Set top boxes

Helen · Veteran Member

Set top boxes

DeBe · Guru

Shouldnt be a problem Helen, I run mine of a 300Watt inverter, the only prob i can see is the start up current of the switch mode powersupply in the set top box. Only way to know if the 150W inverter wil do it is to try it. Cheers Daryl

Helen · Veteran Member

Thanks Daryl.

dave06 · Guru

no dramas Helen, the set top box power is tottally seperate to the tv's power,

it is also possible to get 12 volt set top boxes that dont require 240 at all

the thing is if you have dodgy reception with analogue tv then I dont like your chances with digital,

digital is either perfect or nothing, there is no in between, you wont get a "snowy" picture, you will not getr a picture at all, it is easil interupted by trees or hills or distance

PeterD · Guru

dave06 wrote:
the thing is if you have dodgy reception with analogue tv then I dont like your chances with digital,

digital is either perfect or nothing, there is no in between, you wont get a "snowy" picture, you will not getr a picture at all, it is easil interupted by trees or hills or distance

Not necessarily. We have been carrying a digital box for some time. Occasionally it will overcome weak signal problems, particularly where the analogue is being transmitted on band 1 or 2. The related digital channel will probably be on band 4 or 5, as is the case at Port Augusta. I could not receive ABC TV there due to the poor performance of the lower channels through caravan type antennas, band 4 transmissions fixed that problem (if you had a digital set.)

There are other problems when weak signals are present. They often are accompanied by power line interference (radiated) RF interference (herringbone.) If you are using good cable between your antenna and box you overcome this type of problems.

NB - by good cable I do not include the single screened cable (ie copper braid only and no foil shielding.) The single screened cable is not a complete shielding at band 3 and UHF TV frequencies.

dave06 · Guru

I bow to your greater knowledge, when we were carrying ours and the digital signal dropped out we just unplugged the set top box and 5/10 times we would get a piccy

however we dont take the box with us anymore, havent for quite while so cant comment further than that!

Helen · Veteran Member

I am pleased to announce that with my cheap Dick Smith STB I now can watch perfect TV after battling with almost an unwatchable picture. No one more surprised than me! Thanks for feedback.

milo · Senior Member

I got one for the lounge room from Dick smiths $89 .. hd and sd , might have to get one for the "Tardis" , i gather each local we have to re scan for local channels?
also I gather id have to get one with 12 vault power if running off a generator?

PeterD · Guru

milo wrote:
I gather each local we have to re scan for local channels?
also I gather I'd have to get one with 12 volt power if running off a generator?

Yes, each area has its own suite of channels and the box has to be retuned (rescanned) to these. However the good thing about digital is that the same channel numbers are used on the remote control no matter where you are. It's a PITA with analogue when you rescan the channels are not necessarily the same for each network each time you retune.

Unless you have a cheap generator with a ropey output waveform , a 240 V set should work off it.

Currently we are in the Riverglade CP at Tumut with good digital TV but ropey analogue. There is the occasional bit of break up but it beats watching the distorted analogue.