My DVB420 has been back to TEAC twice to solve an RF interference problem that renders analog channels unwatchable through a VCR. They've added shielding to the pass-thru port but it has made almost no difference. I need to replace it.

If I stick with TEAC, how does the DVB350 stack up as a low cost SD alternative to the DVB420? I've been told that the DVB350 is a different design and manufacture to the DVB420 (France/Europe compared with Korea/Korea, if that's anything to go by).

I'm happy to stick with TEAC because their service has been so good (quite responsive and friendly), but am willing to consider other brands. (Topfield gets good reports here - any others?)

The STB will need to connect to a TEAC MV6000 VCR and a TEAC EU2845ST widescreen TV.

Thanks
Marcus

Strong 5000, has much the same facilities as the Topfield but around 50 bucks cheaper. Unless of course you need the digital audio output to be optical, the strong is co-ax.

Is it safe to assume then that TEAC has admitted there is a problem with the 420 units. You are not the first person to have reported this issue. I have exactly the same issue with my 420 as well.

Perhaps we should approach the relative consumer affairs departments, Choice ?, and suggest a product recall notice for TEAC to remedy every one of these boxes with the problem - or to offer refunds as they obviously do not have a fix for the issue !!!

Is the problem due to the fact you have the VCR antenna input connected to the STB antenna output? Does it work better if you connect the antenna directly to the VCR, then the antenna out on the VCR to the antenna in on the STB?

Or is the RF interference from the box so bad that it is interfering with the VCR cause its sitting directly next to it?

The VCR antenna input is connected to the STB antenna output (which is the way it is supposed to work - the STB has an antenna passthrough facility). If the antenna is connected directly to the VCR (no STB connected), the picture quality is fine.

However, in order to be able to record digital channels, the order of equipment needs to be RF -> STB -> VCR -> TV, not RF -> VCR -> STB -> TV.

The joys of digital tv ...

indeed the dvb350 is a completely different design. I have had 2 complaints from customers about the external PSU on the DVB 350 and the older DVB400 causing interference probs. We have sold a many DVB420 units with absolutely no probs, not even a DOA unit, which impressed me from teac.

I'm thinking that your situation would work better to your satisfaction if you went RF -> VCR -> STB -> TV. unless there is a particular reason you must run the STB before the VCR. I know all the documentation will say to run the STB first, but do whatever works, documentation works well in theory, but not always well in the real world.

Although if teac has admitted a problem (which i don't think they officially have), they should do the honest thing and repair the affected units.

If it is the same problem as mine then it will not help. With my box as soon as I plug it into any outlet in the house all analogue tuners attached to the other outlets in the house show the interference. I have even reproduced this problem at a friends house as well.

My only real complaint with my Teac 420 (purchased August 2004, Hardware=1.0,Software=1.0) is the RF interferance on the antenna pass thru port which I use to connect a second VCR independent of my AV amplifier (I do sometimes have pixalation and clicking noise when changing channels). After reading the above posts I am uncertain of a solution to this problem. Should I call Teac STB support, run a seperate aerial system, change units? I like my Teac 420 and really do not want to change it, but this RFI on the pass thru port is damn irritating!
Postscript - I just thought to be on the safe side I should retest my secondary VCR that is connected to the thru port of my Teac 420 for RFI again. Recorded channels 2,7,9,10,sbs at about 4pm.
Believe it or not all except 10 showed NO RFI ! Channel 10 showed slight moving vertical bands. Did the test again at 8pm and had the same results. A few days ago I added another powerboard at the back of my home theatre setup and moved the wiring somewhat, but I really doubt this had much effect. It has been a while since I last recorded on my second VCR because of the RFI problem - particularly on channel 2.
I am delighted, but mystified! The RFI could be back tommorrow - I will wait and see.

The postscript to all of this .... I bought a Topfield TF4000T.

Having returned the DV-B420, I got a DV-B350 only to find that the wrong remote control had been packaged with it (one for a 420, coincidentally) and so would not work. (No buttons on the 350 - you NEED the remote). I swapped that 350 for another 350 (with correct remote) and plugged it all in.

The analogue interference was still there, as was a nasty whining noise coming from the box.

Goodbye Teac. I returned the 350 and made a mental note not to bother with Teac STBs ever again.

So far, the Topfield is superb. Well built, solid, and with no RF interference. A little more expensive than the 420 and 350 (which are currently being discounted: 350 as low as $138 at Tandy - 420 is <$200 now; Topfield was $270), but I guess you get what you pay for.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice on my RF interference problem.

Marcus,

you can get the TF4000T for as little as $230 at Hardly Normal.
Mate got one 3 weeks ago for that price. Got mine for $240 at Bing Lee.

As you have found, they are robust and reliable.
Mate borrowed it and had it operating while a severe electrial storm hit his place at Clovelly (Sydney). Didn't get one single glitch.

Enjoy it.

Seal

Until lightning struck the powerlines out the front of the house

I purchased the 420 a few weeks ago and found the same interference problem. I decided to upgrade my old unknown antenna as it would not Rx ABC. All other channels were pretty good, including SBS, with very little pixelation and freezing. I installed RG6 Quad Sheild cable with 'F' series connectors, replaced the old antenna with a new Hills DY14, diplexed with an older hills UHF antenna. I now have perfect digital on all channels and my analouge is absolutly perfect with the 420 powered, all interference has gone. The only thing I can think of is the antenna is ch6-12 so maybe having removed the lower bands has made the system immune to the RF interferance from the set top box??? I get my Tx from Mt Lofty in Adelaide and I am almost on the fringe for reception, living in Williamstown in the Barossa, SA.

S/W:1.03 (NOV 08 2004)
H/W:1.01
B/L:1.09