Best SD-STB under $300

[Bob Long]

What is the best SD-STB around?

It is for my parents, watching on a Panasonic 68cm CRT TV.
Simplicity of use is important, ie switching viewing modes.

I have Panasonic TU-CT20A...not overly impressed by this STB.

[Andy Weir]

I have the DSE $148($128 on special) job and have no problems at all with
it.

The only real bummer is changing modes, 4x3 to widescreen etc which is by
menu rather than a dedicated button. Stupid when there are other functions
you use once if that that have a dedicated button.

Best value and excellent performer.

Andy

"Bob Long" <rjshort@ihotmail.com> wrote in message
news:YZzPd.158985$K7.143734@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> What is the best SD-STB around?
>
> It is for my parents, watching on a Panasonic 68cm CRT TV.
> Simplicity of use is important, ie switching viewing modes.
>
> I have Panasonic TU-CT20A...not overly impressed by this STB.
>
>
>

[mddawson]

I have the DSE $148($128 on special) job and have no problems at all with
it.

The only real bummer is changing modes, 4x3 to widescreen etc which is by
menu rather than a dedicated button. Stupid when there are other functions
you use once if that that have a dedicated button.

Best value and excellent performer.

Andy

"Bob Long" <rjshort@ihotmail.com> wrote in message
news:YZzPd.158985$K7.143734@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> What is the best SD-STB around?
>
> It is for my parents, watching on a Panasonic 68cm CRT TV.
> Simplicity of use is important, ie switching viewing modes.
>
> I have Panasonic TU-CT20A...not overly impressed by this STB.
>
>
>

This unit should already have updated software that turns the TV/AV button into the aspect change button. If not it can be downloaded here: http://www.triocorp.com.au/STBUpgrade.aspx

[Louis Solomon [SteelBytes]]

just bought a teac 420 for $130 from JB
does all I'd expect from an SD box (even has rgb and component output).
and it does have an aspect ratio button on the remote

--
Louis Solomon
www.SteelBytes.com

"Andy Weir" <andy.weir@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:rWHPd.159589$K7.107975@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>I have the DSE $148($128 on special) job and have no problems at all with
>it.
>
> The only real bummer is changing modes, 4x3 to widescreen etc which is by
> menu rather than a dedicated button. Stupid when there are other functions
> you use once if that that have a dedicated button.
>
> Best value and excellent performer.
>
> Andy
>
> "Bob Long" <rjshort@ihotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:YZzPd.158985$K7.143734@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>> What is the best SD-STB around?
>>
>> It is for my parents, watching on a Panasonic 68cm CRT TV.
>> Simplicity of use is important, ie switching viewing modes.
>>
>> I have Panasonic TU-CT20A...not overly impressed by this STB.
>>
>>
>>
>
>

[Ralph]

That is an upgrade for the G7654. The set mentioned by the OP was probably a
G7659. I purchased a G7659 at that price.

--
remove n u m b e r s to reply
mddawson wrote in message ...
>
>Andy Weir Wrote:
>> I have the DSE $148($128 on special) job and have no problems at all
>> with
>> it.
>>
>> The only real bummer is changing modes, 4x3 to widescreen etc which is
>> by
>> menu rather than a dedicated button. Stupid when there are other
>> functions
>> you use once if that that have a dedicated button.
>>
>> Best value and excellent performer.
>>
>> Andy
>>
>> "Bob Long" <rjshort@ihotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:YZzPd.158985$K7.143734@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>> > What is the best SD-STB around?
>> >
>> > It is for my parents, watching on a Panasonic 68cm CRT TV.
>> > Simplicity of use is important, ie switching viewing modes.
>> >
>> > I have Panasonic TU-CT20A...not overly impressed by this STB.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>
>This unit should already have updated software that turns the TV/AV
>button into the aspect change button. If not it can be downloaded
>here: http://www.triocorp.com.au/STBUpgrade.aspx
>
>
>--
>mddawson

[Chris Runner]

I have set up for many people in similar situations to your parents
(elderly, 4:3 TV etc) and the TEAC 420 has been a gem. Dedicated aspect
button and easy to use remote control with composite, s-video, RGB and
component outputs. Excellent value for money.

"Bob Long" <rjshort@ihotmail.com> wrote in message
news:YZzPd.158985$K7.143734@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> What is the best SD-STB around?
>
> It is for my parents, watching on a Panasonic 68cm CRT TV.
> Simplicity of use is important, ie switching viewing modes.
>
> I have Panasonic TU-CT20A...not overly impressed by this STB.
>
>
>

[Bruce Graham]

In article <8CUPd.160201$K7.23087@news-server.bigpond.net.au>,
chris48@hotmail.com says...
> I have set up for many people in similar situations to your parents
> (elderly, 4:3 TV etc) and the TEAC 420 has been a gem. Dedicated aspect
> button and easy to use remote control with composite, s-video, RGB and
> component outputs. Excellent value for money.
>
> "Bob Long" <rjshort@ihotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:YZzPd.158985$K7.143734@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> > What is the best SD-STB around?
> >
my TEAC 420 has just died after about 6 months. I'll report back on
customer service. I have to say it was great while it was working, and I
have *awful* analog reception.

[Andy Weir]

Thanks for that. Yes, mine is the G7659 but there seems to be no upgrades
for it yet. I tracked it down to Pacific Satellite from a couple of threads
I came across.

http://www.pacificsatellite.com/product/product.php

Could be the same as one of the models displayed but will check their
support beforehand.

Regards

Andy

"Ralph" <Ralph.Smith2@team4.telstra6.com> wrote in message
news:cup16s$obb$1@mws-stat-syd.cdn.telstra.com.au...
> That is an upgrade for the G7654. The set mentioned by the OP was probably
> a
> G7659. I purchased a G7659 at that price.
>
> --
> remove n u m b e r s to reply
> mddawson wrote in message ...
>>
>>Andy Weir Wrote:
>>> I have the DSE $148($128 on special) job and have no problems at all
>>> with
>>> it.
>>>
>>> The only real bummer is changing modes, 4x3 to widescreen etc which is
>>> by
>>> menu rather than a dedicated button. Stupid when there are other
>>> functions
>>> you use once if that that have a dedicated button.
>>>
>>> Best value and excellent performer.
>>>
>>> Andy
>>>
>>> "Bob Long" <rjshort@ihotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:YZzPd.158985$K7.143734@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>>> > What is the best SD-STB around?
>>> >
>>> > It is for my parents, watching on a Panasonic 68cm CRT TV.
>>> > Simplicity of use is important, ie switching viewing modes.
>>> >
>>> > I have Panasonic TU-CT20A...not overly impressed by this STB.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>
>>This unit should already have updated software that turns the TV/AV
>>button into the aspect change button. If not it can be downloaded
>>here: http://www.triocorp.com.au/STBUpgrade.aspx
>>
>>
>>--
>>mddawson
>
>

[justin]

In my experience, don't be duped in to over spending when you only need the
minimal functions. Any STB is going to look hot on a 68cm CRT. Think about
what the signal is like in your area & if it's poor (your analogue would
indicate this), then go for one that claims to be good in weak signal areas.
I think the Kaon KTF200 makes this claim on the box (my experience with it
has made me a believer). $129 at JB HiFi. I personally like the Teacs, but
there has been some bad talk about the DVB420 here (I have the DVB400 - it's
great). Ask to play with them in store & see if you like the functionality.
If they aren't willing to let you, you probably don't want to be buying from
them. Most places will take the unit back if you run in to signal problems,
but it's a good idea to confirm this before hand.

"Bob Long" <rjshort@ihotmail.com> wrote in message
news:YZzPd.158985$K7.143734@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> What is the best SD-STB around?
>
> It is for my parents, watching on a Panasonic 68cm CRT TV.
> Simplicity of use is important, ie switching viewing modes.
>
> I have Panasonic TU-CT20A...not overly impressed by this STB.
>
>
>

[Henry & Kathie]

I have the Teac DVD420 and overall I have no complaints about it. Only a
problem with ABC when viewing through the VCR or Analog TV (even when the
STB is in another room). I have asked TEAC (via e-mail) and they have
suggested that the antenna signal strenght may be low resulting in some
inteference...

"justin" <justin@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:4215406f$0$19013$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> In my experience, don't be duped in to over spending when you only need
the
> minimal functions. Any STB is going to look hot on a 68cm CRT. Think about
> what the signal is like in your area & if it's poor (your analogue would
> indicate this), then go for one that claims to be good in weak signal
areas.
> I think the Kaon KTF200 makes this claim on the box (my experience with it
> has made me a believer). $129 at JB HiFi. I personally like the Teacs, but
> there has been some bad talk about the DVB420 here (I have the DVB400 -
it's
> great). Ask to play with them in store & see if you like the
functionality.
> If they aren't willing to let you, you probably don't want to be buying
from
> them. Most places will take the unit back if you run in to signal
problems,
> but it's a good idea to confirm this before hand.
>
> "Bob Long" <rjshort@ihotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:YZzPd.158985$K7.143734@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> > What is the best SD-STB around?
> >
> > It is for my parents, watching on a Panasonic 68cm CRT TV.
> > Simplicity of use is important, ie switching viewing modes.
> >
> > I have Panasonic TU-CT20A...not overly impressed by this STB.
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Bruce Graham]

In article <kGgRd.165395$K7.103091@news-server.bigpond.net.au>,
hkderooy@bigpond.com.au says...
>
> I have the Teac DVD420 and overall I have no complaints about it. Only a
> problem with ABC when viewing through the VCR or Analog TV (even when the
> STB is in another room). I have asked TEAC (via e-mail) and they have
> suggested that the antenna signal strenght may be low resulting in some
> inteference...
>
It has been often reported that the Teac 420 injects a lot of
interference into the antenna system, making analog TV unuseable until
you turn the 420 off, and I mean off by pulling the 420 power cord,
because standby makes no or little difference.

If my replacement for my first TEAC 420 makes it through warranty (the
first didn't) I will put an inline switch in the power cord near the unit
so I don't have to bend over! The biggest problem is you can't record
another (analog) program to your VCR without interference.

My analog signal level is OK on Ch2 and I still get the interference from
the 420.