who's got one and what brand ?
go for the expensive or el cheapo for same picture quality ?

I have a Topfield TF4000T (http://www.topfield.com.au/product.asp?SKU=TF4000T). SD box that I bought for the world cup last July. Picture quality is awesome, topfield are one of the top brands. Has built in games and EPG. I now have a Plasma with dual HD tuners so don't need the box. Perfect order with remote and manual. Cost me $280 will sell for $140 ono if you are interested. You can check it out before you take it if you like.

cheers

Brett

Might find some useful info on here:

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?act=idx

I've got a Sony Twin Hi-def tuner with build in 160gb HDD. Awesome unit. Never had any problems with it. Can record 2 channels at the same time whilst watching something that you had previously recorded.

Only prob is that there is no DVD drive to copy stuff that you want to keep. Its purely a watch and delete thing. I think they have a new model out now with a single hi-def tuner, DVD burner and a hard drive.

The best thing about it is that you can record in Hi-def and widescreen, works best with Plasma / LCD. My previous setup had a plain high-def set-top box, but the output to the Recorder was only 4x3.

I have heard that some of the cheaper ones can have reception issues and slow to change channels.

Glen.

i've got a panasonic HD STB to go with my 50" panasonic plasma and i love it, quick to change chanels, excellent reception, easy to setup, i would recommend it any day, cost about $350

Teac boxes are good quality units, as rated by their reliability and they make use of a weak signal than what some other brands do, before it starts losing picture/sound.


EDIT: Clarifying earlier post

i HAVE A TOP OF THE RANGE TOSHIBA, APPARENTLY ONE OF THE BEST OUT!!!!

__________________
MY04 WRX CLUBSPEC 7

In case you have absolutely no experience a few things to note:

1. They come in 2 flavours. SD (Standard definition) and HD (High Definition).
-SD is generally quite cheap, but only gives you the same pic quality
as a normal TV. Can pick them up for less than $100.
-HD is generally more expensive but gives high definition pics, BUT you
must have a HD tv to show the pics. There is no point getting HD
set top box and piping the signal thru to a SD tv set.

2. More expensive brands will generally NOT give better pic quality.
If they are compliant to the digital signal standards then (SD or HD)
then they are compliant and will deliver a picture. More expensive
brands may have more wankier features on them but if you're not
into wank features then don't bother.

3. For 'better' picture quality get a better TV. That is, a cheap SD
set top box will look crap on a cheap TV, but better on a top of the line
one.

4. Set top boxes still need a signal. You old TV puts snow or lines on
the pic when the signal is crap or the aerial is shot. The set to box
will just make chunky images, like a slow link when watching porn off
youtube.

5. Go to a shop and ask for a demo of SD and HD set to boxes and
make up your own mind.

__________________
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My flame suit is on. Give it your best biatch.


[COLOR="Red"]My STI's carbon emissions are offset by killing puppies.[/COLOR]

ive got a Topfeild one for sale cdog...

http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/sale/8096-items-sale.html

might be a good place to start..

On the occasion they can have a better picture, but generally this is because the settop box its being compared to is a set top box made by some company you've never heard of from a country you've never heard of.
most brands, cheap or expensive generally give the same quality picture, ill edit my earlier post to clarify what i meant.
Some brands are more prone to interferance from other electrical devices and/or transmitters, also, some make use of a weaker signal than others.

In the end, it comes down what you want to pay, and whether you want a simple channel changer, or one with lots of features that you'll probably use once because its there, then never use again.