Learned about this box in another thread, they have 3 boxes and they all look very interesting. I can see at lest 2 that would pass for coupon eligible
TACB-2009
TACB-S1sa
TACB-1009

http://trtinfo.com/Portals/27/TRTParent/DigitalEntertainment/tabid/1367/Default.aspx

gee no one cares about these, the seam like winners

gee no one cares about these, the seam like winners

I think many here are just tired of the endless silly posts about another $50 box , especially one "that someone heard about from someone who heard about it from somewhere else" :rolleyes:

There seems to be an endless supply of 'me too' converter boxes. They mostly have the same basic features at the same price, nothing to distinguish them from their competitors. That's why the Maxmedia and Echostar boxes generated some much interest. They promised to have more features that the other boxes. Of course, neither one has made it to the market yet.

I think many here are just tired of the endless silly posts about another $50 box , especially one "that someone heard about from someone who heard about it from somewhere else" :rolleyes:

One of these seems to be more than a $50.00 converter though, and I'm guessing that it probably isn't eligible for the coupon program. It has RF inputs for both "ATSC" and "CABLE," and has something else I haven't seen on a $50.00 box--a digital display on the converter itself. There's also an S-Video output. Though I'm not familiar with (nor do I care about) the term QAM, it is mentioned in the spec sheet.

This could be the "holy grail" of the standard definition converters that so many posters here seem to want, even if it isn't eligible for the coupon program.

QAM has something to do with cable decoding the protocol they use

QAM has something to do with cable decoding the protocol they use

That's why I thought that this particular converter might be the "holy grail" of standard definition converters to some here. But, of course, you have the cranks and naysayers who have nothing better to do than respond with a tirade about this being "another silly post."

the 2009 might not be but they have 2 other boxes that might fit the coupon deal. well will just have to wait and see. Have you noticed a lot of the new unreleased boxes seam to have a beef up EPG, more than now and next but days ahead. That and s-video and smart antenna makes this box interesting.

the 2009 might not be but they have 2 other boxes that might fit the coupon deal. well will just have to wait and see. Have you noticed a lot of the new unreleased boxes seam to have a beef up EPG, more than now and next but days ahead. That and s-video and smart antenna makes this box interesting.

A better program guide and S-Video are features that I'd truly like to have. My second coupon should be arriving in a couple of weeks, I think I'm going to hang onto it awhile and see what new offerings might come up.

A better program guide and S-Video are features that I'd truly like to have. My second coupon should be arriving in a couple of weeks, I think I'm going to hang onto it awhile and see what new offerings might come up.

i would, the first of us were rushed which is what fueled the fire but if we had until next year or at lest until mid summer then all the frenzy would have never been because that is when the better boxes would have been out. IF you read the zenith thread the first of their boxes have been defective audio decoding but i think they are replacing them but not always fixes the problem.

That's why I thought that this particular converter might be the "holy grail" of standard definition converters to some here. But, of course, you have the cranks and naysayers who have nothing better to do than respond with a tirade about this being "another silly post."

We cranks and naysayers know enough not to expect a $50 box to be the
"holy grail". Especially when there's enough info here to prove there isn't
one. And some here don't even know what QAM is. :)

They have 3 boxes and they all look very interesting. I can see at least 2 that would pass for coupon eligible
TACB-2009
TACB-S1sa
TACB-1009
http://trtinfo.com/Portals/27/TRTParent/DigitalEntertainment/tabid/1367/Default.aspx
I would like to see a reasonably-priced NON-Coupon Eligible converter box which includes QAM demodulation capability and other "forbidden" features.

The TACB-1009 (http://trtinfo.com/Portals/27/PDF/TACB_1009_rev.pdf) indicates QAM capability.

The TACB-S1sa (http://trtinfo.com/Portals/27/PDF/TACB-S1sa_Data_Sheet.pdf) indicates QAM and Smart Antenna capability.

The TACB-2009 (http://trtinfo.com/Portals/27/PDF/TACB-2009_Data_Sheet_Screen.pdf) indicates QAM, Smart Antenna, and S-Video capability.

None of the TRT boxes offer Component Video (RGB) or HDMI interfaces. TRT's About Us (http://trtinfo.com/about/WhoisTRT/tabid/1110/Default.aspx) company information is certainly more informative than what we've seen from MaxMedia or some other companies peddling CECBs. There is a company address, phone number, fax number, and a listing of numerous other products besides ATSC tuner boxes.

QAM = Modulation system used by Cable. QAM tuners will receive cable HD channels that are not encrypted (passed in the clear). Almost always, this means local over-the-air HDTV stations. Digital tier HD (ESPN, TNT, etc.) and premium HD (HBO, Starz!, etc.) are encrypted and can not be received without conditional access from the cable company, which is granted through the typical HD cable box or a CableCARD.

Some Digital TV tuners also have a QAM tuner.

QAM is not allowed to be included in a CECB.

QAM is not allowed to be included in a CECB.

And yet, the Microprose MPI-500, already on the CECB approved list, has "QAM" in their guide book spec sheet. It's in the "Signal In" area, line labeled Modulation Format, and that's listed as "8VSP,QAM."

So can it be used that way without getting excluded as CECB? It seems so.

Of course, Channel Master got away with putting "HD" on their box, and using words in their ads that claim we can watch HD with their product.

well it will pick up HDTV example 2 1/2 men, it is broad-casted in HD and since the box will enable you to watch the show which is broad-casted in HD technically you are watching a HD program.

And yet, the Microprose MPI-500, already on the CECB approved list, has "QAM" in their guide book spec sheet. It's in the "Signal In" area, line labeled Modulation Format, and that's listed as "8VSP,QAM."

So can it be used that way without getting excluded as CECB? It seems so.


So, have you actually had the Microprose box in your hands and proven it will
decode QAM?:confused:

No, I don't have that box, and I don't assume it will receive unencrypted cable signals. I'm just wondering if having that expression in the tuner specs describes something else, ie, something still acceptable to NTIA standards. Just wondering if it can refer to the general class of tuners, not to what this box does. If they make the box not work when hooked to cable, then that would satisfy the NTIA specs, it might technically be part of the electronics label, but not functional. I was wondering if having that in the spec always means it's functional, or if it's just a descriptor of the electronics class that tuner belongs to.

The preliminary TRT pamphlet references QAM the same way, they do not claim the box receives unencrypted cable signals, they just have "8VSB, QAM" as the tuner demodulation spec.

Noting my typo...

The preliminary TRT pamphlet references QAM the same way, they do not claim the box receives unencrypted cable signals, they just have "8VSB, QAM" as the tuner demodulation spec. TRT's pamphlets don't proactively advertise QAM, they indicate it in the spec sheets. Until we actually have a user review of a TRT box, we won't know anything more substantive.

Again, I'd like a low-cost (under $100) tuner box using sixth-gen tuner chips which can handle QAM. It would be INELIGIBLE for the $40 NTIA coupons because of including QAM and other "forbidden" features like component video (RGB) connections.

Would TRT consider offering a basic ATSC/QAM decoder NOT eligible for the $40 coupon program and NOT crippled by the "Mickey Mouse" NTIA CECB restrictions?

Again, I'd like a low-cost (under $100) tuner box using sixth-gen tuner chips which can handle QAM. It would be INELIGIBLE for the $40 NTIA coupons because of including QAM and other "forbidden" features like component video (RGB) connections.What generation is the tuner in the Tivax LX1000?