Magnavox Digital To Analog Converter Box

[Console User]

Anyone out there use or have tried the Magnavox Digital To Analog Converter Box on there older CRT TVs? I have saw where they are pretty good and help with the weaker TV Signals?

I don't think anything is wrong with my Console Set, but sometimes when a news clip is broadcast the black looks a little greenish. However, the black bars around the picture on the tube look perfectly black. Also, if the news anchor(s) have black on it doesn't have the greenish cast. The black is truly black. I think it must be soemthing with the news feed? Anyone else ever had this issue?

[radiotvnut]

The Magnavox and Philco boxes are both made by Funai and even though they are a cheaper box, they seem to do the job and seem to be trouble free. They are not quite as sensitive as some of the slightly more expensive boxes; but, are still worth having. I have Digitalstream (bought in '08), Magnavox, and Channel Master boxes and they all still work fine. I've had a few Apex boxes and those are crap.

[davet753]

I used one in my travel trailer for a few years and thought it was pretty good......then I bought a new HDTV and found that it gets better reception than the Magnavox converter. I have heard the Channel Master boxes are the best, followed by the ones from Zenith.

I agree wholeheartedly with radiotvnut: the Apex boxes are garbage.

[Console User]

When using the converter box on your television. Is it better to use the Letter Box Format so it broadcasts more like a newer television or use the Zoom of Full Setting?

[radiotvnut]

Personally, I use the zoom setting because I don't like seeing the black borders.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

The Magnavox and Philco boxes are both made by Funai and even though they are a cheaper box, they seem to do the job and seem to be trouble free. They are not quite as sensitive as some of the slightly more expensive boxes; but, are still worth having. I have Digitalstream (bought in '08), Magnavox, and Channel Master boxes and they all still work fine. I've had a few Apex boxes and those are crap.

I think my one Apex box needs 'lytics. Hopefully, that's all it needs. A neighbor gave me a Zenith that doesn't work at all. I think it's lightning damaged. I see nothing obvious, such as bulging 'lytics.
Being that collector I am, I pick up just about, every converter I run across, that priced low, that is, under $5.00. Apex to Zinwell.

[old_tv_nut]

1) Greenish blacks on some things are definitely due to the source video, nothing to do with your converter.
2) Letterbox or zoom is up to your taste. Constant letterbox might burn the screen a bit after long use, but if you never use zoom, you won't see it.

[Console User]

My manual for my one converter box does warn about a Burn In Image if Letter Box is used too much. I prefer Zoom however, some things become cutoff the bottom edge with the use of Zoom. I guess it's too bad in a way TV isn't the same way it was 30 yrs. or so?

I seem to like the Magnavox Converter Box the best of any one of my boxes.