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Sagem DS186HD

Sagem DSI86HD

Freesat HD for the casual observer

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Review “Just because you have an HD Ready TV, it does not mean you are watching HD TV.” Well whaddya know? Still, that’s the advice that Sagem gives in the manual for its new DSI86HD Freesat HD receiver.

Sagem DSI86HD

Sagem's DSI86HD: the antidote to satellite subscription services

Sure it sounds obvious to technophile Register readers, yet there are many people who own HD TV sets who don’t realise that they’re still just watching standard-definition programmes, and that they need to receive an HD signal in order for their TV to show all in its high-definition glory.

Indeed, Sagem hopes to appeal to the HD-unready masses with the DSI86HD. The home cinema enthusiasts have got their Sky HD subscriptions and Blu-ray players sorted out already, so the DSI86HD is aimed at more casual viewers who’d not want an expensive subscription.

Sagem is after those who’ll be happy with the BBC HD channel on Freesat plus the occasional episode of The Bill on the half-hearted ITV HD. And we have to say that the company has done a pretty good job at making the device easy for novices to configure and use.

The DSI86HD is a compact, black plastic box measuring just 12in wide, 7in deep and less than 2in high, so you’ll have no trouble finding room for it beside your TV. The plastic casing isn’t terribly rugged though, and it’s light enough for a toddler to easily pull it off a shelf, so plan ahead if that’s likely to be an issue.

Sagem DSI86HD

Unplugged? The front panel USB port is currently a curiosity, rather than functional

There’s a simple LCD display on the front of the unit, and a USB port that is labelled for unspecified ‘future use’. Tucked around the back of the unit you’ll find another port for reserved for future use, this time Ethernet.

Latest Comments

sagem box

I cannot believe the moron that is Anonymous coward- comparing a non recording box to a HD recorder? Get a grip, get a life. Nothing wrong with the Sagem box, still working just fine for me watching Watchdog in HD just now !

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@Greg J Preece

"My Foxsat constantly pisses me off by forgetting its static IP settings every time I turn it on."

Can your dhcp server (router/nas?) assign an ip by MAC? this would fix your problem!

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FreeSat & Ethernet and iPlayer

Isn't the ethernet port part of the Freesat Standard?

Isn't it on all Freesat boxes?

IIRC the beeb was working on an iplayer interface for freesat boxes. Whereby freesat boxes with internet could view iPlayer.. using the Tuner remote only.

And additionally arn't the new Panansonic freesat tuners capable of viewing youtube via the Ethernet port already?

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a Title

The Humax Foxsat HD recorder kicks four colours of shit out of this box!

Twin HD Freesat Tuner And HD Recorder.. & No Murdoch Tax

Yes it costs a fraction more than this box (less than £100!), but its a HD recorder! why is this so expensive? most view only boxes are £30-£60

@mr mcgiver: Bitter?

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have you bought one?

I see a lot of criticisms from people who have not bought this box.

Keep to the point!!

I have bought it and it works absoutely fine.

Picture is good, sound is fine. No problems.

I didn't want to pay Sky any more money and plugged this in the other day. Straight up and running. EASY .

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