|
|
|
|
|
#1
03-20-2008, 07:58 PM
|
||||
|
||||
Experiences with converter boxes?
I just checked the status of my coupons, they've been mailed!
 From what I've read on here the Zenith/Insignia seems to be the better box. But when I went to BestBuy's site to read about the Insignia box it doesn't get very good reviews. Which seems to be the one to get?
__________________
"I'm young enough to remember the future, the way things ought to be." --Geddy Lee 
|
|
#2
03-20-2008, 08:19 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
When I hit Wal-Mart next week, I'm heading straight for a Magnavox. The Zenith and Insignia models reviewed in Consumer Reports had some interference that the Magnavox box does not display, even with the Magnavox's slightly clunkier remote.
Tom
__________________
Tom 
|
|
#3
03-20-2008, 08:34 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I bought two Insignia's about a week ago and have had nothing but good experiences!
Seem to have good sensitivity and features. Good luck 
|
|
#4
03-20-2008, 09:27 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Zenith DTT900
Just got the Zenith DTT900 today (actually 2--one for the future!). It's great for about $20 after the rebate card.
Box is a bit bigger than I would have wanted..but not a real problem. I went from 7 or 8 stations (some blurry) on my in-the-attic antenna, to about 50 perfect reception channels. Plug it in, turn it on, and there's a menu that pops up, to guide you through the language, etc., then hit Auto find, and viola! There's even a Guide (from over-the-air reception to this--Wow) to show what most stations offer. And, no problems, interference, etc. Looks good, seems to work perfectly. I'd recommend it--but haven't tried any of the others. This even controls the TV volume, and I can Mute the TV from the box. The only thing I didn't realize ahead of time, since I bring the coax down from the antenna to 3 sets, this only allows one TV channel at a time, and you'll need a separate box for each TV set, unless you want them all to see the same station.
|
|
#5
03-21-2008, 07:44 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
|
| Audiokarma |
|
#6
03-21-2008, 08:31 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
 50 channels?!I wanna know what antenna you got as well!! Tom
__________________
Tom
|
|
#7
03-21-2008, 08:40 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Seriously, thats amazing! I got the DTT900 (2 also) and they work nicely. But I only got 23 channels with an indoor antenna on the third story of my house. On the 1st I got 7 lol.
|
|
#8
03-21-2008, 09:19 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Complaints:
The Zenith/Insignia (they're identical) have a really low audio output level (even at 100% volume setting). When watching them, if you switch to something else (OTA analog, cable, VCR/DVD, etc) the volume blasts if you forget to turn it down first. The Zenith/Insignia does not pass-thru the antenna when powered off. My Digitalstream makes a high-pitched whistle when powered off. It's subtle but you can't sleep in a silent room with it plugged in. Anybody else notice this? The Digitalstream case is cheap plastic. The power-indicator LED is unattractive. The whole thing looks cheap. The Philco does not have a volume control (you need two remotes to use it). The Philco case is large and white-plastic gaudy (all the others are subtle and black). Plastic case is sturdier than Digitalstream but still not great. The four I have (Zenith, Insignia, Digitalstream, Philco) are all made in China. Anybody have one that's NOT made in China? Pros: Zenith and Insignia are in sturdy metal boxes. Zenith/Insignia have better reception. Zenith/Insignia power-indicator LEDs are stylish. Philco passes thru the antenna whether it's on or off. Philco audio is at same level as other sources (no volume-control issues). Digitalstream passes thru the antenna when off. Digitalstream is physically very small (takes up least room). Zenith/Insignia and Digitalstream have field-strength meters. All of them have user-friendly (and similar) setup. Of the four I have I like the Zenith best. Only better than Insignia because of the Zenith logo. I found it at Circuit City in Grand Rapids Michigan. I will try to find a Magnavox next. Wal-Mart maybe? Wish I could find one labeled "Farnsworth"...
|
|
#9
03-22-2008, 11:13 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
Chris Quote from another forum: "(Antique TV collecting) always seemed to me to be a fringe hobby that only weirdos did."
|
|
#10
03-22-2008, 11:21 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I asked for coupons so long ago I forget where I did it. How do you find out about your status?
__________________
Sansui G6000,7070 Pioneer SX1250,SX1280 Kenwood KR-8010 Onkyo TX8500II Pioneer CTF950,Akai GX-S80 DCM TF-600,TF-400 CX-17+ KL Quartets
|
| Audiokarma |
|
#11
03-23-2008, 12:24 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
My two insignia boxes are top notch. Make sure you change the audio to MONO for our old TV's or the volume level will be low. Once you select "cropped" mode all wide screen shows are full screen. Looks good on roundies!!
- Matt Davala
|
|
#12
04-05-2008, 08:29 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Magnavox - Joliet, IL
My coupons arrived yesterday, and before picking up dinner, I scurried down to the local Wal-Mall to pick up a Magnavox. I figured I'd start off with a cheap box, as previous attempts at DTV reception here (USB HDTV tuner stick) were less than dismal. According to coverage maps, this area is supposed to be 'in a hole' as it were for DTV reception.
Got it home and set it up on the 1965 Admiral in the living room, and plugged a set of VHF/UHF rabbit ears into it. Setup was pretty simple - there is a choice for output type, daylight savings time, and aspect ratio. Once setup is finshed, the autoscan feature can be used to populate the channel list. I was able to receive the local Fox station (WFLD 32) solidly with about a 25/100 signal strength as registered by the internal signal meter. Other stations were pixelated or non-existent until I moved the antenna off of the top of the box. It's currently on top of a radio in front of the living room window pointed in the general direction of the Sears Tower and Hancock Building. I can now receive NBC (WMAQ 5), WGN 9, WTTW 11, WYCC 20, WCIU 26 (and their 2 subchannels, ME-TV and Me Too), and WPWR 50 with this setup. One thing that struck me was the picture clarity. I've lived in the Chicagoland area all of my life and have had many TVs with indoor antennas. I've never been able to get a picture that I would classify as 'great' - even the satellite receiver which normally feeds this set produces a picture that I would call average (compression artifacts, etc). But the digital OTA signal is razor-sharp, without any compression artifacts. I'll probably wait a while on the second box, as I see what models and features are out there, but this one seems to work pretty well for the $10 price tag.
|
|
#13
03-23-2008, 04:16 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
it said mine were mailed already, we'll see if it speaks with forked tongue... btw it's NOT coming first class mail....
__________________
 Nothing is ever completely fool proof, because fools are so ingenious.
|
|
#14
03-25-2008, 08:39 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Zenith HD converter Box
Still love the box!
Was trying to watch a local HD broadcast through the box, on a normal format LCD TV. The picture was too thin and too long! So I hit Zoom on the Zenith, and the message said, ' Format set by Program', and it wouldn't give me a nice nearly-square image (4:3). However, went back to the station, and realized that if you hit Zoom several times, then it does over-ride the Program Format Setting, and it does Crop & fill in my screen type....gotta love those electronic thingamabobs! Last edited by hposter; 03-25-2008 at 04:02 PM. Reason: Goofed!
|
|
#15
04-15-2008, 05:24 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Here's a comparison of it vs the 15.750 Horizontal Oscillator whine that some people here can hear (and tell that their HO is working): It's almost as loud as the Horiz Osc in my '64 Zenith console, but at a lower pitch. It's annoying enough that I wouldn't want it plugged in all the time. Just FYI. I was playing with the analyzer for another reason (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...03#post1792603) so while I had it going I thought I'd satisfy my own curiosity.
|
| Audiokarma |
 |
|
|
Hybrid Mode
