I might be wrong, but I seriously expected some more 'activity' in the HD set top box market after the launch of Freeview. Reading some of the older posts, it was more than a year ago when Olin Dvbt-2000 cost $99. Going to Dick Smith or Harvey Norman, you can hardly get anything cheaper than $120. So my point is: how come the prices haven't dropped in one year?
The other thing I noticed is when there is some <$100 special it gets sold out in a matter of days. Which means there is a demand on the market, but apparently supply is not working properly.
It's no wonder Foxtel CEO is mocking Freeview when the infrastructure can't cope with the demand and the prices have just stuck.

Howdy,

I spoke to a retailer this arvo and they told me, the demand for HD STB is so high atm, they have trouble getting stock in and when they do, it's gone pronto.

I have a Digicrystal on hold when they come in. If anyone can give me feedback on the OLIN- I would consider it, but never heard of them until yesterday.

I am buying one for my Aged Pensioner neighbours - so it needs be user friendly and good quality7 affordable.

I am only heading towards Digicrystal as I still have an SD1000 and it's a great little unit and never had a problem with it.

My neighbours bought an SD MTV from Coles and I knew before I even tried to set it up, I was in for some grief. I had an MTV DVD recorder a few years ago and took it back for a full refund after 6 mths of frustration.

DSE have stock of DGTEC, but not sure about them either - from what I remember they can be problematic too?

Any opinions/advice/experience shared, will be greatly appreciated.

cheers, Rebel.

There are quite a few threads around relating to STBs.

You haven't indicated how little/how much you are looking to spend.
Are you looking for a cheap solution more than anything else?

OneHD has done wonders for shifting HD STBs. Everyone I have spoken to that wants a HD STB knows you can get OneHD and that is the main reason they are looking for a HD box. When I tell them you can also get it on OneSD, it doesn't seem to matter - it's an excuse to get a HD STB even though they only have a CRT

Even a lowly CRT user should be able to spot the difference between OneSD and OneHD.

OneSD is not good at all. In particular for fast moving action. Which is surely what OneHD is mainly about.

Freeview website says: from 1 May 2009, Freeview branded digital television equipment will be widely available from electronic retailers, nation-wide. Apparently all Freview branded set top boxes will have MPEG4 capability, so they might be a bit upmarket. There is a list of retailers including Dick Smith, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Retravision, The Good Guys etc.
It's 13 May today, so has anyone come across any Freeview branded set top boxes in any of these stores?

You should know well about the belows,

1, when H.264 broadcasting start?
2, How many channels will available then?
3, Do these channels share the same content with present MPEG2 HD programme?

I think it wont come so soon, so MPEG2 HD will last a long time. The increasing of H.264 box depend on how many channels available and how's the content alike then.

RE Price; I told them they will probably be looking at up to $150 for something decent.

I don't want to get them something that is going to cause them continous problems. So they are prepared to pay a bit more, to save further hassles down the line.

I was just reading about MPEG4 vs 2 - have no idea about this. Does this mean it's worth verifying that the STB is MPEG4 compatable? Won't the old boxes work?? Oh, I am too tired for this..lol.

cheers, Rebel. :-)

I can see Freeview topfield, i think topfield made for freeview HD box for 279 at dicksmith

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefro...uct/View/GH5915

This is the topfield site for freeview

http://www.itopfield.com.au/freeview/

seems like freeview closely work with topfield to make the Mp4 STB.

In JB higi the TBF7200 topfield is listed for 167.

TOpfield is a good brand and the one i bought 1month ago for my CRT is going good

THanks

For an FAQ on FreeView (mostly bad, some good) have a read of this thread

I have seen a couple of different Freeview PVRs in the shops, but no STBs as yet

I have also heard HD STB's were hard to get but a collegue of mine told me to try a commercial brand called IKUSI HD STB.

Model number was HDTR-201. I looked it up on the web page and they sell them via Topline Aerial Cables or Melb Satellite.

They use them in Hotels and were told they are a high quality brand.

Worth trying!

Can be got for $150 at retravision (retravision brighton) Had lots of stock of assorted stbs and pvrs freeview included

Iam waiting till november to get my free HD set top box from the goverment ( pensioners get it free ) ring the number ask the people from digital ready advert on tv.......1800 20 10 13

So you got Topfield TBF-7200 for $150 @ Retravison?

yes didn't need to bargain much either makes me feel as though they could have gone lower

then why didn't you bargain and get it for lower?
that's right, you couldn't

Are we talking Brighton in QLD or the one in SA ... or UK

Save yourself a trip...

Powerbuys Have the Topfield TBF-7200 for $158.00

Great service also..Ordered one at 4.00pm. Yesterday afternoon..They rang me at 4.15pm. to confirm my delivery address (an RSD country address that they were not familiar with), and the unit was dispatched at 4.23pm..

That's what I call service!

The main reason I'd prefer buying from a store is I've got really bad experience with faulty equipment. And I don't want to be sending this stuff back and forth (on my own cost). Do you know what's their return policy (if things go wrong of course) or do you know whether Topfield offers any kind of support since they are apparently an aussie company?

This is what they state...

Returns

"Returns are accepted when an incorrect or faulty product is received.

If you change your mind once the product has been sent, upon approval, it may be possible to return the product for a changeover, however a 15% restocking fee will be charged.

If you have any queries regarding this notice, please contact us."

I haven't contacted Topfield about repairs, but it is their product and has a guarantee..shouldn't be a problem..

the $150 price for the toppy was brighton victoria on nepean highway

brag post imo

Digital+ HD3000 $149 down to $118 at JB HiFi.....you will probably get a better price if you ask....I did!

Not a bad unit for the money IMO

I have reported the post hopefully the mods remove it quickly I would hat this place to degenerate into a trading post site for stores