Dgtec Dg-hd8040

[likwidsh0k1503561232]

Hi guys,

Looking to get a STB for my folks for their old 68cm CRT and key thing is to be able to get all the channels including the freeview ones.

The DGTEC DG-HD8040 seems ideal for the price and Dick Smith's return policy, but would like to make sure that it can get the freeview channels?

Read a bit about Freeview and that it is what I thought it would be just using up the additional available bandwidth to add a couple of channels.. so seems all STB's should be able to get them, but due to the new MHEG5 just not the freeview EPG? Is that the difference?

Wondering because Dick Smith also have the DGTEC Freeview HD STB DGFV7200 which is branded as 'freeview' which makes you kinda wonder if the others can play the freeview stuff.

Thanks,

Andrew

Edited July 2, 2009 by likwidsh0k

[tonymy01]

Keh?

Read this FAQ on Freeview, as discussed by members on this forum (not the gooey feel good infoless Freeview site): http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=77923

[likwidsh0k1503561232]

Keh?

Read this FAQ on Freeview, as discussed by members on this forum (not the gooey feel good infoless Freeview site): http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=77923

Thanks Tony.

I did, obviously not well enough though. Think I was blinded by all the word Freeview highlighted in yellow from my search ..

"There has been a lot of confusion about just what channels a Freeview box will be able to receive. In this regard Freeview boxes are absolutely no different from a non-Freeview High Definition (HD) digital box. Every FTA channel will be available to both types of equipment. Obviously Standard Definition (SD) digital boxes will only be able to receive the SD channels broadcast."

Was a bit worried too afterwards realising don't want everyone posting does xxxx STB get Freeview? thread.

Yeah that Freeview site is cr@p and I hate those stupid flash websites.

Cheers,

Andrew

[likwidsh0k1503561232]

Changed the title to get rid of the freeview bit.

Just seeing my other thread that I forgot about I posted 18 months ago, I mentioned that reading comments here to stay well clear of DGTEC.. is that still the case?

Does anyone have the DGTEC Dg-hd8040 and can share any experience please? About $100 is my folks price range.

Thanks

Edited July 2, 2009 by likwidsh0k

[fatal]

Got one today for a 22" full HD PC monitor in the bedroom. I'm taking it back to DSE today to get the $99 back. The tuner is weak as pi55. When I was changing channel, the audio would carry over to the video on the new channel. The signal quality was poor compared to the intergrated tuner in our Pana plasma and a (Homecast) PVR in another room. The PVR and plasma get signals of over 95% on all channels, and the Dgtec struggled to get 70% with constant break-ups (using quad shield coax). I have read lots of negative things about the Dgtec boxes, I just thought I'd take a shot seen as though DSE is about 2 minutes away and have the 14 day return policy.

The hunt for a cheap HD box continues :/

[likwidsh0k1503561232]

Thank you very much fatal.

When I was changing channel, the audio would carry over to the video on the new channel.

What a POS.. that sounds really bad!

I have read lots of negative things about the Dgtec boxes, I just thought I'd take a shot seen as though DSE is about 2 minutes away and have the 14 day return policy.

Yeah that's what I was thinking too.

The hunt for a cheap HD box continues :/

I saw the folks today and they had a TV repair guy come round a degauss their set and he said he would install the STB when they get it. Said their best bet is to give him a call see what he suggests and maybe buy it for them aswell. When I find out what that is I'll post it here, maybe as a new thread.

Thanks again for the info, very much appreciated. Looks like it is still the case, avoid DGTEC like the... swine flu

Cheers

[likwidsh0k1503561232]

Get this.. Dad told me they went into Hardly Normal and this old salesman comes up saying he was an 'honest salesman' ... RUN!!

Anyway his honest advice was don't buy a HD STB for your old CRT ($100) better to buy a new widescreen LCD instead with the STB built in (~$1000), no idea what model but expect would be pretty cr@p. They have no need for a new LCD as they watch alot of ABC and SBS and so are mainly after their additional channels. Plus, yes there were more pearls of honest old salesman wisdom, that on the old CRT with this new widescreen stuff you won't be able to see the stuff on the edges or everything on the screen will be all squished up vertically.... no sh*t.

Luckily my Dad is very smart and can detect BS a mile away.. but others might fall for it.

[tdunster]

I purchased a DG-HD8040 STB a few days ago and for $99 I am very happy with it. The signal comes in nice and clear and the picture quality adequate. I also own a Topfield PVR and with respect to signal / tuner strength I'd rate them equal.

Can someone please explain how signal strength percentages work and how they can be compatible from one brand / model to another completely different brand or model ?

I was under the impression that the actual percentages are not in any way comparable.

cheers.

[fatal]

I was told by the bloke who installed an additional wall outlet and new splitter that the signal strength readings on the tuners don't really mean much at all. That said when the picture is breaking up and dropping audio from the same outlet and coax as a intergrated tuner that never misses a beat, and a PVR that is spot on also, then I put 2 & 2 together and come to the conclusion that the tuner breaking up is poor.

I'm going to look at either a TF7000 (if I can find one) or TF7200 (around $170 delivered). I read a couple of good things on the Olin HVBT-2000 for ~$100.

[fatal]

Ended up taking the DGTEC back to DSE, got the cash back, walked 1 minute around the corner to Target and grabbed their last Olin HVBT-2000B for $99. All channels 90-100% strength/quality, no audio problems. A solid unit for under $100.

[likwidsh0k1503561232]

Ended up taking the DGTEC back to DSE, got the cash back, walked 1 minute around the corner to Target and grabbed their last Olin HVBT-2000B for $99. All channels 90-100% strength/quality, no audio problems. A solid unit for under $100.

Nice one! (no thumbs up smilie)

Thanks again for the update. I'll pass that on to the folks.

Thanks to The Dunster too, great to get another opinion and could still be worth a look based on the no questions asked 14 day refund.

Is this all very dependant on the antenna and/or location.. that the same STB can be fine for some but not for others? Eg some may be better at picking up weaker signals or something like that. That was the impression I got last time I was researching, and my best advice to the folks was to make sure they can get a full refund so they can see how it works in their home.

I had a Samsung LCD with just $15 bunny ears that could pickup every channel perfectly, whereas neighbours downstairs have a new Sony and get cr@p reception.

Also the folks retirement village just got wired with new digital antennas, so guessing that has to be a good thing.

[fatal]

Our place is only a few years old with quad shield throughout so I think in our case it comes down to the boxes tuner rather than our aerial/coax. And yeah I've found some brands have better tuners than others. I previously had a Strong SD box that was good with rabbit ears in our old place, where an AKAI & Kross failed miserably. Our DSE branded (Homecast) SD PVR in the kids living area has great tuners, and the integrated tuner in out PX80A is good too.

We do use a UHF amplifier though, as the UHF signal in our area results in no signal - but with the amp UHF (SC10) has 95-100% strength/quality on the PX80A, PVR, and now the Olin. I can't remember seeing any pictures/audio break up since we have lived here in 6 months.

Maybe our DGTEC was faulty, who knows - but I have read a lot of negative things about them. Maybe you could see how it goes, with 14 day no question return policy at DSE you can't lose really. Target also had a Teac HD box for $106 or something. I have since found a couple of little annoyances with the Olin and will give it a good run (or try a firmware update). But for the amount of time it will be used I don't think we will be to bothered either way.

I'm just looking for the perfect budget box, but I'm beginning to think they don't exist!

Edited July 7, 2009 by fatal

[shangxiao]

DON'T BOTHER GETTING A DodGyTEC.

I bought the hd8040 yesterday. All the channels work fine except for the aspect ratio. I've got an old 4:3 tv and it's all squashed up. Pressing the aspect ratio button does jack all. Went to the DGTEC website hoping to see if there was a firmware upgrade - the product wasn't even listed on the website.

The thing that fatal was talking about the audio carrying over to the next channel only happens when the signal is bad - I noticed channel 2 was lagging a bit so switched channels and the audio stayed on channel 2 for quite a few seconds.

Also with SBS the reception has never been that good at my house. This box had an annoying "Bad Signal" thing stuck in the picture which I couldn't figure out how to turn off!

Luckily I bought it from DSE I'll see if I can get a refund tomorrow and go and buy a real digital tv.

[Guest worldfooty]

DON'T BOTHER GETTING A DodGyTEC.

I bought the hd8040 yesterday. All the channels work fine except for the aspect ratio. I've got an old 4:3 tv and it's all squashed up. Pressing the aspect ratio button does jack all. Went to the DGTEC website hoping to see if there was a firmware upgrade - the product wasn't even listed on the website.

The thing that fatal was talking about the audio carrying over to the next channel only happens when the signal is bad - I noticed channel 2 was lagging a bit so switched channels and the audio stayed on channel 2 for quite a few seconds.

Also with SBS the reception has never been that good at my house. This box had an annoying "Bad Signal" thing stuck in the picture which I couldn't figure out how to turn off!

Luckily I bought it from DSE I'll see if I can get a refund tomorrow and go and buy a real digital tv.

Oh no! I ordered the same model via DSE online a few weeks ago and it finally arrived today. Everything seems fine, except I've a CRT too, and so the image is also squashed up. I pressed aspect ratio and nothing happens! Exactly as you reported. It's like it only outputs 16:9 regardless. It does it all channels I think.

The only thing I could do to improve things was switch my TV to the 16:9 letterbox style. So that at least it wasn't squashed up. But that is sub-optimal, as I prefer to watch in 4:3 rather than lose all the screenspace.

A cheap old Hotchip STB that I had on loan from a mate has all the same specs and behaves the same, except its picture size button actually works.

This is very disappointing. The whole STB experience has been regrettable. I did a lot of research, finally made a decision, went to the shop to find they'd sold out. So repeated the exercise and came up with the HD8040, ordered it, had to wait ages, and now it's a dud. And almost okay - I could just live with 16:9 from the STB and set on my TV. Not sure what I'm going to do yet.

[likwidsh0k1503561232]

Ahh CRAP!

Seems the old man wisdom re squished image was spot-on! I though the STB would do the aspect ratio thing and if not could rely on the folks tv to 16:9 letterbox, its not that old so should have that feature. But they might want to watch stuff fullscreen too.

The problem is they only want a few extra channels primarily abc2 not all the HD stuff so don't want to spend to much cash.. I guess why they still don't have one 18 months after I first asked about one.

Ok so DodGyTEC is now officially a POS and off the list. Thanks alot for all the info guys.

[Simon the TECH]

DON'T BOTHER GETTING A DodGyTEC.

I bought the hd8040 yesterday. All the channels work fine except for the aspect ratio. I've got an old 4:3 tv and it's all squashed up. Pressing the aspect ratio button does jack all. Went to the DGTEC website hoping to see if there was a firmware upgrade - the product wasn't even listed on the website.

The thing that fatal was talking about the audio carrying over to the next channel only happens when the signal is bad - I noticed channel 2 was lagging a bit so switched channels and the audio stayed on channel 2 for quite a few seconds.

Also with SBS the reception has never been that good at my house. This box had an annoying "Bad Signal" thing stuck in the picture which I couldn't figure out how to turn off!

Luckily I bought it from DSE I'll see if I can get a refund tomorrow and go and buy a real digital tv.

To setup ASPECT button on remote:-

MENU-----SYSTEM SETTINGS------PLAY SETTINGS---------AR Conversion -------"COMBINED"

EXIT ----EXIT-------EXIT

Thats it

[shangxiao]

Thats it

It'd be nice if the manual said this next to the aspect ratio button rather than "This button changes the aspect ratio". It'd be even nicer if the unit didn't display "4:3" on the TV when you push it thinking that something's just wrong inside the box. It'd also be nice if the unit changed this tucked-away setting automatically when you push the button.

Edited July 9, 2009 by shangxiao

[Catman73]

I just purchased this model today and am a little disappointed...the USB media function doesn't seem to work. Nothing happens when I press the USB button on the remote - no menu, no nothing. I don't know if it's the button or the USB port itself. I wanted to try jpegs, mp3s and even an avi file. I rang DGTec and the tech guy told me that 'we don't recommend the use of the USB port except for firmware upgrade' I don't think this is good enough if the feature is described in the manual.

Other observations: The remote buttons have to be pressed hard to respond, changing channels is sluggish and often audio from the previous channel continues for a few seconds after changing to another channel, also some channels have a low signal strength but do display fine but there is a dirty big "Bad Signal" text on the screen continuously.

Has anyone else got the USB to work?

I might take my unit back for a refund.

[Guest worldfooty]

To setup ASPECT button on remote:-

MENU-----SYSTEM SETTINGS------PLAY SETTINGS---------AR Conversion -------"COMBINED"

EXIT ----EXIT-------EXIT

Thats it

So there is still hope! Can't wait to get home to try this out. If this works I will be very pleased and grateful for the advice (although bemused that the option is in such a strange place).

Regarding the other poster querying the USB port, I noticed that button on the remote and went looking for the USB port and couldn't see one so I assumed not on this model. I'll check again tonight.

[Jackoz66]

Yeah tell me about it. just bought two of them and will try the aspect settings , thanks guys.

Now to USB, it clearly shows in the DG HD8040 manual USB PORT FOR USB software upgrade AND reading files .

It even shows you a snap shot of screen viewing JPEG, BMP and MP3 files. so there is no confusion here just a monumental blunder from DGTEC for releasing the wrong upgrade or box or manual! , either way it amounts to false advertising at the least.

Got mine from Tandy and they didn't know about USB or hadn't had any calls about it I gather.

Tried all day yesterday and finally got through to DGTEC "Tecnician" today and first he tried to say it was only for upgrade so I directed him to manual and has promised to ring back with more info in 1/2 hour....mmmmm.

1 hour still waiting.

I will post outcome

So there is still hope! Can't wait to get home to try this out. If this works I will be very pleased and grateful for the advice (although bemused that the option is in such a strange place).

Regarding the other poster querying the USB port, I noticed that button on the remote and went looking for the USB port and couldn't see one so I assumed not on this model. I'll check again tonight.

[Guest Andyg33]

I just purchased this model today and am a little disappointed...the USB media function doesn't seem to work. Nothing happens when I press the USB button on the remote - no menu, no nothing. I don't know if it's the button or the USB port itself. I wanted to try jpegs, mp3s and even an avi file. I rang DGTec and the tech guy told me that 'we don't recommend the use of the USB port except for firmware upgrade' I don't think this is good enough if the feature is described in the manual.

Other observations: The remote buttons have to be pressed hard to respond, changing channels is sluggish and often audio from the previous channel continues for a few seconds after changing to another channel, also some channels have a low signal strength but do display fine but there is a dirty big "Bad Signal" text on the screen continuously.

Has anyone else got the USB to work?

I might take my unit back for a refund.

Does anyone know how & what the "IP interactivity via LAN" feature means on the DGTEC DG-FV7200, I'm wondering if it will enable me to see other files on my network or another PVR ?

[dm1]

To setup ASPECT button on remote:-

MENU-----SYSTEM SETTINGS------PLAY SETTINGS---------AR Conversion -------"COMBINED"

EXIT ----EXIT-------EXIT

Thats it

Thank you Simon the TECH!

I was going insane because the aspect ration button wasn't working! This has fixed the problem, and I'm happy to stick with this cheap STB until we get a digital tv.

A side note on the DG-HD8040, we are in Melbourne CBD and were having reception problems with an old STB plugged into our apartment's shared antenna. With the DG-HD8040 we are able to pick up all channels with a good signal.

[Guest worldfooty]

Yes, Simon's suggestion worked for me. So I've decided to keep the unit. Thank you!

Having that, when I set it to 4:3 (and it now works) I found that it seemed a little blurry. Just not as crisp as 16:9 letterbox, and worse than I recall getting with the one I borrowed from my mate (which cost something like $50 or $60). I swapped over to his to confirm, and it was true, the 8040 in 4:3 is poorer than the crappy Hotchip one (although that did catch on fire when he first got it!). Anyway, I've decided I've had enough with the hassles. I'll watch in 16:9 letterbox with my TV set that way, I can live with it. At least 4:3 is there as a fallback if I need it. My partner dislikes letterbox but she doesn't watch much TV anyway. She'll just have to wait 5 or 6 years and we'll get a plasma.

As for USB, I checked again, and my 8040 definitely has no USB port on it. And the USB menu simply reports "USB function not supported". There is a HDMI slot, which some people might mistake for USB. If the manual mentions it then I agree it's a bit misleading.

[Catman73]

Yes, Simon's suggestion worked for me. So I've decided to keep the unit. Thank you!

Having that, when I set it to 4:3 (and it now works) I found that it seemed a little blurry. Just not as crisp as 16:9 letterbox, and worse than I recall getting with the one I borrowed from my mate (which cost something like $50 or $60). I swapped over to his to confirm, and it was true, the 8040 in 4:3 is poorer than the crappy Hotchip one (although that did catch on fire when he first got it!). Anyway, I've decided I've had enough with the hassles. I'll watch in 16:9 letterbox with my TV set that way, I can live with it. At least 4:3 is there as a fallback if I need it. My partner dislikes letterbox but she doesn't watch much TV anyway. She'll just have to wait 5 or 6 years and we'll get a plasma.

As for USB, I checked again, and my 8040 definitely has no USB port on it. And the USB menu simply reports "USB function not supported". There is a HDMI slot, which some people might mistake for USB. If the manual mentions it then I agree it's a bit misleading.

I don't know what box you have but these pics are from the packaging of mine which is how it looks on the back panel. As I use it I'm finding the audio lag when changing channels annoying plus I've had to split the AV composite signals coming out to go into my TV and DVD recorder so the signal degrades which is annoying.

Pic1

Pic2

Edited July 13, 2009 by Catman73

[Jackoz66]

I don't know what box you have but these pics are from the packaging of mine which is how it looks on the back panel. As I use it I'm finding the audio lag when changing channels annoying plus I've had to split the AV composite signals coming out to go into my TV and DVD recorder so the signal degrades which is annoying.

Pic1

Pic2

Still no word from DGTEC,, surprise surprise, they are buggers to get hold of.

it seems there are different versions of the unit about, tru DSE specs do not list USB from what i can see.

I got mine from Tandy's.

I agree hd input can look similar but mine definately has one and I have plugged in a flash drive and external hdd, there is also a usb button on remote.