DS Forums

 
 

If you were buying today would you still buy a Samsung Freesat+ HD PVR SMT-S7800?


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 14-10-2011, 15:25
RipleyXL9
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 111

Hi all users,
I understand there were initial problems, I believe many were resolved in the 23rd June update. So my question is would you still buy this PVR right now [i.e. if all the current fixes were applied] and if your fundamental requirements were only :-

Paramount Importance:
1. A Really Top Quality HD Picture
2. A very good /excellent picture in SD
[compared with the other market leading PVR's].
3. Ability to scan for, add, view and record other FTA channels preferably inconjuction with Freesat channels.
4. Ability to instantly & timer record an HD program and view another HD program at the same time.
5. Clear EPG graphics and easy to use EPG.
6. Reliable / dependable machine to do the basics.
7. Reliable Shift Time Viewing of current and recorded programs
8. Ability to record a program weekly [can live without the Series function] and dependably.
9.Good Build quality e.g. not excessively noisy fan, nice well made 'presentable' casing.
9. Relatively easy update procedure.
10 Ability to control diseqCswitches [2 x 2 way, no motor, no cascading switches].

Nice to have:-
1. Easy way to archive recorded programs say via USB hard drive
2. Smart card readers e.g CI+ , support for HD+ etc other potential futures.
3. iPhone 4 App to remotely control timed recordings.

Not Important Functions:-
iPlayer
Streaming Videos
Browsing the Web / other internet functions
Playing back pictures and other media.
Remote access viewing

I'd appreciate any comments from existing users, especially as Samsung were unable to tell me if it controls DiseqC switches.

Finally this is my first Satellite system, so please be basic.

Re the user interface I do have a problem that my mother [93 years] has just told me her Freeview set top box has died. So it would be nice to get her one as well; so when the inevitable questions come if we have the same box , manual to hand, I could help her remotely [saves a 3 hour round trip].
So in this regard is it a pretty simple affair to record and watch programs?
RipleyXL9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 14-10-2011, 21:57
garbageguy
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Thornton NW UK
Posts: 239
TECHNIKA STBHDIS2010 FREEVIEW HD SET TOP BOX £19.95 + 12M TESCO WARRANTY

On their ebay site gotta be a bargain for your mum if you dont want to spend to much

( link to discussion here :
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/tech...rranty-1035664)

I'm interested in your post as Im looking to get the Samsung also
garbageguy is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 15-10-2011, 03:45
spaemanc
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28
Paramount Importance:
10 Ability to control diseqCswitches [2 x 2 way, no motor, no cascading switches].

Nice to have:-
3. iPhone 4 App to remotely control timed recordings.

Not Important Functions:-
Browsing the Web / other internet functions
Those are the bad points (I'm not 100% sure if theres diseqC controls hidden away somewhere) - for all your other points its about the best there is imo.

I bought a Humax a few weeks ago but I wasn't very happy with it, and sold it on for a Samsung. I've not regretted it so far.
spaemanc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-10-2011, 09:38
Howard
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Nr. Rugby
Posts: 322
I bought a Humax a few weeks ago but I wasn't very happy with it, and sold it on for a Samsung. I've not regretted it so far.[/quote]

Hi has this got the same features as the Humax ie series are automatic put into folders and search facility for programmes and archiving onto an external hard drive?

TA
Howard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-10-2011, 14:10
RipleyXL9
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 111
TECHNIKA STBHDIS2010 FREEVIEW HD SET TOP BOX £19.95 + 12M TESCO WARRANTY

On their ebay site gotta be a bargain for your mum if you dont want to spend to much

( link to discussion here :
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/tech...rranty-1035664)

I'm interested in your post as Im looking to get the Samsung also
Thanks for the idea for mum; but her Aerial is so old and cable is 20+ years old all needs replacing. As it's a big house not worth doing for FreeView - as it will need lots of shortcuts through the house if we use the chimney aerial - circa 100m runs etc.
RipleyXL9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-10-2011, 14:13
RipleyXL9
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 111
Those are the bad points (I'm not 100% sure if theres diseqC controls hidden away somewhere) - for all your other points its about the best there is imo.

I bought a Humax a few weeks ago but I wasn't very happy with it, and sold it on for a Samsung. I've not regretted it so far.
Thanks spaemanc,
Thats the kind of reference that counts ie,real experience of both units
RipleyXL9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-10-2011, 20:16
spaemanc
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28
Thanks spaemanc,
Thats the kind of reference that counts ie,real experience of both units
No problem.

As it happens, the Samsung is probably going to be sold on quite soon too. There nothing wrong with it, and I'm still confident that overall its the best FreeSat HD+ box you can buy - but I've seen the light and started experimenting and building a satellite enabled MythTV type setup.

If you want amazing capabilities and control, a PC based system is what you want.
spaemanc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-10-2011, 22:06
RipleyXL9
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 111
No problem.

As it happens, the Samsung is probably going to be sold on quite soon too. There nothing wrong with it, and I'm still confident that overall its the best FreeSat HD+ box you can buy - but I've seen the light and started experimenting and building a satellite enabled MythTV type setup.

If you want amazing capabilities and control, a PC based system is what you want.
Interesting idea but not really got the time, nor the brains, to get into that level of involvement. But having seen the rubbish currently on offer I se why you want to do it.
PS how did you feel the Picture Quality was on the Samsung at 1080/24p?
RipleyXL9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-10-2011, 22:17
lbear
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London SE8
Posts: 1,769
Thanks for the idea for mum; but her Aerial is so old and cable is 20+ years old all needs replacing. As it's a big house not worth doing for FreeView - as it will need lots of shortcuts through the house if we use the chimney aerial - circa 100m runs etc.
If it is just the box, the Technika STBHDIS2010 would be a direct replacement and may even have a more sensitive tuner than her old one. No need to change the aerial or wire at all. The alternative you seem to be looking at is some form of satellite system that will cost an amount to install anyway and certainly will involve new runs of cable.

I would also suggest that as she has operating problems. the last thing she needs is to try to remember a new sequence of channel numbers.
lbear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-10-2011, 18:29
RipleyXL9
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 111
If it is just the box, the Technika STBHDIS2010 would be a direct replacement and may even have a more sensitive tuner than her old one. No need to change the aerial or wire at all. The alternative you seem to be looking at is some form of satellite system that will cost an amount to install anyway and certainly will involve new runs of cable.

I would also suggest that as she has operating problems. the last thing she needs is to try to remember a new sequence of channel numbers.
Totally see your point, but as she is still all there, i.e. was driving until last year when her knee gave her problems. I thought get her updated and redo the cabling etc. So then her new TV [Full HD in lounge] would really shine as well.
RipleyXL9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2011, 16:46
garbageguy
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Thornton NW UK
Posts: 239
The box IS Freeview HD and only £19, thats why I mentioned it.

If Her new HD tv is working ok on the old aerial lead, the box will to.

But if she will want to record progs, guess the Samsung will keep her happy.

Think I will deffo get the Samsung as several people say its better than the Humax. Then I may even try the twin LNB setup to pick up more sats.
garbageguy is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 21-10-2011, 01:50
RipleyXL9
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 111
The box IS Freeview HD and only £19, thats why I mentioned it.

If Her new HD tv is working ok on the old aerial lead, the box will to.

But if she will want to record progs, guess the Samsung will keep her happy.

Think I will deffo get the Samsung as several people say its better than the Humax. Then I may even try the twin LNB setup to pick up more sats.
Thanks for the thought, how can you run more than one satellite off the Samsung? I don't think it has diseqc support, so how do you tell it to look at one or the other LNB?
RipleyXL9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-10-2011, 10:03
ClashcityRocker
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 85
No problems here, I have been Sky-free for 6 weeks and overjoyed with my Samsung purchase. I compared it to the Humax and it was way better.

There are a couple of niggles to iron out still, and then it's a perfect replacement for Sky, until then, it's a very good replacement...
ClashcityRocker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-10-2011, 13:47
RipleyXL9
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 111
Thanks for all the posts - gives me a good idea of the Samsung. Hopefully my board upgrade will suffice but seems a pretty good option if that does not work well for me.
RipleyXL9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-10-2011, 08:17
bampsam
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NORTHANTS
Posts: 992
The Samsung is the most reliable PVR I have ever owned.In the past I have had similar from Humax Sagem Bush and Sky,and none come close to the SMT-S7800 in terms of reliability.It has never missed a recording,or crashed.The picture quality is second to none.Great purchase!
bampsam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-10-2011, 08:39
Automan
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: South Coast, UK
Posts: 4,952
I still have both the Humax and the Samsung hooked up under the TV.

I use the Samsung nearly all the time and just use the Humax to record things I want to save via the ftp function which of course the Samsung cannot do.

Samsung remote is better to use in design and IR range but neither product is perfect.

Samsung tuners I think are not as sensitive as Humax so good dish alignment is a must.

Either product overall will offer good results.

Automan.
Automan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-10-2011, 10:51
Langtonone
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13
The Samsung is the most reliable PVR I have ever owned.In the past I have had similar from Humax Sagem Bush and Sky,and none come close to the SMT-S7800 in terms of reliability.It has never missed a recording,or crashed.The picture quality is second to none.Great purchase!
Well, perhaps I have been unlucky but my first Samsung suffered from the non-TV programmable remote - Samsung to their credit, replaced it within a week.
Then the front panel display failed completely - no booting message, or channel information available, just a blue LED! Not very informative.

Amazon's brilliant return system came to the rescue and now that they are offering the SMT for sale again, I have a new one which - touch wood, is working fine. I am pleased with SMT number 2 hope it stays working this time.
Langtonone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2011, 16:42
gahu1966
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6
Sky free now for 3 weeks and I am very happy with my Samsung.

A few niggles but nothing serious, I just wish the freesat programme choice was better but that's nothing to do with Samsung
gahu1966 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31-10-2011, 10:22
garbageguy
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Thornton NW UK
Posts: 239
I decided to jump to Sky for 12 months, will see how this Youview / G2 comes out in early 2012, then when its settled, and I have my dish and quad lnb all set up from sky I can maybe switch back
garbageguy is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 08:58.