Quote:
Originally Posted by nasadowsk
You know, given that the circuitry, tuner modules, etc, are 'off the shelf', how hard would it be to actually engineer and build a converter box?
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You can get all the required parts for $60, or net $20 with a coupon.
Sorry, couldn't resist -- but I don't know of any place selling decoder chips retail. If available, your choices would involve an RF front end plus either a system-on-a chip (like the Insignia box) or several chips to do RF demodulation, MPEG video decoding, AC-3 audio decoding, scan conversion, and NTSC remodulation. Plus infrared sensor and control micro for remote control and channel selection, on-screen display, etc. If you're not selling it you could get away without captioning and parental control. (Of course, a hobby project might dispense with some of the on-box control functions and do them by connection to your computer). There is a heck of a lot of engineering in that little box!