Product Description

You can enjoy free digital terrestrial channels in amazing quality with the DTR220! It's easy to set up thanks to automatic channel installation, and its "Pulse Killer Chip" guarantees excellent reception, eliminating interferences caused by electrical pulses. It also includes a "Fast Zapp" function and an Electronic Programmes Guide for increased user comfort. And thanks to its connections system -- 2 scart sockets, including 1 RVB -- you can hook up external devices to this tuner.With its compact and modern design, the DTR220 will look great in any living room!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #177 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Philips
• Model: DTR220/05
• Released on: 2007-08-08

Features

• Terrestrial demodulation: Waves - Freeview, MPEG2 / Bandwidth - Information not provided / Demodulation - COFDM 2K/8K, compatible with MPEG-2 DVB, Network: FN/SFN, QAM, MDPQ / Bandwidth (MHz) - Informaion not provided / Frequency range - 474/862 Mhz
• Mpeg video de-coder: Decompression - Video format: switchable 4:3/16:9 Audio format: MPEG-1/2 / Maximum transfer rate (in Mbps) - Information not provided
• Teletext and programs: teletext and subtitles - No / software - Micro software update possible
• User functions: Automatic menu installation - Yes / Electronic Programme Guide - Yes / Multilingual - Information not provided
• Connectors: RF input - Yes / RF outputs - Yes / Scart plug - 2 (TV, VCR) / Audio outputs - Stereo coaxial / Video outputs - No / screen - -

Manufacturer's Description

Dolby Digital-Bitstream out for surround sound

Because Dolby Digital, the world's leading digital multi-channel audio standards, make use of the way the human ear naturally processes sound, you experience superb quality surround sound audio with realistic spatial cues.

7-day Electronic Program Guide for listing of programs

You want to know what are the programs available today and for the next 7 days, so that you can avoid missing your favourite shows by planning your evenings or making pre-scheduled recordings. The data is broadcasted by the program broadcaster and when this data is available, this product compiles the information and list them in the menu for your easy use reference. Simply enter the menu, or press the EPG button on the remote control to access the program guide. The EPG will provide you with an overview, listing the program information for the upcoming 7 days.

2 SCART connectors for connecting your TV and other source

2 SCART sockets allow you to connect to 2 devices at the same time. One for the TV, and the other either to a recording product (e.g. VCR or DVD recorder) for recording of TV programs, or to a video playback device (e.g. DVD player or Blu-ray player). Simply connect the SCART sockets on the product to the SCART socket on the desired devices, by a SCART cable. Video signals would then pass through onto the other device for viewing or recording.

Built-in Pulse Killer Chip neutralizes interferences

Electrical interferences are neutralised by a built in chip called PKC

Fast and automatic installation of new channels

New channels are quite often being added to the broadcasting network during the digital switchover. To ensure that you always have the access to all available channels, it is important that the product is able to scan and install new channels automatically. A very sensitive tuner in the product is scanning through the broadcasting network for new channels whenever the product is switched off. Whenever a new service is detected, it will be automatically updated and saved onto the channel list.

Integrated Digital TV with MHEG interactive applications

The MHEG integrated Digital TV allows digital TV subscribers to navigate through a screen of objects, the MHEG, using specialised links. Applications include Internet Digital TV, VOD, Home-shopping, interactive advertising, program retailing and merchandising, electronic newspaper, home banking, E-commerce application, on-line games, and so on.

Freeview access to digital TV and radio channels

You want to continue to watch the public broadcasted programs, and also the new programs that were made available during the digital switchover. You can also access MHEG services (games, EPG, videotext). No subscription required to receive the most popular TV channels in the UK brought to you in digital quality.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Very good Freeview
I was a bit disappointed when I read the numerous bad reviews for this Freeview box, as when I initially read the description and spec's it all sounded pretty good. I tried looking for an alternative Freeview box but was rather surprised by the real lack of quality set top boxes on the market. It seems that just about every box is made by a little heard of manufacturer who make it their aim to make the most hideous looking box on the market. Because of this I decided to take a chance and go for the Philips which at least came from a fairly reputable manufacturer and looks good.

Having bought and used the DTR220 for a couple of months now I have to say I am very impressed, and slightly confused as to why this item currently only has such a low rating. The box itself is very neat and compact, with the actual footprint being smaller than a DVD case and around twice as thick. It is finished in a stylish gloss black so it will match beautifully the current trend of gloss black TV's sitting on black glass stands.

Although this box is around £10 more expensive than some of the other boxes on the market, its worth bearing in mind that it does come with a scart lead which you might have to buy for around £10 if you buy another box anyway.

Hooked up to my digital aerial I have got a good signal on all the Freeview channels. I get little to no glitches with this box which is very impressive considering the problems Ive had in the past with other boxes. The EPG is great and easy to work with. It is also pretty quick when loading so you wont be pulling your hair out trying to find out what programme is on next.

Based on my experience with my DTR220 I have to highly recommend this item, despite the other critical reviews. My only real criticism is the "loading" time when you switch it on from stand by, but even that is a minor issue. This is a great looking box that works brilliantly when hooked up to a decent digital aerial. What more could you ask for!

Good if you on enjoy switching it on and off
I bought this freeview receiver to replace a faulty one from a different manufacturer. Now I'm not tecnologically illiterate nor do I spend my time overheating sensitive machines nor do I jump up and down on their casing till they splinter and the innards spill out. So why do these stupid boxes keep failing? When they don't fail they behave like they've been programmed by a first year GCSE computer science student. How hard can it be? I've got a USB freeview stick that plugs into my laptop that works better and more reliably than a box thats supposidly dedicated to one task only!
In short I wouldn't recommend this - I'm not sure if you throw more money at it you'll get a better one because quite frankly I'm unwilling to take that risk.

Freezes, locks up and crashes
When this was purchased it seemed to be getting good five-star reviews. However, we're experiencing the same problems as many other owners of this item. It consistently freezes. The channel information at the bottom of the screen goes an odd lime green colour, making it unreadable and then blacks out all together. Switching standby on and off doesn't fix this, so the only solution is to unplug the whole set, wait a while and then plug it back in again. Absolute rubbish.