Sony VTX-D800U Freeview Digital TV Set Top Box

The Sony's feature set is impressive: individual "favourite channel" lists for TV and radio, parental lock, and a very clever timer mode for selecting channels in advance, for feeding to a VCR/DVDR over the SCART cable (9 events can be set). If you're lucky enough to have a recorder with Smartlink, the box will instruct the recorder for you. If you don't have Smartlink, you'll need to set the receiver timer and recorder timer independently of each other.

The remote control can be programmed to operate basic functions (volume, channel up/down, standby) of most modern TV sets, and the control interface itself is nicely intuitive.

Want more? 16:9 or 4:3 viewing mode, automatic software upgrade, EPG, it's all there. There's also a detachable stand for the box, if you prefer to place it in a vertical orientation (how very PS2).

The only downside is that it has no card slot, so it can't support Top-up TV or other subscription services.

It's not the cheapest, but as a basic Freeview receiver it's absolutely outstanding.

Set-up was very simple and took about two minutes - basically, a case of plugging in the leads then letting the unit perform a quick auto-tune scan then off you go! Reception quality is outstanding (as you would expect) and if you have other Sony devices (tv, video,etc) they can all be operated from the single remote control supplied.

The Electronic Program Guide is clear and simple to use (similar to the Sky system) and includes the facility to set up favourite channels, to save time scanning. Both the digital tv and radio stations give onscreen information about what you are watching/listening to.

The unit is small, light and stylish and comes with a vertical stand, so you can stand it next to your PS2 should you have one! This freeview box is the usual top quality/design from Sony and at a good price too. Highly recommended.

Set-up is terribly easy. Just plug in a couple of cables into the back of the box and turn it on. It instantly tunes itself and in no time at all you have access to all the latest freeview channels and digital radio stations.

One must be careful when buying this Sony VTX-D800U that your VCR or DVD recorder has smartlink for recording freeview channels. It has other names such as Megalogic, NexTView, T-V Link, Easylink, AV.Link, CinemaLink, or Q-Link so please check this before you buy it. If it does not, then it could be a right hassle to record freeview channels although you will still be able to tape the channels you recieved before via an analogue signal.
If you do intend to use the smartlink facility, you must buy another 'Scart to Scart' cable for connecting your freeview box to the VCR / DVD recorder which at about £15, it doesn't come cheap for just a cable considering that this freeview box costs about £80.

Well, I'll shut up now. I know I haven't mentioned everything about this freeview box although I feel these have been mentioned in other reviews and wouldn't want to babble on about something you may already know. On the whole, this is a brilliant piece of kit and lives up to Sony's high-standards.