Thread: Airtel stb do not have caxial digital out

I bought new airtel HD dth connection on Feb 08, 2011. Before buying I made sufficient research on which dth to go for. I was very specific about the HD option to enjoy the high resolution viewing and the 5.1 sound experience. I have philips 5.1 home theater which has coaxial digital input. So I had double checked whether airtel STB has coaxial output. I had visited reliance digital store and there i got to see the airtel HD STB which had coaxial out. In the airtel website too they have given the STB rear side picture which also shows coaxial as out. And even the reviewers in forums have mentioned clearly airtel STB has coaxial out ( I am not able to give url here, its in techupdatesindia website where they have mentioned about the connectivities of STB to home theater). With all these support I was very clear that airtel STB has coaxial out. But to my dismay the airtel STB which I got has optical out and not the coaxial. Now I cant connect this to my HT. I am very much disappointed. I cant afford to buy a optical to coaxial converter, definitely for a good one I have to shell out more than 1000rs for that setup. What do I do now?

-Bharath

Hey Bharath,
Dont worry.
Airtel 2 type of STBs one with coaxial out ( the old one) and the recently introduced STB with optical out. In fact i had the similar problen where my home theatre ( Sony DAV DZ510) has optical in. The airtel site says it has only coaxial out. But my local vendor said they have two type of HD STBs ( coaxial & optical). So u just get a replacement with coaxial out STB. I hope there wont be any problem.

Hey thanks for the reply,
I did call the airtel guys, they have agreed to replace the STB within 2days. Two days is over, I called and they said they will do it once they get the box. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I feel they should have STB with both the options. Any idea what else is different between the latest and the old one. Am I compromising for any other latest features by going for the old STB?

Not at all.. But I have a slight favoritsm for optical out.. In sense they carry signals better, but dosent make a huge diffference ... The Fact is they both carry digital signals.. Since you have a home theatre with a coaxial ( SPDIF) in its better to use STB with a coaxial out rather than goin in for a optical out and then convert it with a toslink ( optical) to coaxial converter...
Ny ways I hope u are all set to view the world cup in HD, (So am I) and hope Airtel will telecast ESPN HD & hope an INDIAN win.

Hi Guys...

Congrtats for new STB man,..

I also got HD STB offered with Sony Brivia ...have few queries..

(1) Is HDMI cable is supplied with HD STB?? [ No info @ CC ]

(2) How Many HD Channel in Airtel [ World Cup HD Telecast Included??]

(3) I am in South India, Can I select North Plan later after, free period..


Existing HD STB user pls provide some advises/comments/suggestion..

Cheers for INDIA Guys...Happy Watchin..

Thanks

@maddy4frens,

1. Some providers provide STB with HDMI cable - some do not. So check this out with Airtel.
2. Airtel website should give you this info. World cup will be provided in HD for that period.
3. Whether you are in South India or North India, you can select the package of your choice. But maybe you got the south package as a free offer. Definitely, you can change later.

@maddy4frenz
Airtel provides HDMI cable along with the box. Be careful with the installation guys, they don't bring the cable while installing. I faced the similar problem, the box is supposed to be sealed while bought, but those guys remove the cable while they bring. Since I was very sure airtel provides HDMI cable, I asked them about the cable. Then he acted as though some one as removed without his awareness and he called somebody and that guy came in an hour with the cable. Its a very expensive cable, do insist on that.

BTW
I got my STB replaced yesterday with the old model STB which has coaxial out. This also dint went easily, 3 days after I complained saying I want STB with coaxial out, they delivered a refubrished STB saying that model is no more available and this is what they have. I outrightly rejected saying if there is brand new one give it to me or else cancel the connection. So yesterday they delivered the new one. Any STB related queries will be handled by the city distributor. Though the guy with whom I spoke was friendly and promising, initially he tried to push off the used STB. But later he gave me a new one. I am happy with it.

Also now I need to buy coaxial SPDIF cable. I enquired and only Bandridge is the branded one available, it cost 800 and very expensive. I went to SP road in Bangalore, they have for 190 one,with out any brand name. Guys please suggest me which one to buy. Are there any Indian brand manufacturing Coaxial SPDIF cable. Please let me know.

@bharath & @just4kix

Thanks for this information.

Guys... My existing setup is Bravia LCD with HDMI cable to DZ610.
Any idea How to connect HD STB with LCD for Visuals & HTS for Audio.??
Is HDMI port will work for Input & output both so that other cable not required???

Well I am still waiting for my HD STB..Airtel CC is pathetic...

My first experience with Airtel Digital is bad.Is there anything which I need to takecare while they come with HD STB for installation??

HDMI cable to connect STB and TV. You will get both audio and video on TV with this.
For digital audio through HTS connect your STB and HTS through optical cable. Hope your HTS has optical input, otherwise you will end up struggling like me( see my first post).

Yes airtel CC is worst, call the nodal office of your city(i am not able to give link, google it you will get their number). They will help in hardware installation promptly.