Hey guys, I currently own a early model Pansonic set top box. Now i am having problems with reception on this box and want to replace it with a cheapie, Im just wondering if someone could point me where to find a cheap box which will not ask for so much reception. Currently channels are cutting in and out and its very annoying, some won't even work. My budget is under $100.

Thanks guys n gals
Jason

Are you sure it's the box and not your antenna etc?

Little point replacing the box if you don't have reliable reception to start with.

well i channels are fine on another tv running a cheaper reciever, and i have also done some research on the panasonic box, it is a "panasonic tu-ct20a" and read up they arn't a very flash box at all..

Topfield tf4000t is the most reliable standard definition set top box to get. I've had a couple for a few years now and they have been the best set top box I have ever owned. They are considered top of the line entry level boxes.

http://www.itopfield.com.au/TF4000T.aspx

wayzor

i presume you are after a SD STB:
Strong has 2 STD STBs and they are both very good.

SRT 5020
SRT 5022

Have seen them in myer and a couple of other places - both under $80.

koaz

Likewise is the Healing SD.

Very reliable.

seen these at JB HiFi Epping in Melbourne for $93.

Should I turn off my set top box if not use?

Well its good for the environment but otherwise there's no advantage in doing so.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Hi

I cannot get ABC on my analog reception but get all other channels with no problems.
Do you think that a set top box would be able to pick up ABC?

Thanks

That depends on a number of factors....

Where are you?

Where are you receiving your TV signals from (eg: which transmitter site)

What antenna are you using?

i bought one of those ALDI set top boxes, tevion i think, an Sd one, works great been going for 6 months with no issues...and for $35 it wont break the budget!

hi i tried to make a new post but it doesnt allow me so i am posting here

i just got a digital set top box for the first time
it has a very bad problem
sometimes randomly it makes a LOUD and painful sound like a whip cracking and scares me and hurts the ears a lot
is my set top box faulty? it just is a cheap one, (wintal)
i can't watch tv with the volume turned up coz i am scared it might damage the sound equipment
is there a way to fix it?
help!

That tells me you have a reception problem.

I can't fix that.

However, if you are clever enough, you can try the following, and here I am assuming you have a STBX5c version:

Press "MENU" on your remote control

Choose "Main menu" using P+/P- buttons. Press "OK"

Choose "Edit Settings". Press "OK"

Choose "Reception". Press "OK"

Choose "Mobile reception" Change this to "On"

Press "Exit" once. Tab down to "Save Settings", and press "OK".

This will stop the audio breakup which occurs as a result of faulty reception. Unfortunately, it mutes the audio for an indeterminate time period, so you may have silent periods instead of the cracking noise. If you notice lip sync problems developing over a period of time, a power reset to the box should fix this.

Ultimately, it sounds like your reception will need to be looked at.

waaooo it worked! it did not made that sound again for all night
you are clever! thankyouuuu sooo much!!

My pleasure

test

test 2

Is there any website in which I can find all the information about the current STB for prices and reviews?
Previously I refered to dba.org, but it was gone.

Is there any website in which I can find all the information about the current STB for prices and reviews?
Previously I refered to dba.org, but it was gone.

I don't know about all , but Hantrex have a fairly wide range of current models.

Thank u

I think it is quite old model released on the market around 3~4yrs ago I think, but more reliable than their any other new models.

I'm looking for recommendations for a low-cost SD STB. Requirements are:

• Composite video out
• Well laid out and easy-to-use remote
• Straight-forward setup
• Antenna RF feed-through (for Goulboun; no Prime Digital yet).
• < $100
• Readily available in Canberra

I was in Dick Smith's yesterday (Killing time while my wife was in Spotlite)
They had a couple of SD set top boxes, bush and something else, for $79
They also had a Topfield for $89 - I think it was a 4010, and I thought that would be a much better buy.

Hi Everyone,
Please help me to find a set top box to get a better reception.
Here is my connections:

Satellite to TOPFIELD TF3200IR, then:
Topfield to TV1 through RCA
Topfield also has RF output to another TV2.

As a consequences, TV1 get good signal but TV2 is not because it receive analogue.

Which STB should I buy to get better reception for TV2 as TV1?

I have a old Strong SRT4800II but I forgot the password.

Thanks for helping.

Not wanting to hijack someone else's thread, however I'm unable to post a new topic (I presume not enough posts yet)...

We have an old CRT at work which gets used after-hours. Only has RF in. Doesn't get ABC or SBS, and am hoping to kill 2 birds with 1 stone by getting a digital STB and hoping that ABC digital reception is better than analogue (thus not needing a booster).

Some STB's I've seen say they have RF loop-through to analogue devices, but what I want (which isn't neccessarily the same thing) is digital broadcast through the RF output to PAL CRT. Don't need any other bells and whistles (don't need 2 tuners, or PVR, or anything - just digital TV to RF out) - can someone recommend a cheap box for this? Available from Dick Smith or JB or Jaycar, whoever. Thanks. :-)

donaldp,

You require 5 posts to start a new thread.

Yes, ABC digital has far superior picture quality compared to analogue.

Yes, there are digital STB's which output analogue RF signals for tuning on analogue TV's, eg: your CRT.

Others may be aware of other brands but I know most Healing STB's have RF modulators.

For any digital receiver to work reliably, it must have a antenna connected which provides a good quality digital signal.

In many cases, where amplifiers were required for analogue reception, they may not be required for digital.

This is a very general statement, and ultimately it will depend on what the digital signals are like at your work location and the antenna/cabling/amp/splitters/outlets etc, are installed.

I guess the keywords to use then are "RF modulator". Many mention RF loop-through, but to me that just means it takes the analogue signal from RF in and sends it to RF out, as opposed to taking the digital signal and sending that down RF out.


Thanks. This is what I'm hoping for, so that the STB eliminates the need to get a booster for ABC/SBS.


Well, we have a long cable that has been run from an outlet elswhere in the building, so by the time it gets to us we only have commercial stations (obviously sending a stronger signal than ABC/SBS).

Thanks for your help.

Recommend getting the box at Dick Smith (if possible) as they have a 14 day money back option in case the STB has problems (there's a good chance you'll have crystal clear reception, but its also quite possible you'll get nothing if you already have dodgy reception)

Consider getting a HD STB - whilst you won't get the picture quality improvement on your CRT you do get access to 4 or so new channels often with new content.

If you go Dick Smith you might consider getting a KingRay booster still. Again you can return it in 14 days if not needed. Cost is under $50.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Correct... RF loop-through means the antenna signals are also output, so that another device requiring them can be connected. Eg: VCR, PVR.

An RF Modulator takes video and audio from the device (in this case a digital STB) and converts it to an analogue TV signal which can be tuned on an analogue TV tuner via the RF-In connector on the TV (Eg: TV Antenna Socket) Some Healing boxes have both RF loop-through and modulated RF out, so if you connect an old analogue CRT with only an antenna input, it will still tune the analogue TV channels from the antenna, together with the modulated output of the digital STB. The great thing about this arrangement is that when you upgrade the telly, the STB has all the usual AV outputs as well, ready to provide superior picture quality on your new screen.


Long cable runs will have signal loss... this is especially the case if the cable used is not a high-quality, low-loss type, such as RG6 Quadshield.

If you are using a long, cheap flylead (Eg: white, thin coax with moulded plastic plugs) this will almost guarantee signal loss over the distance.

Thanks for that advice! Sounds like a good idea.


Obviously I've misunderstood something here. I THOUGHT that the difference between an SD and a HD box was the output (hence why I was looking into SD box, since I only have CRT). Does the SD box only receive SD signals? Would've thought that was pointless since that's what you get down the antenna anyway without any box at all. Oh well, will make sure I look for one that receives ALL digital channels. :-)


Yeah, good idea. Thanks for your help (and mtv too).

what about the issue of heat being generated, and wear and tear on those parts?
Heat can cause stress to the gold wire inside the ICs.
Well, not just the heat, but cooling too.
Assuming it's always the same temperature, some people would say leaving it on would EXTEND it's life.

Well, that's for Mythbusters to decide:
Get 20 of the same model of new STBs, and leave 10 of them on, for 12 months.
Have 10 of them turned on & off once a day, for 12 months.
Report on which ones failed, etc.
I wonder if the ones that were cycled (warmed up, then cooled down, after, let's say 3 hours) suffered more failures.
Hey!! If they returned them at 11 months, they could get them refunded!!
Most shops will accept them back if you *complain* it doesn't pick up <such and such> channel, or "it just died"
even if it's fine.
They don't care.
They're just in a hurry to go to lunch, or chat with the other girl at the customer service desk!

Huh?

Sorry - New Topic / I did buy a STB to try & fix the lip sync problem I was having with SBS on my analogue TV. It fixed the lip sync but reception keeps breaking up & off. All the other channels are fine. Any solutions?

Are you in a capital city?: Get your antenna checked. It may not be able to pick up SBS digital with sufficient strength or quality to prevent the picture breakup you are experienceing.

Has anyone used one of the Grundig SD ones? I'm looking to get one.

I suggest you get a HD STB so that you can access the HD exclusive content, HD STB's can be bought for under $100. HD STB's are able to be connected to standard TV's.