TVonics MFR-200 Freeview

[Studio263]

I've been trying out the TVonics MFR-200 miniature freeview receiver. This is ideal for the vintage TV collector as it has a tunable RF output. It's also small and inobtrusive so it doesn't spoil the look of the set and cheap (around £40) so you can get several of them for your favourite sets.

I've been trying it with my "project" ITT CVC40. The results are very good, the modulator in particular performs well, subject to being able to find a truely "blank" channel to set it to. Setting the modulator is tricky as it's done through the menu, so you have to get a picture of sorts before you can see what you are doing. If the modulator is set too close to another channel the result is snowy reception, this gives a misleading impression of how good it really is!

The Freeview receiver itself is reasonable, there's a decent 8 day guide and the controls are responed to quite quickly. Radio and TV stations are stored in seperate lists, that's a nice feature.

The unit is so small that the power supply isn't built in. I was expecting a big horrible plug-mounted transformer to be included but the supplied unit is very compact, no bigger than a standard 13A plug infact. This supplies 5.3V at 1A, the receiver gets quite hot so I'd imagine this is only just enough.

As well as RF, there is a CVBS / baseband stereo audio line out, you need to buy a special lead (not included) to use this though.

Being critical, neither the picture quality, sensitivity, the speed of operation or the usefulness of the on-screen TV guide match that of the Sony VTX-D800U which after all these ysear is still the benchmark for Freeview quality, but then that's a very difficult test for any receiver to pass. The Sony doesn't have an RF modulator either, I use a Philips PM5509 pattern generator with mine to do that.

All in all, this model is highly recommended. It's designed and made in Britian too, so do your bit to support what's left of the UK television industry and buy one!

[Nickthedentist]

Very interesting, Tim.

How big is it? Are we talking VHS cassette, cigarette packet or what?

Do you have experience of the Humax box, which is my current favourite?

Nick.

[dave walsh]

Thanks Tim a user review has been eagerly awaited by the masses!
Nick matchbox I think. There's a lot on this in the DR Watts Mod Tech thread on "Why do a box without RF out?" Before that [on his thread] GMB wanted a tiny unit to go with his B+W portable-very specialised but if he can get 5v out of twelve this should do it. Dave W

[Brian R Pateman]

I've relocated this thread to a more appropriate location.

[Studio263]

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

Very interesting, Tim.

How big is it? Are we talking VHS cassette, cigarette packet or what?

Do you have experience of the Humax box, which is my current favourite?

Nick.

It's tiny! about the same size as an Aurora standards convertor, in fact they would make a nice pair, DVB > System A RF to RF convesion in less room than a VHS cassette takes up for less than the cost of a decent night out. The manual say 70 x 27 x 54 mm, weight 85g.

I tried a Humax box a year or so back, it was unimpressive compared to the Sony but I don't know how it would compare to the TVonics one. The nice thing about the TVonics is that there is nothing there you don't need (card reader, multiple (and bulky) SCART sockets, HDD recorder), a real "no nonsense" design.

[GMB]

This supplies 5.3V at 1A

Is that what it says or what it measures? Is it stabilised?

This is the information I failed to get from their customer services

[Studio263]

I've not measured it, but the supply is certainly a switch mode one so you can be sure it's stabilised. The power consumption of the receiver is 5W running and 1.5W on standby, so you need to allow 1 amp (at least!) if you use another type of power supply.

[ALANS ANITAS]

Hi

The TVonics freeview reciever will be available from your local Aldi as one of it's "specialbuy"'s from this sunday. Stocks are likely to be limited. The price is £29.19.

Regards

ALAN

[dave walsh]

Thanks Alan I have just sent a search team out to the local Aldi. Dave W

[dave walsh]

The Aldi patrol has returned-mission accomplished-natty little thing
this tuner! Handy to have one in case [no pun] somebody gives me a redundant flat screen that needs a tuner or there is some cosmetic need to hide the digi-box. In the meantime regular readers will know that [in common with other people on here] I was a victim of the software "upgrade" that renders your box useless. As my DAEWOO SV-900 dedicated digital VCR is now minus any digital channels to record, I will feed in the TVONICS and bring an otherwise excellent machine back up to full usage! Dave W

[dave walsh]

Ignore the flat screen fantasy. For some reason I thought this device had scart out as well but this doesn't matter from my point of view! The 1980 B+O in the bedroom is now back on more than five channels. Dave W

[Studio263]

Originally Posted by dave walsh

Ignore the flat screen fantasy. For some reason I thought this device had scart out as well

There is, there is an AV line out connection on the front for this sort of thing, the lead is an optional extra.

[dave walsh]

Right Tim-that makes me look slightly less daft. I wondered what that socket was but haven't perused the instructions fully yet. I was just about to send a pm to say that feeding the RF output directly into the B+O you donated has produced absolutely brilliant pictures! I suppose another option is to put the RF through the SV900 but I haven't got round to trying that yet. My wife says that staff at Aldi had the TVonics "in the back", seemingly not quite knowing what to do with these "special" little things. The price may come down yet further. Dave

[matthewhouse]

For the benefit of those who have never come across these, here is a photo showing the unit with a PP3 for scale. Also shown are the two optional leads, AV out and remote IR receiver, should you wish to hide the unit behind a TV. (or in it I guess) I have found though that the AV socket is set too far back in the case, and as a result the connector pops out if it is slightly disturbed.

[Nickthedentist]

Wow

[dave walsh]

Great photo Mathew. You could be in advertising! This has been a long and winding road from two previous threads GMB... Incompatibility [wanting a digi TV set for the garden] and the good Dr Watts asking... Why Don't they provide an RF ouput. Lots of usefull info on those and it led to this little gem [I think via Studio263]. I must have confused it with one that used to be around for about £80 and was based on a Scart Socket. The photo shows why. In the end though it's only a chip so it should be quite small really! Recommended.
Dave W

PS Without going OT, I am writing to the Beeb re the Digi software issue SV-900 et al but I will tack that on the Mod Equip thread in due course.

[Tazman1966]

What an excellent bit of kit. I've now bought one and it generates a really clear signal on the RF and I'd definately recommend it.

What I'd like to do now though is feed the AV signal from it into the "Aurora". It uses a camcorder type 3.5mm jack. I haven't got a lead yet and am wondering if anyone knows the connection configuration on the plug.

Is it like a Sony lead: 1(Tip) = Left audio, 2 = Video, 3 = Earth, 4 = Right audio

or is it like a Panasonic: 1 (Tip) = Right audio, 2 = Earth, 3 = Video, 4 = Left audio?

Hoping someone knows!

[matthewhouse]

Here is a quick pic of how it's wired, note it uses a 2.5mm connector, not the standard 3.5mm type.

Looking at the TVonics website it seems they no longer sell the optional AV lead and remote receiver.

[Tazman1966]

Cheers for that Matthew. I'll give Tvonics a call on Monday and find out. I'm glad you pointed out that it uses a 2.5mm plug because the camcorder ones are 3.5mm though the connections are the same as a Sony.

Regards,

Tas

[ALANS ANITAS]

Aldi again have these on offer, but the price has gone up to £34.99.
They also have 2x HDMI cables for £6.99.
Offers available from Sunday 22nd March.

ALAN