Part 2: Detailed product review. Review on d2h

Edit dated 15/02/2019: Update after 7 years of usage: Dish TV took over Videocon d2h in 2018, and since then the Customer Service standard has deteriorated steadily. Besides, they are handling the TRAI tariff migration poorly.

THE INSTALLATION: On 12 April 2012 evening I bought a d2h HD box online for Rs.2890 including installation charges and tax. One month's Platinum HD pack of Rs.400+tax and Rs.400 balance is free. Hence, effective cost is(2890-441-400)=Rs.2049. Promptly I got an sms mentioning my customer ID. Next day morning their service engineer called me and two of them came with satellite signal meter and installed the set and showed me the operations. Installation took 20-25 minutes. They were very cooperative and installed everything very neatly and as per my requirement. They gave me their mobile numbers and left. The best part is that none of them asked for any tips or chaipani. That was impressive:-).

PRODUCT, PICTURE, AUDIO: The HD STB is black, glossy, sleek, looks decent, check it out on their website. Within 30 minutes of switching on the STB, it started downloading an update for its software and installed it automatically, program was stopped for 5-6 minutes during that period. Picture on SD channels are decent, not all channels are equally good, but not all channels air the same transmission quality. I mean, transmission quality of Star channels and small regional channels are different, so is the picture. But overall SD channels picture is good and comparable to any other good DTH. Now the HD channels picture.its wow! awesome! mind blowing! jaw dropping! amazing! terrific! I have never seen anything like that before! Ohhhh.I am soooo impressed! Audio quality could have been better, louder, clearer.Its ok, but could have been better. Though it is not creating any problem as long as I keep the TV and STB volume settings on the higher side. But the Audio doesn't have the wow! factor the Picture quality has.

OTHER FEATURES: Some reviews said that the Program Guide(EPG) is slow in Videocon. But I found it to be fast. May be they have upgraded the software or hardware. The EPG shows you all program list, and can search if there is any repeat show of any particular program. There are 4 favourite lists of 20 channels each, probably highest among all DTH players. Remote has 4 dedicated buttons to access the 4 favourite lists, same buttons also work as function keys. The onscreen logo of Videocon d2h is small and transparent, and doesn't creat any viewing problem.

Further, All channels are nicely grouped into several categories like Hindi movies, English movies, Hindi general, Hindi news, English news, music, kids, Bengali, Marathi, Telegu, etc. and categories are shown in Menu option under Mosaic(PIP). This option is very nice, shows you 12 PIPs with picture, audio, and program name, and this option can be accessed with a single button on remote.

STB start up time is roughly 30 seconds, sometimes less, and channel change time is 3 seconds, both are decent. HDMI cable, remote, batteries are provided with the box. 12 meter cable is also free, after that, Rs.12 per meter need to be paid for installation. d2h service charges are also reasonable under Lifetime Warranty that they are offering.

d2h has multi-room connection facility for your 2nd. 3rd, or 4th TV. Monthly charges are very low for 2nd, 3rd, or 4th connection. They will change the LNBF and two cables will come out of the same dish. Though you have to pay in full for the box, same amount as for a new connection. I consider the initial cost could have been lowered, as though they are giving another box, but the dish is the same. Hence, there should be some discounts as dish cost is saved. One more information, if you have a 3D TV, then Videocon d2h HD box is 3D ready. Videocon is the only 3D ready DTH HD box available in India as of now.

CONS: No review is complete without the cons:-) . And d2h has its fair share of cons, well, some of them can be easily corrected if they wish.just read on.

1. As I have mentioned above in detail, Audio Quality needs some improvement even in HD Channels.

   
   




2. HD channels are not included in Mosaic(PIP) list. That should be included.

   
   




3. Mosaic(PIP) menu has a background music playing when you access it, that is irritating for me. There should be an option to set the background music off.

   
   




4. Remote has good features, but remote buttons feels rubbery, buttons could have been softer & more responsive with better tactile feedback. Remote sensor is powerful enough, but buttons need improvement. Remote could have been slimmer also.

   
   

5. Presently there is only one base pack for HD customers, Platinum HD pack.no other options available.

1. This issue has been corrected by Videocon.hence, edited.

7. There was some confusion about warranty period. Product brochure says it is for 1 year, Sales Executive said it was for 5 years, and the company website promises a Lifetime Warranty! Now, under Lifetime Warranty Videocon charges for both service and spare parts after 6 months to 1 year period, then how come that be a Lifetime Warranty? Though the charges are reasonable, may be justified also, but then advertising Lifetime Warranty and then charging the customer is definitely unfair. Videocon should remove such misleading claims from their website.

1. Point No.3 of Customer Agreement Form has 3 options for Purchase Type: Rental, Outright Sale, & Hire Purchase. Videocon guys always mark it as'Rental'. That means, one is supposed to return the hardware if he/she discontinues the service. But I fail to understand why! A) Customers are paying in full for the hardware Rs.2890(Rs.1890 for hardware+Rs.1000 for installation). B) The Videocon d2h website's online purchase page says'Buy Online', not'Rent Online'! How can the Purchase Type be Rental and not Outright Sale? C) Further, if the customer is not the owner of the hardware, then how can they charge the customer for service & spare parts under Lifetime Warranty? I understand that if one discontinues the service, then the hardware is of no use as it is locked to Videocon service. But even then, if the customer is paying for the hardware, then the customer should have the right to retain the hardware in case of discontinuation of service. I mailed to the customer care, they didn't reply in mail, but called me and told me over phone that they will take back the STB and Dish set only if I discontinue the service within one year, even though I have paid for the product. I hope Videocon d2h will do something about the cons that I have mentioned above.

FINAL VERDICT: Every product has its pros & cons. Considering all aspect I must say that so far I am satisfied with the product & service and Videocon d2h is highly recommended for DTH buyers in India looking for quality product and good pricing. It's a good buy. I will give it 8.5 out of 10. Check https://86brands.com for good offers on DTH.