New Freeview HD hardware: eXtra Terrestrial Freeview HD tuner

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757 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 33

#196050 16-Feb-2009 14:49

Have you considered the Vantage? I'm fairly happy with mine. It certainly has its shortcomings, but I'm not convinced that there is a STB out there that is perfect.

The Draco 6300 was my original 1st choice, but they seem to now be off the market (I've heard they also have a power supply issue, though that could just be a small batch).

In the end I'm happy that I have the option to record/buffer. I've got a cheap 8gb USB pen drive attached to mine and it means I can record anything under 2 hours long (which covers most of what I would want to record).

Dawg

233 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#196064 16-Feb-2009 16:07

Any update from the Chinese Manufacturers with the alledged 15-2 firmware update.

mort

29 posts

Geek

#196072 16-Feb-2009 16:30

fahrenheit: Have you considered the Vantage? I'm fairly happy with mine. It certainly has its shortcomings, but I'm not convinced that there is a STB out there that is perfect.

The Draco 6300 was my original 1st choice, but they seem to now be off the market (I've heard they also have a power supply issue, though that could just be a small batch).

In the end I'm happy that I have the option to record/buffer. I've got a cheap 8gb USB pen drive attached to mine and it means I can record anything under 2 hours long (which covers most of what I would want to record).

Top tip thanks!. I hadn't seen that one, now down to $299. Can't find any long threads detailing it's issues either. Might be a good alternative to the ET.

Cheers

InspectorGadget

208 posts

Master Geek

#196094 16-Feb-2009 17:21

Dawg: Any update from the Chinese Manufacturers with the alledged 15-2 firmware update.

Pete has been banned, so unless anyone has had any correspondence with him, we are unlikely to hear anything until (if ever) it is posted on the Satlink website.

jonathan18

7415 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2850

ID Verified

Trusted

#196133 16-Feb-2009 19:41

Top tip thanks!. I hadn't seen that one, now down to $299. Can't find any long threads detailing it's issues either. Might be a good alternative to the ET.

Cheers

Did you come across this thread? The most useful one I've found on the Vantage:

http://forum.dtvforum.co.nz/showthread.php?t=640

The only issue stopping me buying one of these is the lack of MHEG support - my partner's very clear she wants one with the full EPG, even if it's just for information on what's on Freeview but lacking the ability to set up recordings using the data.

While others (eg this ET unit) appear to be promising full MHEG support and recording function, the Vantage sellers don't appear too keen on such an equivalent promise . At least this honesty will mean people know what to expect - again, unlike those who purchased the ET!

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1426

Subscriber

#196138 16-Feb-2009 19:57

Dawg: Any update from the Chinese Manufacturers with the alledged 15-2 firmware update.

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

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1426

Subscriber

#196139 16-Feb-2009 19:57

Dawg: Any update from the Chinese Manufacturers with the alledged 15-2 firmware update.

I see on http://www.freeviewnz.com/support.html it says :
NEW UPDATE COMING for PVR function 16 Feb 09 under test.

So maybe something is on the horizon.

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

InspectorGadget

208 posts

Master Geek

#196141 16-Feb-2009 20:04

robjg63:
Dawg: Any update from the Chinese Manufacturers with the alledged 15-2 firmware update.

I see on http://www.freeviewnz.com/support.html it says :
NEW UPDATE COMING for PVR function 16 Feb 09 under test.

So maybe something is on the horizon.

I will refrain from holding my breath.

JJM

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#196183 16-Feb-2009 23:35

FWIW, here's my saga with the ET. now seemingly resolved.

ET STB bought from Pete with a powered flat panel antenna. Direct line of sight to Waitakere transmitter from Greenhithe.

Pixellation, clock errors, random reboot etc. from day one.
Tried a bigger antenna. No joy
Lars advised I needed a High gain antenna and top quality cabling. Duly purchased. Nice guy, but
Still no improvement.

Back to Pete. He exchanged the STB for another. (Thanks Pete, no quibbles)
Result. So far, 100% perfection - and we are running off rabbit ears for Pete's sake!!!!!

My advice: If you have a problem with the STB and reception, talk it through with Pete or your supplier. Have a go at rectifying the problem without throwing more money at antenna and cabling etc. Try an exchange STB or borrow a mates DSE/Zinwell to establish if its reception or your STB.

Roll on the PVR

High Gain antenna and 10 metres top quality certified cabling for sale.

Cheers

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1426

Subscriber

#196322 17-Feb-2009 16:27

Pixellation, clock errors, random reboot etc. from day one.

Back to Pete. He exchanged the STB for another. (Thanks Pete, no quibbles)
Result. So far, 100% perfection - and we are running off rabbit ears for Pete's sake!!!!!

My advice: If you have a problem with the STB and reception, talk it through with Pete or your supplier. Have a go at rectifying the problem without throwing more money at antenna and cabling etc. Try an exchange STB or borrow a mates DSE/Zinwell to establish if its reception or your STB.

I have all of the above (except the clock errors). I swapped the box for another a week after purchase (Oct 08). Second box started better than the first but within a couple of days was really bad. Pixelates badly at least once a minute on tv3. Its possible there was a bad batch of hardware I guess. Replacing so soon would probably just mean another from the bad batch. Going to try out a friends ET box on my aerial to see how it goes. He gets a good HD picture apparently on a very average UHF signal. I Still have 6 months of warranty left I suppose.

I think you have highlighted the issue of the clock though - If the box reboots (and it seems it does that sometimes when in standby mine does very occasionally - I caught mine once) , it drops the current time and starts from 12.00 again. So the clock will look like its keeping bad time if the unit reboots. Why does it reboot? Hardware issues? Still cant see how 'bad signal' can or should cause a reboot. Bad software or hardware certainly could.

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

Dawg

233 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#196332 17-Feb-2009 16:59

I have always found loading the EPG corrects my clock when I return to standby.

I may have a good batch - Last nite watching CSI - No pixelation or audio drop outs.
But once again I don't watch Freeview very often.

Cheers

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Kiwi Pete

48 posts

Geek

#196337 17-Feb-2009 17:13

I have a DSE Zinwell HD Terrestrial STB and it's gone perfectly from Day 1. Can't fault it. Must say that I'm amazed at the quality of the built in Freeview tuners in the latest Sony Bravias. Installed a new set for a friend the other day and the Freeview HD pictures were stunning. Has anybody had any problems with the Sony or Pansanoic Freeview tuners?

Pete

Lipex666

445 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 8

Trusted

#196339 17-Feb-2009 17:17

On his mailing list

Technical update...re..HD Receivers,,,extra Terrestrial PVR is on its way...factory still getting it perfect Lazy or poor remote control...easy cure...ph us...
Best Regards,
Peter
www.freeviewnz.com
www.satlinknz.co.nz

TECHNICAL point...........Re/ HD receivers

If you have a unit with poor/ no remote control functn...contact us,ASAP...easy cure. Always make sure units are tuned to correct Tx site...i.e..sometimes a manual tune will accomodate this, rather than a auto tune....
Best Regards,
Peter
www.freeviewnz.com
www.satlinknz.co.nz

"The only way to learn some- thing is to do it"

cb1

339 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 44

#197085 21-Feb-2009 08:51

For those curious folk who wondered what the easy cure for the remote was -

From Pete

"use sticky tape on front decal of actual unit...pull off...and move IR sensor down..."

The message on the www.freeviewnz.com about the new firmware being under test has been removed. ... Doesn't sound promising.

Hinko

282 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#197094 21-Feb-2009 12:45

Hi

I connected up coaxial and optical digital sound today. The sound stops and starts, I thought it must have been my optical cable which was hard to click in. (Do they click in, using a Pudney square optical fibre?)

Anyway changed to Coax digital and fault persisted, suggesting an internal problem in the digital sound out as HDMI sound is continuous without the pauses which excludes a reception problem and suggests the box is at fault - is this one of the recognised firmware bugs? I am running the latest Firmware 1.05 21 Nov 08

Thanks in advance.

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