Draco freeview HD decoder review

[Nimma]

After trying to do some research on this set top box (Draco 3900 HDTV) there was little relevant local information available so I thought this review might help others.

Background

No freeview approved boxes allow HD over component video. Since this box is fully freeview compatible although not actually freeview “approved” it does. This is the biggest sell point of this box – getting 1080i or 720p over component (or HDMI if you still wish). It is likely that this box will be approved and available through other suppliers but it seems freeviewshop will still sell and support these unlocked models. This means that if your high definition TV does not have HDCP support or HDMI at all, you can still get high definition. There appears to be no downside in having a non approved box – all local EPG information etc. is still available.

The house I moved in to has a relatively new UHF aerial diplexed with a glorified coat-hanger VHF aerial. No issues with reception quality on Auckland’s Northshore (Northcote) at all. The good thing about digital is you either get the reception or you don’t… there no aerial tuning needed to remedy ghosting or the like.

On to the review.

The box itself is small which is the only annoyance since it doesn’t fit well with my full sized components but this is the only gripe I have. The system works very well and is stable from what I’ve seen. Picture quality is excellent, especially on native HD TV shows. Remote is predictably budget looking but does everything it needs to. Sound outputs are SPDIF optical and coaxial as well as analogue stereo. I haven’t seen anything light up as AC3 yet but most TV shows seem to be encoded nicely in Prologic II. Auto-tuning picked up everything first go and I doubt I’ll ever need to look at it again unless new channels are added.

Notably this decoder also has a timer function which switches the channel at a set time presumably so you can record by a VCR or DVD-R. The Zinwell/DSE box cannot do this. There is no expansion possiblilities for adding external storage since there is no USB port – firmware is updated over the air or via serial RS232. A basic RGB cable is included but not HDMI.

Recommendation

I would definitely recommend this box especially if you do not have HDMI or HDCP support and or wish to add a PVR to the setup. I would also recommend talking to Lars at freeviewshop – he was very knowledgeable and open with information so which definitely allowed me to make the right choice with this box. Very happy with it especially after considering buggy TV cards for my HTPC.

[paulw]

Thanx for the review.

Did you do a comparison between PQ using component and HDMI and if so does the 4x3 and 16x9 picture format correctly when changing channels??

TIA.

[BigAl]

timer function sounds good to have


p.s. post some pics and/or a copy of the manul if you can

[digiviewer]

Is the Draco faster at changing channels than the Zinwell/DSE box? Is it faster at powering on?

After looking at the Zinwell in-store, there are a couple of things which I find confusing, and it would be great if the Draco was an improvement in these areas.

One is the "video format" button. There seems to be no setting which automatically outputs the native video resolution which the selected channel is being transmitted in.

The currently selected "video format" on the Zinwell is what is output, even if the channel is transmitting at a different resolution. An auto function which just outputs the current channel's native resolution would be great. My understanding of this could be wrong (not having spent a lot of time with the Zinwell), but in my short encounters with the Zinwell, this appears to be its behaviour.

Does the Draco have an 'auto' video format setting, such that if the channel is being transmitted in 720p (TV2), it sends 720p to the TV? And if you then change channels (TV3) and transmission format is 1080i, does the draco then automatically output 1080i?

[Nimma]

I'll answer what I can off the top of my head, the others I'll need to go back and look at.

I haven't looked at the difference in quality between HD in HDMI or component simply because I do not have an HDMI-HDMI cable. My only HDMI input is used by my PC (DVI-HDMI). If it is any help using the DVI-HDMI from the PC is slightly sharper than using component from PC.

Picture format set to auto changes from 16:9 to 4:3 depending on the broadcast. I hate stretch so I leave it at that - even with black lines along the side for 4:3. There are several options to stretch but you have to choose manually.

Haven't compared with Zinwell but power on time is fast - about 1-2 sec and channel changing is about 1 sec or less.

For video format you can choose 576p, 720p, 1080i or native. Native shows each channel in it's proper broadcast resolution. I actually prefer 1080i since my 1366 x 768 phillip does pixel matching for 720p ie black bars around the whole screen.

[paulw]

I'll answer what I can off the top of my head, the others I'll need to go back and look at.

I haven't looked at the difference in quality between HD in HDMI or component simply because I do not have an HDMI-HDMI cable. My only HDMI input is used by my PC (DVI-HDMI). If it is any help using the DVI-HDMI from the PC is slightly sharper than using component from PC.



Thanx for your reply.

You looked at the picture on your TV in component and were happy with it??
The reason I ask this is that I have a Harmony remote and because of a quirk with my Sony V300 TV (and other Sony TVs I believe) it won't switch directly to the HDMI inputs unless I do some creative delays and stepping to next input which is fine for me but not the rest of the family. If this outputs in conponent and the PQ looks good in HD that's the way I'll go..

[Nimma]

Thanx for your reply.

You looked at the picture on your TV in component and were happy with it??
The reason I ask this is that I have a Harmony remote and because of a quirk with my Sony V300 TV (and other Sony TVs I believe) it won't switch directly to the HDMI inputs unless I do some creative delays and stepping to next input which is fine for me but not the rest of the family. If this outputs in conponent and the PQ looks good in HD that's the way I'll go..

Hi Paul

When I said sharper on my PC I meant sharper on the static images - desktop fonts and whatnot. There's no way I could pick this up with moving images like the TV. Definitely use the component output, wou won't notice the difference.

PS. the draco reciever is on the logitech database but you need to learn the EPG and info buttons as they have the wrong code (I have a 525). I was lucky that logitech added the functionality of going to direct inputs rather than cycling through with my Phillips TV.

[kendallj]

Noticed on:

http://www.bmp.broadcast-asia.com/index.php5?id=1121000&Action=showProduct&bmp=35e551dda34dbfcb59f4150b5c714153

New model Draco unit (HDTV 5500) slated for the NZ market.

"MHEG-5 box suitable for the New Zealand market, compliance to UK profile 1.06. This STB allows users to use interactive applications developed from Broadcasters with ease and fast response. The USB port allows connection to an external HDD for recording purposes."

Anyone know anything more about this unit ?

[paulw]

Is it my imagination or has this Draco reciever gone up in the past week. Currently listing as $398. A little too expensive now..

http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/draco-digital-terrestrial-receiver-freeview-p-1.html

[openmedia]

I thought it had always been at that price.

So Paul - What would you consider a reasonable price?

[paulw]

I thought it had always been at that price.

So Paul - What would you consider a reasonable price?

$299 max..

I see you can now get Sat STB for under $90 as well when I look around..

[Dave B]

I would really struggle with buying ANYTHING from Freeviewshop simply because they seem very relaxed about deleting any posts that may question the quality of the goods they sell.

There have been a few posts pulled that questioned a possible audio problem with that particular Draco model. There is also a thread about the wellknown audio drop-out problems with the Zinwell - needless to say they "have never seen these problems" even though they are well documented in various other forums.

I also had a friend that had problems with a Strong STB and he found Freeviewshop "non-supportive" when it came down to "customer support".

And yes, I think $398 is a little rich for a defacto STB through an internet based business especially when there are additional shipping costs on top of the price. I think the DSE (Zinwell box) is by far the better option (HDMI cable included) plus you get the support of an established retailer.

[kiwisteve]

The Zinwell will have software updates, presume an over the air method , how will the ( others ) be updated ?

[Apsattv]

I would really struggle with buying ANYTHING from Freeviewshop simply because they seem very relaxed about deleting any posts that may question the quality of the goods they sell.

There have been a few posts pulled that questioned a possible audio problem with that particular Draco model. There is also a thread about the wellknown audio drop-out problems with the Zinwell - needless to say they "have never seen these problems" even though they are well documented in various other forums.


I had a thread removed from there when someone asked about HD over component out on the Zinwell. I pointed them to the Zinwell thread here and they were not to happy about it.

[freeviewshop.co.nz]

"There have been a few posts pulled that questioned a possible audio problem with that particular Draco model"

This is not correct the post questioned the quality of audio of Freeview HD in general and had nothing to do with the Draco or Zinwell.

When asked what equipment he was unsing he failed to reply and posted in other threads how much better sky is than freeview etc.

[Apsattv]

Lets get back to discussing the Draco unit itself.

Are firmware updates available for it? or are they tightly guarded?

[freeviewshop.co.nz]

All units have shipped with firmware rev. A0FST0M-19-011E which is currently the f/w we recommend is run.

[freeviewshop.co.nz]

I had a thread removed from there when someone asked about HD over component out on the Zinwell. I pointed them to the Zinwell thread here and they were not to happy about it.

Yes I am sorry for removing that, I did not want my customers to flash their units with the f/w for singapore, void their warranty and render their hardware useless.

[Apsattv]

Well to some not having HD over component renders the box useless !

Anyway there are other options now.

[freeviewshop.co.nz]

Yes that is a problem we think probably about 100k people (This is just my educated guess, based on the percentage of our customers that fall into this boat and what the STB distributers have been saying) in NZ have HD TVs that either dont have HDMI, HDCP or don't allow 50Hz operation on 720P or 1080i on HDMI.

[Apsattv]

Have you compared the insides of a Zinwell and a Draco?

I think the hardware might very similar..

Might be interesting if it turned out the firmware from either would work on either unit. Like with some satellite STB. Do you have a firmware file for the Draco unit that someone could have a look through?

[freeviewshop.co.nz]

The Draco uses a STi7100, STv0360+ and a Thomson DTT7592 Tuner.

It differs very significantly from the Zinwell.

[Apsattv]

Dave B

What was the perceived audio problem in relation to the Draco unit?

[Apsattv]

The Draco uses a STi7100, STv0360+ and a Thomson DTT7592 Tuner.

It differs very significantly from the Zinwell.

Have you done a side by side test in relation to the sensitivity of the Draco and Zinwell tuners?

[LennonNZ]

The Draco uses a STi7100, STv0360+ and a Thomson DTT7592 Tuner.

It differs very significantly from the Zinwell.

Does the Draco use any software which has a GPL Licence?

[openmedia]

Dave B

What was the perceived audio problem in relation to the Draco unit?

I was following the thread on the freeview shop website and the reported audio issues were with the Zinwell box, and not the Draco.

Some appeared to have a huge issue with the quality of the HE-AAC encoded audio streams on DTT, and started to have a serious rant. Problem was no one else was backing this person up at the time.

[freeviewshop.co.nz]

Have you done a side by side test in relation to the sensitivity of the Draco and Zinwell tuners?

Yes, there was not much in it but the Zinwell started breaking up slightly before the Draco when the signal quality was reduced, testing was conducted with transmission from Waiatarua, the result was the same for all 3 muxes.

I must say however that both the Draco and Zinwell performed exceptionally well and you could not really fault either unit on the perfermance.

[Dave B]

I was following the thread on the freeview shop website and the reported audio issues were with the Zinwell box, and not the Draco.

Some appeared to have a huge issue with the quality of the HE-AAC encoded audio streams on DTT, and started to have a serious rant. Problem was no one else was backing this person up at the time.

Hmmmm, I would tend to differ. The reported issues were with the Draco box, NOT the Zinwell box and as you say, they were with regards to the HE-ACC audio stream on DTT. I do not recall it being compared to SKY with the exception that the original poster made a comment that in his opinion, he felt that his Sky box sounded better through his amp.

I then saw one more post that backed up the OP and it was then deleted overnight. The only reason I took particular notice in this was that I was just about to purchase the Draco Box along with somebody else in this office AND HE also had his comments deleted from the same thread a day later after trying to get a definative answer! Something very fishy.

Needless to say I stand by my original comments and would prefer to deal through a reputable dealer. But hey, thats me.

Maybe Freeviewshop should provide one for independent testing to Geekzone?

Cheers DB

[Dave B]

Maybe Freeviewshop should provide one for independent testing to Geekzone?

Cheers DB

Or maybe to APSATTV or a trusted member of his choosing?

[openmedia]

Hmmmm, I would tend to differ. The reported issues were with the Draco box, NOT the Zinwell box and as you say, they were with regards to the HE-ACC audio stream on DTT. I do not recall it being compared to SKY with the exception that the original poster made a comment that in his opinion, he felt that his Sky box sounded better through his amp.


Perhaps Lars from freeviewshop might like to comment further, but I remember the poster asking if the Draco had the same poor audio issues as the Zinwell with DTT. The poster had a Zinwell and had tried to connect it to his amp a number of different ways and was very disappointed with the audio quality.

Steve

[freeviewshop.co.nz]

Perhaps Lars from freeviewshop might like to comment further, but I remember the poster asking if the Draco had the same poor audio issues as the Zinwell with DTT. The poster had a Zinwell and had tried to connect it to his amp a number of different ways and was very disappointed with the audio quality.
Steve
There are no Audio problems that we are aware of with the Draco. No one ever surgested that there were any except Dave B (who does not have one).

[kiwisteve]

How do you enable the Dolby Digital AC3 out on the Draco ?? as my AMP wont detect any AC3 but no problem on the Zinwell when set to DD AC3 is present on TV3 ;);)

[freeviewshop.co.nz]

How do you enable the Dolby Digital AC3 out on the Draco

If you press the Audio button it bring up the Audio Selection Dialog box and you will see ENG(AAC) and ENG(AC3), if you select ENG(AC3) AC3 will be used.

[kiwisteve]

Thanks

I have a loan of a Draco for a day but unfortunately wasn't given the user guide .

cheers

[Dave B]

There are no Audio problems that we are aware of with the Draco. No one ever surgested that there were any except Dave B (who does not have one).

You are quite correct that I do not have a Draco unit and therefore do not know whether there are audio problems or not.

Let me go back to my original post in which I commented:-

"There have been a few posts pulled that questioned a possible audio problem with that particular Draco model" and "I would really struggle with buying ANYTHING from Freeviewshop simply because they seem very relaxed about deleting posts" To my way of thinking, that is no different to hanging up on your customer if he/she was to ring you with an issue (albeit real or percieved).

You are stating here that there are no audio problems and that is good enough for me. So maybe it is time to move on from this particular issue unless of course somebody else has something to add?

I do have another question regarding this particular box. It has been mentioned in another forum that if you want to feed the video signal to two different devices (e.g. HDMI to TV and SVHS to recorder) the one negative is the outputs do not operate simultaneously - the active output is automatically determined by which cable is contected with a live device at the end, etc...

This suggests that you cannot watch a programme in high def through your TV and record at the same time via SVHS on a recorder?

Is my understanding correct?

Cheers

[kiwisteve]

I can confirm that SVHS and CVBS ( composite ) is output at the same time , as does the Zinwell. I use SVHS ( YC ) to the dvd recorder .

I cant detect any audio problems with either box at the moment

The channel number display on the Draco is a great idea you can see what channel its on and the power is connected unlike the Zinwell

Signal is with 12db Attenuator in antenna at 71km from Transmitter and NOT line of site path .

[freeviewshop.co.nz]

Thanks
unfortunately wasn't given the user guide.
cheers

Here is the Manual