Goodmans GDB2

Goodmans GDB2 - Overall not a bad product but would have liked to get more than 12 months out of it.

The Goodmans GDB2 freeview box was a Bad buy, I got one years use out of it.

The Goodmans GDB2 box is good and works well with good features and is reliable until now. The machine is constantly freezing or rebooting. I have looked into this problem and found various articles on the machine regarding an update that was pushed down across the TV network. I have found a firmware update and will apply this tomorrow and will also place feedback on the update. Please wait for feedback before updating yours, I will post back late Saturday.

Link I will use is below.

Robbie

http://www.pvruk.com/2004/09/goodmans_gdb2_a.html

The Goodmans GDB 2 is an excellent all round set top box.

The price on average from most retailers is £89.99 but those who are keen on a bargin should look to empiredirect.co.uk to pick this box up for £78

The Downside with this box is the dated look, it reminds me of an ice cream box, not very eye catching, maybe that was the designers intention but it's not that easy on the eye.

Secondly the remote control, although it's comfortable to use the amount of buttons to control your video/dvd/tv/digi box is slightly over the top as these functions only work on Thomson products. So when the lights are low your probably find your tapping the pause button instead of BBC1.

The Goodside is it changes channels incredible well and the picture quality is very good. The out of box UHF setting seemed to pick up all the channels with an excellent signal as well.

You also get the added beauty of 2 scart sockets so you will always have one scart socket free. Most of the mini boxes don't offer this the only other one I have found was the Goodmans GDB2.

Overall a good piece of kit, some good features, excellent performace and picture quality, let down by a over the top remote and a dated 70s look.

well, the GOODMANS GDB-2 is outstanding value for money, at under 80 pounds from most high street electrical retailers. It allows you to receive all the freeview broadcasts, and has excellent picture and sound quality. the box is also very small, so it will neatly sit on top of your tv or vcr. Included with the box is everything you need to be watching digital tv, obviously there is the receiver, but with this there are also scart and RF leads for connecting to tv/vcr, and a remote control (even has batteries!). The box itself is very user friendly, and you can be watching upto 30 new channels in less than 10 minutes of setting up. However, there are 1 or 2 minor bad points about this box, one of which are the bugs in the software version 1.0. this software has caused some problems such as missing tv listings, interactive services not working fully, and the occasional switch-off. also, we have no picture on BBC parliament, not that i watch it anyway. BUT and there is a but, i have re-scanned my box, and updated it to version 3.0 software, and so far so good, it's sorted out all the problems, well done Goodmans and many thanks for the software update!

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.