Hi all. I couldn't find my answer in this thread or others in this forum so here it goes ....

I have a relative I'm helping to convert from analog to digital OTA. He has a CRT (4:3) that has all of component, s-video, composite connections. Right now, he is using a Samsung tuner which shows 16:9 letterboxed and native 4:3 480i subchannels quite nicely, but for 4:3 content upconverted to 16:9 (which unfortunatly still alot of channels carry), he hates watching it "postage stamped" (ie. bars on both top and bottom, plus the sides). On the Samsung box, the zoom mode overstreches it horizontally which isn't nice to watch either.

So we've been looking for another tuner that shows upconverted 4:3 better (or even perfect!) on a standard def television. Does anyone have any recommendations on which does this best and even better, one that can connect using something better than composite video (which it seems the majority of CECBs in the US seems to do)?

Thanks for any advice!

I understand that problem, and I believe that a further complication is that manufacturers don't necessarily use the same amounts of overscan on analogue TVs, so that "zoomed" images like that might be better on some TVs than on others.

Unfortunately I don't know of any ATSC STBs or NTSC TVs that feature variable-zoom for getting the borders "just right".

Anyone know of any that do, or of any other solutions?

Hi PDR1966, I received your PM... I cannot reply as your IN box is full or you have exceed your storage quota.

Now what kind of antenna are you using? I beleive one of the members here mentioned that if you are using rabbit ears... To make sure you keep the length of each the same. Also they should be spread apart symetrically. What kind of cable are you using to connect the antenna when you took it outside? How long a cable run?

the hisense receiver gets the borders just right from my experience. There is 2 zoom options and the 1st one gets its perfectly in the screen so that might be a suggestion.

unfortunately, it is not customizable.

hooked up my Samsung DTB-H260F to A Sony KLV-32SA10 LCD. Box works perfectly when hooked up to component. When I hook it up to HDMI I briefly get a colour picture but no soundA friend of mine has the same problem with the Samsung DTB-H260F and his Sony 3-gun rear projection TV (I don't know the model). He had contacted Sony and learned that the HDMI implementation in that older model Sony TV was not fully compatible with the latest HDMI standard. He is using Component Video for now. I would contact Sony to see if your LCD can be software-upgraded.

Bert

I'm having a problem with 49.1 with my Samsung 42" plasma.I can not get this channel on this tv?My other tv gets it fine with a crappy tuner.I'm wondering if it's a remapping prob? Tv is less than a year old 49 anolog is crystal clear. What channel does 49 come up on samsung tuners?

Thanks

I'm trying to add this unit as an "auxillary" to my X Vue 4100 remote control. I have tried all codes in the manual as a second tv and tuner without success. My harmony 880 found this code no problem but that remote stays in the basement. Any ideas out there ?

I have a question regarding Samsung SIR-TS360.
I bought one on ebay. When I hook it up, it starts to look for satellites and then ends with some error (failed to boot or failed to load - have to double-check that). I can't get into the menu by pressing 'menu' button on the remote to change the tuner to ATSC.

Does anyone know how to fix this? Do I just need a DirecTV card for it? Will any card work?

Thanks!

In general, yes a card is needed for my dishnet 811 unit for it to work for ota. Probably it might be the same for direct tv units ?

Is it true you can't add channels after you scan?

I have the Sammy 260, and as long as you know the channel number that the station transmits on (not the virtual number that shows up on the screen once the channel is found), you can add in a channel without having to do a rescan. (that's what I did when I added in Global and Omni 1&2)

I have the same Samsung tuner, but I bought it off EBAY without the Remote, so I am hoping to find a code that will work with my Expressvu remote, or my panasonic.
Pete

Pete,

I called Samsung in Canada and the US was given some 4 digit codes that again did not work. The US service rep said, perhaps the X Vue (4100) may not be compatable. I know my Harmony 880 remote worked flawlessly in finding the code but that remote is dedicated to the ht system downstairs. Today I will call them and ask for help with codes that might work. I really am starting to think that a learning remote might be needed since I do have the T451's remote. I just hate having to use 2 or more remotes. I'll post my answers for you.
Here are the 4 digit codes Samsung US gave me for a dishnet receiver which I think X Vue basically are ? 1561,6263,2662,0473,2213,1742,8990,9210 goof luck.

Even called Harmony to ask what codes they use their reply; our units do not use codes ? So, looks like I'll have to use a learning remote and put away the Bell remote that came with the XVue 4100 unit. Sorry Pete, maybe you'll find a remote only somewhere ?

This is the reason why I kept looking until I found a 260 with a remote control.

I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one here that has have seen 260's on eBay selling for $50-$80, but as attractive as that price may be, almost 100% of them lacked a remote control. Of course you can always look for a dealer that has a 260 replacement remote for sale, or you could try contacting Samsung US to see if they have still any in stock..$23+s/h (but the don't ship to Canada).

http://www.samsungparts.com/part_detail.asp?catalog%5Fname=Parts+and+Accessories&product%5Fid=MF59-00291B&search%5Fmodel=DTBH260F

Your next best option would be to do a Google search for "Samsung 260 remote" or "DTBH260F replacement remote" to see who might have one in stock.

looks like I'll have to use a learning remoteWhat Harmony meant when they replied to you is that their remotes don't operate in the same manner as others do. Harmony uses their own online database over your Internet connection to program your remote over a USB cable so that it is customized for all your equipment. If you contact them again and ask if the Samsung DTBH260F is in their database they can tell you yes or no. Harmony remotes have learning capability too.

I have a Harmony H659 that I use with the Samsung tuner all the time. It supports all the remote buttons.

RustyHD, are you sure it supports all the buttons? (I have heard otherwise)

The four coloured buttons near the bottom of the remote (red, green, yellow, and blue) do not have any names or functions listed on the remote itself to let people know what they do, but they are used in the menu options screen for various things.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/7190/260remotegp7.th.jpg (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=260remotegp7.jpg)

Even if Harmony had the remote codes for the 260, you would still pay more for that remote control than you would have if you had just bought a Sammy tuner with one included. Example, I just saw a 260 on eBay today (with remote) that sold for under $70, and local pickup was available for GTA'ers so they wouldn't have to pay extra for s/h. :eek: If I had seen that listing in time I would have placed a bid on it. :( I would have given that 260 to my parents so they could finally see HD on their Sony 53" (?). Oh well, hopefully those tuners should eventually get cheaper and cheaper as feb 2009 approaches.

Yes, all the buttons map on to the Harmony. The blue, green, yellow, red buttons map into the configurable screen buttons. I only had to reprogram the +/* button to be the - so the sub channels could be selected.

I'm going to do some comparisons (this weekend I hope) between my SIR-T451 and my new DTT900 on my old 4:3 TV. I will post the results. I hope someone finds them useful (Surprisingly I can't find anything on the whole internet that does this sort of comparison).

The newer ATSC Chipset in the Zenith might show better/different reception results. This will be an interesting test of the latest ATSC-to-NTSC converter boxes versus a tried and true ATSC tuner from a few years ago. :)