Is this Freeview|HD STB legit?

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#125259 21-Apr-2008 12:07

I heard Zinwell DVB-S boxes had quite a few issues, Are the DVB-T boxes just as crusty? Are the boxes actually made by Zinwell or are they a re-badged product?

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lchiu7

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#125274 21-Apr-2008 12:41

PromNZ: The Freeview terrestrial signal is apparently Plan A for NZ viewers, with DVB-S as plan B for those who receive a poor uhf signal. That way, NZ's get pretty much 100% tv coverage, unlike at the moment (Sky digital pay service excluded of course).

It's an inferior plan B since that would be SD, not HD. But then I guess many folks won't care?

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PromNZ

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#125277 21-Apr-2008 12:51

lchiu7:
PromNZ: The Freeview terrestrial signal is apparently Plan A for NZ viewers, with DVB-S as plan B for those who receive a poor uhf signal. That way, NZ's get pretty much 100% tv coverage, unlike at the moment (Sky digital pay service excluded of course).

It's an inferior plan B since that would be SD, not HD. But then I guess many folks won't care?

Correct. From a nationwide broadcasting system replacing analogue, coverage 1st, quality 2nd.

scottjpalmer

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#125278 21-Apr-2008 12:53

lurch: The only downside for me is having to use a aerial on the roof for HD when I have far better reception through a dish :) Seems a step back to me.

I assume you are comparing standard analog TV reception to satellite TV? Provided your aerial is OK the picture quality from the terrestrial service is far far better than satellite and standard analog TV. I have used amplified rabbit ears and had a very very poor analog signal and yet perfect Terrestrial reception.

Lurch

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#125469 22-Apr-2008 06:13

scottjpalmer: I assume you are comparing standard analog TV reception to satellite TV? Provided your aerial is OK the picture quality from the terrestrial service is far far better than satellite and standard analog TV. I have used amplified rabbit ears and had a very very poor analog signal and yet perfect Terrestrial reception.

Will have to try it I guess, where we are located TV signal isnt that great and almost unwatchable. The only way to workout if it's going to be ok is to try it. :(

I have visions of me going on the roof and moving the aerial around... woah 80's/90's flashback :)

PromNZ

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Master Geek

#125498 22-Apr-2008 10:04

If you are going to just try it, get a box from Dick Smith which give you a 7 day return option (receipt, box, etc). At least that way if it doesn't work you don't have nice new paper weight sitting there.

CYaBro

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#125578 22-Apr-2008 15:18

Satch:
CYaBro: Never mind just read the questions at the bottom

What?

Ah yea sorry about that

Thought I left my original question there but must have deleted it.
I did originaly ask if it had HDMI output but then saw the questions at the bottom of the auction page.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

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mcraenz

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#125717 22-Apr-2008 22:30

Does this box implement HDCP?

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wiredr

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#126409 26-Apr-2008 06:40

Satch: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/TVs/Other/auction-151122776.htm?p=1

Can anyone comment?

i have an email from the supplier of these units and yes they are legit. they are a coship unit . the one for sale on trademe is the same $ 275 advertised on the www.satlinknz web site

wiredr

203 posts

Master Geek

#126412 26-Apr-2008 06:56

further to my previouse post it would appear after some diging that the dtt's for sale on trademe are the two units used for development and testing, now that the software has been sorted cordlessman will will be supplying in bulk , but expect a delay in supply.
also the only reason some set top boxes are not freeview approved is that freeview have insisted that they cripple the component output to sd only same as sky will be doing , every thing else is the same.

sbiddle

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#126421 26-Apr-2008 09:18

wiredr: further to my previouse post it would appear after some diging that the dtt's for sale on trademe are the two units used for development and testing, now that the software has been sorted cordlessman will will be supplying in bulk , but expect a delay in supply.
also the only reason some set top boxes are not freeview approved is that freeview have insisted that they cripple the component output to sd only same as sky will be doing , every thing else is the same.

It is not so much a case of "Freeview insisting" that component be limited to HD, our new copyright laws force anybody commercially selling a STB to do this. Broadcasters are being forced to impliment the ICT flag and as a result of the new copyright laws in New Zealand enforcing large penalties on anything that can bypass copy protection mechanisims STB resellers cannot really afford to sell boxes that don't enforce the ICT flag as they will be breaking the law selling a box for commercial gain that ignores the ICT flag.

openmedia

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#126426 26-Apr-2008 09:26

sbiddle:
wiredr: further to my previouse post it would appear after some diging that the dtt's for sale on trademe are the two units used for development and testing, now that the software has been sorted cordlessman will will be supplying in bulk , but expect a delay in supply.
also the only reason some set top boxes are not freeview approved is that freeview have insisted that they cripple the component output to sd only same as sky will be doing , every thing else is the same.

It is not so much a case of "Freeview insisting" that component be limited to HD, our new copyright laws force anybody commercially selling a STB to do this. Broadcasters are being forced to impliment the ICT flag and as a result of the new copyright laws in New Zealand enforcing large penalties on anything that can bypass copy protection mechanisims STB resellers cannot really afford to sell boxes that don't enforce the ICT flag as they will be breaking the law selling a box for commercial gain that ignores the ICT flag.

The "Copyright Ammendment Bill" makes no specific statements about ICT and Component out. The requirement in this area is being driven by the major US content providers. Whilst in the UK the initial Sky HD boxes did support Component they are also switching to HDMI only for HD output. I'm sure devices like the Hauppage HD PVR device that can capture Component to HD have caused the content providers to increase their pressure.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

sbiddle

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#126430 26-Apr-2008 09:38

openmedia:
The "Copyright Ammendment Bill" makes no specific statements about ICT and Component out. The requirement in this area is being driven by the major US content providers. Whilst in the UK the initial Sky HD boxes did support Component they are also switching to HDMI only for HD output. I'm sure devices like the Hauppage HD PVR device that can capture Component to HD have caused the content providers to increase their pressure.

What I was trying to get across was that because ICT has been implimented by the content provider it means that selling a box that ignores the ICT flag would in effect be breaking the law as it's bypassing a copy protection mechanism.

It's certainly a grey area and proves how dumb our new laws are. The whole bill is a sham and proof of what happens when a government lets lobbyists write their own laws..

mcraenz

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#126436 26-Apr-2008 09:55

As I mentioned out in another thread; not implementing certain "features" is not the same as circumventing a system. For example a PC based PVR, myPVR for example! This law can't force Openmedia to implement HDCP can it?

Just to keep a little on topic: I presume this Coship box doesn't downscale for component then?

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wiredr

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Master Geek

#126437 26-Apr-2008 10:01

the point about limiting component quality to sd is that the content providers dont have an effective means of controlling copyright with analogue signals but with hdcp they do , but only on hdmi . stb's with full resolution component output are not breaking the law if the content is recorded for your own use, what they are afraid of is the hd content being converted to divx and pirated on the internet. the component output of the coship and the soon to be released toppy are full output component.

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