Mel
And meanwhile, nobody confirmed by example or in the STB specification so far reasonable questions whether this box supports
4:2:2, and
low and high symbol rate tuning, decoding, recording and playback (supported symbol rate limits please). There was no confirmation that
LAN multimedia recording & playback support or
integrated WiFi will be added, only that the company "will consider" it. Only firmware update is supported now over LAN, and why use LAN for this, if it can be done over a USB stick? Does the STB have enough
physical memory to add new extended firmware features and advanced signal decoding? It was also said that
ATSC tuner MAY be added but only to the next generation of the STB, which will cost more and require a new STB purchase.
Nobody tested this STB in NA conditions so far, and we don't know
how thorough and sensitive its blindscan is. Neither we know
what picture quality the box can deliver, whether its free from artifacts, and how good this box can scale various pic formats. Its very important, if you don't have a newest HDTV with quality picture upconversion chipset. At the same time it was reasonably pointed by forum members that without these basic features nothing distinguishes this STB from other models currently on the market, including several less expensive proven high quality used HD STB models like Coolsat, Viewsat, Pansat, etc. that do exactly the same plus support ATSC. What then to buy it for?
Don't forget, merely asking a question and hearing back that it will be relayed to the manufacturer doesn't mean that it will be resolved to your satisfaction any time soon or ever. And until it is resolved, what's the rush to buy - it may never be resolved, if people keep buying without it. Look through both threads on this STB and think, if you really want basic questions above answered before you buy, or you just ask questions because of curiosity, and will buy anyway since everyone else buys. Do you need a new STB in the first place that offers nothing new to what you already have?
I'm for diversity of models on the market that drives prices down. But basic questions are expected to be answered, not ignored, before buying decisions are made. It may take time and effort, but until they're answered to customer satisfaction what's the rush to buy? Makes sense? "Quantities" on these things will always last until there is demand. No product will be improved if customers keep hysterically buying it in rush while they might not even need it in the first place. Everyone has a closet full of various things they never needed but purchased anyway because everyone did. Just my 5 cents.