freesatadvice.co.uk » Goodmans http://freesatadvice.co.uk Independent news, information and advice on the freesat satellite service from the BBC & ITV. As we are not connected to freesat all out information is impartial and unbiased Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:40:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 New Freesat PVR’s from Goodmans and Sagem http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2009/07/new-freesat-pvrs-from-goodmans-and-sagem/ http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2009/07/new-freesat-pvrs-from-goodmans-and-sagem/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:02:38 +0000 admin http://freesatadvice.co.uk/?p=2028 Goodmans and Sagem have both announced  freesat high definition digital TV recorders  which will be available for Autumn this year, this will provide competition to Humax with their outstanding Humax PVR.

Goodmans have announced two PVR’s:

The Goodmans GFSDTR320HD is a 320GB hard drive PVR with twin freesat HD tuners which Argos have at £299.99 (hopefully this price will fall soon after launch) due for release in August 2009.

Goodmans_GFSDTR500HDThe Goodmans GFSDTR500HD is a 500GB hard drive PVR with twin freesat HD tuners which Argos have at £349.99 (hopefully this price will fall soon after launch) due for release in August 2009.

Sagem have also announced two PVR’s:

The Sagem DTR94250S is a 250GB hard drive PVR with twin freesat HD tuners which Argos have at £249.99 (hopefully this price will fall soon after launch) due for release in September 2009.

 Sagem DTR94500SThe Sagem DTR94500S which has a 500GB hard drive PVR with twin freesat HD tuners which Argos have at £299.99 (hopefully this price will fall soon after launch) due for release in September 2009

All four PVR’s comply to the normal freesat standards with the following specifications:

  • Pause live TV.
  • Twin tuner.
  • Record 1 channel/watch another.
  • Can record 2 channels at the same time.
  • Series record.
  • Digitally interactive.
  • Digital text.
  • Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) subtitles available.
  • Upscales standard definition content to HD.
  • Auto setup.
  • User controlled auto detection of new channels.
  • User controlled auto scan for new channels.
  • 8 day EPG )electronic programme guide).
  • 2 SCART sockets.
  • Upscales to 1080i.
  • Remote control (batteries included).
  • Freesat approved
]]> http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2009/07/new-freesat-pvrs-from-goodmans-and-sagem/feed/ 0 Shortage of freesat SD Digital Set Top Boxes http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2009/04/shortage-of-freesat-sd-digital-set-top-boxes/ http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2009/04/shortage-of-freesat-sd-digital-set-top-boxes/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:44:32 +0000 admin http://freesatadvice.co.uk/?p=1469 There is currently a shortage of freesat SD (Standard Definition) set top boxes at the moment, the only manufacture of SD boxes is by Harvard International plc (formerly the Alba Group plc) who badge the set top boxes as Goodmans, Bush and Grundig. There is no shortage of HD (High Definition) set top boxes or PVR’s

The lack of supply is causing difficulties for consumers and retailers as although 75% of demand has been for High Definition equipment there is still a significant demand for Standard Definition set top boxes especially in areas where Freeview is currently not an option or there main TV is not HD ready or they are not interested  in High definition and where Digital Switchover is taking place also a lot of consumers are quite sensibly using an SD box on 2nd or 3rd TV’s in the household.

Freesat commented today:

“Demand for Freesat SD boxes manufactured by Harvard International plc (formerly the Alba Group plc) is incredibly high,” Freesat said in a statement. “Freesat continues to work with retailers and Harvard International to ensure additional stock is made available to meet the continued high demand for Freesat products.”

Freesat are hopeful the shortage will be resolved shortly, lets hope so as not everyone wants or needs High Definition.

The three Standard Definition set top boxes manufactured by Harvard International plc are:

]]> http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2009/04/shortage-of-freesat-sd-digital-set-top-boxes/feed/ 0 Goodmans freesat Set Top Boxes prices begin to drop http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2008/06/goodmans-freesat-set-top-boxes-prices-begin-to-drop/ http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2008/06/goodmans-freesat-set-top-boxes-prices-begin-to-drop/#comments Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:52:57 +0000 admin http://blog.freesatadvice.co.uk/?p=220 As the market settles after the initial launch of freesat the prices of freesat set top boxes begins to fall.

The HD High Definition Goodmans GFSAT200HD originally priced at £149.99 at launch is now £119.99 at Currys and Dixons.

The SD Standard Definition Goodmans GFSAT100SD originally priced at £69.99 at launch is now £40.54 at Dixons only.

Latest prices always on the right sidebar.

NB: We do not expect the premium Humax FOXSAT01HD High Definition Set Top Box to fall in price soon though.

]]> http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2008/06/goodmans-freesat-set-top-boxes-prices-begin-to-drop/feed/ 0 Alba Set Top Boxes: Grundig, Bush and Goodmans set top boxes will be given access for a manual tune function by end of June http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2008/06/alba-set-top-boxes-grundig-bush-and-goodmans-set-top-boxes-will-be-given-access-for-a-manual-tune-function-by-end-of-june/ http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2008/06/alba-set-top-boxes-grundig-bush-and-goodmans-set-top-boxes-will-be-given-access-for-a-manual-tune-function-by-end-of-june/#comments Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:44:56 +0000 admin http://blog.freesatadvice.co.uk/?p=211 As first reported on the 2nd June, Alba who manufacture Grundig, Bush and Goodmans set top boxes have today admitted they are planning to implement a software update for their set top boxes to allow a manual tune to give access to all free to air channels available on the Astra satellites by the end of June, this will be a welcome boost, be aware those these channels will be separate and not on the freesat EPG. The update will be over the air direct from the satellite. NB: This feature has been availabe since launch on the Humax FOXSAT01HD set top box

]]> http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2008/06/alba-set-top-boxes-grundig-bush-and-goodmans-set-top-boxes-will-be-given-access-for-a-manual-tune-function-by-end-of-june/feed/ 0 Grundig, Bush and Goodmans Set Top Boxes Manual Tune? http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2008/06/grundig-bush-and-goodmans-set-top-boxes-manual-tune/ http://freesatadvice.co.uk/2008/06/grundig-bush-and-goodmans-set-top-boxes-manual-tune/#comments Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:24:49 +0000 admin http://blog.freesatadvice.co.uk/?p=195 Digital Spy is reporting that freesat Set Top Boxes manufactured by the Alba group including Grundig, Bush and Goodmans receivers might release a hidden menu to allow a manual tune of all free to air channels, this would dramatically increase the number of available channels however this might have implications for the freesat EPG though as it will not recognise channels tuned manually this way. This manual tune feature has been included in the Humax FOXSATHD01 since it was launched.
Read the full article on Digital Spy.

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