How long will we be able to buy ATSC-NTSC converter boxes? - Page 7 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Jeffhs · #91 01-11-2010, 04:02 PM

Adam -

I'm glad your Insignia ATSC OTA converter box works well for you, as many people have had real problems with these and other off-brand converters (they actually work quite well when they are working, but they don't last long and some of them are about as sensitive as a crystal set); I sincerely hope yours doesn't burn up or otherwise go belly-up just months from now. The addition of an RF modulator so you can transmit the output of the box to your TV (as opposed to hardwiring the latter to the TV's antenna terminals) will likely work well for you too.

I didn't realize that "Cash4Gold" was available in Detroit. I live near Cleveland and see ads for Cash4Gold on the local TV stations all the time (infomercials).

BTW, I like your cat sitting atop the oscilloscope in your avatar. I have a cat that likes to sit on things like desks, tables, and the like as well; she especially likes to jump on things such as a chest of drawers in my bedroom, when I'm not looking. But I love her anyway, after having had her with me about seven months; needless to say, she loves me to death as well.

jr_tech · #92 01-11-2010, 04:41 PM

"I'm glad your Insignia ATSC OTA converter box works well for you, as many people have had real problems with these and other off-brand converters"

I have a Zenith DTT901 converter box and it works fine. The Insignia (Best Buy house brand) and Zenith boxes are both made by LG in China and appear identical except for logo. I suspect that there is little difference between the two units. My Channel Master CM-7000, however is made in Bulgaria !

jr

andy · #93 01-11-2010, 06:02 PM

000

site123a · #94 01-11-2010, 08:32 PM

Actually it's the firmware that makes the Insignal/Zenith boxes the best in terms of sensitivity. Adam, I think you'll be very happy with your Insignia converter box, I've been using my NS-DXA1 since March of 08 and it still works fine...

Now sit back and relax Adam, your going to enjoy watching RTN with all it's Glen A. Larson shows.

Adam · #95 01-11-2010, 10:53 PM

That cat has just recently taken to sitting on the scope, I thought it would make a good picture.

So far it's still working good. I'm watching Rockford on my 23" metal cabinet Zenith b/w right now... I heard so much about how bad these work, I expected the worst, but I've gotten nothing but good reception, even with the snowy weather today.

Ed in Tx · #96 01-12-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jr_tech

"I'm glad your Insignia ATSC OTA converter box works well for you, as many people have had real problems with these and other off-brand converters"

I have a Zenith DTT901 converter box and it works fine. The Insignia (Best Buy house brand) and Zenith boxes are both made by LG in China and appear identical except for logo. I suspect that there is little difference between the two units. My Channel Master CM-7000, however is made in Bulgaria !

jr

I have one of each, Zenith and Insignia, and they are identical, no "off brand" converter box. Only issue I've had is with the cheap-assed remotes. One gets a lot more use than the other and the keys got intermittent less than a year in service. A typical tell-tale sign the remote's key pads and PC board needing to be cleaned. Only problem is, the shell housing of the remote is glued together, no clips or screws! So I had to bust the seams to get it open, and taped the damned thing back together after cleaning, which did restore full key functions.

Jeffhs · #97 01-12-2010, 11:01 AM

Ordinarily, I'd suggest you replace that remote with a universal one (so that you could also have control of your TV and VCR or DVD as well as the converter box with a single remote), but I don't think there are many universals available (yet, anyway) that will operate ATSC->NTSC converters. I have an All for One universal remote that will operate a TV and either a DVD or VCR, but not both, and certainly not a converter box (these remotes were made well before the digital transition). The AUX button on this remote cannot be programmed to operate a converter box or DVD either. Perhaps the newer All for One remotes are being made with this capability, but if you have one of the earlier ones (like mine), you must program the DVD/VCR button for one or the other, as the instruction manuals for the older versions of this remote do not have control codes for anything that was made after roughly 1995 or so. The only universal remotes I can think of offhand that will operate today's TV and audio gear are Philips or Logitech Harmony learning remotes, and they are very expensive--$150 and up. I use a GE four-function universal I bought for $5 at Best Buy several years ago; suits my purposes (control of my TV, DVD, VCR) just fine. No problems with the buttons sticking, either. These remotes are made by Jasco Products, which may be an obscure brand but the remotes themselves work great. As I said, mine is several years old, and to date I've had no problems whatsoever with sticking or worn-out buttons.

site123a · #98 01-12-2010, 05:30 PM

The volume button on my remote is starting to becoming intermittent. Ed in Tx if you can suggest what not to do when taking the remote apart, that would be helpful...

ChrisW6ATV · #99 01-14-2010, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kx250rider

I did find some ATSC boxes with HDMI outputs in full 1080i, but they're $250++. For that, Costco has a Panasonic DVD recorder with ATSC tuner. Not sure if it has HDMI output, but I can't imagine not. But I wouldn't be surprised if the tuner quality HD is dumbed down to prevent digital HD TV show copying.

Charles

Almost certainly, that DVD recorder will only give you SD output from its digital tuner, even if it has an HDMI output and you set that output to 1080i mode. Basically, it will probably have an SD-output digital tuner (the same type of components in the coupon set-top boxes) to feed the DVD recorder, and an upscaling HDMI output circuit (if it does have HDMI).

As Andy mentioned, the bargains in HD-output ATSC tuners are the DirecTV/off-air combo ones. Best are the LG-built ones (as is true with the SD digital tuners): Sony 200 and 300 (I don't know the full model numbers), Hughes HTL-HD, Zenith HD-SAT520, LG 3510 (I think).

There is a little known trick with those DirecTV boxes: If you go ahead and install a DirecTV dish, you will get the DirecTV program guide for the OTA channels (which is far better than the OTA guide information) without even subscribing. You would need the access card installed to do that, though.

Ed in Tx · #**100** 01-14-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by site123a

The volume button on my remote is starting to becoming intermittent. Ed in Tx if you can suggest what not to do when taking the remote apart, that would be helpful...

Don't use a hammer!

I was able to get the sucker apart prying on it with a little screwdriver blade along the seam where the two halves of the shell are bonded together. Have patience and take care that you don't stab yourself in the hand with the screwdriver while prying on it. When I got one side broken loose, I was able to open the remote case enough by hinging it on the other side that I had not completely broken loose, and worked the board and keypad out to clean.

Mine had the typical glaze on the most used keys carbon pads, and some on the pc board. Alcohol, q-tips, and paper towels cleaned it up, functionally like new.

*zenithfan1* · #**101** 01-14-2010, 11:16 PM

I think a learning remote would be a good replacement so the original can be put away.
I just hate cheap stuff that can't be taken apart. I'll look at mine, I didn't even notice that they're glued together.

Like 3 min. later......Yep, damn chinese crap is glued together.

Ed in Tx · #**102** 01-16-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenithfan1

I think a learning remote would be a good replacement so the original can be put away.

Yep just ordered a Sony learning remote so I can do just that. If it works well (and can be disassembled) I'll buy a second one for my other lesser used Zenith converter box.

Ed in Tx · #**103** 01-20-2010, 08:22 AM

Got my Sony learning remote RM-VL600 yesterday, and programmed in the DTV box remote commands into the "CBL" position. Works great! Has a single screw holding it together so disassembling it someday should be no problem.