For your PC needsPlaneGuy
04-01-2004, 03:48 AM
Hey all,
I've been a lurker round here for a while, but having just bought into DTV,
I thought I would pop my head up and say gday.
Anyway, I live in an rental place that has no external aerial, and as such
poor analogue reception. The image has double images sometimes, almost
complete loss of signal other times etc... Basically, I decided that the
headaches I was getting from the double image was not worth it and I decided
to get an STB. Given that it was just for improved reception, I thought I
would get a cheapy unit now, and wait another couple of years before getting
a better unit with recorder etc... later (possibly even HDTV if it kicks
off). So, in post-chrissy sales, I saved about a third off normal pricing
(below RRP, but everyday prices).
I hooked the DVB-300 up to my 72cm 4:3 TV via SCART, and the sound by
optical to the amp, and switched it on. The auto-search for stations failed,
so I had to start it manually through the menu system. After about 5min, it
completed, and all the Canberra stations appeared. Despite my fear that my
signal would be too poor even for DTV, all stations come through really
clearly.
The remote for the DVB-300 is the first thing that I looked at, and have to
admit that TEAC did a pretty good job with this one.
The image quality is the niext issue. The image quality does not appear to
be as good as the Strong STB, though for a saving of over $100, I am not
complaining. The Teac seems to clip highlights, such that when watching the
cricket, the highlights are represented by almost solid white info,
obscuring any detail. The colours also seem a little oversaturated,
particularly the reds. Now this is appearing on a calibrated TV. I should
say that as a semi-serious photographer, I am a bit more sensitive to these
sort of things than most people. My gf only picked up the colour issues
after I pointed them out to her, and another friend didn't even notice it
then. To me the highlihgt problem is most noticable on WIN, but the
oversaturation is on all stations. I can "adjust" the TV, but then it throws
the correct calibration (set up for DVD and analogue TV) out the window.
As for sound, it is rather good. The MPEG stereo sound is pretty good for
all stations - and it is particularly good to finally have Ten Capital in
stereo. The AC3 that ABC puts out is even better on my system. There is a
little more dynamic range than the MPEG stream. All up, the sound wallops
analogue. Just a quick question... does anyone know if ABC ever puts DD5.1
over the AC3 on there SDTV broadcasts. Not expecting it, but it would be a
nice bonus if it does.
Other issues: I would have preferred the box to auto detect the aspect ratio
of the broadcasts (do aussie stations even put this info across). However, I
do like how when switching the aspect via the remote, the info is sent via
scart to the tele, that automatically switches in and out of its 16:9 mode.
I would also liek to be able to remove the "4:3 letterbox" mode from the
Aspect button switching. Finally, the switching between channells, is as
fast as my analogue TV does it, so I am not concerned (this was a concern to
me, after trying a friends "old" TEAC box about 12 months ago. This box is
much, much better)
Now as for my impressions of DTV. It is certainly taking a little getting
used to watching the cricket in widescreen, but it is enjoyable. I can see
myself using whenever possible. The image clarity is really good, and the
lower signal strength required is great. I am now no longer getting
headaches in front of the tele.
It is rather disappointing that the stations are not broadcasting EPG info.
Only ABC seems to have it on the stations, whilst SBS has its own station.
The networks should pull their fingers out.
I've been a lurker round here for a while, but having just bought into DTV,
I thought I would pop my head up and say gday.
Anyway, I live in an rental place that has no external aerial, and as such
poor analogue reception. The image has double images sometimes, almost
complete loss of signal other times etc... Basically, I decided that the
headaches I was getting from the double image was not worth it and I decided
to get an STB. Given that it was just for improved reception, I thought I
would get a cheapy unit now, and wait another couple of years before getting
a better unit with recorder etc... later (possibly even HDTV if it kicks
off). So, in post-chrissy sales, I saved about a third off normal pricing
(below RRP, but everyday prices).
I hooked the DVB-300 up to my 72cm 4:3 TV via SCART, and the sound by
optical to the amp, and switched it on. The auto-search for stations failed,
so I had to start it manually through the menu system. After about 5min, it
completed, and all the Canberra stations appeared. Despite my fear that my
signal would be too poor even for DTV, all stations come through really
clearly.
The remote for the DVB-300 is the first thing that I looked at, and have to
admit that TEAC did a pretty good job with this one.
The image quality is the niext issue. The image quality does not appear to
be as good as the Strong STB, though for a saving of over $100, I am not
complaining. The Teac seems to clip highlights, such that when watching the
cricket, the highlights are represented by almost solid white info,
obscuring any detail. The colours also seem a little oversaturated,
particularly the reds. Now this is appearing on a calibrated TV. I should
say that as a semi-serious photographer, I am a bit more sensitive to these
sort of things than most people. My gf only picked up the colour issues
after I pointed them out to her, and another friend didn't even notice it
then. To me the highlihgt problem is most noticable on WIN, but the
oversaturation is on all stations. I can "adjust" the TV, but then it throws
the correct calibration (set up for DVD and analogue TV) out the window.
As for sound, it is rather good. The MPEG stereo sound is pretty good for
all stations - and it is particularly good to finally have Ten Capital in
stereo. The AC3 that ABC puts out is even better on my system. There is a
little more dynamic range than the MPEG stream. All up, the sound wallops
analogue. Just a quick question... does anyone know if ABC ever puts DD5.1
over the AC3 on there SDTV broadcasts. Not expecting it, but it would be a
nice bonus if it does.
Other issues: I would have preferred the box to auto detect the aspect ratio
of the broadcasts (do aussie stations even put this info across). However, I
do like how when switching the aspect via the remote, the info is sent via
scart to the tele, that automatically switches in and out of its 16:9 mode.
I would also liek to be able to remove the "4:3 letterbox" mode from the
Aspect button switching. Finally, the switching between channells, is as
fast as my analogue TV does it, so I am not concerned (this was a concern to
me, after trying a friends "old" TEAC box about 12 months ago. This box is
much, much better)
Now as for my impressions of DTV. It is certainly taking a little getting
used to watching the cricket in widescreen, but it is enjoyable. I can see
myself using whenever possible. The image clarity is really good, and the
lower signal strength required is great. I am now no longer getting
headaches in front of the tele.
It is rather disappointing that the stations are not broadcasting EPG info.
Only ABC seems to have it on the stations, whilst SBS has its own station.
The networks should pull their fingers out.