Can Australian STB's work in NZ

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pjknz

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#82332 27-Apr-2011 11:33

Having looked at the price of DVB-T units here ($199) each and having 3 TV's to upgrade, I looked at some of the prices on DVB-T units being sold in Aust while over there last year - some for as low as $50.

My question is has anyone tried using an Aussie MPEG4 / H .246 capable tuner in New Zealand. My wife is off to Oz for two weeks and I thought I get her to pick a few up if they are capable of receiving HD content in NZ.

All responses before end of April appreciated....

Some of the units which seem to be compatible are

Highlander: DH2816 HD Set Top Box
Kogan HD Set Top Box
Teac HD STB

SCUBADOO

192 posts

Master Geek

#462969 27-Apr-2011 12:09

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=67095

FWIW

I have AU$49 kogan KGNFSTBVAA & AU$19 aldi special DVB-T boxes here. Purchased and used in Australia in our motorhome. Both have only "Australia" in their menu setup option and do NOT work here in NZ.

Be wery wery careful!

hdinsider

552 posts

Ultimate Geek

#462978 27-Apr-2011 12:22

Looking at the specs of the first one, I can't see why it wouldn't work here. It won't have MHEG EPG so you'll be stuck with now and next epg only. At that price, might be worth a gamble.

don't mess with me.... i'm the hd insider....

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#462990 27-Apr-2011 12:57

Most STB's don't allow channel stepping changes (7MHz vs 8MHz) and there is no requirement for 1st generation Freeview STB's in AUstralia to support MHEG5 so the vast majority don't.

Buying a NZ certified device will be a lot less hassle.

Mech

11 posts

Geek

#463039 27-Apr-2011 15:07

Why buy from Australia? Having just been there, I can assure you that with the crappy exchange rate, nothing is cheap enough to be worth having a crippled box, plus you'll be stuck with sending it back to Australia if you need to get it serviced.

This is a no-brainer as far as i'm concerned.

bfginger

1268 posts

Uber Geek

#463072 27-Apr-2011 16:56

DSE is selling Freeview|HD receivers for under $150 now. You can get cheaper second hand ones from Trademe but make sure they're real Freeview|HD receivers as most "Freeview" receivers on Trademe are anything but.