Hi Gang

I began looking around at what set top boxes were around, and their prices, and realised that no retail stores are demonstrating them to potential customers, you just see them stacked up inside their boxes on the shelves.
No one buys big plasma TV's without seeing them working in the stores, when is the digital TV industry going to force the retailers to show some basic respect to their customers, and set up these digital tuners, to see how they perform?

Mark

Big Plasma in stores are rarely set up to their potential either. STBs these days are largely like HDMI cables. Unless your reception is dodgy (and then an in store demo is still useless) a $100 STB will produce largely the same image as another STB. Main thing you need to determine is that it has the connection types you need for your TV (and looks nice). Many retailers will also allow you to try out a box to see if its what you want.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Please suggest a HD set top box for monitor ....

planning to buy a monitor and a set top box since that deal might work oout cheaper than buying a telivision .....

planning to get acer 23" Monitor since it has 3 yrs warranty ....

Is it a right way to go ???

It's fiddly IMO than one with a built-in unit, but at 22", TV's a re still reasonably pricey eg around $450. You might want to keep a close eye on the 22" Samsung screens that were part of the redemption when people bought their new Full HD tvs recently. There's a thread in the HDTV subforum.

I recently bought a Dell PC and got myself the 24"monitor especially for this reason. I wanted to use the monitor as a TV in my caravan when on holidays. I tested it out with a friends Bush STB and it all works. I do think the colour could have been better, wasnt as good as my HD TCV watching the AFL last week, but not too bad. Also the sound could have been louder, I just used my computer speakers.

Maybe a V1.3 HDMI cable would have produced a better result then the $19 cable I got from BigW. And maybe a little amplifier might be needed.

Main thing is it does all work, some experts here might be able to fine tune the minor issues I had

Regards
bob

It wouldn't.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

So which STB do you suggest ????

Thanks charlesc, I will get started here.
I have just purchased a HD Set Top Box which is a Telefunken platinum THDSB1. The instruction book is very lean and only gives the connections for TV. Will I get some benefit by connecting to my DVD first? Also the instructions say to connect the antenna cable to the ANT IN socket, then use the AV cable to connect to the TV. Should I maybe use the ANT out socket to connect to the DVD player? Please note I am more of a beach fisherman than an electronics guru.

Hi guys ...

tried DG-tech 8040 on monitor ..... I am still recovering from frustration ... please help ....... I can change it or add some s/w to it.....

I am in trouble !

Not really from a PQ perspective. You'll lose quality on the connections to the DVDR before any upscaling that the DVDR may be able to do. Do connect it to the DVDR to use it for recording purposes
You'd be better off connecting direct to your TV - HDMI/Component/Svideo/Composite in descending order of connection quality


Yes if (I presume) it's a DVD Recorder. You can then even connect to the ANT out of the DVDR to your TV

Thanks diesel, I am going fishing early and then will muck about with it and let you know what happens. Yes, it is a DVD recorder.

Hi mark, I understand your frustration, I researched & last Fri got a TEAC ( dont freak!) hdb843 HD . I briefly read the manual, hooked it up & everthing worked perfectly.
So good luck but I love the hdb843 (just released & paid $143 at Harvey Norman
medowie ron

There's a few reasons why set top boxes don't get set up in store. As pgdownload said there's not a huge difference between most models, just connections and design. If they were all set up it means a lot more power used & more cables to hide. Plus when the last one get sold there's usually not enough time to reset it to factory default when packing it back up (Most stb's prompt for the auto set up when first hooked up). So it makes it easier for the end customer to set up.

With that said most retailers have no problems returning a box if it doesn't work they way it should. As long as you've kept all the bits in good condition.

Now you're probably talking 'design' as in what they look like, not about their design performance (as in how well they receive a deteriorating signal in a poor reception situation).

Digital receivers do perform differently with poor signals, and some will work when others don't. Or some will start showing reception problems while others continue working well.

So I'd say there can be major differences between how digital receivers work in different situations.
But I'd also generally accept that most receivers would work in a similar way to others with a 'perfect' signal.

But I don't think that was what you were saying, was it?

Hi Gang

I ended up being sweet talked into getting a Teac HDB841, it works OK, but the on screen display is in such a tiny text it's almost impossible to see. A big square appears in the top left corner when you change channels, and then a tiny, and I mean tiny number appears to tell you what channel your tuned to.
Trying to sort out how to delete all the unwanted channels, I had to sit right in front of my TV, (ancient 4:3) to be able to read the tiny words telling you what each button does, like delete and move etc....
If only the stores just let you see how each set top box actually looks like when it is working, people would be able to make a more educated purchase, than just picking something on looks, and hoping it's not a load of crap!

Mark

Hi,
This is my first post. Hope it is the right place. My retailer has advised me to buy the Wintal STB5HD. As a long term member of Choice online I find that the Wintal STB1HD was judged sub standard. Does anyone know if the STB5HD is really ok? As you say, you cannot see the setup to judge for yourself.
Jeanne

Wintal is generally a cheap import - they were good value for money but had some quirks - buying from a retailer would make returning if its faulty easier. If it works ok when you plug it in then its generally ok. Usually don't have all that polished a UI but should be fine. That said a quick online search places it at $170.

If you have the option you could grab something from Dick Smith or Tandy? They have a 14 day no questions asked money back guarantee so you can try it out. Personally something like the Strong might be a good buy. And its rated well by choice and costs only $130. Dick Smith will ship one out for about $10 if you want I believe.

Its worth noting that the absolute values choice has assigned in this test don't mean much. Look at the relative values and it confirms what is being stated above - basically there's very little difference in STBs either in ease of use or reception. Scores are basically 58+/-5 and 51+/-5 or 10%. And if you live in an area with good reception then comparing this is probably meaningless as every box will provide a 100% image.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Thanks for your prompt reply Peter,
I was originally going to buy the Strong at GoodGuys, but they reckon it has not got the proper connections at the back????????? They say the Wintal is easiest to install & use and has a 3 year warranty whereas Stong have only one year.
That is why I am seeking help here.
Best, Flo

What inputs does your TV have? It seems unlikely the strong wouldnt have all the usual ones. HDMI, component, svideo, composite. As long as one matches up then it doesn't matter what other options a box has (ie you only ever use one at a time)

Warranty is nice but as with most elec gear. If it works for the first week then its likely to wok for then next 5 years. You can always spend another $20? and grab an exended waranty.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Hi
Ron, can you tell me if the small text problem is also on the 843? Otherwise I will get it.
Jeanne Flo163

Jeanne,
There has been some discussion on Set Top Box peformance, perhaps before you buy have a look at some posts and links over here.

On-line places like DPanda and Hantrex sell many of the popular units.

Thanks Charles,
I have just ordered the latest Healing HD HHT894 $139 from Hantrex delivered. I will let you know how I go,
Best, Jeanne Flo163