Grundig GDT2000

Grundig GDT2000 is a great brand, clear picture easy to navigate menu, great build, quality look and feel. No ability to see what's on the other channels without having to select the other channel. So the EPG is not user friendly. For the poor EPG alone I returned the unit. But if your not bothered, it has a good look and quality feel.

*Now and next availability only at present

**Labgear 32db aerial booster applied

This Grundig GDT 2000 is my second DVB STB (first Sagem ITD 602 reviewed here http://www.reviewcentre.com/review32041.html). This is a factory second model which I got for a steal for £20. There is slight damage to the unit with no instructions, but otherwise it is a fully functioning STB and remote.

Looking at the unit you instantly notice the low profile (almost half the height of the Sagem model) and turning it around you can see RF in/out, twin scart sockets, L & R audio out and what looks like a LAN connection.

Connecting the unit via the supplied scart to the TV and internal aerial (via a 32db aerial booster living on 1st floor flat looking onto Northwick Park station) a short scan for new channels displayed all the new channels including the Top Up TV (£7.99 monthly fee access & currently requires a old On-Digital STB with card reader. More information at www.digitalspy.co.uk). Although this unit was lacking instructions if anyone has had previous experience will have no problems with setting this STB up.

Picture quality is sharp and clear (MHEG) DVD quality and can be changed from 4:3 to letterbox ratio. Picture output can also be changed from PAL to RGB. I recommend the letterbox ratio since this will show the entire picture and RGB for a far deeper and richer colour output. Unlike the Sagem though there is no adjustment setting for RGB and it seems like the output is set to low (viewed via 28" Mitsubishi TV).

Pressing the guide button displays EPG with 5 channels at anyone time showing now and next. Pressing the ">" shows the next programme and pressing the green button will set a reminder as to when the highlighted programme is showing which is a very useful function, but there are a number of things which are a disappointment.

Firstly, there seems to be no "back" functioning key for when you are watching for example, News24 (channel 40) and then FTN (channel 20) and then wanting to flip back with one touch. Secondly you can't seem to access a "list only" of channels to scroll up or down, only available when pressing the "info" key to view each channel individually, although this can be rectify with a simple OTA update when released. Subtitles have to be accessed via the "menu" setup rather than a dedicated function on the remote. Lastly, there doesn't seem to be any functioning volume/mute on the STB remote, this is a huge bug bear!

What I can say in its favour is that there is no passwords/codes to access the set up menu and that interactive/digital text functions are very fast responding, usually taking only 1-2 seconds access time. Plus the digital radio (NOT DAB) audio quality seems to be far superior to the Sagem model. This is not that surprising since Grundig are well know for their audio expertise and with the extra L & R audio outs the sound quality is even better.

The remote seems to be well featured with functions including TV and simple functions for any DVD player (Grundig TV/DVD only models).

Conclusion

Although this model is aesthetically pleasing with superior audio, fast text/interactive functions, there are too many other rather basic aspects which require improvement. The most obvious is the lack of independent volume control, which I feel is a must. Still for the money I paid I'm quite happy with the unit and I hope my sister will be too.