DVB-T receiver recommendations

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JimmyLizar

321 posts

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#34063 17-May-2009 17:43

Am going to get one for our new house. What are peoples recommendations?

I realise I could read through 700 pages on this thread but I dont have a spare 5 days. This also leads to 'paralysis by analysis' with me. So much information that I cant make a decision!

Please dont anyone recommend the ET unit. I followed that thread, and I wouldn't touch that unit with a 1000 foot barge pole.

I realise no unit is perfect, but just looking for suggestions from people who havent had many problems with their unit.

Parameters
- Need a channel change that doesnt take longer than a standard sky tv decoder.
- Dont need PVR (or future PVR).
- Would prefer to buy from retail store, so can return easily if encounter a bung unit.

So whats the go? Any deals anyone noticed?

Thanks (in anticipation of many hundreds of responses........ok i'll be happy with more than 5)

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sbiddle

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#215403 17-May-2009 19:00

I noticed earlier you were posting looking for a new TV. Any reason why you're just not getting an IDTV which removes the need for a STB?

JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#215414 17-May-2009 20:56

Yes...good question...

One tv will have MySkyHDi so no need for Freeview on that one (especially with One & TV2 + TV6 & TV7 going onto Sky soon)

The other TV I am taking a wait and see approach with respect to Tivo. May end up going the Tivo route but need Freeview in meantime as will have no VHF aerial on new house. Dont want to pay extra $500 for IDTV when could save money buying a standalone DVB-T receiver and then possibly sell later or move it to a smaller TV in say bedroom if we get Tivo.

Make sense?

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AlanR

5 posts

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#215627 18-May-2009 15:54

I would be very keen to hear of recommendations too. I entirely share Jimmy?s sentiments regarding the length of the ET thread and suffice to say, I wouldn?t want to go for one of those either.
I would prefer to have the PVR option although I will happily read through any recommendation made as a response to Jimmy?s request.

TIA - Alan

JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#215638 18-May-2009 16:31

Just got offered a new Zinwell PVR unit for $627. Very tempting, but don't really need it.

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butlerboy

457 posts

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#215641 18-May-2009 16:50

The Draco HDTV5500 is a good stb. Quick channel changes and only takes a couple of seconds to turn on from standby. The software seems fairly stable and easy to use. The only issue I've had with mine in the 6 months I've had it is a faulty power supply, but it was replaced no questions asked.
I see www.freeviewshop.co.nz has them for $349 at the moment. I got mine from Glenn at www.dbnz.co.nz so it might pay to give him a ring for a price as well.

jonathan18

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#215921 19-May-2009 14:19

JimmyLizar: Just got offered a new Zinwell PVR unit for $627. Very tempting, but don't really need it.

Can you tell us who offered it to you at that price? Certainly a considerable discount on the $1000 RRP DSE, NL and B&B sell it at.

I haven't followed whether some/most/all of the bugs reported with the Zinwell PVR have been fixed - can anyone report on this?

As far as AlanR's request re one with PVR functions - how much choice is out there? The Vantage seems to be best placed for this, but now that it's back to full price ($500), it's no longer the relative bargain it was at $250. Perhaps look for this second-hand? Or find out where you can get the Zinwell unit for $627 - hell, at that price I could be tempted to get one...

There's that twin-tuner Hyundai (hybrid sat/ter), and there's the JC Matthews model which will do PVR functions with a firmware update. I think if you're serious about this, have a read of the relevant threads on these and other models here or at http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/forum/ or http://forum.dtvforum.co.nz/index.php

Alternatively, you could wait around for the Panasonic model (though it will not record via the 8-day EPG) or for Tivo...

AlanR

5 posts

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#216254 20-May-2009 11:10

Thank you Jonathan. The Vantage is on offer again at $299 and having read the reviews does seem a good entry level option. I am inclined to think if I keep waiting for the next great feature just around the corner I will be stuck with FTA on my Sky STB forever. Hopefully the supposed lack of full EPG support will not be too much of a problem and may even be resolved one day with a firmware update. This looks like a really good deal and so I think I will go with it.

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JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#216263 20-May-2009 11:27

jonathan18:
JimmyLizar: Just got offered a new Zinwell PVR unit for $627. Very tempting, but don't really need it.

Can you tell us who offered it to you at that price?

Sort of a perk for building a new house, we get offered the opportunity to get some stuff through Harvey Norman Commercial

"Harvey Norman Commercial clients are generally clients of architects, interior designers, kitchen designers/manufacturers, builders, building companies, and on larger projects we deal directly with property developers and project managers."

There has, however, been some confusion over the price. I asked for a price on the ZMT-620HD and they came back back with $627. Now, that is way overpriced for a unit that DSE are now selling for $349 and that has a RRP of $549. I am pretty sure they have quoted a price for the ZMT-640PVR (they got confused).

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jonathan18

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#216274 20-May-2009 11:53

AlanR: Thank you Jonathan. The Vantage is on offer again at $299 and having read the reviews does seem a good entry level option. I am inclined to think if I keep waiting for the next great feature just around the corner I will be stuck with FTA on my Sky STB forever. Hopefully the supposed lack of full EPG support will not be too much of a problem and may even be resolved one day with a firmware update. This looks like a really good deal and so I think I will go with it.

Yeah, at $300 it's def. worth it, esp. if you already had an external HD hanging around (and, even if/when you replace the Vantage, the HD will still be useful).

After a couple of months we're nearly comfortable to be able to trust the Vantage with all our recording schedule - but this is only possible with the latest firmware version, which fixes a significant bug with the unit extending the time of particular recordings so that they would potentially record for many days!

Still haven't had a reply as to whether I should be able to record two channels (on the same mux, of course) and watch a third programme off the hard drive - when we attempt this, the Vantage throws a hissy fit and stops recording one of the programmes. Trick at this stage is to record only one channel at a time.

The manual is poor, but after asking a few questions it became apparent there are tricks esp related to playing back recordings that aren't mentioned - eg using the track skip buttons for FF/RW rather than the proper FF/RW buttons; and using the key pad to advance the appropriate number of minutes (eg press 4 to move forward instantly 4 minutes).

Also, I'm not aware of another distributor of a Freeview box which has clearly put so much effort into fixing bugs and improving the unit - if anything they could sell these firmware updates better, eg I haven't read anywhere on their website of the ability to backup settings, timer recordings and channel presets, which was added to the last (beta) firmware.

Yes, the absence of the full EPG (and therefore the inability to schedule recordings off it) is frustrating, but not to the point where it's worth paying 2-3 times as much for the Zinwell (which lacks one feature the Vantage has, which is the ability to output in the original resolution).

So, considering the outlay of $300, I doubt you can go wrong really.

robjg63

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#216289 20-May-2009 12:18

I have one of 'those' brands that you want to stay 1000 ft away from - Your assessment is correct.

I purchased a Zinwell 620HD from Next in Ellerslie a couple of weeks ago for $199 - Weekend special apparently. I'm well pleased. Picture is solid (and clear), menus seem pretty fast and it hasnt locked up at all. Its Freeview approved and gets over the air updates. Gets a thumbs up from me. I notice that while the firmware mine has got says a date like July 2008 (v 1.09), I gather it was only released late last year. I think therefore, any grizzles you might see about the Zinny prior to December last year may be unwarranted. As I said menus and EPG are fast - so is channel change. From a couple of other feedback sites I saw, I think the Zinny does well on a poorer signal as well.

R

PS. I understand that you arent fussed about the PVR facilities. The rumour is that the ZMT-620HD may get the ability to record to an external USB device soon. Some people have already downloaded some Honk Kong firmware and got it working ok. Rumour was it may be officially released here 'soon'.
Have a look here if you like :http://www.dtvforum.co.nz/forum/showthread.php?t=304

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