DTV converter observations - Videokarma.org TV - Video

mrr1 · #1 06-14-2009, 04:54 PM

Even though I have satellite service,I broke down and bought a DTV converter box. So starts the adventure. Here's the story.

Magnavox from Walmart:
No analog pass through and couldn't hold on to a signal to save it's life.....even when connected
to my huge Winegard roto-antenna on the roof. When scanning, it wouldn't even find my local channels with towers only about 10-15 miles away.Back to the store it went.

Apex from Bestbuy:
First of all, shame on Bestbuy for selling this junk. Took it out of the box, tried to hook it up and the TV out RF connector broke. Just spins around. So I use composite.Scanning is SLOW. I mean REAL SLOW. So is channel changing. It's like it has to think about it first. Got more channels than the Magnavox, but got so hot it quit working. Went to disconnect the antenna and the other RF connector broke. Very poor build quality.Bye Bye.

Zenith from Sears/Kmart:
FINALLY got a good one. This really shines.Excellent picture and build quality. Picked up all my locals and a few Canadian stations that are already in digital. Has analog pass and nice menu. Scans very fast...about 20 sec it was done..Keeper.

Hint: The Zenith and the Insignia brand at Bestbuy are identical. Made by LG. Insignia is 5 bucks more.

radiotvnut · #2 06-14-2009, 05:01 PM

I can attest to that Apex being junk. I got one for free when my neighbor had to be placed in a rest home. I thought it would be a good quality box since it's in a metal case. I have a digitalstream, a mganavox, and an apex. The apex is the worst one. The Magnavox (funai) is not much better. The digitalstream, which cost $10 more, is by far the best of the 3. One day, I may buy one of the channel master boxes; but, I don't have an extra $70 to spend at the moment.

compucat · #3 06-14-2009, 08:14 PM

I have three of the Insignia boxes that have been in service for about a year and there are no problems with any of them. The build quality is good and performance is excellent. The scan all channels easily and change channels without the usual digital delay. They don't have analog pass-through but that doesn't matter anymore.

CarlV · #4 06-14-2009, 09:08 PM

I have the Insignia's as well. The later ones with pass through though. Great stuff, I did a lot of reading up and these seemed better than most of them and they do not run hot at all like some do. I am pleased with them for what they are and running cool they may last.

Carl

mhardy6647 · #5 06-14-2009, 09:22 PM

I have two of the Zeniths purchased months ago from Circuit City :-P
One is now working reasonably well in the family room (except that I cannot get channel 5, which is the only channel we really watch with any regularity).

Not sure if we'll ever get enough DTV signal strength upstairs (with an indoor antenna) to see much of anything, though.

N9ZQA · #6 06-14-2009, 09:59 PM

I've got an Insignia myself and have been using it for over a year with no problems whatsoever. It even performs slightly better than the Channel Master CM7000, with a lot simpler onscreen menu - easier to navigate from across the room.

The Magnavox converter is just plain bad. The one I have is as deaf as a brick unless I feed it with my attic-mounted antenna. Even then, it's still not too hot.

I've set up DTVPals for relatives, and they seem to perform well. I like the on-screen guide display - much better than the typical 'now-next' guides.

-Jim

OvenMaster · #7 06-14-2009, 11:12 PM

I've got a Maggotbox for a year now but I'm lucky enough to have it connected to a roof antenna with an inline amp. I can't complain much; I can only get one less station with it than I did with analog, but I get a lot more total channels to watch. It does run hot, though.

vegabass25 · #8 06-14-2009, 11:31 PM

All apex stuff is shit. Same with equinox.

spkrman57 · #9 06-15-2009, 10:17 AM

I have the Craig model I bought from CVS.

It works decently with rabbit ears since I live in the city.

Ron

kx250rider · #10 06-15-2009, 11:48 AM

I have several RCAs (Walmart) and a Zenith (Circuit City). Both types seem fine, but the Zenith is physically nicer. Easier controls (in my views), and the case is METAL. So I have it on my metal-cased 1972 Zenith color set

Charles

AUdubon5425 · #11 06-15-2009, 09:04 PM

I bought a Digitalstream and a Zenith (both from Radio Shack) and have no complaints with either. The Zenith was pulling in with a little less interference when I was using rabbit ears - haven't tried the Digitalstream again since erecting the rooftop antenna.

PioneerGuy75 · #12 06-15-2009, 09:47 PM

Four Insignia's running for over a year now!!!

These work great!!

Ed in Tx · #13 11-11-2012, 01:56 PM

Digging up an old thread to add some recent experience (today). One of my Zenith-Insignia boxes apparently mis-fired at startup. No response to remote while in this state. Had to unplug it to turn it off and reset. Then all OK.

***Eric H*** · #14 11-11-2012, 02:21 PM

The Blue Screen of Death! Glad to hear it rebooted OK.

I had something similar happen to my TV back a few years ago during a momentary power failure, it glitched and froze with lines on the screen, a reboot fixed it though.

I think anything that uses a Processor is capable of crashing under the right circumstances but power glitches really seem to wreak havoc so a UPS is hooked to everything now.

If your box does it again maybe you should pop the cover and check the Caps?

jr_tech · #15 11-11-2012, 02:30 PM

Couple of weeks ago, I had to pull the plug to reset my Channel Master unit... but this was after multiple power glitches caused by a line down arcing and starting a small fire about a block away. Sounded like several Tesla coils running at once Zap! Vorp! Buzz!... repeat for at least a half hour before the power company arrived. Fire Department and Police were standing by.