Is My Ubc Box A Fake?

[QED]

I have just moved house and had UBC installed at the new place. It's somewhat different than before, the remote control is alot smaller, and the programme guide alot less user friendly. Now I can only look at the programme guide up to about 2 hours in advance, previously I could go as far as the next day and set reminders for movies or whatever.

I heard from a friend that he had a fake box installed. It was a geniune UBC engineer who did it, but he installed a fake one and sold the real one. He had loads of problems and eventually this came to light. The box is a Topfield TF6300IR. Thanks for any input

[longball53098]

First thing to do is look at the copies of the invoice you have for the installation. It should be printed on the invoice what model of IRD you have and the serial number. Also look at the back plate of the Topfield box. It will have a decal with a barcode and the model and serial number. Should be the same as the invoice.

If that does not satisfy you then I would suggest calling the main service number and using you're subscriber number go through the issue and they will be able to answer the questions and confirm if the box is real of "fake".

[bikerman]

I have just moved house and had UBC installed at the new place. It's somewhat different than before, the remote control is alot smaller, and the programme guide alot less user friendly. Now I can only look at the programme guide up to about 2 hours in advance, previously I could go as far as the next day and set reminders for movies or whatever.

I heard from a friend that he had a fake box installed. It was a geniune UBC engineer who did it, but he installed a fake one and sold the real one. He had loads of problems and eventually this came to light. The box is a Topfield TF6300IR. Thanks for any input

I’ve had additional UBC installed in the children’s bed room so I can watch at my leisure any programs I want (sports)

UBC engineer installed last Friday come Saturday not working no power to box after close examination of the box it certainly looked to me to be second hand as the date on the rear sticker was 2008.

I’ve been on visa run also had few days holiday in Lao, phoned local UCB office and there response was to take it back to shop. I explained someone was at our home so engineers could call and repair, arrived home last night and still not repaired.

Tomorrow I shall personally take back to shop and explain in no uncertain terms UCB are service provider and I am dissatisfied customer….why should I take back to them? Good job it wasn’t the dish that was damaged, hel_l of job getting that down.

[monty]

UBC owns the boxes, you just rent them (at about 142 Baht/month I think).

They use boxes from different brands, topfield is one of them! SOme are much better then others, I think you can call them and ask them to swap for another model...

[rixalex]

Started a thread on the topic of the differences concerning the on-screen TV guide for the different boxes they use a while ago:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/True-Vision-...de-t258249.html

When i spoke to True Visions they kind of implied it was tough luck if i didn't like the software on my box - if i wanted to change it i would have to pay for the guy to come out - she then added that they were out of stock of the box that i would require - so i didn't take things any further.

It is very annoying i agree. My mate who recently arrived in Thailand and had it fitted has got fantastic software with his box, whilst i, as a ten year serving customer have to do with this crummy thing!

[longball53098]

You could ask if you take the box to the local shop and swap it for the one you want will this be a freebie? I think the service fee they told you is for the trip charges.

[QED]

You could ask if you take the box to the local shop and swap it for the one you want will this be a freebie? I think the service fee they told you is for the trip charges.

But wouldn't you need an engineer to set up the new box?

Thanks for the replies, seems like not fake just cheap and nasty.

[robertsonmartin]

You could always be very careful not to place a glass of water on the top of the decoder and be more careful not accidentally spill any water inside. Because that might cause irrepairable damage to the circuit board inside and then UBC would then need to give you a new box.

Rubber gloves would probably be in order, though.

Seriously though, I've had UBC for about 6 years now, installed in two different properties. The last house was installed only a couple of months back but it was the same model of box as the original house 6 years previously. Technology seems to move so slow here. The remote doesn't work unless it's pointing directly at the box and scrolling through the channels is pretty slow too.

I guess its all to do with competition though and the fact that UBC is pretty much a monopoly.

[longball53098]

You could ask if you take the box to the local shop and swap it for the one you want will this be a freebie? I think the service fee they told you is for the trip charges.

But wouldn't you need an engineer to set up the new box?

Thanks for the replies, seems like not fake just cheap and nasty.

No there is not set up required by the end user. When you get a new box they (True offices) program the IRD codes into their system and when you get it home and plug it in and put the card in the slot the box will receive the needed codes from the system to unlock the proper channels. Its up to you to set you're favorite channels and other user stuff.

Actually if the shop where you get the box is doing their job they will check the new unit with you're card in the new box before you leave the shop to be sure its working.

[lopburi3]

You could always be very careful not to place a glass of water on the top

No. They would then charge you for the damage! Our analog ten year old box failed and they charged 500 baht for a hairline scratch on the plastic case to provide a working unit (also 20 year old equipment)! This is a Thai who was charged so it was not a farang price.

[LivinLOS]

Ditch the junk boxes they give out free, install a smarter box with component out..

I too had a 'good ubc' (humax IIRC) and later an awful UBC box (topfield).. The installer promised he would return with a new box, never did, then didnt answer his mobile..

[robertsonmartin]

You could always be very careful not to place a glass of water on the top

No. They would then charge you for the damage! Our analog ten year old box failed and they charged 500 baht for a hairline scratch on the plastic case to provide a working unit (also 20 year old equipment)! This is a Thai who was charged so it was not a farang price.

Not if the water has dried and disappeared after said shorting has already occured.

[rixalex]

You could always be very careful not to place a glass of water on the top

No. They would then charge you for the damage! Our analog ten year old box failed and they charged 500 baht for a hairline scratch on the plastic case to provide a working unit (also 20 year old equipment)! This is a Thai who was charged so it was not a farang price.

Not if the water has dried and disappeared after said shorting has already occured.

Liquid damage on circuit boards is easy enough to spot, even if the liquid has long since dried up.

[nbm47]

You could ask if you take the box to the local shop and swap it for the one you want will this be a freebie? I think the service fee they told you is for the trip charges.

But wouldn't you need an engineer to set up the new box?

Thanks for the replies, seems like not fake just cheap and nasty.

No there is not set up required by the end user. When you get a new box they (True offices) program the IRD codes into their system and when you get it home and plug it in and put the card in the slot the box will receive the needed codes from the system to unlock the proper channels. Its up to you to set you're favorite channels and other user stuff.

Actually if the shop where you get the box is doing their job they will check the new unit with you're card in the new box before you leave the shop to be sure its working.

Why don't you guys stop using the rubbish cheap set top boxes supplied by Truevisions and get yourself a quality receiver from Jsat or Satthai that has a card reader with irdeto cam fitted (about 5000 baht). Mine works great with the True visions card and you have better connections for a decent TV and improved picture too. If you want to go the whole hog change the LNB as its only -5db which is poor by todays standards and get one around -2db. Then send the receiver back to Truevisions and save 155 baht.

[longball53098]

One reason for not using a box and LNB not supplied by True is if you have picture issues for whatever reason as soon as they see that the equipment is not supplied by True then you will most likely suffer poor service and possible repair costs that would normally be free if you rent the equipment.