Hi Folks

I finally decided to step up to the HD world and bought the Bush model from DSE for $159. First impressions, so far so good and it appears to be more stable than my DGTEC SD STB. And the picture quality is not too bad on a pokey little 34cm set. At this stage seeing as I don't have an HD compatible display, the picture quality is not that important, but the extra channels do come in handy

Has anyone else bought this STB?

i bought one the other day from DSE for $129 lol...Good box better than my old trio SD STB. Tunes in the regional stations too..And for the price i picked it up for its even better! lol

These Bush branded STBs, both the SD and HD varieties seem to be fine. Can't say the same for some of the other crap that comes out under that brand (Whole heap of random cheap junk, Hi-Fis, Home Appliances, etc), but these STBs seem reliable, the interface seems good and it seems to be the most newbie friendly compared to other brands, and also seems to be one of the cheapest available thats a current model.. (Harvey Norman advertised a $116 Celestial job, but the one near me never received any of these).

I'm thinking of getting this stb this week also as my old DGTEC recently busted just outside of the warranty period
So 'Bush' are pretty reliable then? I just don't wanna buy another stb and have it go within a year again. ARe they better than DGTEC? 'cos frankly I think DGTEC are quite shite and mine was rather 'pixely' a lot of the time...

This current HD model (Their only one so far), I've sold probably 20 of them and none at all have come back, not even for change of mind.. which is generally fairly unusual. Their STBs seem to be pretty good, easy to use. Made by Alba UK, which also distribute Grundig and Ministry Of Sound products in this country.
Their current model of SD STBs I can say much the same as well.. no flaws really. Can't say if they're better then the cheapy DGTECs though, no complaints, and I havent sighted one as we don't get any TV reception in our store.

I've just bought this on the weekend. First thing I noticed as soon as I opened the box was the scratches all over the front glass panel. It appears that they tried to wipe clean the glass but it caused more scratches instead. It might not be obvious to them as the scratches can only be seen from the bottom angle. Luckily my tv unit is low, so the glass still looks smooth from where I sit.

The 1st time setup and user interface is quite easy and straight forward. I'm very happy with it overall.
However, I have 1 problem that annoys me. The captions/subtitles work well on all channels, EXCEPT for Channel 7.
The subtitle appears intermittently and dissapear for few minutes, before showing the next captions and gone again.

I tried the caption function from the teletext (801), but it's still the same.

Does anyone else experience this or is it only my unit that having this problem?

Just bought the unit today for $120 from dick smiths in highpoint melbourne after i asked for a discount LoL. the unit looks better then the DGTec crap retailing for about $170. I read that all Hd tuners have a processor to display the images. but they all work the same. so cheap works better for me. i also like the fact there are buttons on the unit just in case i cant be stuffed looking for a remote. The picture quality is great. Especially on my 1080p 46 inch samsung. Now its time to invest in some surround sound 5.1 speakers. These i will probably invest a little more then $120.

Doesn't your Samsung TV have a HD tuner already built in??

DSE has the Bush HD at $129.

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefro...roduct/G5956WEB

OK.. I've concluded that this unit is good, IF you don't need the caption/subtitle function.

There are 3 major bugs with the captions:
- It doesn't show channel 7 captions properly.
- It freezes picture and all the functions intermittently (requires power reset to fix it)
- You need to turn the caption off and on again when switching channel.

Apart from that it's a simple to use, quite nice looking and inexpensive STB.

After having it more than 1 week, I've swapped mine with Topfield 7010HT. Although it costs more, I don't experience those bugs above. On top of it, the interface is even easier to use and the remote sensor has way further range.

Hi Peg4sus,

I am having the same issue regarding the caption/subtitle with aldi AL HD2802. Are you happy with Topfield 7010HT, especially with the caption/subtitle?

Thanks,

I've been looking at the (meagre) selection of STBoxes in DSE over the past few months, and I was thinking about that Bush model (the DGTEC one sounded el cheapo). Nice to see some brief reviews of it here

Obviously it has connections to older non-LCD TV sets, since you have it hooked up to your 34cm.

I'm still using an Audiosonic SD box I bought about a year ago for 50 bucks. I replaced the first one which had a faulty power supply, but the second one is working out just fine. Its only fault is lacking an "aspect" button on the remote. I digress...

I want to grab a good quality cheap HD set top box, though, so I'll keep a look out in the shops (is DSE the only store stocking these things? seems so; ALDI was advertising a $99 HD box this week, however) and thanks for the reviews.

Bought this unit two days ago as my SD AWA went pfzzt. So far it is almost flawless in every respect. After reading this thread I tested the Subs (did not even know subs were a function of STD, heh) and they work perfectly on all channels for me.

I do have a problem with the set, and it is a pretty signnificant problem. The Remote receiver if recessed WAAAY to far behind the front of the unit, causing the remote control tohave an extreemly limited area of use. I can not use it at all from my couch. I have to stand up and move just to use the remote. The only way for me to rectify this is to completely re-arrange my entertainment unit. This however sould not be necessary. It is a very serious design flaw.

Apart from that one (quite significant) issue, the unit is flawless. It is the best STB I have used to date.

It is currently in the Dick Smith Catalog for $150.

Hi Fasola,
Yes I'm very happy with the Topfield 7010HT, especially with the subtitle.

HeDanny,
I also could not use the Bush remote from my dining area which is only approx 3m away. Rather than rearranging your units, you might want to try using a universal/learning remote, to see if it helps.
As mentioned in my previous post, the Topfield has much better range. I can point the remote anywhere, even backward and it still works.

Many thank Peg4sus. I will return AL HD2802 and get Topfield.
PS: for those who need subtitle, the last info on AL HD2802: I called customer service and told straight away that this is AL HD2802 capability (read: limitation) of handling subtitle after channel change. If subtitle is not needed, it is a good cheap HD STB

I bought this unit from DSE St Marys in Adelaide yesterday, and I'm taking it back today.

I don't know if its a once off dodgy unit or what, but across all channels there is this obnoxious very low frequency buzzing/humming and no amount of cable reconfiguring will seem to fix. I've looked around the internet and not found any mention of anyone else with this problem, but I've tried different AV cables, different power points, even with no antenna cable plugged in at all it still makes the noise.

Might try another one, but if that does it too I'll be getting my money back and waiting for a better STB.

Good STBoxes are as scarce as hen's teeth

The latest model of Conia CSTB306 or Soniq QMD-500H might be a good option for try on.

Just thought I'd let people know that the current Bush HD STB listed across the DSE/Powerhouse/Tandy Catalogues for $99 is exactly the same as the old one, just the unit is black (instead of silver) and in a Yellow box rather than a Red One. Pretty good at the $99 price point IMO, though the box does have issues which have been mentioned here prior. Probably better then the one COTD Sells though.

Aw man, its been "updated" and now its black? What is up wit heverything being black? It is getting so you can't buy something unless you want black. Has every consumer in the country started living in dust free vacuums now or Something? No one ever intends physically touching their purchase without wearing microfibre gloves so fingerprints are no longer an issue? What is it with this incredibly illogical and frustrating obsession with black??

I hope some of the stores still have the old silver one at the same price. I have been procrastinating over buying two more boxes for the other rooms, but I will not buy them if they are black. This means I will have to start looking all over again. So Frustrating.

Old Silver One = Old Price.
I'm presuming down the line they'll change that and clear the old stock but right now the silver one is at the very inflated price of $169 (Was $129 before Xmas!).
And yeah, just black in this new one. They didn't even change the features, firmware or anything, just the colour of the unit and the colour of the packaging.

I purchased one of these a while ago now, and it has worked fine up until last week when it lost the ABC (1 and 2).
All other channels work OK - SD and HD - but the unit won't seem to lock onto the ABC frequencies anymore....strange!!
I'm in the Hornsby area of Sydney and the ABC signal has ALWAYS been strong in my area.
Just my two cents worth.

I just bought the $99 and it was DOA. Will have to exchange it with another shop as mine was the last one. The unit didn't power on at all. No lights, no noise, nothing.

Yup, we got a DOA one like this back this week too, same issue. 1 out of the 4 we received isn't good.

Did 2 calls last week for Bush Hd HD-STB set-ups both doa customers had both bought from the same store. So u get what u pay 4. wonder how long the power supply caps last on 12 month warranty ------- my guess is 366 days.

Spend a few extra bucks and get something decent. Very disappointing to have to tell customer the box they just bought is a heap of --- then charge them for a service call. But then some times it gives me a chance to sell in on of my stbs ----- well a blokes got to make a living right.

P.S. had a doa Celestial as well last week --- so there u go

crusty

I bought one of these @ DSE for $99... for the price I am satisfied, the only issue I have had is with the RGB output (I have it connected to an LCD computer monitor) the image is horrible and doesn't fill the screen no matter what settings I have it on. Using a HDMI cable with a HDMI -> DVI adapter (which I use for my PS3) doesn't work at all, yet HDMI -> HDMI TV works fine, I'm not quite sure what is causing this!


My unit doesn't have any lights and doesn't make a noise when powered up, I had it connected via HDMI so there was no picture either, I was sure I got a dud, but connecting it via RCA's to a CRT TV showed picture, and got sound, so just because there are no lights or sound doesn't mean that its DOA!

Big W have a "bush" in their latest catalogue for the hot price of $98.00. Is this the same model (I think it is DFTA12HD). Pretty good value of you just want a cheap STB to put on an analogue CRT tele.

It seems Dick Smith have extended their special on the Bush (it was supposed to end on Wednesday). For the extra buck, I'd buy it at Dick Smith's rather than BigW - it's easier to return to DSE if there's a problem.

I'm getting the antenna replaced on Saturday, so I might go and pick one of these up. I'll post my experience on it afterwards.

So i cant tell if these are actually any good...

I need a fairly cheap hd stb for my lcd..is it really only recommended for those who want the extra channels?

I still haven't got the new antenna hooked up, still using the dish+rabbit ears indoor version, but that doesn't matter.

I got one of these DFT-12HD Bush $99 HD STB's, the new black one, and I'm really happy with it. I've tried an Olin DVB-1800T (the same as the 2000 but without the display), and it couldn't get reception on 9HD, so I returned it. The Bush gets ~35% signal level, but 95%+ signal quality, which means perfect reception - with an indoor antenna. This is better than my old Strong SD, and a DSE SD box I had before that.

It doesn't have a display, so there's no clock or display to tell you which channel you're on - although the watermark on the screen would tell you that, if you care. The EPG works well for 7 days, but it doesn't have reminders - I doubt many do.

When I first turned it on, it has no power light, no internal fan, etc. so it's easy to think it's not working. Also, it took about 5 minutes before I got a signal out of it via RCA, but once I got it, it was fantastic.

Picture quality is good, although I remember the Olin being slightly better. I've only got a 32" LCD with 1366x768, so the picture quality probably wouldn't vary between different STB's.

Reception is great, the unit looks sleek. For $99 from DSE (with good warranty/return policy), I reckon it's a bargain.

(I have no association with any of the companies involved, but I've gone through enough STB's to want a good one and not want others to buy garbage.)

It would be better if you try setting resolution as 576P output, when you connect box with PC monitor. As for all other connecting issues, it would possibly be associated with compatibility provided and supported by S/W or main chipset. Normally, ST chipset might be the best option so far in the market providing with stable and strong functions. However, the effect varies due to different S/W development even though boxes are all based on ST7710 solution(H/W).

Is the Bush DFTA12HD supposed to have a power light? It's very annoying not knowing if the unit is on or off.

Besides the lack of a power light, the only other problem I've had so far is that sometimes I have to power off the STB before it will work properly, sometimes it will have picture but no sound other times it won't show any picture (screen says 'No Signal'), but a simple 'off' at the wall fixes it. Annoying but can live with it.

Cheers.

might swing past DSE tonight and grab one before the sale ends.. will see how i go. have had bad luck with Strathfield DGTEC unit before, so fingers crossed this time round!

Picked up the same Bush $99 Black HD STB yesterday and my experiances are similar. No display (or even a light to tell you it's on/off) is probably the only draw back but for $99 you can't complain.

the picture quality I thought wasn't the best. I found the colours not as warm as they should be (compared to say a DVD). It is connected via component (1080i) an audio is currently via RCA. The audio quality wasn't very good either......but I'm hoping to hook it up via TOSLINK so hopefully that helps.

Setup was a breeze and it found all channels (via an outdoor antenna). The EPG is a bit slow to pull all the show details however and the layout is something I haven't worked out yet.

Hope that helps.

Hi Guys

I've been mucking around with one of these set top boxes over the past week and am now at the point where I don't know whether to keep it or return it to the store. I can compare it to the olin stb which I also ran into problems with. From my experience the Bush has potential to be a great purchase with some great features but it has a couple of major problems that make it fall flat on it's face.

The main problem I've run into is the same reason I had to return my olin (which to there credit they have just aknowledged and will be fixing in a firmware update) is that the Digital Audio Outputs (both optical and coaxial) do not work properly! The unit does not autodetect/switch the audio output when a channel doesn't output the method specified in the menu. To go into greater detail I set the menu to the last AC3 option which gives me beautiful dolby digital surround sound on most channels. The problem is on other channels which don't output the AC3 signal (most SD channels + SBS and ABC) no audio signal is sent out of the set top box to my receiver meaning I have no sound at all on these channels until I manually go into the menu and select PCM audio. Unfortunately on this setting even though I now get sound from all channels I am restricted to PCM stereo so lose any surround sound options. Both my HTPC and xbox 360 in xtender mode handle this audio switch seamlesly so my setup is definately up to it.

As I mentioned earlier upon readin the olin thread the other day they have aknowledged this fault and are apparently rectifying it in a firmware update which brings me to my next issue with the bush. TECHNICAL SUPPORT! There's a big phonenumber plastered on the packaging but upon calling that number that is only for warranty returns and faulty hardware. I wanted support to insure I hadn't missed anything and to check if there was a simple firmware update I could put onto the unit ridding me of this audio problem. After about 10 phonecalls I got through to someone who gave me a different number to call but it would be charged at $3/min. I've done a bit of searching around and just cannot find a source of bush support, if anyone has any inside knowledge on who I could talk to about fixing this issue it would be greatly appreciated.

My next issue with the unit is the fact that it doesn't seem to display any of the guide information when you are changing channels (such as what the current show on is and how long it runs for) all othet stb's I've used atleast display the name of the program as you flick through the channels. I couldn't seem to find a setting in the menu to enable anything like it either but it seems like a very simple but big oversite. The actual full EPG is also a far cry from the olin guide which is much easier on the eyes.

Ok so by now you're probably saying well you obviously don't like much about the bush take it back already, but there are some nice features.

The channel changes are lightning quick compared to most of the other units I've tried
It has a recall (last channel) button which I dont remember the olin having which is handy
I think the actual asthetics of the Bush are very good, it's a much more attractive unit than the olin imo
I like the fact it has no lights and is completely silent, in a dark room I prefer this than leds blaring at me
It has VGA output which I don't personally use but it's nice to have if you would ever plan on using it with a computer monitor

So there you have it. I'm terribly frustrated that I can't simply buy a $99 HDSTB from the store and not run into audio problems again. If I could get in contact with someone at bush who could get onto making a firmware to fix the ac3 problems like olin have as well as maybe tinker with the EPG setup a bit, my decision would be a no brainer, I'd keep the bush and recommend it to anyone at that pricepoint. The fact that I cannot change channels without some having great audio and some none at all and the fact that it's next to impossible in my experience to get in contact with anyone at bush, I'm probably leaning towards returning this unit despite some very positive features.

If anyone can help me in getting these problems patched up ASAP please let me know.

I hope this info helps anyone considering a future purchase

The cheaper model is cheaper because it has no front panel display.

Is that the only difference (apart from the colour)?

I also find that you really do have to point the remote right at the unit for it to respond. I did program my multifunction remote however and that does help a bit.

[quote name='Slayer' post='1130033' date='Aug 6 2008, 01:41 PM']Hi Guys

I've been mucking around with one of these set top boxes over the past week and am now at the point where I don't know whether to keep it or return it to the store. I can compare it to the olin stb which I also ran into problems with. From my experience the Bush has potential to be a great purchase with some great features but it has a couple of major problems that make it fall flat on it's face.

.... which brings me to my next issue with the bush. TECHNICAL SUPPORT! There's a big phonenumber plastered on the packaging but upon calling that number that is only for warranty returns and faulty hardware. I wanted support to insure I hadn't missed anything and to check if there was a simple firmware update I could put onto the unit ridding me of this audio problem. After about 10 phonecalls I got through to someone who gave me a different number to call but it would be charged at $3/min. I've done a bit of searching around and just cannot find a source of bush support, if anyone has any inside knowledge on who I could talk to about fixing this issue it would be greatly appreciated.
/quote]

Hi guys
This is my first post so sorry if I have got something wrong.

I also bought a Bush HD STB but unlike Slayer I am a newbie to the whole world of STBs have no idea how to get it set up and can't even get the menu to display so am way behind you guys. It might be reception or sheer idiocy. So I am thinking of packing the whole lot up and returning it. Anyway re technical support - we also went round the houses with those phone numbers on the box. They are only interested if there's somethig wrong with the unit. Then in desperation I emailed Bush at salesinfo@bushaustralia.com.au, found the email on their website. I got an immediate follow up email asking for model number then referred on to Sales support. Later same day got another email giving me instructions. I wish I could say it was a happy ending but we still haven't bene able to make it work so I'm still baffld and frustrated. But have to give Bush guys credit for trying to help/
Cheers
Foxtrot

If you would like to clearly detail the problems you are having, someone here may be able to help.
You never now, it might not be you, the stb could be faulty.

OK here goes. I have an NEC CRT, 6 years old with two sockets at back for video and audio. I have a Philips combo DVD player/VCR with three separte lots of sockets for 1) DVD, 2) DVD/VCR, 3) VCR - so that's got me confused which ones do i use. i want to hook up the STB thru the VCR so can record. The options on back of combo VCR unit are 1) Svideo and component video out on DVD side, 2) Audio out video out under DVD/VCR, then 3) Audio in video in under VCR.

Then the Bush STB has a whole series of sockets. I found out what they are from reading this v helpful forum but can't figure which ones match up to which. I can't understand the manual diagrams and only get a blue screen out front not even the menu which everyone else on this list seems to do with no trouble. Having read other posts I realised this model has no display to shows its on so that is a help. I only have an indoor antenna so it might be reception - wnet out and bought the DSE digital antenna but that didn't make any diff.
I feel like a real dummy, bought it on impulse thinking it was easy. Whats going to happen when everyone has to go digital - you guys ar ealready there but still plenty like me with no clue about this stuff.

Might I suggest you put the dvd/vcr to one side for a while and just connect the hd stb to you tv. This is to get the stb up and running so that you know it works and how it works.

I assume the two sockets on the back of your tv are yellow (video) and red (mono sound). Do you have the same connections on the back of the stb, if so there would be three - yellow, red and white?
Connect the yellow and red up, turn the power on to the tv and stb and you should get some sort of welcome screen. You may have reception issues, but this will only affect tv broadcasts it will not impact on the viewing the stb's menu and set up screen.

If this works you will only have one channel of the two channel stereo sound. You can buy a lead with red and white at one end and just the red at the other.

THANKS!! - I will give it a go. I didn't know the menu functionality shd work independently of recption.

Just bought a DFTA10HD model, the one with channel display on front. DSE has them as an online special at the moment.
Worked great for 3 hours when it just froze up. Neither remote control or front panel buttons worked.
Had to pull the power plug to restart. Worked fine for a few more hours and the same again.
The longest it has worked before freezing up was 12 hours.
Bush hotline trying to say it is a bad installation and threaten to charge me 50 bucks if they can't duplicate the fault.

UPDATE:
Picked up a replacement at local DSE store. Still going after 3 hours

I onced bought a Bush STB - and from what I saw in the 10 minutes I spent with it I wouldn't recommend them.
(Please note, this was the standard definition model).
It badly lacked sensitivity, pixellated horribly whenever I changed the channel. My DSE STB just crapped on this thing without trying.
I bought it for a neighbour of mine (who is absolutely non tech-savvy with anything like this) to replace his Humax - the Humax was a far better performer and we found out, it just needed a firmware upgrade.
We returned the Bush STB within half an hour.

I was thinking of getting the Bush HD box at the price of $150, but I didn't want to take any chances.
Got myself an LG 5100P off eBay for $210 delivered.

Heya

Just a good news update, I received a reply today from bush with an updated firmware attached. I have just performed the update and after only a few minutes testing I can confirm the sound is autoswitching and overall appears to be working well! I have sent them a reply email thanking them for having this issue rectified.

So if you have read my post above the major problem I had with this unit has been promptly fixed by bush and unless something major goes wrong with further testing I will be keeping my DFTA12HD as it is now a very decent product.

Heya

Just a good news update, I received a reply today from bush with an updated firmware attached. I have just performed the update and after only a few minutes testing I can confirm the sound is autoswitching and overall appears to be working well! I have sent them a reply email thanking them for having this issue rectified.

So if you have read my post above the major problem I had with this unit has been promptly fixed by bush and unless something major goes wrong with further testing I will be keeping my DFTA12HD as it is now a very decent product.

I recently bought the BUSH HD set top box for $99 at DSE. I think it's ok for the brief time I've had it.

However less than 2 weeks after I initially bought it, whilst happily watching tv (well the Olympics to be exact) I heard a loud bang. Initially I thought my tv might have been busted then my tv screen became all blue with the message 'No Signal'. I turned the set top box off and back on, switched the dvd player on to make sure that it wasn't my tv which was busted....turned out that the BUSH STB had died on me, less than 2 weeks after buying it! Lucky, DSE agreed to swap it for another one. Fingers crossed it's still working in 2 weeks time!

I just got one of these. No front panel power LED? A light would cost next to nothing; even my $50 SD box has a power/standby light.

I can't get this thing working. It's all plugged in, but nothing happens. No channel, nada. Another DOA box?

EDIT: Ah, never mind. A few bourbons later I downloaded my Sony TV's manual and figured out I hadn't hit the video input button, doh! I think I was used to my old TV which automatically set the video input mode when RCA plugs were inserted.

The lack of an operating/standby LED is still annoying, though.

Cheers!

I bought one of the BUSH HD Set Top Boxes the other day and can honestly say it's been fantastic. We only have a CRT TV, but the picture quality is great and the extra channels come in handy as well.

Only one problem (and it's more to do with my TV). The connection from the HD box to the TV uses the yellow, white and red connection plugs, which work fine from the HD box. Only problem is that our DVD player uses these same plugs and our CRT TV only has one set of these connections. Therefore to switch from the DVD to the HD Box means that we have to unplug the HD box connections (yellow, white and red) and then connect the DVD 3 plugs and then do it all again when we've finished watching a DVD. These plugs are at the back of our CRT TV, so it's becoming a bit of pain in the bum to do this each time (we have two young kids who watch DVD's a lot).

So my question out there to anyone is......is there such a device that will allow me to plug both sets of yellow, white and red connections into it (from the HD box and DVD), with then one set of these connections going into the CRT TV and the device then enables you to switch from the HD box to the DVD without having to unplug and re-plug each time!!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Yes! I encountered the same problem. You need an RCA selector. Dick Smith sells one for about $30, but I got mine (skandia brand) from Woolworths the supermarket for $12, and it works just great. You can plug in three different AV units and switch between them when you need to

Looks like this (mine is darker gray with a light gray selector switch):

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/815/bw2170ai0.jpg