written by Durbsy on 28/06/2005
Goodmans GDB2 - Overall not a bad product but would have liked to get more than 12 months out of it.
written by nibor1 on 26/04/2005
The Goodmans GDB2 freeview box was a Bad buy, I got one years use out of it.
written by Robbieb1978 on 08/10/2004
The Goodmans GDB2 box is good and works well with good features and is reliable until now. The machine is constantly freezing or rebooting. I have looked into this problem and found various articles on the machine regarding an update that was pushed down across the TV network. I have found a firmware update and will apply this tomorrow and will also place feedback on the update. Please wait for feedback before updating yours, I will post back late Saturday.
Link I will use is below.
Robbie
http://www.pvruk.com/2004/09/goodmans_gdb2_a.html
Written on: 23/08/2005
I have applied the old firmware release to my box and it has stopped freezing and resetting. If anyone wants details then please let me know and I will dig out the file version that you need.
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<br>After downgrade all works ok.
written by Horace. on 22/06/2003
The Goodmans GDB 2 is an excellent all round set top box.
The price on average from most retailers is £89.99 but those who are keen on a bargin should look to empiredirect.co.uk to pick this box up for £78
The Downside with this box is the dated look, it reminds me of an ice cream box, not very eye catching, maybe that was the designers intention but it's not that easy on the eye.
Secondly the remote control, although it's comfortable to use the amount of buttons to control your video/dvd/tv/digi box is slightly over the top as these functions only work on Thomson products. So when the lights are low your probably find your tapping the pause button instead of BBC1.
The Goodside is it changes channels incredible well and the picture quality is very good. The out of box UHF setting seemed to pick up all the channels with an excellent signal as well.
You also get the added beauty of 2 scart sockets so you will always have one scart socket free. Most of the mini boxes don't offer this the only other one I have found was the Goodmans GDB2.
Overall a good piece of kit, some good features, excellent performace and picture quality, let down by a over the top remote and a dated 70s look.
written by David. on 14/06/2003
well, the GOODMANS GDB-2 is outstanding value for money, at under 80 pounds from most high street electrical retailers. It allows you to receive all the freeview broadcasts, and has excellent picture and sound quality. the box is also very small, so it will neatly sit on top of your tv or vcr. Included with the box is everything you need to be watching digital tv, obviously there is the receiver, but with this there are also scart and RF leads for connecting to tv/vcr, and a remote control (even has batteries!). The box itself is very user friendly, and you can be watching upto 30 new channels in less than 10 minutes of setting up. However, there are 1 or 2 minor bad points about this box, one of which are the bugs in the software version 1.0. this software has caused some problems such as missing tv listings, interactive services not working fully, and the occasional switch-off. also, we have no picture on BBC parliament, not that i watch it anyway. BUT and there is a but, i have re-scanned my box, and updated it to version 3.0 software, and so far so good, it's sorted out all the problems, well done Goodmans and many thanks for the software update!
written by Mark_L. on 24/03/2003
This silver box decodes the digital signal from the Freeview channels, and gives you up to 30 channels, if you're bored flicking between the current 5 terrestrial channels.
The package contains everything you need: RF through cable, SCART cable, one quick-start manual, one user guide, a remote control - including batteries - and the box itself.
The box is modestly styled, with a 'paw-print' motif in the front centre, which is actually the IR detector for the remote, plus three status LED's. The box doesn't draw the eye with flashy displays, which is good if have lots of kit under your TV already. It would have been nice to have a channel number indication, however.
With the aid of the quick-start manual, you can be watching digital TV in about 10 minutes. Once tuned-in the picture and sound are fine, although I don't have any prior experience with DVB boxes.
The inclusion of two SCART sockets appears to be unusual at this low price, but is certainly welcome.
My only gripe is with the rather dull line-up of channels that you get for your money. If you're happy with the line-up, or are hopeful that there will be some exciting additions, then you can't really go wrong with this.
I got my GDB 2 from Argos for £80, but it is also available from Index, and other outlets too.
Written on: 19/04/2003
Oh Yes, it is good i have one, the remote is horrible though
Written on: 30/06/2003
I was in contact with the supplier Argos, who in turn contacted Goodmans. Teletext is not available on many channels, alegedly because they havn't got there yet.
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<br>One might be excused for thinking there is some restrictive practice here, perhaps the BBC is in some way responsible, since the analogue channels all have text, and surely it could readily be shared across digital and analogue services.
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<br>Regarding the recent software download, everything seems to be working well, the old mix up between present and next programs appears to have been completely cleared up.
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Written on: 30/06/2003
Hello Andy
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<br>Did you solve your problems with Teletext, I am having the same problems. Teletext will only work occasionally for channel 4, not at all for ITV channels, and works on BBC channels when it feels like it. Have we both picked up duffers?
Written on: 04/06/2003
I agree with the review, it is a good box for the price and easy to set up, works well. The one problem I have encountered is that the teletext only seems to work on BBC channels, will not appear on e.g. ITV channels. I'm not sure why this is, especially as the teletext icons appear in the information bars and I made sure the subtitles are "OFF". I'm still working on this one.
Written on: 29/05/2003
I've been reading on various forums that there will be a broadcast of new firmware for the Goodmans GDB2 between the 7th and 10th of June 2003. This is to fix problems like the Electronic Programme Guide mixing-up the 'now and next' information.
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Schoolware's Response to Robbieb1978's Review
Written on: 11/11/2004
It is interesting that reviews for this started off at 9/10, then 8/10 and are now down to 1/10!
<br>Have you updated the soft/firm ware like other people? If you have, send it back and complain. The fact that it is out of warranty is irrelevant.
<br>Dave