Item: Goodmans GDB2
Rating: 4.5

Mark_L.'s review of Goodmans GDB2

“This silver box decodes the digital signal from the...”

★★★★★

written by Mark_L. on 24/03/2003

Good Points
Everything you need is in the box; price; simple instructions; picture and sound; inoffensive looks; two SCART sockets.

Bad Points
None, as regards the decoder itself, for the price. Pity that the Freeview channels are a bit bland currently.

General Comments
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.

Value For Money

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90326_Hirsty.'s Response to 82772_Mark_L.'s Review

Written on: 19/04/2003

Oh Yes, it is good i have one, the remote is horrible though

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111761_Andy.'s Response to 82772_Mark_L.'s Review

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.
 
 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.
 
 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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111659_Aaron.'s Response to 82772_Mark_L.'s Review

Written on: 30/06/2003

Hello Andy
 
 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?

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104229_Andy.'s Response to 82772_Mark_L.'s Review

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.

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102456_Mark_L.'s Response to 82772_Mark_L.'s Review

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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