Queue up for a digital set top box coupon for CT-100, etc...

[ChrisW6ATV]

I do not see the omission of a component output as a problem in any way. First of all, it most definitely would have been SD only. Omitting it keeps the boxes simple to hook up. The people these boxes are intended for will probably not want do deal with component-video cables, nor do I want to see the stores have the opportunity to sell them "Monster"-type component cables with the boxes. (I can just see it now-"You are saving $40 with your coupon, and this cable is 'only' $30, and you really need it".)

Anyone who cares enough about the small improvement between S-video and component-video on a 480i analog CRT display should just skip all this cheap box stuff and upgrade to real HDTV anyway.

Remember, there are plenty of better boxes already available, though they are hard to find and you don't get a $40 discount.

[markthefixer]

Originally Posted by ChrisW6ATV

I do not see the omission of a component output as a problem in any way. First of all, it most definitely would have been SD only. Omitting it keeps the boxes simple to hook up. The people these boxes are intended for will probably not want do deal with component-video cables, nor do I want to see the stores have the opportunity to sell them "Monster"-type component cables with the boxes. (I can just see it now-"You are saving $40 with your coupon, and this cable is 'only' $30, and you really need it".)

Anyone who cares enough about the small improvement between S-video and component-video on a 480i analog CRT display should just skip all this cheap box stuff and upgrade to real HDTV anyway.

Remember, there are plenty of better boxes already available, though they are hard to find and you don't get a $40 discount.

I agree, and there is a provision in the act against manditory bundling, but I can imagine some pushy salesman....

Eventually those component video (CRT) sets will trickle down to us collectors (who will save them) as their former owners discard them. Of course that presupposes that the coupon boxes will survive beyond the warantee period. In fact that is the primary mode of acquisition for me, discarded or broke.

I am only aware of the sir-t451 and dtb-h260f from samsung, in fact I have service manuals for both. Which others are there? I have yet to find any with an RF (ch 3 or 4) output. I'm not yet at the point of purchasing an rf modulator for the ATSC tuners I have. I have been getting defective Panasonic dmr-ez27 dvd recorders and getting them working as tuners (for now) at a better price than defective ATSC tuners. In fact in a few years when peoples now working dvd recorder's lasers age out and they are useless otherwise......

So it looks like I will wait until the coupon converters come out with their included RF modulators for my tv's with only RF input.

[ChrisW6ATV]

Originally Posted by markthefixer

I am only aware of the sir-t451 and dtb-h260f from samsung, in fact I have service manuals for both. Which others are there?

I don't know what models may be on the market now that have HD outputs; the Samsung DTB-H260F may be the only big-name one available now. Others include the model ZAT-600 under more than one brand name, Newegg has it for US$110, and the Coby DTV140 at Ecost among others.

There have been a couple dozen others in the past, including combo over-the-air and DirecTV tuners (they can all be used without a DirecTV subscription, except the DirecTV-brand ones). Ebay is a good source for them. The best are the LG-built ones: Zenith 420 and 520, Sony SAT-HD200 and 300, Hughes HTL-HD and several LG-brand versions including one DVR.