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102 What Satellite & Digital TV January 2009
Metronic Sat
HD 100
Metronic’s Freesat HD zapper arrives just in time
for Christmas – but it is it naughty or nice?
The launch of Freesat was marred slightly by an
initial shortage of boxes but now the second
wave of product launches is getting underway.
This HD zapper hasn’t garnered as much attention as
the fi rst Freesat PVR from Humax, but it does give us a
glimpse into what Metronic’s own PVR could be like
when it appears in early 2009.
Appearance and connectivity
Aesthetically, the Metronic doesn’t deviate too far from
its Freesat siblings; its all-black stylings and diminutive
size fall in line with boxes from Grundig and Bush. The
plastic fascia has no display to speak of – just an LED
indicator – but does have a row of fi ve buttons for
volume, channel-changing and power. There’s no CI slot
– this is strictly FTA. Backplate connectors include an LNB
loopthrough but, unlike the Humax Foxsat-HD, there is
no DiSEqC software installed.
AV connectors lean pleasingly towards the higher end
of the quality spectrum. An HDMI output is 1.2 standard,
but you have the ability to ‘turn off ’ HDCP in the menus
should this create an issue for your TV.
Add to this twin Scarts, both with S-video and
composite output, plus RGB out on the TV Scart (the
receiver can output via Scart and HDMI at the same time).
There’s also an optical digital audio output with Dolby
passthrough but no phono option.
Data ports comprise Ethernet for the promised Freesat
on-demand services while a USB port sits between the
HDMI and power input. This can be used to install
software updates from a fl ash drive (also achievable via
satellite) and adds the bonus of multimedia playback,
although chunky drives can be a tight fi t.
Happily, the power supply is 12V, making the Sat 100
suitable for watching FTA channels in a dish-equipped
caravan.
The remote control is clearly designed with the
forthcoming PVR in mind, having prominent VCR-style
You can scan selected transponders on a satellite
if you wish, which is a lot quicker than full scans if
you know what you’re loking for
The programme information bar is nicely
presented, but skipping through data can be
quite an erratic experience
The Freesat EPG looks better than that on the
Alba boxes but functions the same way.
Non-Freesat channels get their own EPG
■
www.metronic.co.uk
■
£150
The Opposition
Humax Foxsat-HD
■
Still the best zapper for enthusiasts
with the sharpest Freesat EPG
presentation. PVR now available
Bush BFSAT01 HD
■
The best of the Alba HD boxes but
without multimedia playback or many
of the menu options off ered by the
Metronic
WST270.metronichd100 102
1/12/08 5:01:38 pm
