[daveh48]

Originally Posted by mw73

Been reading this forum for months and really impressed with responses about DigitalStream.
Bought 500Gb version last week and all fantastic after software update APART FROM...
REALLY RUBBISH picture quality on Standard Definition through HDMI. Like going back several years.
Have used V.Format to lower resolution but still very soft and lacking detail compared to my old Sagem box (via Scart) and TV's built-in Freeview tuner. The best I can get from the DS for SD is via Scart (what's the point of that though if it's an HD box?!) but it's still nowhere near as sharp as my other, older boxes.
Have tried adjusting the settings but makes little difference...the output picture for Standard Definition is just not as clear as it should or could be. If this was my first Freeview box I'd think that HD was soooo much better than SD. Whereas SD, when done properly, is actually quite good in itself, with HD having a lot more image data.
Anyone managed to get a decent SD picture from the DS before I have to return it? Can't watch SD that looks this poor. Guessing that the Humax is about the same and hasn't been improved, if it uses similar chip?

Picture quality can be pretty subjective as what's okay for one may not suit another. I bet you've visited friends or relations and been horified by the way some have the picture set-up.

I used a calibration DVD to set my Sony's picture up and have found the settings I got plus some adjustments using the picture adjustment menu on the DS has given me a picture which is equal to my TV's tuner and Sky's SD picture.

You can download a free calibration DVD which works on BluRay here AVS HD 709 - Blu-ray, HD DVD, & MP4 Calibration - AVS Forum to adjust your TV settings.

As for the DS picture control settings I've found just a slight plus adjustment on Contrast and Brightness and a reduction in the saturation level helps; it's really a case of sitting down and tweaking the settings.

Also like a lot of people on here once you've lived with the picture for a week or two you tend to get used to it.

Regards,

Dave.

[rip82]

Hi Pete,
Because of this so called problem of PQ on SD that some users complain about is there anything that Korea can do about this. I am not a Techie so I don't know what it would need to improve things for those users not able to tweek settings. I believe Humax have the same complaints is that right?

[KayCS]

Hi All

I have had a strange thing happen this week although it is broadcaster link and not the DS as far as I know.

I was reviewing my schedules in the DS Sunday and noticed that Wild Britain with Ray Mears was in the schedule twice. I deleted both schedules and entered the programme again.

Checking the DS last night I noticed that the DS had recorded two instances of Ray Mears and I now have two carbon copies of the same programme recorded from the same channel, in this case ITV 1 HD.

Anybody else had this strange occurrence with this programme.

Chris

[Darth_terra]

Originally Posted by KayCS

Hi All

I have had a strange thing happen this week although it is broadcaster link and not the DS as far as I know.

I was reviewing my schedules in the DS Sunday and noticed that Wild Britain with Ray Mears was in the schedule twice. I deleted both schedules and entered the programme again.

Checking the DS last night I noticed that the DS had recorded two instances of Ray Mears and I now have two carbon copies of the same programme recorded from the same channel, in this case ITV 1 HD.

Anybody else had this strange occurrence with this programme.

Chris

that's a strange one, it sounds like it was scheduled for both tuners instead of just one, not sure if that is a broadcasting issue or a DS one, I haven't recorded anything from ITV lately so can't say for sure, so far everything i have recorded on other channels has been ok.

[petrev]

Originally Posted by rip82

Hi Pete,
Because of this so called problem of PQ on SD that some users complain about is there anything that Korea can do about this. I am not a Techie so I don't know what it would need to improve things for those users not able to tweek settings. I believe Humax have the same complaints is that right?

Hi

DS-K added the Picture Contol menu.

I find minimal tweaking best but as stated it is very personal and subjective.

I find that 576i HDMI is exactly the same as my Sony TV SD picture.
I change to 1080p for HD which I find the best for me and my TV !

The Sony is doing the upscaling and de-interlacing just the same as for it's own internal digital signal when set to 576i.
Of course the TV's picture control settings must be the same too - lots of people will find that the HDMI will have the awful default SHOP settings that for me are just terrible. High contrast and saturation with all sorts of digital filtering and contrast enhancements etc. If the settings are not the same you are not starting from a level base-line. From there you can tweak as desired.

Pete

[petrev]

Originally Posted by Darth_terra

that's a strange one, it sounds like it was scheduled for both tuners instead of just one, not sure if that is a broadcasting issue or a DS one, I haven't recorded anything from ITV lately so can't say for sure, so far everything i have recorded on other channels has been ok.

Hi

Had a similar glitch where I had 3 identical entries for a Panorama ! I didn't let them record so don't know, but guess I would have had 2 identical recordings like you. I have mentioned it to DS-K and we discussed/mentioned it a while back on here. I did get a similar thing during the world cup when ITV kept changing things - Two entries at the same time but with different descriptions in the info. Hopefully DS-K will have a fix for this in the next update.

Pete

[Captainkremmen]

Originally Posted by JeffD

Could be related to all the engineering work that's being going on at Emley Moor in preparation of DSO next year, I believe they've been fitting out a new equipment room so there could have been a glitch in the new systems. Only way to know is if there are similar reports from users of the Emley Moor transmitter and I've not yet seen any other similar reports yet.

I have noticed similar but not during peak hours. Last night I couldn't sleep so got up around 1.45am, decided to watch something so had a quick scan through the EPG and many channels had no information on the EPG. Not the usual "No Information" text but absolutely nothing, just blank space, so you could be right in that the current engineering works are causing odd issues from Emley Moor.

[petrev]

Hi

There have been a few posts and some discussion over on Humax and other threads regarding noise from DS and Humax and how to ameliorate it. Just thoght I should add some of the discussion and my experiments.

Of course many have no noise problem at all with their machine (DS or Humax) so please ignore this - do not look for it, or you may find it, and then it could become a psychological battle . . .

One of the Humax owners has got an interesting method to reduce the noise from his fan over in another thread - he is using a tube and some foam to port the rear vent ! This may help to reduce any residual noise after applying the DS Fan Screw loosening method . . .

He also has rubber feet which may help too ! Just like the Upside-down carpet trick - the aim is to decouple from a hard surface but not block the underside air entry holes.

His post

Originally Posted by bishopsfinger

Hi Pete

Can't take a picture without moving it so I'll explain in more detail.

If you take the cardboard centre of a loo roll and imagine it to be 3" diameter and 6"long, and made of metal or plastic (although cardboard should be ok), you have the basic cylinder/tube.

Now attach some foam around the edge of one end so it protrudes over the end (approx half an inch) and forms a ‘seal’ when placed against the PVR over the fan exhaust outlet, making sure it is lined up properly, so you can feel the warm air coming out of the other end of the cylinder/tube.

On my open shelf, 6” long is fine and allows another 6” of open space for the warm air to disperse but you may need to modify the length depending on your set up.

I should also mention that I had already placed small rubber feet, under the build in feet, so it hides the view of wires at the back from my normal viewing position and this may also help the exhaust fan to suck in more relatively cool air.

. . .

If you decide to give it a try, let me know if it works for you.

Updated Experiments

I have made a tube that may be like BF is describing and a foam mat that may be similar to his rubber feet.

The foam mat seems to remove the low level whine from the HDD spinning and is instead of the upside-down carpet for de-coupling from a glass shelf. You could use it in addition if it helped of course.

Still to try the tube, that I am assuming (!) goes with the foam to the exhaust vent - this is my attempt so that BF can comment. Tube is 68mm Drain-Pipe with a tuning tube of cardboard (no idea if this will help or harm !)

PHOTOS

MAT
CLICK

CLICK

TUBE

.

Pete

[Captainkremmen]

Originally Posted by rip82

I'm getting a very good SD picture, I have a Sony TV and I started by adjusting the settings on my TV, I then went to my DS picture control in Preferences, turned the Saturation to zero,Contrast just over 25, Brightness just under 25. I got another HDMI lead and that made a difference. I am using 1080i but it has been stated that 576i makes a difference.
To be honest, I think your eyes have to adjust to new setups, I remember when I changed my Toshiba for my Sony I had to adjust my settings for a few days and swore blind that my Toshiba had a better picture, now I think the Sony is good.

Well there's a coincidence, your picture settings on the DS are exactly the same as mine!!

I have the output set to 1080i and find the SD quality of the DS to be on a par with my TV's own internal tuner, but then again picture quality is a highly subjective issue.

[rip82]

Originally Posted by Captainkremmen

Well there's a coincidence, your picture settings on the DS are exactly the same as mine!!

I have the output set to 1080i and find the SD quality of the DS to be on a par with my TV's own internal tuner, but then again picture quality is a highly subjective issue.

Let's see if we differ on the Sony setup:
Picture Mode: Standard
Backlight: 6
Contrast: 78
Brightness: 66
Colour: 43
Sharpness:14
Colour Tone: Neutral
Noise Reduction: off
Contrast enhancer: off

[Captainkremmen]

Originally Posted by rip82

Let's see if we differ on the Sony setup:
Picture Mode: Standard
Backlight: 6
Contrast: 78
Brightness: 66
Colour: 43
Sharpness:14
Colour Tone: Neutral
Noise Reduction: off
Contrast enhancer: off

Mine is an LG Plasma so menu options and settings are different.

Picture Mode: Expert 1
Contrast: 80
Brightness: 55
H Sharpness: 50
V Sharpness: 50
Colour: 50
Dynamic Contrast: 50
Noise Reduction: Off
Gamma: Medium
Black Level: Low
Colour Gamut: Standard
Edge Enhancement: Off

Not actually that different

[petrev]

Originally Posted by rip82

Let's see if we differ on the Sony setup:
Picture Mode: Standard
Backlight: 6
Contrast: 78
Brightness: 66
Colour: 43
Sharpness:14
Colour Tone: Neutral
Noise Reduction: off
Contrast enhancer: off

My Sony KDL40-HX703

Picture Mode: Standard
Backlight: 5
Contrast: 80
Brightness: 55
Colour: 50
Sharpness:5
Colour Tone: Neutral
Noise Reduction: off
Contrast enhancer: off

There you go . . .

My room is generally pretty dark.
My Sharpness would be higher for SD connected at 1080p but this suits 576i for SD (for me ! )

Cheers
Pete

[bishopsfinger]

Originally Posted by petrev

Hi

There have been a few posts and some discussion over on Humax and other threads regarding noise from DS and Humax and how to ameliorate it. Just thoght I should add some of the discussion and my experiments.

Of course many have no noise problem at all with their machine (DS or Humax) so please ignore this - do not look for it, or you may find it, and then it could become a psychological battle . . .

One of the Humax owners has got an interesting method to reduce the noise from his fan over in another thread - he is using a tube and some foam to port the rear vent ! This may help to reduce any residual noise after applying the DS Fan Screw loosening method . . .

He also has rubber feet which may help too ! Just like the Upside-down carpet trick - the aim is to decouple from a hard surface but not block the underside air entry holes.

His post



Updated Experiments

I have made a tube that may be like BF is describing and a foam mat that may be similar to his rubber feet.

The foam mat seems to remove the low level whine from the HDD spinning and is instead of the upside-down carpet for de-coupling from a glass shelf. You could use it in addition if it helped of course.

Still to try the tube, that I am assuming (!) goes with the foam to the exhaust vent - this is my attempt so that BF can comment. Tube is 68mm Drain-Pipe with a tuning tube of cardboard (no idea if this will help or harm !)

PHOTOS

MAT
CLICK

CLICK

TUBE

.

Pete

Hi Pete

Pleased to hear about your experiments and you have put me to shame by including pictures.

The diameter is a little smaller than mine (68mm vs 75mm) and I have not tried tapering the length.

Providing the diameter clears the fan exhaust vents it should be ok but I have used a larger diameter to allow more wiggle room when fitting (to make sure the fan exhaust vents are not covered).

Tapering the tube may, I believe, in theory impede the exhaust flow a little but in practice should still work ok.

If possible, I would suggest fitting a larger tuning tube outside the main tube, rather than a smaller tube inside.

Also, iirc, the DS has small air intake vents on each side panel near the front and you may wish to consider blocking these to reduce the fan noise further.

Yes, foam end to exhaust vents:-

'Now attach some foam around the edge of one end so it protrudes over the end (approx half an inch) and forms a ‘seal’ when placed against the PVR over the fan exhaust outlet, making sure it is lined up properly, so you can feel the warm air coming out of the other end of the cylinder/tube'.

Good luck and I hope it works for you.

[super gran]

My settings for a Sony

Picture Mode: Standard
Backlight: 8
Contrast: 85
Brightness: 50
Colour: 50
Sharpness: 14
Colour Temperature: Neutral
Noise Reduction: Off
Adv Contrast Enhancer: Low
Live Colour: Low
Colour Space: Wide

The room is bright, south facing, and the television is across a corner adjacent to the window.

On the DS, settings are Contrast 25 Brightness 25 Saturation 12

[professorhat]

Originally Posted by KayCS

Hi All

I have had a strange thing happen this week although it is broadcaster link and not the DS as far as I know.

I was reviewing my schedules in the DS Sunday and noticed that Wild Britain with Ray Mears was in the schedule twice. I deleted both schedules and entered the programme again.

Checking the DS last night I noticed that the DS had recorded two instances of Ray Mears and I now have two carbon copies of the same programme recorded from the same channel, in this case ITV 1 HD.

Anybody else had this strange occurrence with this programme.

Chris

Yes, exactly the same on mine I've just noticed!

[petrev]

Originally Posted by bishopsfinger

Hi Pete

Pleased to hear about your experiments and you have put me to shame by including pictures.

The diameter is a little smaller than mine (68mm vs 75mm) and I have not tried tapering the length.

Providing the diameter clears the fan exhaust vents it should be ok but I have used a larger diameter to allow more wiggle room when fitting (to make sure the fan exhaust vents are not covered).

Tapering the tube may, I believe, in theory impede the exhaust flow a little but in practice should still work ok.

If possible, I would suggest fitting a larger tuning tube outside the main tube, rather than a smaller tube inside.

Also, iirc, the DS has small air intake vents on each side panel near the front and you may wish to consider blocking these to reduce the fan noise further.

Yes, foam end to exhaust vents:-

'Now attach some foam around the edge of one end so it protrudes over the end (approx half an inch) and forms a ‘seal’ when placed against the PVR over the fan exhaust outlet, making sure it is lined up properly, so you can feel the warm air coming out of the other end of the cylinder/tube'.

Good luck and I hope it works for you.

Hi

Ah yes - Forgot to go back and re-read but I had remembered it correctly

I stuck the cardboard tube inside as that just happened to be the way it fitted ! Agree might be better the other way round. Had to use a smaller tube as the shelf size determines it . . . Still waiting for the fan to start up so I can see if there is any difference . . .

Cheers
Pete

[daveh48]

As I've said picture settings are rather subjective but just to add to the list here are the settings for my Sony:

Picture Mode: Standard
Backlight: 3
Contrast: 90
Brightness: 52
Colour: 40
Colour temp: Neutral
Sharpness: 15
Noise Reduction, MPEG Noise Reduction, Adv. Contrast Enhancer and Live Colour all set to OFF.

I got these by using a calibration DVD, the link is in my post #931

DS settings are Contrast 26 Brightness 27 Saturation 12

[rip82]

Hi Pete,
Regarding radio stations. Can you do a separate full scan for these. Would I be right in saying that you switch over to Radio and then perform a scan?

[bishopsfinger]

Originally Posted by petrev

Hi

Ah yes - Forgot to go back and re-read but I had remembered it correctly

I stuck the cardboard tube inside as that just happened to be the way it fitted ! Agree might be better the other way round. Had to use a smaller tube as the shelf size determines it . . . Still waiting for the fan to start up so I can see if there is any difference . . .

Cheers
Pete

Hi Pete

Can't wait for the fan to start up so you can report any difference in noise level.

[daveh48]

Hi Pete,

All that time watching "Blue Peter" has finally paid off .

I had a noisy Sky box caused by it vibrating on the glass shelf so bought 8 large washers from B&Q and used them as feet....noise gone.

As I've not had noise problems with the DS then I fall into that category of "..if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Cheers,

Dave.

[petrev]

Originally Posted by bishopsfinger

Hi Pete

Can't wait for the fan to start up so you can report any difference in noise level.

Hi

I think it is lower



Must do an extended test but first impressions are that it does channel the sound away and lower the perceived level. Must say that with the Acoustic-Mat and the Screws-Slackened and now the Exhaust-Silencer background noise is generally higher than the DS !

Thanks Bishop
Pete

[petrev]

Originally Posted by rip82

Hi Pete,
Regarding radio stations. Can you do a separate full scan for these. Would I be right in saying that you switch over to Radio and then perform a scan?

Hi Rip

Not had to do this so just a guess but I would expect that a Full Scan is a Full Scan - TV and Radio - The radio stations are interleaved on the MUX with the TV channels. If you do an update Scan that should find any new services or if you have a specific station missing ? then a manual scan may be appropriate.

Sorry to not be much help on this - you could just try and see what happens !

Let us know what you find out.
By the way are you missing stations ?

Cheers
Pete

ps.
DaveH48
Indeed - Do not fix it if it is not broken - that is how I break most things ! ! !

[rip82]

Originally Posted by petrev

Hi Rip

Not had to do this so just a guess but I would expect that a Full Scan is a Full Scan - TV and Radio - The radio stations are interleaved on the MUX with the TV channels. If you do an update Scan that should find any new services or if you have a specific station missing ? then a manual scan may be appropriate.

Sorry to not be much help on this - you could just try and see what happens !

Let us know what you find out.
By the way are you missing stations ?

Cheers
Pete

ps.
DaveH48
Indeed - Do not fix it if it is not broken - that is how I break most things ! ! !

I am going to try tomorrow because all my stations are breaking up, not had this before with Toppy. I am in a very strong signal area. Not too worried about the radio side of things.

[bishopsfinger]

Originally Posted by petrev

Hi

I think it is lower



Must do an extended test but first impressions are that it does channel the sound away and lower the perceived level. Must say that with the Acoustic-Mat and the Screws-Slackened and now the Exhaust-Silencer background noise is generally higher than the DS !

Thanks Bishop
Pete

Hi Pete

Pleased it does help to reduce fan/exhaust noise.

It probably works better with the Humax as, other than the fan vents, it only has ventilation slots on the bottom panel.

It's now just a matter of improving on the basic idea/design.

[rip82]

Hi Pete,
All is ok with radio, very strange, all stations are normal. I didn't bother doing a scan again.

[LX200GPS]

Originally Posted by petrev

Hi

The Micom software element of the firmware controls the Front Panel switches and their sensitivity. 1.12 is one variant 1.28 is supposed to be the newest "Universal" version that should adjust (? I think that's what it does ?) to different hardware variations. I have found that my box likes 1.19 and I know 1 box that didn't like 1.28 but worked with 1.19 and 1.22.

I have versions - 1.19, 1.22 and 1.28.

You may wish to ask advice from MIT

Have you tried holding the back of the Box and pressing a button really hard to see if it works then ? This would tell you that the buttons are working but the Micom sensitivity is off (I think ? )

Pete

ps. Glad to hear the 5.1 is working

Just an update about the buttons on the panel not working for me. I phoned MIT but they suggested I return the box for a new one. This wasn’t a problem – I was going back to JL to claim some money back as the price had come down since purchase – and the touch buttons on the new box work fine. Interestingly, the new box is slightly louder but runs a lot cooler than the first one. Micom version is now 1.22.

[petrev]

Originally Posted by LX200GPS

Just an update about the buttons on the panel not working for me. I phoned MIT but they suggested I return the box for a new one. This wasn’t a problem – I was going back to JL to claim some money back as the price had come down since purchase – and the touch buttons on the new box work fine. Interestingly, the new box is slightly louder but runs a lot cooler than the first one. Micom version is now 1.22.

Thanks for the update

Cheers
Pete

[colino green]

Originally Posted by KayCS

Hi All

I have had a strange thing happen this week although it is broadcaster link and not the DS as far as I know.

I was reviewing my schedules in the DS Sunday and noticed that Wild Britain with Ray Mears was in the schedule twice. I deleted both schedules and entered the programme again.

Checking the DS last night I noticed that the DS had recorded two instances of Ray Mears and I now have two carbon copies of the same programme recorded from the same channel, in this case ITV 1 HD.

Anybody else had this strange occurrence with this programme.

Chris

I have Mad Men on Series Link and I noticed it had 'doubled up' in the scheduled recordings today.

Think I found another one on Sunday. Not sure whats going on there.

[Gavtech]

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