HDTV talk - antenna and reception issues [consolidated]

[gregory_choo]

Super dulan. Digital tv like worse off than analogue. The scenes keep freezing.

this is because the signal quality is not good enough.

are you using an active antenna?

 

[8-lane]

An active antenna is one that requires input of power to work while a passive antenna doesn't ya?

 

[cscs3]

An active antenna is one that requires input of power to work while a passive antenna doesn't ya?

Yes, active antenna has a amplifier (electronics circuit). So it need a power to work. Usually this is not a problem now a day as most TV has additional USB power to supply power to the antenna.

 

[8-lane]

Yes, active antenna has a amplifier (electronics circuit). So it need a power to work. Usually this is not a problem now a day as most TV has additional USB power to supply power to the antenna.

Ic.. if I stay in landed property near Beauty World area.. would i need to get a simple antenna (passive i think... 5dbi or so like dat) or an active one with signal amplifier/s (30-35dbi i think) to go along with a dvb-t2 set top box?

 

[gregory_choo]

Ic.. if I stay in landed property near Beauty World area.. would i need to get a simple antenna (passive i think... 5dbi or so like dat) or an active one with signal amplifier/s (30-35dbi i think) to go along with a dvb-t2 set top box?

try the $2 type first.

if you have your own antenna on the roof, you can use it, save the $2

 

[8-lane]

try the $2 type first.

if you have your own antenna on the roof, you can use it, save the $2

Ic ok.. I looked thru the specs of the UKOBOX set-top box and the K2 tv box... the former uses MSTAR 7805/SUNPLUS 1508A as CPU and has a flash memory of 8MB/64Mbit.. the K2 box however only has 4MB/32Mbit flash but uses the renowned MSD7T01 chipset.

Which of the 2 is using a better chipset as CPU? Is the flash memory in them used for recording TV?

 

[albertlee]

Ic ok.. I looked thru the specs of the UKOBOX set-top box and the K2 tv box... the former uses MSTAR 7805/SUNPLUS 1508A as CPU and has a flash memory of 8MB/64Mbit.. the K2 box however only has 4MB/32Mbit flash but uses the renowned MSD7T01 chipset.

Which of the 2 is using a better chipset as CPU? Is the flash memory in them used for recording TV?

Both STB uses processor from Mstar.

Flash memory is used for storing firmware/ROM. Recording require external storage device attach to USB port, be it flash drive or external HDD.

In term of performance, Ukobox should be better as it's capable of supporting Wifi and Youtube playback. But do take note that it lack AV output so would not work with older TV that doesn't have HDMI port.

 

[boonkang]

try the $2 type first.

Just to share. TLDR (too long don't read)

I have tried both active & passive antennas.

Summary: If antenna can be placed at good/ideal position -- active antenna does not have much advantage over the passive antenna.

The passive antenna I tried is the cheapo $2 type antenna that Gregory (usually) ask people to try first:
https://shopee.sg/5dBi-Freeview-DVB...tv-indoor-hdtv-antennas-i.63652737.1165569887

I bought a K2 DVB-T2 digital TV receiver set top box (STB) -- used by many other people:
https://shopee.sg/Full-HD-1080P-K2-...trial-MPEG4-PVR-Receiver-i.19067988.315325734

My K2 DVB-T2 STB is placed in front of my TV -- which is (actually) not too far away (2-3m) from the window.

The cheapo $2 passive antenna can't view/receive Mediacorp DVB-T2 channels properly -- if placed next to the TV.

The cable length of the cheapo $2 passive antenna is (only) about 1m -- not long enough for me to place the passive antenna at the window.

So I bought a 2m coaxial extension cable:
https://www.lazada.sg/products/2m-m...42.searchlist.list.29.19b21719nJi6L6&search=1

Using the coaxial extension cable, I'm now able to place the cheapo $2 antenna at the window.

To my (pleasant) surprise, when using the cheapo $2 antenna placed at the window, I can receive all Mediacorp DVB-T2 channels properly. Moreover, signal quality of some channels (e.g. Ch 5) can be as high as 90% !!

The point I want to make is that -- if can placed at good/ideal location -- even cheapo $2 antenna can work.

Above correlates to why Gregory (usually) advise people to try the cheapo $2 antenna first.

 

[8-lane]

Both STB uses processor from Mstar.

Flash memory is used for storing firmware/ROM. Recording require external storage device attach to USB port, be it flash drive or external HDD.

In term of performance, Ukobox should be better as it's capable of supporting Wifi and Youtube playback. But do take note that it lack AV output so would not work with older TV that doesn't have HDMI port.

Ic.. but the chipset that's used in the UKOBOX can be either an MSTAR 7805 or a SUNPLUS 1508A is it?

 

[KardBoard]

Super dulan. Digital tv like worse off than analogue. The scenes keep freezing.

Freeze due to signal strength on low side.

 

[albertlee]

Ic.. but the chipset that's used in the UKOBOX can be either an MSTAR 7805 or a SUNPLUS 1508A is it?

Not sure what SUNPLUS is, could be referring to the tuner or other chipsets. Mstar is definitely the SoC (System on a Chip) which is doing all the processing and encoding functions.

 

[8-lane]

Not sure what SUNPLUS is, could be referring to the tuner or other chipsets. Mstar is definitely the SoC (System on a Chip) which is doing all the processing and encoding functions.

Ok.. do u think prices of both DVB-T2 set-top boxes and new TVs with DVB-T2 tuners will increase as we get nearer to the time when analogue tv ends (31 Dec 2018)?

 

[albertlee]

Ok.. do u think prices of both DVB-T2 set-top boxes and new TVs with DVB-T2 tuners will increase as we get nearer to the time when analogue tv ends (31 Dec 2018)?

Personally I think it's the opposite given that sellers know that migration to DVT is a one time opportunity, in short, demand will drop after the switch-off. Not forgetting that a lot of household are getting free branded STB from gahment.

 

[8-lane]

Personally I think it's the opposite given that sellers know that migration to DVT is a one time opportunity, in short, demand will drop after the switch-off. Not forgetting that a lot of household are getting free branded STB from gahment.

After the switch-off, demand will drop but how abt for the time being.. as we get nearer to the switch-off date?

 

[albertlee]

After the switch-off, demand will drop but how abt for the time being.. as we get nearer to the switch-off date?

Just do a search on popular sites like Lazada, Qoo10 and even Carousell and you will see lot of selling. Price is already dropping as it near to the switch-off date.

IMO, anything below $20 (exclude shipping) is a good buy and with added discount like coupon and qpoint from Qoo10, you save even more. FYI, I saved like $7 when I last purchase a K3 box.

 

[8-lane]

Just do a search on popular sites like Lazada, Qoo10 and even Carousell and you will see lot of selling. Price is already dropping as it near to the switch-off date.

IMO, anything below $20 (exclude shipping) is a good buy and with added discount like coupon and qpoint from Qoo10, you save even more. FYI, I saved like $7 when I last purchase a K3 box.

Ic.. I guess this also applies to prices of new TVs with DVB-T2 tuner ya?

 

[weeza77]

Noticed the free STB given only support Stereo audio. Any recommendations for STB that support Dolby Surround?

 

[dango_daikazoku]

Is anyone having issues with their channel 5 reception? All my other channels are fine(actually sometimes when a lot of moving on screen will kena pixelated), but ch5 is like watching a HD stream on a 56k modem even when the signal strength and quality show full bar. But video is a lot smoother during movie end credits, I guess cos black screen and small text means less data to process?

Using the gahment free new media solutions stb...

 

[wwh5210]

Freeze due to signal strength on low side.

It happened to me previously too but its working fine now after adjusting the position of the antenna. I'm just using an active antenna from NMS which doesn't required any external power. Signal strength is 85% to 90% and signal quality is 100% for all my Mediacorp channels. The antenna doesn't has to be hang on the window just look at the signal strength on the TV and adjust accordingly.

 

[maxinger]

I am having Daiyo EU1707 TV antenna.

Reception and TV image is rather ok.
Occassionally there is some time delay and the image would freeze.

Anyone got better TV antenna to recommend?