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

[Kevin S]

Were they ATSC tuners, or ATSC to NTSC converter boxes (currently being pushed due to the US changeover)? If they were actually ATSC tuners for an HDTV, then that's the first I've heard of them in the area.

[Marc]

It was the "converter" type.
eastavin's post was for a similar type by a different manufacturer, not the HD output variety.

[Angela V]

My husband picked up a box at a liquidation place for $30 for his parents. He set it up for them and they are getting quite a few channels for living way out in the country outside of Hamilton.

[hsplrguy]

AngelaV can u find out the liquidation store he got it at??

[cellod]

Port Credit

I've had my OTA setup now (attic install, 2-4 Bay Antennas 1 @ Buffalo/1 @ Toronto w/combiner) for 3 months now. With my Sharp 37" i was only unable to get WIVB (CBS) .. no signal...all other buffalo/toronto channels came in just fine.

I got my hands on a 30" Samsung...i had the exact issue...no WIVB.
I later got my hands on a 37" LG...here's the kicker...WIVB comes in now...little to no pixalation...however WGRZ & WGRZ+ comes in with pixalation.

Why am i getting different results with 3 different maufacturers.
Aren't all ATSC tuners equal?

[name777]

ATSC Tuners are not equal. For some people buying LCD TV a decision point is refresh frequency, for others - reliability of tuner. LG chips rock.

[controlsguy]

I'm sorry if I'm interrupting the conversation, but I've run into an issue that no-one has been able to help me with.

I live south of Woodstock and can receive digital OTA from Erie PA consistently. By consistently I mean all the time, every time with no problems or dropouts. The issue I have is I can receive all digital signals from the major networks on all of my receivers with near perfect strength and quality, except for one receiver. The receiver in question cannot receive FOX. When manually tuning to it, I get 100% strength and quality but the receiver will not lock on to it. I also have the option to manually set the VPID and APID settings for it on my receiver, which I've found the proper setup for the VPID and can get the video, but cannot find the correct APID settings for the audio. It is the only receiver that gives me this kind of option or settings so I can't get this info from the other TV's or receivers that can get this channel.

Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated, 'cause watching NASCAR on my non-HD DTV receiver sucks.

Cheers,

controlsguy

[PanaMark]

controlsguy,
I suspect the tv itself could used a firmware update for its tuner. I would do a search on your particular model of television in a Search engine. I have read of this before. That is where I would start.
I am very interested in the fact you can pull in Erie stations well. Living up here in London I have a strong desire to set myself up with a decent antenna for fringe signals from Erie.
What type of antenna do you possess? Is it preamped? How far south of Woodstock are you?
Let me know, and welcome to the forum.
Mark

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by cellod

Why am i getting different results with 3 different maufacturers.
Aren't all ATSC tuners equal?

I think you missed Post #17 in the OTA FAQ, which has a section called "Not all ATSC tuners are created equal!" --------------------------->

cheers

[balm]

is there an other way to measure signal strength, and S/N other than with the Tv's gauge...


Also has anyone heard of the following STB tuner to convert ATSC digital signal to the analog TV:

TIVAX STB-T8. It has a great picture, a signal strength meter, a TV guide feature that shows a whole days worth of upcoming programs (if the station provides them) and has analog pass-through.

any comments...

[stampeder]

Yep, if you use the Search This Thread tool to the upper right and put in the term "KWorld" you'll see...

[jbracing24]

My back was against the wall with my 36” RCA CRT. With the conversion to digital of all the Buffalo stations, I was hoping to rely on Star Choice for local Buffalo programming but even that is ending with the recently announced removing of the Buffalo feed from the satellite lineup.

I do have a Samsung T451 hooked up to my towered CM 4228 feeding my HD home theater.

Today I received from TigerDirect the Artec T3AP converter box and placed it into my 36” CRT setup. My analog antennas are still in the attic, from the earlier days, so I simply put the box in-line with this feed. I am amazed at the results, quality signals, quality picture and so easy to set up. The auto scan picked up 18 digital channels. The EPG shows all the scanned channels side-by-side or there is a separate info key.

I am missing CTV, Global, Sun and the Omnis but this is due to the stationary attic antennas. I am sure these could be had easily with the tower but the 4228 need the rotor to gain access to most Toronto signals and that controller will remain in the theater with the Samsung tuner. At least I will continue to have access to Buffalo after the conversion.

For $50, this little unit sits on my CRT without fanfare but it does an excellent job. I highly recommend it.

[ota_canuck]

These converter boxes perform quite well, however I have had several problems with customer returns due to the remote control unit failing after just a few weeks of use. Has anyone else had problems with remote control units failing?

[300ohm]

however I have had several problems with customer returns due to the remote control unit failing after just a few weeks of use. Has anyone else had problems with remote control units failing?

Did you replace the batteries with fresh ones ? A lot of units, not just CMs or just CECB remotes, ship with very weak, cheap as dirt, batteries.

[ota_canuck]

Originally Posted by 300ohm

Did you replace the batteries with fresh ones ?

I always throw away those junk batteries and provide the customer with fresh Duracells or Kodak batteries... These remotes are simply crapping out in the matter of a few weeks. Out of the lot that I recently sold, 12% have been returned because the remotes died. Channel Master says they have less than a 1% failure rate in the U.S.. Maybe they're just sending the "less than 1%" failed ones into Canadian marketplace. The rep at PCT doesn't seem to be too concerned about Channel Master's reputation for product quality.