UPDATED: Tesco's Technika 8320HD Freeview+ HD PVR set-top box gets another software fix
Updated 22/06/10
Technika has released another software update for its SmartBox 8320HD, v4.7.48-16, which can be found on the Fetch TV website.
This latest fix addresses the following issues:
1) Pause key allows video to be paused
2) PiP key shows last viewed channel and allows switching back to it
3) Improvements to recordings management and playback when handling multiple recordings
4) New "recordings to do" list to list upcoming scheduled recordings and series linking
5) The issue of loss of audio while playing back recorded or time-shifted programmes will be resolved
6) OK key shows Info bar rather than toggle to pause play
Published 18/06/10
Tesco's £200 Freeview+ HD PVR, the Technika SmartBox 8320HD, is back on sale today after being withdrawn due to technical problems (outlined below).
Tesco is running newspaper ads in The Guardian, Daily Mail, The Sun and Daily Star today promoting the device, as well as its £100 Technika Freeview HD receiver (without recorder).
Both models are available in Tesco Extra stores and online at Tesco Direct.
Published 10/06/10
It's turning into a bit of a saga, this. No sooner had we published details of the new Technica SmartBox 8320HD on sale at Tesco, than reports started to filter through of some technical bugs as outlined below.
A software upgrade was released on June 9, but although that fixed some of the problems, it didn't fix all of them, as you can read in this thread on our Forums.
The good news is that we've just had it confirmed that a second firmware upgrade will be issued 'within the next 48 hours'. As before, details will be published on the Fetch TV website.
As for stock availability, we're also told more boxes are on the way and should be on sale by next week. We've put in a call to Tesco HQ for further clarification.
Published 06/06/10
Some of our users have reported problems with HD audio playback on their Technika SmartBox, as you can read in the comments on our original story below.
Fetch TV has confirmed on its website that a software update v4.7.48-9 will be issued for the Technika SmartBox on June 9th to overcome three issues affecting some users:
1) The loss of audio while playing back recorded HD programmes or timeshifted HD programmes.
2) When the SmartBox is in lower-power standby, the internal fan will be stopped.
3) An issue with the remote control sensitivity (auto repeat is too quick)
If your SmartBox 8320HD is connected to the internet, you should see the "SW.UPGRADE" menu item when you press Menu. If you don't see it, restart your SmartBox and wait two minutes, and then it should appear.
Published 03/06/10
From today you'll be able to pop down to your local Tesco Extra, or visit the Tesco Direct website, and buy a Technika SmartBox 8320HD Freeview+ HD PVR with 320GB hard drive for £200.
It gives access to high-definition programming on BBC HD, ITV1 HD, Channel Four HD and S4C in Wales.
And that's not all. The Technika SmartBox can also access 2000 hours of on-demand programmes from IP Vision's Fetch TV service when it's connected via broadband to the web.
As well as working with the BBC iPlayer, users can also subscribe to Sky Player to access paid-for Sky TV content including Sky Movies and Sky Sports.
Live broadcast Sky channels can be accessed by subscribing for a minimum of 30 days, or longer of required. Pay-per-view content does not require a minimum subscription period.
IP Vision says this is the first time paid-for Sky content has been made available via a Freeview+ HD set-top box.
What's more, the box will act as a media centre to deliver music, films and photographs from other networked storage devices wirelessly to your TV.
Matt Finch, Tesco's senior commercial manager, says: "We are offering customers a fantastic range of deals on entertainment systems ahead of the World Cup.
"Tesco is continually developing its electrical offering and the launch of the first Technika Freeview+ HD SmartBox at only £200 shows we are able to offer our customers the latest and best in technology at affordable prices."
To find out more about Freeview HD, click here
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Comments
Anybody know if this thing is going to work in Europe (eg Spain) as well.........?? once they get it working well
Update
had the box for a week now - minor glitches apart an excellent piece of kit
HD and SD pictures are stunning
export of recordings is also great
will be getting another next week for a relative
Buy one its great value and again top marks to fetch tv for the support
finally any news on the what Hifi review?
JH
hi
i fetched mine on Sunday 20th no problem on purchase
you can also reserve online and then collect at some stores
overall im very pleased - there are some minor glitches but no worse than my other freeview recorder
top marks to fetch tv for fixing all the issues so far
JH
ok! so whats the deal?? iv'e been reading the comments relating to TESCO'S TECHNIKA HD SMARTBOX RECORDER with interest and decided to take the plunge and buy one on 19/06/2010. got into my nearest tesco extra asked the sales person if i could purchase said box, but when it came to the item being scanned at the till, i was told they could not sell it me? there was a legal reason pending on the technika hd smatbox and that the item was to be recalled. fair enough. couple days later i went back to same shop and it was there again on the shelf, asked the sales person if i could buy one and they said yes, of course.got to the till again, and guess what? they could not sell it, legal reason pending, item to be recalled?..so why am i reading here that people are still buying the technika hd smartbox recorder from tescos everywhere else???
i have had the box for a few days now and am very pleased with the purchase
top marks for the fast updates pity philips didnt do the same
excellent features and picture quality i would recommend
has the review box arrived yet at what hifi?
JH
Has to be said, that this is yet another product that has been launched in a less than finished state.
Anyone buying this that does NOT have internet access and is less technically savvy will have bought a product that does not work as described. With the digital switchover in the near future, many older viewers will find themselves with products they have no idea of how to get working properly. And I can't see the likes of Tesco sorting out the problems for these people.
My elderly inlaws have no internet (nor interest in getting it), meaning that both the blu-ray player, and HD PVR they have bought are in the original software versions, meaning both have missing functionality, or don't work in some instances, and they don't understand why. Which also means they loose faith in the brands, so come on manufacturers wake up to this problem!
Fetched Mine from Tesco Extra this afternoon
looks good so far excellent quality on hd
tested remote record and timer record and media streaming so far. bbc i player also good.
excellent value for money
John
Cheap box = loads of problems..... Avoid!
Loads of the cheap Freeview PVRs that first appeared on the market have now gone from sale and those purchased are most likely are in the rubbish bin by now.
As soon as you hear mention of fan noise in a software update forget it!
Will this PVR be able to capture video from xbox 360 or ps3 as the Hauppage HD PVR does?
Tesco Direct website has now been updated and the SmartBox is back in stock. Follow the link at the top of the story above.
There are newspaper ads running today in the Daily Mail, The Sun, The Guardian and Daily Star promoting the box and saying it's available online at Tesco Direct, as reported above.
I'm told the website will be updated shortly, although when I looked at noon today the box still wasn't listed.
Hi
ive had a look at another site as this is still not available anywhere - do they want to sell these?
see post below from there
"Having spent a frustrating couple of weeks contacting Tesco about stock availability of the 8320, I have just been told by Business Support at Tesco this morning that the product status remains as 'withdrawn' and there are no imminent plans to place back on sale. By imminent I was told not in the next few weeks! "
JH
Andy
thanks for the update will check online later as would like to order
hope you get the review sample soon as well
John
Just been informed that more stock of the 8320HD should be available online later today, and in Tesco stores from tomorrow (June 17).
No jph160, we haven't had our review sample. I'll contact Tesco again and find out what's happening.
hi
still no sign of the box in tesco or online
any more news?
jh
Thanks for the update
i have an eye on the tesco website waiting for it to re-appear so i can order
has the review model arrived yet?
JH
We've just had it officially confirmed that a second firmware fix for the box will be issued "within the next 48 hours". As before, details will be published on the Fetch TV website.
As for stock availability, more boxes are on the way and should be on sale next week.
OK, I've put in calls to Tesco HQ and IP Vision/Fetch TV to find out what's happening, and they're investigating.
I'll report back as soon as I know more.
Hi
the item has now been removed from the tesco direct website as ive been waiting for a stock update
JH
Looks like this box has now been withdrawn by Tesco. Possibly until firmware has been properly fixed (lots of people still getting crashes, the remote sends each signal twice etc. etc.).
jph160 - when we talked to Tesco about this, they said the PVRs would be arriving in a series of batches. They fully expected first batch to sell out in days; new stock set for stores/online this week.
Tesco Direct already sold out
anyone know if any tesco stores have any left?
Got one in store yesterday. Its pretty feature packed and excellent value for money.
There is a problem with sound on HD recordings, however the fetch TV website says a firmware update is on its way.
The extra fetch TV services are a nice bonus and sky player / IPlayer seem to work well.
I'm pretty impressed so far especially for the price.
Initial reports indicate that HD recordings have no audio - not brilliant if you're looking to record HD matches from the World Cup! Will update as I see it.
Fetch TV box only has 160GB disk
It's �179 for the non-HD model.
this box is already on sale direct from fetch-tv for £179.
Is it Tesco exclusive?
Looks great. Considering the price/spec, almost too good to be true (citing bad experience with Tiscali/TalkTalk IPTV)? Hope not...
PS Getting very distracted by the animated Bravissimo D-KK-cup ad on right-side of page. Is such material appropriate for this parish?!
Thanks Andy, I'll look forward to it.