check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar rearview170 Beam Communications SatPhone Shop Topargee products Enginesaver Low Water Alarms
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Techies' Corner -> Set top box
Post Info TOPIC: Set top box
GaryKelly


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2884
Date:
Set top box
Permalink  

G'day. When in doubt, ask a nomad, right? Recently, I bought a new Bush set top box on eBay. Tried to set it up yesterday and met with zilch. Emailed the seller but haven't heard back yet. Also emailed Bush Australia. They asked me to check all connections to make sure the right cables were in the right places, etc. So I did and it still didn't work. Both the set top box and mini analogue TV are plugged into the power, as is the antenna, and appear to be operating (lights on, remotes working).

As soon as everything is plugged in and turned on, there should be an Installation Guide on screen but there isn't. Just static noise. I've switched between TV and AV (source) and it makes no difference. It's supposed to be in AV mode I believe, and the set top box becomes the tuner.

This morning I took a couple of pics and sent them to Bush (see attached). The TV is a mono and only has two inputs at the back for video and audio. Bush said all 3 RCA cables need to be plugged into the TV for the set top box to work. So I bought a joiner to join the two audio jacks to make a single jack. Now the TV has all 3 jacks inserted, the video by itself and the 2 audio via the joiner. Incidentally, the bloke at Dick Smith insisted that the cable should work with only the video and one audio (red) plugged into the TV (and so did the bloke at the computer store) but I asked for a joiner anyway just to satisfy Bush.

I've updated Bush with the story so far and told them I'm still not getting anything on screen after turning everything on, despite using the joiner but I'm still waiting for their reply. Currently they're saying the problem lies with the TV and not the STB. Yeah, right.

Any whizz bang retired technicians out there who know a thing or two about this kinda prob?



-- Edited by GaryKelly on Tuesday 9th of April 2013 03:23:57 PM

Attachments
__________________

Gary

Ford Courier with Freeway slide-on called "PJ". www.aussieodyssey.com
vk6tnc


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 518
Date:
Permalink  

I just downloaded and read the manual for your STB. Nothing tricky there. Sound like the TV is not switched to AV mode. Is there another button on the TV remote marked "Source", "Mode" or "Input" ? Or a button on the TV ?



-- Edited by vk6tnc on Tuesday 9th of April 2013 03:46:45 PM



-- Edited by vk6tnc on Tuesday 9th of April 2013 04:04:19 PM

__________________

 Cheers, Chris...


"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin
vk6tnc


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 518
Date:
Permalink  

Can you post the make and model of TV ?

__________________

 Cheers, Chris...


"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin
GaryKelly


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2884
Date:
Permalink  

It's a Chinese no-name job... just called TFT LCD Color Mini TV. Anyway, seems the STB is a dud. Bush suggested I try it with my regular TV, which I did, using the AV source setting. NO SIGNAL. So there ya go. I've written to the seller on eBay to let them know the story, and I'll return the unit by post tomorrow for a refund or replacement. Sorry about the wild goose chase, chaps. I should have tried it with a second TV sooner. What a frustrating waste of time it's been.

__________________

Gary

Ford Courier with Freeway slide-on called "PJ". www.aussieodyssey.com
Grams


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 719
Date:
Permalink  

I never buy anything electrical from eBay, everything else I get from there. I would rather take something back to the store than have to pay to have the item returned to the seller. It ends up costing a small fortune, way more than you could have got it at a store.

Good luck Gary

__________________

 

Grams and Poppy

2003 Toyota Landcruiser Prado Grande

1999 Jayco Starcraft 15ft Pop Top 

 
Cruising Cruze


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2138
Date:
Permalink  

Make sure he has to sign for it to recieved it

otherwise he can say that he never got it

 

John



__________________
vk6tnc


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 518
Date:
Permalink  

Cruising Cruze wrote:

Make sure he has to sign for it to recieved it

otherwise he can say that he never got it

 

John

 Good suggestion....make sure you send it registered mail, then you can track it online and get the name of the person who signed for it.

Since the seller was offering a DOA  replacement warrantee, perhaps the batch was dodgy to start with ???



__________________

 Cheers, Chris...


"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin
_wombat_


Master (of Mischief)

Status: Offline
Posts: 10942
Date:
Permalink  

your purchase on eBay also has a case file, but you need to contact eBay within 45 days of receiving your item if there is a problem to start a case.



__________________

 

                                 
GaryKelly


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2884
Date:
Permalink  

I posted the STB today by registered mail so we'll see what the response from the seller is soon enough, if any. In the package, I included a print-out of an email I sent them with all the details and item number.

__________________

Gary

Ford Courier with Freeway slide-on called "PJ". www.aussieodyssey.com
goldcoaster


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 381
Date:
Permalink  

Always use PayPal as well,money back guarantee. I have bought a lot of electrical items of ebay,no problems yet. Good Luck.

__________________
dorian


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4182
Date:
Permalink  

What do you see if you press the Menu button on your remote?

If you install a USB flash drive with some JPEG or AVI multimedia files, does the STB recognise it? Do you get a selection of files on your TV?

If you remove the AV cables from your TV and place the TV in AV mode, do you still see static, or do you see a blank or blue screen?

FYI, I bought an STB for $39 from JB Hi-FI (Aldi had a similar unit for $29). Its USB port is not only a playback port, but it also allows you to record HD free-to-air TV programs. You can also play back the recordings on your PC using VLC player.

 



-- Edited by dorian on Monday 15th of April 2013 06:58:56 PM

__________________

"No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."

Lucius Cornelius Sulla - died 78 BC 

 
herbie


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1950
Date:
Permalink  

Registered mail was or used to be the safest way to send mail, well now i have my doubts,as my son was telling me he retuned home from work one night last week ,and between the wooden and screen doors was a box. Delivered by Autralia post from Telstra ,but it was not for him .The address was fine but the name on it was for the people who he brought his house off three years ago.He took it back to post office and when he asked why it was left at his place ,when no one was there to sign for it, the answer he got ,,,,was with so much stuff getting brought via the net ,we do not have time to keep going back to the same address if no one is home.They used to leave a card in the mail box once but with the elecronic sign pad now they must not leave the card any more . So what i am saying here is that safety net is really not there any more ..As if they just leave the goods as sure as hell these crooks are going to say they never received it.



__________________

Time To Sleep Later In Life.
GaryKelly


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2884
Date:
Permalink  

Well, the eBay seller sent a new set top box. I received it yesterday, tried it, and got the same thing. Nuttin. It's highly unlikely the second box is a dud, so I took it across the road to Ant's Antennas. I've often seen his truck and trailer parked outside his house. I gave the him box, mini TV and all the connections, manuals, etc, and he's gonna return it later this afternoon. I'll be interested to see what he says.... and charges. Seems like a nice bloke, though. I figure I must be doing something wrong but blowed if I know what. Stay tooned.

__________________

Gary

Ford Courier with Freeway slide-on called "PJ". www.aussieodyssey.com
vk6tnc


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 518
Date:
Permalink  

How's that STB coming along ?

__________________

 Cheers, Chris...


"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin
GaryKelly


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2884
Date:
Permalink  

Well, the local antenna bloke hasn't been to my place yet, so he's either absconded with the loot or he's having problems with the set top box and mini TV hehe. And if HE'S having probs, it's no wonder I was! If he doesn't turn up this weekend, I'll check with him on Monday to see what the story is. He's just across the road. Stay tooned.

__________________

Gary

Ford Courier with Freeway slide-on called "PJ". www.aussieodyssey.com
vk6tnc


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 518
Date:
Permalink  

Geez. Thats gotta be frustracating....

__________________

 Cheers, Chris...


"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin
GaryKelly


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2884
Date:
Permalink  

And now the moment you've all been waiting for... da da! The second STB was a dud. Ant the Antenna bloke across the road from my house, according to his missus, couldn't get it to work either. Something about a rolling screen, and nothing else. He tried with my mini portable as well as his own TV. So I emailed the eBay seller and told them the story. They refunded the initial cost of the STB plus my postage for returning it. I told them I wasn't prepared to return the second one, and that I didn't want another replacement. So, I've got my money back and a second dud as a bonus. I just hope Ant doesn't charge me for his time hehe.

__________________

Gary

Ford Courier with Freeway slide-on called "PJ". www.aussieodyssey.com
herbie


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1950
Date:
Permalink  

What was the name of this e-bay seller Gary or the name they use to sell on e-bay .



__________________

Time To Sleep Later In Life.
GaryKelly


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2884
Date:
Permalink  

Pc-tek-it Herbie.

__________________

Gary

Ford Courier with Freeway slide-on called "PJ". www.aussieodyssey.com
neilnruth


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3683
Date:
Permalink  

We have found that set top boxes seem to have a use by date - and just die.

__________________

NeilnRuth
KFT


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2437
Date:
Permalink  

Unfortunately Gary's died before he even got them. 2 in a row. he must be "blessed" or something.

frank

__________________

Avagreatday.

Kathy and Frank currently at Home near Quirindi NSW
herbie


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1950
Date:
Permalink  

GaryKelly wrote:

Pc-tek-it Herbie.

 Thanks Gary for that link.



__________________

Time To Sleep Later In Life.
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Techies' Corner -> Set top box
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook