Pioneer DBR-TF100GB Review

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Pioneer DBR-TF100GB
4.6 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.6 out of 5

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bodyboarderdude's Review of Pioneer DBR-TF100GB Freeview Box

12th Sep 2005

Overall Rating

4.5 stars
  • Value for money
    4 stars
  • Features
    4.5 stars
  • Time DVB Owned
    Between 1 - 4 Weeks
  • Ease of Use
    4.5 stars
Good Points

Easy to set up. Good picture quality.


Bad Points

None.


General Comments

I previously had digital TV from NTL, so I had something to compare against (I got rid because I wouldn't pay for the extra channels, and I was effectively renting the box to receive the Freeview channels, plus the box kept overheating).

I wasn't expecting too much from the Pioneer DBR-TF100GB Freeview box, as I had researched the transmission bitrates etc... and they are not as high as they should be. Many reviews I had read about Freeview, complained about the effect this had on picture and sound.

But fear not! This is a great little digibox. Quick and simple to set up, quick channel changes, quick interactive facilities, remote also works the TV. I have been pleasantly surprised by the picture quality, with even the ITV channels being OK.

The ultimate test was from the RGB out socket to my projector. If there were any flaws they would show themselves here. I have watched 2 movies (Reign of Fire and Beautiful Mind), general stuff like the news, and some football. Overall I'm impressed at what the pioneer produces from the meagre bitrates it receives. Colours are strong without being overblown, and digital artefact's are hard to find on the main channels. Detail is not up there with DVD, but nevertheless a very watchable picture. Sport tends to require higher bitrates, and the picture suffers a little, but no more than it does on NTL, and it is still watchable.

I have the sound routed through a home cinema amp (analogue from the scart, not the optical out). Again it's not as good as DVD but OK. If your just using a TV you won't be disappointed. I briefly tried the radio channels, and through the TV it's what you'd expect, but don't bother putting this through your hifi, as it is flat and occasionally sibilant (very low bit rates).

In summary, Freeview would be great if the BBC consortium had got rid of some of the channels and increased the bitrates for what was left. However, the pioneer does a great job with what it receives, and is definitely recommended.

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