Comag DVB-T receiver report - Lidl 59.99

[Roger]

Bought a Comag DTT receiver model DVB-T in Lidl on Monday.

In Short:
It was far too insensitive / faulty and I took it back for a refund.

In detail:
The box doesn't appear to have a model number other than DVB-T.
Brief spec:
The box does have EPG.
Connectivity: (on rear)
Two scarts, (only selectable options: RGB /Composite)
5 pin din S-Video
Optical digital o/p
Phono socket co-axial digital o/p
Phono trio: Composite video, left & right audio.
RS232 9 pin connector (for upgrade via PC - over air also possible)
Aerial loop through. (No modulator)
Power on/off switch
Power lead cannot be detached.
No conditional access slot- (didn't open box)

I connected it up in place of a Philips DTR 1500 that was working perfectly
satisfactorily.

Scanning for channels:
After auto scanning, there were only a few stations displayed.

Manually scanning each mux produced something from each, but in the final
analysis there were only 28 stations shown out of a possible 58 or so.
Indicated signal strength across the muxes varied from 20 to 28%

I live in an area of good signal strength and these indications compare
unfavourably with my Philips DTR 1500, typically 75% signal strength;
Nokia 9850T- signal strength 100%; Pace 735 -signal strength 80%. All of
which receive all available channels without difficulty. I concluded that
either I had a duff box or the receiver was so insensitive that it was only
useable in areas of exceptionally high signal strength.

Baffling terminology:
For non technical viewers the set up screen is very confusing, making
reference to 'Transponders' and asking which 'mux' (from a list in another
pane) the receiver is to scan. By 'Transponder' they mean frequency in
MHz and by 'mux' they mean the transmitter channel allocation but presented
in a rather unusual way.

The 'muxes' are shown as transmitter channel allocations plus frequency.
e.g. a transmitter having digital channels of 23, 28, 30, 32, the 'muxes'
would be 23 490000, 28 530000, 30 546000, and 32 562000, - selected from a
complete set from 10-60. Baffling for non technical users!

There is also the option of selecting guard band (1/4,1/8, 1/32 or
whatever) and mode (2K or 8K) and 'FTA only' or 'all'.

Other observations:
There was 'something odd' about the presentation of the station list.
The list could be sorted by various options, but the 'normal' listing:
Ch 1=BBC 1, ch 2=BBC 2, ch 10=BBC 4, ch 40=BBC news 24.
didn't appear to be one of the options.

Previously I bought a Comag SL55 digital satellite receiver from Lidl and
I'm pleased with the results. I had hoped this receiver -which IMO is
quite pricey- would be as satisfactory, offering the advantage of 7 day
EPG. I also liked the good connectivity but for me lack of S-video on
either scart is a significant drawback.

It was disappointing to take the box back but 60 pounds is a lot for a
dodgy box to keep as novelty value. At the store there was no problem
getting a refund, the drawback being they don't refund there and then but
take name and address for refund by cheque in the post.

ISTM there is a question of how much signal strength should be sufficient
for a box to work properly. AFAIK know manufacturers do not provide such a
bench mark, but perhaps someone can advise.

I would be interested to hear experience of anyone else who bought one.

Roger

[Dave]

I bought one last week too.

I agree with your comments. The interface is amazingly techie focused
it will blow the average user's mind. I bought it for a second TV , I
have a Sagem box on the main TV so I can swop to compare. The Sagem
shows 70 to 90% signal strength whereas the Comag 20 to 30%, however
the signal quality still shows 70 to 80% and it picks up most
channels. The aerial socket appears to have the option of a 5V output
been sent to it. For a mast head amp??? Maybe that accounts for the
insensitivity.

The only set of channels I cannot receive are the Multiplex D list
TMF, The Hits etc. I am 23 miles from the transmitter and they are
shown as only transmitting at 1k1W, It picks up Multiplex C at 1k5W
OK. The Sagem has no problems it picks up all stations.

The biggest problem is that teletext does not work. The EPG is OK.


I am a little disappointed with the box, although for what I want from
it on a second TV its fine, although I think someone at Lidl might be
writing out alot of refund cheques. soon

I do not think this box has ever been tested it the UK. I spent the
first ten minutes navigating the menus in German.

Dave


On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 14:21:50 -0000, "Roger"

Post by Roger
Bought a Comag DTT receiver model DVB-T in Lidl on Monday.
It was far too insensitive / faulty and I took it back for a refund.
The box doesn't appear to have a model number other than DVB-T.
The box does have EPG.
Connectivity: (on rear)
Two scarts, (only selectable options: RGB /Composite)
5 pin din S-Video
Optical digital o/p
Phono socket co-axial digital o/p
Phono trio: Composite video, left & right audio.
RS232 9 pin connector (for upgrade via PC - over air also possible)
Aerial loop through. (No modulator)
Power on/off switch
Power lead cannot be detached.
No conditional access slot- (didn't open box)
I connected it up in place of a Philips DTR 1500 that was working perfectly
satisfactorily.
After auto scanning, there were only a few stations displayed.
Manually scanning each mux produced something from each, but in the final
analysis there were only 28 stations shown out of a possible 58 or so.
Indicated signal strength across the muxes varied from 20 to 28%
I live in an area of good signal strength and these indications compare
unfavourably with my Philips DTR 1500, typically 75% signal strength;
Nokia 9850T- signal strength 100%; Pace 735 -signal strength 80%. All of
which receive all available channels without difficulty. I concluded that
either I had a duff box or the receiver was so insensitive that it was only
useable in areas of exceptionally high signal strength.
For non technical viewers the set up screen is very confusing, making
reference to 'Transponders' and asking which 'mux' (from a list in another
pane) the receiver is to scan. By 'Transponder' they mean frequency in
MHz and by 'mux' they mean the transmitter channel allocation but presented
in a rather unusual way.
The 'muxes' are shown as transmitter channel allocations plus frequency.
e.g. a transmitter having digital channels of 23, 28, 30, 32, the 'muxes'
would be 23 490000, 28 530000, 30 546000, and 32 562000, - selected from a
complete set from 10-60. Baffling for non technical users!
There is also the option of selecting guard band (1/4,1/8, 1/32 or
whatever) and mode (2K or 8K) and 'FTA only' or 'all'.
There was 'something odd' about the presentation of the station list.
Ch 1=BBC 1, ch 2=BBC 2, ch 10=BBC 4, ch 40=BBC news 24.
didn't appear to be one of the options.
Previously I bought a Comag SL55 digital satellite receiver from Lidl and
I'm pleased with the results. I had hoped this receiver -which IMO is
quite pricey- would be as satisfactory, offering the advantage of 7 day
EPG. I also liked the good connectivity but for me lack of S-video on
either scart is a significant drawback.
It was disappointing to take the box back but 60 pounds is a lot for a
dodgy box to keep as novelty value. At the store there was no problem
getting a refund, the drawback being they don't refund there and then but
take name and address for refund by cheque in the post.
ISTM there is a question of how much signal strength should be sufficient
for a box to work properly. AFAIK know manufacturers do not provide such a
bench mark, but perhaps someone can advise.
I would be interested to hear experience of anyone else who bought one.
Roger

[David]

Post by Dave
I bought one last week too.

I can't understand you paying so much for a Freeview box especially for a
2nd. set.

One seems to be able to boxes from £39 in big stores.

They are allmost as cheap as DVD players.

[Roger]

Post by Dave
I bought one last week too.
I agree with your comments. [snip] The Sagem
shows 70 to 90% signal strength whereas the Comag 20 to 30%,

Thanks for your confirmation.
Signal strength percentages are only a guide, but what is indicated as a
strong signal on other boxes appears to shows up as only a weak signal on
the Comag meaning its relativly insensitive. Pity, it appears a versitile
box for a techno phobe (like me?).

Post by Dave
however the signal quality still shows 70 to 80%

AIUI the signal quality is showing the error rate. With digital its all
or nothing, so if you get a station the quality will show a high value,
around 70-80 % even though the signal may drop out in adverse conditions-
bad weather etc.

Post by Dave
The aerial socket appears to have the option of a 5V output
been sent to it. For a mast head amp??? Maybe that accounts for the
insensitivity.

Yes I forgot to mention the 5 Volt DC option, IMO that's really unsual.
As you say it's probably for a masthead amp, but I wouldn't have thought it
should have an adverse effect on sensitivity as aerial connections are
usually DC isolated. IIRC the default is 'off', which I used.

Post by Dave
The biggest problem is that teletext does not work.

Interesting, I never got round to trying that.

I would be intriged to know the return rate on these Comag boxes, but I
suspect its not high because if users don't get all the stations they could
they may not realise. I wonder how many get no stations at all!

Also its quite difficult for a non technical person to feel confident about
returning it on the strength of 'it works, but could work better'.

Roger

[Roger]

For anyone interested I've posted a couple of shots showing the
connectivity options on the rear of the Comag DVB-T box here:

http://freespace.virgin.net/enigma.1666/index.htm


May include some set up screen shots later...if I get round to it...

Roger

[Andy]

Post by Roger
For anyone interested I've posted a couple of shots showing the
http://freespace.virgin.net/enigma.1666/index.htm
May include some set up screen shots later...if I get round to it...
Roger

Having Sky myself, I have never bothered with the whole Freeview thing (but
will get round to it when the boxes come down in price for the rest of the
bedrooms) but I didnt realise that Freeview boxes come with Digital Audio
outputs. I especially like the addition of the S/PDIF on the Comag there!
I wish Sky boxes would come with digital audio outputs. Upstairs I have the
a standard Sky box connected to my Pro-Logic telly via Scart which works
very well, but in the living room I have a Dolby-Digital telly, which really
is NOWHERE as good as the whole 5 speaker deal. After recently buying a 5.1
system for the computer I thought it might be nice to get another (only £30)
for downstairs, but the stupid Sky box only has audio outputs for left and
right.

I believe Sky Plus has digital out but theres no way Im paying £200 for a
box, plus their installation charge when I already have a quad LNB and two
reels of CT100.

Just a wee thought.

Andrew

[David]

"Andy" <***@NOSPAMandybhoy.force9.co.uk> wrote in message
news:41a108cf$0$33625

Upstairs I have the

Post by Andy
a standard Sky box connected to my Pro-Logic telly via Scart which works
very well, but in the living room I have a Dolby-Digital telly, which really
is NOWHERE as good as the whole 5 speaker deal. After recently buying a 5.1
system for the computer I thought it might be nice to get another (only £30)
for downstairs,

I find that SOME Freeview boxes have digital audio output, but this just
gives L and R when my digital A/V amp used. Have to set A/V amp to prologic
to get all speakers working.

[Roger]

Post by David
I find that SOME Freeview boxes have digital audio output, but this just
gives L and R when my digital A/V amp used. Have to set A/V amp to
prologic to get all speakers working.

AIUI on terrestrial Freeview no dolby 5.1 is broadcast at all.
So you will only get stereo -left and right out.
However the optical digital connection may solve any level/hum problems.

I can't say about satellite, do they have dolby 5.1 ?

Roger

[Andy]

Post by Roger

Post by David
I find that SOME Freeview boxes have digital audio output, but this just
gives L and R when my digital A/V amp used. Have to set A/V amp to
prologic to get all speakers working.

AIUI on terrestrial Freeview no dolby 5.1 is broadcast at all.
So you will only get stereo -left and right out.
However the optical digital connection may solve any level/hum problems.
I can't say about satellite, do they have dolby 5.1 ?

The Sky Plus box has the whole setup sound wise, however I wasnt thinking
properly. IIRC Dolby 5.1 is only broadcast on certain Sky Movie channels
and on Sky Box Office, so at this present time, the Optical out and things
on the Freeview boxes will probably be for future stuff :(

in awaiting-to-be-proved-wrong,
Andrew

[Alan Pemberton]

Post by David
I find that SOME Freeview boxes have digital audio output, but this just
gives L and R when my digital A/V amp used. Have to set A/V amp to prologic
to get all speakers working.

Yes, there's no 5.1 on terrestrial. I think that's fairly widely
understood.

[Andy]

Post by Alan Pemberton

Post by David
I find that SOME Freeview boxes have digital audio output, but this just
gives L and R when my digital A/V amp used. Have to set A/V amp to prologic
to get all speakers working.

Yes, there's no 5.1 on terrestrial. I think that's fairly widely
understood.

Thanks for clearing that up Alan, I'll stick with Sky then. I was actually
thinking of cancelling my Subby to Sky and geting re-installed under a
different name, cause there doing a Sky+ box for £99 for new customers at
the moment. VERY tempting.

Cheers,
Andy