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Bought from Asda Dec 2005. Great until 2 weeks ago when all lights went out for no apparent reason and unit ceased to function (though had been fussy about reminders for some time). Asda helpline totally unhelpful, said go back to store where purchased (didn't seem to realise Asda no longer offer 3 year guarantee, only 12 months). Store customer service didn't want to know. Had heard that a particular circuit board and 2 linked capacitors are prone to burn out on this model though. When alive, it was quite good. Not sure what to do now. Anyone got any ideas?
Good box. only one scart and remote control is irresponsive unless you are right in front of it. it has a good reception and most of the glitches were sorted with software 6.2. The interface looked very familiar when it replaced my bush box.
Had this for a couple of years attached to the bedroom tv so mostly on standby. Found it would lock on standby at least once a month but as we didn't use it daily, it could've been more often - switching off at mains and turning back on sorted it. One thing that concerned me and may be the cause of the problem is it seemed to run quite hot. Used with a loft aerial and whilst it indicated that reception on some channels was as low as 25% (most were 90-100%), it held on to the signal reasonably well. It did suffer from interference when central heating pump kicked in or using an electric shaver. Never liked the remote layout and unfortunately my remote was faulty and drained the batteries after two days. Never got it sorted as switched the functions to a universal remote. Never loved the box but never loathed it. Can't really knock it for the price (twin scarts as well). Unfortunately it died when one of the capacitors melted and took out the adjacent IC. Have replaced with a Wharfedale which funnily enough uses the same software as the Durabrand but gives better reception (100% on all channels).
Bought one 2 years ago, £30 from Asda. It's firmware is a bit clunky, and locks up sometimes, but it's otherwise functional for the low price. Sadly it expired at 05:30 this morning while I was asleep - waking me up with a bright flash, a loud bang, and the smell of burning electronics. I'm rather put off getting another one of this make because of that.
Kaz, Reading, on July 1st, 2007
Just been given one of these but without connection instructions. First freeview receiver I've had. Can anyone help with how to connect?
Just been given one of these but without connection instructions. First freeview receiver I've had. Can anyone help with how to connect?
I bought a Duraband Freeview box from and the remote doesn't work when i want it to. It's frustrating and i wish I never got it and won't recommend it to anyone!
Andy, Manchester, on March 6th, 2007
As time went on, this box went downhill, the signal went from great to awful, the software crashes were more frequent and now I don't have a menu- owned the box 16 months and all it is fit for is the bin!
As time went on, this box went downhill, the signal went from great to awful, the software crashes were more frequent and now I don't have a menu- owned the box 16 months and all it is fit for is the bin!
I seem to be experiencing synchronisation problems with my Durabrand STB. The sound seems to be a few microseconds ahead of the video for some reason on all the BBC channels (but, for some reason not on Sky News). Is this a problem noticed by anyone else? otherwise the box performs very well apart from its quirky switching on routine.
Bought a Pacific PSTB-1 for £32 from ASDA in August 2005. Worked brilliantly for 15 months, until the mains adaptor melted, while plugged in. The first signs of a problem were interference caused by the adaptor wire, affecting anything linked to the freeview box (DVD Player, PS2, Video, TV). Then one day the box didn't work. Unplugged the adaptor to find a yellow liquid seeping out of the adaptor seals, with a strong smell of melting plastic. No problems with the box in all that time. Just the adaptor. The box was sat on top of my TV, next to a desk lamp and regularly got covered in dust, but it never gave me any trouble. I bet it would still be fine if I could get a new adaptor. Got myself a DAEWOO DS700D from MAKRO for £25. Bad quality, constant ghosting and stopped working exactly 21 days after I got it. Got a full refund without any trouble, and MAKRO appear not to sell them anymore. I'm going to see if I can get another PSTB1. I'm going cold turkey at the moment. I need SKY Sports News.
I have also lost the manual. Does anyone have the Lock Key. Thanks
Where can you get a replacement power source ? I have 2 STB1 boxes and they work fine with the power source that still works, so I know it isn't the box itself.
have bought this set top box, over all it's a good bit of kit, the only fault i have found is that i have to keep power resetting it as it seems to lock up and i'm not able to switch it on. doenside to this is that u ave to do a programme search every time. if any one has a solution can they post it
Max Devon, on December 16th, 2006
I think my Pacific PSTB 1 has been damaged by a power spike, it doesn't work at all, is there any way this can be fixed?
I think my Pacific PSTB 1 has been damaged by a power spike, it doesn't work at all, is there any way this can be fixed?
I've had this box for nearly a year. As stated above it does like a strong signal and wind, rain, electrical noise and passing cars etc. can affect it. Its has a few quirky feature, if you switch off on a channel that goes offline e.g. BBC4/CBBC and turn it on again it gets confused, however pressing 1 to go to BBC1 brings works for me. I didn't like that going into the channel guide meant you didn't see a picture, however just found out tonight an alternative - press i and
margaretanderson, on November 24th, 2006
my set top box had no instructions and the lock has gone on and i cant remove it.
my set top box had no instructions and the lock has gone on and i cant remove it.
rubbish evey time it rains the picture breaks up
This was a good unit when we first bought it, but a year on it is going downhill fast. Initially we wanted a cheap Freeview set-top box to see whether we could be bothered with it and it served that purpose well... it came from Asda for around £20. The picture quality was good - much better than analogue. It has always clipped the sound when other electronic equipment in the house fired up, despite me upgrading the aerial and co-ax. We live in a poor reception area. Recently the remote has started carrying out the wrong function, it sticks on Stand-by and you have to switch on and off at the mains to get it to restart. It also changes channels when our DVD recorder starts up - which is annoying to say the least. I am now looking for a better model with digital outputs.
Great box but having problems with Film 4 access even after manual search - anyone else?
Bought it yesterday from ASDA, great price £24. Plugged it in, scanned for channels- came up perfect. Even works with indoor aerial (although I would still recommend an aerial upgrade for solid reception). Full text, interactive and 7-day EPG available (read the manual carefully as EPG feature isn't as obvious at first-glance!) Only thing that disappoints is there's only 1 SCART socket at back, can't connect it to my VCR. All around, superb price, great little box and its coolest feature is that the box stands upright on a detachable stand!!
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Picture quality is good but the signal reception has always been unstable, its some times high as 100% and other times completely gone. Recently the box has stopped recieving the signal completely which is very annoying. I wouldnt recommend this box to anyone.