Digital TV (DVB T2) in Singapore [consolidated]

[mingfreakrsx]

Saw this interesting gadget at the most unusual place, NTUC Fair price, JEM. With a DVB-T2 tuner box & an antenna, one is supposed to be able to watch HD5 on their TV. But asking NTUC staff to confirm the 'functionality' of such gadget isn't going to be fruitful.

Currently, I am still using a DVB-T USB dongle to tune & watch on my PC. I have an active powered antenna with booster. Even that, only certain spot at my window can catch this DVB-T signal. DVB-T2 coverage is supposed to be islandwide.

So, has anyone uses any such gadget to tune HD5 with to DVB-T2? Reporting success & location in Singapore will be helpful.

This is the only(currently) certified DVB-T2 settopbox available in Singapore. Yes it can received all digital channels available in SG including HD5, Ch8(HD), Suria(HD), Vasantham(HD). However there's reports of the provided indoor antenna isn't strong enough.

 

[Kiwi8]

Those of u who got the Aliexpress DVB-T2 box, can I ask u what type of power adapter I should buy? I wish to buy the UK plug-equivalent of the adapter, and to also buy it for backup purposes in case the original adapter fails.

What I noticed is 5V 2A output, 2.5mm DC socket, rite?

Is this one ok?

2 5mm UK Plug USB Power Charger Adapter Travel Home Wall FOR Tablet PC 5V 2A | eBay

 

[t258jgn]

Which DVB-t2 can do recording & have digital out (coax or Toslink)?

 

[killerslayer92]

The signal in StarHub cable is digital but not as in DVB-T2 format, it's in DVB-C format. The StarHub cable point(known as SCV point too) carries analog and DVB-C(both encrypted and non-encrypted) signals only.

If you have a subscription cable TV plan with StarHub, you don't need to worry as it is already broadcasting in digital(C) format. If you are just receiving local signals only, you may need to get a DVB-T2 settopbox and an antenna(or if you have a HDB/Condo MATV point, you don't need the antenna. it depends).

If you have a TV that's equipped with a DVB-C tuner, you may want to try tuning it. Currently the channels in the DVB-C(non-encrypted) of the SH cable are the 6 analog channels and 1 HD5 channel. More HD FTA from non-encrypted DVB-C signal may be coming in the future once StarHub carries Ch8/Suria/Vasantham in HD too.

thank you for this v informative reply!

my problem is that my starhub settop box is non-HD and i do not want to pay extra a month just to receive HD5.. when HD8 and others are available for free from starhub that would make sense for me to go HD.

I have tried installing a DVB-T setup in a relative's house and the signal was not as clear as a cable signal so not planning to go that route

 

[mingfreakrsx]

thank you for this v informative reply!

my problem is that my starhub settop box is non-HD and i do not want to pay extra a month just to receive HD5.. when HD8 and others are available for free from starhub that would make sense for me to go HD.

I have tried installing a DVB-T setup in a relative's house and the signal was not as clear as a cable signal so not planning to go that route

maybe you could try getting a HD DVB-C tuner(not illegal starhub stb) online at aliexpress etc. and connect it to the starhub cable point to receive HD8 and others in the future but must also see whether StarHub turn them to unencrypted.

 

[AnDyLe0]

only certain programmes have audio through DD i think
other times that track is silent de

not silent. DVB-T HD5 has been using dolby digital (without plus) audio 24hrs everyday (via DVB-T and starhub hubstation hd). but only selected movies are true 5.1 surround sound (last time the old logo can see from the logo animation).
for non-surround contents just normal AC3 dolby audio... but not sure it's AC3 stereo or AC3 5.1

 

[AnDyLe0]

So that DVB-T2 Box I have can handle

AC-3, MPEG, AAC (HE-AAC)

but it has problem decoding

AAC (LC)

from the info u posted, seems like DVB-T2 is using AAC 5.1 surround (6 channels), which is not a common audio codec.

 

[Henry Ng]

thank you for this v informative reply!

my problem is that my starhub settop box is non-HD and i do not want to pay extra a month just to receive HD5.. when HD8 and others are available for free from starhub that would make sense for me to go HD.

I have tried installing a DVB-T setup in a relative's house and the signal was not as clear as a cable signal so not planning to go that route

Oh no, who say only HD5 is HD channel. There are quite a lot of HD channels in Starhub TV channel like Travel channel HD which is only in HD. So there are quite many channels to watch.

 

[windwaver]

Oh no, who say only HD5 is HD channel. There are quite a lot of HD channels in Starhub TV channel like Travel channel HD which is only in HD. So there are quite many channels to watch.

The Starhub HD box cost more per month and the HD channels cost more on top of the extra HD box. I think he is not interested in paying for those.

 

[killerslayer92]

The Starhub HD box cost more per month and the HD channels cost more on top of the extra HD box. I think he is not interested in paying for those.

u got it. (hwz no thumbs up smiley)

 

[MoneyFace =p]

thank you for this v informative reply!

my problem is that my starhub settop box is non-HD and i do not want to pay extra a month just to receive HD5.. when HD8 and others are available for free from starhub that would make sense for me to go HD.

I have tried installing a DVB-T setup in a relative's house and the signal was not as clear as a cable signal so not planning to go that route

Just buy $2 less TOTO/4D and burn the $2 more every month for the HD STB and solve all issues...

You will also be getting all HD Cable channels (where available to your subscription groups)

 

[windwaver]

u got it. (hwz no thumbs up smiley)

, I understand. I guess the best way is to get a China made STB to watch the FTA HD channels .

 

[mingfreakrsx]

Mio TV box rental cost like $4+ per month which is also in HD. If you got fiber entertainment package or mio home, you got to pay for the box rental like around $2.

 

[Henry Ng]

The Starhub HD box cost more per month and the HD channels cost more on top of the extra HD box. I think he is not interested in paying for those.

Now Starhub has make HD upsize into their standard package and I could no longer opted out of HD so indirectly paying for HD channels. Furthermore some channels are only in HD format so NO HD box meant less channel available. Make to take up HD like a girl being gun pointed so not willing become willing, also no choice. Ahh ahh ahh . . . Sad indeed.

 

[Henry Ng]

Mio TV box rental cost like $4+ per month which is also in HD. If you got fiber entertainment package or mio home, you got to pay for the box rental like around $2.

True that Mio Tv is cheaper. No HD content fee as HD is included but under basis package it has less channels. Many good channels not there.

 

[Henry Ng]

, I understand. I guess the best way is to get a China made STB to watch the FTA HD channels .

Every thing $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

 

[mrsun18]

Saw this interesting gadget at the most unusual place, NTUC Fair price, JEM. With a DVB-T2 tuner box & an antenna, one is supposed to be able to watch HD5 on their TV. But asking NTUC staff to confirm the 'functionality' of such gadget isn't going to be fruitful.

Guess you are behind time, though I agree with you on the competency of staff.

Currently, I am still using a DVB-T USB dongle to tune & watch on my PC. I have an active powered antenna with booster. Even that, only certain spot at my window can catch this DVB-T signal. DVB-T2 coverage is supposed to be islandwide.

See below:

Btw does anyone notice that DVB-T2 does have very good picture quality even with signal quality as low as 30%?

Sometimes I even find the picture very watchable without even pixellations with the quality as low as 10% to 20%.

This is not the case with the DVB-T channels where pixellation occurs below signal quality of something like 80%.

That's because T2 signal is even more robust than that of T1

So, has anyone uses any such gadget to tune HD5 with to DVB-T2? Reporting success & location in Singapore will be helpful.

For a quick summary of success stories:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/h...-t2-settings-no-discussions-here-4519120.html

More in this thread if you have the time to spare.

 

[i-Movies]

, I understand. I guess the best way is to get a China made STB to watch the FTA HD channels .

I am happy to topup 2 more dollars to get a HD Set-top box to avoid a bunch of extra cables, boxes, remote controls...

 

[windwaver]

Now Starhub has make HD upsize into their standard package and I could no longer opted out of HD so indirectly paying for HD channels. Furthermore some channels are only in HD format so NO HD box meant less channel available. Make to take up HD like a girl being gun pointed so not willing become willing, also no choice. Ahh ahh ahh . . . Sad indeed.

yeah but there are some people that are still holding on to their old 3G plan when there's 4G. The same goes for cable TV.

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Hang on... getting a bit confused by this... does this mean if I upgrade to a HD set top box from Starhub, I can get all the free to air channels in HD? Aren't all the Starhub paid channels in HD already? Their basic tier stuff - aren't these all in HD format?