F3 component output is useless

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robby2k9

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My Satellite Setup
Skybox F3
My Location
UK
I have been happy with my F3 box, it came with the latest (I think) firmware - wifi June 2012 & works fine via HDMI.
So I recommended it to a friend, as he needs component for his industrial Pioneer plasma screen which doesn't have HDMI. BIG MISTAKE! He called me round to take a look. The picture was burnt out but at the same time low contrast, very odd. I took my box round, assuming his was duff, but the result was the same. Poking a scope up the 'Y' output revealed the problem, the signal is indeed low (about 50%), and is being white-clipped too. I don't know if this is a firmware bug (I assume these parameters can be tweaked in firmware) or a design flaw, but the component output certainly isn't useable as it stands at the moment.
 
Yes, I found that "ypbpr" not available was reported on mine even though the F3 is Component capable (allegedly) and so is my Telly.

Fortunately I do have HDMI and in every other respect the F3 is the Bogs Dollocks.
 
What about HDMI to RGB Component Conversion Cables (pictured), available for less then a fiver on a certain auction site.

I'm currently using a standard 3 RCA To 3 RCA cable (red, white & yellow plugs) to connect the F3 to my DVD/Hard-Drive recorder, HD content is still available through the recorder but downscaled.
 
Already has RGB, he wanted YUV for the HD channels.
As they went to the bother of fitting & connecting the YUV outputs I assume they worked when originally designed.
Hopefully this may mean that a bug has crept into the firmware causing the problem, & can be corrected on a later update.
Anyone know how to contact the firmware writers to let them know about the problem?
 
Recently purchased a SkyBox F3, with the firmware that came with it, I can report that the component output has a crystal clear picture both on SD and HD channels.

However, the SPDIF, does not work so you have to use the red/yellow composite stereo channels or use a SCART adapter to feed the sound into a surround system, this is a shame as the connector looks to be present, so you have to put up with stereo rather than 5.1 surround sound when you don't have HDMI input on your TV or surround system.

Pros
Crystal clear picture on both SD and HD on both component/HDMI
Can pick one up for £50, HD at this price makes the device worthwhile
Settings/image can be backed up/restored on USB stick
Fairly stable system (I have had a couple of box freezes)
Quick boot time, even from cold

Cons
SPDIF digital audio out not available
HDMI not compatible with older DVI flat screen, works well on new TV (HDMI 1.3) (Maybe just my old plasma)
EPG is not the most user friendly, you have to click on the FAV's button on the remote, select a channel then click on the EPG button, currently searching the forums to see if the EPG can be updated with a firmware update as box is a closed system, also EPG does not display for all channels
Not able to ftp/telnet onto the box to retrieve update settings, must be done via USB (not tried RS232)
Haven't found a way to disable the config without updating it (yet), correct me if I'm wrong
No USB on the back just one on the front
Client only

Sounds like a lot of cons, but all in all I'm well pleased with this box, the kids moan about the EPG, but hopefully overtime updates will become available
 
I had a couple of freezes when I first got mine, but conclusively proved they were due to overheating as the new box was sitting directly on the Foxsat (that it has now fully replaced).

Since I donated the Foxsat to SWMBO, I've been freeze-free.

The only mild niggle I have is that it says "Motor Moving" every time I boot up.
 
Hi All
Got my F3 3weeks ago must say I am pleased with it, was a bit sceptical due to price. All changed just plug it in connected all the cables had it up and running in about 10 minutes, this is about the quickest I have done with a set straight from the box. Must say I am pleased and supprised that it went so easy. Crystal clear on both SD & HD happy with the gift (doe's anyone know how long the gift is for). When you think what you get:
1, STB Free Gift and an HDMI cable as well you cant argue with the cost. Lets Keep the This SKYF3 forum going.:-handclap
 
I've always had my f3 hooked up with hdmi, I'll give component a whirl and report back.
 
showdog said:
Hi All
Got my F3 3weeks ago must say I am pleased with it, was a bit sceptical due to price. All changed just plug it in connected all the cables had it up and running in about 10 minutes, this is about the quickest I have done with a set straight from the box. Must say I am pleased and supprised that it went so easy. Crystal clear on both SD & HD happy with the gift (doe's anyone know how long the gift is for). When you think what you get:
1, STB Free Gift and an HDMI cable as well you cant argue with the cost. Lets Keep the This SKYF3 forum going.:-handclap
Click to expand...

Glad you like the Box.

The Skybox F3 Threads will indeed keep going - provided there's no further mention of "Gifts" and closely related matters ..................:)
 
Tivù said:
The Skybox F3 Threads will indeed keep going - provided there's no further mention of "Gifts"
Click to expand...

Oh, if you get one of those cardboard and brown paper 'bang' guns with them, I might think of getting one.....
 
Gave it a shot with component and it comes through but the picture quality decreased immensly from hdmi.
 
It always makes me laugh when i see the words free gift lol. How can it be free when it adds about £20 to the cost of the box which can be for as little as £45 where as the ones with the supposed free gift are around £65 upwards :-lmao

Its not a free gift its paying for the use of a Payserver, pure and simple. The free gift will only last as long as the person running the server wants you to have it for or until they get caught by Sky & NDS and then spend a a few years at one of her majesties holiday camps.

Using one of these boxes with the free gift is illegal, you are basically defrauding Sky in the same way as the cable knob eds were doing with Virgin Media until it was closed up last year. the only difference is that the scum running these payservers are making money from you.

Where do you think the scumbags running these free (Free my arse lol) servers get the cards from, as they certainly don't pay for them themselves.

Any further mention of these free gifts and i will close the thread.

Nano
 
Hi everyone,

My first contribution for ages, but I do follow your learnèd contributions. I too am thinking of awarding myself a Skybox F3, after all I deserve it, don't I?!! I'm secretly grateful to my Egyptian step-mother-in-law (if that's possible) for managing to break the last three satellite boxes I've supplied her with, so I'm now going to have to give her the Technomate 1500 which I use daily, so obviously I need a replacement...
 
You won't regret getting an F3.

But, more to the point, what on earth does the MIL do to break your boxes?
 
As for the DiSEqC switch, then yes it should as it is DisEqC 1.2 capable, hence can cope with up to 16 sources.
 
Hughes said:
I too would like a free gift with my forthcoming Skybox F3. How about free shipping to Spain, or an Inverto Black Ultra dual LNB? I don't think either of those would be illegal! Ooooh, and a question for anyone using the F3. Will it handle an 8x1 DiSeqC switch like my Vantage X221TS, or is that asking for too much?
Click to expand...

Can't go wrong for the price. My favourite blind scanner and all audio and video info at a press of a button.
 
What's more, the Firmware does all it should and is stable.

The only non-functioning function is "Zoom".

I can live without it!


@Costactc: It was your initial review that got the rest of us interested, so many thanks indeed.
 
The step-mother-in-law is very hamfisted with remote controls and refuses to listen to instructions. She has no patience when changing "channels" and isn't prepared to wait up to a second for the chosen channel to appear. Rather, she will continually turn the box on and off, many times per hour, so they have a really hard life in her hands. She hasn't grasped the concept of pointing the RC at least vaguely in the right direction. I've tried to make things easier for her by grouping the Arab language programmes together in a Favourites list of about 30, and excluding the many hundreds of other channels on 13ºEast which would only confuse her. She also manages to melt the remote controls as the TV is in the kitchen...
Oh and she thinks she knows it all...
 
My wife has just read my contributions about the Egyptian MIL, and will only sanction the purchase of the Skybox if I point out that she, my wife that is, is completely Spanish, and has nothing to do with her widowed father's second wife!!! Done! So now I can go onto that auction site and order the F3 without "free" gift. Everyone's a winner! Will keep you posted.
 
Tivù said:
What's more, the Firmware does all it should and is stable.

The only non-functioning function is "Zoom".

I can live without it!



@Costactc: It was your initial review that got the rest of us interested, so many thanks indeed.
Click to expand...


Thanks Tivu, glad I brought it up when I did. Funny I have spent hundreds of dollars on receivers that can't even do half of what the f3 does. By the way, the zoom button works for me as other openbox/skybox receivers and brings in my list of all sats scanned in.
 
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