Access HD boxes??? - Page 2

I see where I missed the EPG function of the DTA1080. It requires the use of the "Info" button and then the right arrow key to cycle through the shows. You view each "Title," one at a time, up to 12 hours.

Model #: DTA1080D Date Code: 0908

I picked up my Access DTA1080D on Jan-18-09.
No, mine does not need a rescan every time I turn it off.

Video
Picture quality is very good.

Audio
But there’s room for improvement with the audio.
I too find the converter’s volume very low and have to max the Volume Bar to it’s extreme of 63.
Then I pump up the volume on the TV and listening level is passable.
But the volume is somewhat dim in playing back recorded tapes made with a VCR connected to the DTA1080D converter.
Using an RF Cable from the converter to the TV provides audio static crackle on all channels.
But using a composite A/V cable provides clean audio.

Aspect
Indeed there are only two screen size settings: "Normal" and "Zoom."
Normal & zoom works on HD channels, but no changes for SD channels.

Program Guide (EPG)
It does have a 10-hour EPG. On some channels it goes to 12 hours.
This box only has an "Information" button which gives channel/Time/Current Show Title information.
When the Information window pops up -- on the right side you will see a "yellow right arrow head" prompting you to press the right arrow button on your remote.
This will advance the time slot & Title on the EPG.
Once you advance forward one time slot a left arrow will appear so you can go backwards with the EPG.
You can only view the EPG info for the channel you are currently tuned to.

One further note …
I have a Philips PM435S Universal Remote (4 device) that I bought last month.
"Access" is not in the code listing nor does a code search work so this remote will not operate the DTA1080D converter.
But the Philips remote operates my Disk Network TR40CRA converter.

By this you mean that it can apply custom changes to the digital close captions and to the analog close captions?

From DTA1080 Manual:

The Apex DT502 and the Zenith/Insignia boxes have this option too. The exeption being old analog close captions, the custum style can only be applied to digital close captions. I have mine set to yellow text with a black background with half opacity/transparency.

To clarify my original statement. "I don't think I've ever seen a CECB that can adjust so many CC options."

Insignia NS-DXA1-APT	AccessHD DTA1080	APEX DT502 & Sunkey SK-801ATSC
Size	Size	Size
Style	Font	N/A
Text Color	Text Color	Foreground Color
Text Opacity	Text Opacity	Foreground Opacity
Background Color	Background Color	Background Color
Background Opacity	Background Opacity	Background Opacity
Edge Type	Edge Effect	N/A
Edge Color	Edge Color	N/A

The Zinwell ZAT-970A doesn't have any adjustments and produces a three line, white text, on a black background. This is located at the bottom of the screen.

I did a systematic check of my DTA1080 and found the following:

a) There is a very noticable audio static on the RF output.
b) There is a horizontal interference line (like on a VCR playing back a bad tape) on the APT (even when the power cord has been removed).
c) It took 11:27 to do an initial scan (double pass).
d) Volume is very low (particularly when using the RF output) and only goes to 63.
e) reception sensitivity is about equal to my Insignia, but not as good as my APEX DT502 or Sunkey SK-801ATSC (most stations came in around 40).
f) RF output PQ is the worst of all the CECB's I've used.
g) Takes a long time to go from APT to digital or vica-versa (ON=18 seconds, OFF=13 seconds).
h) Mine will not hold scanned channels when it powers down (turned OFF).

One thing to be aware of is that there seem to be two distinct breeds of Access HD boxes. Some are relatively large, heavy metal boxes, and have smart antenna, service port, and internal AC power supply. The others are small plastic boxes with DC input jack and "wall wart" power supply.

I assume those are different model numbers if they are that different.

I have the DTA 1080D as well (obtained from Rite-Aid) and I tend to agree with the last few reviews in general, but I find the sensitivity to be a huge disappointment. I'll be trying a Sansonic FTA300 today and hopefully that will be an improvement.

I was also interested in the CRAIG CVD506 since the Sansonic doesn't have an analog pass-through, but a few reviews say the FTA300 has decent sensitivity to pull in weaker signals.

Has anyone had access to, and compared the three?

Since your local CVS is carrying both units, you have the ability to check one out and if you don't get the results you think you should, you might be able to trade it out for the other.

I received my coupon this weekend and went out to find a converter box. I didn't do much research of any kind before hand and just followed the instructions on the paper that came with the coupon. This led me to Rite Aid where they had just one kind, the Access 1050D for $59.99. Little did I know this was $10 more than the company even charges for it on their web site.

I really like the box and it's features, and even though I didn't get the universal remote with it (as I should have for the price), I am okay with the dedicated remote.

What is driving me crazy is the audio. If this box was free for me I wouldn't complain, but since I had to lay down $20 additional dollars and I cannot return it, I find it frustrating that it has such poor audio.

The volume level goes up to 63. An odd number, to be sure, but the number doesn't matter as long as it sounds good. Unfortunately it does not sound very good at all.

When using the RF output audio is muddy. The volume level does nothing at all. At 0 there is no sound, and anything from 1 to 63 is just apparently "on".

With the RCA L/R audio output it is a very bright, dynamic sound with fantastic stereo separation. It almost sounds like surround sound with just two speakers. The biggest problem is that even at maximum volume (63) the output is extremely low. It is about one half or less the level it should be going into an amplifier. This means you have to turn the amp volume way up, and when you do so you get to hear lots of squeaky staticy digital noise on the line, as well as hiss depending on the channel. I find this very frustrating. I find myself continually trying to turn the volume up with the 1050's remote, but it just doesn't go over 63. It seems like a major flaw to me in what would otherwise be a great little device.

Also, as soon as I switch the amp to another input source I get my ears blasted out unless I remember to turn the amp volume back down after using the Access HD.

There is no different in audio level between the L/R output at max volume and the RF output.

I wish I could return it and get a different box, but it's the only one the store had so there is no chance. I'd like to get my money and coupon back and pick something else up that did not have this issue... unless it is a factor in all these boxes.

This one says manufactured 9-08. I guess it's been on the shelf a while.

Lesson learned. Buy a box and try it first before using a coupon on it.

I'd exchange it.

At least for your second box, do more research here first, now that you're here. And forget about saving a few bucks, if it means getting something you'll be more satisfied with.

Personally, other than the Zinwell, I'd shy away from anything sold in a drug store. They've always been known for selling the worst of the worst when it comes to electronics (like Memorex, for example).

Corollary: buy the box well before the coupon expires, so that you have to time try it out.

AccessHD has a notification on their 800 # about a memory defect in their CECB's. It causes the unit to loose channel data when it is turned "OFF."

The generic RMA to return a defective unit is "MEM101." They want a Purchase Receipt, Phone Number, and Return Shipping Address.

Send the unit to:

GXI International
7868 Highway 70 West
Suite C
Clayton, NC 27520

As disappointed as I am with Access HD 1050's low volume/noisy RCA audio output, I have not had the problem others have reported about it forgetting the channels.

i don't know why they label these boxes as "HD". Not all digital television is high definition. These converter boxes down convert the signal to 480i standard definition, and believe me, comparing and HD channels via digital OTA on an analog tv with a CECB to a 720p LCD HDTV, the quality is like night and day.

Looks like the public was misleaded.....again.

I received my AccessHD CECB back today. If anyone out there needs to send their unit back for repair, only send the CECB itself. I sent the complete package (as I purchased it) and they sent it back in two different shipping boxes, without the original retail box.

I'll report back on it's performance, as soon as I get a chance to give it a workout.

I ran a test yesterday and found that AccessHD didn't address the audio issues (static and "63" volume). They did fix the channel retention problem.

I didn't realize before that this CECB has only two "Aspect Ratios;" "ZOOM" & "NORMAL."

This CECB is going to be relegated to the bottom off my use list. I really wish I'd never bought it.

I checked the serial number on the unit that AccessHD sent back to me and find that it has the same number as the one I sent back.

I also opened the unit and found that the tuner's shield definitely keeps you from seeing the chips underneath. I'm intriqued by the Samsung chip. It's marked with "837" and "K4H561638J-LCCC."

Looking at the Samsung datasheet the K4H561638J-LCC is a 256Mb (16Mx16) DDR400@CL=3 SDRAM memory chip.

you know 63 is the hex number for 99 BTW

Doesn't matter. The volume level is very low compared to all other CECB's I've tested.

Don't forget to read the rest of the thread.

I can see the grin on your face when you wrote about the hand warmer there, most
manufacturers in prospectus say 40C, did they say that also or did they withold the info
rmation?
Cadence before they took it from onLine suggested temp. at 60?, I've assumed that they meant outdoors, but 60C outdoor does no exist on face of earth, then it must have
been inside the box + more so 70C would be reasonable, alo.

Spec is for ambient (surrounding) temp, not what temp it generates. They can probably handle higher temp to a point but with degradation in performance and long-term reliability (MTBF). Real cold doesn't break anything electrical, just performance degrades and many times circuits stop operating; noise generation drops which is good for RF things like receivers to improve their sensitivity. Having a hard time receiving that distant station? Put it on ice.

Channel Master lists 60C too. A common temp for automotive and industrial. It can get that hot in a box with other devices generating and outdoors (ex: portable cellular base station). This consumer stuff shouldn't need that high a spec but CM and Cadence seem the type used to making stuff for this spec.