Ferguson Ariva 250

uck51js9zml2yt

I figured it was time to give this its own thread

I ordered one from Eiretv on ebay for €103 + postage.
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Ferguson-Ariva-250-HD-Combo-Freesat-Saorview-Receiver-LATEST-MODEL-FULL-HD-/261053110727

They also have official wifi dongles for 14.95. -I didnt get one yet

Payment was to Satworld!

SchrodingersCat

I bought three last week of satsklep.pl for 87 euros inc. postage each. There was a bit of work in setting them up, as they had no channels scanned in and came in polish. So if you want to save some time it may be worth getting them off an irish website.

Dodzy posted the lastest firmware and a channel list here:

dodzy wrote: »

This poxy 3606 Ariva Channel Editor is an absolute PITA. Crash after crash. Pure torture. A job that should have taken 1hr.......

I've starting to swear at the laptop now. We all know where this leads :mad:

EDIT: Done. Favs as follows:

1. General TV including HD variants (31)
2. Movies (12)
3. BBC Olympics including HD (24)
4. News (11)
5. Kids (8)
6. Music (9)

Not an exhaustive list by any means but the full list of channels is there to mess around with on the editor to add or remove channels for your needs.

N.B: Don't delete any channels from the MAIN list or you'll lose them from your FAVS. I had terrible trouble with the editor crashing periodically but overcame that earlier.



Link here

Just remember. Only for the 250 on the V1.18B6 FW

Any ralink 5370 chipset based wifi usb dongle should work with the Ariva 250, and probably the Ariva 150 aswell. Buying a generic one instead of the official Ferguson should save us some cash. I took a screenshot of the wifi menu:


You can buy one here for e5.70: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mini-usb-2-4ghz-150mbps-802-11b-g-n-wifi-wireless-network-card-adapter-black-120933

Or on ebay for around 4 euro.

uck51js9zml2yt

So you saved €26 and had the hassle of setting them up and changing the plug and of course a longer waiting time.
Plus, if it goes wrong in the next 12 months you need to post it back to them

yomamasflavour

Devon Wailing Tack wrote: »

So you saved €26 and had the hassle of setting them up and changing the plug and of course a longer waiting time.
Plus, if it goes wrong in the next 12 months you need to post it back to them

Is there a shop somewhere selling them?
I'd imagine most buy online, so posting back is required anyway.

He bought from an Irish seller (eiretv.ie) so don't see how plug/setting up/ longer waiting time apply. The same amount of setting up would have to be done regardless of where you buy it from.

uck51js9zml2yt

yomamasflavour wrote: »

Devon Wailing Tack wrote: »

So you saved €26 and had the hassle of setting them up and changing the plug and of course a longer waiting time.
Plus, if it goes wrong in the next 12 months you need to post it back to them

Is there a shop somewhere selling them?
I'd imagine most buy online, so posting back is required anyway.

He bought from an Irish seller (eiretv.ie) so don't see how plug/setting up/ longer waiting time apply. The same amount of setting up would have to be done regardless of where you buy it from.

Its programmed already and they have a shop to walk into if there's a problem

yomamasflavour

Sorry didn't read the order of the thread properly. I thought you were saying people shouldn't buy from ebay.ie, just realised you were the one who bought from ebay and you were talking about satsklep.

I also bought 3 boxes from satsklep.
€250 vs €330 from ebay.ie or €370 from satworld.ie.

Only took 4 days by UPS, and the €100 saved payed for dish, splitters, diplexers, wiring etc.
Considering these days alot of people are struggling to pay bills, it's a considerable saving.

dodzy

yomamasflavour wrote: »

Sorry didn't read the order of the thread properly. I thought you were saying people shouldn't buy from ebay.ie, just realised you were the one who bought from ebay and you were talking about satsklep.

I also bought 3 boxes from satsklep.
€250 vs €330 from ebay.ie or €370 from satworld.ie.

Only took 4 days by UPS, and the €100 saved payed for dish, splitters, diplexers, wiring etc.
Considering these days alot of people are struggling to pay bills, it's a considerable saving.

Yeah, satsklep are good. Never had an issue. Simple advice would be ( based on the issues reported with its predecessor, the 120 ) to set it up with a channel list you are happy with, and if working well, don't update the firmware ever again. Apart from the odd TP channel change or addition which may necessitate a scan, there should be absolutely nothing to do. I like the added functionality of the remote and the channel display on the box too. For less than a fiver compared to the price of the 150, it's a bit of a no brainer.

uck51js9zml2yt

I've no doubt satsklep are good when it comes to volumes but when you take €26 difference for 1 box and then the cost of the plug, the time taken to get it and put in on, the time taken to program the box and then the increased cost of returning it to poland if it develops a fault, then the difference isnt worth in IMO.
I can drive over to kimmage in 30 minutes and I dont have any hassle in prepping the box for use tomorrow.
Plus its supporting the irish economy.


My only question is how they can charge €119 on their site and €103 on ebay plus the cut ebay and paypal take and they still make a profit.
Sell it on the site at €103 and make more money

dodzy

Devon Wailing Tack wrote: »

I've no doubt satsklep are good when it comes to volumes but when you take €26 difference for 1 box and then the cost of the plug, the time taken to get it and put in on, the time taken to program the box and then the increased cost of returning it to poland if it develops a fault, then the difference isnt worth in IMO.
I can drive over to kimmage in 30 minutes and I dont have any hassle in prepping the box for use tomorrow.
Plus its supporting the irish economy.

No argument from me on the above. Just sayin that I had no issues and obviously if you are buying 1, then it makes sense to source local. Not sure if Tony at Satellite.ie is selling the 250. I must check the site.

Devon Wailing Tack wrote: »

My only question is how they can charge €119 on their site and €103 on ebay plus the cut ebay and paypal take and they still make a profit.
Sell it on the site at €103 and make more money

Overheads such as rent, heat & light, employee costs etc; will always have ancost impact on B & M stores vs Online

uck51js9zml2yt

dodzy wrote: »

Overheads such as rent, heat & light, employee costs etc; will always have ancost impact on B & M stores vs Online

They are selling it online on their store site at a dearer price..:eek:
I was in touch with Tony a few weeks ago, he said he was trying to get them in but heard no more.

bmaxi

I don't see what the problem is buying online from Poland or anywhere else for that matter. I bought my last box in Ireland and my current one in Poland, because there weren't any Irish suppliers.
I appreciate the help and information I've been given on these forums and the CS I got from the supplier was excellent but as the saying goes "the exception proves the rule" and my experience of Irish suppliers or the Irish based agents of International suppliers has not always been good.
During the Tiger years, rip-off prices and shoddy CS was rife among Irish retailers and a lot of people just got pissed off and took their business elsewhere. This has now become the norm and the same Irish suppliers are crying foul because those people who they treated badly in the past, won't deal with them anymore. This is tough on the genuine guys who have always tried to give good service but they're going to have to grin and bear it, if they can't /won't compete on prices, they'll have to make it up some other way. That's what the EU is all about.

uck51js9zml2yt

bmaxi wrote: »

I don't see what the problem is buying online from Poland or anywhere else for that matter. I bought my last box in Ireland and my current one in Poland, because there weren't any Irish suppliers.
I appreciate the help and information I've been given on these forums and the CS I got from the supplier was excellent but as the saying goes "the exception proves the rule" and my experience of Irish suppliers or the Irish based agents of International suppliers has not always been good.
During the Tiger years, rip-off prices and shoddy CS was rife among Irish retailers and a lot of people just got pissed off and took their business elsewhere. This has now become the norm and the same Irish suppliers are crying foul because those people who they treated badly in the past, won't deal with them anymore. This is tough on the genuine guys who have always tried to give good service but they're going to have to grin and bear it, if they can't /won't compete on prices, they'll have to make it up some other way. That's what the EU is all about.

I agree with all of the above.
BUT I opened this thread hoping itwould be a support thread for the ariva 250 not a debate on the pros and cons of buying in poland or ireland.

can we get it on track now please.


Am waiting on my delivery today from Eiretv/satworld.

bmaxi

Devon Wailing Tack wrote: »

I agree with all of the above.
BUT I opened this thread hoping itwould be a support thread for the ariva 250 not a debate on the pros and cons of buying in poland or ireland.

can we get it on track now please.


Am waiting on my delivery today from Eiretv/satworld.

Agreed but you were one of those responsible for taking it off topic.
You won't be disappointed with the 250, excellent value, very user friendly, the menus are easy to negotiate, the EPG is superior to the 120. Even those supplied from Poland, once you learn the Polish word for language (Google it), is a doddle to negotiate.

bmm

Does this box have 7 day epg ?

bmaxi

bmm wrote: »

Does this box have 7 day epg ?

No, only now and next.

uck51js9zml2yt

I connected my box up this evening and everything works perfectly. I just set my favourites and 30 minutes later was sitting downstairs watching sky and calling them to cancel the extra box.:D

I can live without 7 day epg for the bedroom. Is there a box that does EPG?

dodzy

Devon Wailing Tack wrote: »

I can live without 7 day epg for the bedroom. Is there a box that does EPG?

if a 7 day EPG is a must, then get a freesat box. Easiest solution.

coopershels

is ther any benefit in connecting an ethernet cable into the lan port on the back of it. i.e will it allow you to browse the internet or stream videos.

ChorleyMatt

coopershels wrote: »

is ther any benefit in connecting an ethernet cable into the lan port on the back of it. i.e will it allow you to browse the internet or stream videos.

There's a YouTube app, a Weather app, RSS feeds and other such bits and bobs.

coopershels

thanks for the reply

one more qusetion! does anyone know what lcn is in the other option. when you turn it on all the channel numbers change but that's all i can see it does.

is there any benefit in this? or is it as pointless as it first appears.

thanks.

bmaxi

Noticed a tendency to freeze when scrolling through the channels, which only a hard reboot will cure. I seem to remember something like this in the 120 too, hopefully a firmware update will solve it.

dodzy

bmaxi wrote: »

Noticed a tendency to freeze when scrolling through the channels, which only a hard reboot will cure. I seem to remember something like this in the 120 too, hopefully a firmware update will solve it.

Haven't noticed. What FW are you on ?

bmaxi

dodzy wrote: »

Haven't noticed. What FW are you on ?

V1.17B8. I presume that's the original FW, didn't know there'd been an update.

Tony

bmaxi wrote: »

V1.17B8. I presume that's the original FW, didn't know there'd been an update.

Its 1.18 now ftp://ftp2.ferguson.pl/ferguson/

The Royal Scam

I am having trouble recording programmes on my unit. I have put a 2gb memory stick and can rewind etc fine but cannot record anything , would space be an issue? What size space would you need to record something about 1hr in length?

bmaxi

The Royal Scam wrote: »

I am having trouble recording programmes on my unit. I have put a 2gb memory stick and can rewind etc fine but cannot record anything , would space be an issue? What size space would you need to record something about 1hr in length?

Try formatting the memory stick.

dodzy

The Royal Scam wrote: »

I am having trouble recording programmes on my unit. I have put a 2gb memory stick and can rewind etc fine but cannot record anything , would space be an issue? What size space would you need to record something about 1hr in length?

Format the stick under PVR Storage Information Menu.

Recording SD is approx 2GB per hour and HD is approx 6GB per hour.

dodzy

Here is a channel list for the 250 ( I had it posted on the Ariva 150 thread ). "Favourites" setup as follows:

1. General TV including HD variants (31)
2. Movies (12)
3. BBC Olympics including HD (24)
4. News (11)
5. Kids (8)
6. Music (9)

Link : here

The full list of channels is in there also so people can tweek it to suit their own tastes with the Ariva Channel Editor software available from Ferguson
Just remember. Only for the 250 on the V1.18B6 FW

channnel editor and firmware upgrade link

dodzy

Here we go again...another FW release:rolleyes:

1.19B1

Not sure of change log. Link below, just select the 250 combo.

http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/download/HD-Satellite-Receivers/

Tony

Thanks , I see the 150 updated too . The lack of a changelog is a real pain.

dodzy wrote: »

Here we go again...another FW release:rolleyes:

1.19B1

Not sure of change log. Link below, just select the 250 combo.

http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/download/HD-Satellite-Receivers/

I am now officially wrong

Tony wrote: »

Its 1.18 now ftp://ftp2.ferguson.pl/ferguson/

dodzy

Tony wrote: »

Thanks , I see the 150 updated too . The lack of a changelog is a real pain.





I am now officially wrong

:-)

Changelog FWIW, translated from a polish site:

not for me.....

"The new system software version introduces many improvements and bug fixes reported by users so far. We recommend upgrading to the new version, then restore the factory settings in order to "clean"'s settings.

Note: For this update, we recommend that you format a disk / memory, or delete all the directories created by the receiver in order to avoid possible errors associated with the amendments.

The most important changes, which include 1.19B1 version include:
- Use of native Android keyboard when searching using Ariva Remote
- Improved handling of timers and a timer operation
- Improved access to the service API YouPorn
- Fixed display of channel names when turned on LCN"

STB

Possibly the most important change there is the second last one that enables Youporn. This can be password protected anyhow, but for some the versions prior to this make sure it doesn't work whatsoever.

bmaxi

dodzy wrote: »

Here we go again...another FW release:rolleyes:

1.19B1

Not sure of change log. Link below, just select the 250 combo.

http://www.ferguson-digital.eu/en/download/HD-Satellite-Receivers/

Bollocks!!!! only got around to updating to 1.18 today. :eek::eek::D

dodzy

bmaxi wrote: »

Bollocks!!!! only got around to updating to 1.18 today. :eek::eek::D

I'm on 1.18. Happy with my channel list. No issues, so it's not for me

Tony

bmaxi wrote: »

Bollocks!!!! only got around to updating to 1.18 today. :eek::eek::D

I'd stick with 1.18 nothing of interest in the new firmware IMHO

uck51js9zml2yt

How do i check what version I have and how do I update?

TIA

Tony

Devon Wailing Tack wrote: »

How do i check what version I have and how do I update?

TIA

Information in the menu.

bmaxi

dodzy wrote: »

I'm on 1.18. Happy with my channel list. No issues, so it's not for me

Nah, gotta have You Porn.

Any idea what bugs were fixed in the update?

Tony

None that I know of http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=80118326&postcount=31

bmaxi wrote: »

Nah, gotta have You Porn.

Any idea what bugs were fixed in the update?

ScrubsfanChris

Got my Ariva 250 today from yourself(company) Tony, all set up and working.

Thanks

bmaxi

Just noticed after I updated the firmware to 1.18 that RTE+1 and RTE JNR are both being recived without any fiddling about. Is this a result of the update or have there been changes to the transmission data?

dodzy

bmaxi wrote: »

Just noticed after I updated the firmware to 1.18 that RTE+1 and RTE JNR are both being recived without any fiddling about. Is this a result of the update or have there been changes to the transmission data?

What "fiddling about" ?

Tony

bmaxi wrote: »

Just noticed after I updated the firmware to 1.18 that RTE+1 and RTE JNR are both being recived without any fiddling about. Is this a result of the update or have there been changes to the transmission data?

Thats interesting, must check this out later.

Tony

dodzy wrote: »

What "fiddling about" ?

I'd imagine editing the audio PID using the editor.

Tweebs

Hi all, I'm new to to this thread and was hoping someone could help. Got two of these nifty boxes fitted yesterday. Never had any satellite boxes before so all new to me and am having a little problem with the timer recordings. External powered HD formatted as NTFS.

When I set the Timer to record, it changes the channel as I expect but afterwards I cannot seem to find out where it has recorded to. Even when you are looking at the channel list, the one you set on timer does not appear red as it does for other recordings. Recording as it is playing is OK and I find these under the record tab but nothing there for the ones I have set on timer.

Hope someone out there with a bit more knowledge can guide me in the right direction.

Thanks.

bmaxi

Tweebs wrote: »

Hi all, I'm new to to this thread and was hoping someone could help. Got two of these nifty boxes fitted yesterday. Never had any satellite boxes before so all new to me and am having a little problem with the timer recordings. External powered HD formatted as NTFS.

When I set the Timer to record, it changes the channel as I expect but afterwards I cannot seem to find out where it has recorded to. Even when you are looking at the channel list, the one you set on timer does not appear red as it does for other recordings. Recording as it is playing is OK and I find these under the record tab but nothing there for the ones I have set on timer.

Hope someone out there with a bit more knowledge can guide me in the right direction.

Thanks.

All recordings should show in the record file. Are you sure they're recording? Check the storage for your HD and make sure it has been used. Are the time and date correct? In the Timer record menu, make sure it's set to wake up to "record" and not to "channel"

Tweebs

bmaxi wrote: »

All recordings should show in the record file. Are you sure they're recording? Check the storage for your HD and make sure it has been used. Are the time and date correct? In the Timer record menu, make sure it's set to wake up to "record" and not to "channel"

bmaxi, thanks so much for your reply, it explained the one thing that I was doing wrong[URL="[URL=http://www.thesmilies.com][img]http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/ashamed/ashamed_smilie.gif[/img][/URL]"][/url], I was doing the wake up thing but it was on channel as opposed to record. Did a test this morning, worked perfectly. [URL="[URL=http://www.thesmilies.com][img]http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/jumping/jumping0008.gif[/img][/URL]"][/url]

Donegal Surfer

dodzy wrote: »

I'm on 1.18. Happy with my channel list. No issues, so it's not for me

Is there any way you can share your channel listing? I am on the lookout for a good SlyIreland channel listing in groups for the Ariva 250. Its a fantastic system apart from not being able to download a good channel listing on the box itself and the lack of the 7 day epg.

I also have a BM7000 which has the benefit of being able to download channel listings for sky in your area and has a full 7 day epg guide but in many ways is not as good as the Ariva 250........plus the 250 is alot cheaper.

Colmos85

I got one of these boxes from Tony. Had to change the plug from 2 pin to 3 pin one myself, a plug came in the box but was not very good so bought a new one.
Box is not bad to navigate and rearrange channels etc. done nothing with fav's yet. Can play most Video Files, MKV, avi, MP4, MPEG, Divx. One HD movie I have thats MKV and 8GB plays with no sound. Audio is DTS 48 KHz 1536Kbps 5.1 and I understood that the box plays this???
Another thing when you press the channel list and it shows now/next to the right of each channel, it only shows the now/next if you select the channel. which is a little annoying.

Happy with the Box bar what I pointed out there. Ill post more info when I test more.

Tony

Colmos85 wrote: »

I got one of these boxes from Tony. Had to change the plug from 2 pin to 3 pin one myself, a plug came in the box but was not very good so bought a new one.

Its not a plug its an adapter, what did you find not good about it ?

Daniel S

Is there a similar box to the Ariva 250 (that still has all of its features) that has a seven day EPG for Freesat, but can also tune into German channels? Basically two satellites inputs and one terrestrial input.

Can the Ariva 250's browser play flash streams? Ustream etc?