DSE Freeview box quality comments?

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freitasm

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#23534 2-Jul-2008 07:24

Can anyone else comment on their experiences with the DSE-branded Freeview|HD box quality?

My fist one was DOA and the replacement only worked for a couple of weeks and it is now dead as well...

Kiwi Pete

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#142095 2-Jul-2008 08:00

So far no problems with mine and it seems to be most times working as it should. A couple of times the EPG disappeared or the programme info was wrong when changing channels. Turning the STB off and on seems to cure these faults. Admittedly I spend 4 hours on my knees praying every night that nothing will go wrong with it.

sbiddle

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#142096 2-Jul-2008 08:04

The quality of Zinwell's boxes has been very poor - both DVB-S and DVB-T. it really makes you wonder why Freeview chose them as their main partner for both launches when they have such terrible products.

minimoke

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#142158 2-Jul-2008 10:35

Easy to install and comes with an HDMI cable. I had to get a separate optical cable for audio – but you won’t get one of these with any other box. No problems at all with it. Set up was easy – but it does get very hot. Its IR sensor may be a bit sensitive. I have an IR extender which works on all components – but I have to make sure the STB is in just the right position for the IR Flasher to work. I couldn’t get it to send a signal through a Joytech HDMI Switcher – but this is more a reflection of the Switch than the box.

freitasm

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#142160 2-Jul-2008 10:41

I will get this unit replaced later today. The picture quality is really good. I haven't noticed it getting too hot - mainly because there's nothing on top of it and it is on an open shelf so it shouldn't be a problem.

Let's see how it goes after having it replaced...

bigbob

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#142191 2-Jul-2008 12:32

I have had this box since they became available and it has locked up 3 times. A simple power on/off quickly fixed this. I have it in a ventilated cabinet next to a Media Centre PC and I accept this may contribute to it getting warm, it doesn't happen too often to be a problem.

Picture quality is great and the included HDMI cable a bonus. The remote has poor range and operating angle, although I use a Harmony one remote , which eliminated these issues.

Channel changing time is better than Media Centre although unless you use a media centre you may not be aware of this potential frustration.

EPG response time can be sluggishish at times and has been non responsive twice, could be a function of what is being transmitted rather the box itself.

This box is to get me through until Microsoft deliver the Fiji update and then can set that up, I suspect a number of people on this forum are in a similar position. I had 2 years in Oz using Media Centre / DVB-T and can't wait to get back to it.

Rob

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#142213 2-Jul-2008 13:42

Had our DSE box approx 4 weeks. Everything works well apart from the EPG which regularly "freezes"ie it says "loading" but doesn't actually load. Not sure why this is, turning box off and on again seems to fix it. Kind of annoying really, but don't know if this is a fault of the DSE / Zinwell box of Freeview itself. As others have said, remote range / angle is not great.

Picture quality is brilliant on our 42" LCD. Even Prime TV is clearer now ( used to be quite snowy ).

cyril7

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#142214 2-Jul-2008 13:44

Even Prime TV is clearer now ( used to be quite snowy ).

????

mentalinc

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#142263 2-Jul-2008 15:50

cyril7:
Even Prime TV is clearer now ( used to be quite snowy ).
????

exactly what i was thinking, maybe they updated their aeril and connections.

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