Top TV Picture Flickering?

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Sodan

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Hi guys & gals

For the past few days (I think it started this week), I find that the picture is constantly flickering (red seems to be most affected), when watching any TopTV channel.

When I play a DVD, it displays as normal.

Anyone else experiencing this problem with TopTV? Could there be a problem with my antenna? Any advice is much appreciated.
 
Had issues yesterday as well. Had visions of my 52 inch Sammy packing up. Just pull the power to the decoder for a few seconds. Should be fine after the reset.
 
My STB is now resetting randomly and it is now happening more frequently. TopTV advised me to buy a new decoder at Russels for R99. Getting to a Russels store seems more difficult than anticipated as a number of stores have closed recently.

I'm not prepared to pay R400 for a replacement decoder and will only pay more for HD or PVR functions.

Any idea where I can buy a cheap new STB without an installation voucher?
 
rph72 said:
My STB is now resetting randomly and it is now happening more frequently. TopTV advised me to buy a new decoder at Russels for R99. Getting to a Russels store seems more difficult than anticipated as a number of stores have closed recently.

I'm not prepared to pay R400 for a replacement decoder and will only pay more for HD or PVR functions.

Any idea where I can buy a cheap new STB without an installation voucher?
Click to expand...

Wait for the R199 specials and grab one then. I did when my decoder packed up. Had three already but two under warranty so just a swop.
 
rph72 said:
My STB is now resetting randomly and it is now happening more frequently. TopTV advised me to buy a new decoder at Russels for R99. Getting to a Russels store seems more difficult than anticipated as a number of stores have closed recently.

I'm not prepared to pay R400 for a replacement decoder and will only pay more for HD or PVR functions.

Any idea where I can buy a cheap new STB without an installation voucher?
Click to expand...

It's not your STB, it's your power adapter.

Replace it with any 12v adapter,it does not need to be a toptv one,just make sure of the amp spec at the back of the stb.Before you replace,just to be sure:
1 Test your adapter with a multimeter,it should read a solid 12v (more or less) but if it fluctuates,it's faulty.
2 Borrow someone's adapter or take your stb to another toptv user and test it.

If you're handy with a solder gun you can open up the adapter,you should see a blown cap.
 
Biggie said:
It's not your STB, it's your power adapter.

Replace it with any 12v adapter,it does not need to be a toptv one,just make sure of the amp spec at the back of the stb.Before you replace,just to be sure:
1 Test your adapter with a multimeter,it should read a solid 12v (more or less) but if it fluctuates,it's faulty.
2 Borrow someone's adapter or take your stb to another toptv user and test it.

If you're handy with a solder gun you can open up the adapter,you should see a blown cap.
Click to expand...

I don't have the equipment nor skill to do this. :(

Can I buy a new power adapter from say Zakspeed?
 
rph72 said:
I don't have the equipment nor skill to do this. :(

Can I buy a new power adapter from say Zakspeed?
Click to expand...

Yes,any electronic shop.It needs to be 12V, 1.5A

Again,don't just go buy a new one.At least try some sort of process of elimination.Take you stb with you,ask them to test your ac/dc adapter.Although i'm pretty sure it's your power adapter, there's always the possibility that it is something else.
 
Sodan said:
Hi guys & gals

For the past few days (I think it started this week), I find that the picture is constantly flickering (red seems to be most affected), when watching any TopTV channel.

When I play a DVD, it displays as normal.

Anyone else experiencing this problem with TopTV? Could there be a problem with my antenna? Any advice is much appreciated.
Click to expand...

It may be the rapid up-and-down movement of your hand....
 
Biggie said:
Yes,any electronic shop.It needs to be 12V, 1.5A

Again,don't just go buy a new one.At least try some sort of process of elimination.Take you stb with you,ask them to test your ac/dc adapter.Although i'm pretty sure it's your power adapter, there's always the possibility that it is something else.
Click to expand...

I've got my adapter with me, and it says Output 12V , 1.5A. Called Zakspeed and they have these adapters for DSTV decoders. Hopefully they will work. I don't have my STB with me. Hopefully I will get there before 5pm. Tomorrow morning will be difficult to get there. :(
 
Had the adapter checked out at Zakspeed yesterday and it was fine. Bought a new STB and tried it with the old adapter and it worked fine as well. It was the old STB that was borked.
 
rph72 said:
Had the adapter checked out at Zakspeed yesterday and it was fine. Bought a new STB and tried it with the old adapter and it worked fine as well. It was the old STB that was borked.
Click to expand...
Damn, you should have asked around. I've got a decoder and smartcard which i would've given to you for zilch! I changed back to DSTV so the decoder is just lying in a cupboard somewhere
 
YingYang said:
Damn, you should have asked around. I've got a decoder and smartcard which i would've given to you for zilch! I changed back to DSTV so the decoder is just lying in a cupboard somewhere
Click to expand...

Damn, could have saved myself R300. :( Thanks anyway.
 
rph72 said:
Had the adapter checked out at Zakspeed yesterday and it was fine. Bought a new STB and tried it with the old adapter and it worked fine as well. It was the old STB that was borked.
Click to expand...

I sorted my issue by replacing a bulging capacitor on the stb. Total cost R5 but despite my soldering skills and equipment it was just a bit hectic. Tiny pads around the through hole cap and it had to be soldered on the component side. I left long leads in place to do it well.
 
I had a look at the caps in my decoder and couldn't see anything obvious like a bulging cap, I ended up getting a new decoder for R99 at TopTv's premises (it was not the transformer):

28 Saddle Drive
Woodmead
 
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