0403WHC11 Sony VTX-D800U

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Group Test # Freeview Adaptors

VTX-D800U 110

rguably the most stylish Freeview box around, the VTX-D800U has ribbed side panels and a wrap-around acrylic front panel cover that, with chromed channel up/down button heads, looks dead classy. It stands upright with a natty clip-on tripod stand (it can sit sideways too, but it looks a little odd that way). The remote control is just as nice. Deceptively simple, it has power, mute, volume and channel keys that can be programmed to operate most major TV brands. The Sony boasts two Scart sockets for TV (RGB, composite, S-video) and VCR (composite). A stereo audio output and optical digital audio output are combined in one socket, which will take a fibre optic cable or stereo jack plug. Like other boxes in this test, theres no modulator for non-Scart TVs, or for feeding around the house with a UHF distribution system. Essentially you need to use Scart. Plug in the VTX-D800U and, after prompts for language and country, automatic tuning is started. And its finished almost straight away! It takes just a little over a minute to tune and store all channels. The adaptor is equally fast at changing channels and accessing enhanced teletext interactive services with the MHEG-5 software on board (near instantaneous). TEST SCENE

LA CONFIDENTIAL

Thats the key
All the VTX-D800Us menu displays are beautifully clear. With a slightly retro black and yellow colour scheme, they include colour key options at the bottom of the screen and a reminder of what keys to press and what they do. You can access channels by pressing the channel up/down keys, entering the channel number or by choosing from the main, or four favourite, onscreen channel lists. And the favourite lists couldnt be simpler to programme and access. Changing the channel displays its name, number and the programme name and time at the top of the screen. Pressing the i key displays the banner EPG with info on programme synopsis, audio and subtitle options, and the ability to browse whats on next and on other channels. Alternatively the seven-day ready full-screen EPG gives seven channels at a time, and you can easily program the timer to switch to a show or display a reminder. The clever bit is that the EPG can display channels in any of the lists, or just programmes in a chosen category such as sports and music. The Sony also offers control over the aspect ratio, full parental control and a signal strength meter. You can even set the adaptor to switch a Smartlink VCR to record when a timer event occurs. Pictures from the VTX-D800U were great during BBC1s broadcast of L.A Confidential, and sound was second to none. It looks good, performs well and is easy and to use. Its one of the more costly adaptors around, but you get your moneys worth. WHC LOOKING AT THE DETAILS
As Russell Crowe searches for answers, the almost nostalgically sepia Police Station pans across without loss of detail or blocking

GOOD POINTS

Stylish and easy to use Freeview adaptor with excellent picture and sound quality

BAD POINTS

Shame theres no modulator but its the only disappointment

OVERALL

One of the best Freeview adaptors currently available

RATINGS

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall ########## ########$$ #######$$$ ########## #########$ #######$$$ #########$
What Home Cinema March 2004

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roundup

Freeview adaptor

Philips DTR1500

The Freeview receiver market is really hotting up now that the AV big guns are on the scene. Philips debut effort, the 110 DTR1500, is another vertical mounting model (using a special stand). It is blessed with suave silver looks that perfectly complement other Philips kit. The rear panel sports two Scart sockets, one of which outputs RGB. More good news is that the VCR Scart outputs S-video as well as composite. Its a shame that no Freeview adaptors can output RGB from their second Scart, considering most DVD recorders sport RGB inputs but for now, S-video is a reasonable substitute. Also adorning the rear is an electrical digital audio output, which has the ability to output Dolby Digital and PCM, and analogue audio outs. RF in and out (which sadly doesnt output digital TV pictures) complete the selection. Power it up, and the arty onscreen presentation is immediately striking. Flourishes like background images and menu dissolves spice up the otherwise mundane set-up procedure. And despite the menu not being the most intuitive weve encountered, it provides plenty of tweaks and features. The EPG is less sophisticated than models from Pioneer and Goodmans, in that it doesnt keep live TV playing in a box. Its quite basic, but does display programme information in a clear manner and programmes are categorised by genre. From this guide, you can set the eight-event timer, which is useful for making timer recordings with a VCR or making sure you dont miss a particular programme. You can also set the timer from the onscreen info banner. Elsewhere, theres a zap list (channel list to you and me) from which you can select your desired channel, plus you can create and edit favourite lists very easily. Onscreen reminders can be set to make sure you dont miss a programme. Text and MHEG

Sony VTX-D800

Sony has been making IDTVs for several years now, so it was inevitable that the company would launch a stand-alone digital terrestrial receiver. And here it is, in the shape of the VTX-D800. Like Philips debut receiver, it can be mounted vertically. This makes a refreshing change aesthetically, though it can be mounted in the usual horizontal manner if you prefer. Elsewhere, the design is hugely attractive, with a frosted fascia and corrugated plastic sides. The D880s two Scart sockets are a welcome sight RGB, S-video and composite are output from one, with composite only from the other. Unusually, theres a combined analogue/optical digital audio minijack port on the rear. RF in/loopthrough completes the set. Power it up for the first time and it runs through a few key options, followed by auto tuning. Then a very impressive tutorial appears, with several pages devoted to explaining the main features. This is great for digital TV newbies, and can be accessed at any time. If you need to retune the unit after initial installation, you need to enter a pin number to access the tuning menu. This is highly annoying, particularly if youve got a bad memory. The usual features can be found among the beautifully designed menus, such as favourites (where you can group together your most watched channels), a choice of aspect ratio modes for 4:3 TVs, digital text and a now/next EPG that lets you view channels by category (films, news, sport etc). It also lets you select a programme to be recorded on a Smartlink compatible VCR, switching to the correct channel and telling the VCR to start recording. The onscreen banner is available for more instant programme info, and shares the same high-quality presentation as the EPG. The TV/radio button flips straight to the

interactive content can be accessed, and is indicated in the lists with a MHG logo. The DTR1500 is a terrific performer in terms of picture quality, though its fractionally slower at changing channels than other models featured here. Its worth noting that the unit features a pulse killer that detects contaminated parts of the signal and suppresses interference bursts from domestic appliances. It may not be the best Freeview box around, but the DTR1500 still merits recommendation for its excellent feature list at a reasonable price.
respective cluster of channels without you having to search. There are no problems with picture quality, since colour, detail and edge clarity are completely up to scratch. Its also great to use, with the intuitive remote, clear onscreen menus and quick processing engine combining to provide the ideal digital TV experience. Sonys VTX-D800U is one of the best Freeview receivers around, with exemplary onscreen presentation, terrific performance and unusual looks. It cant quite match up to the might of the Pioneer DBR-TF100GB which just goes that extra mile for less money, but its still worth investigating. Danny Phillips

Specification

FEATURES Eight-event timer; auto tuning; 16:9/4:3 picture modes; programme information banner and TV guide; digital text and interactive access; favourite list; reminders; parental control; Easy Recording; 2 x Scart (one RGB/S-video/composite out, one S-video composite out); RF in; RF loopthrough; electrical digital audio output; analogue stereo audio output CONTACT Philips www.philips.co.uk
FEATURES 10-event timer; auto tuning; 16:9/4:3 picture modes; programme information banner and TV guide; digital text and interactive access; favourite list; parental control; Smartlink; 2 x Scart (one RGB/S-video/composite out, one composite out); RF in; RF loopthrough; optical digital/analogue audio minijack output CONTACT Sony www.sony.co.uk

Verdict 77777

A solid Freeview debut from Philips

A fantastic Freeview box

November 2003 s WHAT VIDEO AND WIDESCREEN TV 121