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r0bbie

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#20515 28-Mar-2008 20:54
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Cool DSE has lowered their price to $399

Has anyone got one yet?

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scottjpalmer
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  #119439 28-Mar-2008 22:05
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Seeing as stock isn't due until 3rd April I very much doubt it.



rugrat
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  #119552 29-Mar-2008 15:43
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The Zinwell ZMT-620HD receiver comes complete with full HD Support through HDMI and Component Video, taken from

http://www.scoopit.co.nz/story.php?title=Zinwell-on-top-with-New-Zealandas-first-High-Definition-Terrestrial-Receiver-1

Guessing same one as Dick Smiths one. Does this mean that I can get high def through componet, or would HDCP screw me. My TV is 3 years old so not sure if supports HDCP. Can run high def fine through VGA connection, but my computer can't keep up with 1080i stuff. Since that's TV3's format if brought something for computer would be no good. AGP graphics slot.

If can't get high def picture my still be interested in buying as it would be way better sound if program in dolby digital 5.1. Can get the TV that supports picture later date if need be.

Wouldn't be interested at the old $600 dollar price though.

r0bbie

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#120324 1-Apr-2008 21:12
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ok its back up to $549?!?! and the freeviewshop is down to $449



rugrat
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  #120346 1-Apr-2008 21:44
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Guess Dick Smiths going to have a slow take off of them. Saw one at Noel Lemmings - $100 bucks cheaper then Dick Smiths one.


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  #120404 2-Apr-2008 07:19
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r0bbie: ok its back up to $549?!?! and the freeviewshop is down to $449
Its back to $399 now.

linw
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  #120479 2-Apr-2008 13:04
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Is the DSE one a zinwell clone?

Who has ordered one?!!

 
 
 

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old3eyes
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  #120481 2-Apr-2008 13:09
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linw: Is the DSE one a zinwell clone?



Yes.

I see someone advertizing a cheaper one here after April 18..
http://www.freeviewnz.com/products.html




Regards,

Old3eyes


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  #120490 2-Apr-2008 13:30
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Interesting that the price war has started already. Any advance on $295?

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  #120536 2-Apr-2008 16:55
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I have just purchased the STB from DSE for $399 INCLUDING the HDMI cable from the Lower Hutt store. Good shopping for early adopters IMHO. They arrived in store this morning.

Shot home lunch time for a quick installation on the 50" Plasma and I have to say I am VERY, VERY impressed! The freeview demo loop looks great and even the wife now agrees that the TV upgrade 2 months ago was money well spent.

Now to keep an eye open for some HD programming (on TV3 at least).

BTW - long time reader, first time poster. Great forum guys!

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  #120539 2-Apr-2008 17:11
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After hearing how good Boston legal was last night went and brought Zinwell one today - didn't know Dick Smiths was going to drop their price back so they've lost one sale.

As suspected with HDMI to DVI cable couldn't get picture on screen.
Running through yellow video plug for now and optical for sound.

Found (even though I've got sky on componet) picture is slightly sharper then skys.
Sound is cleaner so far (not getting the funny noises that I hear on back speakers with sky when it's trying to supress sound with prologic)

Prefers sky guide where you can see whats on 10 channels all at once, with right arrow advancing time rather then freeviews one channel, or now next to get more then one channel on screen at once.

Like teletext, where theres no waiting for pages to load, put page number in and it goes thre straight away. Takes about 30 seconds to start teletext but looks like it loads every page.

Off to buy new tv tomorrow to get the high def HDMI working, My tv is only about three years old, rats. It'll be an expensive computer monitor.

At present, if sky charges premium for HD stuff, once freeview PVR comes out, that'll be the end of sky here - see what happens.

The zinwell does get really hot on the top when running, cools down on standbye. And there is a really big chip in the middle of it.


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  #120570 2-Apr-2008 18:57
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rugrat:
Off to buy new tv tomorrow to get the high def HDMI working, My tv is only about three years old, rats. It'll be an expensive computer monitor.


Do some research to get a screen that works well for you.
Dont listen to the guys in the store you will be better off asking the questions here.




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Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX 


 
 
 
 

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jonathan18
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  #120575 2-Apr-2008 19:16
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DaveB: I have just purchased the STB from DSE for $399 INCLUDING the HDMI cable from the Lower Hutt store. Good shopping for early adopters IMHO. They arrived in store this morning.

Shot home lunch time for a quick installation on the 50" Plasma and I have to say I am VERY, VERY impressed! The freeview demo loop looks great and even the wife now agrees that the TV upgrade 2 months ago was money well spent.

Now to keep an eye open for some HD programming (on TV3 at least).

BTW - long time reader, first time poster. Great forum guys!


Can you advise me whether these STBs have a timer feature to enable at least a crude syncronisation with a PVR to record programmes of Freeview? (I've checked the manual on www.freeviewshop.co.nz but it doesn't mention one - I thought it worth checking though with a user.) Or is there another easy way to timer record that I'm not aware of? (I've thought of using the timers on my remote control, but that would be relatively slow).

I'm in two minds about purchasing a straight STB at the moment or waiting until PVRs with (preferably twin) Freeview decoders built in. One reason wanting to get in now is that I'm kinda scared to play too much 3:4 standard TV on our brand-new plasma, as I have a fear about burn-in of the "side panels".

I guess $400 isn't bad, but it may be worth waiting for the Freeview-featured PVRs - does anyone have any idea as to when we can expect these?

greminn
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  #120749 3-Apr-2008 15:39
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jonathan18:
DaveB: I have just purchased the STB from DSE for $399 INCLUDING the HDMI cable from the Lower Hutt store. Good shopping for early adopters IMHO. They arrived in store this morning.

Shot home lunch time for a quick installation on the 50" Plasma and I have to say I am VERY, VERY impressed! The freeview demo loop looks great and even the wife now agrees that the TV upgrade 2 months ago was money well spent.

Now to keep an eye open for some HD programming (on TV3 at least).

BTW - long time reader, first time poster. Great forum guys!


Can you advise me whether these STBs have a timer feature to enable at least a crude syncronisation with a PVR to record programmes of Freeview? (I've checked the manual on www.freeviewshop.co.nz but it doesn't mention one - I thought it worth checking though with a user.) Or is there another easy way to timer record that I'm not aware of? (I've thought of using the timers on my remote control, but that would be relatively slow).

I'm in two minds about purchasing a straight STB at the moment or waiting until PVRs with (preferably twin) Freeview decoders built in. One reason wanting to get in now is that I'm kinda scared to play too much 3:4 standard TV on our brand-new plasma, as I have a fear about burn-in of the "side panels".

I guess $400 isn't bad, but it may be worth waiting for the Freeview-featured PVRs - does anyone have any idea as to when we can expect these?


Me to for this. I am kind of sick of playing with a PC to get things working. I just want to watch and record TV dude!

Unless MS get off their arse and add NZ channesl to VMC (Please?)

Batman
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  #120831 3-Apr-2008 19:32
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i agree - i just want a damn tv that works like a tv! not some buggy fiddly computer system but at the moment it's the cheapest option :(

can't believe we have no stb to receive freeview! to buy the few stbs on sale you could get an xbox 360!

i think will just have to wait for more stbs to turn up, competition = $aving$ - i hope!!!

greminn
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  #120853 3-Apr-2008 20:24
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and no friggen download EPG crapola (no disrepect to reven.co.nz!!). Turn on. Watch. Turn Off.  I think i might get a standard reciever and ditch the pc.


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