Aldi have a high def STB on special today for $149

The gear they sell on these specials is usually pretty good so be interesting to hear from anybody who bought one.

They had them tag at $119 this morning at Aldi Lanyon Square (south Canberra).

Somebody else reported the same thing on Whirlpool.

Maybe $119 is the price it was supposed to sell for.

Anybody know what this is a rebadge of?

It looks the same as the DSE DTR8000 which could also be a Homecast STB. One post here mentions an audio sync issue with the DSE.

Had a play with the HD box today. Fast initial station scan, Topfield-like UI, and sub 2 second channel changes. Ok remote, box looked good, and was easy to set up.

This all happened in 15 mins hooked up to a projector, so no idea about reliability, or problems with continued use.

Is this it?

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/256/22398191fk6.jpg

No, that is the same as the cheap Centrex mentioned in another post. It looks like this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DSE-DTR8000-HD-SET-...8QQcmdZViewItem

Bought it B4 lunch, hooked it up but the component video output gave a dual picture. Tried on another TV, same result. Ate lunch, took it back to Aldi and got a refund. My old panasonic HD box will have to do.

Two for the price of one

I bought a DSE HD box for $99 yesterday and hooked it up but it only seems to have dolby AC3 for two channels only, perhaps its because the only broadcasts I've seen have been 2ch only? Ten has a HD broadcast loop on one of its frequencies and this is also coming in 2ch? A bit disappointed if its only AC2 2 ch capable as I bought it mainly for 5.1 audio broadcasts via my home theatre set up. Apart from the audio issue I've been impressed with DSE $99 box, no issues with setting up and despite being in a poor reception area theres been no popping or pixelation like I occasionally had with my old SD Strong box - a brand supposedly renowned for its sensitive tuner.



I took a Look at the Aldi box today and again there is no mention of 5.1 in the instruction booklet for that one either. I wonder can anyone who has the Tevion box up and running confirm that there are only 2 channel AC3 boxes out there, If so whats the point of it?

Bought one of these today. Not a bad interface. Harmony remote took a bit of convincing to work with it.

So far its OK thought HDMI. Haven't scrutinised sound yet, but will post if I contribute.

Somebody from Whirlpool doesn't like it

Yup that was my post, heres the 2nd post from Whirlpool


Got another one and taking it back for a full refund.

This time the favourites do not work at all.

Picture quality an all channels worse quality than my AWA SDTV STB from Big W.

With one exemption, the 10 HD demonstration channel the picture was brilliant, the Aldi 42"LCD display is exceptional.

I accept the other channels may not have been broadcasting true HD ( i thought Bathurst would have been) but the picture was far wosre then my elcheapo AWA. Even on the non high def SD channels.

Curiously I also found the signal strength and quality the Aldi received was poorer than the AWA.

AWA - 90/100
Aldi - 40/60

I guess I will have to walk away from this one, but it wont stop me from trying Aldi products.

I might go see if AWA have a HDSTB

Hang on, are you saying your AWA is standard def only but still gives a better picture than the Aldi?

YES with the one exception being the channel 10 High def loop channel.

I bought one yesterday and was easy to set up worked well. Turned it off into standby mode last night then turned it on this afternoon no joy. All I have is one channel (the last I was viewing last night)

menu is a tad clunky but manageable
Had no Probs using S-VHS (S-Video thru Pioneer Amp)
Touched the side earlier this evening whilst disconnecting it and got a small shock so its going back tomorrow. :ph34r:

Never bought from ALDI before and it looked OK

It knew you were taking it back so got its last revenge

Hi All. I did a Google search on the Aldi Tevion TEV8200 HD Set top box and came up with this forum.

I bought one of these on sale a couple of days ago for $99 and I thought you might like some feedback so far.

I plugged it in and it had no preset channels. So it asked to scan. Which it did and the channels were saved fairly quickly.

The device it's self seems to work ok. It is very basic, not many menu's at all.

Heat wise it is reasonable. It does get quiet warm but nothing scarey. We bought a hard drive recorder from aldi recently and it ran so hot you could fry an egg on it. You seriously could not put your hand on the top of it for fear of getting burnt. Of course this is of great concern as a fire hazard also.

My biggest disapointment is that there is no timer in it. So you can't for example set it to change channels at preset times for recording. This could of course be fixed with a simple firmware upgrade but I doubt we will ever see this happen.

Changing channels is fairly slow also. It takes some time to think as it switches. Also changing the screen format is very slow.

As a cheap box, the TEV8200 allows me to watch HD and SD Digital TV for minimal outlay.
So it full fills it's purpose (what it was bought for).

The picture quality is ok although I can't see all the hype in HD TV. To me there is no difference between the SD picture and the HD picture. In fact most of the channels seem to just broadcast the same shows on all of their digital channels including HD. So comparing the two was very easy.

Another annoying thing with digital is the black bar's. While I can understand it's because of the difference in screen formats to the newer wide screen format, the stations are still playing the old format with a black border around the whole picture. as in all 4 sides. Efectivly making the picture much smaller on the screen. And to be even more annoying they put their little logo simbol in the black area to show that they could broadcast in that area if they wanted to.

So anyhow, the end result for me is that I watch Digital TV when I am forced to. Like when Battle Star Galactica is on (10 HD only). Other then that I flick back to analogue and am much happier.

So basically 99% of my viewing is still analogue TV by preference.

When I am forced to go totally to digital I think I will just build a small cheap Linux PC and run one of the PD based projects for DIY set top boxes.

As for the the TEV8200, if you are just looking for a cheap simple solution that plugs in and works I can recommend getting one.

.-.-.

I wouldn't recommend the TEV8200 to anyone:

*4:3 pan does not work, as noted above (black bars). Confirmed with their helpdesk.
*Picture shudders at times.
*Poor colour over composite compared with other STBs.
*EPG limited to now and next.
*Front display is too bright and distracting.
*No firmware update available.

EDIT: It was tested over a composite connection only. HDMI, etc. might work differently.

I have had a slightly different experience with this box than most other people seem to. I purchased it for $89 last week and its been brilliant. Image quality is fantastic via DVI. Sound quality is also brilliant on the 5.1 channel movies on the HD channels. I haven’t had any issues with it remembering settings like some other users. Maybe I just got lucky...

I guess it's the exact same model (TEV8200) and not a newer release?
Is that using a dvi to hdmi cable?

Yes I used a dvi to hdmi cable. I am pretty sure its the exact same model but I will check when I get home. Probably the only thing annoying about it(that I have noticed so far) is as stated earlier it only seems to show info on the next 2 upcoming shows.

I'm trying to connect a TEV8200 to a Benq LCD monitor FP71E+ which takes a DVI input. When I set the output on the TEV8200 to DVI the LCD has an error "Input out of range". The LCD monitor is about 2 years old but surely it should at least take 576p or 720p over DVI ? I've tried both and nothing works. The max res of the monitor is 1280 X 1024 @ 60 Hz.

I will try VGA tonite but would like to get the DVI to work - anyone got a suggestion/got the TEV8200 to work with an LCD monitor ?

STBs for aussies only output at 50Hz which your monitor wont support

Thanks for the reply.

Dang - I was really hoping it wasn't that. I just pulled out the manual and it only supports 60-76 Hz Now if this was America ... 60Hz would work ...

DD5.1 on the Aldi HD STB?? ......
I've had two of these Aldi Tevion HD STB's for about 3 months, and am satisfied with them, except .....

Have never been able to receive DD5.1. (On both boxes).
I realize the 5.1 broadcasts are few and far between, but never got 5.1 during those broadcasts. Settings are all ok, but tried variations too.

I'm getting a Topfield TF7000HTB in a couple of days (spending $199 because the Tevion STB is highly likely be the problem), and if that picks up 5.1 (it certainly should), then back to Aldi for a warranty claim, but I'll be pushing for a refund, as it'll prove the box is not performing to it's claimed standard.

So, I am very interested to know if anyone out there is receiving 5.1 via the Aldi Tevion HD STB? I'd be surprised if anyone is.
(Above is in reference to the HD STB that was originally advertised at $149 (Oct 07), but strangely sold then for $119; then re-appeared - around Melbourne at least - for $89).

really helpful posts thats for the info

Well, I've proven that the Aldi STB cannot receive DD5.1 So in that respect it's a lemon.

I got the Topfield TF7000HT, and have received 5.1 on the very rare broadcasts.

But very disappointing is:
- DD5.1 is seldom broadcast.
- Some stations EPG's are wrong/non-existent. (7HD and 9HD).
- SBS EPG still only "now and next" so it seems.
- 9HD program guide is non-existent as far as I know.
- ABC and SBS have no 1080 broadcasts yet (to my knowledge).

Digital TV Australia! ... it's 2008 ... get your act together!

- DD5.1 is seldom broadast - true.
- 7HD now has the correct EPG as far as I know - 9HD should have the exact same EPG as 9SD - because they both show exactly the same content.
- SBS EPG still only now and next - true.
- 9HD program guide non-existent - again, because 9HD shows the same content as 9SD at all times, just in better quality with better audio where available
- ABC and SBS have no 1080 broadcasts - ABC HD is 720p due to bandwidth constraints - SBS 'HD' is 576p - but no native HD has ever been broadcast from SBS, as they do not have the necessary equipment. All they show is a blurred and sharpened version of SBS SD.

I notice aldi have a HD STB for sale at $99- in their latest catalogue. No model number but from the picture it's not the TEV8200. Also note this one has a timer. Checked the aldi web site but they have no more details than what's in the cat.

catch of the day had one thatlooked good

I've seen several Tevion STB's both SD and HD with reception / decoding issues.

They all gave symptoms indicating signals were poor eg: pixelation or no reception, when in fact the signals were virtually excellent, which a reliable brand of STB worked perfectly well with.

On the picture in the catalogue it shows AL-HD2802 on the unit but a google search did not bring up any results

i also saw this new add. so is anyone going to try 1? or do we think they are the same and maybe with the same problems?

If it's the same one I tried a couple of mths back (can't remember the model number) on my Acer 32" using component and setting to 720P (max for my ACER) then all I can say is it lasted one week before I took it back due to an intermittent fault.

Hard to describe but visually whilst watching the Today Show on nine in the morning, the ticker tape news at the bottom of the screen would sometimes not flow smoothly but would start and stop as it progressed across the screen.

Try googling al-hd2802 with quotes

Did you happen to note what it said?

The Google links take you to a "front page" were the topic changes! You seem to have to log in to search the forum. Strange.

FYI it's a different model to the one I tried.

ok well i got one... all seems ok its set up getting all channels just with rabbit ears ( shhhh dont laugh) and i have no problem with it so far, the remote is a little cheap, it works but just doesnt feel good, other than that all good. if you got any question let me know and ill see what i can find out..

Missing Timer Function

Hi all,

The Aldi flyer said that the HD set top box had a timer function. Couldn't find one so I rang the help line. First time they didn't know anything about the box. They have the cheek to call themselves Tevion. They are not, they are the help line for the company that supplied Aldi with the box. When they ring you they call themselves Tevion, not the help line for the product or their real company name like some of the other Aldi product help line companies do and they have only supplied Aldi with one product so far.

The second time I rang the suppliers help line they told me a pack of rubbish and tried to baffle me with science by calling the ability to set how long the OSD stays on the screen for as a timer function.

Aldi advised me that the specification that they were supplied said timer function, will turn the set top box on and off also change channels. This is what I understand a timer function to be.

I have contacted Aldi several times and when they had non technical people trying to tell me technical things I said that I would escalate my complaint to misleading advertising because the flyer said timer function and that they had told me it would turn on, off and change channels but it doesn't. Aldi did not know that it didn't have the timer function that they were told it does. They then addressed my complaint more seriously and have contacted the supplier who has been told to fix my complaint. Supplier is now doing that and I will wait till it has been addressed and will see how well they fix my problem.

Both the supplier and Aldi told me that I must be the only person who wants the timer function because no one else had complained to either the help line (actually not true) or Aldi.

If you have a box and want the timer function, Aldi should be told, even if only to ensure that the next batch of Aldi HD boxes has the timer function firmware installed and the timer function works. People who do not want or need it are not disadvantaged by having it, but it is very useful if you want it to record HD or SD programs from different channels at different times unattended.

Cheers
J.G

Good work J.G. Rather than Aldi's explanation, I think many people would have felt ripped off but didn't go to the trouble of complaining.

JG Other than the missing timer function, how does the unit perform?

Jason,

I didn't know that you had posted your question because for some reason I didn't get the e-mail notification of your posting.

I didn't try it out once I found that there was no timer function.

After much waiting and contacting Aldi eventually I got replacement boxes for the three that I and my family bought.

What I find difficult to understand is that the suppliers representative told me a number of deliberate fairy stories, for no good reason, about the name of the company, that it is in NSW (it is actually in a Melbourne Suburb). Why do this, what is there to gain? I don't know.

The best story that I was told was that the replacement boxes were specially designed and made just for me (lucky me) by the factory (in China?) and they are the only ones in the world. Funny thing is that they are identical to the ones that Aldi sold in May, it is still model AL-HD2802, identical cardboard box, identical instruction manual. It is obviously from the supplier's original batch of boxes, with a firmware upgrade almost certainly installed by the supplier here, not in China, to have a timer function.

The so called timer is absolutely pathetic. The function has been added under the MAIN MENU, System Setup, Timer Setup.

Menu choices are;
Time Number (1, 2, ....,8)
Time Set (On and Off)
Time Control (power On, Power Off, One Time, Every Day)
Date
Time
Channel Mode (Radio, TV)
Channel Number

Timers in other boxes and DVD recorders usually allow you to choose weekly recording with a choice of day, weekend, weekday (Monday to Friday), and often a choice of several days per week.

The worst thing about this timer is if you choose One Time or Every Day the picture has a black and blue banner (called CH info Bar) with white writing superimposed on the picture and it stays there. The banner is about 70% of the width of the TV screen and about 15% of its height. It makes the picture unviewable and would be recorded on any recorder connected to the set top box. That makes two choices in the Time Control menu useless (One Time and Every Day) when doing unattended recording on a recorder connected to the set top box.

The banner is displayed when you change channels but it only stays on for 1, 3, 5 or 10 seconds which can be set by the user. It looks like the programmer forgot to program it to turn off in Timer mode.

It is possible that the supplier will offer the Aldi the AL-HD2802 with the timer mode installed when Aldi next sell an HD set top box. Aldi will have another HD set top box soon because the AL-HD2802 sold out very quickly. The AL-HD2802 is the first product from this supplier that Aldi has sold.

I will send Aldi a report on the box that I have been supplied and also let the supplier know its short comings.

Cheers
JG

Tevion box on sale next week for $79
http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_8043.htm

are they ok?
any specs on them?

big question is, does it support VGA?

Don't quote me, but I think it's the TV5015 HD Set top Box

There's an audio lag issue which can be fixed with a null modem cable.
http://www.teviontv5015hdsettopbox.com/

I am very tempted to hook this up to my projector, but not sure if I want to be the guinea pig!

Yup watching it now.
Like the aspect ratio on the remote.
It handles all current HDTV services. WIN TEN PRIME, SBS and ABC.
Once in a while locks up, not often.
Has great bar graph for s/s and quality which gets me out of callouts often as I am the local TV tech.
Audio lag problem? What audio lag problem?
I turn the whole system off at the wall every night, and on switch on it all comes back where I left it, so obviously there is oils and oils, sol.
I cant fault it, wish I bought two one for home one for the van.

2c.

I thought the TV5015 was silver in colour, not sure now but I think it was.

Looks like this one may be a new STB.

Will be interesting to see what connections it has, if it is different.

Cheers.

Hello All,
I'm newbie...
I would like to know how can I see Channel ONE and 12 on my TV.
My TV is TEVION 51cm Colour TV Model T21955

I heard that I would need HD or SD setup box for that.

Can you guys guide me ?
1) Where I can get/buy this HD or SD setup box ?
2) I just need it for 2 months..... is there anywhere I can rent it? Is renting good option for me?
3) Where I can get cheap HD or SD setup box ?