From: CNTS12@email.mot.com (Mike Stevens)
Subject: Review of Uniden 4800 IRD
Organization: Motorola CSE
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 09:59:11 GMT

I purchased a Uniden 4800 super approximately 5 months ago and have been 
generally pleased with the results.  I got the unit from Satellite Market 
USA for a price of $ 678.00 without the module.

I learned that Uniden has made two different versions of the 4800, the 
original version did not include the VCR mouse-(device allows communication 
with your VCR via infared) and has older software in it.  The new version 
which I have is the 4800 super which includes the vcr mouse and later 
software which has resolved some of the earlier bugs.

I agree with the some of the earlier comments if you are not technically 
inclined, the 4800 can be a bear to setup.  There are screens after screens 
which you must sent up in order for the unit to work properly.

I purchased the unit primarly for my wife as she is not a techno gadget type 
of person.  She finds the built in superguide feature to be superior to our 
previous Uniden 7000 unit.

You call up the superguide and click on the show you desire to watch, the 
dish moves and changes to the correct transponder.  You may also delete the 
programming which you do not subscribe to which cuts down on the clutter of 
unwanted or non-paid programming.  It will also give a brief description of 
the program as well.

All the audio services are listed by call sign and where they may be found.  
You may select how often the data is downloaded to the unit.  Mine is setup 
for a download each morning at 4:00 AM as I am rarely up that early.  The 
unit is programmed such that if you forget to move the dish after you retire 
for the evening, the dish will automatically reposition at 4:00 AM on the 
correct satellite and transponder.  Mine looks at G5-WGN.  The information 
received is the same as a user would read in Onsat magazine as they are the 
providers of the information.  Uniden gives you 6 months free of 
subscription and after that it costs $ 59.00 per year.

I found the Uniden to be cheaper than going with two separate boxes.

The Uniden has 2 external devices which may be switched in and out, ie; vcr 
and another device.  Further it has input and output jacks for everything.

The unit came with an easy to use UHF/Infrared remote which you may select 
if you desire infrared of UHF.  The remote is used entirely to program the 
unit.

The unit will work with a reed or optical pickup from the motor drive.

I have noticed all the discussion on the net regarding the satellite names 
changing and the user having to setup the RX as a result.  The information 
is automatically downloaded to the Uniden and the user does not have to 
hassle with the satellite names.

Customer service in Indianapolis, IN has been helpful at times.  The call is 
a toll call, no 800 service to the end user.  It took them 3 days to return 
my call as if they are busy they put the answering machine on, thus you 
don't talk to a human the first go around.  One lady was rude to me and 
indicated she didn't talk to the end user, the next time I called the next 
lady was exceptional in helping me.

I ordered a service manual for my unit at a cost of $ 35.00 and it looked 
like a cave man had etched it onto a stone tablet.  Very poor quality, I 
plan to write to the top dog in Uniden and complain!!!!!  The manual was for 
a 4800 not a super, Uniden Tech support indicates it should be close enough 
whatever that means?  A one year warranty comes with the unit and turn time 
from the factory in Indy is approximately 2-3 weeks.

It appears you may upgrade to a super by replacing the software as the 
boards look the same.

The board which decodes the Onsat information looked like it had some 
modifications as jumper wires ran between some of the component, probably 
for some type of defect.

My unit has two defects which was observed when I got the unit.  RF 
modulator  ch 3 or 4 doesn't work.  Graphic jitter can be seen on G5, SCI-FI 
and ME/U when it displays the transponder # and motor drive position, the 
information jitters on the screen.  Uniden indicates that has been resolved 
with the newer software that mine has.  It has been hard to send the unit in 
for repair as my wife has fallen in love with the unit because of the 
superguide and the great picture quality.  I currently use it with a monitor 
TV which by-passes tuner.

Conclusion:

As I compare it to the rest of consumer TVRO market equipment I have found 
that I can live with kinks.  If you wanta be the kid on the block who has 
the latest techno gadget go with the  Uniden 4800 super.  If any one else 
has further questions please post and I will try to answer them.


Regards,


Mike
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| Mike Stevens                         | Internet: cnts12@email.comm.mot.com |
| Motorola Central Systems Engineering | Voice:    708-576-8249              |
| 1301 E. Algonquin Road-IL02 RM 0436  | FAX:      708-576-5640              |
| Schaumburg, Illinois  60196  USA     |                                     |
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