I am in the market for a SD STB. I am in the Newcastle area. Can anyone recommend a good SD STB. Everywhere I go they have the KAON ktf-200 for sale and they try and sell me that. I was also recommended the MEDIASTAR DT-700 which is more expensive. I also came across a STRONG box (sorry I don't have the model no) and it had an 80gig HDD in the mid $250. Price isn't too big an issue I just want something reliable.
I have looked some of the posts but still a bit unsure.
Can anyone offer help for me as I am a bit of a novice in this area.
Thanks.

$250 for a Strong with a 80g HDD??!? Thats cheap! Maybe I'll get one...

Doubt VERY much that you'll get the Strong PVR model for that price. Sounds like the price for the 5300, not the 5390

I have seen it cheaper -$249 had a bunch of 5300's and a couple of the 5390.

Where????

I bought the Kaon 200 from JB at Kotara about 2 weeks ago. Very happy with it, using its RGB scart direct to my Grundig and digital audio out into my Yamaha RXV1300. Nice looking unit too, compared to others in that price bracket.

I recently bought the Strong PVR for $450. I do not believe it sells anywhere for $250. That is a mistake.

So far I have been quite impressed with the Strong. The PQ is superior to the TEAC DVB200 which it replaces (it broke) and the PVR is quite nifty, though not used much atm.

al799,
If you are looking for a no-frills SD STB, then I can recommend two very good units.
1. "Wavelength/Hills" STR-108
2. "Nextwave" TDR-3100
These are both excellent boxes (especially in difficult conditions).
As for PVRs, "Topfield" is good but it is around $950. I would be wary of a PVR at $250
Regards
lesf

Harvey Norman Hobart store had a few 5300 and a 5390 sitting on display ticketed at $349 with them advertised instore at $249 at the weekend.

The only thing is there was no box, but all the rest of the packaging was there.

No idea how many they originally had.

How can you recommend the Nextwave TDR-3100? Doesn't the sound pop and scratch when the signal is interrupted eg. electrical interference? I'm looking for a good SD box that stays quiet when the signal is interfered with (see post)

Amazing, some times I cannot believe what I read on this site. It is not the set top box that creates the audio popping.

I have installed that many set top unts including the Nextwave 3100 and 3190. They out perform other set top boxs where others have failed.

You must first look at your installation, but even a Nextwave will have problems if you have a poor installation.

Criterea 1, a good quality signal is needed. Therefore you need a quality antenna installation. Follow Georges advice.

1 Antenna: Fracarro or a MD 17 (Call local installer for the the Best Antenna for your area)
2 Coaxial cable: RG6 Quad (min)
3 "F" to Pal or "F" to "F" outlet. Using "F" type crimp connectors
4 Quality TV to Tv Fly lead. RG6 Q or RG59 Qd (min)

Do not expect a set top box to function at its max with a coat hanger up on the roof as an antenna with old black and white ribbon cable to the TV outlet.

Gentlemen, it is like building a new home, you need a solid foundation. A quality a
antenna installation is the backbone of your TV system.

Install a good Antenna Sytem for your home and then enjoy DVD quality television.

All the Best.

Please explain to me then how the Teac DV-B350 (and supposedly ITV-D500) stay quiet during reception break-up and others make awful loud scratches/pops? Surely it's gotta be the way the STB deals with interruptions to the signal?

Here's my pseudo-code for the way I think STB's should handle the sound -

while (audioStream=100%)
        playAudio();
blankSound();

I don't mean this is actually how it works, I'm sure it's infinitely more complex, I'm just trying to get the point across that STB's should either play all the sound or nothing at all, anything in between ends up as distorted pops/scratches and is awful to put up with.






A valid point, but what if you're like most of us and you live in a suburban area and can receive a near 100% signal with an indoors antenna and get interference when switching light switches and appliances on/off? I honestly believe the majority of houses have the same problem with impulse noise and it is unreasonable to expect people to buy the proper expensive equipment, especially considering analogue TV is going to be phased out at some point in the future.

hi
I use a Nextwave 3100 - near perfect digital after poor analogue. I do get some spasmodic interference from appliances but no - NO sound distortion (very brief loss of very short duration). As this may only happen a couple of times a week, if that, I am not worried but there is no crackle no screech no pop.
I always use the receiver for sound through S/PDIF perhaps this is a way around your problem