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For many people, the announcement and the arrival of the Thomson Digibox were nothing short of a blessing. Having those expensive LCD or plasma TVs and not having a high definition Digibox actually left many of us feeling crummy. Then arrived the first Thomson HD Digibox.

The Thomson DSI8215 was the first one of its kind to come out on the market, and was met by great sales and widespread uptake by those who owned HD TVs. It seems that everybody who owned an HD TV wanted one and it soon sprouted in many homes.

But the raucous jubilation was short-lived. People soon found out that being the first did not necessarily mean being the best. It did not take long before the Thomson DSI8215 digiboxes around the country began to earn the ire of its owners and the reputation of being the most unreliable Digibox in existence.

It was, frankly, Murphy's Law applied at every opportunity and at every moment. From horrendous lip sync problems, to poor and dismal reception, to utterly slow response rates, the Thomson DSI8215 was plagued with every issue, problem and breakdown possible.

Too bad, because the Thomson DSI8215, specifically the Thomson DSI8215 Sky+ HD Digibox, has a lot of potential. It was the first to be launched to a hungry and waiting market. It offered everything from the basics of Sky Digital, to the recording fun offered with Sky+. It also promised amazing picture and sound quality, fully exploiting the HD technology offered by Sky. Like all digiboxes, this one boasted of a 300 gigabyte hard drive, with more than half of it earmarked as usable space, and could record up to 150 hours of TV programmes.

The box may also be used with Sky HD or FTV card. If you're feeling a bit stingy, you can use it to show free to air channels, some of which are now in HD.

But as many people would soon learn (and subsequently complain about) Thomson had a very different definition for "sharp", "clear", and "vibrant" and other nifty adjectives it used in its sales presentations and press releases. In short, it did not deliver on its promises and that left many feeling cheated. In fact, Thomson provided a very effective marketing pitch for both Samsung and Pace when they launched their own digiboxes. Both companies only needed one tagline: “Looks like the Thomson, but definitely better.” The result? Brisk sales for both Samsung and Pace, that left store shelves empty for the past two to three months running.

I really don't have any idea if Thomson has come out with newer models that addressed the problems and issues that adopters of their earlier models have voiced out. Shame on me if you fool me once, you know. Until I see something more compelling, I am saving my money for a Pace or a Samsung, even if I have to wait months for it.

If you want to upgrade your Sky HD hard drive visit http://www.satchat.co.uk/repairs-box-impovement-discussion/78-upgrading-your-sky-hd-sky-plus-hard-drive.html for instructions.

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Beamer

Thomson really wasted a great opportunity with this one. I remember being frustrated because I couldn't get one. A week later and after hearing my "lucky" friends who were able to secure this new HD box back then, I felt blessed that I didn't waste money on such a lemon!

vanreek

I agree. This was a bad move for Thomson. It could have been the company's saving grace, the once in a lifetime chance to tell it customers that they were serious players who were willing to give them what they want. Instead, they only confirmed what most of us thought all along. Thomson sucks.

Jennifer_Amistad

Maybe they were in a hurry for the exact same reason: they wanted to be the first in a hungry and waiting market.

eMo

Well, if they have fine-tuned the box a little more, even if they had to come out a few weeks later than they did, then they would not have the same problem.

awkwardsilence

I wouldn't think about it as a lost opportunity. Thomson surely made a windfall on this box.

barbaric

Remember that a windfall is nothing if you don't get repeat customers!

Nafnaf

I agree with that. Better to keep your customers happy and retain them than go seek new customers.

BillieG

But then, just how often do you change boxes?

eMo

Not too often, I admit.

But one satisfied customer could easily recommend you a dozen of friends and family