What features would you like to see in a Freeview STB?

[Tesla]

As some of you know I run my own AV installation business and set-up lots of equipment for all sorts of people.

I have come to the conclusion that nothing I have set up as ever made me go wow, this is damn well designed (Put yourself in the shoes of the average person who is not as tech-savvy as we are).

Obviously if such kit did exist it would put me out of a lot of work! So perhaps that's not so bad.

Anyway, I am looking into designing a Freeview STB and looking into new ways of controlling the box and just revamping how to use it. I then want to progress from there to other AV kit.

What I would like to hear from you guys is the features you would love to have in a Freeview STB?

Many thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Things I'd love:
- Digital input and output (HDMI)
- Big hard drive, with upgradeability option
- Option for a built in optical drive. That would allow the fitting of HD-DVD drive or BlueRay at a later date
- Twin tuners
- GOOD picture/sound quality
- The option for a number of quality settings
- Easy remote control
- Wi-fi, so that it can talk to a PC for programming. I picture the idea of a unit that a user can log on to from work via a net browser as the user has only just remembered that something important is on
- Coaxial digital output for sound
- Stereo only output on the rear panel for people not using the digital output
- Consider not having any digital to analogue sound decoding onboard, reducing costs
- RF capability to talk to a PC and play lossless FLAC or AAC files within the lounge
- Easy to read front display
- Needs to be lounge friendly
- Mug proof interface. If you need to read the manual, it's too complex

Is that a good starting point?

 

[Tesla]

Is that a good starting point?

Absolutely fantastic. Thanks.

EDIT- Can a passing mod update the title please.

 

[Raider]

Sony STB but with a hard drive please

 

[pieman109]

One that doesn't lock up ever!

 

[9designs2]

One that doesn't lock/freeze.
If it does, doesn't lose stations on reboot.
SP/DIF output. (coax)
Component output.
HDMI output.
HD compatible for future broadcasts
Hard drive option
Output Freeview stations on the RF out, to send to other rooms.
Port to manually flash bios.
"Up sampling chip"
Twin tuners with picture in picture
Signal strength meter on front display.
Above for max £50 (non hard drive version)

 

[SinaiSound]

Good Stuff

Yes please! I'll take one

 

[img]

it has to pass the Mum/nan test of being useable