Satmax SM801

[kiwisteve]

I recently had a loan of the Satmax 801 DTT receiver .

The tuner seems quite sensitive was able to tune the very weak signal from Ngarara Infill as well as the strong Wharite signal .

No problem with the EPG and Inbuilt teletext functions .
Channel change OK but tended to freeze for a short period when
changing between the 3 muxes

Two HDMI 1 set component and Composite video out provided
as well as L+R audio .

Sadly no SVHS for recording to my HDD DVD recorder ( that only accepts SVHS and Composite ). Adding SVHS ( YC ) would have been very useful in my case .

SPIDF out provided for fibre connection . I connected to my Home Theatre amp but no AC3 was produced from TV3 as it does on the Zinwell and Draco . No reference to AC3 in the audio or AV menu .

[LennonNZ]

http://www.satmax.co.nz/Products/DTT%201026.htm

They advertise Optical Digital audio for AC3 stereo sound reproduction?
so is this stereo or AC3 surround? but you said it didn't work?

Also they advertise Firmware upgrade OTA or USB ?
So are freeview going to put the software upgrades on DTT??

The only DTT HD reciever with a front panel USB connector to play MP3,Jpeg
Err, the DTT HD receiver I have at the moment has that

Thanks
Craig

[kiwisteve]

The only thing I could detect was PCM from TV3 ( no 5.1 present from the Satmax ) but Zinwell and Draco works fine :D:D

I would expect only the Freeview Certified boxes will get over the air upgrades .
perhaps the suppliers of these receivers might confirm how software updates
can be done !!!

[Apsattv]

I recently had a loan of the Satmax 801 DTT receiver .

The tuner seems quite sensitive was able to tune the very weak signal from Ngarara Infill as well as the strong Wharite signal .

No problem with the EPG and Inbuilt teletext functions .
Channel change OK but tended to freeze for a short period when
changing between the 3 muxes

Two HDMI 1 set component and Composite video out provided
as well as L+R audio .
.


Did it put out 720p/1080i over the component? or is that locked up like the Zinwell?

[kiwisteve]

Yes 720p and 1080i over component as well as HDMI

SD also available on the CVBS out but pix very poor on that ,
lower qual that what the zinwell produced on that output

[Dave B]

http://www.satmax.co.nz/Products/DTT%201026.htm


so is this stereo or AC3 surround? but you said it didn't work?




Stereo only. Note also that there is NO DOLBY LOGO so 5.1 is a no-go.

I can see some very disappointed customers picking this up on price, getting it home only to find they are only getting part of the benefit of the digital network.

Avoid this piece of trash like the plague.

[robjg63]

All that and RRP $499.00 according to their website.
Hardly a bargain is it!

[kiwisteve]

Most home DVD recorders don't seem to have the facility to record from a Component or HDMI source only RGB , SVHS and CVBS

This box has NO SVHS ( YC ) so it really only gives you the facilty to record
from Composite CVBS y u k !!! :D:D

[appleseed]

Does anyone know anything about this receiver? Was going to get the Satmax 801 but have changed my mind after reading the info about it.

[kiwisteve]

There appears to be some difficulty with the AC3 on TV3 via the SPIDF socket on the Satmax

It does provide HD on Component which worked very well

[Injuised]

looks like another coship OEM

Does the 16*9 work or is it like the satmax DVB-S boxes

[kiwisteve]

Yes that did seem quite good some of the satboxes on the market are pretty shocking alright

[Halfday]

Hello , , After reading above comments I had to join and post.

The Sm801 Has had a software upgrade - over a week ago now

( you can get this by emailing SatMax)

The software upgrade they has added the Dolby option to the A-V menu and now the Ac3 work's fantastically well over Optical and coax,
There are other refinements with faster channel changing , Aspect ratio and a larger teletext screen and improved picture performance. and YES!! still HD on Component

Software loaded Vai USB stick , very easy a great way to load software in my opinion

I am very happy with my box and to see a small bug being fixed so quickly was great .

Hope this helps others.


:)

[Apsattv]

Any photos?