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?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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...

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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