Digital TV migration on track

RoganDawes said:
Pix are here.

The box is an MNet branded UEC DTD401. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find it on UEC's website.

The 401 decoder is quite an attractive slim box, quite small, with an external power brick. It has a smart card labeled IRDETO, which I assume means that they are using IRDETO2 encryption for the stream. It makes sense, since they are using the same for their DVB-S transmissions (DSTV).
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And Naspers/Multichoice owns IRDETO...
 
It is unlikely that the migration will be completed in 2 years, not least because there is still no finality on the set-top box middleware. It is specified as MHEG-5 but there is no further data available about profiles. The set-top box manufacturers can't produce a box that has a proper working EPG (more than "now playing" and "next") until it is specified.

The Department of Communications is an oxymoron.
 
arf9999 said:
It is unlikely that the migration will be completed in 2 years, not least because there is still no finality on the set-top box middleware. It is specified as MHEG-5 but there is no further data available about profiles. The set-top box manufacturers can't produce a box that has a proper working EPG (more than "now playing" and "next") until it is specified.
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Yup. That's all the MNet box that I have offers, current and next shows.

I was wondering where to get the channel guide for the extra channels from, I guess the regular DSTV guide should do.
 
Is there a valid reason they're re-inventing the wheel in terms of the STB and not using a pre-packaged box like I'm sure must be used elsewhere in the world?
 
tjunyat said:
Is there a valid reason they're re-inventing the wheel in terms of the STB and not using a pre-packaged box like I'm sure must be used elsewhere in the world?
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They want to add "interactivity", whatever that means. To the best of my understanding, without adding a return path (GSM, ADSL, modem), the interactivity requirement can probably be satisfied by existing equipment that runs an extensible middleware anyway.

My STB did download a new firmware when it was powered on for the first time, for what that is worth.
 
RoganDawes said:
The only issue for me is that the "failure mode" in the event of a signal dropout is not just a fuzzy signal, it is a jerky signal. According to the STB signal stats, I have a 34% signal strength, which is not fantastic, so I guess I might just have to get used to that. That, or fix my aerial :D
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And the rain last night affected it quite badly, which is a pain. :(
 
From the pics it looks like there is a component out and maybe a digital sound output?
 
Yes, there is component video as well as normal composite AV out (yellow/red/white). And there is an SPDIF out on an RCA plug.
 
RoganDawes said:
Actually, I have just received my MNET trial DVB-T decoder today, and there are about 9 public channels (1,2,3,e + more) to go with the 7 extra MNET channels (MNet + 7).

The quality of the picture is great. The only issue for me is that the "failure mode" in the event of a signal dropout is not just a fuzzy signal, it is a jerky signal. According to the STB signal stats, I have a 34% signal strength, which is not fantastic, so I guess I might just have to get used to that. That, or fix my aerial :D
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does this decoder replace the MNET decoder?
 
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