Set Top Box?
Submitted by Dreamweaver on Wed, 2009-01-21 09:01
I know this is not strictly fishing, but I'm sure there's a heap of knowledge in here on this subject.
We still have an old CRT TV (I'm sure it'll go up massively in value soon when it gets classified as an antique 
) and are looking at getting a digitial set top box so we can at least get ABC2.
Down here, I believe we won't be able to get all of the digitial channels.
Any hints/tips/ideas/suggestions please?
Should I just go for a basic one, or are there real advantages in spending a bit extra?
(Unfortunately getting a 1080p plasma with a STB built in is not one of the options due to $$$s 
)
Cheers guys and girls!
____________________________________________________________________________
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
fishRamma
Posts: 195
Date Joined: 04/02/08
The only difference between
The only difference between a well known brand name and a unknown one is price.
The known brand like sanyo,sony,Phillips as examples its that they have better components in them that will only last a bit longer.
But for picture quality they all give the same view quality no matter who makes them from cheapest to top end stuff.
The standard digital boxes are dropping in price very quickly as everybody is now going for the HD..high definition which will have extra channels.
You should be able to pick up a HD from $100 upwards.
I deal with this stuff every day for a living..
tonyb
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Date Joined: 10/11/08
We got a DGTECH for our sons
We got a DGTECH for our sons room from Retravision and it was pretty cheap. No issues with it, works a treat, probably as god at the sony one we have in the lounge.
Dreamweaver
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Cheers Tonyb
Thanks Tony! What was the $ damage on one of those matey? If you don't mind me asking?
Colin Molloy
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fishRamma
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DGTECH
They do get hot..hotter than most others and seem to have the shortest lift span.
Throw that brand to the bottom of the list
Dreamweaver
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Ok fishRama
So what brands would you recommend?
Will a HD STB give a better picture on a CRT TV?
Colin Molloy
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fishRamma
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In one word YES
In one word YES
Dreamweaver
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OK
Cheers for that!
Colin Molloy
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Dreamweaver
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Thanks fishRamma - ??
Cheers for that mate - MUCH appreciated!
So the advice is go a HD one? The plan is to eventually get something Like a Sony Bravia TV.It seems most consider them the best. But it won't be for some time I reckon.
Colin Molloy
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fishRamma
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Sony Bravia TV
A mate of mine has got one but I didn’t see any thing that special about the picture.
Keep in mind that there are only 2 manufacturers in the world that make all the screens for everyone out there.
Keep in mind too that if your thinking of buying a plasma ..they are on there way out.
Life span is 6-7 years and draw 300 watts of power.
Unless your lucky and can find one that draws 200 watts but the quality drops off
Dreamweaver
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they are on there way out?
Ok Cheers fishRamma.
So waht's the replacement? Back to LCD, or?
Colin Molloy
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Dreamweaver
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TVs
That's interesting?
So why do so many consider Bravia so highly?
I've been warned to stay away from LG. To be honest, I've had other LG goods and they haven't been the best.
Colin Molloy
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fishRamma
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Just wanted to add this re
Just wanted to add this re HD on crt TV
But not to the full extent.
If you had purchased a LCD and the early models which had no digital built in then adding a HD would be much more noticable than crt TV
...................................................................................
So why do so many consider Bravia so highly? ..sales talk
I've been warned to stay away from LG..true
LG..it's real name is (Lucky Gold Star) Which was known to be the bottom end stuff a number of years ago so they all of a sudden they had a new name... LG
How many people remember buying Gold Star products and throwing them out due to failure.
I think They still make womens cosmetics today back from 1963.
LG and Teak scary stuff
Dreamweaver
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Ah OK!
Cheers mate - appreciated! Yeah, would never touch LG stuff again. What you've said makes sense. ;)
Colin Molloy
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Matt T
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NEC
I got the NEC plasma and the picture is great! Been extreamly happy with the service too - had a problem with the circut board and rang them up, they got my address and had a new TV set up and installed within 24hrs! Does chew the power though but I don't think I've seen a better picture other than maybe the Grundig but that was almost $10K
Dreamweaver
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Cheers Matt!
Yes, well, Grundig LOL
Appreciate the input Matt. The acquisition of a non crt could be some way off (the crt hasn't broken YET
) - so will pose the questions and do some research when the purchase is close.
Colin Molloy
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fishRamma
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You may need a new antenna
You may need a new antenna and RG6 coaxial cable.
If it’s not too old then you may need a booster to pull in a stronger signal which works of a power point.
Cause digital be it standard or high DEF need the same amount of signal strength more than analogue.
But coming from analogue to digital can be a problem for some in bad spots as we call it in the industry a (hole) and for country areas some people will get nothing going to digital,depends where u live.Which means no TV broad cast.
Only 50% are already on digital aust wide and channel 2..ABC closes it’s analogue this year.Others to follow with their shut downs.
We were told that country areas shut down first and the last are capital cities as the population is bigger and will take more time to convert.Analogue all over and finished mid 2013.
Time tables for shut down are available on the (gov.org) web site for all areas.
Dreamweaver
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Good point mate!
The antennae is a pretty decent size with plenty of elements for both broadcast frequencies. But I'd be suprised if the coax was up to scratch. Would foxtel cable be compatable? I had the foxtel guy put in a double wall plate and have since p*ssed off Foxtel like no doubt thousands of others.
(BOTH my previous mother in laws were easier to get rid of COMBINED than Foxtell. (But that's another thread LOL))
Colin Molloy
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fishRamma
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Would foxtel cable be
Would foxtel cable be compatible?
Only RG6 cable can work foxtel properly and every one in the antenna business is now using the same cable.
If you look at the end of your own cable if you can see a series of holes around the main core that cable in a slang term is called air cable and all shops and installers have been asked not to use it any more for digital.(sub standard).
The other thing you need to look for is rust on the antenna connectors where the cable attaches which restricts signal strength.
Dreamweaver
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Ok fishRamma
So you are saying that Foxtel cable is RG6?
Colin Molloy
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till
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I have one that is also a
I have one that is also a pvr - look up topfield, mine is the 6000PVRT
Dreamweaver
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Cheers Till
That's WAY more than I want to spend LOL. Plus I don;t need a PVR - I already have a DVD recorder.
Suggest that to the wife, and I'll just need a 6 foot deep hole
Colin Molloy
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till
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Just tell her how user
Just tell her how user friendly the epg is =0
Tivo is here now too, not sure what they cost.
Dreamweaver
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Till mate
I don't tell HER anything - I listen, WITHOUT my ears pinned back, IF I'm lucky
Colin Molloy
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HuggyB
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save ya money
and just get a HD TV.
Adding a set top box to a CRT is a waste of time and money - it wont magically improve your picture, all you get are the HD channels (and honestly it aint much whoop). You can get a name brand 32" HD LCD for $1000 - 1200 at the moment. I'd recommend Samsung - they have some of the best panels going around.
Join the rest of the world Colin.
The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........
Dreamweaver
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LOL Huggy!
Huggy, you don't have to convince ME mate
Yup, I appreciate the current pic won't improve.
Of course, thanks to a helpfull PM
, I could get a Sat stb and use the existing Foxtel sat/coax.
Huggy, we had ABC2 when we had Foxtel - there was some good stuff on it
Colin Molloy
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fishRamma
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SED Next-Generation Flat-Screen Display - Live Demo
These were to replace plasma..nicknamed plasma killer..
But once again delayed for 3 years now..who knows if they will ever get released.
This was a cannon/samsung project
It is kind of fishing related as we are fishing for info..lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxv7mmKHRhs
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
ABC2?? Are You a Rocker?
Man! ABC2 rocks. I record all the Sunday rock concerts from way back. Usually up at 7am.
Buy a USB TV donger Colin. That will test your capability to receive channels. I use one here for recording. I paid about $75.00 for mine and it picks up all the channels. Once you have tested that on your PC then you will know what to do. You will need coax cable from outside antenna for best results.
Errrrr... maybe I will bring my donger with me this weekend Colin.. Let's see if I remember.
Cheers, Vince
http://vinceholt.spaces.live.com/
------------------------------
Work Smart - Fish Often
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
fishRamma
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This is some info on LG
The LG Group is South Korea's third largest chaebol and is a multinational conglomerate that produces electronics, mobile phones, and petrochemical products and operates subsidiaries like LG Electronics, LG Telecom, Zenith Electronics and LG Chem in over 80 countries. LG Group sponsors the LG Cup Go Tournament.
LG Group founder Koo In Hwoi established Lak Hui Chemical Industrial Corp. in 1947.[3] In 1952, Lak Hui (currently LG Chem) became the first Korean company to enter the plastics industry. As the company expanded its plastics business, it established GoldStar Co., Ltd., (currently LG Electronics Inc.) in 1958.
In 1959, Goldstar produced Korea's first radio. Many consumer electronics were sold under the brand name GoldStar, while some other household products (not available outside South Korea) were sold under the brand name of Lucky. The Lucky brand was famous for its hygiene products line such as soaps and Hi-Ti laundry detergents, but most associated with its Lucky and Perioe toothpaste.
In 1995, it was renamed "LG", the abbreviation of "Lucky GoldStar". More recently, the company associates its tagline "Life's Good", with the letters LG.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LG
UncutTriggerInWA
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Well.... I'll be!!!!
Fuggin nice research LOL
Cheers, Vince
http://vinceholt.spaces.live.com/
------------------------------
Work Smart - Fish Often
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.