Saw the Strong 5405 HD box the other day. It looks identical to the 5020/5022 except it has HD printed on the front. Just wondering if it shares the same crummy UI as the 5020/5022? Anyone got one?

Have one, don't get one. HD very buggy with lip sync issues and on changing channels only the top left corner of the picture is displayed across the whole screen. PQ is very average also.

Meyers have them for $119

I had a salesman demonstrate it for me

Saw none of the problems mentioned in the previous post

That was with component connections

Perhaps he was using HDMI

got one yesterday.


gotten abc and SBS too work, dont know how to get the rest up

anyone know?

Hey tim2chins

Have you sorted out the problems with your Strong SRT 5405? I'm thinking of getting one as a second box.

Bruce

Sorry for the late reply.
I have not sorted these issues out, however I am now just using this with the spare/second TV. I do use HDMI but these problems are also present on component and s-video.
I really only use it now to watch SD and that way avoid the issues. I'm not sure of the other guys that have these that have posted but I am aware of atleast half a dozen owners of this exact box that have the same problems. I have just done a software update (28-11-2008) and will see how that goes. I did purchase this as soon as they where released so other people may have different software and no problems if bought later. Will let you know how I go.

Are you having the same problems I'm having in this thread?
http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=73163

I bought one of these from Myer yesterday and have found the same problem that tim2chins is having regarding the audio being noticeably out of sync with the picture on 7HD. Seems OK on 10HD though. Haven't noticed any problems with the picture so far on any of the channels. I'm in Brisbane by the way in case that makes any difference.

Downloaded the software update from the website (28-11-2008) and applied it as per the instructions (including a factory reset). It didn't fix the issue. I'm not actually sure if that is a software update on the website though as it says version 1.0 - 28-11-2008, unless the version numbers do not change. The version date displayed by my STB was also 2008-10-18 both before and after the update was applied.

I'll send an email to Strong technical support about the issue and report back here if there is any response from them about it.

Just an update on my last post. It seems that doing a factory reset as per the instructions was not enough to complete the software update. I turned the unit off via the switch at the back and then turned it back on again. When I check the software version on the display it now says 1.0 - 2008-11-27. The audio sync problem on all HD channels seems to have gone as well (at least for now).

Not a bad little unit for the price ($99 at Myer, if you can find a store that has any in stock). It included a free 512MB USB stick as well which I used to do the upgrade. Apparently you can load MP3s onto the USB and play them back through your TV/sound system as well. I haven't tried this yet though.

Another quick update. Just got a reply from Strong confirming that the software update is intended to fix the audio sync issue:

The software version you have installed dated 28-11-08 solves this problem.
Ensure you have powered the unit off and back on at the rear switch once the
update has finished installing.

Firmware upgrade complete and have now tested it for nearly a week, most of the problems I have had with this box are now gone following the firmware upgrade and would recommend this STB especially for the price. The only problem I now have (and this is infrequent) is when the channel is changed the program will stutter for upto 5 sec's and then it sorts itself out (the magority of the time, sometimes it requires the channel to be changed again). Other than that all is OK. I did forget to mention previously that the sound problems I was having was with HDMI and also Optical.

I have the Strong 5405 the only thing that seems wrong with mine is the time is at least a hour out and can't work out how to change it to right time does anyone know how. Thanks Shooter52

Shooter the firmware upgrade also adds a feature in the system setting called "summertime". Turn this on for daylight savings and it will add +1 to the GMT (making it +11) and you will now have the correct time.

I bought the strong srt 5405 from myer today and now my dvd recorder doesn't work on my tv
its like the set top box has overwritten my dvd recorder from being viewed on my tv

does anyone know what is wrong with my set top box or dvd recorder or tv

Thanks

p.s my tv is a Grundig FineArts and my dvd recorder is a Panasonic DMR-EH55

Bought my Strong 5405 HD Set Top Box from Myer last week for $100. It is apparently back on sale in the current catalogue. It seems to be permanently discounted there if others' posts above are any indication.

Just thought I would let others know I am very happy with it, especially the tuner performance. I can receive all HD channels on a small digital antenna (Matchmaster Digimatch L4024) which is sitting upright on a chair inside. I am 20 km from Mt Coot-tha (Brisbane) too. No audio sych problems. Highly recommended, surprisingly so. The inclusive 512 MB USB stick and MP3 play function seems to be a nice novelty too.

For those who have previously bought a Strong SD set top box (I bought a basic 5020, but mine died suddenly after the warranty period, possibly due to static electricity destroying the chip) the user interface is vastly improved. I agree, arc888, it was fairly ordinary. The 5405 is largely identical in appearance, as arc888 has said, but a bit heavier. Remote control is exactly the same... in fact I am using my surplus 5020 remote at the moment to control it.

"tim2chins". You said you had problems with the SRT5405 with the sound through optical. Was it similar to this: I have the STB connected to the TV by HDMI and to my Sony stereo by Optical. I get sound through the TV just fine but not the optical on the stereo. I tried changing to AC3 and changing the decompression settings on the stereo but no go. How did you fix this problem?

Thanks.

I was surprised to find I could still get one today for $99. They had apparently run out but received new stock a Karinyup so lucky I didn't race in a week or so ago when they were out.

It works fine on the 1.0.2008.12.25 software set up via composite output which is all that is needed for the second TV at one of the kids places, replacing an older DSE SD box which was zapped in an electrical storm. At least they can get the HD channels now, and it will be easier to update if necessary via USB. That was the main reason I hunted one down.

I think the 5405 is being replaced by the 5410. My local NAPF is expecting stock next week. They don't know the price.

I looked the 5410 up on the Strong website not knowing what model Myer had. I think they came with and without USB so make sure you check if you need USB. There is a thread on them in the forum somewhere. Are these the dearer ones, I saw somebody advertising either them or a 5200? but was more than I wanted to pay.

It does have USB and is advertised by one seller on EBAY at over $200

I got it yesterday and I'm so happy.

HDMI look sweet on my LCD MONITOR. Component look good on CRT TV etc....VERY NICE...I will buy more for my parents and more for mine

Which one did you get, the 5405 or the 5410?

5405


I find this have 1 bad issues. Subtitles in full font look messy...

What did you mean by full font and messy ? I've just bought it and didn't notice a difference to my old DGTEC unit. What we expect subtitles to look like and be located ?


I find this have 1 bad issues. Subtitles in full font look messy...
[/quote]

Subtitles not look good...it is messy. Especially seen in large font not small uppercase ok...Subtitles look not straight on black bar...like example "TO" T look normal but O is fell below than T and goes on...

Same with mine! My old Teac unit was so much better!

Check that you have it set to letterbox and not 16 x 9, maybe that's the problem. The one I got the kids is fine.

Bought a 5405 last week, Software version 2009.05.31, However on strong's site only 28.11.2008 is available
for download, no idea what the difference is but sw version is no longer 1.0, but 1.4A.

Software version 2009.05.31 is for Model 5405E.

The old website software is for Model 5405.

Hi All,

Looking at this unit... Can you plug a portable hard drive into the usb and record tv somehow?

What do I need to do to record from STB - Or is that a function I need of the STB?

Thanks!

Anyone know if this one has a BER reading - I'm after an STB that does raw BER....

Just got a 5405E "e" means no USB stick included, has USB port.
Emailed tech support and received u/g firmware from installed 2009.04.23 to 2009.05.31
paid $110 at HN Narre Warren, wouldn't match Myer's reputed $99.
Does what I want which was just OneHD now that Southern Cross doing broadcasts.
Toppy 5000 PVRT still working fine and HD PVRT's don't seem stable enough.

No it doesn't allow you to record via the USB port, but there are some set top boxes that do;

Strong SRT-5440 / Strong SRT-5440U
Beyonwiz DP-H1
Topfield TBF-7120
Also some more, including a DVICO and there are also some cheaper SD units that do this.

They are generally about $300 give or take (the strong is $429 in store but I picked one up for $265 at HN Bella Vista). See this link for some more information.

Any Idea what the new upgrade does?

2 annoying things with the one I bought 1 month ago -

a. pressing info once brings up basic now/next program, but pressing it again does nothing, it should display program summary (my 4yo strong SD 5005 did)
b. the above problem forces the use of the EPG, so the program your watching "switches off" while EPG is displayed, and to add to that, after a few seconds the summary resets from current program to 12 midday program automatically, so you have to scroll back down.

Can someone please confirm the 5405 wil output Digital Audio (DD) and Analog audio at the same time????

I need it that way for recording.

The DGTEC 7200 doesn't.

I got a SRT 5405E today.

I'm happy with the SD channels but the volume on the HD channels is lower.

On my DTV the volume of HD channels is louder not softer.

What could be causing this on the STB?

s

The 5405E does output sound via the digital optical output (to my amp) and the composite (to my vcr) at the same time (and in sync with each other as far as I can tell) PROVIDING the unit is set to output PCM (2.0). If you set it to AC3 (surround sound) the analog outputs do not send any signal.

Same symptom with 5405.
OneHD/7HD are really quiet compare to SD , Nine HD is reasonably ok

In the audio menu, there are three options

Stereo, left and right

Is left and / or right, a mono function where stereo (both left and right outputs) is fed into the one speaker?

s

I picked up one of these the other day.

I cannot get the unit to output 5.1 over HDMI.

It will however output 5.1 over spdif If i go into system setup and change sdpif output to AC3 (i also then get no audio output over HDMI).

Is anybody getting 5.1 over HDMI with this stb?

What have you got the STB connected to? - an AVR?

What settings have you got on the AVR?

STB is connected to AVR (Yammy RX-V565) into HDMI 1 and to TV via HDMI out



As for AVR settings...what specifically are you looking for? HDMI 1 is on "standby through" and outputting to amp and TV. Decoder is set to "straight".

...and here is the answer:

"The SRT 5405E will not output 5.1 over HDMI."

From Gavin at Strong tech support.

How disappointing.

Hopefully it's not too off-topic but I just purchased a "strong srt 5406" today (not the 5405) under $100. works great, nice features. using it with a crt tv. no problems and i especially like the epg, however, it takes a while for the epg to load. Cheers

Hi Stephen, Could you tell me what you are connecting your STB sound output to? Also, is it a digital or analog output you are using?

Thanks

There is a volume difference between SD (mpeg2) and HD (Dolby AC3) broadcasts. It's not the STB

I'm used the red white yellow RCA leads when I set it up to my HDTV.

When I took it down to my sisters I used a two in one RCA so both left and right feed into the mono of the CRT - it only has red and white.

When I set it up to the CRT I adjusted the volume on the remote and the sound difference between HD and SD isn't really noticable.

s

Stephen, Like diesel said, there is nothing wrong with the STB or no incorrect setting in the STB. I have the same thing with my Nec STB. They use a sound stream which is more suited to analog sound output (RCA), SD (Mpeg2).

The DTV you have with the built in tuner might be capable of outputing the HD format, Dolby (AC3) in digital.

I wouldnt waste my time buying a strong 5405 ...

i would go with a strong 5441

mpeg4
mpeg2
LAN and internet connectivity
PVR via usb stick or hdd

pause live tv

cheap i have seen is $179 on ebay

opposed to $125 for a HD box which cant record

To be fair, the 5405 is $79 at Costco Melbourne and often sub $100 (sticker price) at big box retailers.

That said, the lack of support for 5.1 audio over HDMI is a big deal breaker for me.