Daewoo: DS608P

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Your responses

PD, Leics on January 6th, 2009
Any bright ideas what one might do with a redundant box? As a keen freecycler I hate putting things in landfill. Anyone investigated the internal power supply? Mentions 10w consumption in the instruction book, which if largely 5v equates to 2A which could be useful.

GH, Devon on November 28th, 2008
Add me to the list of people caught out by this - I have two of these boxes which I hoped would last me for years, one I've just lost by rescanning and the other is still fine (so I'll leave it alone). Won't buy another Daewoo as they must have known all about this. Believe it or not someone is still selling these boxes on ebay for £119! - I've sent him this link and will be interested to see if he removes them from his site.

AP, Lancs on November 3rd, 2008
I have one of the Daewoo boxes and the penny has just dropped after me having no freeview for over a month and I was wondering whether to call someone in to fix the ariel! There was a report on BBC1's 'Watchdog' about it this evening, this is repeated on their website and it looks like Daewoo are avoiding responsibility whereas philex on the other hand... Not great publicity for Daewoo!

HFL on October 19th, 2008
I've had exactly the same problem as everyone else and have concluded that because it doesn't have the "digital tick" it has stopped working. It's such a pain that the change-over people haven't considered the people who had freeview before it was necessary!

Jim Fitzgerald Kingston, Surrey on October 16th, 2008
This item is obsolete and does not work in any/many areas. Please see http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/Resolutions/Transmission-changes-affecting-some-Freeview-digital-boxes

Dave G, Paignton on October 5th, 2008
My Daewoo DS608P has now given up, notlocating any channels, after i said 'yes' to rescan for new channels. Is this the end of this machine?? If yor machine IS working, don't rescan!!!!

Anthony, Bury St Edmunds on October 4th, 2008
Like other posters here, my DS608P now advises "no signal" and my aerial installer tells me the software is now obsolete. Shame, but I've just bought a Bush set top box on e bay for £15.98 delivered and installed it this am. Works fine. Gone are the days when you had to spend around £100 for a new box. Does anyone know if there is anywhere in the UK where the DS608P can work OK?

Nigel, Gloucester on August 24th, 2008
Brought my box April 2004 and was fine until last night. Like others I have lost all channels and will no longer rescan correctly. Checked on the web and a number of sites report that is now obsolete. Shame as it did what I wanted how I wanted with little problem or fuss. Looks like I'll have to but a new 'digital tick' box despite the fact that the box still work. Who ever changed the transmitters should have thought about those of us who went digital before the 'great switch over' or don't they care. You decide!

Roger, Bournemouth on August 17th, 2008
My Daewoo DS608P same problem in this area, all channels lost after a rescan for channels. Re the fuse problem: if you open the box it is possible to change faulty item, however, the fuse looks very similar to a capacitor (a black cylinder item). I use an external fuse holder on the one I replaced. Operation fine until this scan problem.

Andy North, Milton Keynes on August 15th, 2008
Having read other areas of Digital Spy, it seems that this box has now become defunct. Sad for me for the reasons I gave in my Sep 2006 coment. The power supply is crap though - I managed to keep the box alive by strapping a hard disk fan under it with electrical ties. Have a look inside (with power unplugged!), left side, 8-pin chip, burnt circuit board. What I've read said that this box never had the Digital Tick so it was not built to be future-proof. As soon as you re-scan to pick up 4Music, the box will die. Anyone know of another box that displays signal levels like this one did?

Elaine, Fife on August 9th, 2008
Like Jeremy and Lindsay I have also lost all channels I have my parents Grundig which is still working but the Daewoo! It was a really great box while it worked and gave a great picture great loss Looks like I also will have to invest in another

Ray, Tyne & Wear on July 24th, 2008
After 6+ years of trouble free use I have had the exact same problem as Jeremy. After responding to the prompt to rescan I have lost all channels. I have tried unplugging the aerial and power etc advice as per the freeview web site but still no channels are found. A friend of mine has two units and both have failed within days of mine (is there a coded time out built into this box and is there a button combination to clear it) ? I have been looking arronund to try and find a set top box that will give a Digital decoded signal out of the "Ariel Out" socket as well as the "Scart" socket, (my friend has a portable TV without a Scart socket) can anyone help ?

Lindsay, Edinburgh on July 9th, 2008
After 4 years of trouble free use I have had the exact same problem as Jeremy. After responding to the prompt to rescan I have lost all channels. I have tried unplugging the aerial and power etc advice as per the freeview web site but still no channels are found. From what I can see on the Web it may be unable to cope with the amount of new channels now, so looks like I'll have to buy another one.

Jeremy Morfey, Worcester on July 7th, 2008
Christian asked whether there is someone under Sutton Coldfield with a still functioning Daewoo DS608P set top box. I have two boxes - one was still working fine on 7th July 08, but the other went down when I responded to the prompt to scan for new and changed channels, with 0 channels and no signals recognised. I am not going to allow any more channel scans on my working unit!

Christian, East Mids on February 15th, 2008
Daewoo SETPAL DS608P cost £80 about 4 years ago but only used it in anger for almost 2 years (due to transmission issues). Good box but software upgrades ceased a few years back and my current level of software is build 149 (which is couple out of date). It looks like further software upgrades will not be made as the software company (SETPAL) has gone bust. Daewoo seem to be shirking their responsibility by not taking over this operation! Even more worrying is that these boxes may stop working all together as the switchover upgrades start being rolled out (making a poor return on my original £80). I’ve read that some owners of this box bought the 7 day EPG (c.£5) from 4TV! Only issues lately is the channel information is not being interpreted for some channels (ITV1 C4 etc - I think they are the ones listed as MPX2 – what-ever that is). So a good box in my view, good normal plug power supply, but lacks further support. Unfortunately it’s due to be made redundant unless OFCOM/Trading standards get involved. If anyone is using one of these boxes in the Sutton Coldfield area from 3 March onwards, let me know if they still work.

David, Warwickshire on February 8th, 2008
A really really fine box - simple to use, friendly menus, can switch off MHEG text, etc. But ... accordingly to Freeview's website, as of March 3rd 2008, will no longer work in the midlands as the Sutton Coldfield transmitter is being upgraded. Seems like this will be a common problem in the coming months/years around the country as other transmitters are upgraded. Apparently the software doesn't fully match freeview specs ... So be warned. But it was a truly wonderful box while it lasted!

pjpj Yorkshire on November 10th, 2007
The only problem I get with these boxes after over 7 years, I think, is freezing. This problem is largley cured by switching off the 'Digital MHEG Text' in the menu. If these boxes ever freeze or lock up, they have always reset themselves automatically after a couple of minutes, then just bring it out of standby with the remote. Good picture. Good audio. Can make up a favourites list. Always picks up new channels. Very user friendly.

Neil, Aberystwyth, Wales on July 19th, 2007
My second unit has failed today. Same fault as first one: Total power failure. Looked inside, burn marks on power circuit board in exactly the same place as first one (I kept the first one for some reason). Had first unit for 2 years before failure and have had second unit for about 3 years. Doubt if I will buy another one. I will probably put the remotes on e-bay. Seems like people looking for them.

Andy North, Milton Keynes on September 2nd, 2006
This is a very nice (but now discontinued at Tesco - 1/2 price) box. The best thing about the box for me is that it displays, in the status menu, the name of the transmitter(s) that it is recieving from, which channels and at what strength, all one one screen. No other box does this, even other Daewoo models. This is wonderful for getting the aerial pointing in exactly the right direction - better than a Field Strength meter - go for the position with the most greens and the least yellows. I borrow this box from my Mum whenever I need to set up someone's aeriel! Can't pick up certain ITV channels? Your aeriel ain't pointing quite right.

Simon, Norfolk on July 25th, 2006
Great box, so good I got a second one for my spare bedroom. New remote controls avalible from ebay for £14. My second one had lost is remote.

Shirley, SE Kent on June 30th, 2006
Only used it for 15 months and it keeps dropping out... has been tried at a mates house and the same thing happens. It works for 5mins. gets hot. fails, so switch off. turn it back on and it works for 3 mins, swithch off, turn on works for 1 min. My other one is 5 yrs old no problems.

Paul, Cheshire on June 19th, 2006
Has been great for 3 years and now keeps locking up with a greeb picture or freezes. Have to turn it off to re-set it, but keeps happening. Got a bit sick of it happening so bought an asda one- seems very good. Daewoo helpline is terrible and very unsupportive.

John Mason, Saltburn, Cleveland on May 22nd, 2006
Still don't have any major concerns with the box after a couple of years of use, however, I am frustrated by the automatic scan which happens at 3am every morning and totally ruins any recordings you are making.

Alan, Swindon on May 14th, 2006
i have a daewoo setpal box and it has just failed on me today, i have checked the fuses and even opened up the box hoping there was an internal fuse i could change sadly not. i had the setpal for 3 years and had no problems except that the signal around 67 uhf was a bit poor from mendip transmitter, i lost about 4 channels each time that happened. strangely freeview is not guaranteed yet in swindon so you get it at your own risk basically. i think i paid £85 for 3 years use on the box i guess thats ok seeing that you pay over 100 pounds a year for your tv license and sky probably costs £15 or more for a basic package. I might sell my setpal remote on ebay as i see theres a need for replacement remotes and mines in vgood condition. today after my setpal box broke i then bought a cheap pacific model from asda £25 so i will review that sometime and let people know how that works.

Paul Godier, Bournemouth on April 25th, 2006
Really good box, with Setpal making set up (and re-set ups) really easy. Pic quality great, rarely breaks up. BUT 15 months in (and out of guarantee) it has just died completely. Whatever happened to "consumer durables"!

John Mason, Saltburn by the Sea, Cleveland on April 8th, 2006
This is the only freeview box I've had that works well for this area.

Rob, Birmingham on March 22nd, 2006
This was a brilliant freeview box. Unfortunately the latest software 'upgrade' has made it impossible to use conected to my media centre PC, as it now refuses to change channels & rys to force you to subscribe to the 14 day pay EPG. Might be being thrown through the window shortly as it is now worse than useless.

Alister Dowey - Armoy, County Antrim on September 30th, 2005
The best freeview box i've ever seen! it has a great tv guide with listings up to 7 days, great picture quality, easy to tune/scan, good reception. I think its best feature is the manual tuning ability. Also you can delete, & rename channels using the channel organiser.

Sam on September 13th, 2005
Great unit, have had for over a year. Have it connected to a table top aerial with signal booster and get all channels, so very sensitive tuner (based in West London, and Crystal Palace is my local transmitter).

Luke, Halifax on September 2nd, 2005
This is the first Freeview box I've bought and for the price, it has been adequate. text loads quite quickly on Sky Channels and BBC but is slow on Channel 4 and ITV. EPG only consisits of Now/Next which isn't extensive enough. Also very often I find that on TV Guide if you try to look for a programme that is 4,5,6 or 7 days away more often than not you are told it has 'No Information'. I had to buy a better quality scart lead as the picture quality didn't live up to my high expectations. It's OK for anyone who doesn't care much about EPG and text but for me I think it would be advisable to splash a little more cash and buy a box that is a liitle more up-market. Failing this then get Sky!

Tony Alston, Enfield on August 19th, 2005
I must have a rogue one! Cuts out, LEDs go off, as if there's been a Power Failure. I have to turn off the mains power, give it a couple of minutes and then it works again. I can't get the channel 'exclude' to work, although they've been selected and have the Red Asterisk mark against those channels I don't want but they still come up. And there's more but too mant to mention!

dan, north yorkshire on August 18th, 2005
very quick compared to some of the shocking excuses for user interfaces that you see these days., but slightly lacking in being able to process a DVB signal reliably though. Despite perfectly good (24dB SNR) one minute, it still intermittently (usually every 2 mins) complains that "your signal is poor" (signal is still high on the status menu, but SNR and data quality are down) and locks itself in that state until it is power cycled (and you can guarantee that as soon as you turn it back on, the signal is fine again). Daewoo are not particularly helpful. Returned to base and has come back still broken...

Howard Gilpin - Moira Co. Down N. Ireland on July 30th, 2005
Got this box 2 years ago mainly because it had RF loopthrough and I had second TV set with no scart connection. I am very satisfied as it pulls in the signal well (I have problem of trees between aerial and transmitter). Only complaints are lack of 7 day EPG and teletext is very slow to load especially on ITV. PACE box in other room is much faster for text but ITV text doesn't appear most of the time!

Alan, Norwich on June 22nd, 2005
Very simple to set up and use. Pleasant Remote. Easy menus & navigation. I've also noticed Teletext & Teletext on 4 are a bit slow to load pages - but not a major problem. Useful Favourites & Timer & Widescreen options. Desperately needs a 7 Day EPG. It's a year old and apart from occasional lock-ups which clear quickly I am most impressed

Paul Naylor on June 11th, 2005
Great box. works well with my loft aerial. Sometimes a bit slow with teletext now. Would buy another

Kate Frisby Barnstaple, N.Devon on February 27th, 2005
I bought this freeveiw box 2 years ago and got on really well with it. But Last year my kids dropped the remote. Now I cant use it. I've had a new remote on order from the only company in the country who supply them since last November. STILL WAITING!! If anyone knows of anywhere else I can get 1 I'd be really greatful.

Steve Smith on February 12th, 2005
A small easy to use setpal box, best for first time users or people with no Hi-Tech know how. plug and go setup, makes it easy to watch digital t.v. within seconds of installing it.

Harry Beckinsale, Belfast on February 9th, 2005
Picture quality and ease of use is great. Unfortunately I've gone through two units in two years! Both ended up with the same fault - total power failure - and as there is no internal fuse it couldn't even be serviced. I'll not be buying a third unit.

Multisandia on October 10th, 2004
The Daewoo SetPal is small and reliable, and gladly puts up with being used all day, every day. Picks up perfect signal (even though I am in line with Crystal Palace TX). The last software build Build_0126 was a bit dodgy, giving you a large advert box in the guide screen and still no 7-day EPG. Manufacturers NovaPal are still mulling over whether to sign up to 4TV's unofficial guide, broadasting data at 3am on channel 704, or to go with the BBC's 'vanilla' one.

Justin on October 1st, 2004
Great box, easy to use with a clear display! Instant alerts for updated channels or features, so saves you checking for downloads or retune! - Nice looking box - always improving!