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I Have a Question - Volume 234 [Read only] - Dynamic Dave

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In this thread you may ask any question for which you need help, advice, suggestions or whatever.

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This is Volume 234. Previous Volumes will not be deleted,

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Edited by Webmaster on 01/06/2008 at 20:52

Use of asterisks to emphasise a word - L'escargot
Why do some Backroomers use *asterisks* to emphasise a word. Is it just a Back Room thing or generally an internet forum thing? I'm just curious because I've not seen it done anywhere else. There's bold, or italics, or underlining , or a combination of any or all of the aforementioned to choose from.
Use of asterisks to emphasise a word - Stuartli
Swear words?

See the paragraph with the cross head Swearing:

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=33...4

Edited by Stuartli on 16/05/2008 at 14:24

Use of asterisks to emphasise a word - billy25
I sometimes use *'s or "'s to emphasise words because i dont know how to trigger the bold/italic/underline function! - i thought it was something like >bold on< word >bold off< but as that has never worked for me, it's easier just to use "*"'s.

Billy
Use of asterisks to emphasise a word - Dynamic Dave
i dont know how to trigger the bold/italic/underline function!


Billy,

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=11...9
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=82...3

Use of asterisks to emphasise a word - billy25
Ahh! Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou , by jove i think i've got it!! ;-)

Billy
Use of asterisks to emphasise a word - FotheringtonThomas
Why do some Backroomers use *asterisks* to emphasise a word.


It's easy.
Use of asterisks to emphasise a word - adverse camber
Its a generic internet thing.

Before everything was BBCODE or html there was no fancy stuff. In fact there are strong arguments for plain text only in email etc (I know some ISPs that will not accept support emails that are not plain text). In these cases - and forums which limit to plain text then text smilies &c are common. use of brackets/gt/lt and other text characters is common for emphasis.
Use of asterisks to emphasise a word - Group B
Why do some Backroomers use *asterisks* to emphasise a word.


Because I never sussed out how to use bold or italics, I thought you were supposed to use these brackets [ ] instead of < > so it didnt work. I copied what some others were doing with asterisks instead, as its quick and easy.

Thanks to Dave's link I'll try it again now... Cool!
Use of asterisks to emphasise a word - L'escargot
Thanks to Dave's link I'll try it again now... Cool!

Try using combinations ~ that's really cool!
1970s/80s Travel Programme. - Pugugly
Introduced by Penny Junor (I think) and it had an independent traveller who was given a weekly task. Can't remember the name of the traveller or the programme ! and its bugging me. BBC 2 I think - any ideas. I have Googled.
1970s/80s Travel Programme. - mjm
PU

"Wish you were here" ?
1970s/80s Travel Programme. - PoloGirl
IMDB suggests it's The Travel Show?
1970s/80s Travel Programme. - Pugugly
I thought it was as well - anybody remember the name of the student that was given the tasks ?
1970s/80s Travel Programme. - daveyjp
Mrs Daveyjp wins the prize - 0.005 seconds to reveal the answer!

www.matthewcollins.co.uk/
1970s/80s Travel Programme. - Pugugly
Brilliant thanks - its bugged me for ages that one !
1970s/80s Travel Programme. - Round The Bend
Was n't this also presented by the great Fi Glover?
Removal of ceramic floor tiles. - Dwight Van Driver
The 'Boss' has decided to have total kitchen revamp. This will mean floor areas exposed that have not been tiled. At the moment have not traced similar colour 12 x 12 tiles that are down - all now seem to be 13 x 13. Probably mean those that are down will have to be lifted.

Is this a hard job to get back down to a smooth concrete floor?

Tips advice gratefully received.

Don't want to tile over tile.

dvd
Removal of ceramic floor tiles. - Nsar
Very hard to say to be honest. You might find it's a dream and the old ones lift up whole with little residue or....

If you're left with an uneven mess, then the answer is brute force of hammer and chisel to get the worst of it up or battered down and then get your tiler to put a self levelling screed down.
Removal of ceramic floor tiles. - FotheringtonThomas
Use a nice heavy SDS drill and a chisel bit. A reasonable impact energy is a must, 4J at least IME - you don't need to pay the earth, consider a cheapish one such as a Silverline 868772 for about £60.
If I change my mobile contract... - PoloGirl
I'm coming to the conclusion that I need to change my mobile contract. The way I use my phone has changed (I now use it for internet and to send a ridiculously high amount of texts) so my bill with O2 has rocketed. All they could do when I phoned to ask them if I was on the right contract for my usage was sell me a bolt on.

I've found a contract on Orange which, for £30 per month, will give me 750 anytime minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited weekend and evening web browsing. Taking all that into account, I can't see me ever spending anything other than the £30 per month if I took that contract.

My current contract with O2 is £25 a month, plus a £9 bolt on, and last month's bill was around £80 (I know..I know!) in all, mainly thanks to massively exceeding my 500 text message limit and web browsing limit.

The O2 contract runs to January 2009, because generally I upgrade my phone and take a new contract every 12-18 months. As I've been with them since they were BT Genie (about 10 years!) I've just emailed them to see what they can do towards matching the Orange deal. Assuming I get nowhere with that...

Can I cancel my O2 contract early, or am I stuck paying £25 a month til January? (Presumably I can cancel the bolt on).

Even if I can't cancel the O2 contract, clearly I'd still be better off paying the O2 and the Orange contract alongside eachother (£55) until January. But I don't want to change my number. How long would it take to get my number transferred to Orange? Would Orange take care of that or would there be something I needed to do?

Is there a site where you can put in your usage and see the cheapest contracts? I'm lucky that we seem to have fairly good coverage for all networks except 3 around here, so I'm not fussy.

Thank you in advance!



If I change my mobile contract... - AlastairW
When I tried to cancel my o2 contarct early the penalty charge was 3 months rental. As I only had two months to go I just let it run.
TBH it may be worth calling them on the 'I want to cancel my contract' option of the call centre iyswim, as they often come up with attractive reasons for you to stay. (this didn't work in my case as virginmobile were offering a v good deal to cable tv customers)
If I change my mobile contract... - BobbyG
PG, don't know if this will work for you since you are already tied into a contract with O2.

I was on the O2 sim only deal which was non-contract. When my monthly bill hit over £50, mostly due to texts, I phoned them and eentually got put through to the "thinking of leaving dept".

End result was I signed up to an 18 month contract, got a brand new phone and was put on the £35 per month contract but given £10 per month deduction.

So for that £25 a month I get (I think) 600 mins every month but unlimited texts. I think my highest bill since switching has been £28 (although it may be higher now that i have no home phone line due to fire).

As i say it might not work for you due to being on a contract but I would try anyway, tell them just now they are getting £80, if they don't help then they will only get your contact amount. Might be enough to try and persuade them a bit?

I think all companies now have separate "retention" depts, I more than halved my Virgin Media Bill by threatening to go to Sky,
If I change my mobile contract... - bathtub tom
How did we all manage before mobiles?
I've got a PAYG, I put ten quid on it before Christmas ;>)
If I change my mobile contract... - BobbyG
bt, but the rest of us have got friends !! :)

No doubt you are the old fashioned type that phone people at home,maybe meet up with them and actually talk face to face!!

The rest of us keep in contact with text and send texts in lieu of xmas cards! It just saves soooo much hassle !! :)
If I change my mobile contract... - Stuartli
>>I put ten quid on it before Christmas ;>)>>

I got a PAYG phone in August 2000, basically intended for emergencies or if people wished to contact me.

It included a £10 voucher and this eventually ran out about four years ago, so I got another £10 voucher.

Last year I had to top it up with a £5 voucher and there's still just over £4 left...:-)

On the other hand my TalkTalk International3 package at £20.50 a month includes "up to 8MB" broadband, line rental and free AnyTime UK and international calls (to 36 countries).


If I change my mobile contract... - Mapmaker
Bobby, I put £20 on mine at the end of November, and am getting close to having to top up again. When I first bought the phone (2000), I spent £5 to give me 5 text messages a day in perpetuity. Bet they regret that one now. If I send more than 5 texts in one day, I run out of friends...
If I change my mobile contract... - VR6
Ive been with O2 since the BT genie days. For the last 2 years I haven't upgraded my phone and as a resuly only pay £5/month for 400 texts and 200 mins - basically if you call them to cancel, they can move on price quite a lot. I find being freindly to them on the phone helps.
If I change my mobile contract... - Statistical outlier
PG, IIRC you are stuck paying the O2 contract until it runs out. If you want a PAC to move your number to another supplier then they will probably want you to pay the remainder of the line rental before they will release it.

Having said that, O2 were willing to offer me some loony deals to try and get me to stay when I moved off them about 18 months ago (£15 for 1000 anytime any network minutes and unlimited texts) but wouldn't move on data costs. Could be worth a try.

An upside is that the phone is yours as soon as you sign the contract; that means that it's yours to sell. Depending on what the phone is, it could be worth a substantial proportion of the remaining value of the contract, and you could sell it to cut your losses. eBay is good for this, but having a good feedback score helps enormously with prices on this sort of thing, so if you dont have a good score (100+) get a friend with a good score to sell it for you.
Thanks for adding Views data - Billy Whizz
Thanks to everyone at the BR for adding the Views data. As an often intensive reader/ poster this will provide useful info.
Views and replies counters - bathtub tom
Ah!
I suppose that's why the response time was slow, it was being set up.

I can't see what advantage it is.

Edit. Ive just re-read Billy Whizz above, and now his message makes sense.

Edited by bathtub tom on 19/05/2008 at 15:14

Rapitest DTM 118 Damp Test Meter - L'escargot
Have you tried/used a Rapitest DTM 118 Damp Test Meter, and what was your opinion of it? Would using it to test the brick wall of a car inspection pit give a meaningful reading, or is the reading likely to shoot off the scale anyway if the wall is in direct contact with soil?
Rapitest DTM 118 Damp Test Meter - daveyjp
Damp meters are for testing moisture levels in timber. Using them for anything else will give readings which don't tell you anything purposeful as all you will get is a reading as a result of surface dampness.

If I boil a kettle and damp test my kitchen walls the reading will be off the scale!

Malcolm Hollis one of the gurus of property surveying is appalled these things are used with gay abandon by surveyors to test dampness in bricks etc.
Rapitest DTM 118 Damp Test Meter - nick
You can only properly assess the dampness of a brick wall by taking a core sample and testing for salts. This will tell you whether any moisture present is from the ground (usually salts present) or from the atmosphere (usually no salts). Surface moisture is no indication.

Edited by nick on 24/05/2008 at 09:51

Rapitest DTM 118 Damp Test Meter - L'escargot
Thanks for the info. I won't buy one.
Rapitest DTM 118 Damp Test Meter - zookeeper
depends on the type of brick its built with , blue engineering bricks are impervious to moisture as are class 2 engineering bricks they are used in damp proof courses and manholes
Rapitest DTM 118 Damp Test Meter - Mapmaker
They do have one function.

If you sell your house, the surveyor will use one on all your walls. So if you want to find out what his report will say, you need a meter.


The value of his report as a result of the damp testing meter is of course zero... as is the value of your using your meter. However that is life.

A cheaper way of testing is to get in a specialist damp treatment surveyor. He will use his meter on your walls for free and produce a report telling you how you can spend £30,000 with him.


nokia 6300 query - borasport20
SWMBO has just taken delivery of one - nice looking phone, but how the heck does one open the cover on the mini-usb port ?
nokia 6300 query - drbe
Take the back cover off.
dishwasher problems - wotspur
We have had a well known German make of dishwasher for the last 10 years, its used x2 a day, but has recently not been as effective, despite using dishwasher cleaners.
Is it time to replace, or what solution have br's found to revitalise their machines
dishwasher problems - Stuartli
Some advice:

www.applianceaid.com/drain_wash.html


dishwasher problems - Phil I
Thanks for that URL Stuartli. Really useful.

Phil I
dishwasher problems - ifithelps
We have had a well known German make of dishwasher...not as effective recently...>>


Divorce her and marry an English girl-:)
dishwasher problems - rtj70
Start the dishwasher, and then after in the wash cycle check if the water is hot... we've had a cheapo dishwasher fail for not heating water and to fix was not easy.

Upgraded to a well known German brand and it's been brilliant. But it's not ten years old but we got a full 5 year warranty. The previous one (replaced a really old one) lasted less than two years - the cheapo with the heating problem but wife wanted it to be brown and integrated. The German one is white and not integrated and looks fine... I digress.

Depending on here you are I know a friendly repairer - he'll talk on the phone and even suggest replacing if appropriate without coming.... or point you in the direction of a "specialist" working for a company (nod nod wink wink) and still not charge you himself.... sorted the washer-dryer that way for a fraction of the cost.
dishwasher problems - Stuartli
>>Upgraded to a well known German brand and it's been brilliant>>

Miele?
dishwasher problems - Pugugly
You can actually name the brands you know !!!
dishwasher problems - billy25
>>You can actually name the brands you know !!! <<

Unless you live in a known "hard water" area there is no need to use dishwasher cleaners like "Calgon" etc, if the detergent you use is supposed to shift "grease an stuff" from your crockery then it will also do so from your dishwasher and pipework!!
If your machine is not seemingly functioning right check:
a) the spraybar is rotating freely and not being fouled by cutlery/crockery etc. and that the "jets" are not blocked with detritus.
b) the drain strainer and pump exit are clear.
c) the water is hot (as mentioned) and that the pump-out cycle between wash and rinse is actually happening.
d) try putting less items in, or ensure you dont cover one item with another.

Billy

Edited by billy25 on 26/05/2008 at 03:47

dishwasher problems - wotspur
Bosch actually -thanks for the repiles but how can you test the temperature of the water-do you half way thru a cycle have to stop the machine and use a normal termometer.
dishwasher problems - mjm
I don't think that you need to test the temperature as such, just see if the water heater is working. If you open the door as soon as the cycle is finished you can feel the heat. You can also stop the machine part way through the cycle and pop the door open and see if the water is hot.
dishwasher problems - deepwith
It really does make a difference if you really clean the 'arms', which can be blocked with all sorts of debris. Take 'em off and run hot water through them to check all holes are clear - might need to spend a little time with a pin extracting pips and so forth.
As a machine gets older you also have to take more care of the filters - spray of de-greaser and gentle scrub with old toothbrush frequently.
dishwasher problems - rtj70
I know we can name them. He didn't so I didn't but assumed the same parent company. Mine's a Siemens which is a little higher up the Bosch-Siemens hierarchy.

When I said about the temperature I ment open it during the cycle as the water should have warmed up. Our fairly new one that failed (it was poor for cleaning for a while) in the end was not heating the water at all. And with hindsight it was failing for a while as I often had to clean the filter etc.

Our friendly dishwasher repair guy tried to get a new circuit board but as it was approaching Xmas at the time I gave in and got the Siemens. Cheaper than some mid-range Bosch ones and with a full 5 year warranty via a local shop - they had a good deal on at the time and did Siemens with the free warranty.

When I asked him what to buy (regardless of washing machine, dishwasher) then apart from say Miele he said either dirt cheap and expect it to fail or Bosch.

Edited by rtj70 on 26/05/2008 at 22:41

Online Phonebooks - bintang
BT Phonebook is not very useful, often needing a lot of information before it can locate a number. Are there any other free services please?
Online Phonebooks - PoloGirl
www.yell.com
www.b4usearch.com
www.192.com (although that's not free most of the time)

Are you looking for a person, or a business?

Online Phonebooks - bintang
Are you looking for a person or a business?


Could be either. Thanks for the leads.
Batteries for cordless phone - L'escargot
The AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries recommended for our cordless phone are 550 mAh capacity, but all I can find are either 700 mAh or 1000 mAh. Willl these be OK? I would accept that they would probably take longer to recharge.

Edited by L'escargot on 28/05/2008 at 13:41

Batteries for cordless phone - Happy Blue!
they will be fine.
Batteries for cordless phone - Stuartli
>>I would accept that they would probably take longer to recharge.>>

Even so they won't take very long to charge up.

The higher mAh figure means that the battery will last much longer in between recharges - IIRC it's on a linear basis, so a 500mAh battery will last approximately half as long as one of 1,000mAh.

I use 900mAm batteries in my Philips cordless home phone - it came with 550mAh equivalents and these are used in the TV remote control.

Edited by Stuartli on 28/05/2008 at 14:47

"Registration" of mobile 'phone. - FotheringtonThomas
I have brokeded the 'abit of a lifetime, and purchased an Infernal Contraption, viz. a Mobile Phone, a "pay as you go" sort. I am interested in some anonynimity, purely if it is possible, not for some nefarious reason. Do I have to "register" the disgusting thing? What, in Luddite terms, would it get me?

I am fairly sickened by the device before using it, that's if I can actually work out how. Buying more "airtime", for instance, is referred to as "topping up", spending money is not actually mentioned. Pshaw.
"Registration" of mobile 'phone. - drbe
Crikey, if you had asked nicely, I would have given you a mobile phone, rather than having to buy one.

No, you don't have to register it.

This sounds as though it could be an interesting thread! Do, please, keep us posted.

Which year is showing on your calendar?
"Registration" of mobile 'phone. - Round The Bend
Technology comes to St. Custards!
What is your mobile number? We could all give you a call to explain how to use it.
"Registration" of mobile 'phone. - Mapmaker
I guess FT thinks that it is 16 May today (OS).



The benefit of registration is that if you lose the telephone you can:

1. keep the number when you buy a new one
2. keep any credit you had remaining.

I dare say that like me you are a careful sort of chap and wouldn't dream of losing your mobile telephone. The only telephone I have ever lost was lost in my bedroom for two years.
"Registration" of mobile 'phone. - bathtub tom
Don't worry about it FT.

When I got a mobile, my daughter commented about me finally moving into the twentieth century. I pointed out it was now the twenty-first. She replied 'I know'.
"Registration" of mobile 'phone. - Dynamic Dave
No you don't have to register it.


You have to register with Orange PAYG to be given a phone nuimber and have the SIM card assigned to that number.

Other PAYG SIM cards, such as O2 & Vodafone work straight away - providing the phone you've put them into isn't locked to a particular network.
"Registration" of mobile 'phone. - ifithelps
The op said he was interested in 'some anonymity'.

An unregistered pay as you go topped up with cash vouchers is anonymous provided no record exists of the sale of the handset.

I came across a case once in which the police had a phone but not much else.

They were able to trace the retailer from the phone's serial number,

Happily for Pc Plod, the retailer was a major chain which kept good records and was able to come up with CCTV footage of the sale of the phone.

So to be absolutely anonymous, buy a phone for cash from a market stall/shop you judge to have no CCTV.
Moving Statue? - drbe
There is a statue in London, near to Tate Modern, which moves.

Does anyone know who made it and whom it represents?
Moving Statue? - Round The Bend
It's one of those street artists. Watch carefully and you'll see it pack up and go home every evening at 6pm
Moving Statue? - billy25
Would this be the one?

tinyurl.com/6477dv

Billy
Moving Statue? - billy25
Further!

>>Property developer Land Securities commissioned art collective Greyworld to create the piece to engage workers and shoppers at the Bankside 123 development.

The statue ? called Monument to the Unknown Artist ? is situated to the west of the Blue Fin Building and is located on the official walking route between Southwark Station and Tate Modern<<

Billy

Moving Statue? - drbe
Yes! That's the one.

I went past it twice in a taxi yesterday, so I couldn't stop and investigate. The driver didn't know anything about it.

Thanks Billy.
Removing efflorescence from brick walls. - L'escargot
Would Wilko "Path and patio cleaner" , which is 2% to 7% hydrochloric acid when diluted as recommended, remove efflorescence from a brick wall?
Removing efflorescence from brick walls. - billy25
As the cleaner is Acid-based, and the "efforescence" is Alkaline-based, I would say "yes" but only for a while, because once the cleaner has neutralised by weather etc, the "leaching" of the "salts" will probably continue until the process is complete.

Billy

Edited by billy25 on 29/05/2008 at 10:48

Removing efflorescence from brick walls. - daveyjp
It will, but only until it comes back again. Efflorescence are salts leeching from bricks due to the presence of moisture.

The only way to stop the problem is to remove the moisture.
Freezers - 007
Our upright freezer has been away for repair (new motor etc) and will come back in a van horizontal.

For years I have been under the impression that one must let the appliance stand for 24 hours before switching-on so as to allow the gasses to settle (?).

What harm would be done if it was put into use straight-away?

TIA
Freezers - billy25
Apparently, its not (as a lot of people think,) a "coolant" (Freon) issue! It appears to be (according to some websites) that the Compressor oil/lubricant can migrate out of the compressor via the "suction line" to areas that it shouldn't be. Allowing it to stand for a while, allows the lubricant to drain back. Apparently, knowing which side to transport the freezer on, can have a significant effect on pre-operating stand time.

tinyurl.com/5az6r2

Billy
Freezers - 007
Brilliant answer....Many thanks!
Picture messages - borasport20
if someone has a mobile phone (nokia 6300), can they by default, receive picture messages, or do they have to set anything up with their provider ?

How does any sending a picture message know if the recipient can receive it ?
Picture messages - Dynamic Dave
I'm with O2, and they had to switch something on at their end for me to receive multimedia images when I had my Nokia 6230. When I upgraded to a Nokia N70, I was given a new SIM card as the phone was 3G compatable, but my SIM card wasn't. Again, they had to switch something on at their end for me to receive multimedia. Not sure what other providers do.

Up until the time they switched it on, I got a txt directing me to the O2 website, where I then had to enter my phone number and the password given in the txt to be able to view the image online. Whether a non compatable phone gets a similar txt, I have no idea.

Picture messages - Statistical outlier
On T-Mobile you activate MMS at their end by sending an MMS message. This sets the flag that you can also receive them.

HTH
Format of estate agents' brochures - L'escargot
Our estate agent has recently changed the format of their brochure, by removing room descriptions and leaving just room sizes and photographs. They say their research indicates that this is what house-hunters prefer. In our seach for another house I've not come across another single agent that excludes room descriptions. What is your experience?
Format of estate agents' brochures - adverse camber
It does stop people ruling out a property on the basis of a description.

It means that people have to engage with the agent for details.

Both of which seem sensible reasons to me.
Format of estate agents' brochures - Mapmaker
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=57996&...f

I expressed my opinion the last time you asked this question - see link. So did adverse camber - who will be glad to hear that his response is consistent.
Format of estate agents' brochures - adverse camber
:)
Domestic water meter reading. - L'escargot
An unexpected dampness of the soil on and near the boundary between us and our neighbour after a long dry spell suggests that there might (but only might) be an underground water leak ~ waste water or mains water.

I?ve checked our water supply pipe by closing the stop-tap (which I think seals perfectly) and then measuring changes in the water meter reading. Over a period of 4 hours the meter reading increased by 0.00008 cubic metres or 80 ml. I realise that this is a small amount, but nevertheless I would like to know whether it indicates a leak or not. Could the meter reading increase for any reason other than a genuine flow through it? It?s just a normal mechanical meter ~ to Class D whatever that means.

I can?t discuss it with the neighbour because unfortunately he refuses to speak to us. I haven't ruled out the possibility that he has been using a garden hose excessively or that there is a leak on his property.
Domestic water meter reading. - adverse camber
Difficult with such a small amount.

Could be stopcock leaking through and tiny amount going to expansion tank or hw or something.

Do you know that the supply pipe passes through the damp area?
Domestic water meter reading. - L'escargot
Do you know that the supply pipe passes through the damp area?


Not for definite. But it can only logically go underneath a slabbed path alongside the damp area to get from the meter to where it enters the property.
Domestic water meter reading. - L'escargot
Assuming the stop-tap does in fact seal perfectly, could the meter reading increase by small amounts (in this case 20 ml per hour) for some reason other than a genuine flow through it ~ for example volume change caused by temperature change or whatever?

Edited by L'escargot on 31/05/2008 at 11:50

Domestic water meter reading. - billy25
>>An unexpected dampness of the soil on and near the boundary between us and our neighbour <<

Why not have a little dig in the soil as close to the wettest area as you can get on your side of the boundary? expose the pipe, and see if the ground gets wetter the nearer the pipe you get, if your hole slowly starts filling with water, you can be fairly sure that there is a slight weep from the pipe somewhere close, that needs looking at before it gets worse.

Billy
Freesat - Armitage Shanks {p}
Has any BR member purchased one of these boxes and are they 'plug and Play' or is the £80 installation and set up charge, offered at the point of sale essential? I like the sound of 3 free to view HD channels!
Freesat - Stuartli
The set top boxes are still hard to get hold of - best to wait until a top manufacturer such as Humax gets its products on the market, especially the PVR recorder type.

There is one major high street outlet insisting that you arrange installation through it if you buy the equipment - this should be treated with the contempt it deserves and to buy elsewhere.

If you already have an Sky HD box you will be able to pick up the BBC/ITV equivalent but, as I understand it, unless you maintain the Sky+ or HD subscription you won't be able to make recordings of the newcomer's offerings.

Full details of Freesat at:

www.freesat.co.uk/index.php

PS

Humax STB now available at Argos:

tinyurl.com/5tdykx

Edited by Stuartli on 31/05/2008 at 18:28

Freesat - Armitage Shanks {p}
Thank you Stuart. A consumer TV prog recently deplored the installation charge and so do you, so may I assume that a self-installation (plug and play) will work? I am hoping to hear from someone who has tried it and been successful.
Freesat - Robbie
Providing you have a satellite dish pointing to Astra 2 then you just plug the Humax in and it will do the necessary. However, I understand there have been gremlins in the available boxes and the software is being updated.
Freesat - Armitage Shanks {p}
Thanks for that. I have been without HD TV for 69 years so a few more months won't matter! I'l bide my time and check other reports for software issues!

Edited by Armitage Shanks {p} on 31/05/2008 at 22:03

Freesat - oilrag
Its no good for us, Its mandatory here that we have at least 100 total junk channels piped into the house. :(
Freesat - Stuartli
>>I understand there have been gremlins in the available boxes and the software is being updated.>>

This is correct and, in fact, Argos withdrew the Freesat receivers off the market for a period, but they are now on sale again.

The youngest offspring has replaced his original LCD with a plasma HD set and is now awaiting the launch of the new (hopefully Humax) PVRs and savouring the BBC/ITV high definition channels.
Freesat - drbe
How difficult are the HD FreeSat boxes to connect up? For someone - say - who is completely non technical, if there is a subscription free Sky box in place?

As I have Freeview on my TV, can I throw the Sky box away, or does it have to be in the circuit somewhere?
Freesat - harry m
if you get the freesat box and you are getting rid of the sky box you can just swop them as you can use the same dish and connections.at present there are no boxes with recorders built in and if you have one of these you would need a double lnb on the dish unless you have already got one.may i suggest you try av forums a very good forum on freesat that will probably answer most of your questions.
Freesat - Robbie
The Humax PVR is due in September, but I'd wait a while for any bugs to be ironed out.
Apparently, there are still a few bugs since Humax updated the firmware for their Foxsat HD receiver.
Freesat - Stuartli
A "few bugs" can be expected with such a new system - ON/ITVDigital and Freeview also had/have regular updates.

A leading hi-fi magazine's initial revew of the Humax Foxsat SD STB can be found at:

tinyurl.com/6rbqxu