New Freeview HD hardware: eXtra Terrestrial Freeview HD tuner

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39 posts

Geek

#165423 18-Sep-2008 17:02

graemeh:
Hinko: Regarding audio I noted distorted sound on the lower composite Red/White while the top pair were less distorted, running at full volume on the unit. Same in 1.03, 1.04 beta and 1.04 final. I first thought it was a cable problem, however swapping cables and sockets it bcame clear it was the lower socket pair that was the problem.
I was advised by the supplier that only 1 in ten units had good audio output on both pairs.

I think I have the same problem, I'm using 1.04 final and using the bottom pair I get low sound volumes and when I turn up the volume on the TV it sounds like the TV is in a tunnel or something.

I will try the upper pair tonight. I did notice during an earlier test that the problem seemed to have gone away as I was using different cables but it is likely I was using the top connectors.

The optical output seems to be working OK for me but I can't be sure as I have an aerial problem at that location.

Perhaps they should have stuck with just one pair of audio outputs like the vantage. one less issue.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#165429 18-Sep-2008 17:33

coolvibe: Perhaps they should have stuck with just one pair of audio outputs like the vantage. one less issue.

If it makes one feel better, one can pretend the bottom outputs arent there.

pete9321

105 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#165431 18-Sep-2008 17:41

uploading software....ET boxes
REMEMBER...

word menu on front screen must change to USB...then unit starts counting nos..
if unit does not do this...software is not loaded right....

BazNZ

258 posts

Ultimate Geek

#165445 18-Sep-2008 18:41

BadMac: I have sent this to Peter but felt it useful to also post here.

Missing tvCentral (Maybe only Hamilton/Waikato related).

I downgraded a unit to V1.3 Firmware (300708). Did system reset, reloaded the channels using the automatic feature.
Checked the list.

TV Central is there and I can watch it (was showing a farming program), its in EPG with now/new etc.
I also note I have the following channels also listed.
030 tvCentral
242 Reserved 4KSD
243 Reserved 5KSD
244 Reserved 6KSD
700 Zinwell SSU

Now upgrade to V1.4 (120908)
Use Auto channel setup
All above channels have gone from the list (press list button on remote and in EPG).

Second experiment Sound drop outs. Conclusive (to me anyway).

ET Box with Coax output connected to one amp. HDMI Output connected to second amp. (in Parallel). ie SIMALTANOUSLY.
Channel set to C4 (left on same channel throughout, so no MUX issues!).
S=100%Coax supplied amp drops out (sometimes for a few seconds!), HDMI supplied AMP has solid sound.
There is no pixilation.
IT IS NOT RECEPTION RELATED.

Downgraded unit to V1.3 (300708)
Same config as above. Dropouts much more frequent and some really long (5+ seconds). Still only drops out on Coax NOT on HDMI.

Its improved in V1.4 (120908) but not fixed.

General Note
For anybody reading this thinking of buying an ET don't be put off. These are very minor issues and Peter will no doubt already be working on a new firmware to fix them. Most people would not even see them as you would normally plug the box directly into a LCD/Plasma with HDMI or Component+LR and both these modes work fine. They should not stop you buying this box, and as you can see the after sales support is pretty good.

BadMac My ET firmware has exactly all the same symptoms you describe. Thank you for backing up my claims and proving my suspicions. Nothing worse than denial when you are sure something is not quite right. That's what ISP call centre's do when you get slow broadband.

Anyway this is good progess for another firmware fix I hope. Hopefully Peter from Sat Link reports this back to China for a solution.
1. Audio Dropout Fix
2. TV Central and other channels lost wtih the latest firmware.

I also agree with you BadMac apart from a few minor issues this ET box gives great HD and SD picture quality. So don't be put off people from purchasing this STB for Freeview HD veiwing. As you can see there is very good customer support through it's regular Firmware updates. However the Vantage looks very interesting with all its feature but at a price. Thanks again BadMac

Cheers
BazNZ

BadMac

69 posts

Master Geek

#165447 18-Sep-2008 18:52

bazzer:
coolvibe: Perhaps they should have stuck with just one pair of audio outputs like the vantage. one less issue.

If it makes one feel better, one can pretend the bottom outputs arent there.

Then how would you get sound out for a second AV device????

I mean to say, HDMI, Component, AV1, AV2, SVideo, Coax, Optical, USB, how many outputs does one really need?

coolvibe

39 posts

Geek

#165485 18-Sep-2008 21:57

BadMac:
bazzer:
coolvibe: Perhaps they should have stuck with just one pair of audio outputs like the vantage. one less issue.

If it makes one feel better, one can pretend the bottom outputs arent there.

Then how would you get sound out for a second AV device????

I mean to say, HDMI, Component, AV1, AV2, SVideo, Coax, Optical, USB, how many outputs does one really need?

use a couple of rca y splitters search for them. the impedance of the audio cable will change but most equiptment wil not care.

pete9321

105 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#165701 19-Sep-2008 19:10

E.T is working as it should...No TV Central in auckland...only Waikato

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

Buster

297 posts

Ultimate Geek

#165727 19-Sep-2008 21:56

Buster:
BadMac:
I'm also in Hamilton and can't get TV central, I have reset and reloaded firmware many times (see my detailed post). I can confirm V1.4 Public does not show tvCentral, in fact it doesn't detect the channel at all (wrong frequency as stated).

I have a single UHF outside aerial to a splitter. HVR-2200 gets tvCentral fine. eXtra Terrestrial STB doesn't.

I'm in the Waikato. Hamilton to be exact. I should be getting tvCentral on the eXtra Terrestrial like I do on the HVR-2200 in my HTPC. Both are hooked up to the same rooftop UHF aerial.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#165737 19-Sep-2008 23:11

Ive also noticed that the clock seems to run fast when the unit is in standby. Didn't notice this before. Anyone else? Doesn't seem to affect anything though and it comes right once you switch it on.

BazNZ

258 posts

Ultimate Geek

#165809 20-Sep-2008 12:36

pete9321: E.T is working as it should...No TV Central in auckland...only Waikato

I am in the Waikato...Hamilton. I had TV Central and the other channels mentioned before this latest Firmware update. They have now gone? As Bazzer mentioned also, the clock seems to speed up which now shows the incorrect time on my box also. Obviously we need another Firmware update to fix these two issues and the Optical/Coax Audio dropout problem that persists still. Thanks.

Regards
BazNZ

ArchPrime

30 posts

Geek

#165812 20-Sep-2008 12:48

Perhaps firmware upgrade could also add a debug mode where ongoing reception / signal quality is displayed as an overlay while you are watching - that way any intermittant pixelation or audio issues can be correctly attributed

pete9321

105 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#165814 20-Sep-2008 13:00

New software forn Et workinmg totally correct for auckland..i.e. no Tv central/////earlier software works for Tv central in Hamilton.
We have new software coming soon for both....

BazNZ

258 posts

Ultimate Geek

#165868 20-Sep-2008 20:50

Sounds Great. Thanks Pete.

coolvibe

39 posts

Geek

#165874 20-Sep-2008 21:32

bazzer: Ive also noticed that the clock seems to run fast when the unit is in standby. Didn't notice this before. Anyone else? Doesn't seem to affect anything though and it comes right once you switch it on.

I noticed this before on v1.03 the closk when in standy can also stop. when you turn on the system the clock becomes correct but you can't change channels easily, I found a complete power cycle fixes the issue until the next time do not place the unit in standby is the best advice for now.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#165918 21-Sep-2008 08:55

coolvibe:
bazzer: Ive also noticed that the clock seems to run fast when the unit is in standby. Didn't notice this before. Anyone else? Doesn't seem to affect anything though and it comes right once you switch it on.

I noticed this before on v1.03 the closk when in standy can also stop. when you turn on the system the clock becomes correct but you can't change channels easily, I found a complete power cycle fixes the issue until the next time do not place the unit in standby is the best advice for now.

I don't have the other issue anymore (i.e. channel change problems etc), just the clock. I dont use the clock anyway.

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