Digital TV for Ford ICC

[FPV329]

The antenna is basically invisible, I've got a shot somewhere, I'll dig it up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow.. looks good.. Where'd you get it from and was it hard to wire up? I assume you run RG6 coax or something from the aerial to the STB?

Since the JVC unit has the option to output PAL or NTSC in the settings, I'm guessing I can feed it PAL from the STB and it'll convert it. I think it's a pretty safe assumption.

I'll let you know how I go.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The antenna is off eBay from a seller called Mobileseller8, they're about 22 bucks at the moment plus 10 bucks postage. They have a switchable booster and more than enough cable to get to the STB. They have twin mini plugs so you will need an adaptor to get to the normal 75 ohm PAL plug ( Jaycar have them ).

Now for the life of me I have'nt been able to find that PAL or NTSC setting! I'll dig deeper, not that I need to change it but I wanna know where the setting is buried and why I missed it!!

[Guest Cameron_S]

Ok.. I've been looking into this whole Set Top Box thing, and the following brands are available from my local Megamart.

Nordmende KMDG47 (DC12V 10W)

Strong SRT5005 (DC12/24V 1.25A)

Humax F2-1010T (DC12V 10W Max.)

All inputs are stated as above on the back of the unit. The strong seems good for it's component output, but that's irrelevant for it's intended use in the BA.

My question is, how do I power these units?..

I would have thought, simply purchasing a generic 12v car cigarette lighter adapter would do the trick, but now I've been reading into it, I'm not so sure.

Do I need a regulated power supply so it ONLY gets 12V, do I need one that outputs a certain amperage etc?

The altronics catalogue has a "Car Accessory Socket Lead" which states 12V and 5A Max. for $2.80. Would this do the job with any of the above STB's without blowing them up?

[cutsnake]

Ok.. I've been looking into this whole Set Top Box thing, and the following brands are available from my local Megamart.

Nordmende KMDG47 (DC12V 10W)

Strong SRT5005 (DC12/24V 1.25A)

Humax F2-1010T (DC12V 10W Max.)

All inputs are stated as above on the back of the unit.  The strong seems good for it's component output, but that's irrelevant for it's intended use in the BA.

My question is, how do I power these units?..

I would have thought, simply purchasing a generic 12v car cigarette lighter adapter would do the trick, but now I've been reading into it, I'm not so sure.

Do I need a regulated power supply so it ONLY gets 12V, do I need one that outputs a certain amperage etc?

The altronics catalogue has a "Car Accessory Socket Lead" which states 12V and 5A Max. for $2.80. Would this do the job with any of the above STB's without blowing them up? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A normal fused cigarette lighter cable is OK. Most have permanently spliced into the cable behind the cig lighter socket. It would pay to add an extra inline fuse with appropratte rating when doing this (value dependant on max current draw of STB, powered antenna...etc)

The altronics cable you mentioned is OK as its maximum rating is 5 amp...more than enough for the stb. Just make sure the polarity is the same (centre positive for the Nordmende)

P.S. The max current draw of the Nordmende is around 1 amp (the internal fuse of this box is a 1.5 amp)

To work out current draw... P=power in watts, I =current in amps, V = voltage in volts

P=IxV therefore P/V=I so 10w/12v = 0.833 amps. Surge current will make this temporarily go just over 1 amp (e.g. when first switched on).....

All those years at TAFE are paying off....

Cutsnake

[fil]

In the Uk alot of people are using, these so not sure if its the same standard in aus, but mayne worth a look?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mobile-Digital-TV-R...1QQcmdZViewItem

This is the only one I found on ebay that will ship to Australia, but says europe too some im guessing you use the same standard!

[Guest Cameron_S]

Now for the life of me I have'nt been able to find that PAL or NTSC setting! I'll dig deeper, not that I need to change it but I wanna know where the setting is buried and why I missed it!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I got my A/V input leads hooked up under my passenger seat, tried hooking up my HD STB in the garage with a 'rabbit ears' aerial, and get a reception, so that's all fine. Only problme is, the screen is flickering and scrolling, I.e. the PAL/NTSC issue.. bugger!

I felt sure that if I select NTSC output in the settings it would convert it, (since it must for PAL DVD's to work?).. perhaps it only converts the DVD's not the A/V input signal. (But the option is there for the A/V source. just changing it doesn't make a difference)

Nevertheless I''ll try hooking up an xbox to test that also, and select PAL/NTSC in the xbox settings to confirm that's that's my problem. If so, then I need an STB that outputs NTSC.. 8-(

Guess I should start hunting around for the Teac or the Emtech?.. Didn't someone say the Nordmende can output NTSC? I'd prefer the Strong or the Humax though I think.. anyone know much about these ones?

[FPV329]

Well I got my A/V input leads hooked up under my passenger seat, tried hooking up my HD STB in the garage with a 'rabbit ears' aerial, and get a reception, so that's all fine.  Only problme is, the screen is flickering and scrolling, I.e. the PAL/NTSC issue.. bugger!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

BUGGER!!

[Guest Cameron_S]

Well it seems the Humax supports NTSC output..

Manual here:

http://www.humaxdigital.com/GLOBAL/product...F2-1010T_ME.pdf

Page 36 states,

"• TV Standard

You can select the TV Standard: PAL or NTSC. Select one from Auto, PAL or NTSC.

Auto The TV supports both PAL and NTSC.

PAL The TV supports only PAL.

NTSC The TV supports only NTSC.

**

• NTSC Mode

If TV Standard is set to NTSC, set the following mode. Only when TV Standard is set to Auto

or NTSC, set the NTSC mode. Select 3.58 or 4.43."

As for the Strong, it says in the brochure:

"Video Resolution : 720 x 576".. So doesn't look promising.. Although they don't have the manual online.

[Guest Cameron_S]

Ok..

Just bought the Humax box.. get it home and the setting for NTSC isn't on there?!

The online manual has options for PAL or NTSC, but the manual that came with the box is slightly different and the in menu settings have no option to select NTSC.

Bugger.

Now I have to try source one of the Strong models.. which Myer and Megamart seem to have NO stock of.

grrrrr

[Guest Cameron_S]

Ok..

I tried the Humax F2-1010T, but no option for NTSC output. Returned. (Actually kept it for my indoor TV.. really good box)

Tried the Strong SRT5005, but no option to switch to NTSC output. Returned.

Swapped it for the Nordmende from Megamart. This one I knew had an option to switch to NTSC, and I hooked it up and wallah!.. It works!

I now have my digital TV up and running.

Just waiting on my Diversity Antenna from Ebay.. Thanks for the heads up on that one FPV329!

[FPV329]

Ok..

I tried the Humax F2-1010T, but no option for NTSC output. Returned. (Actually kept it for my indoor TV.. really good box)

Tried the Strong SRT5005, but no option to switch to NTSC output.  Returned.

Swapped it for the Nordmende from Megamart.  This one I knew had an option to switch to NTSC, and I hooked it up and wallah!.. It works!

I now have my digital TV up and running.

Just waiting on my Diversity Antenna from Ebay.. Thanks for the heads up on that one FPV329!

   

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No problemo Cameron_S.

Glad to hear you got it up and running, it's cool huh?