ATSC Converter Boxes (Non-HD, Non-Recording)

[recneps77]

Mainly you wanna look at the outputs.
HD ones will have component/HDMI/etc
analog ones will have RCA (or whatever the exact name is for them - red,white,yellow), S-video, or RF (cable) output

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by El Gran Chico

I tested my Zenith DTT900 at both my place at my relative's place today

Thanks for your review El Gran Chico. I don't have any first hand experience but from what I have read, the Zenith DTT901 is even better. First of all it fixes a few minor bugs (some people complained that the sterio audio was a bit too quiet on the DTT900). More importantly, the DTT901 has analog passthrough which allows you to also watch analog broadcasts using your TV tuner without having to use a splitter (and get the min 3.5 dB loss).

I am planning buying a DTT901 the next time I get a chance, but that unfortunately probably won't be until the fall.

[jjkroell]

I'm getting two of the $40 coupons from a friend in the states.. he's going to buy me two tuners down there and ship them up....

Question is what is the best tuner for my $$. My TV has no s-video but it does have comp (RBG) inputs. I am in the process of getting a CM4228 antenna.

Thanks for your input!
Jesse

[stampeder]

I've moved your post into this thread on your topic that gives several good recommendations for what you need.

[jjkroell]

Thanks stampeder...

I'm leaning towards the Zenith DT901 or Insignia DXA1.
At what price range do they start adding comp out?

EDIT:
DOH.... just found out that none of the CECB's have HD output.. shucks

[roger1818]

jjkroell, both the Zenith and Insignia are made by LG and are highly rated, just make sure you get one of the 2nd generation models that have analog passthrough (either DT-901 or NS-DXA1-APT) if you want that feature.

Another open is the DTVPal (made by Echostar and sold under the DISH Network brand). It apparently has a few software bugs that need to be worked out, but if you don't mind waiting until they are worked out, it apparently has better sensitivity than the LG units (though the LG units handle multipath interference better). It also has the best TV guide of all the boxes and even has a timer feature to change the channel for recording.

A third good option is the Channel Master CM-7000. It is one of the only boxes with an S-VIDEO connector and it apperently has excellent sensitivity. The big disadvantage of this box is it doesn't have analog passthrough.

If you want an HD box (you won't be able to use your coupons for it), one of the best ones out there is the Samsung DTBH260F, but you need to use either component or HDMI to view the menus so make sure you can use one of those.

[Paul777]

How would I go about getting OTA Digital and Analog at the same time?

If I plug in an antenna into a digital box, is there anyway to get Analog stations without unplugging the antenna from the digital box? Or will the digital box pick up analog stations as well?

I rechecked the FAQ and could not find this answer. Thanks!

[stampeder]

I'm glad you asked that - I've clarified Post #1 Question 6 it in the Knowledge Base & FAQ.

The answer is that it all depends on the specific OTA Tuner in question. Almost all of them built into HDTVs these days receive both analogue and digital stations through one antenna input. Most ATSC STBs (Set Top Boxes) get both analogue and digital stations through one antenna input, but its important to check before buying. Most PC cards for OTA offer both analogue and digital reception.

[Paul777]

Originally Posted by stampeder

Most ATSC STBs (Set Top Boxes) get both analogue and digital stations through one antenna input, but its important to check before buying.

Thanks! So I just have to make sure the STB says ATSC and NTSC? (please correct me if my terminology is wrong).

Also, related to this: I read on another site that HDTV Amplified Antenna's are designed to work the best with Digital signals, and will not pickup Analog signals as good as old rabbit ears. Is this correct? Seems kind of iffy to me...

[stampeder]

Yes, ATSC and NTSC are what you want.

Regarding amplified antennas being best for digital, that is not a certainty (see Post #2 in the Knowledge Base & FAQ) and in fact amplification can possibly ruin your reception.

The best thing to do is read through the Reception Results thread for your area to see how others have done.

[99gecko]

Thanks! So I just have to make sure the STB says ATSC and NTSC? (please correct me if my terminology is wrong).

What stampeder said, plus I'll add that if you're intending to watch digital on a TV that already has an analog (NTSC) tuner, you only need the ATSC tuner in the STB. You can let the TV's analog tuner handle the analog signal.

You will also notice some digital OTA STB's have an additional RF connection labeled "Antenna Out", or something similar. You can run a short length of rg6 cable from this to the TV's analog tuner input. This connection passes out the same signal from the STB, that the STB received from the antenna.

If the STB does not have an additional RF connection labeled "Antenna Out", or something similar, you could use a simple splitter to split the signal. One line goes into the STB for digital, and the other goes into the TV's RF input for analog. However, this set-up will reduce the power levels of the signal going into each device by 1/2.

Hope I haven't confused you and good luck!

[roger1818]

One other thing to note is that for the STB to be eligible for the coupon program in the US it may only have an ATSC tuner (an NTSC tuner is not permitted, which I think is silly, but that is another story). Having said that some boxes have a feature called "Analog Passthrough," which when enabled (typically by turning the STB off) connects the antenna input to the antenna output. This allows you to use your TV tuner without the need for a splitter (and the 3.5 - 4 dB loss that goes with it). When the passthrough feature is disabled (i.e. STB is on), the antenna input is connected directly to the internal ATSC tuner instead and the output of the tuner is RF modulated on channel 3 or 4 (another requirement of the coupon program) in addition to being sent to the required composite (and optional S-VIDEO) connector.

Component, HDMI and Firewire connectors are not permitted on coupon eligible boxes. As a result they cannot be used as an HD tuner for an HD ready set (other HD boxes are available but they are not eligible for the US coupon program).

[Paul777]

Hope I haven't confused you and good luck!

Actually, a little more confused now

So, correct me if I'm wrong, if the STB does not have both ATSC and NTSC, I will have to "split" the connection between the STB's tuner and my TV's tuner, which will therefore reduce my power by half? If that is correct, I should make sure the STB has both ATSC and NTSC, correct? Since signal power is the most important thing, nothing should be done to reduce that, if possible?

[El Gran Chico]

So, correct me if I'm wrong, if the STB does not have both ATSC and NTSC, I will have to "split" the connection between the STB's tuner and my TV's tuner, which will therefore reduce my power by half? If that is correct, I should make sure the STB has both ATSC and NTSC, correct? Since signal power is the most important thing, nothing should be done to reduce that, if possible?

You've got it, Paul!

It's possible that you may have enough signal strength to use a splitter - this worked fine for my father-in-law, but then again it may not be true for you.

You may want to look for a Zenith DTT901 which has "Antenna Out" (note the DTT900 does not - that's the box my father-in-law uses).

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by Paul777

I will have to "split" the connection between the STB's tuner and my TV's tuner, which will therefore reduce my power by half?

No, it will reduce the signal strength by about 2 or 3dB. If you have original signal strength in the 8 to 12dB range (typical) then you will still have more than enough signal for both tuners. If your original signal strength is low (3 to 6dB) then you need to take some remedial steps that are well known and easy to do. Splitting is something done all the time in OTA. Check out the diagram in this post in the Knowledge Base & FAQ:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...99&postcount=6

We're going a bit off topic here with this issue, so honestly I think you're concerned about something that rarely causes anyone problems with their home OTA gear. I say go ahead and install it, and if you find that there is a signal strength deficit come back here and go into the preamp/amplifiers thread and you can read up on what you'll need and ask us how to proceed.

Again, splitting the antenna to both an ATSC STB and your TV's internal tuner is not as big an issue as it might seem.