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

[bentoronto]

Thanks much, again.

Yup, pretty close. I'm not sure about the SDTV functioning or even if it has a pass-through. The pass-through business is moot. I had a chat with TVO-19 public relations today. No word on when but they know very well that they are the ONLY SDTV station anywhere around here. I suggested it would not be a bad thing if they transmitted HD even if they took a while to upgrade cameras, old Brit comedies, etc.

The Centronics is rather over-priced at the place that sells it here - rather more than a CM7000 but they are similar in price in the US (about us$85). But everybody seems to be out of stock for a few weeks. Pity... I'll be visiting America soon.

[firechkn]

Just bought the in-law the RCA converter box from Walmart. Works really well and easy to setup. Quality is good on a 27" CRT threw coaxial. Noticeably better than analogue cable.

I like the TV guide and big button remote. My only complaint is that It's a bit slow to change channels compared to my HDTV.

[EdT]

Anyone had success connecting their ATSC tuner box with a S-Video out to the RCA composite input on their TVs ?

I bought one of those S-Video to RCA cables and the picture on my TV flickers horizontally from the tuner box or DVD player. Any way to get around this ?

[stampeder]

EdT you are probably best to just run the composite output of the box into the composite input of the TV to avoid those problems.

[EdT]

I know I just wanted to squeeze every ounce of performance out of the tuner box, the difference between the coax and composite video is already like night and day, thought the S-Video would even be better.

[stampeder]

But you're downconverting S-Video to Composite already courtesy of that adapter cable, so letting the box do that internally will probably be cleaner.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by EdT

I know I just wanted to squeeze every ounce of performance out of the tuner box, the difference between the coax and composite video is already like night and day, thought the S-Video would even be better.

S-Video is only better if the TV has an S-Video port.

[recneps77]

So I'm researching boxes for my neighbour (as well as TV's) to help her decide on the best choice for her (a box vs new tv) or simply the best box for her money.

I've read a looooooot of posts here ()
But a lot of the information is outdated on some models.
So, today, which do you feel is the best box, and why?
I've made a mini-list of the ones "easily" available:

RCA DT800
Tivax STB-T8
CM 7000
ZAT502 HD (hard to find, according to a couple posts back)

I've heard good things about the CM7000, but when it's $100+, a new TV with a built in tuner at $300 is looking to be the better option. (it's not my decision, though)

[EdT]

You forgot the Apex DT205A which is widely available and can be had for under $50CAD.

It ranks up there with the best picture quality on par with the CM and Zenith.

A lot of the models do not have analog pass through which means for Canadians another two years of analog signals, you have to use a splitter or A/B box.

An ATSC tuner box is still useful for those with HDTVs if they want to record TV programs on their VCRs and DVDRs with NTSC only tuners.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by EdT

You forgot the Apex DT205A which is widely available and can be had for under $50CAD.

I assume you mean the DT250A. Are there any Canadian retailers that sell it for under $50, or do you have to do a price match with an online retailer?

[EdT]

Yup, I meant the Apex DT250A. Yes, you need to do a price match from the Apex's site

[teenie]

The RCA unit at walmart.... an o.k. price... seems to be a decent unit. Picked one up for a friend... that was borrowing a PBI HD3150 unit I have. While he liked the 3150 better overall the RCA unit is working very well for him.

Another friend bought the APEX 250 when Tigerdirect was carrying them. He likes that box a lot! He is very impressed with it. As the tuner in the APex seems to be as sensistive as his Sharp Aquos LCD with ATSC.

Is there currently anyplace to pick up the APEX unit for a decent price? I no someone state $50CAD.... but where?

[recneps77]

I only see the Apex for $80 CAD, much more than $50 (otherwise that would've been great for my neighbour )

Also, found this page which has lots of information and gives easy comparisons:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units

[stampeder]

Originally Posted by Legacy2009

I also got an ATSC tuner, since my TV doesn't have a built-in one. I thought I got the Centronics one, but "Centronics" doesn't show up anywhere on the box or the manual!

(Copied from this post: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...&postcount=813)

As for the Centronics box not having a brand name on it, to me that's just a sign that the name is probably trademarked by another company and they haven't come up with one yet for the Canadian market. Just a guess.

The original Centronics brand was an electronic engineering company that designed hardware interfaces for computers, such as Parallel Port and SCSI device connectors in the 1980s but they've been out of business for about 20 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centronics

[EdT]

recneps77: Go to Apex's website and print out their offer for the DT250A and then go to either FutureShop or BestBuy for a price match plus -10% of the difference. Should come out to less than $47CAD. I bought three boxes this way all on separate occasions and at different stores ! Just go to the CSR counter and they will work it all out for you, make sure you have the printed ad and their website just in case they want to check it out for themselves. ...hint, a little secret, they forgot the offer from Apex is in USD ! ...LoL