What's Santa Sat bringing you this Xmas??

[sonnetpete]

At 82 my mum has, as a Xmas present, asked for a Nintendo DS. Not bad when you consider she is a bit of a technophobe (I once tried to teach her to cut and paste and it took me four days to restore my computer settings).

But it got me wondering what gifts are forum members getting (and dreaming they could have)? Satellite and electronics orientated of course!!

To start off, I'm getting a Kindle from my mum. My dream however, would be a 2.4M dish with polar mount and actuator and a large screen LED tv as I feel I'm missing out on some movies.

 

[Lazarus]

I am attracted to the idea of the Kindle: It appears to be functionally and aesthetically excellent, but still has a reputation for early failure, so I'm going to put that on next year's list.

Instead, as an avid maker of bread, I thought it about time I asked Santa for a machine to assist.

 

[Rick]

Santa's already been here, brought me a Vu+ Duo

 

[PaulR]

I am tempted by the thought of Humax Fox T2 HDR receiver but I think I'll wait a bit. They're just a bit too new ATM, too expensive and, anyway, project Canvas machines should start to surface next year. Let's hope Humax is working on such a machine.

 

[sonnetpete]

Instead, as an avid maker of bread, I thought it about time I asked Santa for a machine to assist.

Having been given a bread maker as an 'emigration' gift 10 years ago, we quickly began using it on a timer so that we could come down to breakfast with the exciting prospect of a freshly baked loaf. Sadly it lasted about a year as the non stick coating began to fail and we were spending more time trying to prise the loaf from it's mould than actually eating it. I also felt guilty about baking our own bread in the land of the 'baguette'.

Tivù, I'd recommend you look for a reputable make with a thick 'teflon' coating on the baking mould. Things may have improved since my failure however!!

 

[Lazarus]

Yes, I've heard about broken/jammed paddles, non-stick coatings coming off etc.

Been researching them on and off for a while and come to the conclusion that innate problems exist even with high-end ones, so I'll start with a cheapie.

 

[Lazarus]

Sad, isn't it: As a pre-Xmas treat I ordered the Steptoe & Son Boxed set two days ago. It's just arrived.

Impressive performance by Amazon/Royal Mail and well priced at under £18 for all thirteen discs.

 

[Analoguesat]

As usual Im going to do my best to ignore Christmas. :-humbug

Every year I pin this picture on my office door and get called a miserable old sod

 

[nelson_b]

Yes, I've heard about broken/jammed paddles, non-stick coatings coming off etc.

Been researching them on and off for a while and come to the conclusion that innate problems exist even with high-end ones, so I'll start with a cheapie.

hi -- Tivù --

had a cheap brand -- in the past -- weak drive shaft -mechanism -- and poor non stick coating --

I bought a Panasonic SD-252 about 5 years ago -- no problems --and i make on average 4 large loaves a week so its had some use -- i would not buy any other brand if i needed to replace it ---well worth the extra pounds

cheers nelson.b.

 

[andyxxxx]

Satellite related, I may request a HD box of some kind (probably VU+), but I'm still discovering things on the SD box so may exhaust that before I upgrade.

 

[Lazarus]

hi -- Tivù --

had a cheap brand -- in the past -- weak drive shaft -mechanism -- and poor non stick coating --

I bought a Panasonic SD-252 about 5 years ago -- no problems --and i make on average 4 large loaves a week so its had some use -- i would not buy any other brand if i needed to replace it ---well worth the extra pounds

cheers nelson.b.

Researching right now!

Edit: Seems to be a superseded model

 

[Huevos]

a large screen LED tv as I feel I'm missing out on some movies.

LED TVs are BS. They are marketed on the concept of dynamic RGB LEDs that allow local dimming to increase contrast ratio, but no mainstream television is currently using this technology. Instead they are just using white edge LEDs (at a fixed brightness) as the light source for the same backlit LCD used for cold cathode illuminated TVs. The power-saving PR is BS too. I tested my 26" LCD Samsung against a friend's 26" LED and both consumed more or less the same (around 80 watts). The only real advantage of LED is the panel is slim (which on some makes means no scart sockets, and on others, cables that come out sideways, not the best design).

I am attracted to the idea of the Kindle

If you buy books once you have read them you can lend them to friends, donate them, etc. When you buy an ebook you can only play it on one machine, so you can never lend it unless you lend the kindle too.

a Vu+ Duo

I bought got one a couple of weeks ago too. Brilliant receiver. Maybe I'll get a couple of Sundtek USB DVB-T tuners for it for Christmas.

I ordered the Steptoe & Son Boxed set

You're showing your age now.

 

[PaulR]

no mainstream television is currently using this technology. Instead they are just using white edge LEDs (at a fixed brightness) as the light source for the same backlit LCD used for cold cathode illuminated TVs.

Are you sure about that? I'mm pretty certain I read a test reveiw in Wotsat within the last three months which had a TV using this technology?

Mind you I suppose it depends how you define mainstream. It may be a conscious decision by manufacturers to keep this idea for top of the range models.

 

[Huevos]

Are you sure about that?

Paul, no I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure you won't find one in a supermarket, at least not here anyway.

 

[sonnetpete]

LED TVs are BS. They are marketed on the concept of dynamic RGB LEDs that allow local dimming to increase contrast ratio, but no mainstream television is currently using this technology. Instead they are just using white edge LEDs (at a fixed brightness) as the light source for the same backlit LCD used for cold cathode illuminated TVs. The power-saving PR is BS too. I tested my 26" LCD Samsung against a friend's 26" LED and both consumed more or less the same (around 80 watts). The only real advantage of LED is the panel is slim (which on some makes means no scart sockets, and on others, cables that come out sideways, not the best design).


If you buy books once you have read them you can lend them to friends, donate them, etc. When you buy an ebook you can only play it on one machine, so you can never lend it unless you lend the kindle too.

Hmm - well the LED was only a wish, as I can't afford another tv of any type right now.

I live on my own here with no close friends or neighbours and if one of the dogs wants to read a book they can look over my shoulder. I did intend to use the Kindle in five years time (yes I know technology will be more advanced then) when I go travelling. With this in mind I opted for the 3G version.

 

[hexah]

Extra pudding.

:-googly

:-sugar

 

[sonnetpete]

Extra pudding.

:-googly

:-sugar

Is that a wish or what you are sure of getting??

 

[hexah]

It is a wish - everyone else will want more pud and custard.

:-cry1

 

[gandalfthegrey]

Instead, as an avid maker of bread, I thought it about time I asked Santa for a machine to assist.

An Oven???...sorry |Tivu couldn't resist....myself,I'd love one of them luverly new fangled 3D TV's

 

[chris]

We also have the Panasonic SD-252 bread maker and would highly recommend it. We use it 2 to 3 times a week just tip in the ingredients and off it goes. You cant beat the smell of fresh bread !