Digital Set Top Box

[GoalSneak38]

Hey

Does anyone know where to grab a cheap set top box? So far 49 bucks is the cheapest at JB Hi Fi.

Cheers!!!!

 

[bubblegoose]

Hey

Does anyone know where to grab a cheap set top box? So far 49 bucks is the cheapest at JB Hi Fi.

Cheers!!!!

That could be the cheapest you'll find. I got a cheap one on ebay & works ok - but I wouldn't recommend it. At least with JB you can return / exchange if it's crap.

 

[Ingall]

I think JB HiFi sell them for under $50.

 

[Funkalicous]

This is all Channel One's fault isn't it?

I'm hunting for a digital set-top box as well. Except I don't want something too cheap and nasty. Any good recommendations?

Also do you absolutely must have Fox IQ2 to get FTA HD channels through Foxtel?

 

[smashh]

I got a 'soniq' one from JB a few months ago. It was the cheapest I could find at the time at $99. So if one is there for $50 then take it!!

 

[seanoff]

be careful.

some (most) of the cheaper ones will not pick up the HD channels. So if you want to get NineHD, 1 etc you'll need a HD capable set top box.

 

[eays]

depends if you want standard def or hi def. If you have a CRT tv (i.e. it aint an LCD or plasma) i cant see the point in getting Hi Def. The programs are the same on std def as on hi def.

For std def, there is one for 39 bucks at big W and it works fine. Also, i saw one for 29 bucks at coles today. Cheap and nasty, but does the job.

One sport channel here i come ....

 

[Lets Beyblade]

This is all Channel One's fault isn't it?

I'm hunting for a digital set-top box as well. Except I don't want something too cheap and nasty. Any good recommendations?

Also do you absolutely must have Fox IQ2 to get FTA HD channels through Foxtel?

Unfortunately yes. I have Foxtel iQ and you definitely need iQ2 to receive the HD FTA channels. I'm going away later in the year so haven't bothered paying the 200 bucks and extra 20 or so a month to upgrade. Would be worth it for the HD sports channels thought!

 

[i_hate_scams]

can i please confirm...

there is no point getting HD if your tv is not a plasma / LCD

and

You can pick up 7HD, 9HD, ABC2, ONE, SBS news with a SD set top box.

 

[Flying_Penguin]

I don't think you can pick up any HD channels but you can pick up ABC2 and ONE SD and any others which arent HD.

 

[tandino]

can i please confirm...

there is no point getting HD if your tv is not a plasma / LCD

Not really, but.

You can pick up 7HD, 9HD, ABC2, ONE, SBS news with a SD set top box.

You can't pick up HD channels on a SD box.

But you can pick up One on Channel 12 in SD, and ABC 1 & 2 but not ABCHD. And if Channel 7 or Channel 9 choose to broadcast their extra channels in SD, you will pick those up as well.

As for boxes, I picked up a "Bush" SD one from The Good Guys for just shy of $50. Does the job for me. And also, (something I was sort of expecting anyway, but still come as a pleasent surprise) it has fixed up what was my shitty reception out of sight, which is also a big plus.

 

[raboyle]

can i please confirm...

there is no point getting HD if your tv is not a plasma / LCD

and

You can pick up 7HD, 9HD, ABC2, ONE, SBS news with a SD set top box.

The box will pick those HD channels up, but it won't show them.

 

[Mr Eagle]

The box will pick those HD channels up, but it won't show them.

Won't show the picture at all, or will only show an SD-equivalent version of the picture?

 

[seanoff]

Won't show the picture at all, or will only show an SD-equivalent version of the picture?

will not show them at all.

don't have the hardware to do so. there's a fair chunk more bandwidth involved in a 1080i signal. so it will recognise there is a signal on that freq but no hope of decoding and displaying it, never mind downscaling it.

 

[spitlizard]

Can't get much cheaper then this......

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/49e4574c15944b2c273fc0a87e010690/Product/View/G2128

 

[relapse]

I picked up an awa one from big w about three years ago that is still working well and I think they are only about $50 now.

The cheapest I saw was coles where they were clearing out their mtv ones for $30 I was going to buy one for my dad.

 

[Roo-Boy]

Aldi is selling on Thursday Tevion High Definition Set Top Boxs for $79

http://aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_8043.htm