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

[Pete Deksnis]

FYI:

Your Application Approval Date --- Targeted Mail Date

January 1, 2008 --- 2/18 – 2/29/2008
January 2, 2008 --- 3/3 – 3/14/2008
January 3 - 6, 2008 --- 3/17 – 3/21/2008
January 7 – 13, 2008 --- 3/24 – 3/28/2008
January 14 – 30, 2008 --- 3/31 – 4/4/2008
January 31 – February 16, 2008 --- 4/7 – 4/11/2008
February 17 – 24, 2008 --- 4/14 – 4/18/2008
February 25 - March 6, 2008 --- 4/21 – 4/25/2008



Also, for my second box I've been searching for one with S-video out to feed my mid-nineties CTC-169. Only a Channel Master shows up on Google, but the company apparently hasn't yet placed it on the market. Anyone hear otherwise?

Pete

[matt_s78mn]

Originally Posted by Pete Deksnis

Also, for my second box I've been searching for one with S-video out to feed my mid-nineties CTC-169. Only a Channel Master shows up on Google, but the company apparently hasn't yet placed it on the market. Anyone hear otherwise?

Pete

As far as I know, the coupon eligible boxes are only allowed to have composite video and RF outputs. If you want s-video, component, HDMI, digital audio, etc. etc. you should look at the higher-end set top boxes. (there is a Samsung that is available at Best Buy.) I use a DigitalStream HD3150Plus for my home-theater setup and it works extremely well. I use its s-video, component, and coaxial digital audio output. Yes, it's a bit more money than the coupon boxes are, but it's much more versatile outputs, has a better program guide, etc.

Here's a link for more info on the DigitalStream STB http://www.dstreamtech.com/english/p...ail.asp?idx=27

[ChrisW6ATV]

Originally Posted by Pete Deksnis

a Channel Master shows up on Google, but the company apparently hasn't yet placed it on the market. Anyone hear otherwise?

Pete-

I saw a Channel Master ATSC tuner at Fry's Electronics here tonight, but I didn't look at it closely. It was priced at $80, though, versus $60 for the Zeniths I already bought.

[Pete Deksnis]

Thanks for the responses Mat and Chris.

Apparently, around the time of my last post, the Channel Master converter box was being approved for coupon-based sale (as news reports now say), and so we should now have at least one converter box with an S-video output available soon.

None of the on-line outlets I found however show units in-stock. Maybe this will change early this week. No Fry's here on the east coast.

Am confident that I can acquire a C-M CM7000 soon.

On another front, the Magnavox, that cost me about 12 out-of-pocket dollars at Walmart and serves as the front-end of my CT-100, performs beautifully in the sensitivity arena. I can reliably watch the NYC pbs channel where the reception is either too aggravating to watch or gives a 'no signal' condition on my other ATSC sets (all on the same outdoor antenna).

Here's the six-watt hand warmer in operation this morning on WNBC-DT (see next).
http://home.att.net/~pldexnis/input/...VERTER-BOX.jpg

Only bitch I have with the Magnavox/Funai is the heat it generates for something that draws six watts. So I threw my trusty meter on it and sure enough it reads exactly six watts. However, the power factor is clearly crummy because the meter also shows 12 VA and that, I'm guessing, is the reason for all the unexpected heat in a 'six-watt' device.

I'm thinking my final configuration will have a mini-fan sucking out the extra BTU's through a hole on top.

Pete