New Freeview HD hardware: eXtra Terrestrial Freeview HD tuner

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › New Freeview HD hardware: eXtra Terrestrial Freeview HD tuner

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457 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 53

#188296 8-Jan-2009 21:52

Hey Broozm
Nice spreadsheet, It must have taken a while!!
Just a couple of things about the Draco HDTV5500. It does have a display, it shows time in standby and channel when on.
Also DBNZ sell it even though it's not on their website. I paid $299 + gst for it. It worked out at $350 delivered to Chch.

rizzo

18 posts

Geek

#188380 9-Jan-2009 12:24

I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I am still running the original issue software, I tried the upgrades and couldn't get them to work...and as the green flashes I'd been experiencing at the time had ceased, I decided not to bother.

I get some pixellation on channel 3, and if I change channels, the image on the new channel may be frozen for a moment, but that is all.Other than that it works fine.

Reading the submissions to this site it appears as a possibility that a lot of the problems may have come from the upgrades, so is it worth re-setting the box to the original setup (if possible) and see-ing how it performs?
I am very reluctant to try any up-grades as (touch wood) mine is working fine.
I do switch the whole lot off at the wall every night when finished, so of course it reboots every day...may that has a bearing?

aw

296 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 30

#188435 9-Jan-2009 18:37

Likewise, I'm not experiencing any issues with the original shipped formware, and likewise, my unit is powered off at the wall (well, really, at the USB swittched plug pack

) when not in use.

I'm receiving off Waiatarua, Auckland.

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1427

Subscriber

#188442 9-Jan-2009 19:03

rizzo: I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I am still running the original issue software, I tried the upgrades and couldn't get them to work...and as the green flashes I'd been experiencing at the time had ceased, I decided not to bother.

I get some pixellation on channel 3, and if I change channels, the image on the new channel may be frozen for a moment, but that is all.Other than that it works fine.

Reading the submissions to this site it appears as a possibility that a lot of the problems may have come from the upgrades, so is it worth re-setting the box to the original setup (if possible) and see-ing how it performs?
I am very reluctant to try any up-grades as (touch wood) mine is working fine.
I do switch the whole lot off at the wall every night when finished, so of course it reboots every day...may that has a bearing?

Well I think the issue is that firstly, you cant get the 'original' version of the firmware (well not from anywhere that I know), and secondly, I understand that the upgrade process isnt keen on you going 'backwards' anyway - though I havent tried reverting myself - so I could be wrong).

I would love to try the 'original' version - I have only got versions from the 12 September onwards saved on my PC.

What version are you actually running?

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

rizzo

18 posts

Geek

#188448 9-Jan-2009 19:31

Hi,
I can't check which version at present, as the family is watching a video. But I was trying to upgrade the firmware around 17th Nov...(refer to this forum of around that time for info)

...the firmware was supposed to get rid of the green flashes people were experiencing on TV3, but round about the same time the flashes ceased. I think they were generated at the transmitting end of things.

I bought my ET about a week before this, so I presume I would have had the pre Nov. firmware. I will check later, if I can work outhow to check it!!

cheers

rizzo

18 posts

Geek

#188450 9-Jan-2009 19:43

I have just checked, and it is version V1.05 Sept 05.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

dodgemnz

51 posts

Master Geek

#188479 9-Jan-2009 22:51

Mine had firmware of jul 08 and it pixilated from the moment i turned it on and has done so for the other two upgrades, it now has 21 nov with no changes. I dont think the firmware has had any bearing on pixilation issues from what i did over a week.
I have new cable to install now (RG6 digital / satellite) and i had the new F conectors crimped on the end by a professional so will get this put in over the weekend.

Hinko

282 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#188545 10-Jan-2009 12:10

Re "we have sold around 1600 units, and only have 12 faulty units ...beet that!!"

Congratulations on selling so many units with purportedly so few faulty.

I note you have not advised how many returns there were. I would wager it is many more than 12.

Does that "beet that"? I expect so.

I expect many are waiting for the promised PVR functionality.

I speculate that if the PVR functionality does not prove reliable that there will be many more returns....

I also note

Page 46 Reply # 187085 posted on 2-JAN-2009 21:20

PVR will be 15th january....

ET website now says:

Current issues being addressed / investigated
Clock inconsistancies when receiver is on standby - Fixed 21
Clock inconsistancies when receiver is on standby - Fixed 21 Nov 08 update Distortion on bottom audio red & white output. Top ones are OK. Update to provide PVR function off USB for Ext HDD recording - should have been December but hopeful by Feb09. The engineers have to have holidays too!

I think the NZ user contract is not with the engineers, is it not limited to the retailer and importer?

I note pete9321 = dave foster, at least according to the geekzone registrations.

Finally I note

Reply 7 Jan 2009 0800 Page 50
E.T remains the best priced, and most relaiable unit on market...FACT...

To me the only facts here are that this is Dave Foster's opinion and that his spelling is questionable.

As to what the "most relaiable unit on market" is, many may well wonder...

InspectorGadget

208 posts

Master Geek

#188568 10-Jan-2009 14:15

"Update to provide PVR function off USB for Ext HDD recording - should
have been December but hopeful by Feb09. The engineers have to have
holidays too!"

Well we've seen bugger all work out of them in 3 months!

You didn't even have the guts to come on this board and tell us that there had been a further delay!

You have been selling these boxes on TradeMe since the middle of November promising the PVR upgrade and have missed EVERY deadline you have stated thus far.

Mid December - Nope
By Christmas - Nope
End of December - Nope
Mid Jan - Nope
FEB 09 -

As Hinko has correctly pointed out, as you are the importer and seller of these boxes, our line of support under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 is with you. Not with your engineers in China. It is your problem to fix. Blaming a slow response from the Chinese Engineers does not give any leverage under the CGA.

At this point in time, I believe that you are actually in breech of the CGA by not supplying goods which comply with with the act in three respects.

1) The goods which you have been supplying are not the same as the descriptions which youhave been giving to the consumer. ie - Your website clearly states that the box is free from Lockups, which is not the case. Just look through this forum at the experiences of the forum members.

2) The goods are not free of defects.
- Pixellation
- Lockups
- Bottom RCA audio distortion
- Wandering clock.
- Audio dropouts on some channels.

3) Repeated requests from customers that you remedy these software faults have not been actioned within a reasonable time.
- Ie the 21st November update which was supposed to fix AT LEAST the wandering clock as not done so. Now you are telling us that you are still uncertain when the next firmware update will be to remedy even some of these issues. You are suggesting that it MAY be in Feb, after repeatedly missing other dates you have previously stated.

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 you now have three choices, as an importer, to rectify the problem brought to your attention by your customers.
1) Replace (with another unit which will also be faulty because the software/design faults are the problem)
2) Repair (by supplying working firmware whcih rectifies the faults in a reasonable period of time. 3 Months to repair is not reasonable so this no longer becomes an option unless you can come up with something exteremly quickly)
3) Refund.

Thus any member of this forum who has bought an ET unit from you from your website at www.satlinknz.co.nz or through Trademe should expect no less than an immediate refund from you should they choose this remedy.

Purchasers who bought their units through Trademe can also request a refund as you imported these units into the country with the intent to resell. You are the importer, and the buck stops with you.

Additionally, as the importer of a consumer item, you are liable for all support and repair costs for these units for a reasonable period of time from purchase. In simple, you must be able to offer support and maintainence these units for 5-6 years. I hope that you have taken this into account.

If any member of this forum would like to point out any flaws in my arguements, please feel free to do so.

INSGDT

wiredr

203 posts

Master Geek

#188585 10-Jan-2009 15:28

# 181461 posted on 30-NOV-2008 22:13

satlink is importer, Peter, as you well know..!!

satlink is not afiliated to peter escher in any way (satlinknz) and (sat-link nz ltd) are thogh. interestingly peter set up a paper company on 31 oct 2007 called ( bali holdings ltd ).
i think you guys will find that peter is in fact a reseller and as such is untouchable under the cga.

on another note.
the ET does lock up , frequenlty reboots , and freezes requireing hard reset.
if the inside box temperature gets too high. ie stacked ontop of other multimedia equip in an entertainment cabinet, then all of the above will occur. leaving the box on its own with planty of clear space almost completley removes the listed faults, except pixelising .

broozm

48 posts

Geek

ID Verified

#188682 10-Jan-2009 23:15

Just a positive note after the first night of using the ET... Worked great no hitches. (see below)
I am on an old UHF antenna in Hastings (and could previously get Prime reasonably) if that helps indicate the signal quality and strength? Also still using an old Philips 21" CRT!!!
Watched a great subtitled movie on Maori TV (which I would have missed were it not for the EPG :) Monsieur Batignole

Was wondering if anyone else saw the wierd 1 second of "rewind" immediatly before some of the ad bvreaks? - And if this happened on standard analog broadcast as well? Pretty sure they were what was broadcast - not something happening in the stb!?

I am on Hardware V4.1031 and Software V1.05 (Nov 21 2008)
Apparently form one of the "good" second batch of boxes :) Lucky me - so far.

Now I just have to waaait for the PVR firmware like everyone else, but more so, as I had to retire the VCR as I can't plug that many devices into the tv at once...

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

dodgemnz

51 posts

Master Geek

#188688 10-Jan-2009 23:49

Today in installed the new RG6 cable and it has resulted in a much better signal on prime and moari tv with what i would call near perfect picture quality using my tv in normal tuner mode.
As for the ET box the signal strength improvment on the display is possibly 2-3% higher (48-52% max) but but not much improvement.
As for the Pixilation its still there on Channels 1,2,3 very noticeable as it shows up in various intensities at aprox every 40-50 seconds but is far better than it was before. TV 3 is still unacceptable and apears still to be the worst. TV6, 7 are acceptable with minimal pixilation most of the time.

Q1: I now have a brand new aerial new RG6 Satellite/sky cable crimped F connectors and the signal has barely increased in strength on the display but perhaps the quality is now 110%. I dont see how this box cant be getting a strong signal and since prime is possibly 20% better with new cable and aerial to what it was previously, why has the ET basically had minimal improvement in its pixilation and picture stability??

Considering the fact i was told my previous Gizmo aerial and the replacement hills 23 element aerial should be more than sufficient to get good freeview tv which so far it is not, and i now have an aerial that is sopposed to be far exceeding in DB gain (hills 43 element) than what is sopposed to be required in my area?
Is there some internal signal amplifier in the ET before the decoder that is just not up to the task??

Q2: What signal levels are other people getting, are there any above say 60%?
According to the satlink website 50% should give a perfect picture??

jonathan18

7415 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2850

ID Verified

Trusted

#188713 11-Jan-2009 08:27

dodgemnz: ...
Considering the fact i was told my previous Gizmo aerial and the replacement hills 23 element aerial should be more than sufficient to get good freeview tv which so far it is not, and i now have an aerial that is sopposed to be far exceeding in DB gain (hills 43 element) than what is sopposed to be required in my area?...

Have you considered purchasing a STB with an acceptable reputations (as opposed to the ET!) from a main-street retailer to check out whether it is the box or the signal? Though it's too late now, I would have done this prior to upgrading the cable etc. If you puchased a STB from a retailer like DSE, where returns are easy, you can easily return it if it does indeed turn out to be the quality of your signal. If it's not (and I would't be surprised!), keep the new STB and demand a refund on the ET.

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1427

Subscriber

#188721 11-Jan-2009 09:24

broozm:
I am on Hardware V4.1031 and Software V1.05 (Nov 21 2008)
Apparently form one of the "good" second batch of boxes :) Lucky me - so far.

Sorry? - "Good" second batch of boxes?
Huh? Did I miss something? Is there a known "bad" batch?
More details please......

R

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

broozm

48 posts

Geek

ID Verified

#188756 11-Jan-2009 11:50

robjg63:
broozm:
I am on Hardware V4.1031 and Software V1.05 (Nov 21 2008)
Apparently form one of the "good" second batch of boxes :) Lucky me - so far.

Sorry? - "Good" second batch of boxes?
Huh? Did I miss something? Is there a known "bad" batch?
More details please......

R

The person I bought this form (you know who youare MH), emailed me this:

" The box I sent you is from the second batch which seems to have been
the best (I think its up to batch 4 now and batch 3 boxes seem to have most
of the issues). It has run continuously for me without lockups, however my
other demo box does lockup every so often so its just luck of the draw. The
lockups/reboots do seem to be strongly collated with signal strength,"

and he is due to publish his findings soon wrt signal strenght, so I won't pre-empt him, nor reveal who he is (he can do so himself if he wishes)!

Bruce

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