Strong SRT8540 in the test

Strong has a strong argument for people who just want to receive better DVB-T: the price. 70 Euro for a device, which has integrated everything to the decoding of Freenet TV and by its quality control must, is a bargain, which pulls with the box of Xoro, which shone at the test in the video issue 7/2016. And if you see the current road price of the Strong of only 55 euros?


Concretely slimmed down


The Strong does not impress with a luxury furnishing. On the contrary, looking at the minimum requirements imposed by the American TV platform, a major co-ordinator of the DVB-T2 HD introduction, 2017, is that the devices that want to wear the green logo are designed according to the Search through their channels (through the LCNNorm) may properly sort if they have a network connection, should also support HbbTV and need a CI-Plus interface for pay TV. After all, the scart socket mentioned there is also available for connection to older TV sets, which Technisat again omits. And the slot for a Freenet TV module for decrypting the private one can save itself, because this function has integrated the box already.


Very good quality


And one may mention that the module, which can be plugged into other set-top boxes or TV sets, costs more than here the whole receiver. Freenets system is by the way not based on smart cards, although both receivers tested here had a slot for it. Each receiver has a hardware identification, which can be activated by the provider. The handling with the card is omitted, but the restriction of Pay-TV is limited to the hardware of the box. If you want to look at another TV, you need two subscriptions or take the whole receiver with you. Freenet is also thinking about new billing models, which hopefully will be made after market launch 2017.


Conclusion


The omission of the smart bonuses of HbbTV also has an effect on the TV reception. Even with the old DVB-T, there was the multithek many regional additional programs, which received via IPTV, but were coordinated via TV signals. Freenet-TV plans the high-resolution successor "freenet TV connect", a smart TV portal, which provides regional programs as well as media apps and apps. You can also forget this with the two boxes tested here.


What is fully convincing are the reception, switching and playback qualities of Strong. If you do not need it too smart and you logically fill one of the four favorite lists, then you have a Zappingbox of the finest.


Less can really be less. Strong is without any comfort and focuses on very good reception and great TV picture quality.