Ingenious price / performance ratio 2

Of course for my transition from the classical tube on a current plasma TV (LG 50PK350) I also wanted an HD-capable SAT receiver with good image quality for as little money. You learn over time that not everything is expensive, even is good, and vice versa, everything cheap does not have to be equally bad, I first like to looked around in the lowest price segment of the HD receiver.

And who does the same, which sooner or later encounter the various models of Comag, which certainly have a reputation, a very good image quality in SD and HD range at a low price to offer. However, so far weakened here and there the firmware and there were problems of different ways to (asynchronous lip movements or temporarily block noise in HD channels, inadequate EPG etc.). Despite an excellent, but unofficial forum thus disqualified for me the previous models of Comag, until finally the SL was launched 40 HD.

This is apparently based on a more current hardware and has virtually none of the previous criticisms: the vaunted image quality both in (scaled) SD and the HD range are excellent in my view, there occurs no formation of small blocks, the EPG works well and is sufficient filled quickly, rarely remains empty once the list, switching helps but then immediately. The same way goes pretty fast even if the public service HD channels.

About USB, a memory stick or a hard disk can be connected. Here, from various image formats via MP3 to DivX video everything to play. However, since I use my PS3 as a media center, I have it set no value and therefore not tested it in every detail.

However, absolute interesting PVR recording function, which is barely advertised, but is certainly present. Thus, in the EPG program simply be marked and recorded with a single click (but beware, it has to be selected "Record" at the bottom also, otherwise the receiver will switch only at the specified time on the selected channel to). Even Timeshift (timeshifting) is possible with this receiver. Very nice is that other channels may be selected during a recording, provided that they are on the same transponder (z. B. Kabel Eins record, Pro7 shows or SuperRTL record, look RTL).

But be careful: When operating with a hard drive, keep in mind that unlike a USB flash drive a noticeable delay between pressing the recording button can be made to the recording. While in the USB stick or the Timeshift normal recording has started immediately, the USB hard drive is required to start recording approximately 5-8 seconds. A value that is less disruptive for normal recording (one minute added plan), but just as is the time-shift or spontaneous recording of the pain threshold. Since this is apparently seems to be a thing of the storage medium, I write this only as information without review of the product. This behavior was observed in me a iOmega Select with 500GB. (NOTE: See Edit at the end of the review.)

Disturbing I feel, however, the clock of the digital display when the power is off, as this still relatively bright lights and in a darkened room so comes a slightly tarnished cinematic experience if you want to watch a movie without receiver. However, you can remedy this by the firmware of Xoro HRS 8500 it installs itself, which is identical at least on the current state based on the hardware. Then remains up to the start screen virtually all the same, but the annoying clock is off: very pleasing. This, however, always on his own responsibility. I particularly like also that the channel lists can be exported and imported with the current firmware.

A cosmetic drawback for me is the position of the USB port on the front panel of the receiver, since unsightly cable protrudes, if you want to connect a USB hard drive permanently. On the positive side, however, that the power supply of the USB port is enough to make this known. 2.5 to connect inch notebook hard drives without having to use the current thief of the Y cable. Enjoyable for the owner of a classic stereo system are also the analog audio outputs (RCA), particularly if the television does not provide this connectivity.

If you want to receive the encrypted programs using this receiver, but has bad cards. Since there is no CI slot is present, all the encrypted programs are left out. However, since this beforehand was clear, I do not need this anyway and also the weak HD + concept of private refuse strictly, this is absolutely bearable for me.

The receiver itself is quite small, but makes a good impression processed. An LED indicates the operating status (red = off / green = on), a yellow digital display shows numerically the current program number, and in the off state, a clock (see also above). Of course you can see the receiver that this is not a high-quality high-end device, but this claim he did not charge you. Particularly noteworthy is definitely the extremely low advertised power consumption in standby mode of about 1 watt. Something dainty is the remote control, but which works perfectly.

My conclusion: Anyone looking for a very affordable entry-level HD receiver with excellent image quality and can continue to do without the reception of encrypted programs, as well also a stick or a hard drive to connect to record or try to play different file formats of this makes the SL 40 HD certainly nothing wrong. Even as a second unit makes the receiver a brilliant impression. Who does not shrink from firmware updates, gets as required from time to time even new features.

A precondition for optimum picture quality is to use an HDMI cable, which - is not included - as in almost all devices. From my side there are both the excellent image quality as well as the excellent price / performance ratio a full five stars and my recommendation in this segment.

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Edit on 09/08/2010:
So First of all, I am still very happy and do not regret the purchase, so can recommend the receiver still. With respect to the above-mentioned delay when using a hard drive I have now received a solution in unofficial support forum. If the hard drive is partitioned and used as a partition in the size of 125 GB, the recording delay reduced to very bearable 2 seconds.