Digital Tv question

MickyB · 01-06-2005, 01:56 PM

I was just wondering if it is possible to use a set top box to receive a digital tv signal using the old rabbit ears antenna. I get pretty good reception using the rabbit ears in my room, as you can basically see Mt Dandenong from my house (fairly high up), but I want to know if anyone has used rabbit ears to get digital tv, or will it only work using an external antenna?

MITCHAY · 01-06-2005, 02:02 PM

Yep with a lot of fine tuning you can. Mines fine. The only time it seems to be a pain in the ***, is when you have it set to Dolby Digital sound. Has to be very fine tuned for this to work on mine. And you get bloody ****ed off when you accidently **** it up (alcohol involved) cause it takes a while. Generally if you have pretty decent reception with the rabbit ears then digital should be good.

Ghiadude · 01-06-2005, 02:04 PM

if your signal level is strong (line of sight ) you should generally have faultless service. i should know ... i work for the largest broadcaster in Australia....

MickyB · 01-06-2005, 02:10 PM

Thanks, anyone know of a good cheap SD digital box I can go out and get? Also whats the cheapest one with a co-ax out so I can get Dolby Digital sound through my reciever?

MITCHAY · 01-06-2005, 02:21 PM

Stay away from Teac. Ive had a lemon one before and its known for its problems and the hassle that goes with it. Mines got an optical out for Dolby. i dont know if any use a co-ax for Dolby i think they all use optical but i could be wrong.

01-06-2005, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tx3dude

if your signal level is strong (line of sight ) you should generally have faultless service. i should know ... i work for the largest broadcaster in Australia....

You wouldnt know about the Voice Sync Issue on ABC2 would you.

that is starting to annoy me. happens on a mates 500 dollar STB and my internal DVB-T PCI tunner card?

Lukeyson · 01-06-2005, 05:33 PM

i got a cheap samsung sd box, its pretty good ! was $199 about 8 months ago.
pic and sound have been faultless, dolby dig out it optical out not coax

XplosiveR6 · 01-06-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Stay away from Teac. Ive had a lemon one before and its known for its problems and the hassle that goes with it. Mines got an optical out for Dolby. i dont know if any use a co-ax for Dolby i think they all use optical but i could be wrong.

i have a teac set top box, absolutly faultless, work perfectly, and at a good price.
coaxal or optical it doesnt matter, they both do exactly the same thing, they both send encoded digital audio be it DD, DTS or MPEG audio

DarkXr · 01-06-2005, 05:45 PM

you'll find some of the cheaper boxes come with coax out... Any one in Perth who needs electrical gear Pm for mates rates.... I work for an electrical retailer in perth.

XplosiveR6 · 01-06-2005, 05:55 PM

also there arn't any dolby 5.1 programs at the moment in standard definition. even High definition only has one program in 5.1 that i know of, and thats mcleods daughters lol.

MickyB · 01-06-2005, 06:23 PM

The only reason I wanted co-ax was because I use the optical input on my receiver for my x-box. I was thinking I might need to upgrade my Denon receiver, but by the looks of it I needn't bother if nothing is broadcast in 5.1 anyway. So Samsung make some good cheap STB's, what other ones are people using?

MrSparkle · 01-06-2005, 06:49 PM

I bought a true cheaparse unit, a Dick Smith brand one. It actually has worked flawlessly, and has a host of outputs including optical! Only SD though not HD. As to the original question, yes you can use rabbit ears but they will be no use if their regular reception is shyte.