Goodmans Set Top Box with HDMI

uchman365 · 25-05-2007, 23:02

Saw this in an Argos store today: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/5321052.htm

In the Argos catalogue they claim "...experience high definition picture from this freeview box..."

I suspect it is Argos talking out of their backside as I'm sure you don't just get high definition freeview pictures just because the box has an HDMI output...

What do you think?

iDan · 26-05-2007, 00:02

You'll get an upscaled SD picture from it.

uchman365 · 26-05-2007, 00:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly_Man

You'll get an upscaled SD picture from it.

Surely the TV does that anyway?

iDan · 26-05-2007, 00:47

Precisely.

It's just a case of whether the upscaler in the STB is better than the TV...

I'd doubt it on a decent telly though.

Jarrak · 26-05-2007, 01:58

I know scaling chipsets that were state of the art a few years ago are being sold off as new chips come online but I still don't think a £50 Freeview box is going to outperform a decent TV's scaling and de-interlacing.
It's a bit naughty to claim any upscaled SD as HD but marketing preys on ignorance

However the digital link may offer advantages over an analogue connection and if you want a cheap Freeview box everything else being equal that not much too lose.

Orbitalzone · 26-05-2007, 12:23

I'm surprised it doesn't have 2" high white letters stamped on the front proclaiming the 'HDMI' and 'HiDefinition like performance' knowing how Goodmans love to ruin their already crappy LCD tv's with such 'branding'

I guess that Argos and I suppose Goodmans (whoever brands it) is selling this hoping to catch out the typical customer who doesn't know HD from BP other than it sounds good so it must be.

iDan · 26-05-2007, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orbitalzone

I'm surprised it doesn't have 2" high white letters stamped on the front proclaiming the 'HDMI' and 'HiDefinition like performance' knowing how Goodmans love to ruin their already crappy LCD tv's with such 'branding'

Just like the Sky+160 when that was around?

I'm quite surprised too, actually.

25-05-2007, 23:02	#1
uchman365 Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: London Posts: 923	Goodmans Set Top Box with HDMI Saw this in an Argos store today: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/5321052.htm In the Argos catalogue they claim "...experience high definition picture from this freeview box..." I suspect it is Argos talking out of their backside as I'm sure you don't just get high definition freeview pictures just because the box has an HDMI output... What do you think?

26-05-2007, 12:23	#6
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	I'm surprised it doesn't have 2" high white letters stamped on the front proclaiming the 'HDMI' and 'HiDefinition like performance' knowing how Goodmans love to ruin their already crappy LCD tv's with such 'branding' I guess that Argos and I suppose Goodmans (whoever brands it) is selling this hoping to catch out the typical customer who doesn't know HD from BP other than it sounds good so it must be. Last edited by Orbitalzone : 26-05-2007 at 12:29. Reason: due to brain meltdown

26-05-2007, 00:02	#2
iDan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,812	You'll get an upscaled SD picture from it.

26-05-2007, 00:44	#3
uchman365 Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: London Posts: 923	Quote: Originally Posted by Telly_Man You'll get an upscaled SD picture from it. Surely the TV does that anyway?

26-05-2007, 00:47	#4
iDan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,812	Precisely. It's just a case of whether the upscaler in the STB is better than the TV... I'd doubt it on a decent telly though.

26-05-2007, 01:58	#5
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	I know scaling chipsets that were state of the art a few years ago are being sold off as new chips come online but I still don't think a £50 Freeview box is going to outperform a decent TV's scaling and de-interlacing. It's a bit naughty to claim any upscaled SD as HD but marketing preys on ignorance However the digital link may offer advantages over an analogue connection and if you want a cheap Freeview box everything else being equal that not much too lose.

26-05-2007, 18:36	#7
iDan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,812	Quote: Originally Posted by Orbitalzone I'm surprised it doesn't have 2" high white letters stamped on the front proclaiming the 'HDMI' and 'HiDefinition like performance' knowing how Goodmans love to ruin their already crappy LCD tv's with such 'branding' Just like the Sky+160 when that was around? I'm quite surprised too, actually.

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Goodmans Set Top Box with HDMI