You are on page 1of 9

TEST REPORT HDTV Receiver with HD+ Standard

Jaeger HD+ 2011


The German Receiver Jaeger HD+ 2011
Exc ellent Family Frie
12-01/2011

with a Plus
ndly HDT V Rec eiver
Optimized for the HD+
Transmission
Standard in Ger many

To regular readers of TELE-satellite the company Doebis from Mündersbach in


Germany might ring a bell. It is a wholesale dealer offering an extensive product range
combined with excellent customer service, and it is a business that readily endorses
cutting-edge technology for the benefit its customers. Now Doebis has taken another
leap and is launching its own line of receivers, with the first offspring jumping right
in the middle of a market niche that has recently
appeared in the German market. There, commercial
networks have teamed up to use the new HD+
standard which allows reception of the HD versions of
these commercial stations next to all other free-to-air
DVB-S and DVB-S2 channels. Doebis distributes the
new set-top box under the trade name Jaeger.

38 TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine — 12-01/2011 — www.TELE-satellite.com


Channels using the HD+ of European countries had received free-to-air. View- financially viable. Just think
standard are currently only introduced high-definition tel- ers have come to expect and about it: Would you be willing
of interest to a German- evision some time ago, Ger- demand high-quality pro- to pay for subscription TV if
speaking audience, as HD+ many seemed to be perfectly gramming, including all the the sheer number of channels
smartcards to unlock these content with its SDTV offering latest blockbuster movies, coming in at no cost satis-
channels are only available in for a very long time. Apart TV dramas and sitcoms, plus fies almost all of your viewing
Germany at this stage. The from pay TV provider Sky elaborate homemade content requirements?
Jaeger HD+ 2010 therefore and an unsuccessful attempt free of charge. Or almost free
exclusively has the German at HDTV by some commercial of charge, if you consider the Up until the invention of
market in mind for time being. channels not much happened licence fee that every Ger- the PVR (personal video
HD+ channels are broadcast with regard to HD content. many household with a TV recorder), both broadcasters
via ASTRA 19.2° East. set has to pay. Various and and viewers seemed content
Is there a particular reason – sometimes – lengthy adver- with this arrangement, and
We will deal with every for this development, or tising breaks on commercial commercial stations were
nook and cranny of the new should we rather say: lack of stations are the trade-in, able to provide decent pro-
receiver in a moment, but let development? For decades, which Germans had and have gramming thanks to a steady
us first find out what this talk German viewers have been to accept in return for channel flow of advertising revenue.
about HD+ really is all about: blessed with a large number and content variety.
In a global perspective, Ger- of free-to-air commercial All this began to slowly
many had long been a dark channels, which offered all For all the reasons stated erode due to time-shift view-
spot on the HDTV map. While sorts of content next to the above pay TV was off to a very ing and hard-disk recording,
most of Asia, North America, large public broadcasting bad start in Germany and with the added benefit of skip-
Australia and also a number networks, which can also be is still struggling to become ping commercial breaks. What

0.62

www.TELE-satellite.com — 12-01/2011 — TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine 39


pushed the viewing pleasure wishes by broadcasters are
of millions to new heights was actually fulfilled, PVRs that
becoming a major concern for are compatible with HD+
commercial broadcasters – at always record content with
least if one follows their line of encryption in place. This way
reasoning. After all, not many it is not possible to simply
would watch ads if these can copy files from the internal or
be skipped with the touch of a external HDD and watch them
button, would they? on a PC or save them onto a
DVD, for example.
A few months ago the major
public broadcasting networks If you do want to receive
in Germany finally launched the HD variants of Germany’s
HDTV versions of their main major commercial networks
channels and therefore you therefore need a receiver
placed the ball in their com- that is compatible with HD+ Main menu of the Jaeger HD+ 2011
mercial competitors’ court to and which features either a
lift their game as well. built-in smartcard reader or
a CI with HD+ functionality –
With their reliance on plus a valid HD+ smartcard,
advertising money, however, of course. All receivers and CI
commercial providers used a modules available so far have
completely different approach not been compatible with
which was supposed to the HD+ standard or at least
restrict ad skipping right from required a software update
the start. Satellite operator from the manufacturer to add
SES readily jumped on board that feature with all its inte-
and developed a dedicated grated control mechanisms.
transmission concept with the Only if all HD+ specifications
name HD+ platform. and restrictions are met is it
possible to watch HD+ con-
The first step in the new tent. Various options for channel list editing
HD+ standard was to offer
the new HD channels with We received the Jaeger H+
encryption only, which is 2011 receiver complete with
the only way of controlling an activated HD+ smartcard
who can watch what. SES so that we could easily receive
ASTRA selected Nagravision the HD channels of Germany’s
3 as the encryption system largest commercial channels.
of choice. The next step that To be precise, we were able
followed went even further: to mostly receive upscaled
HD+ allows content provid- versions of their standard
ers to not only define which definition offerings, which is
encrypted events can be what they currently provide.
watched and recorded, but The six networks Sat.1, Pro-
also how, when and for how Sieben, Vox, Kabel2, RTL and
long such content is avail- Sport1 can be received in
able. The new HD+ stand- high definition free of charge
Easy-to-use channel list of the HD+ 2011
ard provides broadcasters for one year. After the first
with the option of restricting year access can be renewed
time-shift viewing for certain for another year by paying a
content, or to block this fea- fee which currently amounts
ture at large. This means that to EUR 50.
viewers are still able to record
content and watch it at a later But let’s come back to our
stage, but it is not possible receiver test report now. The
to fast forward through com- black housing of the Jaeger
mercial breaks. Broadcasters HD+ 2011 is very stylish in
are also in a position to add a appearance and will smoothly
‘use by’ date to content, so to blend into most living room
speak. Such recorded content settings. The front panel
cannot be played back once sports a multi-digit segment
that date has passed. display, with three buttons
to the left for controlling the
To make sure all of these receiver’s main functions Channel list entries 0 to 99 can be freely arranged

40 TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine — 12-01/2011 — www.TELE-satellite.com


without a remote control. To channels can actually be
the right of the central dis- shown on screen.
play a HD+ smartcard can be
inserted into the built-in card We should elaborate a little
reader. There are no addi- on this new receiver’s chan-
tional CI slots available. nel list: Contrary to what
we are used to from regular
The back panel of the receivers, the HD+ platform
receiver is very well equipped of provider SES ASTRA brings
with all connection options viewers the added benefit
you’re ever likely to require. of looking for new channels
It sports the standard sat- every time the receiver is
ellite IF input with looped- turned on. To this end, HD+
through output, HDMI, optical has come up with its own
audio out as well as a USB 2.0 channel list setup that looks
Channel list editing interface. like this:

The remote control that TV channels 100 to 2,000


comes with the box deserves and radio channels 100 to 500
special praise, as it sits con- are reserved for the auto-
veniently in your hand and matic ASTRA 19.2° East HD+
comes with easy to find but- channel list for Germany,
tons. The operating manual while channels 1 through 99
is of a similarly high stand- can be set according to cus-
ard, is very comprehensive tomer preferences.
and comes with helpful illus-
trations. We are confident By default, Doebis ships
the manual will answer all the Jaeger HD+ 2011 with
the questions you may have pre-set channels from 1 to
with regard to operating the 57 which include all German
Jaeger HD+ 2011. We hugely free-to-air channels as well
appreciated the fact that a as – obviously – all HDTV
Options for automatic channel search
whole chapter of the manual channels currently available
is dedicated to mounting and from ASTRA at 19.2° East
installing the antenna. This (see chart). The channel list
way new users do not only begins with ARD HD and ZDF
learn how their new receiver HD (the two major nationwide
works, but also receive some public broadcasting channels
valuable tips and hints for in Germany), followed by the
perfectly setting up their six HD+ channels and the
antenna. remaining German channels.
In addition, international
When the receiver is turned channels such as Sky News,
on for the first time it imme- CNN and CNBC are also found
diately switches to update on the default channel list. If
mode and checks the follow- required, the list can be rear-
ing: ranged and edited according
(a) Do signals from ASTRA to personal preferences, and
Manual channel search
19.2° East come in through since channels 1 through 99
the satellite IF input socket? are the customer’s domain
(b) Is a software update they will never be overwrit-
available? ten if an automatic channel
(c) Is the pre-stored chan- update takes place.
nel list still up-to-date for
German viewers? It’s a different story for the
In case new software or an pre-set channels beginning
updated channel list are avail- with 100. They are arranged
able these are downloaded in the following fashion and
over the air automatically to cannot be moved, deleted
bring the receiver up to date. or otherwise rearranged,
This way, viewers in Ger- as they are part of the HD+
many can rest assured their channel list:
receiver will always keep up 100-130: ARD (public
with any changes or improve- broadcaster) and regional
Pre-stored satellite list ments and that all pre-stored public channels.

42 TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine — 12-01/2011 — www.TELE-satellite.com


150-153: Public broad- ORF (OE1, all regional ver-
casters 3sat, KiKa, Phoenix sions of OE2, OE3, FM4)
and arte
200-203: ZDF (public Every time a new German
broadcaster) and its three language channel is launched
sub-channels on ASTRA 19.2° East it will
300-315: RTL Group chan- be added to the HD+ channel
nels (RTL, VOX, n-tv, etc.) list by provider SES Astra and
400-411: Sat1/Pro7 Group will be available with the fol-
channels incl. Kabel1 and N24 lowing automatic channel list
500-589: All Sky (pay TV) update. The Jaeger HD+ 2011
channels will display it accordingly, and
700-702: Nickelodeon, since the list is segmented
MTV, Viva according to provider catego-
730-809: All remaining ries it will fit in perfectly. If so
German free-to-air channels desired by a user, any chan-
Timer entries can be created manually or via the EPG
transmitted via ASTRA 19.2° nel in the pre-set list can be
East, including all still-image copied into the user list from
channels transmitted via 1 to 99. Talk about a smart
ASTRA 19.2° East at 12,633H solution!
900-919: Channels of Aus-
trian public broadcaster ORF Incidentally, the channel
930-978: Foreign-lan- list features more than meets
guage free-to-air channels the eye at first sight. Many
on ASTRA 19.2° East (such channels are not specifically
as TVP Polonia, CCTV F, TVP included in the list, but are
Info, Russia Today, Arirang still available if you know how
TV, CNN, Al-Jazeera, Andalu- to find them. If you use the
cia TV, Cubavision, TV 5, and search mode to find all chan-
so on) nels starting with ‘Kabel 1’,
1000-1091: All HDTV for example, the results will
channels transmitted via also show ‘Kabel 1 Austria’ on
Audio and video settings ASTRA 19.2° East (free-to-air channel 414, which can then
and encrypted), currently 24 be selected and watched. The
channels (ARD HD, ZDF HD, same is true for ‘Sat.1 Aus-
HD+, Sky HD, Anixe HD, ORF tria’, ‘RTL Austria’, and so on.
HD) If you think this is somewhat
1200-1206: ARD, ZDF, unusual then the answer lies
RTL, VOX, Sat.1, Pro7, Kabel1 in the HD+ concept: As soon
(SDTV versions) as HD+ will also be offered
1400-1417: Arena on the Austrian market the
1500-1577: All still-image receivers sold there will be
channels transmitted via pre-programmed to show the
ASTRA 19.2° East at 12,246V Austrian versions of those
channels, rather than the
If you switch over to radio, Germany versions.
the HD+ channel list that is
pre-defined and cannot be The Jaeger HD+ 2011 offers
changed looks like this: a dedicated menu for channel
Formatting an external HDD connected to the USB 2.0 interface
100-160: All German management, which shows
public radio stations all available entries from 1 to
200-214: All German 99 in the right screen section
commercial radio stations and the complete channel list
(Antenne Bayern, Rock on the left section. Thanks to
Antenne, Deluxe Lounge, this convenient layout chan-
Deluxe Radio, Domradio, ERF nels can easily be added from
Radio, Klassik Radio, sun- the overall list to the custom-
shine live, Teddy, Hope Chan- ised list. In addition, a total
nel Radio, egoFM, JAM FM) of ten favourites lists can be
300-307: All Sky radio filled to your heart’s content
stations (German Charts, and add much to the overall
Rock Anthems, Love Songs, enjoyment this receiver pro-
60/70s, 80/90s, R&B/Hip vides.
Hop, Country)
600-612: All radio channel All channel entries above
Overview of all available recordings of Austrian public broadcaster 2,000 (TV) and 500 (radio)

www.TELE-satellite.com — 12-01/2011 — TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine 43


can also be customised and In our test the Jaeger HD+
are not restricted by the HD+ 2011 took more than 25 min-
standard. utes for a full scan across all
HOTBIRD 13° East bands,
The box is able to per- which is not exactly an Olym-
form all the search functions pic achievement. Then again,
we expect from a DVB-S/ most users will only ever use
S2 receiver. It comes with the HD+ channel list which
a factory-installed list of all is kept up-to-date and very
transponders of the 28 most accurate anyway.
frequently received European
satellites. It goes without Like all other receivers we
saying that this list can be test the Jaeger box, too, had
edited manually and that new to prove its worth with regard
transponders can be added to very week signals. We used
An up-to-date channel list is downloaded over the air from ASTRA 19.2° as required. BADR at 26° East for that
East. LCN stands for Logical Channel Numbers
benchmark test and found
We did, on the other had, that the integrated DVB-S/
somewhat regret that the S2 tuner did a remarkably
Jaeger HD+ 2011 only offers good job. The same was true
tone burst and DiSEqC 1.0 for signals with a very low
for up to four satellites, and symbol rate (like the ones
DiSEqC 1.2 for motorised from TURKSAT 42° East at
antennas. Unfortunately, the our location), which were pro-
hugely convenient USALS cessed flawlessly as well. It
protocol and DiSEqC 1.1 for only took a moment before
up to 16 satellites are not the 11,742 V frequency was
available. On a positive note, locked in with a symbol rate
we appreciated the fact that of only 2,965 ks/s.
the LOF can be determined
individually for each satel- All entries of the individual
lite entry based on a number channel list (2,000 and above
Presentation of photos on the TV panel of pre-set options or with for TV, 500 and above for
manual setting. This makes radio) can be deleted, moved
the Jaeger box perfectly suit- or marked for skipping as
able for C band reception as required. Entries on the HD+
well. list, on the other hand, can
only be marked for skipping
Thanks to manual tran- without any other editing
sponder search it is possible options. Optional PIN protec-
to look for signals on a speci- tion is available for all chan-
fied frequency only and to nels if you feel some channels
edit the pre-set transponder are not appropriate for chil-
list. Any new frequencies can dren or minors living in your
be added without much ado household. Altogether the
and a touch of a button is all channel list consists of 5,000
it takes to delete any discon- entries, and even if we reduce
tinued transponder entries. that number by the channels
that are pre-defined through
Clearly arranged info bar
If you prefer an automatic HD+ that will still leave you
search – as most will do – the with 2,700 entries to fill.
Jaeger HD+ 2011 can be set
for network search mode or In Systems Settings –
restricted to free-to-air chan- which is the third major menu
nels only. This is particularly item next to Channel Search
useful as all encrypted chan- and Channel List Editing –
nels will find their way into users can customise their
the automatic HD+ channel newly acquired box accord-
list anyway and there are ing to personal preferences.
no other decryption options Even though the new Jaeger
(such as an additional CI slot) HD+ 2011 is specifically tar-
available anyway. geted to the German market
the OSD languages to choose
If so desired, an auto- from are German, English,
matic search can be defined French, Spanish, Italian,
EPG mode for a single channel to cover TV, radio, or both. Turkish, Russian, Polish and

44 TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine — 12-01/2011 — www.TELE-satellite.com


More on This Manufacturer
Read TELE-satellite’s Company Report:

DOEBIS
Satellite Wholesaler, Germany www.doebis.de
Dutch. At the same you may edit up to 50 timer entries.
also define your preferred
audio track languages in case Once all basic parameters
a channel broadcasts more are set pressing the Exit
than one. When you want to button will bring you to the
tell the receiver which time first receivable channel on
zone you are in you need not the list. Every time a new
know your local difference to channel is selected the Jaeger
GMT but rather select your HD+ 2011 inserts an info bar
zone from a list of well-known on the bottom of the screen
European cities. which includes date, time and
information on the current
Continuing with audio/video and next event, if this infor-
settings, the receiver can mation is provided. There are
be told which signal resolu- icons indicating encryption
tion your TV panel prefers so and the availability of subti-
that you always get the best tles, audio tracks as well as
quality on screen. We should teletext. www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-1011/eng/doebis.pdf

emphasise the fact that the


Jaeger HD+ 2011 already sup- Press the OK button and
ports 1080p, which means it the clearly arranged channel even though most material time your mother-in-law calls
is fit for the future of satellite list will pop up, with ten chan- on HD+ channels currently is simply press Pause and pick
television even today. Obvi- nel entries per page. Using upscaled SD content. Every up the phone – that way you’ll
ously 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i the green and yellow function time native HD is broadcasts both be happy and you can
as well 480p and 480i can keys you may select individ- your eyes are virtually glued continue watching whenever
chosen as well. The receiver ual satellite entries, while the to the screen – watching TV you feel like. As mentioned
automatically detects the Text button opens up a search has never been more brilliant! before, this feature is not
colour standard of a received mask which you can use find available for channels on the
channel and adjusts the that particular channel you’re If you’re interested in find- HD+ platform.
output signal accordingly. looking for. The Favourite ing out more about the event
button accesses up to ten you’re watching or even want By and large, all PVR fea-
No matter whether you favourites lists which you can to check what’s on TV later tures of the new Jaeger
have a 4:3 or 16:9 TV set, the arrange in any fashion you at night or the next day the receiver are cleverly imple-
box will deal it with it, and like. EPG button will become your mented and easy to use. The
you may define the way 16:9 best friend. Press it once for box boasts a single tuner
broadcasts are displayed on a The Jaeger HD+ 2011 zap- extended information about only, which is why it is not
4:3 set. ping speed is approximately the currently showing event possible to watch a channel
one second for free-to-air and press it again to see a from a different transponder
Thanks to the integrated SDTV channels. Switching to preview of the selected chan- while a recording takes place.
scart euroconnector RGB and HDTV or encrypted channels nel for up to seven days. If If the recording is made from
CVBS are available for analog takes slightly longer. We were you press the EPG button an encrypted HD+ channel it
signal output and a separate truly impressed with the video yet again a preview sched- is not possible to watch a dif-
menu item let’s you add or performance of this receiver, ule of five channels at a time ferent channel at all, just as
appears on screen. In next to is it not possible to make two
no time can you then find out recordings at the same time.
what your favourite channels A previously stored event,
will show in primetime, or however, can be played back
when the next episode of that at any time during recording.
crime drama is on.
The Movie button on the
No matter which EPG mode remote control – or the cor-
you’re in, if you come across responding menu item in the
an event that’s not to miss on-screen display – brings
you can easily create a timer you to the content of the
entry by simply pressing the external HDD. Here again, the
blue button. This is a particu- display sports a clever layout,
larly smart feature consider- is more or less self-explana-
ing that an external HDD can tory and also provides details
be hooked up to the Jaeger such as recording date,
HD+ 2011 thanks to the USB length and originating chan-
2.0 interface. If you make nel for each recording. There
use of that option you’re not is even an integrated picture
only able to record content, viewer for presenting photos
but also use the timeshift of your journey around the
viewing feature – at least for world or any other event in
free-to-air channels. So next your life. You and your guests

46 TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine — 12-01/2011 — www.TELE-satellite.com


may make use of the format- that because in what’s good
ting feature which can be for the environment is just as
accessed through a dedicated good for your wallet.
menu item.
In conclusion we can say
You may also have the that the Jaeger HD+ 2011
receiver manually check for fulfilled all our expectations.
new software or channel We’re talking about a HDTV
lists, even though this is done satellite receiver the whole
every time you power up family will like, that will fit
the box anyway. The current into any lounge room sur-
channel list can be saved onto roundings, and that offers
any external USB storage all the features an average
medium for back-up purposes family will ever want. With its
and to provide a safety net in 1080p HDMI output it is well
Some PVR functions are not available for HD+ channels
case you inadvertently delete ahead of many competitors
a channel or make a mess out and ready for the future of
of your list. high-definition satellite tel-
evision.
If video games is what
you’re after then prepare The box is characterised
yourself for a minor disap- by smart user-interaction
pointment – there are none. and will be understood by
You may, however, use the the technically challenged
built-in teletext decoder to as well. HD+ compatibility
read the news during com- allows reception of the HDTV
mercial breaks, for example, variants of Germany’s major
which is much more worth- commercial networks and the
while anyway. built-in PVR functions work
flawlessly. It has to be said,
The teletext display only however, that users might
covers about half the screen require some time before
Audio track selection so you can always keep an they will get used to all HD+
eye on the current channel restrictions. In our test, for
will definitely enjoy a larger- be rotated with the touch of in order not to miss a thing. example, we were not able
than-life presentation on your a button so that both portrait Finally, there was another to skip commercial breaks
TV panel. and landscape formats come nice surprise waiting for us: on HD+ channels – but then
out as best they can. Power consumption of the again, that is precisely why
Simply copy the pictures Jaeger HD+ 2011 in standby is HD+ was developed in the
onto a USB storage medium, If you connect an external extremely low. The manufac- first place. Nonetheless, the
plug it in on the receiver’s HDD to the Jaeger HD+ 2011 turer specifies 1 W, and our overall impression of the
back panel and you’re ready for the first time or want to own measurement yielded Jaeger HD+2011 is unreserv-
to rumble. Images can easily completely erase one you an even lower 0.8 W! We like edly positive.

48 TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine — 12-01/2011 — www.TELE-satellite.com


HDTV channels on ASTRA 19.2° East Expert Opinion
which can be received +
Perfectly fit for the future of satellite television
with the Jaeger HD+ 2011 thanks to 1080p
Frequency Reception of channels on the German HD+ plat-
Channel Name Polarisation Modulation Symbol Rate
[GHz]
form with integrated card reader
Free TV Well-conceived menu structure and easy to use Thomas Haring

Servus TV HD 11.303 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000


Elaborate PVR functions TELE-satellite
Test Center
Very low power consumption in standby Austria
Das Erste HD 11.362 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000

ZDF HD 11.362 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000 -


Two simultaneous recordings are not possible
ARTE HD 11.362 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000
No DiSEqC 1.1 and 1.3 (USALS)
Eins Festival HD
12.422 Horizontal DVB-S/QPSK 27.500
Promo
Anixe HD/ HD+
Promo
10.832 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000 TECHNICAL
DATA
Pay TV Manufacturer Jaeger / Doebis GmbH, Dr.-Günter-Henle-Straße 4,
[Germany only] 56271 Mündersbach, Germany
RTL HD 10.832 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000 Fax +49 (0) 2680/9879-19

VOX HD 10.832 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000 E-Mail info@doebis.de


Model Jaeger HD+ 2011
SPORT1 HD 10.832 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000
Function Digital HDTV / Receiver
Sat.1 HD 11.464 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000 with Smart Card reader for HD+

Channel Memory 5000


ProSieben HD 11.464 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000
Symbolrate 1-35 Ms/sec.
kabel eins HD 11.464 Horizontal DVB-S2/8PSK 22.000
SCPC Compatible yes

DiSEqC 1.0 / 1.2


ENERGY USALS no
DIAGRAM HDMI Output yes
Scart Connector yes

Component Video Output no


Apparent Power
S-Video Output no
Mode Apparent Active Factor
UHF Modulator no
Reception 16 W 10 W 0.62
StandBy 2W 0.8 W 0.4 0/12 Volt Connector yes

Active Power Digital Audio Output yes

EPG yes

C/Ku-Band compatible yes


PVR-Function yes
USB 2.0 Connector yes

Ethernet no
E-SATA no
Dimensions 280x170x45mm
Initial 15 minutes: Receiver boots, followed by active use with channel Weight 0.9 kg
switching, recording, playing back, etc.
Following 15 minutes: Standby Power supply 220-240V, 50/60 Hz

www.TELE-satellite.com — 12-01/2011 — TELE-satellite — Global Digital TV Magazine 49

You might also like