Upgrade Sky decoder DTH-310

Forums › Sky, Neon, Lightbox › Upgrade Sky decoder DTH-310

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#57066 2-Feb-2010 11:55

My parents have this ancient sky decoder , Zenith DTH-310 . It is horrible, slow interface, and only outputs composite video.

I was thinking they should upgrade the sky decoder. I think the latest sky decoder is the pace ds-230, but hard to tell as most geekzone references to this model are quite old.

So, what is the best sky decoder to get these days (excluding mysky) ? Or, is there a new one coming out soon with hdmi (my ideal scenario).

allstarnz

1715 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#295363 2-Feb-2010 12:42

the silver ones are the best of the non-HD ones, the worst answer you'll get is no if you ask. Maybe try and make up a genuine reason why you need it updated, then you could get it done for free.

Mighty Ape

Shop Mighty Ape for electronics, games, computers books and more (affiliate link).

l43a2

1746 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#295365 2-Feb-2010 13:02

you could somehow make the box fail so its replaced ;)

ald

172 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

SimWorks

#295393 2-Feb-2010 14:25

My folks have an ancient UHF sky box, 9 channels only etc. They got a letter saying that the UHF network will be closing down and suggesting they upgrade to digital. They asked me what I thought which was "No idea!". Their present setup uses AV cables from the box to their tv. If they did upgrade is there a particular type of digital box (non-mysky) that they should ask for? They have a TV with HDMI inputs so that would be useful!

Best regards,
Aaron Davidson.

SimWorks International Limited

www.simworks.com - New Zealands leading developer of mobile applications

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#295413 2-Feb-2010 15:23

The silver box is the only one with component video. When I got Sky installed I said I'm about to get a large LCD and need component video so asked if they can supply a silver Pace box. The standard reply is "if the installer happens to have one in his van". If you don't get it, then there is a small "upgrade" fee.

The menus of the silver box is also slow, but faster than the other non-HD boxes.

You can never have enough Volvos!

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#295430 2-Feb-2010 16:04

he he, yes, maybe the box will 'overheat' :)

but, there is a good reason, they upgraded to a new lcd tv, and the composite signal looks like rubbish.

Component or HDMI is far better. I find it strange that Sky do not offer boxes without HDMI - that is the norm these days.

Spyware

3261 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#295445 2-Feb-2010 16:20

wreck90: he he, yes, maybe the box will 'overheat' :)

but, there is a good reason, they upgraded to a new lcd tv, and the composite signal looks like rubbish.

Component or HDMI is far better. I find it strange that Sky do not offer boxes without HDMI - that is the norm these days.

Sky are using 1998 technology and are unlikely to change to modern technology anytime soon. Low bitrate 544x576i (WTV offering are all 352x576i) channels are still going to look poor via HDMI and Sky know this.

Since firmware upgrades in Nov 2006? a few of the Sky boxes will do component (certainly more than just the little silver Pace), you obviously need scart to component cable and change setting in Advanced Settings.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#295521 2-Feb-2010 20:03

There is a specific combination of outputs you can do with only the silver Pace boxes. Can't remember what, perhaps someone will. It could be component and s-video at the same time? If so, then say you need component for the TV and s-video for a DVD recorder. Tell them they surely can not expect you to record the "crystal clear" Sky picture using a composite signal.

At work we design a number of agricultural products including electric fence energisers. Don't have to try and get the box to "overheat", just get it struck by "lightning". (Oh, I should not say that.)

You can never have enough Volvos!

cyril7

8950 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#296703 7-Feb-2010 08:48

Ahhhh, all boxs except the original Zenith and Pace models support Component out on the TV SCART in addition to composite, S-video and RGB. The very early Zeniths and Paces only support composite, S-Video and RGB. Depending on the model determines if you can get S-Video on the VCR SCART in addition to Component or RGB on the TV SCART, otherwise the VCR SCART only supports composite if a Component/RGB ouptut is selected on the TV SCART.

The reason for this post is that over the past few months some folk have repeatedly posted the incorrect information, stating that only the DS-230 (small silver box) supports component out (excepting the PVR variants which also do), this is clearly wrong.

Cyril

richms

26402 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#296818 7-Feb-2010 17:00

Just say its crashing all the time and if they cant sort it you will get rid of sky since you are sick of having to unplug and replug it.

Richard rich.ms

JimmyH

2820 posts

Uber Geek

#297160 8-Feb-2010 19:00

When I upgraded from UHF to digital two(ish) years ago, I called Sky to discuss decoder models. I got a helpful chap on the other end of the phone, who talked through all the options and recommended the Pace 230 as the only box that did component really well. I was told I could specify the box as part of the upgrade which I did. The installer came in with a Zenith box (presumably refurbished). When I pointed out I had specified the Pace box he looked at the order docket, confirmed that it was in fact listed, and went out to the van and swapped it. He was a bit surprised, and asked why as he was having "quite a few" customers specify the box and didn't know why. (He thought I just wanted a silver colour instead of black!). I'm sure if you tell them it is either "swap the box or I'll cancel" as the previous poster suggested, they will come to the party.