I just have to say the digital signal is much cleaner and produces a DVD like pictre for video broadcasts!!

:thmbsp:

definately sold on it, My CTC4 shows retrace lines and no visible video improvement. I'll fiddle w/old sety later and see if color stability is better on CTC4.

the newer set I use is the zenith CCII with high quality solid state circuits. I''ll try to post pics some time, no visible noise is detected, details look razor sharp.

:yes:

shows full potential of set besides playing a DVD

Hey Kevin that CTC 4 is a beautiful set you have and the CRT looks stable too! I bet with a little time it could look razor sharp and put out a heck of a good picture!

Of course it will never be digital but the color reproduction of the reds and greens on the 4 are stunning!

digital signal is much cleaner
When it is not freezing, pixellating, or going to "No Signal." :(

I never thought we lived in a fringe reception area, but our digital reception is rotten, even with a special antenna that I built.

My solution is to feed our satellite signal into an agile modulator, which rebroadcasts to vintage TVs throughout the house.

Phil Nelson

I know how you feel, Phil. In the part of Pa that I live in, I used to be able to receive signal from Harrisburg, Philly, Baltimore, and DC. On any given day I would have been able to pick up 19 analog channels on our roof-mounted antenna. Now with the same configuration we'll pick up six channels on a good day.

I get, I think, 47 channels crystal-clear on a pair of 1960's rabbit ears. Digital TV looks wonderful on my CTC-16 (the one I got from you, Shawn!).

Right on Chris I'm glad you enjoy that set it is a beaut!! Hey snap off a pic of it operating on digital I would love to see it again !

I just wonder how long these converter boxes will be around. I expect the no lead solder to form whiskers and short everything out in 15 years. I dont expect them to keep making them that long.

The audio isnt quite the same. I ended up modifying my combo tvs so I can use the stereo input and the tv at the same time. Now its better than ever.

No lead solder.... more stuff for the landfill as the high density boards tend to be more prone to failure already.
By the way, the Magnavox boxes are failing quite rapidly around here now.

The Apex runs so hot you can hear the capacitors boiling. That thing cant last more than a few years.

You do realize that this is all done on purpose.. Make these DTV boxes with poor ventilation and design flaws so they dont last. Thew consumer will buy another one and have that POS crap out too and then they will hget fed up to the point to go the local Walmart and buy a new digital television. THEN THE DIGITAL TELEVISION WILL CRAP OUT WITH BAD CAPS IN A FEW YEARS TOO.. I dont think there is any way around it.. Sad.

THEN THE DIGITAL TELEVISION WILL CRAP OUT WITH BAD CAPS IN A FEW YEARS TOO.. I dont think there is any way around it.. Sad.

Yeah there is...

Recap the things while they're still new. Put in some high quality caps, like Nichicons.

Add ventilation holes, and heatsinks to parts that get warm.