Doesn't appear to output HD resolutions:

"Video resolution: 720x480i (EIA-770.2A)"

That's right DaveR, this appears to be one of the new breed of ATSC-to-NTSC downconverter sets hitting the market as a prelude to the FCC-mandated cutoff in Feb. 2009. These are meant as a stop-gap solution for folks who cannot afford to upgrade their present NTSC TVs.

As an HT owner the 480i-only output and 6MB bandwidth are deal killers.

* Displays content in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios...
* Component Video Output (YCBCR) LOL. Really what's the point of that? It's sending out an analogue signal. Maybe they should have saved the $$$ for the integrated "stretch mode" feature and let it output 720p/1080i on the existing component outputs (which aren't doing anything for the 480i signal).

Here's a follow-up on my original post #218.

My dad and I hooked the 260F up (via HDMI), hooked up the antenna lead to the STB, and ran the scan. No Bellingham stations were picked up, but it wasn't aimed that direction, so no biggie... all my dad really wants is HNIC in HD.

Here's the problem. Overscan. On the CBC-HD feed, with the "CBC | HD" logo on the bottom right corner, all he's able to see on screen is the left half of the H. Does anyone know how to adjust the overscan setting of this STB? The TV is a Toshiba 24" HD-ready Widescreen CRT, and I check its menu and there's nothing about overscan... just image tilt.

blakew:

Do you have the H260F's aspect ratio set correctly to FULL? Press the very bottom left button to cycle through the 3 settings: PILLAR, FULL, and ZOOM.

Also, have you correctly set the physical switch at the back of the unit to output at 1080i?

Hi all
I am new here and found great weath of information on OTA before purchasing a system for my HT using HD projector with DVI and other inputs (has all the inputs)

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=454204&postcount=91

I am willing to try it out and would like some advise from others already viewing HD tv and get my feet wet without breaking the bank.

Live in the Niagara area so aiming antenna at Buffalo or Toronto has good possibility of getting more than 1 station

Let me say thank you for any help in pointing me in the right direction

thanks :)

I don't have any personal experience with it, but it seems to have not bad reviews on other sites.

LetsWatch; That box is already covered 7 posts previous to yours with a review.
Please look through the thread first.

When I first responded to LetsWatch, he was refering to the PHD-200 not the PHD-101 that was reviewed in post #91. I don't think anyone has revied the PHD-200 on DHC. Many people on another forum have reviewed it, but I guess am not allowed to provide a link to it or even mention its name.

The PHD-101 does not have an NTSC tuner and uses an older chipset than the PHD-200 and thus it (the PHD-200) was generally given much better reviews.

Check out the first line of videobruce's post: he mentions the current and next models, so I think we're all talking about the same unit after all.

Hi everyone

The PHD-200 is not shipping yet and can be pre-ordered.

I might order it and report back here unless someone can tell me about a unit with better specs and service.

The snow is still one the roof so I can wait until April. only bad thing is it's from the States

thanks for your responses ;)

A freind in the US has an LG LST 3100A for sale, but it doesn't come with a remote. For those of you that have this tuner...

1. what will/will not work without the remote?

2. the over performance of this tuner? (ie.. ATSC/ QAM..ect?)

3. this one has a hard drive right? Any problems upgrading to a bigger one? (ie.. a 250 or 500)

4. If I do need a remote, how much and where to get one?

5. If I can use a universal remote instead, what will and will not work with it?

Your best bet is the Harmony Series of remote units.

Agreed, Harmony Remote. Harmony has all the LG ATSC STBs in their database.

Regarding the hard disk, see post #63 in this thread about upgrading one of LG's other models, but I cannot say whether it would work the same way as on the one you're looking at.

Thanks for the info you two. I will read up on the Harmony remote. : )

The choice I have to make now is... do I buy the LG my friend has without the remote, and then get the harmony to control it... or do I look just keep looking for an LG with a remote. (I guess that will depend on how cheap my friend will go on the LG's price).

Considering the price of the Harmony remote, my friend would have to pay me to take his LG to make it worthwhile. lol

(why must it be so hard for us Canadians) Arrg! :rolleyes: lol

Also check out a JP1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JP1_remote) remote. They are a lot cheaper than a Harmony but require more tinkering, which can be fun if you enjoy that kind of thing.

I concur with roger1818; WAY way cheaper! And fun too although a bit challenging. It is a bit overwhelming at first however.
I use JP1, with my One-For-All (OFA) Kameleon remote. If you get your hand on a "learning" remote such as an OFA Kameleon (ebay is crawling with them), you will then be able to decode learned signals from your other devices, and create a device upgrade that uses less memory than the learned signals do. You do this using freeware availble on the web.
Check on the link Roger1818 provided to see if anyone has already created an upgrade first however.

I have found two tuners for sale in my area. One is the LG 3100A (that's the one with the hard drive right?), and a Sammy 260.

Both are used.

The Sammy comes with a remote and is in good (almost new) condition.

The LG doesn't have a remote, but I have a friend that can get the remote for around $35-$40 Canadian.

When I add up all the taxes for each tuner, both come out to be around the same price (and that's including the extra cost for the LG remote). If you are wondering, both are under $200 Canadian.

The question I have is, which one would you guys pick, and the reasons why you would pick one over the other? (the good and bad if you have the time)



I have read through both threads for the LG and Sammy tuners, and the only thing I'm concerned with is the visual level/strength meter on the LG. I have read from some of you guys that it's not the best in the biz (the Sammy is a bit better). LG meter seems to stop at the 1/2 way point, and the Sammy goes all the way. Some of you have also said it's easier to tune/lock in stations with the Sammy because of this.

I like the fact that the LG has a hard drive, but it's missing the HDMI output.

The Sammy has HDMI, but does it really make that big of a difference over the component outs? (my TV has both)

As far as reception, I hear both are pretty good on locking in weak signals.



Some things I'm looking for in a STB....


1. I would like the ability (if it's available) to save the ATSC and QAM channels into the same channel list, so that I can channel surf up and down with ease.

2. Channel labling would be nice but it's not important.

3. the ability to pass the signal through to a another TV (or reciver)...ie..split it..... but I can live without that if need be. I'll just have to look into getting another STB in the future for my rec room TV.

4. good speed for channel seaching. (is the 3100a that bad?)

5. good menu. (I hate hard to use menu's)


Right now I'm leaning more towards the LG, but the meter thing is making me hessitant.


(I'm so confused, help) lol



One more thing...what's the difernces between the 3100A, 3100, 4100A, 4100? (or is it the 4200, 4200A). I'm getting a headache. lol

I assume the "a" means it has the hard drive, and the the others don't?

Would I be better off looking for a 4100A instead of the 3100A? (what would you do?)


I know that's alot of questions to ask, but it's kind of hard to return something if it doesn't work inthe way you want it to. A few questions now can save a person alot of time and aggravation later.

Thanks everyone, and hopefull I'll soon be watch HD on my TV at home (it would be nice, considering I've had the stupid thing for over 2 years now and never once seen DH on it) lol

Hi ASA, all things considered I would not hesitate to buy the Sammy 260 as it sports some better features and newer ATSC chipset.

Yeah, I agree, but the thing that makes the 3100 attractive is the hard drive. that's why I need your guys opinions.