Digital TV setup

b2tf · 22-04-2005, 11:28 AM

Just bought a 108cm widescreen TV with a digital set top box last night, and have been attempting to set it up this morning.

A few questions:-

Whats the best way to have the set top box scan for all channels available? I have run autoscan and it has been able to find 4 ABC service and 4 SBS services, but other stations such as Prime(7), Nine and Ten are nowhere to be found.
I got the frequencies and channels for them from DBA, so tonight i will try a direct scan looking for the frequencies it listed. Is that right?

Once i get all the stations thru the STB, im going to try and set it so that when we turn the TV on it comes up with Digital TV (i.e. no analog TV at all anymore). However the STB is currently connected to the TV through the inputs at the back and i need to go to AV4 on the TV to view the Digital Service. Any idea on how to change this so I dont have to go to the AV inputs to view the channels?

Finally, anyone in Southern NSW (around Wagga area) had any issues with reception? We're about a half hour out of Wagga but from what i gather we shouldnt have any problems with recpetion because we get good analog reception now. That sounds right?

Help is greatly appreciated!

**russellw** · 22-04-2005, 11:37 AM

The method you are using to scan is correct but the issue with Digital television is that it is very sensitive to a strong and clean signal - unlike analog broadcasts where you can get a bad picture with digital you will get a good one or none.

Usual causes of poor digital signals are bad connections, masthead amplifiers (they dirty the signal with poor s/n ratios) and poorly mounted aerials.

As far as connections to the TV it very much depends on what you have. A lot of late model TV's and most DSTB's have AVI connectors which should be your first choice if available. Next choice (for quality) should be component inputs (Red/Blue/Green) with S-Video next and composite (Red/Yellow/White) last - and useless for HDTV.

Most late model TV's will allow you to select the default input for startup but you'll need to delve into the manual for that.

Cheers
Russ

**russellw** · 22-04-2005, 11:40 AM

Let me clarify something: good analog reception does not necessarily translate to good digital reception for a number of reasons I won't go into here. If you can't get a strong enough signal (and the fact that you can get ABC/SBS who have better regional coverage than most suggest this is your problem) then a good quality masthead amp will help but you'll pay for a quality unit with a low signal to noise (S/N) ratio.

Hope this helps
Russ

b2tf · 22-04-2005, 11:41 AM

Thanks Russ, im using the best cable i could get with RGB connectors. Also using S-Video and seperate audio connection for the DVD player.

Ill have a dgi and see how i go.

Twisted · 22-04-2005, 11:44 AM

Ive got a set top box and have it connected into the first input on my tv. I just leave the box on and have my TV on AV1 so that when i turn it on(the tv) its automatically on the digital. As for tuning the channels mine picked up heaps of different versions of each channel all over the place and i had to re map them. A little bit tricky but worked out ok.

MITCHAY · 22-04-2005, 12:50 PM

yeah these ads a misleading. they say all u need is a TV and a STB. pfft my STB played up so bad i took it back and forth so many times b4 theyd finally accepted it was a lemon. in my experience coz im in ACT so prolly wont apply. if ur recieving dolby digital ur tuning has to be extremely fine for it to work. just got the rabbit ears antenna. no one ever said u need to upgrade cables and antennas on the ad did they. but when it stuffed up the salesperson would use any excuse to try and put it on mec (even when i live under a broadcasting antenna). now that i got it workn everythn is perfect. i got 2 ABCs, 2 SBSs (pfft yay), prime, SC Ten, and win. its also good to have good analog reception just incase ur digital screws up (does it occasionally). how unreal is digital tv with surround sound.

xceler8shun · 22-04-2005, 12:52 PM

I use SCART connectors to connect my STB to my TV, picture quality is great and automatically goes to Digital when i turn the TV on.

dogbreath_48 · 22-04-2005, 01:21 PM

yeah my TV automatically starts on analog, and i have top switch it to AV2 every time. misses me off, especially with the POS remote i have.
guess i'll just have to save for a new TV!

-Stu

svo347 · 22-04-2005, 01:41 PM

Dont you sposed to have Digital able TV antenna's?

MITCHAY · 22-04-2005, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svo347

Dont you sposed to have Digital able TV antenna's?

u might have to, but the digital TV ad never states that u have to. it just says u need a TV and a STB. wat it should states is that there is a possibility of needing an external anntena, amp etc. if they said this i would have never purchase a STB. even when i bought it, i asked if all i need is my rabbit ears and my TV and they said yes. mine works fine on rabbit ears antennas now due to a lot of fine tuning. be damned if im gonna fork out for an external antenna and new cables. only new cable i have bought was a optical cable for digital which plugs into my surround sound. also live in a rental so doubt if external attenas would b allowed.

Tote · 22-04-2005, 03:13 PM

We live in Yass and can get good reception of all the digital channels out of Canberra, I'm running separate external VHF and UHF antennas on top of the chimneys though I did have to run new coax.
Regards
Tote

-AL- · 22-04-2005, 03:23 PM

Are the channels you're missing out on all definately transmitting a digi signal?
In most cases I've seen if you have a better than average analog reception and digital signal is available you shouldnt have any dramas.
Also just on what Russ said re masthead amps make sure you do your homework because some cause more grief than good.

**russellw** · 22-04-2005, 04:41 PM

Just to clarify on the so-called digital antennae. They can be of some help in marginal situations but in most cases are NOT necessary as a well maintained analog one will work fine.

The point made by excel is correct - if you have SCART connectors at each end and they are digitally enabled then use them as your first preference. They are becoming more common on DVD players and recorders and some higher end TV's but I've yet to see one on a Plasma at any price!

Cheers
Russ

23-04-2005, 01:11 AM

I'm not much help

: Recently bought a 106cm Plasma with all the bits but we had someone come and install the aerial, etc.

Only because I wanted it done this Century...

svo347 · 23-04-2005, 09:39 AM

WTF is a SCART ...???

xceler8shun · 23-04-2005, 11:08 AM

is a scart connector also know as the Euro-Connector.

SCART stands for Syndicat francais des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radio et Television.

I have 3 SCART and 2 RCA input/outputs on my TV, you can get adapters that have the RCA plugs on the back of a SCART connector if you need to use RCA cables.