Review: Sonicview SV-HD8000

kirara386 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 12:28 PM

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I wasn't able to post in the review section, most likely due to my low post count, so mods feel free to move the post if you want.

I finally feel I've tested my Sonicview 8000 enough to give it a fair review. This is my first receiver so I don't have a lot of experience with FTA boxes. If you see something I haven't touched on that you want to know more about I'll do my best to get the answer for you.

Right off the bat this receiver is not capable of showing DVB-S2 or 4:2:2 (audio only). As it is from the factory it has no 8psk support either. There is an after market card signal pirates like to use for 8psk but it is not supported by factory firmware.

Now that we've got that out of the way onto some of the things this receiver can do...

The SV8000HD has an ATSC tuner. I haven't used this feature in a while, but when I tested it out several months ago it worked as well as the ATSC tuner in my Samsung DLP (no surprise there, the 8000's ATSC tuner is made by Samsung).

Now for satellite viewing. I tested this unit on both C and Ku bands. I haven't had any trouble tuning anything I've tried (I probably haven't been as thorough as some) . I have found that the signal/quality meter to give a low values. For instance RTN on AMC 9 always shows the quality level as being 5-29% yet the channel comes in with no freezing or glitches. Most other FTA comes in at around 45%, also with no picture issues. The unencrypted signals on circular satellites usually come in at 99-100% quality, as do a few of the stronger linear signals. I do have a quad Invacom on my 36" Fortec Star dish and I'm wondering if maybe it's weighing the support arm down slightly, as I've seen other members have had this problem. When I have some free time I'll get out and test this and report back.

I use the 8000 with a USALS motor. It does an excellent job of driving/guiding this motor. I had the USALS part of this working well at one point. I disconnected my HH motor when I was using a GBox for my BUD (pre 4DTV), and I haven't gotten the USALS to work correctly since. I will try to look into this and follow up on it. Since USALS was working well at one point I'm sure I just need to reset something in the receiver or on the motor.

This receiver does blindscan and it does it well. It will even find channels/transponders when you are not dead on the satellite, which helps a lot when you're not exactly sure if you're in the neighborhood of the satellite you're looking for. It is also very easy to tell when it encounters an active transponder, even if it is one it can't decode. This would make the 8000 an excellent companion to a receiver that was unable of blindscanning.

The receiver does have basic PVR functions. Basically set a timer to tune to the channel that you want to record. No pausing live TV or anything fancy like that. You will want to keep the unit hooked up to an aerial antenna to keep the correct time if you want to use the PVR extensively. I find I don't use this feature often.

It does have a couple of quirks. One of course is the signal/quality meter as mentioned above. The other is the remote is touchy. It sometimes registers multiple key presses even when you only press the button once. You do get used to that quirk eventually although it can be annoying when you're trying to fine tune a motor.

My recommendation...If you want an HD receiver and don't need DVB-S2 or 4:2:2 this is a very well rounded receiver. If you do want to be able to receive DVB-S2 or 4:2:2, I would recommend getting a HD receiver that supports them, as the $300 plus price tag of the 8000 without the 8psk board is a bit steep just for blindscanning capabilities.

Edit: Added pictures as requested. I could not find anything bigger for the front and back views at the moment.

**Iceberg** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 06:27 PM

nice review

Any pics of the screens?

(as for the original line. We have the review area locked so new threads cant be started..had too many newbie questions end up here)

Anole · #3 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 06:59 PM

Thanks. Made for some good reading!

I might also ask for pictures of the front 'n rear, something good enough to zoom in on and read the printing.
Maybe even stolen off an existing web site.

Also, any switch configurations that worked, would be good.
For instance: diseqc, 22khz, multiswitch.

I see you said the motor worked fine initially.
If you debug why it doesn't now (or not) that would be interesting.
I doubt it's anything serious.

Sounds like a pretty nice unit.
Might have asked a little more of the recording function, though.

kirara386 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anole

Thanks. Made for some good reading!

I might also ask for pictures of the front 'n rear, something good enough to zoom in on and read the printing.
Maybe even stolen off an existing web site.

Also, any switch configurations that worked, would be good.
For instance: diseqc, 22khz, multiswitch.

I see you said the motor worked fine initially.
If you debug why it doesn't now (or not) that would be interesting.
I doubt it's anything serious.

Sounds like a pretty nice unit.
Might have asked a little more of the recording function, though.

I wasn't all that impressed with the recording function. Basically you just set a timer and tell it whether you want it to record or not, or tell the unit you want to record what you're watching. Not really anything to write home about.

As far as switches go...so far I've only used 1x4 diseqc, a 22khz, and a 2x4 multiswith. No problems with any switch configurations so far.

I do have pictures. They're on my camera. I'll have to wait until I get home to upload them. I'm at work right now. Won't get home until much much later tonight.

Should have posted these before....Manufacturor's specs

Quote:

daddyzlod · #5 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 12:02 AM

I've just added a 500 gb usb 2.0 hard drive to my SV 8000, and have recorded a couple of 1 hr programs,
which worked real good.
Took awhile to figure out the remote buttons to get it to work properly.

kirara386 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddyzlod

I've just added a 500 gb usb 2.0 hard drive to my SV 8000, and have recorded a couple of 1 hr programs,
which worked real good.
Took awhile to figure out the remote buttons to get it to work properly.

I have no problem getting it to record. I also have a 500gb hard drive hooked up to mine. I guess I just want something a little more snazzy...like pausing live TV and being able to rewind live TV. Although I don't think there are any FTA boxes that will allow you to do that at the moment.

Now let me get those pics uploaded.

Anole · #7 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 02:38 AM

Thanks again. Great job. Telling all is what makes the reviews so useful! -

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirara386

I have no problem getting it to record. I also have a 500gb hard drive hooked up to mine. I guess I just want something a little more snazzy...like pausing live TV and being able to rewind live TV. Although I don't think there are any FTA boxes that will allow you to do that at the moment.

Well, it's not HD, but my Visionsat (with 500gb) does just about every trick my Dish Network PVR does.
Freeze live shows. Back up live shows.
Cannot start recording before *now*, though

Full control of recorded shows.
Doesn't remember where you left off playing a show, though.
I'd give it a B+, and there is no reason other products couldn't do as well.

vfrjim · #8 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 06:04 PM

Just a heads up for those who purchase this STB, the power supply tends to last only about a yr and a 1/2. The manufacturer will sell you a replacement when needed (as of now), mine is already dead.

Anole · #9 (**permalink**) 04-15-2009, 09:32 PM

Does it seem to run warm?
Maybe a small, quiet fan inside might help prolong the life. (?)

vfrjim · #10 (**permalink**) 04-16-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anole

Does it seem to run warm?
Maybe a small, quiet fan inside might help prolong the life. (?)

Put it this way, I took mine apart the day I got it and left the cover off of it and placed it in my rack. It never got hot at all and it still died. Poor quality on the PSU.