Dick Smith Set Top Box $148

[Phil Allison]

"NK"

Phil Allison wrote:

Yep, In the technical specifications section. (about 3rd page from the
back)


** On page 33 it says ... " S/N 55 dB min " which is the
recovered video signal to noise.

I asked where your 44 dB figure was from ???


okay apologies.. I meant 44% signal strength when it scans for the
channels .. well actually I didn;'t but I realise my mistake...

** I tried my STB a few hours ago with 35 cm long clip lead replacing
the outdoor antenna. All digital channels except for Ch 7 came up fine -
on screen readings were from 40% to 60 % of signal strength.

Using the "TV /VCR" outlet on the STB to connect back to the TV set the
analogue pic was bad on all channels plus affected by patterning
interference on ch 7. The patterning disappeared when I operated the power
switch on the STB - so it seems the STB is upsetting itself when used in
this (completely silly) way.

Since you are using "rabbit's ears" in a bad signal location you have
found the limits of the technology !

An outdoor antenna will likely fix it - one of the small, cheap caravan
sort maybe.




............. Phil

 

[Michael]

"NK" <wiredmonkey@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:419209b0$0$24378$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...

NK wrote:
Phil Allison wrote:

"NK"

Okay so I'm home




** Where is home ????




.......... Phil

home is eltham... Melbourne, Vic.. our standard antenna picks up all
stations perfectly

I think I've worked it out... seems I only have a 44db signal on some
carriers... therefore no 7, sbs or 9... I should just get a signal
amplifier?

No, if your analogue works fine, you just use that, and forget digital TV
what a wank

 

[Michael]

Since you are using "rabbit's ears" in a bad signal location you have
found the limits of the technology !

An outdoor antenna will likely fix it - one of the small, cheap caravan
sort maybe.

No, sometimes we forget the PURPOSE of new technology.

if your analogue TV was fine, just use it.

dont get a new antenna just so you can use digital tv if your analogue works
fine

 

[Johnny]

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 10:38:43 GMT, "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote:

"NK" <wiredmonkey@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:419209b0$0$24378$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
NK wrote:
Phil Allison wrote:

"NK"

Okay so I'm home




** Where is home ????




.......... Phil

home is eltham... Melbourne, Vic.. our standard antenna picks up all
stations perfectly

I think I've worked it out... seems I only have a 44db signal on some
carriers... therefore no 7, sbs or 9... I should just get a signal
amplifier?

No, if your analogue works fine, you just use that, and forget digital TV
what a wank

I guess if his analogue reception was good, he wouldn't have bought
it. Please see the first post in this thread recommending the digital
box for poor reception areas. That appears to be what encouraged MK
to buy one.

...

 

[TJ]

"Johnny" <john_wr@NOSPAM.hotmail.com.> wrote in message
news:9im6p0lf3u7kh2em8j54du5n7165si8qch@4ax.com...

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 10:38:43 GMT, "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote:


"NK" <wiredmonkey@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:419209b0$0$24378$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
NK wrote:
Phil Allison wrote:

"NK"

Okay so I'm home




** Where is home ????




.......... Phil

home is eltham... Melbourne, Vic.. our standard antenna picks up all
stations perfectly

I think I've worked it out... seems I only have a 44db signal on some
carriers... therefore no 7, sbs or 9... I should just get a signal
amplifier?

No, if your analogue works fine, you just use that, and forget digital TV
what a wank


I guess if his analogue reception was good, he wouldn't have bought
it. Please see the first post in this thread recommending the digital
box for poor reception areas. That appears to be what encouraged MK
to buy one.

It's also good for an old mono TV with a crappy remote and no teletext...

 

[Rod Speed]

Michael <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:UiHkd.32384$K7.18730@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

Since you are using "rabbit's ears" in a bad signal
location you have found the limits of the technology !

An outdoor antenna will likely fix it - one
of the small, cheap caravan sort maybe.

No, sometimes we forget the PURPOSE of new technology.

if your analogue TV was fine,

It wasnt, stupid.

No wonder you only get to do the dunnys.

just use it.

just shove it.

dont get a new antenna just so you can
use digital tv if your analogue works fine

It doesnt, stupid.

 

[NK]

Johnny wrote:

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 10:38:43 GMT, "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote:


"NK" <wiredmonkey@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:419209b0$0$24378$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...

NK wrote:

Phil Allison wrote:


"NK"

Okay so I'm home




** Where is home ????




.......... Phil


home is eltham... Melbourne, Vic.. our standard antenna picks up all
stations perfectly

I think I've worked it out... seems I only have a 44db signal on some
carriers... therefore no 7, sbs or 9... I should just get a signal
amplifier?

No, if your analogue works fine, you just use that, and forget digital TV
what a wank



I guess if his analogue reception was good, he wouldn't have bought
it. Please see the first post in this thread recommending the digital
box for poor reception areas. That appears to be what encouraged MK
to buy one.

..
Thats true.. every time I changed a channel on analogue reception I'd

have to go adjust reception and never ever had a clear picture... I've
also never seen SBS and ABC on my tv downstairs before. At least now
when I do get the channels they work unbelievably. (yesterday It picked
up all the mainstream channels but has mixed signal strengths from 80%
down to 40% in one viewing). I'm beginning to thin that having two PC's,
a surround sound system, a ps2, an xbox, a dvd player and a sub all next
to eachother might be causing some interference?

 

[TonyP]

"NK" <wiredmonkey@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4193cff3$0$27451$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...

I guess if his analogue reception was good, he wouldn't have bought
it. Please see the first post in this thread recommending the digital
box for poor reception areas. That appears to be what encouraged MK
to buy one.

He wanted better than "perfect" maybe?

Thats true.. every time I changed a channel on analogue reception I'd
have to go adjust reception and never ever had a clear picture...

So why did you write "our standard antenna picks up all stations perfectly"
?
Doesn't sound too perfect.

TonyP.

 

[Frank]

"TonyP" <TonyP@optus.net.com.au> wrote in message
news:41947cc7$0$2681$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...

"NK" <wiredmonkey@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4193cff3$0$27451$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
I guess if his analogue reception was good, he wouldn't have bought
it. Please see the first post in this thread recommending the digital
box for poor reception areas. That appears to be what encouraged MK
to buy one.

He wanted better than "perfect" maybe?

Thats true.. every time I changed a channel on analogue reception I'd
have to go adjust reception and never ever had a clear picture...

So why did you write "our standard antenna picks up all stations
perfectly"
?
Doesn't sound too perfect.

TonyP.

Why don't you read all of NK's posts so that you can follow the thread.

Frank

 

[Andy Weir]

What a little beauty!

I'd been looking at the threads for a while trying to make up my mind given
some of the problems people were experiencing. I have line of sight but a
long distance to Tx with a low end recent digital ready ant. under the
tiles in the roof cavity.

7, 9 and 10 were VG on analogue, 28 and 31 not bad with 2 giving the most
problems but still ok. Upgrading to RG6Quad cable in preparation saw some
improvement in 28/31 but 2 lost a little. With the digital signal I get
around 85% strength and 100% quality on all channels(except no 31 of course)
and am more than pleased. No sign of any dropouts, pauses, noise on channel
change reported by some with other brands although poor reception is
probably the main culprit.

Andy

"NK" <wiredmonkey@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4191c89e$0$27451$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...

Okay so I'm home now and Im having mixed results on the box... I
sometimes receive a few channels sometimes none yet (with the antenna in
the same position) my analogue signal is showing all channels (with a
touch of blur however).. any ideas?

 

[thegoons]

It's the same DSE $148 one you got?

I know there has been mixed response, but I guess (for others in the group)
it is a little less disappointing if you have only shelled out $148 and had
average results, as opposed to $400 or $600 not too long ago!

"Andy Weir" <andy.weir@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:dkmld.34986$K7.8252@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

What a little beauty!

I'd been looking at the threads for a while trying to make up my mind
given
some of the problems people were experiencing. I have line of sight but a
long distance to Tx with a low end recent digital ready ant. under the
tiles in the roof cavity.

7, 9 and 10 were VG on analogue, 28 and 31 not bad with 2 giving the most
problems but still ok. Upgrading to RG6Quad cable in preparation saw some
improvement in 28/31 but 2 lost a little. With the digital signal I get
around 85% strength and 100% quality on all channels(except no 31 of
course)
and am more than pleased. No sign of any dropouts, pauses, noise on
channel
change reported by some with other brands although poor reception is
probably the main culprit.

Andy

"NK" <wiredmonkey@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4191c89e$0$27451$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
Okay so I'm home now and Im having mixed results on the box... I
sometimes receive a few channels sometimes none yet (with the antenna in
the same position) my analogue signal is showing all channels (with a
touch of blur however).. any ideas?

 

[Andy Weir]

No, mine is excellent results.

Andy

"thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:2vp0jbF2ntmqkU1@uni-berlin.de...

It's the same DSE $148 one you got?

I know there has been mixed response, but I guess (for others in the
group)
it is a little less disappointing if you have only shelled out $148 and
had
average results, as opposed to $400 or $600 not too long ago!

"Andy Weir" <andy.weir@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:dkmld.34986$K7.8252@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
What a little beauty!

I'd been looking at the threads for a while trying to make up my mind
given
some of the problems people were experiencing. I have line of sight but
a
long distance to Tx with a low end recent digital ready ant. under the
tiles in the roof cavity.

7, 9 and 10 were VG on analogue, 28 and 31 not bad with 2 giving the
most
problems but still ok. Upgrading to RG6Quad cable in preparation saw
some
improvement in 28/31 but 2 lost a little. With the digital signal I get
around 85% strength and 100% quality on all channels(except no 31 of
course)
and am more than pleased. No sign of any dropouts, pauses, noise on
channel
change reported by some with other brands although poor reception is
probably the main culprit.

Andy

"NK" <wiredmonkey@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4191c89e$0$27451$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
Okay so I'm home now and Im having mixed results on the box... I
sometimes receive a few channels sometimes none yet (with the antenna
in
the same position) my analogue signal is showing all channels (with a
touch of blur however).. any ideas?

 

[quietguy]

One of the really good things about DSE is their 7 day suck it and see deal -
buy it and if you decise you dont want it they will take it back within a
week - with no hassling - so buy one and give it a go

David

NK wrote:

Hmm this is interesting. I currently have pretty bad reception in the
bottom storey of the house (rabbit ears). I was thinking of mounting
another antenna on the other side of the roof but it would be a real
pain. Would a digital tele box solve this generally?

 

[The Family]

No hassling? I've had considerable hassles returning some items to DSE
within the first 7 days. The bigger the value of the the goods, the bigger
the hassle.

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"quietguy" <david1133@REMOVE-TO-REPLYoptusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:41B10A63.A87D4BAF@REMOVE-TO-REPLYoptusnet.com.au...

One of the really good things about DSE is their 7 day suck it and see
deal -
buy it and if you decise you dont want it they will take it back within a
week - with no hassling - so buy one and give it a go

David

NK wrote:



Hmm this is interesting. I currently have pretty bad reception in the
bottom storey of the house (rabbit ears). I was thinking of mounting
another antenna on the other side of the roof but it would be a real
pain. Would a digital tele box solve this generally?

 

[Phil Allison]

"The Family"

No hassling? I've had considerable hassles returning some items to DSE
within the first 7 days. The bigger the value of the the goods, the
bigger the hassle.

** When you make a habit of *changing your mind* like this they have to
right to refuse to sell you anything.

It is not a play and return policy.




............ Phil

 

[Michael]

"Phil Allison" <philallison@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:31d1j1F3b9kpiU1@individual.net...

"The Family"

No hassling? I've had considerable hassles returning some items to DSE
within the first 7 days. The bigger the value of the the goods, the
bigger the hassle.



** When you make a habit of *changing your mind* like this they have to
right to refuse to sell you anything.

It is not a play and return policy.

Cant you read English?
He hasnt been refused the right to PURCHASE, they are refusing to return
PURCHASED goods

........... Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

"Michael"
"Phil Allison"

"The Family"

No hassling? I've had considerable hassles returning some items to DSE
within the first 7 days. The bigger the value of the the goods, the
bigger the hassle.



** When you make a habit of *changing your mind* like this they have
to
right to refuse to sell you anything.

It is not a play and return policy.

Cant you read English?

** The one with that problem is YOU !!!!

He hasnt been refused the right to PURCHASE,

** That he may well be soon was my point.

they are refusing to return
PURCHASED goods

** Errrrr - it is not a play and return policy.

The OP indicated he REGULARLY returns even high priced items under their 7
day "satisfaction" policy.

That is enough to get you banned from a store.




............ Phil

 

[The Family]

Phil, you're twisting things mate.

I don't buy loads of stuff, use it then return it.

DSE has never, and will never, refused to sell me anything.

My issue is with its so-called no hassles 7-day returns policy.

I have, in fact, bought three items from DSE over the past that I have
returned due to performance issues. One item was worth about $120, the
second $195 and the third about $350. Each item was purchased from a
different store. The staff don't know me at any of those stores.

The greater the value of the item, the more hassles I encountered getting a
refund. For the $350 item, they had to get the manager who then made a
phone call. He then offered me DSE vouchers rather than cash. He
eventually agreed to a cash refund (I paid cash in the first place) but this
took persistence.

Please explain why you reckon DSE will refuse to sell to me.



"Phil Allison" <philallison@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:31d49mF38f93fU1@individual.net...

"Michael"
"Phil Allison"
"The Family"

No hassling? I've had considerable hassles returning some items to
DSE
within the first 7 days. The bigger the value of the the goods, the
bigger the hassle.



** When you make a habit of *changing your mind* like this they have
to
right to refuse to sell you anything.

It is not a play and return policy.

Cant you read English?


** The one with that problem is YOU !!!!


He hasnt been refused the right to PURCHASE,


** That he may well be soon was my point.



they are refusing to return
PURCHASED goods



** Errrrr - it is not a play and return policy.

The OP indicated he REGULARLY returns even high priced items under their 7
day "satisfaction" policy.

That is enough to get you banned from a store.




........... Phil

 

[quietguy]

My experience has been quite different - my money cheerfully refunded -
pleasant people.

David

The Family wrote:

No hassling? I've had considerable hassles returning some items to DSE
within the first 7 days. The bigger the value of the the goods, the bigger
the hassle.

 

[quietguy]

No Phil - it IS a play and return policy - if you dont like it then they take
it back.

David

Phil Allison wrote:

"The Family"

No hassling? I've had considerable hassles returning some items to DSE
within the first 7 days. The bigger the value of the the goods, the
bigger the hassle.


** When you make a habit of *changing your mind* like this they have to
right to refuse to sell you anything.

It is not a play and return policy.

........... Phil