Firefly in the UK

[Webbo]

I am a UK user and would love to use a Firefly (especially as this is currently the only remote supported in Beyond Media).

Is it legal to use a FF in the UK (specifically the RF frequency it uses) and if so, is there a UK distributor. I don't mind paying the $50 for the remote but do object to paying an additional $50 for international shipping!

I have also seen some new Fireflies (is that the plural?) being advertised on e-bay. Are these legitimate or should they only be purchased from SnapStream?

Any help much appreciated.

[Sandbag]

I want one too. I emailed Snapstream 4 times about sending me a couple of hundred for distribution to UK customers so they wouldn't have to pay such a high delivery charge but never got a reply. Their loss I guess.

[mikem]

I know what you mean. I would dearly like to use the BTV system especially now that the Beyond Media is launched. However the sticking problem is a good remote. Whilst I don't mind the keyboard/mouse combo whilst testing for a live rig then a remote is essential. I happen to have two Hauppauge remotes but don't get on with them and would really like to get 2 fireflys, one for the bedroom, one for the living room.

After going through the hassle of importing a water cooling system in the past, then I refuse to go through the import process again.

There are now UK on-line sites selling XP MCE 2005 OEM and the MCE remotes along with the NVTV cards with Nvidia's FWMM and remote. This should indicate that there is now seen as being a suitable market size here in the UK to distribute these products outside of pre-built systems.

It was my understanding a couple of months ago that Snapstream were going to make a push into the European Market but that seems to have stopped at just adding support for www.tvtv.co.uk to get listings.

Importing from outside of the European Union is a pain, and not worth the effort from past experience. Norway is not a member of the EU so pointing me to www.vendur .com is not an answer worth posting. (despite the fact that they very rarely seem to have any in stock when I check)

At the moment I have been living in hope of getting a UK distributor for snapstream products, as the other alternatives were either not available (MCE 2005, FWMM) or not worth the effort of getting to grips with Linux (MythTV) However viable alternatives are now available here in the UK for me.

Could someone from Snapstream say what there plans are regarding a UK distributor, and if they are looking at it, what timescale we would be looking at. If they are not looking at a UK or at least EU distributor then could they also state that.

At the moment the impression being given by the silence is that Snapstream just don't care. Whilst I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt they need to give us feedback. The silence just makes people annoyed as it feels like they are being ignored.

Hopefully someone from Snapstream will give us a definitive answer and timescale so that people like myself can start making decisions.

[Webbo]

Finally bit the bullet and risked ordering a new firefly remote off eBay. Managed to get this for $35 plus $14 shipping and only took a few days to arrive.

Really dissapointed that I had to go this route rather than through official (Snapstream) channels but that $50 shipping fee was way too high.

The only problem is I suspect I will need another one!

[Sandbag]

Nice one. Did you manage to get it through customs without paying VAT? I have been stung on that before.

Do you know if the person you bought it off has any more? I would be interested.

[Webbo]

Hi Sandbag, looks like he has a few others on sale at the moment, do an eBay search on "Firefly Remote" and the sellers name is "closeouts-r-us (http://feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=closeouts-r-us&iid=5736519636&frm=284)".

Came through customs with no problems for me but wouldn't guarantee it. I e-mailed in advanced to agree the US-UK postage charge.

Good luck!

[Sandbag]

Thanks for that. Will be buying one shortly!