[kasg]

Originally Posted by jda135

I have a Technika STBHDIS2010 box, and the picture quality is awful. HD and normal are very fuzzy. I have the HDMI cable and SCART plugged into the back. Can anyone help?

Go to Menu/Settings and make sure Video Output is set to RGB. Also check that aspect ratio is set to 16:9 as earlier versions of the software defaulted to 4:3. Resolution should probably be 1080i50.

[brumlad36]

Originally Posted by jda135

I have a Technika STBHDIS2010 box, and the picture quality is awful. HD and normal are very fuzzy. I have the HDMI cable and SCART plugged into the back. Can anyone help?

Don't use the SCART cable as well as the HDMI lead. Your TV will most likely default to using SCART.

After removing the SCART cable, select the correct HDMI input on your TV.

Set the menu on the STB to 1080i and brightness/contrast to 50%

This box produces one of the best pictures I've ever seen (HD or SD).

Let us know how you get on.

Chris.

[jda135]

Originally Posted by brumlad36

Don't use the SCART cable as well as the HDMI lead. Your TV will most likely default to using SCART.

After removing the SCART cable, select the correct HDMI input on your TV.

Set the menu on the STB to 1080i and brightness/contrast to 50%

This box produces one of the best pictures I've ever seen (HD or SD).

Let us know how you get on.

Chris.

With the SCART cable out though, the box doesn't work.

[lbear]

Originally Posted by jda135

With the SCART cable out though, the box doesn't work.

It's quite likely that your TV does not accept 1080p, try setting to 1080i. The setting is under Menu >> TV >>Resolution. Remember to press OK once you have changed the setting.

[brumlad36]

Originally Posted by jda135

With the SCART cable out though, the box doesn't work.

Sounds as though the box has its HDMI set out of range of your TV (possibly 1080p). Check that your TV is able to accept whatever the STB is outputting (1080i should be ok).

With the SCART plugged in, go to the box's menu and set the output to 1080i. Then select the correct HDMI input on your TV. (Most TVs don't automatically pick up an HDMI signal in the way that SCARTs do). You have to select the HDMI input on your TV's menu (eg HDMI 1 etc).

You will not get HD picture quality via a SCART lead, as they are only designed for SD. You'll be able to see the HD channels but only in SD quality, via SCART.

Chris.

[jda135]

With both the SCART and HDMI in it is now working. It's in 1080i. I have to say though that the picture is brilliant. Thanks very much for your help!

[brumlad36]

Originally Posted by jda135

With both the SCART and HDMI in it is now working. It's in 1080i. I have to say though that the picture is brilliant. Thanks very much for your help!

Glad you've got it sorted. It should now work without the SCART cable connected. (Otherwise your TV will most likely switch to the SCART connection next time) and you'll lose the benefit/picture quality of HDMI.

Chris.

[riceuten]

Originally Posted by kasg

I've PM'd you a link to download from as we are not supposed to distribute it.

Well, given that the 'update' is no longer being emailed out to anyone, I think distributing it in this manner is probably excusable.

[kasg]

Originally Posted by riceuten

Well, given that the 'update' is no longer being emailed out to anyone, I think distributing it in this manner is probably excusable.

I can send the link to anyone else who particularly wants it but I'm not going to post it publicly. Note that this is the last version emailed out, it is not quite the latest version because it updates itself over the Internet after installation (at least it did).

[vadek]

Please forgive me as I'm sure this is covered somewhere in this very long thread - but it's a very long thread to search through.

Tesco advertise an STBHDIS2010HY at £50 and an STBHDIS2010A at £39.97. What's the difference? (aside from price)

The A suffix was available until a couple of days ago but is now out of stock, so maybe that's now defunct? If so, I just missed my chance to buy one.

[Holehouse]

Originally Posted by vadek

Please forgive me as I'm sure this is covered somewhere in this very long thread - but it's a very long thread to search through.

Tesco advertise an STBHDIS2010HY at £50 and an STBHDIS2010A at £39.97. What's the difference? (aside from price)

The A suffix was available until a couple of days ago but is now out of stock, so maybe that's now defunct? If so, I just missed my chance to buy one.

I believe the only difference is the branding on the packaging (the HY without channel zero branding on the packaging box), but the freeview boxes themselves are the same.

You could consider a refurbished unit form Tesco's ebay, at £29.97. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TECHNIKA-S...-/280871045231

[vadek]

Originally Posted by Holehouse

I believe the only difference is the branding on the packaging (the HY without channel zero branding on the packaging box), but the freeview boxes themselves are the same.

You could consider a refurbished unit form Tesco's ebay, at £29.97. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TECHNIKA-S...-/280871045231

Thanks for your help. I'm aware of the refurbs, but this is a gift and I have some Clubcard vouchers to redeem. They're back in stock at Tesco Direct now.

[vadek]

Not sure if anyone can help with this, but the 16:9 picture from the Technika box is slightly squished on a Sony KDL32S3000 TV so that everything looks slightly too tall and thin. Presumably because it's HDMI input, the TV refuses to allow any changes to the aspect ratio.

The Technika box only has 16:9 or letterbox/pan&scan options, so I don't think this problem can be resolved. Anyone have any experience of this?

[brumlad36]

Originally Posted by vadek

Not sure if anyone can help with this, but the 16:9 picture from the Technika box is slightly squished on a Sony KDL32S3000 TV so that everything looks slightly too tall and thin. Presumably because it's HDMI input, the TV refuses to allow any changes to the aspect ratio.

The Technika box only has 16:9 or letterbox/pan&scan options, so I don't think this problem can be resolved. Anyone have any experience of this?

In the menu of the STB, select your TV type as being 16:9
Menu -> Settings -> TV -> Aspect Ratio. Set to 16:9. Make sure you press OK afterwards.

While you're in that menu, change the output to 1080i (or 1080p, if your TV can handle that).

Set the aspect ratio menu of your TV to WIDE. The box will do the rest.

Chris.

[vadek]

Originally Posted by brumlad36

In the menu of the STB, select your TV type as being 16:9
Menu -> Settings -> TV -> Aspect Ratio. Set to 16:9. Make sure you press OK afterwards.

While you're in that menu, change the output to 1080i (or 1080p, if your TV can handle that).

Set the aspect ratio menu of your TV to WIDE. The box will do the rest.

Chris.

Thanks, Chris but sadly it doesn't. From some research in other forums, turns out it's all down to the Sony's signal processing and the way it interprets the 720p "standard". There are no adjustments when it's presented with an HD input and, as a result, the picture is 2.5% taller than it should be. I don't think there's a workaround as it's hard-wired in the Sony circuitry.

[brumlad36]

Originally Posted by vadek

Thanks, Chris but sadly it doesn't. From some research in other forums, turns out it's all down to the Sony's signal processing and the way it interprets the 720p "standard". There are no adjustments when it's presented with an HD input and, as a result, the picture is 2.5% taller than it should be. I don't think there's a workaround as it's hard-wired in the Sony circuitry.

Sorry it didn't work for you.
I have a Sony KDL-32 4000 TV, fed via HDMI from my STBHDIS2010, and aspect ratio is correct.

Chris.

[chrisy]

Originally Posted by vadek

Not sure if anyone can help with this, but the 16:9 picture from the Technika box is slightly squished on a Sony KDL32S3000 TV so that everything looks slightly too tall and thin. Presumably because it's HDMI input, the TV refuses to allow any changes to the aspect ratio.

The Technika box only has 16:9 or letterbox/pan&scan options, so I don't think this problem can be resolved. Anyone have any experience of this?

That's odd. I always thought it was too tall and thin on my bedroom TV (which is a Finlux something-or-other), but thought it was the TV being rubbish or the angle I was viewing at (it's only marginally out - enough to think there's something not quite right, but not enough for it to be annoying)

[vadek]

Originally Posted by brumlad36

Sorry it didn't work for you.
I have a Sony KDL-32 4000 TV, fed via HDMI from my STBHDIS2010, and aspect ratio is correct.

Chris.

That's interesting. I presume the 4000 is a newer model and the bug has been resolved.

[brumlad36]

Originally Posted by vadek

That's interesting. I presume the 4000 is a newer model and the bug has been resolved.

No, it was a Sainsburys special when VAT went down to 15%. Was that 2007? £342.99 (reduced from £349.99).

Chris.

[vadek]

Originally Posted by brumlad36

No, it was a Sainsburys special when VAT went down to 15%. Was that 2007? £342.99 (reduced from £349.99).

Chris.

In that case, mine's about a year newer. Very odd. I wonder why the discrepancy.

Thanks for your input, Chris.

And if anyone out there has a workaround ...

David

[martinbee]

On my Panasonic there is also an "overscan" adjustment which stretches the picture slightly and when set on I loose part of the BBC logo which if it is available on a Sony might help slightly.

Martinbee

[vadek]

Originally Posted by martinbee

On my Panasonic there is also an "overscan" adjustment which stretches the picture slightly and when set on I loose part of the BBC logo which if it is available on a Sony might help slightly.

Martinbee

I'd always choose a Panasonic over a Sony. Sadly, on this occasion it's not actually my telly and it's a Sony. As I mentioned earlier there are no adjustments available for HD input - by design!

[lbear]

Originally Posted by vadek

I'd always choose a Panasonic over a Sony. Sadly, on this occasion it's not actually my telly and it's a Sony. As I mentioned earlier there are no adjustments available for HD input - by design!

I believe there may be an option to set the display differently rather than change the input setting.


There have been a couple of small batches of the original batch on eBay for £19.99 this week. From reports, some are being sent out with the 0225 (iPlayer) software which perhaps bodes well for a general release on the web site for downloading soon.

[vadek]

Originally Posted by lbear

I believe there may be an option to set the display differently rather than change the input setting.

I'm wondering if switching the Technika from 1080i output (the TV won't take 1080p) to 720p might make a difference. I was reluctant to try this when I installed it just in case I lost the picture entirely, but I'll try next time I visit (it's with a geographically distant relative).

I'm pretty sure there are no display options on the Sony TV that I haven't already found and tried, but I'm happy to be corrected.

[Mickey_T]

Well I've noticed since the demise of channel zero, we haven't been getting all those annoying adverts stuck over the EPG.