Hello People. I have just a few questions. Firstly I just bought my first digital set-top box on the weekend. I bought a TEAC DVB-400 from RetraVision for $99.

I just have a few questions:

1. Does anybody have a manual for it. It did not come with a manual and there are a few things I want to know about it. I would appreciate a PDF copy if anybody has one available

2. On the rear it has a SCART connection and an RCA connection. Am I right in saying they are the same ? Video OUT ? and it doesn't matter what one I use ?

3. Does the box have an AV ? How can I hook my DVD player. My TV only has one AV and the box is now running through this.

4. Can I hook it up so that my VCR can tape digital TV ? Can the VCR tape one digital chanel while I watch another ?

I would appreciate any help with the above issues. Thank-You

2. They are two seperate video out connections.
3. I suggest you email stb@teac.com.au and ask for any information about this. Same for 1.

4. That's what the two outputs are there for. You can only record what your watching.

Note: I may be wrong about the video out connections as I don't have this box.

1. The manual for the Teac ITV was available for download from their site, if the 400's manual isnt there just email 'em and ask for it.

2. The SCART will probably be able to do a higher quality connection (eg. RGB, component video, s-video) although if I'm not mistaken the DV-B400 has 3 sockets for component video at the back aswell as AV. Since your TV only has AV its not gonna make a difference whether you use the scart or the RCA to connect via AV.

3. If it hasnt got AV at the back get a SCART to AV cable. To hook your DVD player aswell youll need a selector box. I got one from Tandy for $29. Obviously you're gonna need to switch it every time you go between DVD and STB.

4. Yeah use whatever spare AV connection your STB has to connect to your VCR. You cant record one channel and watch another, you'd need 2 digital tuners for that.


I have a question for you - how does the DV-B400 handle electrical interference? ie. when you use electrical appliances or switch light switches how does it affect the signal? I need to know if it makes a popping/scratching noise when the signal is interfered with cos I need a STB that is quiet. If you arent getting any interference from appliances, do you know if it makes those popping/scratching noise when you've got a weak signal? Like, if you have the antenna in a bad position and the signal is breaking up, does it stay quiet or does it pop/scratch/squeal etc?

Cheers

Short answer from the manual
Rear Connectors:
1. Antenna In Connects to outside antenna

2. Loopthrough Used to connect RF signal from STB to either RF input jack on you VCR or to antenna input of your TV.

3.TV Composite video, Svideo & also RGB output is available. Different cables are required.

4. Video & Audio L/R To connect video and audio L/R to a TV, amp or hi fi system.

YpbPr 3 RCA connectors are switchable from Video+L/R audio to Component video YpbPr. Refer to menu selection for further info.

5.Rs-232 upgrade Connect PC for software upgrades.

6. Optical To connect S/PDIF cable for digital(AC3) audio.

SCART(STB) to SCART (TV if you have it) is the BEST way to go.

As for the question re electrical interference, I suffered some initially until I rewired with RG6 quad shield and run the DVB400 on it's own antenna...No problemo now...IMHO, a great little box actually.

Trust this helps....

great buy for $99!

excellent little box. I'm still using mine hooked up to our bedroom TV.

you need to set the video outputs via the setup menu. You can hook up by heaps of diferent ways as people have outlined above. scart, composite & analog audio, composite. svhs & analog out via the scart and scart adaptor. I had analog out to my vcr and scart to my plasma & digital audio out to my HT amp at one stage.

Now just have it hooked up via composite & analog audio to the bedroom
TV. Still bloody excellent has never missed a beat.

Yeah but does it pop/scratch when the signal is interfered with?

This is a pretty important thing 'cause most people dont have roof antennas and shielded cabling. Frankly it baffles me that there are so many STB's which make the pop/scratch, you'd think they would test the unit in lots of conditions or at least realise that it does that and attempt to improve it a bit.

NO!!!...I live 65KM from Melbourne in a Valley and the picture through the box is excelent. It doesn't make pop sounds or loose signal. At worst, once an hour is may have a slight pause of .5 seconds, not even worth worring about. My brother has an XMS box bought from Strathfield and compared to the isssues he has, My STB is a gun. I highly recommend it (And I HATE TEAC Products).

So if your wondering if you should but the same STB I would reccomend it. Look around for the best price though, the fact that I only paid $99 last weekend indicates that it will be available at a steal.

The only sour note on it was the fact that it only comes with a power pack and 3 RCA to 3 RCA cable and that it, NO instructions or anthing else. Hope This Helps.