just wondering if anyone has seen / used / own this STB and would share their thoughts. Also wondering if the guts are the same as the 100 only adding a HDMI connection or this is a totally new box.

Cheers.

Here are some further details with specifcations for this
New Sony HD-STB with HDMI DSTHD500 available October.
http://www.dba.org.au/uploads/documents/SonyDSTHD500.pdf

The key features are:
 HDMI digital connection
 Semi-mirrored front panel with VFD illuminated display
 DVB-T HD/SD broadcasting reception
 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i video format support
 Simultaneous SD output while watching HD
 Remote commander with multi-brand TV functions
The recommended retail price is $699, however Sony will be bundling the new HD-STB with it's new Bravia LCD TV range (V series), which all have HDMI inputs. This range includes the KLVV40A10, the KLVV32A10 and the KLVV26A10 models.

Excuse my relative ignorance but I'm looking at buying a Sony 3LCD Grand Wega - which doesn't have an HDMI input.

Would this new stb be a potential way to go (over the 100 model) if I can obtain it unbundled from the Bravia, ie it's a newer model and potentially cheaper (though street price for the 100 is currently lower than 500 rrp..)? Or is it just a waste of time because I can't take advantage of the HDMI connection?

Or, more to the point, is there another preferred stb for the Sony Grand Wega?

Shemijo

If the 3LCD Grand Wega has a DVI input then you can use a HDMI to DVI adaptor to connect up. And If so then get the new one it will give greater flexibility in the furture.

Cheers

Michael

Michael

Many thanks - but no. Its interfaces are:

AV inputs:: 3 Rear and 1 Front
S Video Inputs:: 1 Rear and 1 Front
Headphone Jack:: 1 Front
Inputs:: 2 Rear HD/DVD (Y/PB/CB/PR/CR)
Monitor Out:: Rear Out x 1
Centre Speaker In

Does that change your advice?!

Shemijo

No worries you can still connect via component connections and have the hdmi as a future connection.

Cheers
Michael

Have found out that even if you had a DVI connector it still might not work. It has to do with a form of handshaking which is really a form of content protection called HDCP. If both the source and destination don't have it then you cant get a connection.

Michael

Thanks, Michael - so, in short, I can still use the new stb with Grand Wega but just don't get the benefits of the HDMI connections?

Shemijo

I have one of these. Anyone else? There are some subtle bugs in the firmware that I wanted to confirm.

I'm about to buy one of these, what bugs have you found?

Nothing earth shattering. Seem to be firmware related. There are probably more, but I haven't been able to tease them out with regular use.

-Captions/teletext irregularities.
-Sometimes switches "current" & "next" status, but has correct time (under info button)
-non-cycling at beginning/end of long favourite list

I *did* have a crashing problem, where the STB would crash after an arbitrary period and just flash green streaks on the screen, with no response from the usual buttons. This required a soft (and at times hard) reset, which would fix things till the next crash. I have not noticed it on my replacement.

Hi All. I'm a newbie to these forums and I have just purchased a Sony HST HD500.

I have not experienced any overheating or freezing problems but from time to time I get no sound from the analog stereo RCA connectors on the back. This fixes itself after the box has been switched on for a while or you do not turn it off.

For interest's sake I'm keen to know if there are different firmware versions around.

If you pull up the menu, select the Toolbox icon and select Information you can get the Hardware and Software info.

Details on mine are:

Hardware Version: BCM 7038 DST-HD500
Software Version: AUSN71T27 DT1r1 2t1f2F
Release Time: Sep 23 2005 18:36:46

Godd luck to you. I bought Sony DST-HD500 at the beginning of the month, I had to refund. See my ealier posting titled "Experience with Sony HD500 for 10 days" posted last week. I am waiting for another brand HD STB with HDMI output, so far not found any. Hoping to see different brands coming soon.

I'm getting mine around Friday if all goes well, I'll post my thoughts then.

Hope mine's not a dud though....

I got mine yesterday and used it for about 5 hours last night, it didnt miss a beat! I checked to see how much heat was coming off it and there was stuff all, my Homecast runs hotter.

So far it hasnt missed a beat (still early days) it programmed all the channels automatically when first booted up, and the favorites were simple enough to get setup. Picture quality is fantasic on 1080i via HDMI and channel changes are on a par or quicker than the Homecast unit, so all is well. Hope i dont see any of these other dramas

I've had the Sony for a few days now. Image quality (over HDMI to a Pana 42" HD plasma) is suberb. While I haven't got much to compare to (this is my first venture to digital) I couldn't fault it. Heat has not been an issue. Its not freezing cold, but merely warm. And I haven't even given it the recommended air space. (about 5cm of ventilation to each side.

My biggest issue with it is the that programming it isn't so easy. You set the favourite lists but then using the program up/down buttons goes changes the stations accourding to the main list.

Setup was a breeze (besides assigning stations to a favourite menu) with stations being picked up perfectly after selecting state (in my case Victoria.) I didn't get channel 31, which may or may not be because of the STB.

re: chan 31.

I can assure you it is not because of the STB.

The STB is stable and cool for me.

Another software bug - does not show extended information on N&N. Just the first "page" of each item.

If I were to buy one however, there are cheaper options with more features. It depends if you really really want HDMI or you can live without. You can get PVR function STB for a teensy bit more.

Man they really screwed a few things up with the new STB, didn't they?

So pushing the down button does nothing?

What sort of price are people getting these for?

The down button scrolls down the now and next on mine so im not sure whats up with yours.

As for the price i got mine bundled with the 26" Bravia LCD. Got it price matched with ibuy.com.au which made the bundle cheaper than the rrp on the screen alone!

Mine's an older generation Sony STB. The down button scrolls down to the second page, where available.

yeah, i have the same problem with the extended information, i cant seem to scroll down for any channel other than ch90. Also the i-plate displays the incorrect time every now and then, which renders it close to useless as a clock. I've no temperature probs, it runs relatively cool.

i got this STB with the 40" Bravia (the bundle), just wondering if anyone uses any other STB, n how it compares to the Sony one , both running via HDMI.


sorry, on a serperate matter, has anyone noticed a slight flickering on the 40" Bravia, while watchin tv via HDMI ??? sometimes while watching the news, i notice slight flickering in certain sections of the panel, on the coloured backgrounds around the newsreader. Could this just be the input signal or the panel processing or the STB??? ch90 news looks pretty good otherwise. the flickering remains regardless of the noise reduction setting at high or off.
ive also observed this while watching shows that r broadcast in HD...? e.g cold case, third watch, csi

Well I've come to the conclusion that buying a HD STB is a gamble no matter what brand you buy, and as I'm after one with HDMI I don't have too many choices, so I'm going to get the HD500 as from what I've read when it works, it's pretty good.

Can I ask what price people have been paying for these boxes to give me an idea of what price to be aiming for.

Thanks.

I got mine for $500 from the Good Guy, but returned becuase of the locking problem. The problem happened on two units. Good luck. Now I am looking at the new Toshiba HD-C26H which has HDMI output.

Harvey Norman must be selling these well. They just put their price up to $799.

I have one and like others have stated, it runs very hot and locks up.

It's always run hot but has taken a week or two to start locking up. Now it does it all the time. The only way to get it to work is to turn it off at the wall. Not happy Jan!!!

The picture is great through HDMI. The case is simply poorly designed. It has bugger all venting. My old ST box was covered in vents. This Sony HD box has a few small vents on the sides only. Not a single one in the top anywhere. Real smart, NOT!!!

I WILL be getting an exchange or the salesman will be getting an HDSTB insertion.

I paid $515 from good Guys in Adelaide. Got a good discount off a HDMI cable to plug in to the Pana 500A as well (I could stir a few up by asking how a $300 cable is better than my $30 cable when there is only "0"'s and "1"'s shooting through it!).
I did start a thread on the heating issue but after looking at it daily over the last month have found it not too bad after putting the Toppy ontop of it instead of under it. (The toppy has many vents in the top of the unit). It pays to watch how you stack the gear up.
I lost channel 28 for a while but found that it may have been a broadcasting issue after searching the forum elsewhere.
The picture is noticably better then the SD toppy to the 500A.
Happy I purchased it.

Matthew,

What cable are you using for your step up? As I've brought the same Plasma now and I'm looking for a HD STB to go with it.

Are you using HDMI 2 HDMI with this setup?

Carlo

I'm on my 5th Sony DSTHD500 box because of various problems, read http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...327&hl=DSTHD500.
If the box I picked up today has any other problems, I will go get my money back and get something cheap until a decent HDMI box is released and proven.

One of the boxes I had was a later version:
H/W version: BCM7038 DTS-HD500
S/W version: AUSN73T01 DT1r12t1f2F
Release Time: Nov15 2005 10:56:18

It had bugs with the SKIP feature, I am now running box with same firmware as yours - it seems to be OK so far. Have you had any other issues?

Reply here and to ddjac@hotmail.com

Regards
jac (ddjac@hotmail.com)

My box now runs faultlessly as long as I don't turn it off!

I believe my problem stems from an ill-fitting aerial cable as opposed to an issue with the box.

I've had my Sony DSTHD500 for a little while now and have not had a single problem with it. Chanels change fast, awesome picture quality, Supurb machine. (Connected to a Fujitsu 50" Plasma).

I bought the 40" V series Bravia LCD a few weeks before Christmas, and it came with the DSTHD500. The picture is outstanding and I have not had one problem with the unit. I have also had it on for long periods and it does not seem to overheat at all.

Very happy with my purchase indeed

Which channels news does it occur on? Is it 7, 2, and SBS? If so these are all 576p, which if your screen is set to 1080i will be converting to interlace. This could be the cause of the slight flicker. Also possibly if it is converting in general, but I would say from progressive source to interace, or vice versa.

JSmith :ph34r:

I'm on my 2nd box. First one would randomly crash.

Had it for a few months without problems. Ran for long periods without crashing/getting too hot.

Since that really hot Melbourne day (42 C), the STB has been arbitrarily freezing requiring hard reset (ie. unplugging power). Spoke to Sony - replacement a while away as there are 3000 incoming and 10000 backordered. Was given the number of their Melbourne repairs centre to take my box for some firmware upping.

Hopefully that will fix it. I think I have the Sep 05 firmware (not sure, at work).

FWIW I purchased one of these on Sunday at JB HiFi -- had the "won't boot past greeting message and can't turn off except by pulling plug" problem. Took it back and got an exchange and it froze initially but has been fine since I re-scanned the channels. Left it on all day yesterday (Monday) and watched it all evening and didn't encounter any further problems -- no freezing and heating not excessive.

Both units were in unsealed boxes. The first (faulty) one lacked the component video cable set it should have had although all other cables and the remote & batteries were in sealed packets. Unit lacked the usual "peel-off" film across the front and there were fingerprints etc. across the front.

In the second unit nothing except the batteries were in sealed packets, no plastic bag around the unit, and there were no manuals or warranty cards.

I'll let you all draw your own conclusions as to if these were actually "new" units or ones which may have been returned to Sony and "fixed" then re-released to a supplier. On the other hand I needed a unit with HDMI output (my new Philips 32PF7320 has only one set of standard component inputs which was already occupied by my new dvdr recorder) and I can't complain about the quality of the picture and features I'm getting off the Sony, and I was happy with the price. Made us decide to stick with the 7320 rather than exchanging it for a 9966 or a Panasonic at extra cost like we had been thinking about.

Brian

I have had my sony for the past four months, the performance is generally good. But the Audio shuts off once in 2 weeks or 3 weeks. To bring it back, I have to physically unplug the box from the power point and re-connect it.

My mistake....my first box has packed it in. It now does not show any picture and hangs with the DST HD500 message.

Looks like mine is a dud too.

I have to say this is the first Sony product I have purchased that was faulty. Starting to think a recall is in order.

I got mine yesterday and I have not had more than 20 mins of continuous use out of it. I am going to take it back to the retailer on recommendation from Sony and ask for a new replacement. Out of interest I have the Nov-05 firmware version.

Just return mine today after a lengthy argument with HN.
The box is ok, the heat is ok, the image quality is good
but the SKIP function does not work.
It can remember only SBS chanels after power off!
and stuff up the channel order (if sorted by the SORT function) as well.
By the way, the firmware version is Oct 2005.

I have had troubles with my DST HD500 that seemed to have developed over the last few weeks. It came as a package deal with the 32 inch Bravia and I took delivery in late January. The combination once setup was fine initially (see below re FOXTEL).

THE STB freezes up on a cold start nearly every time now. It will just display "DSTHD500" with the red PWR light on. I then remove the power plug wait for a few seconds, stick it back in and a sort of Boot up sequence starts. After five to ten seconds the display goes blank and then disappears I then do the power plug thing again and it instantly comes on with the channel number showing.

The other trick that it does is to freeze on the channel selected. I can't change channels or select any menu. And I can't switch it off except by pulling the plug! It has also dropped out completely for about half a second removing sound and picture, but it usually comes back on again. The family have reported that it sometimes drops the HDTV completely leaving a blank screen. They can't be bothered and watch FOXTEL or analogue via the TV.

I have heard that there is a "Firmware upgrade" (whatever that is) that may fix it. Sounds like some inconvenience for me and my family.

Great picture on the BRAVIA although it emphasises the (sometimes) poor picture quality on FOXTEL digital via satellite. (I made several posts about this last month in the PAY TV section.

I am going to see Mr Sony Central tomorrow!

I had exactly the same problems with mine. I am convinced that I was given a returned box now. Included in the package is a note saying that the setting for the box must be changed from 720p to 1080i - this was already done. The box was already setup for NSW time as well. I cant help but think this is a pre-loved (or un-loved) box. The retailer is ordering a completely new box from Sony which will take about a week to arrive.

I have it connected to 32" BRAVIA as well. Amazing picture. I have my connections as follows:

HDMI - DSTHD500
Component/HD - DVD
RCA - Foxtel

I am curious to know if it is worth getting a SCART to component plug for FOXTEL - at the moment I am just using the SCART to RCA to connect the Foxtel box.

Burgie,

I have passed all the details on to the Sony Service centre. They have ordered a new set for me and will exchange. No indication of how long this will take. The Sony Central guy said that they have had very few of the DST500 sets returned, but there are some. Mine has a firmware date of Nov 2005.

I had a lot of advice on how to get the best out of FOXTEL both from this forum (search for my posts and you will get the gist) and from FOXTEL technical. On advice from FOXTEL I purchased a set of thick component cables from Jaycar (cost about $39.00). You need to change the FOXTEL box setting to "YUV" or you will see nothing! It definitely improved the PQ above using the RF (antenna). I also fiddled with the settings on the Bravia via the WEGA Gate using Custom as a starting point. Reducing the Sharpness helped. Fortunately the settings are memorised for each input IE DVD or FOXTEL or HDMI. This is not made clear in the manual.

We are very pleased with the BRAVIA. Let's hope the DST500 can be fixed.

Good luck.

Hi
iv'e had my sony DSTHD 500 for 7 weeks now, its hooked up to my panna 50pv500a via a hdmi cable. i am very pleased with the fantastic picture, some problems iv'e had are, overheating which i resolved by increasing air space for cooling. the scip function didn't work at first but does now.one problem i can't seem to fix is when i change channels the volume varies alot from channel to channel .iv'e tried adjusting 'Audio Output Control' [dolby digital or mpeg] and 'mpeg Volume Control' but without success. can anyone help me on this, its probably something basic iv'e overlooked ,its a pain manually adjusting the volume when flicking around channels.
thanks mega

Had mine for over two months with no issues to date. HDMI through to the Hitachi 880TA is brilliant. Spoke to SONY Service and they tell me that my serial number does fall within the group that "might" require firmware update but at this stage no issues.

I picked up my replacement DST500 today. I had to wait about a week.

I have a few points of observation to make;

1. The replacement box does not gain its own warranty. The registered date of the original box still applies. Too bad if it had failed at 11 months. I would only get 1 month warranty on the replacement box!

2. The repairman said that I wasn't the first one to return a DST500, but wouldn't say how many he had done.

3. My original set had a software date of NOV 15. The new set has a software date of OCT 26! The tech did mention that he thought the problem was related to software. The new box was taken straight out of original packaging and swapped with mine.

4. I queried whether I should switch the set completely off each night or leave it on Standby. The most annoying fault was freezing up when switching on. The tech advice was to leave it on Standby unless it would not be used for a few days.

5. The new set is working perfectly, although the original did too for at least three or four weeks. We shall see!

I picked up my replacement box on Thurs. The software date is now Jan-26-2006. So far it has worked with no problems at all however this has only been a few days.

Standard industry procedure for me in the commercial refrigeration industry, I don't see why another electronics industry wouldn't be the same. With cars you only get "balance of new car warranty'.

Hi Guys

Here is my experience with the Sony HSTD500.

I reported in a post on this forum in October 2005 (forget which thread) about the Sony STB I purchased from DJ. I had that replaced in less than 24 hrs as it just would not fire up. To cut a long story short, I have since had 2 other replacements by Sony.

The way I went about it was simple. In such cases, I choose not to muck about with the milkman; I go straight to the top. I picked up the phone and went straightt to the Sales Directorto Sony HQ, Sydn' ey.

In two minutes, I had the Service GM ring me saying he was sending around to my house a techie with a replacement box. I then went to India for 6 weeks, and on my return 2 weeks ago, they sent another box, as they 'found the problem with the STBs' and replaced it.

I am keeping my fingers X'd. The PQ is FANTASTIC with the SONY, but not a very friendly set up - favourites, layout of the remote - a bit 'tinny' to start with.

I only went for the Sony as this was the only STB with a HDMI. Since then, I believe Tosh have come out with them. I am sure as I drill thru the forum, I am sure to find out about it - and others? I have threatened Sony I will ask for my $ back and get another STB.

So, all I am saying, is go straight tothe gatekeepers if you think you are not getting the service delivery and level you paid for.

I did. I am in Perth, WA. I use the STB on a Pana 42PV500A.

Lizard King

I got one on the weeekend $490 from Bing Lee, so far no problems, it has the January firmware

Hi
Can you let me know which store you bought it i think its a very good price Good guys sells it for $560

Thanks
Eyal