What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
29 JUL 2009
TechniSat HDFS
This is a product worthy of investigation, but make sure you examine its usability before you buy
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For all its undoubted merits, Freesat high-definition broadcasting hasn't as yet fired the imagination of the public at large as much as might have been hoped.
TechniSat's HDFS looks just the sort of sensibly-priced box to promote the platform, and in many ways, that's exactly the case.
The HDFS is a compact device with sufficient connectivity (composite, Scart, digital optical and coaxial, and HDMI outputs; USB, Ethernet and LNB aerial inputs) to satisfy any reasonable user, a straightforward remote and gratifyingly simple menus.
Receiving the HD broadcast of BBC's Wimbledon coverage, the TechniSat impresses with its stable, vibrant images. It does a good job tracking the motion and keeps colours natural and neutral despite the vast preponderance of green on the screen.
HD images are clear to see
The TechniSat also offers strong, detailed contrasts and draws a nice smooth edge. It may not be the last word where finer details like skin texture are concerned, but you'd never mistake its high-def images for Freeview pictures.
Sound is of the 'inoffensive' rather than 'actively enjoyable' type.
So far, so good – but our TechniSat box also exhibited some much less desirable traits. The EPG, for instance, was routinely reluctant to load and left a blank screen where there should have been a long list.
And moving the box from one testing room to another provoked a sulk (the 'I won't come off standby no matter how you implore me' kind of sulk) that lasted for hours.
If you find an example that doesn't have these issues, though, it's well worth consideration.
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