Company eliminates the need for a SCART connection – making it extremely simple to convert any analogue European television set to receive DVB-T digital television broadcasts

7th September 2007, Amsterdam IBC stand 5.211 – British digital television device manufacturer TVonics today unveils the MFR-200, a matchbox sized DVB-T digital set top box. The MFR-200 is designed to make the conversion to digital reception as simple as possible without complicated SCART connections and is ideal for second TVs in the home which may lack a SCART socket or where space for a larger set top box is limited.

The MFR-200 is very easy to connect and use. It simply plugs in to an antenna and the antenna input of an analogue television. Once connected and the low energy power supply plugged in, the user simply tunes in an unused TV channel to the MFR-200 and commands the MFR-200 to auto detect and tune to the available  DVB-T digital TV broadcast channels available.

Despite its small size, the unit offers full UK profile very fast MHEG5 1.06 digital teletext, an easy to use 8 day electronic programme guide (EPG), DVB subtitles and audio description processing (providing additional commentary about the TV programme to enable blind and visually impaired users to enjoy digital television). The user controls the MFR-200 using an ergonomic easy to use infra-red handset. 

Like all TVonics products, the MFR-200 features low energy power consumption in both operation and standby (less than 5W and 2W respectively). It can also supply power to a third party active set top antenna which depending upon the local signal strength may enable the MFR-200 to work without the need for a roof top antenna.

The firm already has orders from major retail outlets and production capacity in place to meet the expected high demand for the MFR-200 before Christmas 2007 in the UK and is in discussions with continental European retailers and distributors.

Paul Fellows, CEO of TVonics, said: “We had many requests from end users asking if it is possible to connect one of our set top boxes to the TV via the antenna input. Either they had no SCART connection or only one, which was used by their DVD player. Some customers also struggled with the complexity of SCART cables and A/V routing.  So we decided to take things back to basics and offer an ultra-simple digital receiver small enough to use with a portable TV that connects via the antenna input. Our focus groups have been very impressed by its compactness, ease of use and its picture quality.”

Fellows concludes: “TVonics products are focussed on the principles of environmental friendliness, attractive compact design and most importantly being easy to use. We believe that this will have a resonance with continental European consumers in the same way as they have in Britain. TVonics is expanding this ethos and enabling digital switchover across Europe.”

The MFR-200 is expected to retail at £45 in the UK and €70 in continental Europe.