India Broadband Forum

bajaj151

Does Airtel Set Top Box have HDMI output ?

How can I connect Set Top Box with LCD monitor ?

StarK

no it probably does not have an hdmi output or even a component out, even though they claim the box to be HD ready!?

i think your only solution is the normal composite video/audio out.... i do not know about s-video though.

bbhangoo

Check out the STB back on their website:

Digital TV from Airtel

it does show S-Video, Component Out, Digital audio (S/PDIF) and an HDMI socket.
The HDMI socket is labelled - "Reserved interface" which probably means they will enable it later through a firmware update. I ordered it yesterday will let you know if outputs anything. I suspect they will not support HD until they get some competition, none of the other suppliers support HD yet.

just4kix

^^^ URL corrected

The number 2 says "reserved interface" but resembles HDMI. And yes, component out is present. But note that this STB is for IPTV and not DTH.

StarK

yes i was about to post this.

bbhangoo

You guys are right, it is for IPTV. I was not aware that Airtel has 2 services - IPTV & Sat/DTH that compete with each other. In any case, after some confusion with my order, my IPTV box finally arrived yesterday.

The HDMI like tab behind the box is actually just a tab, not even a socket inside. I can confirm that the component out and S/PDIF digital audio connectors work OK. The signal is not really HD I suspect that is more to do with the original content than anything else. The software is still being worked on as all features have not been enabled. I did like their time shift features and the fact that I can select and play any program from 15 popular channels for the past week on demand (including fast forward/pause/rewind). However, I cannot select which channel to record on and cannot set a program for recording (no PVR functions). I did not like the EPG, it goes by categories and then channels, I did not see an option to just browse all channels on the EPG.

Overall I think it is as good or bad as most other services. I do think it is a good deal if you already have or plan to get DSL, it cost me just an extra Rs.100 to add the basic service (135 channels) on top of my 512K unlimited DSL plan (went from Rs.1499 to Rs.1599). The STB & install was Rs.1999 (for Wifi add another Rs.500). I did check that my existing DSL service speed is not effected, maybe even a little better, they setup a special dedicated port on the new DSL modem/router for IPTV at 8Mbps (no you cannot use the port to browse).