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

[fdrennen]

OK I've been using the digital stream box from rat shack for a day now, and have one criticism: the antenna input does not pass through the box when not powered up. meaning that if you conect the box through the antenna input you have no way to get regular analog broadcasts without a switchbox.

Do any converters work that way?

[NowhereMan 1966]

Originally Posted by fdrennen

OK I've been using the digital stream box from rat shack for a day now, and have one criticism: the antenna input does not pass through the box when not powered up. meaning that if you conect the box through the antenna input you have no way to get regular analog broadcasts without a switchbox.

Do any converters work that way?

I know there is a quick and dirty list of coupon compatible HDTV boxes on Wikipedia and they do have a chart for those with RF bypass. I've heard that Zenith will be coming out with a DTT901 model that will have RF bypass.

[fdrennen]

Originally Posted by NowhereMan 1966

I know there is a quick and dirty list of coupon compatible HDTV boxes on Wikipedia and they do have a chart for those with RF bypass. I've heard that Zenith will be coming out with a DTT901 model that will have RF bypass.

I believe the link is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units very informative it took me a while to find this link I hope it's of use to others.

[markallen]

Originally Posted by fdrennen

OK I've been using the digital stream box from rat shack for a day now, and have one criticism: the antenna input does not pass through the box when not powered up. meaning that if you conect the box through the antenna input you have no way to get regular analog broadcasts without a switchbox.

Do any converters work that way?

I also got the RS "Digital Stream" DTV converter and I like it. Basically plug and play. I now receive 3 public TV stations and also the local CBS and NBC affiliates. Apparently the ABC and Fox stations are not digital - yet. The difference in picture quality is remarkable.

Here is how I set it up so I can get both DTV and analog: using (triple - red, white, yellow) RCA-type cables, I plugged the converter into the VCR through one of VCR's AUX inputs (it has 2 AUX inputs; the DVD player already employs one of them). I then inserted a cable splitter into the antennae feed so the "rabbit ears" can feed signal to both the VCR/TV and DTV converter. So now we can receive the analog ABC/Fox broadcasts, and also the DTV broadcasts for the aforementioned stations by switching to the AUX via the VCR. Works well, even if it is kind of a rat's nest of connections, components and remotes.

[NowhereMan 1966]

Originally Posted by markallen

I also got the RS "Digital Stream" DTV converter and I like it. Basically plug and play. I now receive 3 public TV stations and also the local CBS and NBC affiliates. Apparently the ABC and Fox stations are not digital - yet. The difference in picture quality is remarkable.

Here is how I set it up so I can get both DTV and analog: using (triple - red, white, yellow) RCA-type cables, I plugged the converter into the VCR through one of VCR's AUX inputs (it has 2 AUX inputs; the DVD player already employs one of them) and then inserted a cable splitter so the "rabbit ears" can feed signal to both the VCR/TV and DTV converter. So now we can receive the analog ABC/Fox broadcasts, and also the DTV broadcasts for the aforementioned stations by switching to the AUX via the VCR. Works well, even if it is kind of a rat's nest of connections, components and remotes.

That's what we do with the 1982 Zenith. It is hooked to cable, we use the VCR/DVD combo as a cable tuner box and we put the DTV box into the RCA inputs on the back. That way, we switch the channel to "Line 1" and turn the box on and we get over the air HDTV. We get RTN over the air here in Pittsburgh so Mom and I like to watch the old shows like Knightrider, A-Team, Ironside, and so forth. I know RTN (Retro TV Network) is on cable but we have to pay extra for the digital cable system. Why pay extra if I can pluck it out of the air for free? Plus I like the extra two PBS channels we have, the HDTV one, the regular DTV one and a third DTV one that shows a lot of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania history stuff. Anyhow, if we ever lose cable from weather or whatever happens, Mom will not have to fumble around for an antenna or switch the VCR/DVD or Zenith from CATV to VHF/UHF, she just needs to go to the DTV box and there ya go. Of course, we still have analogue TV but it will be a moot point after 2-17-2009 when we go all digital. So even though we have cable, sometimes we do go to over the air TV. WE have Line 2 as well, the front input jacks, but those are for my Playstation or videogames when I drag them out.

I do the same thing with my Commodore 1702 monitor in my bedroom. It has no tuner at all so I just plug my DTT900 box into the front RCA jacks (just two, yellow and white, it is mono so I use the left channel and set the box for mono, I did this with both) and I use that as an ATSC only TV. I just yank out the cords and plug in the Playstation when needed.

[Pete Deksnis]

Washington, D.C. (June 23, 2008) -- Consumer Reports Magazine has given top scores to four Digital TV converters capable of picture quality that comes close to a DVD: the Tivax STB-T9 ($50), the Lasonic LTA-260 ($55), the Sansonic FT300A ($60), and the Microgem MG2000 ($65).

The magazine gives Better ratings to six other DTV converters that according to them offer a picture better than most current analog broadcasts: the Philco TB100HH9 ($50), the Magnavox TB100MW9 ($50), the Artec T3A Pro ($55), the Insignia NS-DXA1 ($60), the Zenith DTT900 ($60), and the RCA DTA800B ($65).

Four converters were rated Acceptable meaning they offer a picture comparable to an analog broadcast but with some flaws: the Digital Stream DTX9900 ($60), the Digital Stream DSP7500T ($70), the GE 22730 ($70), and the GE 22729 ($80).

[WA3WLJ]

Dear Pete,

Ordered coupons for my sister today, 6/27/2008 .

Reference # 11,461,003 .

Mail Date : 7/18/2008 .

How many I wonder are left ?