Two weeks before I bought my Accurian from RS , I purchased a Pro Brand HD Receiver HD3150 from Circuit City. When I found out about the RS unit and the clearance price I compared the units and found that they looked similar. I found the RS unit's owners manual in line and compared it to the Probrand manual and they were very similar.
I purchased the RS unit installed it and lo and behold it was the sane unit, only it cost me $90 versus $220.
WW

Can somebody tell me the purpose of this switch. The picture doesn't change when
you switch back and forth. I am using my RS with a Infocus 4805 projector
If I tune to ABC(780p) or to CBS(1080i) the picture is not affected by the switch

Thanks

Can somebody tell me the purpose of this switch. The picture doesn't change when
you switch back and forth. I am using my RS with a Infocus 4805 projector
If I tune to ABC(780p) or to CBS(1080i) the picture is not affected by the switch

Thanks
It switches the output format. Many TVs cannot accept 720p output. There is a difference in the picture, but it may be so subtle that you don't nice it.

Ed

Just curious, but is the HST-6000 usable with just the front-panel controls (no remote)? If you power on the HST-6000 with no antenna input, do you see any kind of indications on the front LCD (e.g., a message like "Hello" or "No Signal")?

I reported this problem to Butch at WFLX. he looked into it and got back to me today to see if WFLX is working any better on my Accurian receiver. He said he made some changes and gave me a way to contatc him tonight after I dod some checking. Has anyone noticed any better reception of WFLX on their Radio Shack Accurian HD receiver?

Send me your feedback on WFLX along with the City you live in, and model of receiver you have, and I will forward it to WFLX after I do my testing later tonight. Joe

Joe,

Let Butch know that WFLX now comes in flawlessly on the Accurian STB here in downtown Ft. Lauderdale; signal strength is a solid 84 with just an indoor antenna. Signal strength has even improved a bit on both of my LG-LST3410A's. FWIW, WSVN's signal still locks up the Accurian STB to the point that the only way to reset the unit is to power it down, disconnect the antenna, and power it up and delete the offending channel from the unit's memory.

---Rudy

Add me to the list of those complaining about the remote. I can't get it to work at all... :mad:

Also, does anyone in the Portland OR area own this? Can you get Fox (12.1)? I get really good signal strength on all channels (85+) and but Fox gives me 49% and wildly varying SNRs. Essentially, the unit does not recognize that Fox broadcasts. I'm 18 miles north and all broadcast antennas are within 2 degrees of one another so I cannot figure out what is going on (of course, all of my neighbors get Fox easily).


Just a follow up to this Fox issue in Portland. I bought a channel master 4228, which now results in all channels except Fox reporting in at 90%+ signal strength with SNRs around 30. Still no Fox (49% signal with SNR that jumps between 4 and 25). So I bought a Samsung T451 and now get Fox perfectly (the maximum number of bars on the Samsung signal strength meter). I would love to hear from someone else in Portland who can get Fox on the Accurian box as mine simply won't tune it in. Weird. The Sammy also changes channels quite a bit quicker but that's not really a concern.

Also, the Sammy remote is a huge improvement. Although I had gotten pretty well trained to hold my hand directly in front of the box (I'll have to unlearn that habit).

I don't see it provoking an outcry. People will just do what they do now with DVD players -- hook it up via an external RF modulator (about $20), or VCR. And even on the low end of today's TV's, RF-only units are being phased out.

If RF modulators were going to be built into anything, it ought to be today's low-end DVD players. You can get them for under $50, under $30, even under $20 now. And those are the devices that will be hooked up to low-end TVs. No one's going to connect a $200 STB to a sub-$100 RF-only TV.* So it's no surprise that the STBs don't have RF built-in now.


I was talking about an outcry when analog goes away. I agree about the $200 part, and I think we both agree that there's no reason other than market presence that keeps the price above $25 for a basic STB.

It's not the same as with a DVD player because the lack of a DTV player won't cause an existing TV to stop working, but the lack of analog will.

Now that these Accurian boxes are so cheap and I'm adding them to my analog TVs too, I'm finding a vast improvement in picture quality anyway, even though it's not HDTV. Things now look better on my analog set with this box than they look on digital sets in the stores that are stupid enough to use a low res feed. They can't get more resolution than what is in the signal, but an analog TV can have more resolution than what comes off the air or on cable. So I think if anybody came up with a cheap STB with the RF converter built in, or as a feature on a different model priced slightly more, they would have a big market if they did any advertising. If they tell people that they can get better-than-DVD quality on their existing set, and it will prepare them for 2007 cutoff, after which their set will no longer get off the air TV, then I would expect people would go for them pretty fast.

Saturday night, October 1st, 2005 8:30 PM - WFLX is now locking up again. Left a voicemail with Butch to see what might have changed today, seeing that it was fine this morning. WSVN - e-mailed them with no response as of yet.

I was talking about an outcry when analog goes away. I agree about the $200 part, and I think we both agree that there's no reason other than market presence that keeps the price above $25 for a basic STB.

It's not the same as with a DVD player because the lack of a DTV player won't cause an existing TV to stop working, but the lack of analog will.

Now that these Accurian boxes are so cheap and I'm adding them to my analog TVs too, I'm finding a vast improvement in picture quality anyway, even though it's not HDTV. Things now look better on my analog set with this box than they look on digital sets in the stores that are stupid enough to use a low res feed. They can't get more resolution than what is in the signal, but an analog TV can have more resolution than what comes off the air or on cable. So I think if anybody came up with a cheap STB with the RF converter built in, or as a feature on a different model priced slightly more, they would have a big market if they did any advertising. If they tell people that they can get better-than-DVD quality on their existing set, and it will prepare them for 2007 cutoff, after which their set will no longer get off the air TV, then I would expect people would go for them pretty fast.
I expect a really cheap set top box will exist at the analog turn off that will probably contain an RF modulator. Right now these Accurian STB's are a great way to improve the picture on any TV that has video inputs. I put one on my old TV that I moved to the basement when I got my HDTV. I needed it because my new antenna system doesn't get VHF-low where the NTSC CBS is. It is hooked up with an s-video connection and the picture during an HD show is better than I have ever seen TV look on the set. My sister got an HD STB for her analog set just to get a better picture without dealing with the local Adelphia cable company. If a STB maker ever decides to go after the existing analog set market for those sets not connected to cable or satellite boxes I think they will immediately drive the price way down. One problem is the quirkiness of fringe DTV reception; I helped my sister upgrade her outdoor antenna system so she would have an easier time getting a solid signal. Maybe with 5th generation receivers the urban areas with strong signals would be good candidates for DTV on old analog sets.

Add me to the list of those complaining about the remote. I can't get it to work at all... :mad:

My remote works, sort of, atleast till 6 feet :( Thankfully I was able to program my MX700 remote and it works perfectly. I also posted a .mxd file on remotecentral, hopefully it will get listed soon for peeps that need it.

Jim

I programmed my Sony RM-AV3100 too and things work MUCH better. It was VERY difficult to get the original remote to give up it's codes :) Took numerous times to get a good transfer for many of the buttons. One of the buttons emitted such a long sequence of errors that it actually ran my Sony out to lunch. Had to reset and start all over!!!!

Hi,

I have a Comcast HDTV STB on my main TV and just purchased an LCD in a different room. If I bought this box, can I receive all my Comcast channels if I hook it up through cable? I really want to put this LCD HDTV to some good use.

Thanks alot. I appreciate it.

If I bought this box, can I receive all my Comcast channels if I hook it up through cable? No.
The Accurian only decodes cable with 8VSB modulation, which hardly anyone uses. Comcast uses QAM modulation.

I have yet to get my remote to work at all!!! Even holding it less then an inch from the receiver. Pointing it in every possible direction....

That's pretty darn ridiculous. Oh, btw, I did put batteries in it... ;)

That's pretty darn ridiculous. Oh, btw, I did put batteries in it... ;)

Is the battery in the right polarity?... :p

Or it's time to take it back for a new remote... :rolleyes:

I spoke to Angelo (Butch) Figurella today. He said that FOX made some changes to WFLX today and wants feedback as soon as he can get it. He also is locating his own Accurian to test with. He might have located one in Jupiter today. i won't be able to check mine until after 6pm today. Are there any other south Florida Accurian users that can check WFLX and post the results here? Joe

I had to drive for an hour one way to get this one...I don't feel like driving 2 more hours to get a remote that should work outta the box...

No.
The Accurian only decodes cable with 8VSB modulation, which hardly anyone uses. Comcast uses QAM modulation.
So the only way I would be able to receive my Comcast channels would be to get a box from Comcast themselves? Or are there other, cheaper stb's that can be used?

Thanks. :)

So the only way I would be able to receive my Comcast channels would be to get a box from Comcast themselves? Or are there other, cheaper stb's that can be used?

Thanks. :)You can buy a box that has a QAM tuner in it. Right now I only know of the Samsung 451, the LG 3510A and some new expensive Sony's with DVRs. But you'll only get the unscrambled digital channels on the Samy and LG. The Sonys have a cablecard slot and with a cablecard from Comcast you can get all your digital channels.

Ed

I spoke to Angelo (Butch) Figurella today. He said that FOX made some changes to WFLX today and wants feedback as soon as he can get it. He also is locating his own Accurian to test with. He might have located one in Jupiter today. i won't be able to check mine until after 6pm today. Are there any other south Florida Accurian users that can check WFLX and post the results here? Joe

I am watching WFLX right now in the PiP window on my Sony MFM-HT75W computer monitor. I'll send Butch an email and let him know all is well with the Accurian and WFLX. ;)

It says that online, phone, and local stores are sold out of the accurion hts 6000 hd stb tuner.

Do any of you think they will get some in while the sale still lasts :-/?

Anybody have any other recommendation for a low priced hd stb tuner?

Actually, I just looked and they do appear to be in stock in a radio shack 35miles from me.... is it worth the drive for the price and performance? I am new to hdtv tuner/receivers etc.

What do you all think!?

Thanks.

WSVN is still making the accurian crash here in aventura, FL.

Hopefully FOX in L. A. will "fix" WSVN like they did WFLX.

is it worth the drive for the price and performance? I am new to hdtv tuner/receivers etc.

What do you all think!?

Thanks.

I think so. I've compared this next to a Sammy T451 and the US digital box. I've noted a few comments below (all relative to the Accurian box)

Relatively good aspects of Sammy:
1- much better remote (the RS remote sucks big time - you have to have Jedi skills to get it to work consistently).
2- faster channel switching (but not by much)

Relatively good aspects of US digital:
1- slightly better remote

Relatively bad aspects of Sammy:
1- price (150% more expensive)
2 - tuner is not as sensitive (I'm 18 miles away from all of my stations without any hills in the way).

Relatively bad aspects of US digital:
1 - price (100% more expensive)
2 - No digital video outputs (HDMI or DVI).


Overall, except for the remote, the Accurian is a pretty good STB regardless of price (I would keep it over the Sammy even if the prices were equal). The remote is a problem. I'm hoping a good universal remote will solve that problem.

I think so. I've compared this next to a Sammy T451 and the US digital box. I've noted a few comments below (all relative to the Accurian box)

Relatively good aspects of Sammy:
1- much better remote (the RS remote sucks big time - you have to have Jedi skills to get it to work consistently).
2- faster channel switching (but not by much)

Relatively good aspects of US digital:
1- slightly better remote

Relatively bad aspects of Sammy:
1- price (150% more expensive)
2 - tuner is not as sensitive (I'm 18 miles away from all of my stations without any hills in the way).

Relatively bad aspects of US digital:
1 - price (100% more expensive)
2 - No digital video outputs (HDMI or DVI).


Overall, except for the remote, the Accurian is a pretty good STB regardless of price (I would keep it over the Sammy even if the prices were equal). The remote is a problem. I'm hoping a good universal remote will solve that problem.


Ever since I have programmed my Accurian STB into my Harmony, I have had no remote problems. I believe they just made a low power infra red remote.

Chuck

LOL

Good call chuck...

i jsut got mine from RS. I have an antenna amp. would that interefere with the HD receiver?

i jsut got mine from RS. I have an antenna amp. would that interefere with the HD receiver?
It's possible. I had to turn mine off to receive my local Fox channel. Using an indoor antenna 14.5 miles from antenna towers.

i use a giant antenna, and i get snow on most channel, that is why i have an antenna booster. if i taket hat off, the snow is worse.
does this receiver boost weak signal?

WSVN in Miami still not corrected. I will try to find an e-mail address for their engineering and post on this site.

It is my understanding that the issue corrected by Butch at WFLX in West Palm, was actually corrected at the corporate front end of FOX television in LA. If WSVN is not going to cooperate with you, you might want to ask Butch for the way to go about getting the changes needed. Butch has first hand experience in dealing with this issue, and he is top notch in pleasing customers. I am baffled by your true concern. If they are both FOX, and you can get FOX in WP, why the concern over what is going on in the Miami Fox station? In any case, there must be other Accurian owners in the Miami area that can not get WSVN. It's anybody's guess why they have not tried to contact WSVN. I would be surprised if Butch didn't know the engineer at WSVN. Joe

My point is that if it is a simple configuration change, why would WSVN hesitate to do it, especially if nothing else is affected. I would hate to assume my worst fear that, because they are a big market station they do not have to take any advice from the public or FOX corporate. I don't want to assume arrogance like that just yet. But, I will give it a week.

If you get snow, you are not receiving Digital TV using the Radio Shack Accurian receiver, or any other digital receiver.

For snow on UHF, yes UHF, we are not talking about VHF channels 2 to 12 or 13, you need an antenna that has UHF elements on it. You would know that it has UHF elements by the size of the elements. UHF would be very small compared to the VHF elements, which are very big.
To get a better signal on your antenna, even if it is VHF, get it has high as possible, and face it in the proper direction. For VHF, getting it very high is critical, for UHF, it is less of a problem. The amplifier should be a mast mounted amplifier to work well. This is because there is loss in the cable. The amplifier only amplifies the signal it receives, the loss in the cable means that there is less signal at the end of a long run of good coax (Quad Shielded RG6), and a shorter run of crappy coax (RG59). A long run of crappy coax would be over 50 feet, a long run of good coax could be as high as 150 feet. In any case, there will never be as much signal in that coax as there is at the base of the antenna, so that is where you want to place the amplifier. The mast mounted amplifier is not the same as what you use inside, it is made to be outside. The power for the mast mounted amplifier is supplied through the coax from a power supply located inside the house.
There are different qualities and types of amplifiers that run a range of prices. There are amplifiers that cut out FM radio, and others that pass and amplify FM radio. Most people who want to amplify UHF, want to also cut out the FM because it causes problems for them.
To tune your antenna, you want to view the channels you wish to receive while turning the antenna for the best reception of thos channels. if you find that some directions are good for some channels, and others for other channels, you may want to purchase a rotator for your antenna. Good luck . Joe

i use a giant antenna, and i get snow on most channel, that is why i have an antenna booster. if i taket hat off, the snow is worse.
does this receiver boost weak signal?

Yes, my Accurian works great with my new Harmony 768 remote. I finished the configuration of the 768 a day ago and it is just awesome.

When I select "Watch HDTV", it turns on the TV, turns on the surround sound amp, turns on the Accurian, selects the proper ports on each device, and gives me control of all Accurian functions as well as Surround Sound volume. When I select "Watch FTA" is makes all the changes to the equipment and gives me full control of the FTA receiver and reverts back TV volume. For $56, it is all the remote I need. I have four activities programmed and might add the family room equipment to other activities, or buy another 768 for out there. Joe

Ever since I have programmed my Accurian STB into my Harmony, I have had no remote problems. I believe they just made a low power infra red remote.

Chuck

Without a doubt, grab one while you can.

It says that online, phone, and local stores are sold out of the accurion hts 6000 hd stb tuner.

Do any of you think they will get some in while the sale still lasts :-/?

Anybody have any other recommendation for a low priced hd stb tuner?

Actually, I just looked and they do appear to be in stock in a radio shack 35miles from me.... is it worth the drive for the price and performance? I am new to hdtv tuner/receivers etc.

What do you all think!?

Thanks.

i hooked everything up last nite, and wow.... no snow. super super clear. i watched the baseball game, and they have very green field. lol

now, i cannot get PBS, and WB. other than that... everything is super super clear.... meter strength is 75 and up.

oh, all this with a 10db amp and a pair of rabbit ears that i bought years ago. the rabbit ear gives me better reception compared to the big antenna, go figure. but both antenna are old. so, later i go get a good small hd antenna, since i get good signal with my rabbit ears.

i hooked everything up last nite, and wow.... no snow. super super clear. i watched the baseball game, and they have very green field. lol

now, i cannot get PBS, and WB. other than that... everything is super super clear.... meter strength is 75 and up.

oh, all this with a 10db amp and a pair of rabbit ears that i bought years ago. the rabbit ear gives me better reception compared to the big antenna, go figure. but both antenna are old. so, later i go get a good small hd antenna, since i get good signal with my rabbit ears.
Just remember that there is no such thing as an "hdtv" antenna... Companies use that as a marketing tool, but the truth is that the HDTV signal comes over the same UHF and VHF frequencies as before.

Do you know if your channels are on UHF or VHF? If the rabbit ears work better, I'm guessing that maybe your big antenna is VHF, while the HD channels are on UHF (as most of them are).

Just watch out for the "HDTV-ready" antenna scam... Well, scam is too strong a word, but there is some very inflated pricing out there. Just this past Saturday, I was at a hardware store (regional chain) and saw some good-looking indoor antennas for under $15. About an hour later I was at Sears and saw some that were almost identical for up to $40. Just make sure you can return it if it's not any better than what you have. :D

i hooked everything up last nite, and wow.... no snow. super super clear. i watched the baseball game, and they have very green field. lol

now, i cannot get PBS, and WB. other than that... everything is super super clear.... meter strength is 75 and up.

oh, all this with a 10db amp and a pair of rabbit ears that i bought years ago. the rabbit ear gives me better reception compared to the big antenna, go figure. but both antenna are old. so, later i go get a good small hd antenna, since i get good signal with my rabbit ears.

A couple of links may help you. First, find out what size and type of antenna you need at www.antennaweb.org. Second, find out what people in your area are using and what types of problems they may have. You can find your area in this thread. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453241

A heads-up for those that still need an HDMI cable or HDMI-DVI cable
Radioshack added a bunch more stuff to the clearance sale, prices start today.
Some new items were added and other items dropped in price.

12-2306 Griffin IPOD cradle was 9.99 now 3.97
13-1320 RCA RS2620 80W 5CD mini system was 99.99 now 52.47
13-1326 RCA 100W 5CD micro system was 99.99 now 59.97
14-1197 Digital Recorder/Camera was 199.99 now 24.97
15-1086 12ft HDMI cable was 129.99 now 34.97
http://education.radioshack.com/RSCom/ProductAvailability/index.asp?SkuId=1501086&ShowSkuId=15-1086&Image=15/m15-1086.jpg
15-1088 12 ft HDMI-DVI cable was 129.99 34.97
http://education.radioshack.com/RSCom/ProductAvailability/index.asp?SkuId=1501088&ShowSkuId=15-1088&Image=15/m15-1088.jpg

15-1586 4-Way Digital Optical Selector was 29.99 now 7.47
15-2136 6 in 1 Kameleon remote was 59.99 now 29.97
15-5065 19ft telescoping mast was 39.99 now 18.72
16-2421 panasonic pv-gs12 camcorder was 399.99 now 224.97
16-2584 RCA Satellite DBS Multi-Switch Model D6530 was 83.99 now 14.97
16-2806 Dish network DP311T basic receiver was 99.00 now 49.50
16-2900 Refurb Dish network 1 room system was 149.99 now 49.97
16-3064 RCA 2.5 inch TFT lcd tv was 129.99 now 62.97
16-3268 Cinevision DVD/VCR was 129.99 now 67.47
16-3418 RCA 27 inch F27442 TV was 249.99 now 134.97
16-3639 Casio Z4 digital camera was 399.99 now 199.97
16-3659 memory stick reader was 19.99 now 5.22
16-3676 TV picshare plus was 99.99 now 22.47
16-3820 Flatfoto 1.3 megapixel camera was 69.99 now 9.97
16-3833 DXG 409C 4.0-Megapixel Digital Camera was 129.99 now 74.97
25-3077 powerline usb adapter was 149.99 now 4.97
25-3178 wireless ethernet bridge was 129.99 now 24.97
25-3079 powerline etherfast bridge was 149.99 now 4.97
25-3110 Microsoft wireless base station was 149.99 now 14.97
25-3187 Universal broadband link was 129.99 now 19.97
25-3189 Wireless media adapter was 199.99 now 59.97
25-3203 Motorola G pci adapter was 79.99 now 26.22
25-3205 Motorola 850G Wireless Router was 79.99 now 26.22
25-3258 Network 120GB harddrive was 199.99 now 79.97
25-8387 Refurb Handspring TREO was 249.99 now 89.97
26-186 7' retractable network cable was 27.99 now 7.47
26-517 panasonic DVD RAM was 10.49 now 1.97
26-694 XBOX live kit was 49.99 now 14.97
26-704 I-Pen optical mouse was 99.99 now 37.47
26-2415 HP Deskjet 3650 color inkjet printer was 79.99 now 37.47
26-2416 HP photosmart 145 color printer was 149.99 now 99.97
31-5013 RCA STAV4090 Receiver was 349.99 now 97.48
31.5030 RCA 300W DVD/VCR HTIB system was 299.99 now 99.98
33-3002 pro vocal microphone was 39.99 now 11.97
40-2015 satellite speaker stands was 49.99 now 14.97
40-5039 RCA htp100 6pc home theatre speaker package was 99.99 now 29.97
42-4069 61-key keyboard was 249.99 now 134.97
42-7000 RCA LAB-1200 turntable was 99.99 now 34.97
42-8065 Motorola 5GB MP3 player was 229.99 now 137.97
43-9014 panasonic kx-tg5100m cordless phone was 199.99 now 99.97
49-1050 EERS mobile safety device...similar to onstar was 249.99 now 49.97
49-2535 2.4GHz Wireless Camera with Remote Control was 149.99 now 63.72
60-2722 classic handheld basketball was 14.99 now 4.97
60-2725 electronic 2-in-1 chess and checkers was 19.99 now 3.75
60-2733 sponge bob plug n play video game system was 24.99 now 18.74
61-2452 Monster HTS850 surge power center was 129.99 now 97.49
63-612 large ionizer was 249.99 now 74.97
63-613 small ionizer was 149.99 now 37.47
63-1057 16 inch laser level was 39.99 now 4.97
63-1059 magnetic laser level was 29.99 now 4.97
63-1199 ultrasonic/ionic pet brush was 19.99 now 4.97
63-1406 Barbie alarm clock was 12.99 now 2.47
63-1507 oscillating heater fan was 79.99 now 29.97
63-1523 massaging bath pillow was 29.99 now 9.97
63-5086 golf scorekeeper watch was 29.99 now 2.48
64-2901 powered screwdriver was 14.99 now 5.97
65-1100 Royal combo crosscut shredder was 29.99 now 14.97

diode, where did u get that list?

I ordered an Accurian HTS 6000 and I am going to be using probably a Terk TV32 tuner.

To setup the receiver to work with the atenna, I don't have to update the firmware or anything, do I? Can I just plug it in and have it work?

it is plug and play. make sure u goto the menu of the receiver and change the antenna to air, instead of cable

it is plug and play. make sure u goto the menu of the receiver and change the antenna to air, instead of cable

Awesome thanks for the quick answer! I am excited. :D

I found that the Accurian receiver is manufactured by LG today. Anyone tha thas an LG should be able to tell this by looking at the menu's. I got the information from LG directly. Joe

Well, what about this info.

I found Pro Brand at CC and BB which is a Digital Stream which is the exact same as the Accurain. The manuals Pro Brand(DigitalStream) HD3150 (http://www.eagleaspen.com/admin/download/fujian/file_49.pdf) and the Accurain HST-6000 (http://support.radioshack.com/manuals/ome16-3499.pdf) are identical.

Probrand website (http://www.eagleaspen.com/products/products_1.php?id=44)


Is ProBrand associated with LG?

According to the Sound&Vision review referenced on the Pro Brand web site, the HD3150 doesn't have an HDMI output. The Accurian/Radio Shack unit does.

I found that the Accurian receiver is manufactured by LG today. Anyone tha thas an LG should be able to tell this by looking at the menu's. I got the information from LG directly. Joe
I think someone told you wrong.
Open the hood and you will see what I mean
Or read early on in this thread.
Digital STREAM´s major shareholders include Samsung Corporation.

I found that the Accurian receiver is manufactured by LG today. Anyone tha thas an LG should be able to tell this by looking at the menu's. I got the information from LG directly. Joe

If it is then LG made this better unit than their LST-3510. When I was using the 3510 I could not lock on to MNF but the HTS-6000 has no problems. And I get more channels on this too... :)

Maybe it's just the chips that are LG.

I've now downloaded the manual for the Pro Brand / DigitalStream HD-3150 as referenced by Daryl L. I didn't do it at home last night because I have only a dialup connection there. The menus and EPG are in fact the same as with the Radio Shack / Accurian unit (which I own). The back panels have the same layout for the connectors except that the DigitalStream has a blank space where the Accurian has its HDMI output, and the printed labels are laid out differently.

So it looks like the two units use the same firmware, and possibly the same chipset, in which case their performance is probably the same, even though they look very different on the outside.

Same guts, different skin?

I picked up the accutrain (sp?) HD receiver from my local radio shack. It works great. FOx Sports in HD is sweet.

The remote does indeed suck, but I reprogrammed my sony TV remote and it works much much better.

I think that its a great deal for $96 or so with tax. otherwise I wouldn't be getting 2 HD channels....or I should say digital channels that sometimes broadcast HD content.

Models: HD3150 & HD1150 and the RS are all made by DIGITALSTREAM

http://www.eagleaspen.com/products/products_1.php?id=44

http://www.audiooutfitter.com/store/HD3150.html

Out of curiosity has anyone compared the Accurian's reception to the Sammy SIR-T451?

Diode,

TNX for taking the time to get the RS update list out. Came up empty at my local store but
thank you for your effort.

Stores still have the 6' DVI-HDMI gold cables but they are not dropping them from $49.99 yet. Maybe in a couple weeks.

CustM

Diode,

TNX for taking the time to get the RS update list out. Came up empty at my local store but
thank you for your effort.

Stores still have the 6' DVI-HDMI gold cables but they are not dropping them from $49.99 yet. Maybe in a couple weeks.

CustM
Here is a more complete list. (http://www.**************/forums/messageview.php?start=100&catid=18&threadid=528249)
Scans of 11 pages.
I have the list, but this link saved me the work ;)

One problem I'm having with these units is that I've been losing channels. At first, when I hooked one up to a TV and could not get a specific channel that came in just fine on other TVs, I couldn't figure out what was going wrong. I was even using the same roof antenna. I didn't think that channel would lose so much from the extra cable, and eventually found that if I swapped STBs, the problem went away. So I thought it was defective since two other Accurians did not have the same problem.

Then I found that if I told it to do another scan, and add any new channels it found, then the problem channel got listed twice. The original one still did not work, but the new one did. A complete rescan that cleared everything out first fixed it completely.

The symptoms were that there was no picture, and the meter hovered around 49%. One other channel was intermittent, sometimes acting like that, and other times coming in clear at about 88% strength.

Does anybody know what can cause something like this? I don't have experience with other STBs, but I never had that problem with my computer's HD card, so it was new to me. Since another Accurian eventually did the same thing to me with a different channel, it does not seem to be a hardware issue.

One problem I'm having with these units is that I've been losing channels. At first, when I hooked one up to a TV and could not get a specific channel that came in just fine on other TVs, I couldn't figure out what was going wrong. I was even using the same roof antenna. I didn't think that channel would lose so much from the extra cable, and eventually found that if I swapped STBs, the problem went away. So I thought it was defective since two other Accurians did not have the same problem.

Then I found that if I told it to do another scan, and add any new channels it found, then the problem channel got listed twice. The original one still did not work, but the new one did. A complete rescan that cleared everything out first fixed it completely.

The symptoms were that there was no picture, and the meter hovered around 49%. One other channel was intermittent, sometimes acting like that, and other times coming in clear at about 88% strength.

Does anybody know what can cause something like this? I don't have experience with other STBs, but I never had that problem with my computer's HD card, so it was new to me. Since another Accurian eventually did the same thing to me with a different channel, it does not seem to be a hardware issue.
One possibility is that the box recieved a PSIP that confused it. I had a station near me that was broadcasting bad PSIP and the Accurian wouldn't re-map it correctly so it would only get it from the true digital channel and not the re-mapped one. When the station fixed the PSIP I had to to a full re-scan to clear it up.

I picked up the accutrain (sp?) HD receiver from my local radio shack. It works great. FOx Sports in HD is sweet.

The remote does indeed suck, but I reprogrammed my sony TV remote and it works much much better.

I think that its a great deal for $96 or so with tax. otherwise I wouldn't be getting 2 HD channels....or I should say digital channels that sometimes broadcast HD content.

The only store around here that has it has is shipping it off to another store, for someone else. Just missed it by 2 days they said. Is the unit discontinued? It seems better than that one they sell at Circuit City for around $225. Nicer looking too.

NOTE: Anyone have a local store with some left? If so, I can probably call the store and have it shipped to a store near me.

This is my first post, but I purchased the accurian this past week (last Tuesday) to use on my Toshiba 52HM84 DLP tv. I too had the same problem with WSVN, but it now works for me!!! :D I live in Davie/Weston area (I-75 and Griffin Rd) and I am using the amplified terk antenna (the most common one). It did not work on friday when I last tested but I changed the channel today to test and it works. I am getting a 76-80% signal now. It has been on since about 4pm when the philly game started and has been stable ever since. I'm actually afraid to change it, for fear that I'll lose the signal.

I do have a question, I apparently bought a floor model of the accurian (last one left at the Radio Shack I went to) and it did not have a remote. It has Closed Captioning on. Does anyone know how to turn it off on the unit itself? I know the accurian remote has it, but my universal remote (which is from radio shack) does not appear to have a CC button on it. Has anyone found a verified universal remote that allows me to turn the CC off the accurian? Thanks in advanced.

Have you tried Pioneer Cable Box codes? It works on my cheapy RCA remote.

This is my first post, but I purchased the accurian this past week (last Tuesday) to use on my Toshiba 52HM84 DLP tv. I too had the same problem with WSVN, but it now works for me!!! :D I live in Davie/Weston area (I-75 and Griffin Rd) and I am using the amplified terk antenna (the most common one). It did not work on friday when I last tested but I changed the channel today to test and it works. I am getting a 76-80% signal now. It has been on since about 4pm when the philly game started and has been stable ever since. I'm actually afraid to change it, for fear that I'll lose the signal.

I do have a question, I apparently bought a floor model of the accurian (last one left at the Radio Shack I went to) and it did not have a remote. It has Closed Captioning on. Does anyone know how to turn it off on the unit itself? I know the accurian remote has it, but my universal remote (which is from radio shack) does not appear to have a CC button on it. Has anyone found a verified universal remote that allows me to turn the CC off the accurian? Thanks in advanced.

I got one of these about a month ago. It's first DTV OTA receiver and for the price, I've been very pleased with its performance, except for the aforementioned remote.

Bought an All-For-One Universal remote, tried the Pioneer Cable box codes and couldn't get them to work with the OTA receiver. :(

I had a Magnavox universal remote control sitting around in the bedroom, so I found a code that worked for the accurian. It changes channels, but for some reason the CC button on it does not work. Also, I dont have a key on it that works for the arrow button (which is used to jump to the save option when deleted a channel). Anyone know of an exact model that works with all of these features?

Thanks for your posts on this rcvr. Just scooped up one and I am pleased. Previous units from LG and Samsung had a hard time locking in on signals . This unit picked them up and costs almost three times less.

Pictures posted by Diode1 on 9/7/05 clearly show the Thomson DTF8600
Tuner Module inside the R-S HTS-6000 Accurian OTA STB:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6155877&highlight=unpopulated#post6155877

Thomson site lists the DTF8600, with spec sheet listed as the DTT8600:
http://www.thomson.net/EN/Home/MiniSites/Display/TunersRFSolutions/ModelDetail.html?category=Digital%20Terrestrial%20Tuners%20N IMs&model=DTF86XX
Note that it has option for CEA/EIA-909 Smart Antenna Control (not in LG 4th/5th Gen chips).

The big RECTANGULAR chip (with hundreds of leads!!!) furthest away from the input is the ATSC Decoder Chip.
Since the 4th and 5th Gen LG, ATI (Theater), STMicroelectronics and Broadcom chips are all SQUARE, it appears to be something new, unique and different....

Thanks for your posts on this rcvr. Just scooped up one and I am pleased.

Where are they still being found after all this time? I know they're on ebay, but no way I'd buy from there.

You should be able to access the closed captioning commands from the menu you can get to on the box itself

The only store around here that has it has is shipping it off to another store, for someone else. Just missed it by 2 days they said. Is the unit discontinued? It seems better than that one they sell at Circuit City for around $225. Nicer looking too.

NOTE: Anyone have a local store with some left? If so, I can probably call the store and have it shipped to a store near me.

Narcopolo,

Eventhough on the webpage it doesn't say discontinued, they are being discontinued. My friend's brother is a RS manager and he said that they are discontinuing them. Unfortunately according to him, there is none left in my area although the website says otherwise. He also said that once a item becomes discontinued, he gets the item for free because it is in not on the inventory anymore.

Log on to Radio Shack
Search for item 16-3499

When it says online - not in stock, check in-store availability,

Plug in one at a time various zip codes until you find a store that has them. Call that store and confirm that they are willing to send it to your local store.

Call your local store and ask them to order it from that particular store #

It has workd for me and friends 4 times including from other states.

DO NOT MISS THE OPTICAL CABLE AVAILABLE IN CLEARENCE FOR ONLY $2.50..ITEM # 15-1591

Other brand remote works on Accurian with Pioneer codes.

If using original remote, and find it unresponsive, face the remote toward the floor at 15degree angle and it will work.

Mine works with a old rabbit ear antenna that I had from a 9" tv

At $89.... it is worth every penny after watching just one HD sporting event or any prime time episode.

Sorry if I missed this if it was posted above but this thread is pretty long now.
Does this unit only pick up digital signals.
I noticed there is an analog hook up on the back but all my scans just turn up the digital signals. I assume the analog out is just to put digital transmissions on an analog set.
One of my local affiliates was hit hard by Hurricane Rita and is only broadcasting analog for awhile. If anyone knows if this unit is capable of getting analog signals please let me know how.
So far it has been great and even pulls in a station or two 80 miles away.

I check that thead last nigth and get my unit today,the last one in the RS near me,connect to my sharp and setup was easy,i'm impress with the picture this is my first time with HDTV and I'm very happy.Thanks for pass this info .I use component cable but I have HDMI imput in my sharp,using that cable can improve the picture quality?
thanks in advance!

All the networks coming into West Palm great (gen. 70+ on the meter)...picked up a $10 amplified/a.c. powered antenna at BigLots (says Digital HDTV ready on the box) and am watching the yanks/angels game on FLX (Fox/29) with no dropouts.

After tweaking my Toshi 46h84, the picture on all the networks as good as on Adelphia...plus I get PBS and Fox/Tube not avail. on cable.

When my free Adelphia premium deal ($120/mo/3months for all the HD and all the premium channels and broadband cable...AND less one free month for taking 4 trips to the house to get it all on right) dies next month I can now drop HD until they come up with another offer I can't refuse.

Stumbled on this thread via Google hoping someone can help ...

After searching a few RS stores in the area, I found an HTS 6000 and have it connected to my Sony KFE-42A10 via HDMI cable. Using a coax source from Comcast digital, I seem to get a consistent 48-49 on the signal strength, but the auto scan won't recognize anything. Similarly, whenever I manually punch up a channel, I get nothing except the occasional flash of a "Signal Strength" alert. Any ideas?

I've tried every combination of resolution and Cable type (STD/HRC/IRC - what's the difference, anyway?) with no luck. The Accuran recognizes my cable as 8VSB ... the manual makes a cryptic mention of 8VSB but I can't tell if that's good or bad or what. The RS clerk and my own Web research seemed to indicate the Accurian would work with Comcast, but I haven't seen it yet.

In case it matters, I'm in the Lakeview neighborhood on the north side of Chicago.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

I think you'll find throughout this thread it is mentioned that this is OTA only...will not work with cable...

Does this unit only pick up digital signals.

Yes, it doesn't receive analog (NTSC) signals.

I noticed there is an analog hook up on the back but all my scans just turn up the digital signals. I assume the analog out is just to put digital transmissions on an analog set.

Correct. In fact, that's how I've been using my Accurian for the past couple of months, feeding my 17-year-old 27" TV. Even though the "analog out" is just a 480i composite signal, it produces a better picture than that TV's NTSC tuner delivers, on most of my stations. I do have to fiddle with the brighness and contrast on the TV, because my Accurian has a rather high black level on that output. I'm way out in the boonies, and my network stations are 50-80 miles away, so I have to use a roof antenna and a rotator.

Just today I finally bought a 32" LCD HDTV and was able to take advantage of the component output for the first time, watching the Yankees/Angels playoff game and Monday Night Football in HD. Woo-hoo! :D No problem with the black level on the component output, as far as I can tell. The LCD itself does have the usual LCD black-level issues, though.

I couldn't get an HDMI connection to work though, and I can't tell yet whether the problem is with the Accurian, the HDMI cable, or the TV. I'll exchange the cable for another one tomorrow and see if that helps.

The R-S Accurian HTS-6000 OTA STB only supports ATSC (8-VSB) On-Air DTV.
It does NOT support reception of analog NTSC or digital QAM signals.

The manual clearly states that it will operate on cable ONLY if the cable system
provides 8-VSB modulation....which to best of my knowledge NEVER HAPPENED,
since QAM-64 and QAM-256 were adopted instead.

Thanks, all, for the quick response. . 'Thought I had all the acronyms in this thread down pat, but I missed the OTA/QAM discrepancy.

If anyone in the Chicago area is desperately seeking an Accurian HTS 6000, one will soon be (back) in stock at the 2923 N. Ashland Radio Shack.

Thanks again.

The manual clearly states that it will operate on cable ONLY if the cable system
provides 8-VSB modulation....which to best of my knowledge NEVER HAPPENED,
since QAM-64 and QAM-256 were adopted instead.
Not true. Cablevision in central NJ used to use 8VSB in the early 2000's.

Ed

any body use the HDMI port from that box?

any body use the HDMI port from that box?yes

Thanks,is the picture quality improve over using component cable?

Picked up one also for $97 (w/tax). So far it's pretty decent, works about as well as my old lg lst-4200a. The only thing as mentioned here is the remote is a bit weak.

Anyone know if it upscales all signals to 1080i ?. My lg used to tell me if the broadcast was in 720p or 1080i and would display the signal natively on the tv.

Anyone know if it upscales all signals to 1080i?.

According to the manual, the RESOLUTION SELECT switch on the rear panel "switches between 1080i, 720p and 480p for use with component outputs."

That seems to imply that the component output upscales or downscales to the selected resolution, but the HDMI output does not. I haven't tried all the input/output resolution combinations, but I can verify that it does appear to convert 1080i to both 720p and 480p. All three switch settings produced the appropriate results on my new LCD last night while tuned to a 1080i signal.

NOTE: Anyone have a local store with some left? If so, I can probably call the store and have it shipped to a store near me.

There seem to be a lot of them in the New York City area. If you go to the RS web page, and type some NYC zip codes, you should find dozens of stores that have them. You can call them and see if they will ship it to you, or have your local RS call them to see if they can send it to the local store. They might be more willing to do it for another store than for some stranger in another state.

Try 10001 for Manhattan, and 11201 for Brooklyn. If you want more, try using the zip codes of individual stores that come up on your search, and you will end up with broader regions.

A lot more people rely on OTA around there, so it's not surprising if stores have more of these.

Not true. Cablevision in central NJ used to use 8VSB in the early 2000's.

Ed
So, does that mean they use QAM now???

So, does that mean they use QAM now???
I assume so. Don't know for sure since this is not my cable company. But back in the early 2000's, people and stores like BB were using OTA only STBs with that cable system.

Ed

I purchased one of these yesterday and liked it a lot. Unfortunately, it died within
8 hours. You could turn the power-on LED red or green with the remote or the front panel button ... but that was all. There was no channel indication on the front panel, and not outputs of any sort. I took it back for a refund.

I assume so. Don't know for sure since this is not my cable company. But back in the early 2000's, people and stores like BB were using OTA only STBs with that cable system.

Ed
Then it is possible that the OTA STB also had a QAM tuner capability....

Then it is possible that the OTA STB also had a QAM tuner capability....
No. The STB was only 8VSB (ie OTA). I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

I'm saying that I know for a fact that there was an example of a cable company that transmitted (for a while) 8VSB.

Ed

Thanks,is the picture quality improve over using component cable?

Yes

I purchased one of these yesterday and liked it a lot. Unfortunately, it died within
8 hours. You could turn the power-on LED red or green with the remote or the front panel button ... but that was all. There was no channel indication on the front panel, and not outputs of any sort. I took it back for a refund.
Which store did you return it to? I'd be willing to take it and have it repaired under warranty.

any body use the HDMI port from that box?

Yup...works great

I just recently purchased the Accurian hts 6000 and I have a qucik question.

I have a sony Hi-Scan television (HDTV Compatible) and I am using this tuner with it. When I have it on an HDTV channel it is showing up in letter box format (you know with the black on top and bottom), is there any way to get the picture to fill the screen or what? Is this what people have to deal with when they use an HDTV Compatible tv?

BTW: if it matters, my television's model # is KP-53HS30

Thanks a bunch!

I couldn't get an HDMI connection to work though, and I can't tell yet whether the problem is with the Accurian, the HDMI cable, or the TV. I'll exchange the cable for another one tomorrow and see if that helps.

Update: I exchanged the HDMI cable at Radio Shack, and bought a DVI-to-HDMI cable for the Samsung SIR-T451 that I also have. The Accurian still doesn't work with the new HDMI cable, but the Samsung works OK with the DVI-to-HDMI cable. So now I'm pretty sure my Accurian has a bad HDMI output. According to the RS web site, a couple of stores within driving distance still have the Accurian, so I'll see if I can find the time next weekend to exchange it.

Although the Samsung works OK, the Accurian has a more useful signal strength meter, so I'd prefer to use one of them if I can find one that works completely. My new HDTV has only one component input, which I want to use with my DVD player.

I just recently purchased the Accurian hts 6000 and I have a qucik question.

I have a sony Hi-Scan television (HDTV Compatible) and I am using this tuner with it. When I have it on an HDTV channel it is showing up in letter box format (you know with the black on top and bottom), is there any way to get the picture to fill the screen or what? Is this what people have to deal with when they use an HDTV Compatible tv?

BTW: if it matters, my television's model # is KP-53HS30

Thanks a bunch!

In Accurian AV menu set MONITOR SELECT = 16:9

You must connect to Input 5 or 6 on the Sony, which is Hi-Def Component Video (Red/Green/Blue) plus Red/White for audio.

True HD programs will fill the entire 16:9 screen, except for some very wide screen movie releases that will still have black bars at the top and bottom.

SD (4:3) programs transmitted on a HD channel may still be displayed with black bars on the sides and sometimes also top/bottom,
which are generated by the broadcast station to "fill" the transmitted 16:9 frame.

Most HDTV's have an ASPECT control that can be used to either STRETCH or ZOOM these to better fit the 16:9 display.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with your Sony and could not find these controls in the downloaded manual.

Yup...works great

thanks! I'm going to buy one

Thanks a ton for all the help.

What happened was, I hooked it up to video 5, for HD and it worked ( I have to position it to get more channels, but I got half).

The first thing I watched was the ALCS Baseball game and it was in that letter box form :-/... I changed it to 16:9 and it still was like that. And I played around on the Accurian with the full/zoom etc. and all normal would do is it add bars to the side...

I think I may have to put it on full and then zoom on my tv, but I don't know how. If you care to look (I can't find it, I'm kinda new to all this :-/), the manual is located here: http://esupport.sony.com/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=KP53HS30 .

Thanks a ton for everyones help so far. This forum is great!

From the pictures I see, it looks like your TV is 4:3. HDTV material (16:9) will give you black bars at the top and bottom unless you stretch or zoom the picture.

Assuming that your set is 4:3, try the following on the Accurian:

Menu > AV > Monitor Select > 4:3
Make sure that the output switch on the back panel is set to 1080i

See Page 43 of the Accurian manual for an explanation of Wide, Normal, and Zoom mode and their respective effects on the picture and black bars.

Good luck.

BTW: if it matters, my television's model # is KP-53HS30

thats a 4:3 TV. Set the Accutran to 16:9 and use the 1080 selector on the back of the box. You will get black bars on the top and bottom when watching HD. No way to get around that.

Plus side is that you can watch 4:3 content and it will fill up the screen. Bad thing is that you have to manually switch the back of the accutran box to 480p and change your menu settings.

It would have been nice if the selector for 1080i / 720p and 480p was in the menu options rather than a switch on the back. Oh well.

I picked one up yesterday. Figured for under $150 with hdmi to dvi cable why not.

I was able to watch the end of the ALCS in HD while my HR10-250 recorded two shows in HD. Which was very cool. Last week or so I have had to watch a few shows in SD from cable and its HORRIBLE.

I was hoping it would pick up WPIX better then my HR10-250 but, last night neither could lock on and I think the HR10-250 did a better job on this channel but, neither was watchable. This morning both seem to be able to get the channel but, it drops out too much for me to consider watching it. Maybe WPIX will boost their signal or maybe when they change frequency again.

Anyway thanks for the heads up. When I went to the store the demo model had a price tag on the shelf that said $169 or $179 on clearance. I mentioned that the website had it cheaper and he said the website is probably right. Gave me the 89.98 price no questions asked. The cable was also marked at like $69 but, again got the 35 price. Too bad its about 3 feet shorter then I really need but, will figure that out later.

Found another unit in an out of the way shack for a friend who may want it....if not I could always return it (rather not) or ebay it or keep it for another HDTV for ME!...

I tried Pioneer codes with my Yamaha receiver's remote, but nothing seems to work. Has anyone had luck with a universal remote that cannot learn?

My school secretary gave me a Zenith remote and it works great with the Pioneer code.

thats a 4:3 TV. Set the Accutran to 16:9 and use the 1080 selector on the back of the box. You will get black bars on the top and bottom when watching HD. No way to get around that.

Plus side is that you can watch 4:3 content and it will fill up the screen. Bad thing is that you have to manually switch the back of the accutran box to 480p and change your menu settings.

It would have been nice if the selector for 1080i / 720p and 480p was in the menu options rather than a switch on the back. Oh well.

monka,

That is correct. I had the 53HS30 and it locks into 16:9 mode with a 720p or 1080i input even if it's an upconverted 4:3 program (ie you get black bars on all 4 sides - windowboxing). If you set the STB to output 480p then you can get rid of the windowboxing. Another way around it was to use s-video (480i) output into one of the other video ins and let the Sony process it to 960i for that material.

The good thing is that an HD pic looks better than many other 16:9 sets of that vintage with HD. Have you gotten into the service menu and adjusted for overscan and done the fine convergence?

A finding I haven't seen mentioned - you can speed up the wait for your program guide info by hitting the EXIT button a couple of few seconds after pressing EPG - but not too quickly or you will get "no information". As for the angling down of the remote, I've gotten used to it and it's no problem now - works perfectly! Thanks for that one! - Steve

Grabbed mine a couple days ago from the Kennesaw, Georgia RS. There were 6 more on the shelf. Paid $97 for it. Now to get an antenna for it!

I'm going to get one tomorrow. I already have an HDMI upconvert DVD player, so I assume I'll need an HDMI to DVI cable. What is a good indoor antenna? I've heard that the cheap $14.99 one from Radio Shack works pretty good for a lot of people. Is the $49.99 powered one they have better?

Found one at my local RS. They said another customer had requested it be transferred there from a distant RS but never showed up to buy it. If you have a 2005 Entertainment Book, there's a 10 off 40 RS coupon in it. Expires 12/05 and did not have any limitations so the clerk was able to apply it.

I picked one up a few days ago. Hooked it up to my Silver Sensor antenna and was pleased to see I was getting signals in the mid-60's to low 70's for the San Francisco stations 38 miles away (no obstructions, other than perhaps a tree or two) and was only getting a couple of signal dropouts. The next day I grabbed an amplified antenna to see if I could boost things a bit further, and found I was getting basically no signal, either with the Silver Sensor or the amplified antenna. The signal strength stays mostly at 9, occasionally going to 0. I've tried pulling the plug, auto-scanning, changing cables, etc, but can't get any signal on any station.

Did the STB bite the dust in the first day? Any suggestions for other things to try?

Also, does signal strength vary between daylight and after dark, as AM radio does?

Thanks!

The next day I grabbed an amplified antenna to see if I could boost things a bit further, and found I was getting basically no signal, either with the Silver Sensor or the amplified antenna. The signal strength stays mostly at 9, occasionally going to 0. I've tried pulling the plug, auto-scanning, changing cables, etc, but can't get any signal on any station.

Did the STB bite the dust in the first day? Any suggestions for other things to try?


I can't really think of anything helpful except, did you check if OTA reception is still selected (versus Cable) in the setup menu?

At least one person in this thread has confirmed a defective STB so I guess it's a possibility.

Also, does signal strength vary between daylight and after dark, as AM radio does?

Thanks,

Bill

Yes, tv signals can be amplified after dark by tropospheric duckting. This allows tv signals to travel much further than the same conditions during the day.

I picked one of these up today. I'm watching the Patriots game in HD! Simply awesome. The problem I am having is that some stations will not stay connected. The signal jumps all over from teens to 90's, and is very choppy. It has been VERY windy here today. We have had gusts to 50-60 mph and that has gone on all day. Could that be causing my problems?

Found one at my local RS. They said another customer had requested it be transferred there from a distant RS but never showed up to buy it. If you have a 2005 Entertainment Book, there's a 10 off 40 RS coupon in it. Expires 12/05 and did not have any limitations so the clerk was able to apply it.
Where are those 2005 Entertainment Books obtained?

If using original remote, and find it unresponsive, face the remote toward the floor at 15degree angle and it will work.
At $89.... it is worth every penny after watching just one HD sporting event or any prime time episode.

The remote works A WHOLE LOT better using melmoxyz's info. Thanks and I'm just passing it on to others who might not have read this post.

And, yeah, sports are quite amazing to watch now. :eek:

The remote works A WHOLE LOT better using melmoxyz's info. Thanks and I'm just passing it on to others who might not have read this post.

Having the same issue, remote not working at all. Was that with the front panel door opened or closed? Thanks!

The remote works A WHOLE LOT better using melmoxyz's info. Thanks and I'm just passing it on to others who might not have read this post.


Tried aiming it everywhere in the room, still not working at all. However, I know the remote is ok because I got the universal remote to work with it, but then it too stopped working again, so I'm thinking its a receiver problem.

Is anyone else having issues with the remote control not working?

Thanks.

I succumbed today and bought the RS receiver. So far it is close to equivelant the LG 4200. Seems to get some channels better than the LG but some channels worse. Seems strange to me that it would be that way. I am at the bitter fringe of local reception so nothing really surprises me anymore.
The remote, as has been mentioned here, is weak to very annoying to use. I suspect that if I got more channels reliably, the remote would work better as it seemed to not function at all sometime, especially when I was trying to move off a channel that wasn't coming in at the time. This would be more a problem in the design of the receiver than the fault of the remote control.
I tried to program an 8 in 1 RS remote using the Pioneer Cable codes and found one code that would work, but only one time. A second push of any button after the first one resulted in nothing happening. I think this might be a fault of the receiver too, but have no way of proving that. RS code was 1044.
Just tried again setting up an X10 remote with a Pioneer code and it acted the same way. Worked only once. X10 code was 047.

I would be interested in hearing if anyone else has tried this and had the same problem.

Yes had the exact same problems as you described above. Could take it back to exchange it but none of the RS here have any in stock. :(

The remote is really weak as others have mentioned, but I configured the Accurian in my Harmony remote and it works great using the Harmony. Watching MNF in HD right now and the picture is unbelievable!

Was the Accurian listed on the Harmony website or did you have to manually program each button into the Harmony? Just trying to figure out what to do with no working remote. Thanks.

Where are those 2005 Entertainment Books obtained?I doubt if you'll still find them available. I just saw the new ones for sale at Walgeens yesterday. Maybe they have one in there. If you have/know high school kids they sometimes sell them. - Steve

Having the same issue, remote not working at all. Was that with the front panel door opened or closed? Thanks!Mine works fine with the angling method with the door closed - but it has to be just right. I have noticed my channel buttons seem to be getting a bit sticky, though.

Tried aiming it everywhere in the room, still not working at all. However, I know the remote is ok because I got the universal remote to work with it, but then it too stopped working again, so I'm thinking its a receiver problem.

Is anyone else having issues with the remote control not working?

Thanks.

I aim it at the unit from a low position and point the nose of the remote about 15 degrees down. Works fine for me. I am about 45 degrees off center so I am really surprised that it works. The door is closed, but try opening it as well. Make sure batteries are new.

I aim it at the unit from a low position and point the nose of the remote about 15 degrees down. Works fine for me. I am about 45 degrees off center so I am really surprised that it works. The door is closed, but try opening it as well. Make sure batteries are new.

Nope isn't working at all no matter which way I aim or hold it. Batteries are brand new. Maybe taking this one back, anyone know know RS return policy? :(
I wonder if this is a remote issue or a receiver issue?

Tried aiming it everywhere in the room, still not working at all. However, I know the remote is ok because I got the universal remote to work with it, but then it too stopped working again, so I'm thinking its a receiver problem.

Is anyone else having issues with the remote control not working?

Thanks.
My remote works OK with a bit of an angle most of the time but I have also had the receiver quit responding to commands when a weak station dropped out. Cycling power on the receiver fixed the not responding problem for me. It is also possible that problems could be caused by a station sending bad PSIP. Earlier in the thread there were reports of stations sending bad data that frooze the Accurian.

Was the Accurian listed on the Harmony website or did you have to manually program each button into the Harmony? Just trying to figure out what to do with no working remote. Thanks.
The Accurian was listed at the site and worked somewhat. However, I did have to teach the Harmony several commands, can't remember which right now.

Because of the sale reported here and generally good reviews, I purchased a 16-3499 on Saturday. It worked well and I purchased a second one for our other TV on Sunday!
No major problems. Remote works better with fresh batteries.

Thanks!

Since there no more of these in NW or the West Coast :mad: , I started searching RS stores in the New York area via zip codes to find (2). I found a store in the Bronxs that had (2) left. One new in the box and display unit. But, they refused to take my CC over the phone and have them ship to me :mad: . I would have to go to a local RS store and have that RS store call them directly. So, with all the printouts of information, I went off to my local RS store. When I got there, the local store refuse the idea that there were no more left in NW. They found (4), 1 in Springfield OR, 1 in Medford OR, 2 in Utah :confused: . I told them that I had already contacted these stores and they were already sold! So the local RS finally called the RS in the Bronxs. The mgr was getting some resistance from the Bronxs mgr. I guess they did not want see them go. So, mgr called the NW district mgr, who called the NE district mgr, who then called the Bronxs mgr and told them to shipped them! I then paid for them at the local store and tried to have them ship to my home address. They said, "NO can do. They have to be shipped here and we will call you when they arrive".

I was told that RS pays $157 for each unit. With free shipping and the clearance price, the selling store takes the hit.

I hope to get my 2 by the end of the week :D . One for a friend and one for me.

I read through most of this thread and my thanks to everyone who submitted their experiences. It has help me a lot!

If anyone is looking for these, I believe several are available from stores around the 08648 zip code.

Ed

some stations will not stay connected. The signal jumps all over from teens to 90's, and is very choppy.

If it's just on some stations, that's usually caused by multipath interference. Basically you're getting reflected signals that are interfering with the direct signals from the station. Sometimes moving the antenna will fix this, in other cases you have to get a more directional antenna that can ignore the reflected signals.

It has been VERY windy here today. We have had gusts to 50-60 mph and that has gone on all day.

That can definitely cause problems if it makes the antenna move back and forth. Certain kinds of interference can cause the signal to have "hot spots" and "cold spots" (maximum and minimum intensity) that are very close together. Also if your interference comes from reflections from trees etc., the amount and characteristics of the interference will change as they wave around in the wind. Try tuning to an analog UHF station on a windy day and see if there are any oddities in the picture: fluctuating ghosts or brightness, for example. Such effects will probably be easier to see if the reception isn't very good to begin with.

Any Toronto, Canada people using this unit? Any luck?

:)

Nope isn't working at all no matter which way I aim or hold it. Batteries are brand new. Maybe taking this one back, anyone know know RS return policy? :(
I wonder if this is a remote issue or a receiver issue?

Definitely a REMOTE problem, mine was the same till I programmed my MX700 remote.

Definitely a REMOTE problem, mine was the same till I programmed my MX700 remote.

Thanks for all the replys, I'll have to get my Harmony programed.

Nope isn't working at all no matter which way I aim or hold it. Batteries are brand new. Maybe taking this one back, anyone know know RS return policy? :(
I wonder if this is a remote issue or a receiver issue?RS - 30 days exchange or full refund, I believe.

Was the Accurian listed on the Harmony website or did you have to manually program each button into the Harmony? Just trying to figure out what to do with no working remote. Thanks.

Yes, as Moxie replied the Accurian is in the Harmony database, but I believe only the channel up/down button and the directional ring worked initially. I called Harmony support and they walked me through learning the commands from the original remote. I added the menu button and also added the meter button to the LCD for the signal strength feature. Works great.

I created a JP1 remote device upgrade that works on my OFA 8811. If you have a JP1 remote and cable along with Remote Master and IR, you can use the upgrade file to program your remote. Send me an email if you'd like the file: jerry[at]fath.us

Jerry

Could not email you so you have a PM, I would like the code

If it's just on some stations, that's usually caused by multipath interference. Basically you're getting reflected signals that are interfering with the direct signals from the station. Sometimes moving the antenna will fix this, in other cases you have to get a more directional antenna that can ignore the reflected signals.



That can definitely cause problems if it makes the antenna move back and forth. Certain kinds of interference can cause the signal to have "hot spots" and "cold spots" (maximum and minimum intensity) that are very close together. Also if your interference comes from reflections from trees etc., the amount and characteristics of the interference will change as they wave around in the wind. Try tuning to an analog UHF station on a windy day and see if there are any oddities in the picture: fluctuating ghosts or brightness, for example. Such effects will probably be easier to see if the reception isn't very good to begin with.

I think it's my antenna (which is indoors, so not going to blow in the wind). I realized that the VHF channel is the only one that comes in, while none of the UHF channels come in well (I may have that backwards). I think that the powered antenna that I bought at RS may be defective. It was a return item, so I'm guessing it didn't work for the first owner either. I'm going to exchange it for a different one and see if that works.

Does anyone have suggestions for a small, powered, UHF/VHF indoor antenna? And by indoor, I don't mean attic mount.

The Accurian was listed at the site and worked somewhat. However, I did have to teach the Harmony several commands, can't remember which right now.

The only command that Harmony does not automatically assume that I use is the signal strength button (there may be other orphaned functions depending on your personal usage). Fortunately, the STB picks up stations so well, I haven't had to use that button often.

I think it's my antenna (which is indoors, so not going to blow in the wind). I realized that the VHF channel is the only one that comes in, while none of the UHF channels come in well (I may have that backwards). I think that the powered antenna that I bought at RS may be defective. It was a return item, so I'm guessing it didn't work for the first owner either. I'm going to exchange it for a different one and see if that works.

Does anyone have suggestions for a small, powered, UHF/VHF indoor antenna? And by indoor, I don't mean attic mount.

I got a $10 'desktop' antenna at a store called "Big Lots" that's similar to a $30 RadShak (Cat # 15-1838)...a.c. powered/amplified with vhf ears and uhf 'loop' that gets all the digital stations within 30miles...though it does need adjustment from one station to another sometimes....
Good luck...

I was able to program a Dish Network remote to work on Accurian ! Works a lot better than the one that comes with it! At least you can go up and down Channels easily or put them in from keypad. Center button brings up signal strenght.

The only command that Harmony does not automatically assume that I use is the signal strength button (there may be other orphaned functions depending on your personal usage). Fortunately, the STB picks up stations so well, I haven't had to use that button often.

ALWAYS call the Harmony hotline number, not just the on-line database.

They always seem to have an abundance of IR codes uploaded by various users,
some of which are junk, so many of the good ones don't get into the on-line database.

This was the only way to recover from the 2-year old "hiding" the cute little R/C for the All-Region DVD Player (Cyberhome from R-S).

I was able to program a Dish Network remote to work on Accurian ! Works a lot better than the one that comes with it! At least you can go up and down Channels easily or put them in from keypad. Center button brings up signal strenght.

What device/code?

I think it's my antenna (which is indoors, so not going to blow in the wind). I realized that the VHF channel is the only one that comes in, while none of the UHF channels come in well (I may have that backwards). I think that the powered antenna that I bought at RS may be defective. It was a return item, so I'm guessing it didn't work for the first owner either. I'm going to exchange it for a different one and see if that works.

Does anyone have suggestions for a small, powered, UHF/VHF indoor antenna? And by indoor, I don't mean attic mount.

I tried just about every brand of amplified and non-amplified antenna. My informal side by side tests showed that none of them work well if you have too many obstructions such as walls or if you are in a weak signal area. Go to www.antennaweb.org and enter your address. It will tell you how far you are from the broadcast source and it will recommend a type of antenna.

I aim it at the unit from a low position and point the nose of the remote about 15 degrees down. Works fine for me. I am about 45 degrees off center so I am really surprised that it works. The door is closed, but try opening it as well. Make sure batteries are new.

I've had good luck putting thin white light
diffusion material over the IR emitter...
Aiming seems to be less critical...

Ed / North Canton, Ohio...

Code is 2643 in aux setting.

I wonder if Radio Shack knows that theres a problem with these remote controls and thats why they went on clearance? :D

I've had good luck putting thin white light
diffusion material over the IR emitter...
Aiming seems to be less critical...

Ed / North Canton, Ohio...


Will try this. Thanks.

What is interesting is that a coolsat remote works on the accurian somewhat. Power and channel +/- anyway. Only problem is the coolsat is also doing the same thing. :(

I've had good luck putting thin white light
diffusion material over the IR emitter...
Aiming seems to be less critical...

Ed / North Canton, Ohio...


Thanks Ed for your posting. I, like many here, have been putting up with the lousy remote that came with the Radio Shack STB. If I wasn't aiming the remote at just the right spot ( below the receiver and to the right a few inches) the receiver would not respond.

I saw your suggestion for using the "white light diffusion material" over the IR emitter. First I tried a single ply of toilet paper, and SUCCESS! Toilet paper is a little fragile so I cut a thin strip out of a coffee filter ( 1" x 1/4" ) and taped it accross the front of the remote. A small piece of tape on both ends, not across the IR emitter.

I kid you not. I can now point the remote six feet to the left, six feet to the right and six feet above the receiver and it works flawlessly.

Thanks again for this great tip.

George

Hello to all. I am new to the forum. I have a question.

I just purchased the radio shack Accurain HST 6000. I also have owned the US Digital from walmart for a year. I am going to compare them this weekend.

My question is, do any of you know if there are firmware upgrades availible for the Accurain? If so, where?

I have upgraded my US digital several times over the past year. All you have to do is call US Digital and they will send you a USB pen drive with the update and instructions. It has imporved the units performance.

Most all these electronics firms usually supply upgrades.

I may not be able to respond back soon, but I will read your reply's this weekend.

Thanks.

Hey everyone! Along with reading suggestions from this site and elsewhere on the net, I decided to go ahead and get this receiver.

I've had an HDTV for a while now, but I've never used it for anything other than my Dish and DVD. I wish I would have just waited, because it's a 27 inch FS Samsung. If I had my choice, I would rather have a 16x9, but it's not like I can just throw this one away. lol

I had a store out of state send me the Accurian and it should get here by Tuesday. I've already gotten some great suggestions on the remote and the antenna, but now I'd like to ask a few technical questions.

I hope the signal that comes into my tv is widescreen, with just the bars on top and bottom. I'm not going to have to worry about boxes on all four sides am I? That would really suck. I love WS movies, the bars have never bothered me, but if they are on the sides AS WELL as the top and bottom, that would seriously irritate me. So do I have to worry about that?

wd8kct, I see that you're from the North Canton area. I'm from Massillon, how is the HD reception in your area for the Cleveland stations?
I'm told the Channel Master 4221 or 4228 will work just fine, and that even the Silver Sensor indoor antenna will work as well.
I'd post a picture of what's available in my area, but I guess I have to have 5 posts before I am able to.

Thanks for the help. I can't wait to start seeing HD channels. I only hope I'll be able to pick them up.

I hope the signal that comes into my tv is widescreen, with just the bars on top and bottom. I'm not going to have to worry about boxes on all four sides am I?

If a station is broadcasting 16:9 material on a HD signal (1080i or 720p), you'll get a widescreen picture which your 4:3 TV will probably display in letterbox format by default, assuming it really is HD-capable. It may also have other display modes, for example, stretching the picture vertically to fill the screen, or zooming it to fill the screen vertically at the expense of chopping off the sides of the image.

If a station is broadcasting SD (4:3) material upconverted to a HD signal, it will add bars on the side to fill out the 16:9 frame, and your TV will add bars on top and bottom in letterbox mode. The Accurian tuner that you're getting has a zoom mode that expands such a picture so that the content fills the screen. I wasn't impressed with the result on my old SD 4:3 TV, but your HDTV may do better. I also have a US Digital tuner from Wal-Mart that does a much better job of zooming, and I use it with my SD DVR. Your TV may also have a such a zoom mode itself, as described above.

Some stations broadcast a SD digital signal on a subchannel, in addition to the main HD signal. This will fill the screen, but it won't be HD. In fact, it will likely look worse than a good analog signal on a SD TV, because most stations don't give much bandwidth to those subchannels, so they often have prominent motion artifacts, etc. With my old SD TV and a digital STB, I always preferred to zoom the HD signal with the US Digital STB, rather than use the SD subchannel.

wd8kct, I see that you're from the North Canton area. I'm from Massillon, how is the HD reception in your area for the Cleveland stations?


Currently get:
5-1 ABC-Cleveland
8-1 Fox-Cleveland
17-1 -2 -3 -4 TBN networks
19-1 CBS-Cleveland
21-1 NBC-Youngstown
21-2 WB-Youngstown
43-1 UPN-Cleveland
43-2 "The Tube" music videos...
45-1 PBS-HD
45-2 WNEO
50-1 PBS-HD
50-2 WEAO
61-1 Univision

Using an amplified 4 bowtie UHF array hung in the closet
and amplified rabbitears (VHF) in my 2nd floor room...
Everything is down-rez'd to SDTV...

Ed...

Is it downconverted to SD because you don't have an HDTV?

Also, I see you have a VHF antenna as well, but you don't pick up WKYC Channel 3, does it not come in clear? Too far away?

Thanks for the reply.

Is it downconverted to SD because you don't have an HDTV?

Also, I see you have a VHF antenna as well, but you don't pick up WKYC Channel 3, does it not come in clear? Too far away?

Thanks for the reply.

Yep, waiting for the price to come down on HD displays...

Not a big enough antenna to pick up WKYC-DT
on channel 2... Read that they'll be moving to
UHF eventually...
Thankfully WFMJ-DT (NBC/WB) puts a strong signal
into this area... I run the UHF & VHF antennas into
a power combiner so I don't have to swap cables...

Ed...

The receiver came early today, but unlike what the promised me by phone (new in box) it seems like it was a return, and more importantly, I think it's broken.

There is no switch on the back of the unit to select video output (480p, 720p, 1080i). It looks like it was broken off.

Thanks Radio Shack.

The receiver came early today, but unlike what the promised me by phone (new in box) it seems like it was a return, and more importantly, I think it's broken.

There is no switch on the back of the unit to select video output (480p, 720p, 1080i). It looks like it was broken off.

Thanks Radio Shack.
Radio Shack is notorious for selling open box items at the same price as new items. Regardless of price, however, they should be clearly labeled (or disclosed by phone, in this case) as 'open box'.

If a station is broadcasting 16:9 material on a HD signal (1080i or 720p), you'll get a widescreen picture which your 4:3 TV will probably display in letterbox format by default, assuming it really is HD-capable. It may also have other display modes, for example, stretching the picture vertically to fill the screen, or zooming it to fill the screen vertically at the expense of chopping off the sides of the image.

If a station is broadcasting SD (4:3) material upconverted to a HD signal, it will add bars on the side to fill out the 16:9 frame, and your TV will add bars on top and bottom in letterbox mode. The Accurian tuner that you're getting has a zoom mode that expands such a picture so that the content fills the screen. I wasn't impressed with the result on my old SD 4:3 TV, but your HDTV may do better. I also have a US Digital tuner from Wal-Mart that does a much better job of zooming, and I use it with my SD DVR. Your TV may also have a such a zoom mode itself, as described above.

Some stations broadcast a SD digital signal on a subchannel, in addition to the main HD signal. This will fill the screen, but it won't be HD. In fact, it will likely look worse than a good analog signal on a SD TV, because most stations don't give much bandwidth to those subchannels, so they often have prominent motion artifacts, etc. With my old SD TV and a digital STB, I always preferred to zoom the HD signal with the US Digital STB, rather than use the SD subchannel.I had the USDigital box and it did keep the sharpness better on zooms than the Accurian -- I also liked that it would hold the picture size settings for each individual channel. But it didn't compare to the RS when it came to reception (for me). My Wal-Mart still has 3 of them, but they,ve never dropped the price . If they ever do , I still might grab one .

Found out the the switch on the back is okay (apparently it's suppose to not stick out).

I don't have an outdoor antenna yet, so I just used an indoor one I had laying around. I picked up 3 stations:

WEWS-DT - 5.1 (60-65 signal strength)
WDLI-DT - 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 and 17.4 (70-80 signal strength)
WEAO-DT - 50.1 and 50.2 (70-80 signal strength)

None were broadcasting in HD, except the ABC one (WEWS) says it was HDTV (had the icon highlighted). I sure as hell hope it wasn't because it didn't look any better than what I get on my Dish.

I have a question though. I don't want to stretch the image, even though my TV does an excellent job at it, but why do I see about a 1/4 of a white counter at the very top where the video ends and the bar begins? Is that the local station? I hope its not like that all the time.

None were broadcasting in HD, except the ABC one (WEWS) says it was HDTV (had the icon highlighted). I sure as hell hope it wasn't because it didn't look any better than what I get on my Dish.

I have a question though. I don't want to stretch the image, even though my TV does an excellent job at it, but why do I see about a 1/4 of a white counter at the very top where the video ends and the bar begins? Is that the local station? I hope its not like that all the time.

Welcome to the forum, Russ. The HD icon only indicates that a station is broadcasting in HD, not that the show itself is in HD. Go to www.titantv.com to see which programs are in HD.

Also, the white noise you saw at the top of the image does not appear on HD shows.

Welcome to the forum, Russ. The HD icon only indicates that a station is broadcasting in HD, not that the show itself is in HD. Go to www.titantv.com to see which programs are in HD.

Also, the white noise you saw at the top of the image does not appear on HD shows.
Whew! Thank god! :D

Some great news tonight. I stayed up till like 3am this morning and I tuned in another station, it's weak at 61-63, but I think I might be able to watch some HD Football this afternoon!

So say my signal is at 61, if I improve it to say 95, will I see a picture quality increase? Or does HDTV not work that way?

Radio Shack is notorious for selling open box items at the same price as new items. Regardless of price, however, they should be clearly labeled (or disclosed by phone, in this case) as 'open box'.
I bought the last Accurain in the Santa Rosa area the other day. It had been used as a store demo so they doubled the warrenty on it. Fine by me. Plugged it in and it works just fine. :)

Sorry, but I have another quick question if someone can help me out.

Previously I mentioned that I thought the switch that changes between 480p, 720p and 1080i might be broken, but I found out it was suppose to look that way and that you had to use some sort of pen or something to move the switch. The switch moves just fine, so I guess the switch is okay.

However, I'm seriously beginning to wonder if my unit is defective. The picture quality is great, but I think what I'm looking at is a 480p picture. I have the component out going into my tv and that seems to be functioning correctly. So on to what the point of my post is.

I've been watching Football tonight on my local FOX (720p), and now Baseball. I have the switch at 1080i and just for the heck of it, I moved the switch to 480p (after turning off the unit). Am I suppose to notice a difference between these two settings (1080i and 720p)? Because if there is a difference it's extremely minimal and barely noticeable.
I also connected the HDTV receiver to my TV thru S-Video (which is 480i) and compared it with my component (supposbably 1080i). There was a difference, but the only difference was that on S-Video there were some visable scanlines, and on component, the scanlines were not visable. So I'm thinking that my component is actually outputting at 480p.

Basically my picture looks like a DVD, instead of what I had originally thought HDTV picture looks like.

Is there ANY way to find out if what I'm seeing is a 720p signal upconverted to 1080i, instead of a 720p signal downcoverted to 480p, which I'm pretty sure is the case?

ANY help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Whew! Thank god! :D

Some great news tonight. I stayed up till like 3am this morning and I tuned in another station, it's weak at 61-63, but I think I might be able to watch some HD Football this afternoon!

So say my signal is at 61, if I improve it to say 95, will I see a picture quality increase? Or does HDTV not work that way?
There does not appear to be a standardized implementation for the "Percentage" of Goodness" display, so different STB's may have somewhat different characteristics.
Some also add a Signal-to-Noise indicator that is typically in the 16 to 25 dB SNR range when reception is working.

In general the "Percentage of Goodness" display is based on the detected error rate when the Forward Error Detection and Correction (FEC) code detects and "fixes" detected errors.
Since the code isn't perfect, some bit error patterns can occur that are not detected and corrected. These are called uncorrected bit errors.

When the goodness percentage is high (over 75 percent), nearly all of the detected errors are being corrected and very few uncorrected errors leak through as audio/visual glitches.
On my Sylvania 6900DTE, I only see a few glitches at 75 percent and essentially none for 85 percent and above.

When the goodness percentage is in the middle region, more and more uncorrected errors are likely to occur, resulting in more frequent audio/visual glitches.

If you see goodness percentages below 50 percent, you'll also be observing very frequent audio/visual glitches accompanied by frequent signal dropouts.
When my Sylvania 6900DTE is below 50 percent, forget about watching.

Since received signal levels can vary considerably as the weather changes,
for long term reliability, you should contemplate taking action to improve your system (antenna type/location, preamp, et. al.) when the percentage drops to the middle region.

Sorry, but I have another quick question if someone can help me out.

Previously I mentioned that I thought the switch that changes between 480p, 720p and 1080i might be broken, but I found out it was suppose to look that way and that you had to use some sort of pen or something to move the switch. The switch moves just fine, so I guess the switch is okay.

However, I'm seriously beginning to wonder if my unit is defective. The picture quality is great, but I think what I'm looking at is a 480p picture. I have the component out going into my tv and that seems to be functioning correctly. So on to what the point of my post is.

I've been watching Football tonight on my local FOX (720p), and now Baseball. I have the switch at 1080i and just for the heck of it, I moved the switch to 480p (after turning off the unit). Am I suppose to notice a difference between these two settings (1080i and 720p)? Because if there is a difference it's extremely minimal and barely noticeable.
I also connected the HDTV receiver to my TV thru S-Video (which is 480i) and compared it with my component (supposbably 1080i). There was a difference, but the only difference was that on S-Video there were some visable scanlines, and on component, the scanlines were not visable. So I'm thinking that my component is actually outputting at 480p.

Basically my picture looks like a DVD, instead of what I had originally thought HDTV picture looks like.

Is there ANY way to find out if what I'm seeing is a 720p signal upconverted to 1080i, instead of a 720p signal downcoverted to 480p, which I'm pretty sure is the case?

ANY help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

In the Cleveland Thread, you said that you have a Samsung TXN2771HF, which is a 27-inch CRT with 4:3 aspect ratio.
It does accept 720P, so the basic question is whether the Accurian is outputting 480p or 1080i.
If the Samsung does not tell you the current resolution (try hitting the INFO key),
then the only way to make sure would probably be to connect it to an HDTV that does display this information.

The Samsung spec sheet says that the Maximum Horizontal Resolution is 800 lines.
They don't say anything about Vertical Resolution, but it probably obeys the 4:3 relationship and hence is about 600 lines.

So the 27-inch CRT can only resolve up to 800x600, which is only slightly better than 640x480 typically used for SD programs
and up to 720x480 for wide-screen DVD's.

Since the top and bottom are cropped to display HD programs, the usable vertical resolution will be even less than 600 lines.
So HD programs might look only slightly better than DVD's, and you shouldn't expect it to work as well as an expensive PC monitor or Plasma Panel.

So I don't even have an HDTV? What the heck is the point of saying it accepts 1080i signals (1920x1080) when in reality it only does 800x600?

This kinda blows. I knew I should have waited.

Well, you sorta get what you pay for:

"True" HD (2.07 Mpixel): 1920x1080p@24 or 30 fps (up to 60 fps for HD-DVD)
(the latest, greatest and most expensive)

"Almost HD (2.07 Mpixel)": 1920x1080i@24 or 30fps
[Every HD source except ABC, ESPN and FOX, and sometimes PBS]
(and max available source until HD-DVD comes out)

"HD Lite" (1.38 Mpixel): 1280x1080i@30fps
(the downrezzed program after DirecTV reprocesses the signals)

What I got (1.05 Mpixel): 1024x1024i@30fps
(throws away few lines top/bottom and up to half the pixels on each line)
[But the Hitachi ALiS panel actually writes to display progressively.]

What the Hey II (1.05 Mpixel): 1366x768p@60fps
(maybe they throw away few lines top/bottom vice rescale)

Medium HD (0.92 Mpixel): 1280x720p@60fps
[ABC, ESPN, FOX and sometimes PBS]
(optimized update rate for sports programs)

What the Hey III (0.79 Mpixel): 1024x768p@60fps
(maybe they throw away few lines top/bottom vice rescale)

=====================================================
If it makes you feel any better, some people, including Consumers Union,
claim that for 42-inch screen size, you can't really see the higher resolutions at "normal" viewing distances anyway.

Personally, on my "HD Sub-Lite" 42-inch Plasma, I can immediately tell those mostly rare occasions (e.g. HDNET, NBC)
when uncompressed 1080i comes on as compared to 720p or the various forms of HD-Lite....

On a 27-inch set, you would have to be very close to tell the difference.....

Still better than what seems like the 800x600 I'm getting.

So basically, I would have been better off buying a regular SD TV 2 years ago and save myself $500 or so, or just used my PC? And they wonder why people think they are getting ripped off. Ignorance is bliss it seems for these companies hey?

Are New TV's capable of "Almost HD" (because I know for fact I can't yet afford a 1080p set)? And what about the older WS TV's from say 2000-2003? Is the reason I'm only seeing 800x600 because I don't have a WS HDTV?

Don't get me wrong, the picture I was viewing earlier today was extremely crisp and extremely sharp. I didn't see any artifacting, distortion, pixelation or any such thing. So I really should not be complaining. It's just a lot of people seem to discuss HD as being extraordinary, and I have no idea what to expect. Does it look better than the picture that is generated from a DLP Theater, to which I've gone? Because to be honest, while looking very nice and crisp, my TV probably looks just as good. How much better can the picture possibly get?

I wish there was a place where I can view the BEST possible HD picture in the world. Then maybe I'd understand.

Still better than what seems like the 800x600 I'm getting.

So basically, I would have been better off buying a regular SD TV 2 years ago and save myself $500 or so, or just used my PC? And they wonder why people think they are getting ripped off. Ignorance is bliss it seems for these companies hey?

Are New TV's capable of "Almost HD" (because I know for fact I can't yet afford a 1080p set)? And what about the older WS TV's from say 2000-2003? Is the reason I'm only seeing 800x600 because I don't have a WS HDTV?

But now it's DIGITAL......which your set accepts.....and is no doubt better than S-VIDEO input (you said you couldn't see the scan lines anymore).
You shouldn't expect too much from a relatively small CRT. And most of the rear projection sets aren't a whole lot better.

Lots of people (including HDNET's Mark Cuban and the CEA: Consumer Electronics Association) have been pushing to eliminate HD-Lite in the distribution chain (esp. via DirecTV).
But as of right now, very little HD source program material exceeds 800x600, due to a variety of reasons.
Hopefully, next year every element in the chain will take another step up the HD resolution stair step.

As you can see from the list above, even those sets that claim to be HDTV have lots of variability.
It all depends on what the manufacturer decided to do for the target price point....
As I said before, you sorta get what you pay for...

Still better than what seems like the 800x600 I'm getting.

So basically, I would have been better off buying a regular SD TV 2 years ago and save myself $500 or so, or just used my PC? And they wonder why people think they are getting ripped off. Ignorance is bliss it seems for these companies hey?

Are New TV's capable of "Almost HD" (because I know for fact I can't yet afford a 1080p set)? And what about the older WS TV's from say 2000-2003? Is the reason I'm only seeing 800x600 because I don't have a WS HDTV?

Don't get me wrong, the picture I was viewing earlier today was extremely crisp and extremely sharp. I didn't see any artifacting, distortion, pixelation or any such thing. So I really should not be complaining. It's just a lot of people seem to discuss HD as being extraordinary, and I have no idea what to expect. Does it look better than the picture that is generated from a DLP Theater, to which I've gone? Because to be honest, while looking very nice and crisp, my TV probably looks just as good. How much better can the picture possibly get?

I wish there was a place where I can view the BEST possible HD picture in the world. Then maybe I'd understand.

For info re current Digital Cinema such as was first used nationwide for RETURN OF THE JEDI in 1920x1080@24p using MPEG2:
http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/production/news20020610.html
http://www.editorsguild.com/newsletter/JulAug02/digital_distribution.html

Also see links in fol, where they list 1280x1024, but leave out 1280x720 and 1920x1080.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DLP
It includes a link to the new Digital Cinema specification.

The next steps are "2K" (2048x1080), "4K" (4096x2160) and up to "8K" (8192x8192) systems,
providing respectively 2.21, 8.85 and 67 Mpixels resolution. Can't wait for "4K' to hit local theaters....
They are all in the demo stage of development:
http://www.sgi.com/company_info/newsroom/press_releases/2005/september/igrid_2005.html
These use the much more advanced JPEG 2000 Video Coder:
http://www.jpeg.org/apps/cinema.html

===============================================
So today's Digital Cinema is close to the best that today's home HD can offer....if the source material was truly HD....

Where can you find a really good, top of the line HI-REZ demo? Start by looking at 1080i or p capable 42-in Plasmas ($2700+++) and compare to the smaller sets.

Look for HDNET or Discovery HD programs delivered 24/7 to a showroom floor via cable.
Many showrooms also have server systems that have the potential to deliver true HD programs from WMV-HD DVD's, which come in both 720p and 1080i versions.
Unfortunately, DirecTV still downconverts to HD-Lite.

Forgive the noob question but what is this for? Is it a receiver for an HDTV that doesn't have one built in? My brother's HDTV doesn't have a receiver and he could use one.

Forgive the noob question but what is this for? Is it a receiver for an HDTV that doesn't have one built in? My brother's HDTV doesn't have a receiver and he could use one.

OTA boxes such as the Accurian is for receiving DIGITAL broadcasts...and in HD if broadcast to THAT standard...the point is here is that all that is digital is not HD and all that is HD is not 1081, (the highest HD standard I think)...and if your set is not built to display 1081 IT won't show you the highest HD out there...as for the tv you need for 1081, Toshiba RPT sets get it (and the 46"er has been selling here for $700 this month!)...

Good luck...

Forgive the noob question but what is this for? Is it a receiver for an HDTV that doesn't have one built in? My brother's HDTV doesn't have a receiver and he could use one.
Yes, the Accurian set top box will receive digital over the air broadcasts including HD when available. It is not cable ready so if your brother gets HD over cable he would need a cable box from the cable company.

...
===============================================
So today's Digital Cinema is close to the best that today's home HD can offer....if the source material was truly HD....

I personally think that the best HD video like from a Sony 1080p/60 camera downconverted to 1080i/60 transmitted at full bit rate ATSC using a state of the art encoder should produce a much better image on an HDTV than a 24p cinema source at any resolution. The reason is that if any motion is present including a slow pan then the 24p image that you perceive will be limited to about DVD resolution by motion blur of the image on your retina. That is unavoidable because 24p is never displayed as 24 brief pulses of light but as either 24 images that last nearly a full 24th of a second or as 60 brief images using 2/3 pull down. When you track a moving object but a single image of it doesn't move for a 24th of a second the resulting blur reduces the resolution to about SD quality. With CRT video where the source and display match scan type this blurring doesn't occur resulting in very sharp and lifelike moving images. Even with LCD type displays with continuous images the 60 fps rate will result in only 40% of the motion blur that a cinema source would give. I think the 1080i networks can now choose to use equipment capable of distributing a really high quality feed to their affiliates; the main problem is getting the stations to encode it to a full bit rate stream.

I picked up an Accurian STB about a week ago. So far I'm generally happy with it and amazed at the wonders of 1080i HDTV. Even on a "cheapie" Vizio LCD HDTV programming looks phenomenal.

The problem I've had on multiple occasions is the picture locking up / freezing up during programs while the audio continues. I have the set hooked up with a RS HDMI cable (3m) and a Silver Sensor indoor OTA since I'm very close to the antenna array. It happens on most channels here in the Boston area, so I think it is a little different than the Florida problem described earlier. When it happens it also locks up the entire receiver, so I can't change channels either. The solution is powering down and restarting. That's fine if you have Tivo, but not fine with the STB.

Any thoughts on whether this is a faulty unit, a HDMI cable problem or a programming stream issue? Returning it is likely to be tough because of the scarcity of these items, so I guess repair would be the best option if it is the receiver.

Thanks. . .

Still better than what seems like the 800x600 I'm getting.

So basically, I would have been better off buying a regular SD TV 2 years ago and save myself $500 or so, or just used my PC? And they wonder why people think they are getting ripped off. Ignorance is bliss it seems for these companies hey?

Are New TV's capable of "Almost HD" (because I know for fact I can't yet afford a 1080p set)? And what about the older WS TV's from say 2000-2003? Is the reason I'm only seeing 800x600 because I don't have a WS HDTV?

Don't get me wrong, the picture I was viewing earlier today was extremely crisp and extremely sharp. I didn't see any artifacting, distortion, pixelation or any such thing. So I really should not be complaining. It's just a lot of people seem to discuss HD as being extraordinary, and I have no idea what to expect. Does it look better than the picture that is generated from a DLP Theater, to which I've gone? Because to be honest, while looking very nice and crisp, my TV probably looks just as good. How much better can the picture possibly get?

I wish there was a place where I can view the BEST possible HD picture in the world. Then maybe I'd understand.Wasn't Samsung selling what were basically standard definition 4:3 sets with "progressive scan" up until a year or so ago? I wonder if this is what he's got?

No. I could have purchased a 480p Samsung, but I opted to spend a few more hundred dollars on what I thought was an HD set.

Here is what I have, and if you download the guide, it clearly says 800 lines maximum resolution, but what was I suppose to know? They told me it was an HDTV, I believed them. And I guess technically it is. I just don't seem to see much of a difference between the 480p and 1080i settings on the back of the Accurian and I have no way of testing.

Were there any 27" sets at the time capable of better resolution? I was limited to the size of the TV, so I guess I really didn't have a choice, but if I would have known this wasn't true HD, I probably would have just went for the 480p set.

Here is my TV model:
Samsung Dynaflat HDTV 27" TXN2771HF (2003) (http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?prod_id=TXN2771HFX%252fXAA)

If there is ANYONE here who can help me diagnose whether or not my HDTV is receiving an upconverted 1080i signal or a downconverted 480p one, it would be much appreciated. If my TV is only capable of doing 800x600, I should still see a difference between 720x480p and 800x600p right?

Wow. I know my analog 32" has 700 lines of res. thru the video inputs, and I think I remember the Toshibas having like 725, but that sure does seem awful low for a (supposed) HD set. It's too bad I threw away all my old Crutchfield's or I could've checked out some older sets (assuming they even had that information in there.) Wait - I just found one with 2 Sony SD 27"ers at 480i and 1 HD 27" at 1080i. Darn, and they used to sell Samsung's, too.

The Sammy TX-P2775H from the Fall,'04 issue says "all signals are displayed at 1080i or 480p", and "all standard (non-HD)video sources like broadcast and cable TV, satellite TV. DVD, etc. are upconverted to 480p"- not much else.

Just got one but I need a favor.

Could someone please confirm that the setup menus are output to the S-Video output in SD? My Panny 508UK plasma hasn't arrived yet so I only have a SD monitor. I can't get into the setup menu to do anything. I suspect this particular unit is busted and must be returned.

When I first powered the STB up, I saw a welcome screen on my TV via S-Video. Therefore, I know the S-Video output works and my TV accepts it. However, the "Menu" button on the remote does nothing. In fact, "Power" is the only button on the remote that appears to work. Even the "Menu" button on the box's front panel does nothing.

Just got one but I need a favor.

Could someone please confirm that the setup menus are output to the S-Video output in SD? My Panny 508UK plasma hasn't arrived yet so I only have a SD monitor. I can't get into the setup menu to do anything. I suspect this particular unit is busted and must be returned.

When I first powered the STB up, I saw a welcome screen on my TV via S-Video. Therefore, I know the S-Video output works and my TV accepts it. However, the "Menu" button on the remote does nothing. In fact, "Power" is the only button on the remote that appears to work. Even the "Menu" button on the box's front panel does nothing.
Since you have an SD TV, make sure the switch on the back of the Accurian is set to 480p. You should have 3 possible settings: 480p/720p/1080i.

I'm not sure if I understood your original question, but try that, it might be what the problem is.

And yes, the S-Video (and the composite) output at 480i. Component and HDMI do 720p/1080i.



To those familiar with my situation, I think I have an idea at whats going on, let me know what you think.

I believe my TV upconverts ALL 480p signals to 1080i. So when it sees the 480p signal coming in, instead of a 480p signal, the TV automatically upconverts it to 1080i. So at the 480p setting on the Accurian I'm seeing an upconverted 480p signal (to whatever my tv is capable of, which the manual says 800 maximum horizontal), and at the 1080i setting, I'm seeing a 1080i signal coming into the TV, but since my tv is only capable of 800 lines of horizontal resolution, the difference between the two (480p to 800x600 and 1080i to 800x600) is minimal.

Could this be the case?

Just got one but I need a favor.

Could someone please confirm that the setup menus are output to the S-Video output in SD? My Panny 508UK plasma hasn't arrived yet so I only have a SD monitor. I can't get into the setup menu to do anything. I suspect this particular unit is busted and must be returned.

When I first powered the STB up, I saw a welcome screen on my TV via S-Video. Therefore, I know the S-Video output works and my TV accepts it. However, the "Menu" button on the remote does nothing. In fact, "Power" is the only button on the remote that appears to work. Even the "Menu" button on the box's front panel does nothing. Also, if you haven't read very far back in this thread, the remote is EXTREMELY fussy. You have to sort of point it downwards of the unit somewhat.

Thanks for the fast replies. I obviously explained things poorly.

The switch is set to 480p (but that doesn't affect the S-Video 480i output).
I verified the S-Video output works, because I can see the "welcome" screen
on my TV when the STB powers up.

The remote turns the STB on and off. That's it. The "Menu" button does
nothing, no matter how close I am to the STB receiver.

The "Menu" button on the front panel also does nothing. I can't get into the
setup menu to scan for channels or see the signal strength! I was hoping
someone would say, "Oh! The setup menus aren't output in SD, so only an
HDTV can see the setup menus!" However, I strongly suspect the S-Video
output should be visible on the S-Video output and my box is busted.

Hmmmm.....sounds like your suspicions may be right. Mine is hooked up via s-video to an analog set and it's working fine. Just for the heck of it, did you try unplugging it and replugging it back in?

I believe my TV upconverts ALL 480p signals to 1080i. So when it sees the 480p signal coming in, instead of a 480p signal, the TV automatically upconverts it to 1080i. So at the 480p setting on the Accurian I'm seeing an upconverted 480p signal (to whatever my tv is capable of, which the manual says 800 maximum horizontal), and at the 1080i setting, I'm seeing a 1080i signal coming into the TV, but since my tv is only capable of 800 lines of horizontal resolution, the difference between the two (480p to 800x600 and 1080i to 800x600) is minimal.

Could this be the case?
You are mixing up your axes. 800 lines of horizontal resolution means that you should be able to see 800 alternating black and white VERTICAL lines - a measure of the horizontal resolution. BTW, that's a crock too because I doubt you'd be able to see 800 lines - they would be nearly indistingushable dark and light gray lines and you'd have to set the contrast and brightness to stange extremes (low I think). Anyway, the 480 or 1080 refers to horizontal scan lines and is a measure of vertical resolution.

Looking at your TV's spec sheet, I believe that it natively displays both 480p and 1080i. Further, I think that it does a genuine scan line compression for 16:9 A/R.

Ed

You are mixing up your axes. 800 lines of horizontal resolution means that you should be able to see 800 alternating black and white VERTICAL lines - a measure of the horizontal resolution. BTW, that's a crock too because I doubt you'd be able to see 800 lines - they would be nearly indistingushable dark and light gray lines and you'd have to set the contrast and brightness to stange extremes (low I think). Anyway, the 480 or 1080 refers to horizontal scan lines and is a measure of vertical resolution.

Looking at your TV's spec sheet, I believe that it natively displays both 480p and 1080i. Further, I think that it does a genuine scan line compression for 16:9 A/R.

Ed
Thanks for the response, but that went right over my head. Horizontal=Vertical? What exactly does that mean? lol

What exactly do you mean, and feel free to PM me, I don't want to derail this thread.

Should I be able to see a difference between the 480p and 1080i settings on the back of my Accurian?

| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
123456789 ect.

Horizontal resolution is vertical scan lines counted horizontally across the screen

Also, if you haven't read very far back in this thread, the remote is EXTREMELY fussy. You have to sort of point it downwards of the unit somewhat.

I tried the coffee filter cure and it works like a charm. No more precise aiming required.

I tried the coffee filter cure and it works like a charm. No more precise aiming required. Thanks . I will try that when I get around to it .

Thanks . I will try that when I get around to it .


You are welcome, I just responded to another post you made about using your Panny to control your Accurian receiver using internal timers. I hope that may help your too.

Thanks for the response, but that went right over my head. Horizontal=Vertical? What exactly does that mean? lol

What exactly do you mean, and feel free to PM me, I don't want to derail this thread.

Should I be able to see a difference between the 480p and 1080i settings on the back of my Accurian?
Just read my post very carefully. I think it's clear. The bottom line is that the 800 number has nothing to do with 480p and 1080i. 800 measures resolution side to side; 480p/1080i measures resolution top to bottom.

It may be difficult to see a difference between the 480p and 1080i on your TV because it's so small - plus in wide screen it's even shorter.

Ed

I just picked up one of these yesterday even though my TV has a built in HD tuner. I figured for $90 it would be a relatively cheap way for me to timeshift HD since my TV (Sanyo HT32744) doesn't have any video outputs and this Accurian always outputs 480i at the s-video and composite outputs. HD down-converted to 16:9 NTSC looks great using S-VHS tapes! Much better than SD recordings via my old Dish 508 DVR.

Since I'm out of digital inputs on my pre/pro I got an HDMI cable but am only getting PCM at my TV's optical out. DD was output just fine from both digital outputs on the Accurian itself but I need those digital inputs for other components. So I guess my question is will this tuner do DD via HDMI or is it my TV converting to PCM?

I really don't need to use this tuner over the one in the Sanyo for regular viewing since they perform exactly the same as far as I can tell. In fact I don't really need to have it hooked up with anything but s-video/analog audio for my purposes but I guess it's good to have an HDMI cable on hand so I think I'll leave it connected as is for the time being.

And as everyone else has noted the remote is junk but my trusty old Marantz RC2000Mk. II took care of that issue.

FWIW, I did try the component video outputs and while it looked good HDMI definitely is better. If you can take advantage of HDMI do so.

Since I'm out of digital inputs on my pre/pro I got an HDMI cable but am only getting PCM at my TV's optical out. DD was output just fine from both digital outputs on the Accurian itself but I need those digital inputs for other components. So I guess my question is will this tuner do DD via HDMI or is it my TV converting to PCM?
I had a similar question with my HDMI output DVD player to my Sony TV. Even though I tried to force a DD or DTS output on the HDMI to the TV, it always is PCM. I tried to get answers from experts on various forums here, but nobody seems to know. Anyways, the TV only accepts PCM thru HDMI, probably because it can't do much with a 5.1 DD. I also figured out that there is intelligence on HDMI. The TV tells the DVD player that it will only accept PCM and so the DVD player cooperates - the TV is not converting to PCM. So I guess it might be similar in your case. If the TV only receives PCM, that's all it's gonna output. Unfortunately that's a bad design given what you want to do.

Regarding whether the HDMI can output DD - I'm sure it can - but you need to hook it up to something that is capable of receiving DD.

Ed

Regarding whether the HDMI can output DD - I'm sure it can - but you need to hook it up to something that is capable of receiving DD.

Yeah, it's odd since the Sanyo does send DD 5.1 from its optical out with its on board tuner. I figured it would also pass an incoming HDMI DD signal without modification. I can understand this conversion if I was using the internal TV speakers (something I haven't done with any TV I've owned for at least ten years). Guess it's time to start looking for an external S/Pdif switcher. :(

Also with HDMI connected I can't set up the Accurian for a 4:3 display. I'm assuming this is because my TV does raster compression (automatically with HD via its on board tuner). I would have set up the Accurian to output 16:9 anyway. I'm just mentioning this because it seems HDMI does have some smarts to it. :rolleyes:

Yeah, it's odd since the Sanyo does send DD 5.1 from its optical out with its on board tuner. I figured it would also pass an incoming HDMI DD signal without modification. I can understand this conversion . . .
Yes it's odd - just like my Sony TV, since they have ATSC tuners, they must have DD decoders and therefore they should be able to accept a DD input. But it clearly states in the manual that the HDMI input must be 2 channel PCM. But from the internal tuner it does spit out DD.

And just to be clear - the TV is not converting to PCM - it tells the box at the other end of the HDMI to send PCM.

Ed

Is anybody still having issues with local Fox stations locking up the receiver? I have a friend who has tried two of these, and Fox locked them both up. I also tried one at my house, and it did the same thing. The actual signal strength seems to be good, and all other channels look fine.

I am also going to ask this on my local thread, but I was just wondering if everyone else had been able to get around this issue.

Thanks

Hey Rocky-

I am having the same problem with Fox KMSS in Shreveport locking up my Accurian. Sometimes - no problems. Other times, when I tune to 33.1, I get either a black or frozen screen, and about a half-second snippet of audio which repeats over and over. The receiver is now locked-up, with no key function other than power-off. I have to power off, then back on and quickly change the channel before the 33.1 signal locks.

At first, I thought that the problem was only happening during Fox-HD network programming, but I am now seeing it during local KMSS programming.

All other Shreveport and Tyler digital channels are fine.

I have posted this problem on the Shreveport HDTV thread, but got no responses, so the problem seems to be isolated to this box.

Thanks for the response gbranch, although I wish for both of us that you could say you knew away around this. About the only thing me and my friend can come up with about this receiver is that at this price, there had to be a catch, and I guess Fox reception is the catch. He's had his HDTV for almost a year now, and has been wanting to get HD, but $200-$250 in order to get 5 channels here in Central Arkansas is a little steep, but $90 sounds reasonable. I personally was able to get a used Samsung T361 for $100. I was really hoping this Accurian box was going to be good, as I was thinking about getting one for my brother in law as well, but I think I'm giving up on it.

Anybody else, still having the problem, or have any solutions?

I had the lockup problem with the Fox station (WACH) in Columbia SC but never got around to telling them about it because I normally watch for Fox station in Greenville SC (WHNS) anyway, and it came in fine. But just a couple days ago I happened to tune to the Columbia station absentmindedly, forgetting about the problem, and it came in OK! So they must have changed something, perhaps as a result of someone else complaining about the same problem.

Call or e-mail the station in question and see if they take any action. If they're on the ball, they'll try to fix the problem because you might not be the only person affected by it, and they shouldn't want to lose potential viewers.

FWIW, I'm in Bethlehem, PA and have no problem with the FOX HD station here (56.1 - WOLF). I'm running the Accurian at 1080i since my TV converts 720p to 1080i anyway but even if I set it to 720p I still don't get any lock ups so I'm not sure where the problem may be coming from. No problem with my ABC station either so I guess it's not a 720p issue. Hmmm. . . .

Thanks guys,

jtbell, I actually work part time and my Fox station, and have emailed our chief engineer about this, and am hoping he can figure something out

slosh, the ABC affiliate here also is fine, everything I've seen about this problem indicates it has something to do with the way Fox transmits stuff, but isn't apparently connected to 720p

I have seen posts of this problem affecting Accurian users in Florida, Chicago, South Carolina, Arkansas and Louisiana. It's only Fox, and only the Accurian STB. The Fox affiliates all must be transmitting some piece of data that the Accurian cannot handle.

What's most frustrating about it is that the problem does not happen all of the time. There are times when I can get KMSS perfectly.

During the World Series, I was watching the game on Fox-HD with no problems, changed to another channel for just a minute or so, then went back and BOOM - the receiver was locking up. I had to watch the remainder of the game of Directv's low resolution local channel.

When the box locks up, I have tried the following with no success:

1. Deleting the channel, then re-adding it.
2. Updating the scan.
3. Rescanning
4. Unplugging the box for several hours
5. Going to the RF channel number
6. Disconnecting the coax, then turning the box on and reconnect the coax
7. Removing my preamp
8. Detuning my antenna
9. Tried switching 480p/720p/1080i
10. Different aspect ratios
11. Changing audio from Dobly Digital to PCM

Just found this review...

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages/accurian_sanyo.htm

Just found this review...

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages/accurian_sanyo.htm

I guess he didn't have any problems with the remote control.

Well, it's been a while, but I finally have everything set up okay, minus the outdoor antenna.

Basically what happened is I had to order out of state, and was promised the unit was brand new. It wasn't, and the resolution switcher on the back, among a few other things, was broken. After WEEKS of calling different Radio Shack stores, district managers, etc. I FINALLY got my hands on a new model and returned by bad one.

Everything is working okay and with my indoor antenna, I'm able to pick up 5 channels with a total of 10 stations.

For the price, this is a great unit, and I'm completely satisfied. The remote isn't the greatest, but it's been working just fine, so I dont' have many complaints.

SAPLES is having free Zenith remote control (FAR) on black friday
the SAT entry on this remote can be programmed for pioneer codes (160) and will work with the Accurian HDTV receiver to change the channels only better than the original remote!!!!!!!!!

I've also ask this question in the reception thread. Maybe somebody out there can shed light to my situation. This unit have been great since I bought it. Then when I tried to watch Colts-Pats MNF game last week I'm getting a weak signal and thus not watchable. Actually all ABC has not been watchable since but not sure when it really started. I've not changed anything on my system so I'm thinking it could be season weather related, broadcast issue or something else. Guys from the receptions thread says ABC is broadcasting fine.

Or I really need to get my antenna out of the attic. It really pains me because I have no problems since I bought this Accurian last August. Multipath issue due because the leaves fell? :confused:

Or I really need to get my antenna out of the attic. It really pains me because I have no problems since I bought this Accurian last August. Multipath issue due because the leaves fell? :confused:

I have the same problem. It started when the leaves started falling. I also have multipath problems. Had to go up to the 2nd floor where the antenna is at and move it around to find the new sweet spot. Found it for now. Awaiting the first snow to see how snow on the roof affects the signal.

Yesterday I purchased the Radio Shack STB. It is attached to my Sony WT520 wide screen set via component output. The Sony is set to Wide Screen Full mode, I have the STB set to 1080 and 16:9 wide. On my HD channels I am seeing the black bars to either side of the screen on most broadcasts, it seems every once in a whil the entire screen is filled. In order to fill the screen I have to put the Sony in Wide zoom mode. On the OTA sd feeds the screen is filled, do I have something installed wrong? I had a motorola 101 hooked up before and it always filled the entire screen.

On my HD channels I am seeing the black bars to either side of the screen on most broadcasts, it seems every once in a whil the entire screen is filled.

A lot of content on HD broadcast channels is actually SD, upconverted at the station from 480 lines to 1080 lines with bars added on the sides to fill out the 16:9 image area. From the STB's point of view it's a widescreen HD signal. The STB can't tell that the bars are there, so it sends them out to your set.

As a rule of thumb, most network programming during prime time (8:00-11:00pm) is true HD. Significant exceptions are most reality shows (Survivor, etc.) and newsmagazines. Most major-network football games are HD, but not all; significant exceptions are most ABC college games. In the late-night time frame, Jay Leno, David Letterman and Conan O'Brien are all HD, for new shows (watch out for reruns). In the morning, ABC's "Good Morning America" is now HD; everything else is SD.

Very few stations have local HD production facilities, so all your local news etc. is likely to be SD. Syndicated game shows etc., and reruns of old shows are all SD, as far as I know.

After owning this tuner for a little while I do have a little less respect for it.

Compared to the tuner built into my TV this Accurian is not as sensitive. Three stations in my area are low power but always come in fine on my TV but often won't lock with the Accurian. Same antenna, same RG6 cables, same high quality splitter (tried both feeds - no change) so it's definitely just a weaker tuner.

The optical out on this is useless. If I pull the cable halfway it'll work. It's not the cable either because it worked just fine with all of my other optical out devices. Luckily this unit also has a coaxial digital out so I had to change the digital connection on my DVD player to optical so I could use the coax on the Accurian instead. But if I couldn't free up one of my coax inputs I'd be pissed about this.

It changes channels much slower than my TV's tuner.

The EPG is too slow to be of any real value.

Okay, enough bitching. This thing did only cost $90 after all but I'm thinking about returning mine.

Excellent! Glad you finally got that settled to your satisfaction. What indoor antenna are you using? Is it amplified?

Wow. That's strange, because since the leaves have been falling across the way from me my signal strength has gone from about 70 to 90 on most channels. Slosh - what kind of tele do you have? I'm always interested in finding better tuners.

Update to the Accurian STB/Fox lockup problems that several people were reporting.

I was having the same problem with FOX KMSS in Shreveport. Last Monday, I sent an email to the station's manager from a link on their website, explained the problem and requested that he forward the email to his chief engineer. Although I never got a response, the problem magically went away, and I have now been receiving KMSS with no problems for a week.

This seems to be a known problem with some Fox stations, and simply letting the station know that you are having the problem may make them tweak a setting and resolve the problem.

I will post if the lockups return, but so far so good.

Lately, I keep losing WPWR, which maps to channel 50, out of my line-up . I also have it programmed in as a favorite. It seems that it just disappears overnight , and I have to keep programming it back in. Has anyone here had any sort of similar problem with this box with just one particular channel? Nobody so far has mentioned it on my local area thread, so I don't know for sure if it's the station.

Well I finally got the remote control problem fixed. First, let me say that I got this unit for my dads TV, a Mitsubishi WS65908 (http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/common/getfile.asp?uuid={7C3148CA-EAD4-495C-B4CD-EDD06B126317}). My TV has a built in HD tuner, his doesn’t.

I took my Harmony remote and programmed it for the Accurian unit. Then I took it and programmed my dads universal remote (an RCA RC810, which works fine for his needs) with the channel up and down button, and it works great! I can say and agree with others on here that the remote control unit is definitely the problem, probably factory defects. I wonder if Radio Shack knows about this problem?

Ok now for the other problem. This TV is experiencing what I think is an “over scanning” problem. It will get lines in the HD pictures and can’t seem to process non-HD channels from the Accurian unit, but the problem seems to be intermittent. The picture all other inputs are fine.

So is this a TV problem, bad component cables, or could there be something wrong with the Accurian unit?

Thanks.

Thanks everyone for this thread! I picked up my Accurian last night and wow, it has much better reception than my old Samsung SIR-T151. I'll put the 151 int he bedroom with my old 27" TV and DD receiver. It'll sure be a lot better than Dish Net for locals.

Ok now for the other problem. This TV is experiencing what I think is an “over scanning” problem. It will get lines in the HD pictures and can’t seem to process non-HD channels from the Accurian unit, but the problem seems to be intermittent. The picture all other inputs are fine.

So is this a TV problem, bad component cables, or could there be something wrong with the Accurian unit?

Thanks.

I don't if this is exactly the same issue. But we had similar situation. A friend of mine bought an Accurian tuner for his older 65" HDTV. He was experiencing similar overscan problems on various HD stations. I suggested that he flip the switch in the back. He found that 720 setting worked the best. I think some of the orginal HDTV cannot handle 1080i correctly.

I've got an "older" 65" Toshiba (TW65H80). At least with this brand, they primarily support 480P and 1080i, no 720P. I use a Toshiba DST3000 for this TV but tried the Accurian @ 1080i wo/problems. I also drive 50 feet of component cable to the TV so I know the Accurian unit drives the signal well.

Look in your manual for the TV set

I don't if this is exactly the same issue. But we had similar situation. A friend of mine bought an Accurian tuner for his older 65" HDTV. He was experiencing similar overscan problems on various HD stations. I suggested that he flip the switch in the back. He found that 720 setting worked the best. I think some of the orginal HDTV cannot handle 1080i correctly.

I tried switching it to 720p and that didn't work. Like the persons TV in the above post, this TV does not support 720p.

Look in your manual for the TV set

What exactly am I looking for? I've tried various settings and nothing seems to work. There is one setting of 960i or 420p, which I find odd. Like your TV, this TV doesn't support 720p either.

Check the manual for how the inputs are defined. The High Def signals are at differing frequencies. Some of the "older" sets had separate component connections for the different frequencies. My Toshiba auto-senses but that was a high end feature in this vintage. The manual should explain all this. What TV make and model do you have?

Any one know if any more of these exist in the Dallas area? I found one in Camp Wisdom but I'm far North. I've got 2 simply for the digital clarity and want one more for the office.

Any one know if any more of these exist in the Dallas area? I found one in Camp Wisdom but I'm far North. I've got 2 simply for the digital clarity and want one more for the office.Radio Shack's web site was how I found the one in Leesburg near me.

Ya, I did that too but you've got to keep entering zip codes. OR is there a way to do a broader search? GO BUCKS!

Check the manual for how the inputs are defined. The High Def signals are at differing frequencies. Some of the "older" sets had separate component connections for the different frequencies. My Toshiba auto-senses but that was a high end feature in this vintage. The manual should explain all this. What TV make and model do you have?

The link to the owners manual is above, post 464, maybe you could make some sense out of it. Thanks.

another satsified user here, see my post in the Philly OTA forum for details. Very nice box. One question though - Does anyone use a Universal Remote that controls this unit? i am in the market for a universal for everything (sammy HDTV, sammy DVD, Sony reciever, Moto 6412 and the Accurian)

another satsified user here, see my post in the Philly OTA forum for details. Very nice box. One question though - Does anyone use a Universal Remote that controls this unit? i am in the market for a universal for everything (sammy HDTV, sammy DVD, Sony reciever, Moto 6412 and the Accurian)

Do a Google search on "Accurian hts6000" and there is also remotecentral.com website.

The Harmony Universal Learning Remote Controls have the Accurian in their on-line database.
Since the Harmony database accepts inputs from users, it is able to support new devices as they become available.

Numerous people have reported that the Pioneer R/C codes work with the Accurian,
although you may not have access to ALL of the button actions.
You might try this on any existing "universal" R/C units you already own.

The "learning" function in suitably equipped R/C devices is essential to being able to learn from the R-S R/C and then access any and all button actions.

I like my Sony RM-AV3000 and RM-AV3100. If it doesn't have it built in, you can teach it. VERY programmable. I use these both with my HTS6000's. No pointing or sensitivity issues as with the original remote.

If you're willing to do some hacking you can get great results from a JP1 equipped remote. Mine works pretty well with the Radio Shack unit. Google JP1 remotes.

Hi, guys. I've been reading this forum over the last few days. I bought one of the RS HD receivers before I actually started reading this thread. In fact, I got the last one in town. I need some help, please. And yes, I am a newbie (both to the forum and to all this HD stuff). My local cable company offers our local networks in HD thru our cable service. I subscribe to the digital cable package. The cable company DOES NOT offer a cable HD receiver, which is why I bought this particular receiver. After hooking into the cable and attaching the receiver to my television, I changed the input on the menu screen to show "cable". I performed the autoscan to locate the HD channels. It found 1. Now, after reading this thread, I understand that this particular receiver will handle only 8SVB cable signals. I have called my cable company in the past with HD questions and their answers have been shortcoming. Sadly, they are the only game in town (live in a fairly rural area). My question is: If I am receiving 1 channel thru my cable service that I can see in HD, should I be able to see all the ones that are being sent? I mean, they can't send 1 channel in a 8SVB signal and the rest in QAM, right? I know that this probably a very dumb question, but I can't get a straight answer from the cable company and am very frustrated. Should I take this particular receiver back to RS and look for something else? I really liked the price, is there something like this for a similar price? Please help me out here, guys.

Well, you definitely can't use that receiver with your cable company. The only thing you can use it for is over-the-air signals. And if it's true that your co. doesn't have an HD capable box you can rent (that's the first time I've ever heard of a cable co. that offers HD channels but not a tuner, unless they just haven't gotten around to it yet), then you will need a QAM capable tuner, either in a stand-alone box or built into the TV. The only boxes with a QAM tuner that are available that are not over $250 that I can think of right now are the Samsungs. You might find them cheaper (new or older used models) on Ebay. But there are reports on this forum that their QAM tuners don't go high enough to cover all the channels (not fully capable). The only other ones I know of are extremely expensive (the Sony & LG DVR/Tuners). Maybe there are others here that know of any(?).

I have had this receiver for about 3 months now. As others have mentioned many times on this thread, the remote is difficult to use at best. I have the receiver located on a shelf about 10 feet behind my seating area. If I point the remote slightly below the receiver, I had better results than aiming it directly at the front panel. Last night I discovered that if I point the remote directly at the ceiling, it works even better. Not sure why that is, perhaps the LED they use puts out more IR towards the sides than it does directly out the front. Or perhaps bouncing off the ceiling works best, not sure. All I do know, is that the remote is functioning quite well if I point it upwards when using it. The receiver is about 3 feet from the white ceiling, about 10 feet behind me. My old sony camcorder can 'see' IR through the viewfinder as a bright white light. I could aim it at the camcorder, and then turn the remote upwards and see which looks 'brighter'. That may give a good indication of the IR beam pattern the remote throws. I am just glad I found a way to make it work for me!

I have given up on my remote. I bought a learning remote and have tried to program the Accturian stuff into it, but it dosen't seem to work either. The learning remote says it learns the codes but they don't work when I try to use them.

I have NEVER got the remote that came with the unit to work...no matter how close I am to the unit, where I point it, even putting TP on the IR beamer. Nothing. I wonder if there is something wrong with the receiver itself....

I have given up on my remote. I bought a learning remote and have tried to program the Accturian stuff into it, but it dosen't seem to work either. I wonder if there is something wrong with the receiver itself....

Or the remote. A learning remote might not learn anything from a broken remote. You might return the Accurian and hope you get a working combo (remote and unit) back.

Good luck.

I have given up on my remote. I bought a learning remote and have tried to program the Accturian stuff into it, but it dosen't seem to work either. The learning remote says it learns the codes but they don't work when I try to use them.

I have NEVER got the remote that came with the unit to work...no matter how close I am to the unit, where I point it, even putting TP on the IR beamer. Nothing. I wonder if there is something wrong with the receiver itself....

Theres nothing wrong with the unit itself. Its the remote that is the issue. I too couldn't get the remote to work nor could I get the learning remote to learn any of the codes from the original remote. Read my other posts here on what I had to do to get my dads unit to work.

If you're looking for a good remote, I highly recommend the Harmony remote. :D

How much does the Harmony remote cost?

How much does the Harmony remote cost?
The new models are the H520 ($100 MSRP) and the colorized H880 ($250 MSRP)
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/features/harmony/us/en,CRID=2078
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Logitech_Harmony_880_Advanced_Universal_Remote,__7803953/sort_type=bottomline
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=logitech+harmony+520

Or you can spend about $100 +/- $20 for last year's models:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/page_id=338/form_keyword=harmony%20remote/rd=1/sortby=priceA
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=harmony+remote&scoring=prd

I see that the even older H768 model is available for half price:
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?lnk=next&q=harmony+remote&sa=N&scoring=p&start=10
I haven't used it, but did enough research a year ago to know that it operates quite "different" than a normal R/C.

If you are looking for a lower cost, more conventional R/C with learning capability,
check out the $45 Kameleon at Radio Shack.

The fol are other, much acclaimed R/Cs with learning capability:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat12085&type=page&sc=ALL&qs=urc+remote+control&cp=1&sp=Relevance&mipp=25&uq=URC+remote+control&_requestid=134975

Thanks :) Especially for all the links!

Theres nothing wrong with the unit itself. Its the remote that is the issue. I too couldn't get the remote to work nor could I get the learning remote to learn any of the codes from the original remote. Read my other posts here on what I had to do to get my dads unit to work.

I have a pretty nice learning remote, and I do have a good buddy who has a phillips pronto. However, I can't find any codes for the Accurian HTS-6000 on remote central.

Does anyone out there have the Pronto Codes for this thing they could make available to the public?

I have a pretty nice learning remote, and I do have a good buddy who has a phillips pronto. However, I can't find any codes for the Accurian HTS-6000 on remote central.

Does anyone out there have the Pronto Codes for this thing they could make available to the public?Can you import JP1 codes? There's a great RM JP1 file for the Accurian (http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload.php?action=file&file_id=2181).

Hi guys, I'm brand new here.
A question on this STB

I couldn't find one at any Radio Shack and bought one on E-Bay. It seems to work OK, although the remote is weak and "fussy" as everyone has said.

In hooking up the audio, I've encountered a minor problem and wonder if anyone has a solution. Neither of the red/white (left/right) audio connectors seem to produce stereo. This is a problem because I'm using the 480i output and analog audio to my VCR to have some limited recording capability.

When watching, I have the digital audio out connected to my AV receiver and that definitely produces stereo or Dolby according to source.

Has anyone else figured out how to get stereo from than analog audio connectors, or had a different experience with them?

Excellent! Glad you finally got that settled to your satisfaction. What indoor antenna are you using? Is it amplified?
I assume you were directing that at me.

I'm just using a RCA Indoor UHF/VHF antenna (ANT200M).

Specs:
Maximum VHF Gain: 25dB
Maximum UHF Gain: 20dB

It doesn't pick up everything (no VHF channels), but its given me a good idea of just what's out there. I'll be getting a outdoor one soon enough.

Sounds good. Just curious.

Yeah, still trying to figure out how good my TV is for HD. Trying to figure all this stuff out. Are there any CRT's out there that do TrueHD, as in 1920x1080i? Because from the info I gathered here from other members and discussions and stuff, my TV is capable of receiving the 1080i or 720p signal, but is only able to output 800 horizontal lines.

So what am I seeing, 800x600p instead of 1920x1080i or 1280x720p?

Just a step above SD. I wish I would have known this when I purchased the TV.

None that I know of. But then, I never really paid much attention. Maybe a rear projection CRT? Anyone else?

I guess I'm going to just wait it out a bit and get a 1080p set when the prices drop a bit.

Was at Best Buy the other day and took a look at Sony's new SXRD 1080p sets. It was the 60-inch model.

WOW!

Do you usually watch TV in the dark or direct sunlight? If reasonably dark, I'd go with a plasma.

I watch regular programming in the light, but HD programming, movies and sports in the dark.

Aren't all plasma TV's only 720p?

I think most (HD) are 768p. But they still have better black levels and are more natural (CRT-like) looking, although, the SXRD's blacks are reported to be exceptional. (Personally, I really like the new Toshiba plasmas.) Remember, too, that you will be replacing bulbs occasionally with a DLP, LCD or Lcos rear projection set (usually more frequently than the manufacturer suggests). And with DLP you have rainbows and more moving parts to break down. I'd probably go with a flat panel LCD over a RP set myself, but I know they're awfully costly if you want big. I think on average, more people are satisfied with plasma, taking into consideration cost, size and picture quality. But as they say, go for whatever looks best to you.

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely keep that all in mind.

There are more than a few HDTVs that come in 1024x1024 and 1920x1080 resolutions.
The CEA puts out an HDTV Guide (8 Mbyte) listing the specs for nearly everything on the market:
http://www.ce.org/PDF/HDTVGuideFall05.pdf

There are a few affordable 1920x1080 flat panels in 37 inch size and the BenQ and Westinghouse for 42 inch.

Also checkout the Hitachi 42HDF52 on Pg31, it has 1080p internal processing for 1024x1024 ALiS Panel (ALiS minimizes the screen door effect).
Circuit City has for just over $2,400....I paid more than twice that for predecessor two years ago. I think it is much better than most 720p/768p panels.

You should also read the two articles re 1080p in the fol:
http://www.hdtvexpert.com/
There is no doubt advantage in PQ due to internal 1080p processing.
But in rear projection sets, it's mostly marketing hype....you're still looking at a tiny microdisplay chip through a giant folded telescope
vice a flat panel where you can see each individual pixel directly with your eyes.

Also note that there are NO HDTVs equipped with an HDMI-HDCP interface that will operate at 1080p,
although some of them will accept an unencrypted (non-HDCP) signal on the 15-pin VGA (RGB) interface.

The copy protection schemes are NOT finalized for HD-DVD and BLU-RAY and when they are,
it could require additional authentication/processing in the HDTV to access some of the higher definition capabilities.
This could help explain the delay in 1080p on HDMI, along with trying to maintain backward compatibility with DVI-HDCP.

So whatever you end up buying today may be limited in what it can do in the future.
Also, most of the so-called 1080i material today suffers from low rez source material....and many 720p "sports" programs are even worse....
And then there is overcompression on Satellite....

"True HD" from source to display is probably one to two years away....except for HDNET and a few other exceptional programs...