What CECB is the best? And worst. Vote here. Updated tally 7/24/10 - Page 6

WOW! That last post is unreadable - one big runon blob. Anyone care to decipher?

I don't know where those vote numbers came from. My tests have continuously shown the APEX 250/502 to outperform the Insignia -APT. These tests have been performed at multiple locations (up to 15 miles apart) and configurations, with the same result. The APEX's have S-Video and a standard compliant remote, where the Insignia has neither.

NOTE: The DS 9950 missed several channels the APEX & Insignia acquired.

CORRECTION ! : The Alpha Digital #AT2016 did NOT have analog pass. I was mainly testing through composite connections.

That may be, but I'd be hard-pressed to belive that either Apex unit could out perform Zenith branded version DTT-901 with APT regularly.

I've had both the DDT-900 and DTT-901. They are both top-notch receivers for sure.

I think Ken grouped Zenith/Insignia due to there sharing basic major componts perhaps.
I suspect Zenith did a better job of implementation and the newer tuner set in the DTT-901
was a "little" better than the DTT-900 I first had.



Could anyone that has had both the Insignia branded and either Zenith branded LG based units (at the same time?) comment on this please?

I own a DTT-901 (May 2008 build). I borrowed a friend's non-APT Insignia
(Dec. 2007 build), and briefly compared them using the same antenna/TV.

I typically get signal levels of only 40%-60%, and was comparing specifically to look for a difference in station reception/holding. I was surprised to see no discernable difference in that respect. I had fully expected the '07 Insignia's tuner to slightly outperform the 901's, based on experiences I'd read about on this forum.

I did NOT spend much time at this comparison, because I'd borrowed the same Insignia for a couple of weeks before deciding to use my second coupon on the Zenith. So, I knew how it performed in PQ, etc., compared to my first box, a DS DTX9900.

FYI, I'm 33mi from one market and 45 from another. There is one station that I have LOS, and even that is dominated by multipath from the surrounding townhouse buildings. So, given that this Insignia and this Zenith probably have the same SOC (with slightly different firmware), maybe the dead heat results in my situation is not that surprising.

Only if you will have analog stations after February 2009. tvfool.com can provide the answer to that.

For me the answer is "no" because ALL of my stations are going digital.

[UPDATED]. I'd rank them like so, based upon which gets the most stations:

1 Channel Master 7000

2 Zenith DTT900 (or Insignia)

3 Zenith DTT901 (less sensitive version)

4 DTVpal

5 Zinwell ZAT - The Zinwell outranks the DTVpal if you are using it for VCR recording, because its clock is more accurate.

Mine too. But with APT I at least have some options to record off different channels for another 6 months.

I went to RS to get the DT901 but they don't sell it anymore because of problems with the units and were getting so many returns. The only one they carry was the Digital Stream with the pass through. Works great. No problems. But why would you want analog passthrough? That's just stupid.

Why is it that RS no longer sells the Zenith anymore then and favors the DS? I was told becuase the Zenith DTT901 units were being returned so much that they quit carrying them. My DS unit works fantastic.

What I want is a unit that converts digital to analog but lets you keep digital sound.

Not stupid at all.

Some stations’ digital signals are not at full power yet and don't come in well in some parts of their market.

Some stations are not broadcasting digitally yet.

Low-power stations, Class A stations, and translators are not subject to the 2009-02-17 cutoff and many of them will continue to broadcast only in analog.

Viewers in the US near the Canadian or Mexican borders may want to receive analog stations from the neighboring country.

Remember also that it's not really analog passthrough, it's RF passthrough, so having it enables daisy-chaining devices with tuners.

In sum, a box with RF passthrough might be unnecessary for you, but other people have other desires (I was going to say "needs," but TV watching is not really a need, and I didn't want to open up that argument).

I wouldn't mind the phone number to that idiot.

I called both the local store manger here which said:
"I haven't had one single return, only zillions of requests for them, and nothin but returns on the "DS" box"
(He really said "Zillions btw).

Also called the Manager at the distribution center that shipped me a DTT-901 to my local store when that damned Digital Stream DTX-9950 went up on flames on me and he said:
"He has one of the lowest carry-over's on that stock number"
I guess that RS-Slang for it still "on the sheets" because they couldn't "move it".
I forgot to ask about the DS, but I should have...

/Personal Opinion
Gosh that DS (Reception) sure sucked...
/End Personal Opinion

I'd like to see some vote for things besides the Channel Master CM-700 and the Zenith DTT-901.

I had some hopes for the newer Apex DT-502 after seeing that the RF jacks were reversed (a clear indication of full redesign with a different tuner module) but that thread is now indicating heat related lock-ups...

RS in Winchester, VA. Don't remember the guys name.

I'm wondering if some Radio Shack managers don't realize that the 901 doesn't have the audio issue that the early 900's had???? Many of those early 900's "were" returned; so they are probably hesitant to carry "anything" Zenith based on those previous issues.

Thanks "mtnbike-dude", I'll forward that info to the guy at corporate distribution. Might even call that guy myself.

Good point "Digital Rules", that might be why he got that impression about them.
Only the DTT-900's number was pulled, not the DTT-901. All franchised RS's can still get them anytime they want from distribution directly. Guess there was a better margin on the DS box in my area.

I'll bet you wouldn't feel that way if you were quadriplegic and confined to an iron lung 24/7.

Didn't you post that and delete it just after I made the post you're answering?

Let me explain it this way: if I had just gone ahead and called TV watching a "need," surely someone would have objected that it isn't, probably in the form of a long rant.

I know. That's why my post wasn't a long rant. Just mentioning that possible side.

A few bugs in the timer? On mine, that would be like saying Rosie O Donnel has a few donuts for breakfast.

Problem is, I have a DTV Pal with a timer that doesn't work.

How are they going to fix those?

You will probably have to pay to ship it back to Dish and once they receive it, they will send you a new box with updated firmware, although some have theorized it might eventually be possible to do an OTA firmware update.

Have purchased four Insignia ns-dxa1 converter boxes for my analog televisions.
extremely pleased with the results.excellent picture quailty,great sensitivity,signal strength meter very sharp.Good ventilation with solid box.One drawback is somewhat low audio.
worst box i have seen is the magnavox from wally world. tim New freedom, Pa

I think the Zenith DTT901 is the best choice for most people. Good performance and reliability at a reasonable price. The CM is probably second, but initial cost including exorbitant shipping costs keep it from being the best choice for most. I have purchased two DTT900s and one DTT901.

I just look at it like this - if I have to suggest one best all-around box for someone, it's usually the Zenith. If they have another coupon and need another box, I'll usually suggest the CM-7000, just to have one of each - if they can get it locally (internet if they want to pay the extra amount - if not, nothing wrong at all with another Zenith).

Unless maybe if they say that a better guide is really that important to them, then I'll suggest the CM first.

Any more from then on I just totally leave up to them - but I will tell them which boxes to stay away from if they ask. Like for instance, the DTVPal. But I did suggest that one to at least one person here who was really looking for one with something similar to a standard satellite guide (albeit with included warnings and disclaimers).

Now, before all the Pal-lovers on this sub-forum get their panties in a bunch and start shouting, "But it's a perfectly fine box for watching TV if you don't care about or use the timers" - like it or not, the fact is that the CM's QC is much better, and the Zenith's is much, much better. And that's not subjective, like the picture quality. If these people are depending on me for good advice, I want to be sure to give them the best I can. Some of the people I advise (in my real life - not here - unless they specify it here) can't or don't want to be spending all kinds of money trying out different boxes.

I bought the Magnovox CECB at Walmart in May and the Insignia CECB at BestBuy in July (after deciding to end my $56/m expanded basic (analog) cable!)

Each are attached to TV on opposite ends of my apartment so I don't have anything definitive to say about differences in receiption. I suspect they have similar electronics and basically the same reception capability. FWIW the Insingnia box handles analog pass through much better than the magnavoc, especially with UHF channels.

The big difference is in ease of use where Insignia outshines Magnovox bigtime! here is a list off the top of my head of features present in the Insignia and not in the Magnovox that matter to me.

1) on/off button and channel up/down buttons on the CECB itself-- incase you cannot use the remote for some reason

2)Volume & mute buttons. Set your TV's volume to a sufficient level and control the volume level through your Insignia CECB

3) programmable TV power button on Insignia remote. With this feature in conjuction with the volume controls, one will not need to use the TV remote again!

4)more intuitive remote layout. Makes it easy to use many of the features without looking at the remote; useful for watching the TV late at night in bed with all lights off.

5) signal button on remote. no need to go through the menu to find the signal level of a channell, just press one button. and in addition to just a bar meter on the screen, the insignia gives geiger-counter-like beeps which is very helpful when addjusting your antenna... you don't always have to be looking at the TV to detect a stronger signal!

6)menu system is much better in a number of ways that I wont bother to explain in detail. I will mention though the insiginia has the ability to scan for new channels without erasing those already in meomory. Yet another feature that helps one setting up antenna for optimal reception.

I have been lurking around these boards for I don't know how long. Every time I have a question, I find myself in your forums.

Just wondering, Consumer Reprots stated that Tivax had the best picture, but I see reading here that the 901 is a great improvement over the 900. (Their site does not appear to have been updated in quite a while, though.)Has anyone compared the Tivax STB-T8 to the 901?

Also, I've read several references to RAM. Would someone please elaborate?


Question for Admin: Is this a phpbb board? Is this what happens if you upgrade? Haven't done that ourselves, as we wish to see what the consequences would be.

Thanks!

I have the Zenith/Insignia with passthrough and the Channelmaster and the CM-7000 gets my vote as best box based on its sensitivity and picture quality.

The Channelmaster is more sensitive for my stations getting WTNH and WTIC solidly on a night when those channels were glitchy on the Insignia box.

The picture on the CM-7000 using the s-video connection is the best as expected; using a composite connection the two boxes have about the same image quality.

The guides are different but neither seems better to me. The Insignia has now/next that it stores for all the channels after you have flipped through them so you can then browse without changing the channel. The CM has a 12 hour guide that it doesn't store at all- it only fills in the channel being tuned and pauses before filling when you move forward in time.

The Insignia has the better remote, the CM remote is poorly organized.

I bought the Zenith at CC ($20) a week ago, installed it prior to taking it out to the in-laws' house for install there.
I was impressed with the setup and menu design. Quick and easy, pleasant to view. I believe the remote will power on/off most TVs. The pic looked good via the composite connection via my older 20 inch Sony. I liked the way the zoom worked, easier than on my LCD tvs for sure, and one of those is a new high end Samsung.

I brought home the CM7000 from Fry's as they are on sale right now, same cost as Zenith. The build-look of the CM looks real good as compared with the other cheap looking units for sale. The packaging is terrible in terms of seeing its features. I knew about the S-Video feature, which I wanted on at least one of my own boxes. I just assumed the remote would power on/off a TV because with that basic feature one could set aside their TV remote most of the time, wouldn't have to handle two remotes which is a nuisance. It appears the CM7000 won't power the TVs, cannot see mention of this in the manual. True?
Mine has the remote with the red power button, the manual shows one without a red button, any answer for that? I have not installed it yet, just went online to ask this question.

True, no TV power control on the CM7000 remote.

The CM7000 Warranty is 90 Days, That is a feature I don't like.
Dtt901 has 12/3 warranty.
I have till the end of the year to make a decision on what one to buy.
I already see I won't be getting all the features I wanted.
I wanted:
Enhanced Program Guide (7 days give or take)
Dolby Digital
Universal Remote Control
S-Video Output (but not a must have.)
Warranty -1 year
Remote wrist control with Flux Cap., Di lithium Xtal, 8 track/Beta Max and Subwoofer.
A Guy can want right?
Paul