Hi guys,

Looking to get a STB for my folks for their old 68cm CRT and key thing is to be able to get all the channels including the freeview ones.

The DGTEC DG-HD8040 seems ideal for the price and Dick Smith's return policy, but would like to make sure that it can get the freeview channels?

Read a bit about Freeview and that it is what I thought it would be just using up the additional available bandwidth to add a couple of channels.. so seems all STB's should be able to get them, but due to the new MHEG5 just not the freeview EPG? Is that the difference?

Wondering because Dick Smith also have the DGTEC Freeview HD STB DGFV7200 which is branded as 'freeview' which makes you kinda wonder if the others can play the freeview stuff.

Thanks,
Andrew

Keh?
Read this FAQ on Freeview, as discussed by members on this forum (not the gooey feel good infoless Freeview site): http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=77923

Thanks Tony.

I did, obviously not well enough though. Think I was blinded by all the word Freeview highlighted in yellow from my search ..

"There has been a lot of confusion about just what channels a Freeview box will be able to receive. In this regard Freeview boxes are absolutely no different from a non-Freeview High Definition (HD) digital box. Every FTA channel will be available to both types of equipment. Obviously Standard Definition (SD) digital boxes will only be able to receive the SD channels broadcast."

Was a bit worried too afterwards realising don't want everyone posting does xxxx STB get Freeview? thread.

Yeah that Freeview site is cr@p and I hate those stupid flash websites.

Cheers,
Andrew

Changed the title to get rid of the freeview bit.

Just seeing my other thread that I forgot about I posted 18 months ago, I mentioned that reading comments here to stay well clear of DGTEC.. is that still the case?

Does anyone have the DGTEC Dg-hd8040 and can share any experience please? About $100 is my folks price range.

Thanks

Got one today for a 22" full HD PC monitor in the bedroom. I'm taking it back to DSE today to get the $99 back. The tuner is weak as pi55. When I was changing channel, the audio would carry over to the video on the new channel. The signal quality was poor compared to the intergrated tuner in our Pana plasma and a (Homecast) PVR in another room. The PVR and plasma get signals of over 95% on all channels, and the Dgtec struggled to get 70% with constant break-ups (using quad shield coax). I have read lots of negative things about the Dgtec boxes, I just thought I'd take a shot seen as though DSE is about 2 minutes away and have the 14 day return policy.

The hunt for a cheap HD box continues :/

Thank you very much fatal.


What a POS.. that sounds really bad!


Yeah that's what I was thinking too.


I saw the folks today and they had a TV repair guy come round a degauss their set and he said he would install the STB when they get it. Said their best bet is to give him a call see what he suggests and maybe buy it for them aswell. When I find out what that is I'll post it here, maybe as a new thread.

Thanks again for the info, very much appreciated. Looks like it is still the case, avoid DGTEC like the... swine flu

Cheers

Get this.. Dad told me they went into Hardly Normal and this old salesman comes up saying he was an 'honest salesman' ... RUN!!

Anyway his honest advice was don't buy a HD STB for your old CRT ($100) better to buy a new widescreen LCD instead with the STB built in (~$1000), no idea what model but expect would be pretty cr@p. They have no need for a new LCD as they watch alot of ABC and SBS and so are mainly after their additional channels. Plus, yes there were more pearls of honest old salesman wisdom, that on the old CRT with this new widescreen stuff you won't be able to see the stuff on the edges or everything on the screen will be all squished up vertically.... no sh*t.

Luckily my Dad is very smart and can detect BS a mile away.. but others might fall for it.

I purchased a DG-HD8040 STB a few days ago and for $99 I am very happy with it. The signal comes in nice and clear and the picture quality adequate. I also own a Topfield PVR and with respect to signal / tuner strength I'd rate them equal.

Can someone please explain how signal strength percentages work and how they can be compatible from one brand / model to another completely different brand or model ?

I was under the impression that the actual percentages are not in any way comparable.

cheers.

I was told by the bloke who installed an additional wall outlet and new splitter that the signal strength readings on the tuners don't really mean much at all. That said when the picture is breaking up and dropping audio from the same outlet and coax as a intergrated tuner that never misses a beat, and a PVR that is spot on also, then I put 2 & 2 together and come to the conclusion that the tuner breaking up is poor.

I'm going to look at either a TF7000 (if I can find one) or TF7200 (around $170 delivered). I read a couple of good things on the Olin HVBT-2000 for ~$100.

Ended up taking the DGTEC back to DSE, got the cash back, walked 1 minute around the corner to Target and grabbed their last Olin HVBT-2000B for $99. All channels 90-100% strength/quality, no audio problems. A solid unit for under $100.

Nice one! (no thumbs up smilie)

Thanks again for the update. I'll pass that on to the folks.

Thanks to The Dunster too, great to get another opinion and could still be worth a look based on the no questions asked 14 day refund.

Is this all very dependant on the antenna and/or location.. that the same STB can be fine for some but not for others? Eg some may be better at picking up weaker signals or something like that. That was the impression I got last time I was researching, and my best advice to the folks was to make sure they can get a full refund so they can see how it works in their home.

I had a Samsung LCD with just $15 bunny ears that could pickup every channel perfectly, whereas neighbours downstairs have a new Sony and get cr@p reception.

Also the folks retirement village just got wired with new digital antennas, so guessing that has to be a good thing.

Our place is only a few years old with quad shield throughout so I think in our case it comes down to the boxes tuner rather than our aerial/coax. And yeah I've found some brands have better tuners than others. I previously had a Strong SD box that was good with rabbit ears in our old place, where an AKAI & Kross failed miserably. Our DSE branded (Homecast) SD PVR in the kids living area has great tuners, and the integrated tuner in out PX80A is good too.

We do use a UHF amplifier though, as the UHF signal in our area results in no signal - but with the amp UHF (SC10) has 95-100% strength/quality on the PX80A, PVR, and now the Olin. I can't remember seeing any pictures/audio break up since we have lived here in 6 months.

Maybe our DGTEC was faulty, who knows - but I have read a lot of negative things about them. Maybe you could see how it goes, with 14 day no question return policy at DSE you can't lose really. Target also had a Teac HD box for $106 or something. I have since found a couple of little annoyances with the Olin and will give it a good run (or try a firmware update). But for the amount of time it will be used I don't think we will be to bothered either way.

I'm just looking for the perfect budget box, but I'm beginning to think they don't exist!

DON'T BOTHER GETTING A DodGyTEC.

I bought the hd8040 yesterday. All the channels work fine except for the aspect ratio. I've got an old 4:3 tv and it's all squashed up. Pressing the aspect ratio button does jack all. Went to the DGTEC website hoping to see if there was a firmware upgrade - the product wasn't even listed on the website.

The thing that fatal was talking about the audio carrying over to the next channel only happens when the signal is bad - I noticed channel 2 was lagging a bit so switched channels and the audio stayed on channel 2 for quite a few seconds.

Also with SBS the reception has never been that good at my house. This box had an annoying "Bad Signal" thing stuck in the picture which I couldn't figure out how to turn off!

Luckily I bought it from DSE I'll see if I can get a refund tomorrow and go and buy a real digital tv.

Oh no! I ordered the same model via DSE online a few weeks ago and it finally arrived today. Everything seems fine, except I've a CRT too, and so the image is also squashed up. I pressed aspect ratio and nothing happens! Exactly as you reported. It's like it only outputs 16:9 regardless. It does it all channels I think.

The only thing I could do to improve things was switch my TV to the 16:9 letterbox style. So that at least it wasn't squashed up. But that is sub-optimal, as I prefer to watch in 4:3 rather than lose all the screenspace.

A cheap old Hotchip STB that I had on loan from a mate has all the same specs and behaves the same, except its picture size button actually works.

This is very disappointing. The whole STB experience has been regrettable. I did a lot of research, finally made a decision, went to the shop to find they'd sold out. So repeated the exercise and came up with the HD8040, ordered it, had to wait ages, and now it's a dud. And almost okay - I could just live with 16:9 from the STB and set on my TV. Not sure what I'm going to do yet.

Ahh CRAP!

Seems the old man wisdom re squished image was spot-on! I though the STB would do the aspect ratio thing and if not could rely on the folks tv to 16:9 letterbox, its not that old so should have that feature. But they might want to watch stuff fullscreen too.

The problem is they only want a few extra channels primarily abc2 not all the HD stuff so don't want to spend to much cash.. I guess why they still don't have one 18 months after I first asked about one.

Ok so DodGyTEC is now officially a POS and off the list. Thanks alot for all the info guys.

To setup ASPECT button on remote:-
MENU-----SYSTEM SETTINGS------PLAY SETTINGS---------AR Conversion -------"COMBINED"
EXIT ----EXIT-------EXIT

Thats it

It'd be nice if the manual said this next to the aspect ratio button rather than "This button changes the aspect ratio". It'd be even nicer if the unit didn't display "4:3" on the TV when you push it thinking that something's just wrong inside the box. It'd also be nice if the unit changed this tucked-away setting automatically when you push the button.

I just purchased this model today and am a little disappointed...the USB media function doesn't seem to work. Nothing happens when I press the USB button on the remote - no menu, no nothing. I don't know if it's the button or the USB port itself. I wanted to try jpegs, mp3s and even an avi file. I rang DGTec and the tech guy told me that 'we don't recommend the use of the USB port except for firmware upgrade' I don't think this is good enough if the feature is described in the manual.

Other observations: The remote buttons have to be pressed hard to respond, changing channels is sluggish and often audio from the previous channel continues for a few seconds after changing to another channel, also some channels have a low signal strength but do display fine but there is a dirty big "Bad Signal" text on the screen continuously.

Has anyone else got the USB to work?

I might take my unit back for a refund.

So there is still hope! Can't wait to get home to try this out. If this works I will be very pleased and grateful for the advice (although bemused that the option is in such a strange place).

Regarding the other poster querying the USB port, I noticed that button on the remote and went looking for the USB port and couldn't see one so I assumed not on this model. I'll check again tonight.

Yeah tell me about it. just bought two of them and will try the aspect settings , thanks guys.
Now to USB, it clearly shows in the DG HD8040 manual USB PORT FOR USB software upgrade AND reading files .
It even shows you a snap shot of screen viewing JPEG, BMP and MP3 files. so there is no confusion here just a monumental blunder from DGTEC for releasing the wrong upgrade or box or manual! , either way it amounts to false advertising at the least.
Got mine from Tandy and they didn't know about USB or hadn't had any calls about it I gather.

Tried all day yesterday and finally got through to DGTEC "Tecnician" today and first he tried to say it was only for upgrade so I directed him to manual and has promised to ring back with more info in 1/2 hour....mmmmm.
1 hour still waiting.
I will post outcome

Does anyone know how & what the "IP interactivity via LAN" feature means on the DGTEC DG-FV7200, I'm wondering if it will enable me to see other files on my network or another PVR ?

Thank you Simon the TECH!

I was going insane because the aspect ration button wasn't working! This has fixed the problem, and I'm happy to stick with this cheap STB until we get a digital tv.

A side note on the DG-HD8040, we are in Melbourne CBD and were having reception problems with an old STB plugged into our apartment's shared antenna. With the DG-HD8040 we are able to pick up all channels with a good signal.

Yes, Simon's suggestion worked for me. So I've decided to keep the unit. Thank you!

Having that, when I set it to 4:3 (and it now works) I found that it seemed a little blurry. Just not as crisp as 16:9 letterbox, and worse than I recall getting with the one I borrowed from my mate (which cost something like $50 or $60). I swapped over to his to confirm, and it was true, the 8040 in 4:3 is poorer than the crappy Hotchip one (although that did catch on fire when he first got it!). Anyway, I've decided I've had enough with the hassles. I'll watch in 16:9 letterbox with my TV set that way, I can live with it. At least 4:3 is there as a fallback if I need it. My partner dislikes letterbox but she doesn't watch much TV anyway. She'll just have to wait 5 or 6 years and we'll get a plasma.

As for USB, I checked again, and my 8040 definitely has no USB port on it. And the USB menu simply reports "USB function not supported". There is a HDMI slot, which some people might mistake for USB. If the manual mentions it then I agree it's a bit misleading.

I don't know what box you have but these pics are from the packaging of mine which is how it looks on the back panel. As I use it I'm finding the audio lag when changing channels annoying plus I've had to split the AV composite signals coming out to go into my TV and DVD recorder so the signal degrades which is annoying.

Pic1
Pic2

[img]http://files.me.com/randall.g/v39dhs[/img]
[img]http://files.me.com/randall.g/hmh5ju[/img]

Still no word from DGTEC,, surprise surprise, they are buggers to get hold of.
it seems there are different versions of the unit about, tru DSE specs do not list USB from what i can see.
I got mine from Tandy's.
I agree hd input can look similar but mine definately has one and I have plugged in a flash drive and external hdd, there is also a usb button on remote.

I bought a DGTEC HD-8040 STBs from Dick Smith -$99 (good price for HD with HDMI), and you are right; the USB port does not show up, as specified in the manual, and on the box. Dick Smith was helpless. They said call DGTEC (1800 189 941). I did, pressed 1, held for 5-6 "your call is important"s, and the Support person said "it is an identified problem. give me you e-mail address and we will send you updated software (firmware in my world) to correct the problem. How long will it take? I asked - reply - approx. 1 week, they are testing it now... Hopefully they will put it up on their website as well... Here's hoping it works. I will report when it does...

They don't even list the HD-8040 on their website....
So don't go holding your breath.

Andrew

Yes noticed that too, is a worry website not even up to date,reckon we might be going blue...

I got same reply that firmware update would be emailed, so lets hope they get enough complaints, it gets rolled out sooner than later.

See my experience elsewhere in this forum. The net result is: Software update received from DGTEC. USB now works from menu (very primitive), but the button on remote still doesn't.

I received a software upgrade and installation instructions by mail today from support at DGTEC (Steve Gonsalvez).

I have installed the update successfully and it now accesses the USB port from the menu. I have viewed JPGs and listened to MP3s (although only small ones – 8 and 9 MB files did not work(too big) - I suspect that under 4 MBs is the magic size.)

I note however that the remote's USB button still does not work. Instructions received are below - my comments in bold.

I suggested to DGTEC that they now place the software upgrade on their web support page.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
USB SOFTWARE UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS

A) EXTRACT FILE usb.upg (2.47MB) onto a USB stick. (You will need to have Winzip or WinRar to extract this file. Ensure USB stick does not have any other content on it)
B ) Unplug unit from mains power and insert the USB stick to the back of the Set Top Box. Make sure all connections are still maintained on the back of the unit.
C) Keep finger down on the down arrow channel key located on the front panel of the unit and plug unit back into mains power. (Please make sure that you don’t release the down arrow key until you see Software process page on screen.)
D) Once you see the Boot Loader V1.0 page on screen release pressure on the down
Arrow key and wait for software to load. Boot loader page will disappear, no image will be displayed for a few seconds, then the unit will regain sync. Remove USB stick.
E) It is suggested that you reset your unit. (It worked without the reset) Press the MENU button and scroll to
INSTALLATION. Press the OK button and scroll down to Factory Default. Follow prompts to reset unit. Unit will automatically scan all channels upon reset.
F) To access files on USB stick, insert USB stick, press the MENU button on the Remote control and scroll to USB. Press the OK button to enter USB function. Press the OK button again on /C. All files available for viewing will be listed. Scroll up and down and Press OK on file of your choice. When you have finished press exit.
PLEASE NOTE:- After viewing JPEG images or listening to MP3s please press the EXIT button on the Remote Control. Pressing any other button may cause unit to become unstable.

Link to software update file (until DGTEC uploads it) http://www.lunaticfringe7.com/#/hi-ho-down...page/4534943042

I'm keeping my unit - it is still a bargain.

Thanks for the info, got the email yesterday with firmware upgrade, I'll see how it goes havn't installed yet so Keeping mine as well.

Be aware of that last little bit... If anyone else updating..........

"PLEASE NOTE:- After viewing JPEG images or listening to MP3s please press the EXIT button
on the Remote COntrol. Pressing any other button may cause unit to become unstable. "

Thanks HIHO,

I actually think the unit works better now. Another thing is I sent an email to DGTEC about the USB port and received a email from Ronelle Fesolai @ DGTEC and they sent me this file (HD 8040 USB Software.dat) with no instructions.

I have just bought the HD8040 and am quite impressed with it. My main happiness is the fact that it maintains a stable ABC1/2/3 picture that my Windows Media Center couldn't (since reception for those stations is dodgy for a variety of reasons).

To be fair, there is the annoying 'Bad Signal' box displayed in the upper right (which is accurate - the signal is bad, but just good enough for a stable display).

I have contacted DGTECT and they have stated:

In regards to your issue, we are working on an upgrade for the HD8040 to have that message removed/optional but it is not completed as of yet.

I'm with you. I'm keeping mine.( DG-HD8040) Had it for 3 months. No problems. Occasionly weak signal, but connected a friend's Topfield @ 3 times the price and has the same problem. It's the old story. You get what you pay for. And the DGTEC is pretty good value at $89.00

Hi, I just bought the HD8040 STB. I've had the same problems with the USB. Will try the link posted previously. I also have the problem that I have distortion waves on every channel, which can be quite annoying if you concentrate on them, which you do after a while... Anyone have any suggestions or is it related to a bad quality TV?

Most importantly right now is a problem I'm having with the timer function. As I understand it, I should be able to record channels. I set it up yesterday to record a program at a specific time. This morning I had a prompt to watch it now or not. I pressed 'Yes' but decided to watch it later. I can not find a mention of watching recorded items in the manual. Where/how can i retrieve this movie/Check others I have set up on the timer function?

Help!

Instead of updating the firmware in this product, looks like dgtec will release another, reskinned model with the updated firmware called the HD5370.
USB port placement interestingly on the front.

The DGTEC DG-HD8040 is not a Freeview unit.

Freeview is not handy in a few years when the digital spectrum is full and broadcasters start broadcasting in MPEG4. Nevethess, all digital boxes will still be able to pick-up all existing channels but not any new channels broadcasting on MPEG4.

This is not expected to happen for another 4-5 years. By that time its time for a new tv or digital box.

I actually bought the box today. Will set it up and let you know of the performance shortly.

Very good price for $99 from DSE

The DG-FV7200 runs linux .... uClibc embedded Linux system. It has an ARM based System on Chip cpu.

Bought a HD8040 from Tandy couple of months ago for relatives. Kept asking them for the first fourteen days "Is it working OK?" They replied "its fine. A few funny little things but we are really happy with it."
Get to a month and they start complaining about bad reception and the sound lagging when switching channels. I asked "when did this start?" they answered "well it has always been like this." (grrrrr!!). I checked it out and found that sometimes the sound from the previously selected channel could continue for a good 5-10 seconds. Also the HD 8040 replaced an old SD stb that died after 4 yrs steady duty so I was surprised that suddenly all of the channels showed poor signal strength. I swapped it with an old DGTEC SD stb which worked fine. So I set it up at my place and got the same problems. Took it back to Tandy they sent it off to the Service department who wrote it off and I was given a replacement HD8040. Took it home and found exactly the same problems. So basically it is a dud design or a poor production batch with a very weak tuner. Fortunately the staff at the local Tandy were very understanding and offered to replace the HD8040 with a DGTEC hd5730 which they had just got in. Took it home and set it up, what a difference! Works perfectly. The 5730 appears to be a totally different hardware design and the user interface is very different. Channel change is fine and the remote responds better than the hd8040. The reception seems great on all channels. I would steer clear of the hd8040 (DSE had the HD5730 @ $99).

Thanks a lot, mate!
Following your advice (I had the same problems) today I returned my 1 month old HD8040 to DSE Parramatta and got HD5370 (yes, it's 5370 and not 5730) for $97 (so I gor $2 back), quoting you about the problems I had and - it's BRILLIANT now!
Strangely enough, the HD8040 (that piece of rubbish) was $120 today ???
Thanks again.
BTW the sound of HD channells (HD5370) is stronger (and better) than the relevant SD ones unlike the HD8040's

I'm afraid you have false expectations about this model. There is no hard drive on which to record anything. You are looking at a cheap model with no features really. The timer mode will only change channel or turn power off at specified time, not record channel. Sorry. I was told that we could play movies via the usb port, so we were hopeful to play movies from our computer on the tv. But alas, after setting usb up, we realised that it will only play jpeg and mp3 files. We don't need our set top box to play music as with all the better avenues to do so, why would we choose the stb for that? And I can't see a reason why we would want to see any jpeg files either on our tv. So that feature for us is a waste of space also. Misleading for sure.

Does anyone know the default password for this model?

I bought it about 6 months back, and just moved house so the manual has disappeared. I don't remember setting or having to enter a password previously when I set up channels, but now I can't do a thing in the menu without being prompted for a four digit password.

FWIW I've also had similar problems to those stated here - channel buttons slow to respond and you need to 'aim straight', bad signal message is common, channel can automatically change some seconds after toggling through, etc

TIA

The default password is 000000, guess these are noughts as opposed to oh's

Not sure if people that were on this thread are still around, but I'll try....

I learnt to live with the occasional audio problem on the 8040 when changing channels (previous channel audio continuing on until I re-select the channel).

And also learnt to live with an SNR for SBS of about 53 and the others at 70, even though I should have pretty good reception in Vale Park, SA (antenna in roof, straight line to Mt Lofty, although a double story house about 25 metres away does block the direct view). Occasionally there is an audio glitch where it locks up for a few seconds.

But now I'm getting quite frustrated. Watching a lot of cricket on Channel 9, and every few hours the audio goes back about 5 seconds and repeats, so I'm hearing those 5 secs repeated, and then the audio is about 5 secs behind the video. It stays that way until I re-select the channel. Has been happening for a couple of months now, maybe just Channel 9, not completely sure (mostly been watching the cricket, I get my news online, watched a bit of other channels, can't recall it happening).

I had been thinking of getting Mr Antenna in to check the antenna and coax with a view to fixing up the SNR, but now there's this audio repeat issue. Any advice on how to fix it, or should I just cut my losses and go for the HD5370? Sounds like for $90 I can get the same as what I've got, except it will actually work better.

BTW, does the HD5370 have a channel display on the front, or does it only show the time?

Bump?

Just in case you haven't found out yet, I'm staring at my DG-HD5370 and I can see the channel display but no time on the unit. Time is displayed on the screen when it comes up with channel info.

Wow all the info I'm after and in the one post, cheers to all contributors!

My parents-in-law bought one for their new place near Queenscliff after I tested mine on their new aerial installation (which has a four way splitter). It works perfectly. Mine, not so good. Anyway, I climbed up in the roofspace after checking the aerial elements and used the intercom to have on of the kids check the signal for ABC1 on the STB. By twisting the aerial pole until the ABC signal reached 40 and had a clear picture & sound from a starting of bad signal at 34, I had 7 go down from around 42 to a signal of 34 and drop out. So, I twisted the pole back until 7 was in mid 40s and 2 was in mid 30s and it all seems to work fine. The ABC takes a few seconds to come up with the audio from 7 and the bad signal alert, but it is watchable now. I also have a four way splitter.

So, I checked the aerial alignment from the others in the area and it is probably 15 degrees off to the south away from the roof slant. SBS was a signal of 59 before fiddling, but it is still 59 after and by far the best of all stations with a clear picture and crisp sound. I still don't have Channel 31 though. Anyway, for an old aerial on a really high mast, this isn't a bad effort, except that by the time the TV gets a signal from the aerial on its own it has gone through the 4 way splitter, stb, video and then the TV and is virtully all snow (...OK for the winter olympics, but not for watching the news on ABC!)

Anyway, I'm in Deer Park and have a clear line of sight to the city and a 2.5 metre mast so the aerial is nearly 6 metres up, but with a 32 degree pitch colourbond roof, I'm wondering whether that might be impacting on my reception?

The USB works, but it wouldn't play any avi files.