Hi all, I received my box yesterday and these are a few
initial thoughts on it.
1. Setting up was relatively easy I got everything
connected within 10 minutes despite the mistake in the
manual which listed the connections on the rear of the
device from left to right when they are actually right to
left.
2. The set top box is roughly the size of a video
cassette and has a nicer feel than the Net Jem box, which
I thought felt rather flimsy.
3. There is no on/off button on the set top box. I
realise this is a standard feature with modern technology
but I dislike it. I do not like leaving devices on
standby.
4. Once everything is connected and the box is turned on
from the remote, the box scans for TV and radio channels
and gives audio feedback about progress. Once that is
complete BBC1 is played and the speech reports the
channel number, the name of the channel and what program
is on, and whether it includes audiodescription and
signing.
5. You can then use the number keys (located from the
second row downwards), or the up and down channel changer
(located beneath the number keys and to the right), to
change channels. Each channel is reported with its
number, program etc.
6. The EPG (electronic program guide) is fantastic and
much better than having to connect to the internet as I
had to do with my Net Jem.
7. The voice is generally good, however I have noticed it
sometimes breaks up, I'm not sure if this is something to
do with the signal strength of the channel concerned.
8. It is possible to adjust the speed of the speech, but
only by 3 settings.
9. You can independently change the volume of the speech,
audiodescription, TV, button beeps and on/off beep. You
do this from the menu.
Generally I like the Free view box, I've already setup a
reminder for Sharpe, which is on tonight, something I
couldn't do with the Net Jem. There are a few things that
I would like and hope that the manufacturer will be able
and willing to take on board. For example It would be
good to be able to customise what is spoken EG I'm not
interested if a program is being signed. I'd also like to
be able to turn off all announcements when you turn to a
particular channel but to keep speech on for when you
press the info key, menu, et.
I was slightly surprised not to find a update option in
the menu and wonder how software updates will be handled.
I had forgotten that the headphones socket works in mono
and it took me a while to figure out why I was only
getting sound out of one speaker when I connected the
headphones socket through my amp. If you have a setup
similar to mine you will need to invest in a Skart to
Phono adaptor.
One major disappointment is that there doesn't appear to
be any access to text features, EG the red button. I've
noticed that the BBC are more often now using the Red
button to make different commentary options available. We
don't currently have access to this and I can't really
explain why given that there is access to the EPG and
next program facilities.
One final comment, I didn't receive my Braille or CD
instructions with the set top box and had to go to the
RNIB site to download the word file. I received the
instructions I ordered a day late.
If there's anything that anyone particularly wants to
know feel free to ask and I'll try to answer.
Yusuf
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