MaxMedia (MMDTVB03) - Does it exist? Looks like no.

[massavfan]

Originally Posted by rrrrrroger

Zenith

Channel Master 4228

I don't think either of those is the problem. The problem is most of my stations are weak in power and rather distant (50-60-70 miles). That's okay for analog because there's still a fuzzy picture at that distance, but digital just produces random pixels with no sound. DTV is poorly engineered.

"rrrrrroger,"

50 - 70 miles is a bit of a haul, but I would think that the 4228 would have a chance if it's planted high enough. Are you in a low-lying area? Any obstacles?

[massavfan]

For those of you "up in arms" with ConvertMyTV and the wait for the MaxMedia MMDTVB03, I just received this message from their customer support:

Maxmedia has announced that they are changing the chipset in the MMDTVB03 with a chipset that provides better quality picture, the new unit will have the exact same features otherwise and is being renamed the MMDTVB02.

You will be receiving the MMDTVB02 in June.

We are also allowing our customers to switch to the Sansonic FT300As which are now in stock and available for immediate shipment. Please let us know if you wish to switch .... the price is $5 less than the Maxmedia.

I hope this will be worth the long wait...

[lexus2108]

Originally Posted by jll544

That explains why MaxMedia partnered with Memsen/convertmy.tv rather than selling direct.



For all anyone knows, convertmy.tv might be a virtual company run out of David Buzzelli's home. His home address/phone is provided in the convertmy.tv whois listing. Apart from that, even the NTIA has only a P.O. Box listed for convertmy.tv in its retailer report:

convertmy.tv
PO BOX 921
Fairview, OR 97024

MaxMedia's address can be found (only?) at the bottom of its CECB press release:

James Bobik
17011 Green Drive
City of Industry, CA 91745
jamesb@maxmedia-usa.com

Now if it's that hard to find these companies' contact information, I can't imagine them making warranty service any easier. Not even a return/exchange policy posted - what happens if you get a dead box?

Dead box = calling my CC and getting money back, calling BBB, and calling NTIA

[lexus2108]

Originally Posted by massavfan

For those of you "up in arms" with ConvertMyTV and the wait for the MaxMedia MMDTVB03, I just received this message from their customer support:

Maxmedia has announced that they are changing the chipset in the MMDTVB03 with a chipset that provides better quality picture, the new unit will have the exact same features otherwise and is being renamed the MMDTVB02.

You will be receiving the MMDTVB02 in June.

We are also allowing our customers to switch to the Sansonic FT300As which are now in stock and available for immediate shipment. Please let us know if you wish to switch .... the price is $5 less than the Maxmedia.

I hope this will be worth the long wait...

OK i am pissed. They said they had a great quality picture. Now they are changing so it will be June? My coupons will expire then?

[lexus2108]

I am seriously thinking of canceling and getting other boxes

[jll544]

Originally Posted by massavfan

Maxmedia has announced that they are changing the chipset in the MMDTVB03 with a chipset that provides better quality picture, the new unit will have the exact same features otherwise and is being renamed the MMDTVB02.

The MMDTVB02 is not on the approved CECB list, and yet convertmytv is still processing coupon orders for it? Incredible.

[Symbios]

You can't help but laugh... This better be a damn good box, that's all I can say.

[n4yqt]

Originally Posted by Symbios

You can't help but laugh... This better be a damn good box, that's all I can say.

"It's just a fantasy! Whoa! It's not a real thing! Whoa!", Billy Joel.

[Replay3030Owner]

From the sidelines here, but I think this whole thing is a scam. You can't just suddenly switch the chipset without a complete redesign of the board and possibly shell because the ports are likely in different spots, etc.. Unless that was already known to do the switch-a-roo to begin with and already had the production lined up, etc..

Either way, this company is scamming the customer as well as the Government. Everything just screams scam when reading it all together. The 'personal' replies forwarded by others in support, descriptions of supply chains, etc... Any reputable company doesn't send their top people into web forums to defend their product, policies and tech. Now to claim they're switching to "improve" suddenly is just laughable.

Hope everyone gets their card released with the full $40 on it and simply move on. I'd wager to guess the Echostar is released (really) before this ever sees the hands of real people, and that's saying a lot since I doubt the E* will appear while it's still warm outside.

[lexus2108]

if they never charged the coupons and Credit cards this would of been a different story.

anyone why ordered this box. Will you complain to NTIA and Credit card company? Or are most going to wait till June?

Will the Coupons still be valid?

[lexus2108]

MaxMedia ATSC Converter Box
(MMDTVB02) - JUNE DELIVERY

[wh5916]

Originally Posted by lexus2108

if they never charged the coupons and Credit cards this would of been a different story.

anyone why ordered this box. Will you complain to NTIA and Credit card company? Or are most going to wait till June?

Will the Coupons still be valid?

According to a posting above, they're supposedly allowing customers who ordered the MaxMedia the option to switch and order the Sansonic converter instead, which is also $5.00 cheaper...though it doesn't have S-Video. Maybe it would be worth the switch? I like the looks of the Sansonic and wouldn't mind having it myself, if its performance matches the appearance.

[lexus2108]

Originally Posted by wh5916

According to a posting above, they're supposedly allowing customers who ordered the MaxMedia the option to switch and order the Sansonic converter instead, which is also $5.00 cheaper...though it doesn't have S-Video. Maybe it would be worth the switch? I like the looks of the Sansonic and wouldn't mind having it myself, if its performance matches the appearance.

It doesn't have analog passthru correct?

If so i do not want it

[wh5916]

Originally Posted by lexus2108

It doesn't have analog passthru correct?

If so i do not want it

No, I don't think that it does, but at least the site is indicating that it's in stock. Perhaps these delays are why they decided to offer another model that could be delivered without waiting two months or longer.

[jll544]

Originally Posted by lexus2108

It doesn't have analog passthru correct?

No S-video, no passthru, no smart antenna. I.e., the Sansonic lacks everything that made the MaxMedia appealing on paper.

Textbook bait-and-switch...

1. Lure 'em in with what seems to be the best box on paper
2. Lock 'em in by cashing the coupons and charging the credit cards
3. Leave 'em waiting for the superior box that gets "delayed"
   -or-
   Let 'em save face by settling for the cheaper, no-frills box

Even if you chargeback the credit card, they leave with $40 in their pockets (Gov't pays within 5 days of coupon redemption).

[dagger666]

report them to the news media scam reporters, bring as much heat as we can on them. have the government know they have committed FRAUD and ripped them off. They are offering you to switch so the government can't get them for ripping the coupon program off, BULL S. Nail them to the wall.

[dagger666]

Dear ConvertMy.TV Customer,

This is an update regarding your purchase at www.convertmy.tv.

Earlier today, we were informed by our supplier Maxmedia that the MMDTVB03 will now be renamed the MMDTVB02 and will be in stock and available for shipment to you in June. This is a delay from our previously stated end of April/early May shipment date.

We have been informed that the reason is that Maxmedia's chipset provider is unable to deliver a chip that meets the standards and expectations that Maxmedia requires in order to offer you the highest quality picture available.

We understand if you feel the wait is too long, we are offering two choices in consideration of the circumstances:

1) immediate credit card refund - send request to support@convertmy.tv , please include your order #
NOTE: Coupons cannot be refunded and can only be applied towards other Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes. CMTV will honor coupons that have been redeemed for a MMDTVB03 towards either our FT300A or replacement MMDTVB02.

2) request immediate delivery of the Sansonic FT300As which ARE IN STOCK, we will credit your credit cards $5 per box and deliver immediately as a substitution for your original purchase.

Otherwise, a third choice is to keep your purchase in tact and wait for the arrival of the MMDTVB02 in June.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and will make every effort to take care of any questions or needs promptly and completely as we all anticipate the June arrival of Maxmedia products.


Thank you.
Customer Service
www.convertmy.tv

Funny they can't find a chip set in May but in june 30 days later. What do you think their excuse will be in june.

[dagger666]

Originally Posted by jll544

No S-video, no passthru, no smart antenna. I.e., the Sansonic lacks everything that made the MaxMedia appealing on paper.

Textbook bait-and-switch...

1. Lure 'em in with what seems to be the best box on paper
2. Lock 'em in by cashing the coupons and charging the credit cards
3. Leave 'em waiting for the superior box that gets "delayed"
   -or-
   Let 'em save face by settling for the cheaper, no-frills box

Even if you chargeback the credit card, they leave with $40 in their pockets (Gov't pays within 5 days of coupon redemption).

then they have comitted FRAUD on a federal program. the feds don't like that

[massavfan]

Originally Posted by lexus2108

if they never charged the coupons and Credit cards this would of been a different story.

anyone why ordered this box. Will you complain to NTIA and Credit card company? Or are most going to wait till June?

Will the Coupons still be valid?

It looks as though the coupons will be valid so long as you don't bail out of the order. Since their customer support has been responding to all of my questions so far, I'll probably keep waiting for now.

[PeterTheGeek]

I don't understand how they can have a new product out by June. It usually take me two months to get through all the required testing, (FCC, UL and the like), before you can ship. And then it seams there are always some small changes that need to get incorporated into the final product to get the unit to pass.

Unless they are switching one part for another from the same vendor. I don't see how this could happen so fast unless they were planning it for awhile. Even then they would have problems with getting through the testing.

[Don't Scam Me]

This could be the biggest scam site I have ever seen.

[dagger666]

Have you also noticed the number change from the MMDTVB03 to MMDTVB02. Funny i seen model numbers go up but never go down on replacement unites.

[dagger666]

Check this out
http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=8064629

[retiredTech]

I'm going to wait for them to come through with the MMDTVB02. Yes, it looks suspicious, but look how many other boxes are not available yet. I think most makers under esimated the early demand.
Three reasons I'm ok with this wait.
1)this box has the most features I want.
2)Ecostar won't take my coupon before it would expire.They also postoned their release.
(if these guys can make my coupon count WHY do I care if the supposed "exact" rule is followed? If they provide the box (even though later than expected) I don't see that as fraud. It is being applied for the purchase of a proper product.)
3)I would absolutely rather wait till they correct any problems than have a box that doesn't perform properly.
(Other boxes have been sold with problems. Waiting is preferable)

[TalkingRat]

Can I redeem a coupon if I cannot immediately deliver a CECB to the consumer?

Generally, "backordering" is not permitted when transacting business with the federal government. In other words, payment cannot be requested until a product is delivered to the consumer. So, before requesting payment by redeeming the coupon card, the product must be in the process of being delivered to the consumer. This process can include (obviously) a consumer carrying a CECB out of the store, but can also include the shipment of a CECB to the consumer. Such shipment can include shipment from a warehouse via the U.S. mail or other shipper, or can also include shipment through a retailer's logistics chain to a store for consumer pickup. The key is that a CECB is "reserved" for the consumer when the coupon is charged, and that a consumer's right and ability to pick up that CECB is unrestricted.

For example, it is acceptable for a coupon card to be presented for payment while a CECB is in a distribution center as long as the CECB, within hours or days, is reserved for the consumer and begins the shipping process. It is not acceptable for the card to be redeemed if the timing of the shipment is unknown or if the retailer does not have a method of assuring the consumer that a CECB will be available at some known time in the future. Note that an individual CECB does not need to be identified by serial number, as the assurance that, for example, one of the CECB's on the shipment to arrive next Tuesday will be set aside for the consumer to pick up.


So, a retailer may not present the coupon for payment if, for example, the consumer needs to check back every few days to see if CECB's have come in. Likewise, the retailer may not present a coupon for payment if, for example, the consumer is told to come back next Thursday when the shipment arrives, but no CECB is set aside from that shipment for a particular consumer. If the consumer must "compete" for inventory on the shelf with consumers whose coupons have not yet been redeemed, the retailer may not charge the coupon.

https://www.ntiadtv.gov/faq.cfm

[Malouff]

John aka Mosquito,

Now that it is mentioned in the news article.

Originally Posted by KVOA News 4

FreeDTVShop.com goes well beyond selection.
No detail is overlooked, including whether, for instance, a unit's LED lights up when it is off - a consideration for customers with bedroom TVs.

The site's custom content allows shoppers to see what their onscreen displays will look like with each converter box and shows, in real time, how quickly the converter changes channels.

Exclusive FreeDTVShop.com video tutorials show customers how to hook up converter boxes to all types of old TVs.

When are you going to start posting the onscreen displays, and real time channel changes?

Originally Posted by retiredTech

1)this box has the most features I want

We didn't really know what the MMDTVB03 had as support would not confirm everything and kept saying they were delaying because of box design changes.

I think we know even less about the MMDTVB02.

Originally Posted by massavfan;post13583382

Maxmedia has announced that they are changing the chipset in the MMDTVB03 with a chipset that provides better quality picture, the new unit will have the exact same features otherwise and is being renamed the MMDTVB02.

I think the chipset they are referring to is the SoC (System-On-Chip) used.
So that mean they will be dumping the Texas Instruments TVP9007 then?

Originally Posted by massavfan;post13583382

We are also allowing our customers to switch to the Sansonic FT300As which are now in stock and available for immediate shipment.

Is anyone here going to switch to the Sansonic FT300A then?
One thing known about the Sansonic is that it use the Microtune Double Tuner like the EchoStar TR-40 will.
I don't know if they will however both use the same SoC

[rrrrrroger]

That Echostar unit arriving in June is looking very attractive right now.

NOTE: Coupons cannot be refunded and can only be applied towards other Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes. CMTV will honor coupons that have been redeemed for a MMDTVB03 towards either our FT300A or replacement MMDTVB02.

"Before requesting payment by redeeming the coupon card, the product must be in the process of being delivered to the consumer. " ..... "So, a retailer may not present the coupon for payment if, for example, the consumer needs to check back every few days to see if CECB's have come in." - NTIA

According to U.S. Law, they never should have cashed the coupons!!! Stupid idiots!!! They've broken the law, and now the time has come to make the _____ pay!!!! (hops in car with semi-automatic) (Drives off)

Just joking. It's not worth killing someone over $40, but it does make me angry that Corporations act as if the law does not apply to them.

Originally Posted by massavfan

"rrrrrroger," 50 - 70 miles is a bit of a haul, but I would think that the 4228 would have a chance if it's planted high enough. Are you in a low-lying area? Any obstacles?

The signals are there, but they don't pass the 50% threshold required to create a picture. All I can think is maybe my neighbors' trees are interfering.

[wh5916]

Originally Posted by lexus2108

It doesn't have analog passthru correct?

If so i do not want it

Am not sure I'd feel comfortable purchasing the Sansonic at any place other than a retail store that offers two or three converters after reading the following (scroll down a bit, the top portion of the page is devoted to the Zenith converter):

http://www.king-cart.com/18inch/prod...ct_match=exact

[sos_my_coupon]

Any one knows how to get the coupon money back from CMTV? They scammed me too. First, they even sent out email said that the box has been shipped. I waited for a long time and finally called them. They explained that it is a mistake and promise deliver by the end of April, then first week of May, and now is end of Jun.

I wanted to call NTIA for help but my English sucks and I don't know how. Does anyone know how? Please help!

[lbjohn]

This appears to be a downgrade from TVB03. Then the box should be less expensive than before?