freesatadvice.co.uk » Grundig

Shortage of freesat SD Digital Set Top Boxes

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:44:32 +0000

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 PVRâ€™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 interestedÂ 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 TVâ€™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 byÂ Harvard International plc are:

Alba release latest software update for Goodmans, Grundig and Bush freesat receivers

admin — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:59:09 +0000

Alba have today finally released the long awaited software update 1.4.33 for their set top boxes manufactured under the brand names of Goodmans, Grundig and Bush the update allows access to the free to air channels that are not currently on the propriety freesat EPG (Electronic Programme Guide). The update is OTA (Over The Air) and is currently available now your set top box should automatically download this latest update.

Although this is a welcome addition it appears you can not do an auto scan for the additional channels and instead have to enter the frequency, polarization and symbol rate for each channel you want to add. This is hardly consumer friendly we would have liked to have seen a auto tune capability similar to the Humax FOXSAT01HD.

A list of channels with frequency, polarization and symbol rate can be found here: digitalsat.co.uk (freesatadvice are not responsible for the content of external website’s)

Alba Set Top Boxes: Grundig, Bush and Goodmans set top boxes will be given access for a manual tune function by end of June

admin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:44:56 +0000

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

Grundig, Bush and Goodmans Set Top Boxes Manual Tune?

admin — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:24:49 +0000

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.