Oriel 963: instruction manual, specifications, review, reviews, problems

Equipment

It must be said that Oriel has never been distinguished by any unusual or particularly rich equipment. It is logical to assume that the model received everything to the minimum. According to customer reviews, there is nothing superfluous.

In the set you can find: a control panel, batteries for it and an instruction manual for the Oriel 963. If you need a cable to connect the device to the TV, you will have to purchase it separately. Please note that not all cables are suitable for certain models. Many owners express dissatisfaction about this. Based on reviews of the Oriel 963, it must be said that you should think several times before purchasing the device.

Oriel 963 (DVB-T2)

Milovanov Denis, 01/14/2018

Advantages: Good tuner sensitivity, ability to power the active antenna from the set-top box itself, various video outputs, program recording.

Disadvantages: There is HDMI, but only image and sound are transmitted through it; you cannot control the TV. If you have a TV in 16:9 format, then when playing 4:3 content there are only two options: either stretch it in width or put up with black bars on the sides. You watch a channel that broadcasts in 4:3 format, and on it there is a movie (broadcast) in 16:9 format with black stripes at the top and bottom, as a result, you get a wide black frame on the screen and a greatly reduced image in the middle. Conclusion: there is not enough ability on the selected channel to enlarge the image if necessary. The “Timer” function is hidden deep, to get to it you need to press “menu” - down-down - right - down-down-down-down - “OK”. Why not bind it to one of the colored buttons (for example, the yellow one, where you can select the format display, which is usually necessary at the time of setup and is used 1-2 times at the beginning of using the set-top box). If you watch a previously recorded program from a flash drive, the rewind is slow, and the jump rewind is only 30 seconds (why not add a 1-minute jump to left-right, and 10 minutes to up-down during playback). If you are watching a previously recorded program and the recording “timer” is triggered, then playback of the program that you watched from the flash drive stops and the channel that is being recorded is turned on. Okay, after recording, we return to the previously recorded program that we were watching and find that the player did not remember the place where it interrupted us while watching. And we begin to look for where we have already looked and where we haven’t. Although, if while watching we ourselves interrupted the viewing and later returned to it, the player will helpfully ask if you would like to start from the moment you last stopped. The sensor receiving signals from the remote control is located next to the USB socket. We inserted a regular (not shortened) flash drive and found that the remote control became more difficult to use. Weak instructions. For example: timeshift settings, not everyone understands their meanings.

Comment: After a week of use, I discovered that the model is designed for old “square” TVs. Weaknesses with display on a widescreen (16:9) TV. Slow rewind of video files. Not the most thoughtful combination of using buttons on the remote control. You need to “aim” with the remote control. Minor annoying bugs in work and design. There are few “slots” for programming recording programs.

Rear and front panels

Looking at the Oriel 963 model has a digital display. It has excellent viewing angles, so even in bright sunlight, the text remains readable. Consumers who bought the device often write about this. The display may show a clock if the device is in standby mode. At the same time, the channel number will be indicated. On the left side there is a button for cyclic channel switching. There is also a power button and an LED operation indicator. In standby mode, the latter does not turn off, but lights up red. In operating mode it glows green.

On the right is a USB port. It will be useful for those who plan to work with a computer or other gadgets. Owner reviews say that this device works perfectly with all possible devices.

On the back panel you can find a huge set of ports for different types of gadgets:

• antenna input (RF IN);
• through antenna output (RF OUT);
• stereo audio output (L:R);
• digital coaxial audio output (COAXIAL);
• composite video output (CVBS);
• analog audio/video output SCART (TV);
• HDMI digital audio/video output.

DVB-T2 set-top box Oriel 963 with components from Sony

The Oriel 963 receiver is a receiver designed to receive DVB-T2 TV channels. It is considered a powerful device with a large amount of RAM. It compares favorably with many models in weight and price. The weight of a digital TV receiver is of great importance because... The speed and cost of delivery depends on it. This device is housed in a large metal case and has a built-in power supply. The weight of the device is large, but there is also an important advantage: it heats up less during operation, which means it will last longer.

The T2 receiver is superior to its analogues in sensitivity, because Sony tuners are considered the best in their class. The main advantage of the T2 Oriel 963 model is the additional power supply function via the tuner, which makes it possible to connect an active antenna in places where the signal level is low.

The equipment is minimal, there is nothing superfluous. Sales kit includes:

• the device itself;
• remote control;
• batteries.

There is no connecting cable to connect to the TV; you will have to buy it separately. Scart, tulip, and HDMI cables are suitable for this purpose. You can connect not only to models with LCD screens, but also to older versions of TVs. Please note that not all cables are suitable for specific models.

Currently, the Oriel 963 DVB-T2 TV tuner is considered the most popular digital terrestrial receiver.

Design

Made in classic style. The body is rectangular, made of metal, the base is perforated. The top cover and front panel are made of plastic. A built-in power supply is implemented - this is what distinguishes this model from many analogues.

The front panel has a digital display that shows the time and number of the currently broadcast channel, and in standby mode it shows the current time, synchronized with the time on the channel. On the left side there is a button for manual (cyclic) channel switching, a power key and an LED operation indicator. The standby indicator lights up red. On the right is the USB input. The device is adapted for reading files from various external media.

The rear panel has many input jacks for different types of devices:

• RF IN antenna input;
• pass-through antenna output RF OUT;
• LR audio output;
• Coaxial digital audio output;
• composite CVBS output;
• analog output for audio and video Scart TV;
• HDMI digital output.

The operation of the electronic “stuffing” of the digital terrestrial receiver is based on the “budget” chipset of the Ali M3812 model. This processor is often used in receivers of this type because it has proven itself well. Also, the Sony processor is a highly sensitive tuner and demodulator. This “filling” ensures fast channel switching, reliable reception of even a weak signal, a simple and understandable menu, and high image quality.

Digital TV channels can be changed very quickly. Even a weak signal is received cleanly and without interference. This is one of the most important advantages of this device.

The buttons on the remote control are rubberized, press softly, and are located very conveniently. There are a number of additional buttons that provide quick access to some device functions directly, without entering the menu. When you press the power button on the remote control, the device does not turn on immediately, but after 10-15 seconds.

Specifications

• reception of FTA channels of DVB-T and DVB-T2 standard;
• TV guide (EPG);
• clock, recording timer;
• Time Shift;
• parental control;
• media player with recording support;
• frequency range: 174-230 MHz (VHF); 470-862 MHz (UNF);
• formats: MP3, WMA, JPEG, BMP, AVI, MKV.

Internal filling

The device uses many modern technologies that have long proven their worth. That is why reviews of Oriel 963 are filled with gratitude. Problems arise quite rarely. The device runs on the Ali M3812 model chipset. It is often used in consoles of this type, so it has proven itself well. A device from Sony is used along with this process. It allows you to configure the tuner and has a demodulator.

Channels can be switched at incredible speed. Even a weak signal will be received perfectly without failures or interference. And these are just some of the most pleasant advantages of this device. The set-top box also supports T2 technology, which allows you to work with more advanced functionality.

Reviews about Digital TV set-top box Oriel 963 (DVB-T/T2)

Ganiev Ilyas — January 4, 2016

5/5

The jet antenna, a thin wire less than a meter long, caught all 20 channels. The quality is perfect, I watch it on a FullHD monitor. With another antenna, Soviet, but longer and more serious (two “antennae” one and a half meters high), I also picked up regional channels. On the balcony there are 33 channels, houses 26-28. That's probably not a bad thing. Sometimes it stops receiving for a few seconds due to a weak signal (only 3-4 channels), and the image freezes for a few seconds. But we can bear it. Antenna without amplifier. It doesn't get hot, the design is beautiful. Even if you turn the console 180 degrees, the remote control works. It feels like there is a circular IR receiver there. I am not an expert in consoles and cannot say whether there are cheaper or better models. The price is 2,000 rubles. It’s still a bit much, but maybe that’s normal. And Linux is also installed there (you can guess in the menu by the flash drive mount points), this makes me happy. It copes with the main function of catching channels and broadcasting (I watch on a FullHD monitor), so I recommend it.

Advantages: Instantly switches channels, picks up a signal well, does not glitch. Supports many formats, insert a flash drive and watch movies or videos. I can’t say exactly which codecs are supported, but it definitely supports the most popular ones, until I came across a video that Oriel 963 couldn’t play.

Disadvantages: I don’t really like the menu and remote control, channel navigation. Everything is so packed. For example, if you click OK, a list of channels appears. I select the channel I need, click OK - the channel switches, but in order to remove the list, you need to click on exit, the menu does not disappear by itself. The buttons on the remote control are duplicated, there is already an OK button and 4 arrows that can be used to switch the channel and change the sound volume, but these same buttons are also placed separately. I inserted a flash drive - by default it shows only video, to view photos or other files you need to change the category by pressing button 1. Why couldn’t it be displayed all files, and not by type? There are also 4 buttons on top: red, green, yellow and blue. So, they are essentially not needed; these buttons could be assigned to the right and left buttons. I want to see the program, I press info 2 times, the program comes out. To watch the next program you need to press the blue button. Or you could just press right. The engineers could have reduced the height of the console by 2-3 cm without much effort, but they didn’t want to. And so every time you have to run from button to button. It was humanly possible to organize navigation. There are several unnecessary functions, for example, viewing channel previews, the multi-viewer function. Inconvenient and pointless. Poor manufacturer's website, no firmware, no instructions in pdf.

Period of use: less than a month

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Connection

Before you start using this device, you must connect the antenna. In order to receive a stable digital terrestrial signal, you will need a regular UHF antenna. If this device is not available, but there is a transmitter, then you can use a small piece of wire or wire instead. Consumers note that sometimes this works. But still, the manufacturer recommends using high-quality parts to get the most out of watching TV. It is better to purchase an antenna rather than reinvent the wheel.

Using the Antenna

To have a stable, high-quality and reliable signal, while being far enough from the transmitter, you need to use an external antenna. It is desirable that it be a DVB-T2 model. Some characteristics of the Oriel 963 are described above. They will help you choose the best components for this console.

In the reviews you can read that sometimes it is best to raise the device to a height - this way the signal only gets better in certain cases. If the transmitter is very far away, you will have to use a special antenna, which has an additional amplifier.

If the consumer uses an all-wave component, then he will be able to watch not only standard analog channels, but also digital ones. This is achieved by combining the RF OUT connector with an additional antenna cable. It should be noted that the antenna will show maximum results only if a person uses the Oriel 963 model receiver. Due to the fact that the device has a huge number of built-in ports on the rear panel, additional devices can be connected. The main thing when turning on TV channels is to remember to activate the signal through the receiver itself.

Channels and their switching

After the buyer clicks, having completed all the settings, the “Okay” button, he will automatically activate scanning of all digital channels that are available. It should be noted that the search is carried out in two standards. The procedure is as fast as possible. Channels can be sorted without problems. After scanning is completed, the channels are immediately available for viewing, and the receiver switches to the appropriate mode. The one that was placed by the program at number 1 is included. In the reviews you can find out information that it is possible to find out more about the program shown in real time or about any other that has already been or will be. In addition, information about the included channel, the strength of the received signal and its quality is available. The owner also has a lot of additional functions at his disposal.

Basic functions of the device

The Oriel 963 review necessarily includes a description of the functions.

The functionality of the device makes it possible to receive (read on the display) information about the program that is currently running on the channel being shown, or about those programs that will be in the near future. You can also get information about the enabled channel, signal strength and quality.

On the Oriel 963 you can simultaneously record and use the Time Shift function, which makes it possible to pause the TV show you are watching and continue watching it later. But this only works if you have a special flash drive in FAT-32 format. Many users give good reviews about this feature. Finding it is not at all difficult if you carefully read the instruction manual.

1. Channel search can be done either manually or automatically.
2. There is an electronic program guide for 7 days, a teletext function.
3. The device is suitable for use as a player for playing downloaded video and audio content.
4. Timer recording function on an external storage device.
5. Ability to update new firmware from a flash drive without connecting a computer.
6. There is a “Multiview” function, which makes it possible to view several thumbnail images of different channels at once.

Bottom line

By purchasing this device, buyers consciously choose the best option. They can watch digital channels and use the receiver as a full-fledged set-top box. Thanks to this device, you can turn even the most outdated TV into a highly professional equipment. Accordingly, this type of device began to quickly gain popularity among buyers, displacing cable television from the market. Setting up the Oriel 963 is as easy as possible. After all the steps have been correctly performed, you can immediately start viewing. The process of setting up the receiver is described in the article, so not a single question should arise - everything is extremely simple. In addition, it should be noted the beautiful design and excellent ergonomics. They attract the majority of buyers.