Customer Reviews

Sonicview Sv-hd8000 with Ihub and A-1 8psk Module Board

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I wanted to buy this receiver but came across many negative reviews. Many units stopped working and many will do the same in the near future (that may explain why private sellers are trying to sell used units as "new" - I sent an email to to of the sellers here, and he never answered).
Better receivers include ilink 9500 hd, and especially the brand new hd receivers (with real warranties) sold by sadoun and fridgefta for about 150. Check out model OpenboxS9 (which is brand new - not an actual "open box").

Other sellers are selling illegally modified receivers (and the penalties for stealing TV programs are severe) and selling receivers made by bankrupt companies such as viewsat and others; obviously the warranties of bankrupt companies are useless.

The best of the crop currently on the market. HD picture quality is clear and beautiful. The only gripe I have against it, is the remote, it has a problem communicating with the receiver and can be quite frustrating at times. This is a known issue with this receiver box.

Great video and audio quality However this product stopped working after 6 months..nothing comes up when power connected and there is no support for it.

I bought one of those things over a year ago and finally had to start using it with the digital OTA Tv. DTV has just arrived in Canada - September 2011. What a disappointment - Sonicview freezes on a daily basis! Reboots, and looses terrestrial Tv. USB disc drive connection is buggy - the STB sends something non standard after which you have to unplug the power to the external drive... Umm... yes, the USB drive needs external power. The chap that designed it this way should really be ashamed.
I have a dish hooked up to it and that part seems to work fine. Over the Air program reception however is a different story. The unit won't receive VHF channels, (I read somewhere that it has a software bug)! and PVR recording is a bit like lottery. Timer has some serious problems deciding which time to keep - it depends on the channel you are watching. In two weeks the timer only managed to record my wife's favorite show ONCE. Situation at home is "difficult" right now, she is not pleased...
Finally the internal fan - never sleeps, not even when you tell the box to turn off, or when it is hanging-up.
Internal HD option exists only as "future possibility". This really is a very sad STB.

Sorry folks, it is not capable of doing what a VCR did 20 years ago.

On the plus side - the remote control seems to be a much better thing then any Sharp, Sony or LG - it does not pretend the other brands don't exist.

The only channels I was able to pick up was the local channels here in New York city. All other channels are blocked! I believe you must use your own satelite dish to get anything else.