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04-13-2009, 12:28 PM
|  | Pub Member / Supporter | | Pub Member / Supporter Join Date: Aug 29th, 2008 Location: North Central Florida
Posts: 110
| | | Review: Sonicview SV-HD8000 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.
__________________
10' Perfect 10 - GeosatPro C2 - GBox
1.2m Fortec Star with HH motor - Ivacom QPH-031
90cm with HH motor - Ivacom QPH-031
Sonview SV-HD8000
Coolsat 8100
Azbox Elite
DSR 920 4DTV
Last edited by kirara386; 04-14-2009 at 12:40 PM.
Reason: added pictures
| 
04-13-2009, 06:27 PM
|  | The No Pain Train | | Proud Staff Member Join Date: Nov 17th, 2003 Location: Places men fear to tread
Posts: 50,438
| |
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)
__________________ Winegard 76cm dish, SG2100 motor, Sadoun dual KU LNB/DirecTv dual..... Fortec 6 foot dish with GeoSatPro dual C-Band LNB aimed at 99W... Primestar 84e aimed at 91W.... WSIDigital 4 foot dish with Sadoun dual LNB aimed at 105W with 2nd LNB for 101W.... GeoSatPro 36" dish, SG2100 motor, Sadoun dual LNB
Coolsat 5000 on motorized....AZBox HD Elite on 99,motorized,105....Viacast DSR1500 on 99....GeoSatPro DSR200c on 2nd motorized.... Directv D15 DVR on 101W.... Pansat 1500 to aim dishes.... few receivers not set up yet
Other 6 foot Fortec dish with GeoSatPro dual C-Band LNB "ghetto moved" to various C-Band satellites 
Third 6 foot Sadoun dish with GeoSatPro Prime Focus KU LNB on it for maximum rain fade combatting | 
04-13-2009, 06:59 PM
|  | SatelliteGuys Guru | | Join Date: Sep 22nd, 2005 Location: L.A., Calif.
Posts: 7,334
| |
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.
| 
04-13-2009, 08:01 PM
|  | Pub Member / Supporter
Topic Starter
| | Pub Member / Supporter Join Date: Aug 29th, 2008 Location: North Central Florida
Posts: 110
| | 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
__________________
10' Perfect 10 - GeosatPro C2 - GBox
1.2m Fortec Star with HH motor - Ivacom QPH-031
90cm with HH motor - Ivacom QPH-031
Sonview SV-HD8000
Coolsat 8100
Azbox Elite
DSR 920 4DTV
| 
04-14-2009, 12:02 AM
| | Pub Member / Supporter | | Pub Member / Supporter Join Date: Feb 27th, 2009 Location: Birchwood,Wisconsin
Posts: 69
| |
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.
| 
04-14-2009, 11:36 AM
|  | Pub Member / Supporter
Topic Starter
| | Pub Member / Supporter Join Date: Aug 29th, 2008 Location: North Central Florida
Posts: 110
| | 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.
__________________
10' Perfect 10 - GeosatPro C2 - GBox
1.2m Fortec Star with HH motor - Ivacom QPH-031
90cm with HH motor - Ivacom QPH-031
Sonview SV-HD8000
Coolsat 8100
Azbox Elite
DSR 920 4DTV
| 
04-15-2009, 02:38 AM
|  | SatelliteGuys Guru | | Join Date: Sep 22nd, 2005 Location: L.A., Calif.
Posts: 7,334
| |
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. | 
04-15-2009, 06:04 PM
| | Pub Member / Supporter | | Pub Member / Supporter Join Date: Jul 23rd, 2005 Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 636
| |
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.
__________________
LOS: Ku- 12.5w to 129w, C- 72w to 137w
Receivers: 4DTV- DSR-922, MPEG- Coolsat 5000, SonicView SV8000HD, Azbox Elite
HTPC: TBS 8920
Scanbox: BLSA with Technotrend S2-3200
3.1m Astro mesh buttonhook, 90cm geosatpro
| 
04-15-2009, 09:32 PM
|  | SatelliteGuys Guru | | Join Date: Sep 22nd, 2005 Location: L.A., Calif.
Posts: 7,334
| | |
Does it seem to run warm?
Maybe a small, quiet fan inside might help prolong the life. (?)
| 
04-16-2009, 06:55 PM
| | Pub Member / Supporter | | Pub Member / Supporter Join Date: Jul 23rd, 2005 Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 636
| | 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.
__________________
LOS: Ku- 12.5w to 129w, C- 72w to 137w
Receivers: 4DTV- DSR-922, MPEG- Coolsat 5000, SonicView SV8000HD, Azbox Elite
HTPC: TBS 8920
Scanbox: BLSA with Technotrend S2-3200
3.1m Astro mesh buttonhook, 90cm geosatpro
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