What is the best DVB-T set top box for s-video output?

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graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#37460 13-Jul-2009 21:29

I have decided to finally give up on the ET box. It's not just that I'm a slow learner but I really was trying to make it work and while we had cable TV it was a toy, now it needs to work properly as the wife is sick of missing TV programs due to the box locking up and the Tivo box being unable to change channels.

I am looking for a decoder which will output a reasonable signal via s-video so I can record it with my Tivo.

There seem to be lots of threads discussing different boxes and their faults but it's hard to pick a clear winner.

I'm hoping people can tell me (and others) what their favourite box is.

On the nice to have feature list is HD output via component video and Dolby Digital via Optical as my TV only has one HDMI input and that is taken up by the DVD player.

Thanks
Graeme

Nimma

98 posts

Master Geek

#235006 14-Jul-2009 07:51

I've had flawless performance for about a year from my Draco HDTV 3900 with 5500 firmware. It hasn't crashed once since I've owned it and offers Full HD over component and optical digital out. Has many outputs including S-Video.

Freeview shop sell these for $350. If you want I am selling my silver one after building my HTPC, send me a message if you want details.

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#235069 14-Jul-2009 10:34

Nimma: I've had flawless performance for about a year from my Draco HDTV 3900 with 5500 firmware. It hasn't crashed once since I've owned it and offers Full HD over component and optical digital out. Has many outputs including S-Video.

Freeview shop sell these for $350. If you want I am selling my silver one after building my HTPC, send me a message if you want details.

Thanks, that sounds like an option worth exploring. I'll send you a PM.

I'm unlikely to buy from freeviewshop because of their return policy.

Jaxson

8041 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#235075 14-Jul-2009 10:47

There were a lot of boxes sold that essentially used very similar internals, and many of these suffered from very blocky sd analogue output. The official Zinwell box did analogue out via rca/s-video very well.

However, anything official will simply not do hd over component.
(Because we all have HDD/DVD recorder equipment with component video inputs?!...)

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#235079 14-Jul-2009 10:54

Jaxson: There were a lot of boxes sold that essentially used very similar internals, and many of these suffered from very blocky sd analogue output. The official Zinwell box did analogue out via rca/s-video very well.

However, anything official will simply not do hd over component.

(Because we all have HDD/DVD recorder equipment with component video inputs?!...)

I thought the picture from the ET over s-video was quite acceptable and the sound was good too - but the fact that it didn't work reliably means this box has to go. I could live with it while it was on the TV in the bedroom but now I need a reliable recording source it has to be replaced.

If I can track down a Zinwell or DSE box that has an s-video connection on it I might just buy that.