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Zenith DTT901 - Page 67

post #1981 of 2232
1/13/12 at 12:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Floydage View Post

Maybe try a CL free ad for electronic scrappers and tell them you can help load it to their vehicle. That's my plan on some stuff here. If the ad doesn't work I'll have to get help loading them to my van so I can take them to the city's e-cycle drop-off place.

Interesting on the RCA, might be worth a manual download to see what that is. Maybe something to do with IR blaster? When I first read "SystemLink" I thought of that control link some of my stereo components have (connectors on back) so that one remote will control all the interconnected devices.

From what I read the system link on the RCA is for additional RCA components (didn't know RCA made any in the time era) (2002)... & what really surprises me on both these sets are the lack of inputs! .. no dual video & not even an S, & the RCA only has them in the front.. would hate to invest in switchboxes as I may be scrapping them soon.

Best Buy supposevely takes up to 31 or 32 for a $10 fee (refundable gift card), other than that I have to drive it 25 miles to my garbage carrier facility & they will take it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DragonLoaf View Post

Totally understand about the weight and bulk of that set. I am fortunate to have a son who is still single and close enough to home that he regularly visits on weekends. I wouldn't have the sets I have now without him. Your predicament has me thinking about what I will do in the future when my sets give up the ghost.

Good luck with your search for a replacement TV. I would bring you my Sony KV-27FS120, but that ~ 2500 mile drive one-way is a little much.

TY, LOL I'm sure that Sony would great but imagine the fuel costs involved! ... the fuel costs are always factoring into many decisions now. I found a nice 20" Sony for $8 @ Goodwill but again right now again no place to set it. I wouldn't want anything over a 27" CRT right now.

What is the best way to move a set that large, a 2 wheeler with straps & the screen toward you? I may be able to have access to a small dolly but again I'd need a second person on the other side to lift over the doorway & off the porch.
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post #1982 of 2232
1/13/12 at 12:44pm
At one time I owned 4 different ones and they all worked well. Right now I have the PAL and the RCA.

Back to my question. These boxes take Digital signals and convert them to analog. Do any of them offer to pass the digital as well as convert it and pass it?

Reason I am asking is MY one SHARP TV tuner is not as good as my other TVS. In fact I am thinking it was such an early model that DIGITAL OTA was not available so the tuner was an after thought.

The converter boxes I have had better tuners. And they are relatively very cheap compared to the Digital Tuners they sell today. So if one were able to make use of a converter box tuner that passed also digital that would be great. In fact if any of the coverter box people just made a small change to do that I would love it but I don't think there is a market as there would be more of them and they would be cheap.
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post #1983 of 2232
1/13/12 at 3:44pm
Many CECB models offer passthrough, including the Zenith DTT901 for which this thread was started.  It might be confusing to see it called "analog passthrough," but that's because its original intent was for watching the LP stations that continue to broadcast in analog NTSC.  It's an RF passthrough function, pure and simple.

But here's what's confusing: if the destination machine can handle ATSC, why do you have a CECB in the chain at all?  The only reason I can think of is that the CECB's ATSC tuner might be better, in which case you'd want to use it rather than another tuner downstream of it.
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post #1984 of 2232
1/14/12 at 7:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dattier View Post

Many CECB models offer passthrough, including the Zenith DTT901 for which this thread was started.* It might be confusing to see it called "analog passthrough," but that's because its original intent was for watching the LP stations that continue to broadcast in analog NTSC.* It's an RF passthrough function, pure and simple.

But here's what's confusing: if the destination machine can handle ATSC, why do you have a CECB in the chain at all?* The only reason I can think of is that the CECB's ATSC tuner might be better, in which case you'd want to use it rather than another tuner downstream of it.

My issue is my Sony TV tuner is not very good and some channels which I can pull in just fine with my other TVs are a problem. My wish was that there may be a converter box that not only converts digital to analog but may also pass the digital signal on as another output so it could be fed to an LCD TV.

I did own 4 converter boxes at one time (for me and my mother). I sold the Channel Master and Zenith boxes and I only have the RCA and DTVPAL. I did not recall any of them passing anything but analog signals to the TV. My thinking was it would be easy for these devices to also pass digital that was not converted but I was not sure any ot them did or would have been designed to do that.

Are you saying the Zenith box I sold passed analog and digital signals? Shucks!
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post #1985 of 2232
1/14/12 at 7:58am
I just hooked up my DTVPAL and it does pass thru digital signal. However it does not use the DTVPAL tuner when it does that. While the box is on it is not in control the TV tuner is.

I want it to pass thru while the converter box tuner is in control.
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post #1986 of 2232
1/14/12 at 8:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

Are you saying the Zenith box I sold passed analog and digital signals? Shucks!

It doesn't generate its own digital output; in passthrough mode, even if the manual calls it "analog passthrough," it passes whatever RF signals it receives, whether they carry analog or digital info.

If I remember right, the Zinwell CECBs could send composite signals converted from ATSC out the RCA outputs while passing the RF out the 75-ohm output, and it could send one decoded channel to a device with composite inputs (such as an old TV or a VCR) and pass the RF to another device that has its own ATSC tuner at the same time.  Maybe that's what you're looking for?  The Zenith DTT901 passes RF only when it's on standby, so it can't do that.
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post #1987 of 2232
1/14/12 at 9:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bismarck440 View Post

...& what really surprises me on both these sets are the lack of inputs! .. no dual video & not even an S, & the RCA only has them in the front.. would hate to invest in switchboxes as I may be scrapping them soon.

Best Buy supposevely takes up to 31 or 32 for a $10 fee (refundable gift card), other than that I have to drive it 25 miles to my garbage carrier facility & they will take it.

What is the best way to move a set that large, a 2 wheeler with straps & the screen toward you? I may be able to have access to a small dolly but again I'd need a second person on the other side to lift over the doorway & off the porch.

That is weird, usually only like that on the smallest of sets although by that year those were starting to be considered small. The front connector only makes me think the RCA was a 'true' monitor intended for game or camcorder plug-in. An A/V receiver works as a switchbox if you have one of those complicated power-hungry devices in your setup.

I suspect Best Buy won't pick up but they still sound the way to go vs gasoline. Thanks for the info, I can always blow a few bucks at Best Buy. Speaking of costs, I just came to the realization that I could recoup my money on a small flat panel TV in a few years via the difference in extra electricity I have to pay for with the 34" CRT which uses about 450W.

My 27" I was able to carry a short distance but when I picked up a 27" from an upstairs apartment I used a dolly with straps, screen toward me with a piece of foam rubber between the screen and dolly (turned out that TV was flaky and I immediately got rid of it, a-holes lied to me). For my 34" I borrowed my neighbor's furniture dolly which is nothing more than four pieces of wood in the form of a square, covered with fabric, and with four heavy-duty casters.

Funny one: My 19" computer monitor died a few months ago so I found someone in my zip giving two away the other day. We set it up and it turned out that the address is across the street from my cul de sac. I joked back at the guy saying I'll just walk across the street when he's ready.
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post #1988 of 2232
1/14/12 at 10:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

Do any of them offer to pass the digital as well as convert it and pass it?

Reason I am asking is MY one SHARP TV tuner is not as good as my other TVS.

None of the converter boxes I know of pass-thru RF while producing a tuned output at one of the other ports at the same time (like a VCR); probably was done to cut costs and was not mandated by the gov't. One of my biggest gripes too. I had to use an RF splitter which cuts the antenna signal strength in half to each device (but I have a great antenna setup so it didn't hurt me). In another setup I use an RF switch which doesn't cut much antenna strength but I can only watch one TV at a time.

Speaking of antenna signal strength, do you have any devices between the antenna and the Sharp TV? Did you try another cable there? (flaky cable).
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post #1989 of 2232
1/14/12 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Floydage View Post

None of the converter boxes I know of pass-thru RF while producing a tuned output at one of the other ports at the same time (like a VCR); probably was done to cut costs and was not mandated by the gov't. One of my biggest gripes too. I had to use an RF splitter which cuts the antenna signal strength in half to each device (but I have a great antenna setup so it didn't hurt me). In another setup I use an RF switch which doesn't cut much antenna strength but I can only watch one TV at a time.

Speaking of antenna signal strength, do you have any devices between the antenna and the Sharp TV? Did you try another cable there? (flaky cable).

I have 2 TVs that are fed from the basement with a splitter. An older Sharp HDTV and a newer one. The newer one has no problems. The old one does. I redid the cable from the basement and even switched the ports on the spliiter. It made NO difference. I hooked up the DTVPAL and it captures the signal fine. So I can only assume it is the SHARP tuner. Seems to point to that being the issue. It appears they don't make standalone tuners for a reasonable price. Most if you can find one are over $100. I was hoping a converter box would provide a simple solution. I kind of found one though. For the channels that I have an issue with I will just watch them with the converter box. The picture is not great but it is decent enough.
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post #1990 of 2232
1/14/12 at 11:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

I redid the cable from the basement and even switched the ports on the spliiter. It made NO difference. I hooked up the DTVPAL and it captures the signal fine. So I can only assume it is the SHARP tuner.

Yeah if you used the Sharp TV's RF connection on a converter box then it's definitely the TV (sorry if I missed any explanation detail). A friend of mine has a small flat panel that we couldn't get to tune as well as the converter boxes but he's in a tough area (near airport and tall buildings).

BTW you won't get HD with a converter box but your recent solution sounds like the best compromise. Some satellite and cable set-top boxes have auxilliary HD tuners so watch for folks getting rid of those.
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post #1991 of 2232
1/14/12 at 11:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Floydage View Post

None of the converter boxes I know of pass-thru RF while producing a tuned output at one of the other ports at the same time ...

I'm pretty sure that the Zinwell ZAT970A can.
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post #1992 of 2232
1/14/12 at 5:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dattier View Post

I'm pretty sure that the Zinwell ZAT970A can.

Well I'll be dipped, I stand corrected sir! Good to know, thanks! I just tried it out and it worked! Some of my excitement dissipated though when it wouldn't pass-through with the Zinwell off; I thought I could eliminate a splitter but I would have to leave the 970A powered up all the time (CM to TV/Zinwell to VCR setup). Maybe that's what I was thinking of like a VCR.

The manual doesn't go into that specific of the pass-through function. My first Zinwell, a 950A, only passes-through when it's off - in fact the pass-through button on the 970A remote turns it off (and the only button differences between the two remotes). Weird but I know those two models have different tuners and the antenna switch is part of the tuner section.
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post #1993 of 2232
1/15/12 at 7:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Floydage View Post

Well I'll be dipped, I stand corrected sir! Good to know, thanks! I just tried it out and it worked! Some of my excitement dissipated though when it wouldn't pass-through with the Zinwell off; I thought I could eliminate a splitter but I would have to leave the 970A powered up all the time (CM to TV/Zinwell to VCR setup). Maybe that's what I was thinking of like a VCR.

The manual doesn't go into that specific of the pass-through function. My first Zinwell, a 950A, only passes-through when it's off - in fact the pass-through button on the 970A remote turns it off (and the only button differences between the two remotes). Weird but I know those two models have different tuners and the antenna switch is part of the tuner section.

Are you saying this converter box will send unconverted digital signals to the TV under the control of the box's tuner?
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post #1994 of 2232
1/15/12 at 9:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

Are you saying this converter box will send unconverted digital signals to the TV under the control of the box's tuner?

The term used is "pass-thru" meaning that RF signals are passed thru the box unchanged (or maybe amplified a bit) so that they can be tuned by something further down the chain, like the tuner in a TV. Those signals are not "under the control of the box's tuner" in any sense. That tuner is bypassed when the unit is in pass-thru mode.
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post #1995 of 2232
1/15/12 at 9:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

Are you saying this converter box will send unconverted digital signals to the TV under the control of the box's tuner?

Here's the setup:

Antenna to RF (coax) input connector of Zinwell.
Zinwell RF output connector to another converter box or TV with digital TV tuner (ATSC).

Zinwell composite (RCA) connectors to TV that requires a digital TV tuner.

The first section above will pass-through the antenna signal when you push the DIGITAL/ANALOG button on the Zinwell remote. The second section above will provide the Zinwell's demodulated signal to the TV's composite input.

One catch: Unlike a VCR this Zinwell must be turned on for this to work. Standby won't work either.

BTW make sure it's 970A. A 950A won't do it. Also, there were older versions without the A, the A denotes pass-through. Believe it or not Amazon still sells these new with free shipping for $40. I don't know if anyone else has them cheaper new. In regards to the used markets make sure they tell you the model number on the bottom of the unit (I watch the used markets and most of the people don't even list the brand, like all boxes are the same )).
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post #1996 of 2232
1/15/12 at 11:11am
What I am looking for is the converter box tuner to control the digital Signal to the TV. So that I can watch HD Digital programming (not analog) controlled by the converter box as my TV Digital tuner is not very good. From what you describe this box does not send a digital signal to the TV that it controls.

Am I correct?
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post #1997 of 2232
1/15/12 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

What I am looking for is the converter box tuner to control the digital Signal to the TV. So that I can watch HD Digital programming (not analog) controlled by the converter box as my TV Digital tuner is not very good. From what you describe this box does not send a digital signal to the TV that it controls.

Am I correct?

Yes. The converter boxes ("CECBs") only have SD analog outputs. The government required this as part of their coupon program.

What you are looking for is an external HD tuner. For example the Channel Master CM-7001 has both HDMI and component HD outputs.

Check here for list: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=179095
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post #1998 of 2232
1/16/12 at 1:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Floydage View Post

That is weird, usually only like that on the smallest of sets although by that year those were starting to be considered small. The front connector only makes me think the RCA was a 'true' monitor intended for game or camcorder plug-in. An A/V receiver works as a switchbox if you have one of those complicated power-hungry devices in your setup.

No AV receiver, I want to simplify my life & not complicate it.

No RCA jacks on the back of the RCA, just a RF connector for the antenna & the SystemLink Jack. Reason Id be leaning toward the Philips, I can still hook everything but the Blu Ray up to it & not have any cords coming out of the front.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Floydage View Post

I suspect Best Buy won't pick up but they still sound the way to go vs gasoline. Thanks for the info, I can always blow a few bucks at Best Buy.

Over 32" they want $100 to dispose of, they will pick up your old set if you order 'Geek Squad' for an additional $159 with your TV purchase. (I think that's what I was quoted.
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post #1999 of 2232
1/16/12 at 9:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

What I am looking for is the converter box tuner to control the digital Signal to the TV. So that I can watch HD Digital programming (not analog) controlled by the converter box as my TV Digital tuner is not very good. From what you describe this box does not send a digital signal to the TV that it controls.

Am I correct?

Sorry Len, I can't explain it ain't better than post #1995. I don't think anyone here understands your use of the terminology. Again I apologize.
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post #2000 of 2232
1/16/12 at 10:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bismarck440 View Post

No AV receiver, I want to simplify my life & not complicate it.

Over 32" they want $100 to dispose of, they will pick up your old set if you order 'Geek Squad' for an additional $159 with your TV purchase. (I think that's what I was quoted.

I hear ya. My bud got me a refurb Kenwood AVR for $200 (a $1000 value! ) years ago and I've only used it for the radio. What a waste and somewhat obsolete now since it only goes up to s-video. I recently tried to hook up just the audio to this Panny TV I just got and no go. So it either needs the video hooked up too to switch and/or I have to go through a complicated setup routine per the manual (which of course is done through an on-screen dispay ). All I wanted was the two surround channels pre-amped out to my stereo as the Panny's sound is fine for front and center. I can also add the subwoofer if I can find a boomy speaker lying around. Then there's the power consumption issue but I'm hoping with the speaker switches off (preamp only) I'll alleviate that, plus only use it for movies and such.

Yeah I think I saw something similar when I looked at the Best Buy site and recycling state = Texas. I can take 3 items per day with TVs up to 32". They'll come pick up 2 TVs for $100 and something like $50 more for each additional TV. At least if your state is the same, if you can get some help you got somewhere closer to take it for free. I didn't see anything about a $10 gift card though, doesn't surprise me as they would get inundated with drop-offs. There was a section that gave gift cards for 'gently used' stuff.
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post #2001 of 2232
1/16/12 at 10:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

What I am looking for is the converter box tuner to control the digital Signal to the TV. So that I can watch HD Digital programming (not analog) controlled by the converter box as my TV Digital tuner is not very good. From what you describe this box does not send a digital signal to the TV that it controls.

Am I correct?

An ordinary CECB like the Zenith DTT901 will tune ATSC digital signals (HD or SD) and output them as SD composite video to feed the yellow RCA connector on your TV plus the red & white connectors for audio. They also generate NTSC analog RF signals for TVs without video inputs. Some can also output S-video, which can look a bit better than composite video.

A high-def ATSC tuner like the Samsung DTB-H260F will tune those same signals, but high-def tuners can also output HD component video to feed the green/blue/red inputs on your TV (plus the same red & white audio inputs) so you can watch a high-def picture.

If you're asking for something that can generate an ATSC RF signal to feed your TV's ATSC digital tuner, that would be an ATSC encoder, and you're not likely to find one of those. Actually I think they are available, but the last time I checked they still cost several thousand dollars. All affordable devices that generate RF output are NTSC modulators which output only SD analog video.
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post #2002 of 2232
1/16/12 at 12:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by L David Matheny View Post

An ordinary CECB like the Zenith DTT901 will tune ATSC digital signals (HD or SD) and output them as SD composite video to feed the yellow RCA connector on your TV plus the red & white connectors for audio. They also generate NTSC analog RF signals for TVs without video inputs. Some can also output S-video, which can look a bit better than composite video.

A high-def ATSC tuner like the Samsung DTB-H260F will tune those same signals, but high-def tuners can also output HD component video to feed the green/blue/red inputs on your TV (plus the same red & white audio inputs) so you can watch a high-def picture.

If you're asking for something that can generate an ATSC RF signal to feed your TV's ATSC digital tuner, that would be an ATSC encoder, and you're not likely to find one of those. Actually I think they are available, but the last time I checked they still cost several thousand dollars. All affordable devices that generate RF output are NTSC modulators which output only SD analog video.

It appears that most tuners that I am looking for are no longer in production and they are only available used at prices well over $100. The Samsung you mention is in that category.
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post #2003 of 2232
1/16/12 at 12:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Floydage View Post

Good price and should be worth the complication for s-video and program guide. You also get Dolby Digital audio (do Zeniths?) and an extra zoom setting (smaller zoom than the standard, I like it better).

Might be the Panny's 480i to 480p upscaler unless that Sony has it too (I would think so); maybe the Sony has an on/off switch for it unlike the Panny and the switch is currently off. Yeah various inputs, menu settings for each, etc. We've weaved a complicated web with these converter box/widescreen CRT combos.

Now we should be looking for something with an HD tuner. Complicated though and I don't know exactly what to look for; I've been watching for satellite and set-top box ads as some of those units had aux HD OTA tuners, esp the sat ones. Speaking of looking on CL, it's so flaky vs keywords; when looking for these widescreen CRTs I have to look in all the ads for 30 to 40 inch because these folks don't know how to describe what they're selling.

So I spent some time on the weekend hooking up my overly complicated and antiquated man-cave system. The CM-7000 works very nicely connected via S-video to the same input my DTT-901 was connected to via composite, but honestly I can't say I see a significant difference in PQ. I do like the CM-7000 for its superior program guide, plus the info box with percentage signal strength indicator made it very easy to zero in on all the local channels with some simple location and orientation adjustments to the antenna sitting on top of the TV cabinet.

The antenna feed is split to go to my DTT-901 also, sending to the KV-27FS120 sitting on a stand there right next to the KV-30HS420 in the cabinet which is fed by the CM-7000. There doesn't seem to be any degradation in the signal strength, as both tuners are receiving the same set of channels admirably. So now when the NFL starts up again in the fall, I will be ready to watch 2 games at once on Sundays.

I routed the CM-7000 composite output to a DVD recorder and split the audio to go there and the TV simultaneously. I thought about splitting the
S-video to go to the DVD recorder rather than the composite, but I don't know that the difference would be that significant. I haven't done much adjusting as far as TV settings, but I am pleased by my results so far.

Yes, an HD tuner would be great, and I keep my eyes open for them. Usually they command a hefty premium from what I have found, and small wonder given their rarity. Last year a craigslist poster was selling a Zenith unit for a reasonable price, but I demurred simply because I feel so satisfied with the PQ coming out of my DTT-901 and the Panny. Maybe someday.

Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

It appears that most tuners that I am looking for are no longer in production and they are only available used at prices well over $100. The Samsung you mention is in that category.

Correct, no CECB is going to both tune the channel and output an HD signal from it. The only thing it could do is pass-thru the OTA feed for another tuner to handle.

Craigslist is your friend. Usually.
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post #2004 of 2232
1/16/12 at 1:52pm
Thanks for your help. Although it has put me back to where I was which is my only choice for a better tuner will be to spend big BUCKS or try to improve the signal to to the TV to the point the TV tuner will pick it up and I guess that is where I will go next...
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post #2005 of 2232
1/16/12 at 10:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LenL View Post

Thanks for your help. Although it has put me back to where I was which is my only choice for a better tuner will be to spend big BUCKS or try to improve the signal to to the TV to the point the TV tuner will pick it up and I guess that is where I will go next...

Hey LenL,

Your profile only lists a CM 4228 antenna and you have a lot of VHF channels coming out of NY. You might want to try adding a VHF antenna combined with the 4228 through your amp to improve you signal. Be sure to open the amp cover and change the input setting to separate. The Antennacraft Y10-7-13 or Winegard YA-1713 are both good choices. The Antennacraft can be purchased from Radio Shack for around $45 delivered.
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post #2006 of 2232
1/17/12 at 1:00pm
Now if one has an HD-tuner TV that some stations only tune in good with a converter box they could route the antenna coax through the converter box first and then to the TV. Hook the converter box's composite (RCA) outputs to one of the composite inputs of the TV.

With weak stations: Set the TV to the composite input chosen in the paragraph above and tune with the converter box. Output will be SD.

With strong stations: Set the converter box to pass-thru mode and tune with the TV's HD tuner.

This should work with any pass-thru capable converter box except that you can't watch both simultaneously (picture in picture) but with the Zinwell 970A you can. The Zinwell also allows one to leave it in pass-thru mode instead of having to change pass-thru modes when going back and forth between the tuners.
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post #2007 of 2232
1/17/12 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DragonLoaf View Post

The CM-7000 works very nicely connected via S-video to the same input my DTT-901 was connected to via composite, but honestly I can't say I see a significant difference in PQ.

The antenna feed is split to go to my DTT-901 also, sending to the KV-27FS120 sitting on a stand there right next to the KV-30HS420 in the cabinet which is fed by the CM-7000. There doesn't seem to be any degradation in the signal strength, as both tuners are receiving the same set of channels admirably. So now when the NFL starts up again in the fall, I will be ready to watch 2 games at once on Sundays.

I routed the CM-7000 composite output to a DVD recorder and split the audio to go there and the TV simultaneously. I thought about splitting the
S-video to go to the DVD recorder rather than the composite, but I don't know that the difference would be that significant.

Yes, an HD tuner would be great, and I keep my eyes open for them. Usually they command a hefty premium from what I have found, and small wonder given their rarity.

Yeah the differences aren't huge and these widescreen TVs may be smoothing the differences, plus they tend to have 3D Y/C filters to improve composite and less. I mostly noticed the difference between s-video and composite in dot crawl, jagged edges and such. Then there's the difference between the two widescreen TVs you have but I suspect you're tired of experimenting at this point.

Yeah I did the same thing due to my TV upgrade although I only split to a 19" due to availability. Really a Zinwell/VCR split for recording with the RF out going to either the Panny RF in or 19" via an RF switch. I can kinda tuck the 19" away behind the Panny though when not in use. Didn't hurt my signal strength either other than a few lesser stations but they still receive acceptably; I actually have two splits as there's a previous one for the living room/bedroom split. Thank goodness for a nice attic antenna setup!

I dunno, the DVD recorder might be able to do something more with upscaling using s-video than it can do with composite. Might be other PQ enhancing things too.

I wish I knew more on the HD tuner opps. I would think there was a glut of them out there in the form of old sat boxes where we might see folks just tossing them after upgrades or canceling sat service. Of course if they're leased where do the old ones go? May be the same thing with cable set-top boxes. Then there's DVRs but would be worth more (some sat and set-top boxes have DVR capability too). Old Tivos that have been hacked to work without a subcription?

Another score! Neighbor passed down to me a Sony BDP-S301 Blu-ray player, said it was getting slow to start or somesuch. After some 'net surfing I read newer format blu-ray stuff can be slow but there's a firmware upgrade for it. I only have a DVD to test it with but it worked fine.
Darn, and he just tossed a high-end range. Paid $390 to fix the oven then the top went out so they said screw it and bought a new one. I would surmise the repairman did something wrong but they didn't bother calling him back... Must be nice to have money to throw around.
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post #2008 of 2232
1/18/12 at 6:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamajestic View Post

Hey LenL,

Your profile only lists a CM 4228 antenna and you have a lot of VHF channels coming out of NY. You might want to try adding a VHF antenna combined with the 4228 through your amp to improve you signal. Be sure to open the amp cover and change the input setting to separate. The Antennacraft Y10-7-13 or Winegard YA-1713 are both good choices. The Antennacraft can be purchased from Radio Shack for around $45 delivered.

Actually my problem channel is CBS 2.1 UHF. I have a CM7777 preamp with that antenna. I also have 2 home built grey-hovermans with CM7777 preamps. MY problem is that I send the signals from one of the GHs to 2 TV's on the second floor and one TV gets CBS fine and the other doesn't. I tried switching lines etc and it did not change the issue. What is interesting is the TV that gets CBS fine is about another 30-40' further from the splitter but it is a newer TV with perhaps a better tuner.

So I just bought a CM distribution amp to jack up the signal a bit for the problem TV. I know it might also bring in some more reception issues but it was a cheaper possible solution and I could always resell it on Ebay if I decide to get rid of it.
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post #2009 of 2232
1/18/12 at 6:36am
I had the CM7000 convert box and the S-Video feed produced excellent results on my TVS. The best picture of the 4 boxes I had. I eventually sold it as my MOM did not have a TV that had S-video and I did not need it with my TVs. She uses the RCA box which has the best remote for her aged hands and I kept the DTVPAL in reserve for her which I have at my house.
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post #2010 of 2232
1/18/12 at 1:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Floydage View Post

Yeah the differences aren't huge and these widescreen TVs may be smoothing the differences, plus they tend to have 3D Y/C filters to improve composite and less. I mostly noticed the difference between s-video and composite in dot crawl, jagged edges and such. Then there's the difference between the two widescreen TVs you have but I suspect you're tired of experimenting at this point.

Yeah I did the same thing due to my TV upgrade although I only split to a 19" due to availability. Really a Zinwell/VCR split for recording with the RF out going to either the Panny RF in or 19" via an RF switch. I can kinda tuck the 19" away behind the Panny though when not in use. Didn't hurt my signal strength either other than a few lesser stations but they still receive acceptably; I actually have two splits as there's a previous one for the living room/bedroom split. Thank goodness for a nice attic antenna setup!

I dunno, the DVD recorder might be able to do something more with upscaling using s-video than it can do with composite. Might be other PQ enhancing things too.

I wish I knew more on the HD tuner opps. I would think there was a glut of them out there in the form of old sat boxes where we might see folks just tossing them after upgrades or canceling sat service. Of course if they're leased where do the old ones go? May be the same thing with cable set-top boxes. Then there's DVRs but would be worth more (some sat and set-top boxes have DVR capability too). Old Tivos that have been hacked to work without a subcription?

Another score! Neighbor passed down to me a Sony BDP-S301 Blu-ray player, said it was getting slow to start or somesuch. After some 'net surfing I read newer format blu-ray stuff can be slow but there's a firmware upgrade for it. I only have a DVD to test it with but it worked fine.
Darn, and he just tossed a high-end range. Paid $390 to fix the oven then the top went out so they said screw it and bought a new one. I would surmise the repairman did something wrong but they didn't bother calling him back... Must be nice to have money to throw around.

Nice score! My first Blu-ray player is a BDP-S360 and it's a good unit. In fact your comment about the S-video to the DVD recorder from the CM-7000 inspired me to do some shopping; I just ordered an HDMI switch, a couple of HDMI cables, an S-video splitter, and S-video cables. I will split the S-video output from the CM-7000 to run to the DVD recorder and the TV simultaneously. The aforementioned BDP-S360 (currently connected to the Mother-In-Law's TV and languishing from lack of use) is coming up to connect to the KV-30HS420 along with the Roku HD via the HDMI switch, which will leave me with one port left open on the HDMI switch.

As you may already know your BDP-S301 has a firmware update that came out on November 10, 2011 BDP-S301 Firmware Update and it is fairly easy to burn it to a CD-R and perform the update. Personally I don't get all worked up about a few extra seconds or even minutes of load time, the popcorn needs to be popped anyhow.

My wife wishes you were correct. I don't know if I'll ever get tired of "fixing" things. I am really looking forward to viewing Blu-rays on the KV-30HS420; considering how great the Roku looks on there, Blu-rays should be really sweet! So now I have spent about $40 for the CM-7000, HDMI switch, and cables for my free KV-30HS420. Ah well, it's a lot cheaper than bar-hopping, and healthier too!

Yeah, I am keeping an eye out for satellite boxes with HDTV capabilities too. It gets complicated because some require certain cards that were activated before specific dates or cancelled after something or other happened, etc., etc. so we have to be careful going that route. Will let you know if I discover anything.
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