The Sony LF-PK1 allows users to access TV channels from anywhere via an internet connection. It connects a satellite receiver to a computer to view programming remotely. However, the software is only compatible with specific Windows operating systems and language versions, limiting its practical use. While video quality is good, artificial restrictions on regional access prevent border-crossing viewing and reduce customer flexibility. The device performs well technically but has drawbacks for international or multi-device use cases.

1. BROADBAND TEST Satellite Reception Via the Internet
Sony LF-PK1
TV all over the house
and all over the world
Thomas Haring Location Free Player ▲
HDTV is not the only subject that has been have migrated from being a niche product to since we had plenty of PC’s to
dominating the scene; other areas have also one that is becoming popular with the average work with in our test labs and
enjoyed a boom such as IPTV. And we’re not user. These boxes link the reception mediums one of those sure enough was
just talking about commercial IPTV; boxes with the Internet and thereby make the loca- still working with Windows
such as the Slingbox that we highlighted in the tion where you watch and listen independent XP. But for normal users this
09/2007 issue of TELE-satellite or the Sony from where the antenna is erected. could be an inconvenience.
LF-PK1 that we will be introducing to you here
In the meantime, Sony has
On the front panel of the released an update for the
Sony LF-PK1 are five status “Location Free Player” so that
LEDs that show its current it can also work with Windows
operational mode as well as Vista. Unfortunately, this
the type of network connec- update can only be installed if
tion in use. Near the bottom an older version of the player
is a button to turn the box on is already in use. According
and off. to the Q& A section on Sony’s
website, they suggest you
The rear panel is equipped make sure that the “Loca-
with six RCA jacks (2x com- tion Free Player” is already
posite video in and 2x stereo installed on your PC before
audio in), an S-Video jack, a you upgrade it to a Win-
VHF/UHF tuner, a network dows Vista machine since the
connection, a jack for the update could not be installed
external IR Blaster as well as later on.
a connection for the 12-volt
power supply. If you already have Win-
dows Vista on your PC, Sony’s
The box can also be used website doesn’t have any-
with a WLAN connection thing to say about that. Not
although no external antenna very customer-friendly, is it?
can be attached. The neces-
sary software comes on the After we finally got the
included CD-ROM plus there’s “Location Free Player” to run
also a short user manual that on our PC, the next ugly sur-
explains the most important prise appeared: the software
steps of the installation. As announced that it cannot link
expected from Sony, the box itself to this box.
is very well manufactured
and includes every desired At first we thought it was
feature. an error in the player con-
figuration or in our own
Everyday Use router in the test lab, but it
very quickly became clear
After setting up the box and that it was a problem with
connecting it with a satellite the English version of the
receiver, we quickly assigned “Location Free Player” that
it an IP address for the local we were using. So, instead
network and then started we installed the Korean ver-
the installation of the “Loca- sion that was included on the
tion Free Player”, Sony’s own same CD and, wouldn’t you
player software designed know it, the software imme-
especially for this box. Before diately linked with the box
the installation could really and in just a very short time
even get started, an error put the picture from the satellite
a stop to everything: it seems receiver could be seen on our
the player is not compatible monitor.
with Windows Vista.
It would seem that Sony, a
For us this was no problem company that is also heavily
44 TELE-satellite & Broadband — 04-05/2008 — www.TELE-satellite.com

2. Making the Connection with the LF-PK1 Box ▲ Virtual Remote Control ▲
involved in the business of happy to see that the soft- putting a strain on the Inter-
international film and televi- ware reacted very quickly net connection.
sion, placed special empha- enough to various remote
sis on country-specific uses control commands so that The box is completely
for its box. Supposedly, they the box could be operated unsuitable for anyone that,
want to prevent, for exam- with hardly any recognizable for example, wants to use a
ple, viewers in Europe from delays.
receiving channels from the
USA or Asia and vice-versa. An additional feature of
Similar to PayTV, it all seems the LFPK-1 is the integrated
to be a question of movie and WLAN connection. This
TV rights. makes it possible, for exam-
ple, to effortlessly route the
The picture quality even at picture from your PVR box
first glance was exception- to a laptop in the backyard.
ally good with hardly any load Watching your favorite TV
on our dedicated line. Even series in the great outdoors friend in the USA to
our tests using a 6 Mbit DSL when the weather is nice can transmit those local
connection turned out posi- now be done without running channels to Europe or
tive with the box providing any cables and without any Asia. It would only be IR Blaster
▲
outstanding picture quality. great expense. possible if the country-
And while using a modest 1.5 specific version of the “Loca-
Mbit, there was still enough In our tests the integrated tion Free Player” were used.
bandwidth available to surf WL AN antenna did a fair In such a case, we strongly
the Internet. job although an external recommend using alternative At the moment Sony
antenna would have been systems such as the Sling- doesn’t offer any real support
Naturally, things were a better for extended range. box. for Microsoft’s newest oper-
little different at the other This whole idea would ating system Windows Vista
end, but if a half-ways decent
DSL connection is used, this
become especially interest-
ing if a Sony PlayStation Conclusion despite it already being avail-
able for almost a year.
should also be no problem. Portable were available. The Sony LFPK-1 is an easy
You could then enjoy wire- to use and simple to install The manufacturer attempted
In the next step we wanted less video and audio from box that provides access to to limit the use of the box to
to take full control of the any desired source on the your local TV channels any- specific regions in that the box
equipment. For this purpose, PlayStation Portable’s moni- where in the world. and the “Location Free Player”
the Sony box comes with a tor anywhere in the house. must use the same language.
so-called IR blaster that is Surprisingly, the reception The overall quality of the
used to control the attached range was quite good; we box is very good; even the Overall, the Sony LF-PK1
equipment. The IR diodes of had no reception problems included software – the “Loca- left us with a two-part impres-
the blaster are simply posi- even outside of the test lab. tion Free Player” – functions sion: outstanding technology
tioned on the front side near properly and is child’s play to along with artificial limits
the IR receiver of the box to All things considered, we use. while in practical use.
be controlled and with the can say that on the one hand
help of the virtual remote the Sony LF-PK1 is the ideal
control in the “Location Free
Player”, all necessary control
box for anyone who wants
access to their receiver and
TELE-satellite World www.TELE-satellite.com/...
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Czech Česky www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/ces/sony.pdf
through the IR blaster to the the other hand, it is also the German Deutsch www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/deu/sony.pdf
receiver. perfect tool for users who English English www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/eng/sony.pdf
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want to watch their favorite Farsi ‫ﻓﺎﺭﺳﻲ‬ www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/far/sony.pdf
We quickly found an appro- channels on mobile devices French Français www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/fra/sony.pdf
Greek Ελληνικά www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/hel/sony.pdf
priate receiver for this test such as a laptop or a Play- Croatian Hrvatski www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/hrv/sony.pdf
and in just a short time we Station Portable. Thanks to Italian Italiano www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/ita/sony.pdf
Hungarian Magyar www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/mag/sony.pdf
were able to completely con- the relatively narrow band- Mandarin 中文 www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/man/sony.pdf
Dutch Nederlands www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/ned/sony.pdf
trol the PVR box without the width required, the trans- Polish Polski www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/pol/sony.pdf
use of a remote control and, mitted TV picture can even Portuguese Português www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/por/sony.pdf
Romanian Românesc www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/rom/sony.pdf
for example, have a look at be received in a hotel with Russian Русский www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/rus/sony.pdf
its saved recordings. We were exceptional quality without Swedish Svenska www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/sve/sony.pdf
Turkish Türkçe www.TELE-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0805/tur/sony.pdf
46 TELE-satellite & Broadband — 04-05/2008 — www.TELE-satellite.com