The Maspro DT330 is a satellite and terrestrial tuner for Japan's ISDB digital TV services. It has a sensitive tuner and supports HDTV. Setup is easy, only requiring connection to an antenna. It automatically finds and organizes channels. However, usability could be improved as it does not support an internet connection or HD program guide. While a low-cost option, it has some annoyances like defaulting audio settings when turned off.

1. TEST REPORT HDTV Satellite Receiver
Maspro DT330 socket for some functions, such
as registration for pay TV and
interactive voting.
HDTV - For Japan Only Annoyances include
receiver defaulting to the main
the
audio of a bilingual program each
time it is switched off. For Japa-
nese speakers this isn’t perhaps
The Maspro DT330 is a combined satellite and cannot be used with other services, such as DVB too much of a problem but English
terrestrial tuner for Japan’s ISDB-format digital TV or MPEG2-based satellite broadcasting, the tuner speakers, who will typically listen
services. Because it’s tied to these systems and requires very little set-up. to the English-language second-
ary audio, will have to switch to
this audio channel each time the
receiver is turned on.
Conclusion
The receiver is one of the
cheapest currently available that
supports terrestrial and satel-
lite HDTV services. There is little
difference between most of the
On the satellite-side the only a standard RCA video output, S- it can’t access any interactive TV tuners so this makes the Maspro
set up that is required is connec- video output and a Japanese D4 functions that rely on an Internet DT330 an excellent choice as a
tion to an antenna. The receiver connector, which supports an connection. There is a telephone primary or secondary tuner.
automatically searches for chan- analog HDTV output. This can be
nels and within a few seconds it
is working. For terrestrial broad-
switched between 525-i, 720-p
and 1125-i to suit the monitor.
Expert conclusion
casting users need select their +
nearest major city from a list The on-screen display and elec- Very easy to install with a very sensitive tuner.
and hit search. The receiver then tronic program guide are basic
scans for available channels and but easy to use. It’s a shame that
automatically adds them to the engineers couldn’t have designed -
memory. an HD program guide to make use Usability could be improved. Martyn Williams
TELE-satellite
The channels in memory are of the higher resolution of some Test Center
Japan
automatically divided into four TVs to list more programs. As it
main categories based on the is, users with HDTV sets see the
broadcasting platform: TR for ter- same guide as standard definition TECHNIC Vendor Maspro Denkoh Corp.
restrial channels, BS for DBS sat- TV owners. DATA Address Asada, Nissin, Aichi,
ellite channels and CS1 and CS2 The receiver has a sensitive 470-0194, Japan
for non-DBS satellite channels. tuner. This isn’t so important Phone +81-52-802-2211
for satellite broadcasts because Fax +81-52-802-2200
A button press is needed to Japan’s DBS service delivers a Email boeki@maspro.co.jp
switch between the different plat- powerful signal, but the terres- Internet www.maspro.co.jp
forms and you can’t mix chan- trial tuner managed to produce a
Model DT330
nels from different platforms picture from a low-powered local
Function Digital terrestrial, BS satellite,
together so, for example, if you channel that was almost free of
CS satellite receiver
are watching BS satellite channels block noise. A reference TV, which
Channel memory 4,000 channels
the up/down buttons will cycle also has a built-in digital tuner,
you through those but you’ll have can’t produce a stable picture on Input Terrestrial: 70-990MHz
Satellite: 1032-2071MHz
to press the platform button to the channel in question.
watch any CS1 channels. Video output RCA x2, S-Video x2, D4 HDTV x1
One thing missing from the Audio output RCA x2
It’s how must tuners in Japan receiver is an Ethernet socket Power supply AC100 volts 50/60Hz
work but it’s annoying nonethe- for connection to a broadband Size 60mm x 275mm x 270mm
less. The tuner automatically Internet connection. That means
Weight 2.3 kgs
switches between standard
and high-defi-
nition and 4:3
and 16:9 aspect
ratio output
depending on
the program
being viewed.
There are three
video outputs
for hooking up
to a monitor:
TELE-satellite International — www.TELE-satellite.com