. Switching out of ADR mode into another format, or vice versa, takes about a second and causes no slowing of the menu, something which has marred several other analogue/digital systems.
Again, in terms of performance, this system delivers well. The analogue pictures are clear and well-coloured, and the sound is sharp and perfectly balanced. Similarly, MPEG-2 pictures and sounds are up to the high standards we expect.
It`s certainly an impressive system and although it is restricted to free-to-air channels (and therefore won`t receive Sky`s digital servise for example) and also lacks analogue decoders, a UHF loopthrough (but there are Scart sockets!) and positioner, its ease-of-use and audio functions make it a tempting. Also fact that is includes DVB, analogue and ADR in one neat, user-friendly package.
REVIEW UPDATE AFTER A FEW MONTHS:
In the meantime there was a some changes to better... That mean: problems with a italian channels reception on cro/slo packages from Hotbird satellites are the past (without any software changes!!!). Fortunately, it wasn`t receiver/software bug, and possibly after some THEIR technical interventions, or because of the beggining transmissions at the fully DVB standard on these TV stations, now everything is very, very good, almost perfect.... Great!
P.S. Thanks again to the editorship of this great web site (especially for Mr. "MRK") for their choice of the reviews winners! :) Cambridge Platinum Universal LNB is really great, especially for a multi-satellite reception, also for all of the SCPC channels on the accesible satellites at my area with my dish size (120 cm). Because that I am too satisfied and also trying to find there to buy the same LNB for a my another dish!
Best regards,
Edin
|
 |
DVB Fan paid (approx.) €565 for the receiver |
|
| | |
|
| |
|
[User Hardware]
Tell us about your receiver.
Help others make a right choice!
Submit short
User Review.
We'll make new database for 2012
|
|
|
