~$100 Hd Stb

[blizzard76]

Hi guys,

I'm after a cheap HD STB for my tuner-less LCD. On our plasma we use a 5100P, which looks decent enough when connected to the LCD. Does anyone know of a product with similar PQ and reliability for around $100? Or what's the cheapest similar product?

Thanks.

[Jliang70]

Hi guys,

I'm after a cheap HD STB for my tuner-less LCD. On our plasma we use a 5100P, which looks decent enough when connected to the LCD. Does anyone know of a product with similar PQ and reliability for around $100? Or what's the cheapest similar product?

Thanks.

5100P took longer time for channel change and it is not a sensitive tuner. I got one 3 years ago and it works reliably for 3 years until I replace it with Topfield 7000PVR which has much better and sensitive tuner and channel changing is much faster. If you are interested in another LG I am happy to sell it to you.

[blizzard76]

Yeah, I'm interested. Do you want to talk on PM?

[blizzard76]

Otherwise, I'm still wondering, would the cheap $100 'no name' STB have PQ on par with the LG? particular with conversion to 1080i? I guess I would prefer something with HDMI.

[Jliang70]

Yeah, I'm interested. Do you want to talk on PM?

You can pm me your offer, I am not after much with this box and I got to check if I can find if I still have the original box for it. I still have the remote but not the user menu.

Edited June 5, 2008 by jliang70

[pgdownload]

Otherwise, I'm still wondering, would the cheap $100 'no name' STB have PQ on par with the LG? particular with conversion to 1080i? I guess I would prefer something with HDMI.

Digital TV looks pretty much the same on any STB. Obviously HD looks better than SD. You'll get more PQ variation depending on the cables you use than by swapping STBs. This isn't expensive versus cheap cables, its the type of cable. As a rough indication of reletive PQ:

Assuming the best cable type is HDMI and pegged at 100% for picture quality then in relative decending order of PQ: HDMI (100%), DVI (100%), RGB (95%), Component (95%), SVideo (85%), Composite (75%) and RF (65%). Many people find SVideo to be excellent PQ. Its usually a bit 'softer' than other options but this can be easier on the eyes. If buying HD grab a unit with HDMI out/in (if available) but don't not buy something just because it doesn't have HDMI. Component is probably the most recommended good PQ option at the moment.

So yes, as long as you're not going dirt dirt cheap any STB will provide a PQ roughly similar to another.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[blizzard76]

I know what you're saying. But I guess I'm talking about the upconversion of say SD to 1080i. Will I see much variation between players?

[pgdownload]

I know what you're saying. But I guess I'm talking about the upconversion of say SD to 1080i. Will I see much variation between players?

Again probably not a lot. In your basic (sub $500) STB or DVDR with upconversion you're dealing with some standard chips and processes. The PQ will be improved somewhat (although not enormously) over the original SD, however the difference between players is not going to be enormous. That said this is an area where if you want to spend some $$ you will get much better up conversion results from dedicated units. We're talking $2000+ (and that doesn't included the actual player)

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[rpant]

Hi, today I was looking for a HD STB as a present. The cheapest I found was from Target for $99.99.

It's an Olin HVBT-2000B. You can see specs here... https://crazystu.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=328

Don't know how it performs yet, will have to wait until it's set up in a couple of weeks but see this thread for further info.

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=60880

Regards,

Rob

Edited June 5, 2008 by rpant

[Miklos73]

Edit: Never mind

Edited August 23, 2008 by Miklos73