Digital set top boxes - how do I choose the right one for me?

The information age is upon us and the buzz word is "Digital". A digital set top box for your TV falls into that category! We've answered some of the questions that might be racing through your mind while you're in the market to buy one:

- So why should I get a digital set top box?
- My TV reception looks fine, do I really need one?
- Should I get High Definition (HD) or Standard Definition (SD)?
- What outputs should it have?
- Where can I get more information about digital TV?

So why should I get a set top box?

To put simply, a set top box will give you a much clearer and crisper picture and will allow you to watch show in widescreen 16:9 -this is a must for footy fans!

It's all about the "digital". It is the same as the difference between tapes and CDs. Normal TV through your antenna is transmitted as an analogue signal (a bunch of radio waves), a set top box will convert this into a digital signal which ensures no signal loss.

My TV reception looks fine, do I really need one?

Depends what sort of TV you are using. It is important to remember that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. If you have an old TV then there is no need to upgrade to a set top box. If you have a widescreen LCD or Plasma, a set top box is a must. Some people buy a brand new widescreen LCD TV and connect it straight to their antenna and complain that the picture isn't anything special..and that's because it isn't! A TV cannot manipulate pictures for you, all it can do is display whatever is connected to it. A video cassette recorded in the 80s will look the same on your old TV as it does on your new LCD TV. A set top box:

• enables widescreen TV 16:9
• if Standard Definition, enhances picture sent to the TV by 400%
• if High Definition, enhances picture sent to the TV by 800%
• Provides some extra free to air channels (currently 6 extra in Australia: 2x SBS, 2x Seven/Prime, 2x NINE)
• only needs a weak analogue signal to get a perfect digital signal

A set top box is the cheapest and most effective way to get a perfect signal from your antenna. A digital set top box requires 51% signal strength from your antenna in order to convert it to a perfect digital image. We have had many customers to get a $80 digital set top box rather than calling an electrician to come and replace their antenna - they have saved hundreds of dollars and the picture they are seeing now is far better than a perfect antenna could have provided them with...400% better!

Should I get High Definition (HD) or Standard Definition (SD)?

It's all a question of how much you are willing to spend? HD and SD set top boxes are fairly spaced out when it comes to price. You would expect to pay anywhere from $70-$100 for an SD box and $300+ for an HD box. If you have the money, buy a HD box. If you can wait, then buy a SD box now and wait for the HD technology to mature and drop in price. There will be a considerable drop in the price of HD boxes over the next year as this technology is advancing and production costs in China dropping.

What outputs should it have?

Here is a list of possible connections in order of quality:

1. HDMI
2. DVI
3. VGA
4. Component (YPbPr)
5. S-video
6. RCA/AV
   

If you are buying a HD digital set top box, make sure it has HDMI or DVI because these are the only 2 fully digital inputs and they will give you the best display.

For SD boxes, they will all come with RCA and some will have S-video. S-Video is worth getting if you don't have to pay too much extra for it.

Where can I get more information about digital TV?

There is heaps of great info at the Digital Broadcasting Australia website:
http://www.dba.org.au/