Zinwell ZAT-970A? - Page 38

Discounting the flaky channel lineup/timer snafu, I've been happy. The Zinwell performs not as well as the actual HD tuner in my Hitachi plasma and performs significantly better than the tuner they put in my DISH VIP211.

We don't use any other CECBs, so I can't compare.

I checked and see that Amazon still has the Zinwells in stock; probably the best new box still available for $40 AND free shipping. Also stumbled across this unusual 'Zinwell' (?) site in my search (came up top of Yahoo search page):

http://zinwellzat970a.com/

Sounds like they're still making these boxes or they built up a huge stockpile. If someone buys one it would be interesting to see the mfg date code.

I have found a code for displaying the grid-style program guide on the early models of the Zinwell ZAT-970A (s/n less than 830) using a remote other than the DollarTree remote. If you have a General Electric remote that uses 4-digit codes it probably has it.

Apparently GE uses two versions of 4-digit codes in its remotes. Version 1 uses codes less than about 1xxx. This is what I did. On my GE model 24991 (rev C) remote I used code 1005 (which corresponds to TV brands "Gvision" and "Kogi") on the SAT key. Press the "3" button to bring up the EPG and use your regular remote control to navigate thru the listings and exit. After you exit you can press the "6" button to bring up and keep the signal meters on for as long as you want.

The Version 2 remotes use codes ranging from about 5xxx to 8xxx. The current model 24991 (yes, it uses the same model number as my apparently older remote but looks entirely different) on the Jascoproducts.com website uses Version 2 codes. Since I don't have a version 2 remote someone else will have to verify it but I suspect that code 5337 will do the same thing in Version 2 remotes.

I have the zinwell zat-970a how can i update it

Update what?

I'm sure he means from the instruction manual it stated that Zinwell would send updates OTA .. I think, i can't remember if it has some sort of USB interface in the back for any updates... The two I have are in storage, I did set one up for an aunt and taught her the timer so she can still record onto her old Replay and split the antenna to the TV's tuner so she can record and watch live if she wishes...

But Zinwell doesn't seem to update anything, its like expecting Coby to update a 1998 cassette player... wish the company would update things like an easily available guide and being able to set record timers from it!... All they were interested is getting some quick contract cash from the US government.

Nothing in the manual and no interface connectors on the back; maybe inside on the PCB. I suspect they would tell us has to be done via the service center. Agent is Zinnetusa.

Speaking of which, I've heard of OTA updates on certain products but how does that work? Is it passed through on some particular channel? Just doesn't seem practical to me.

Well I wouldn't stand Zinwell in front of the class, I bet most of the companies are the same with these boxes. I don't think there was much profit margin on the products and since they're not really continuing products they can't afford to allocate engineering resources for update support. I'd like to see the bugs get fixed in the Favorites function. Otherwise I thought they were pretty darn good and unique for the genre they are in.

Out of curiosity I just checked Amazon to see if they're still selling these, which they are, but they look completely different:

http://www.amazon.com/Zinwell-ZAT-970A-Digital-Converter-Antenna/dp/B001DVZXC0

Beefy metal box like a ChannelMaster. I perused the manual and the menus look completely different too but it 'appears' they no longer have a timer or Favorites. I'm suspicious it's been design outsourced...

Zinwell ZAT-970A Owner's Manual says that you can go to a Software Update menu, but didn't provide any screen shots re this feature, so maybe it exists in final products and maybe it doesn't:
http://dtvconverterboxes.blogspot.com/2009/05/zinwell-zat-970a-owners-manual.html
Manual says that there are two methods:
1) RS-232, but is ONLY for factory use (I can see RS-232 area on a picture of circuit board but TXD/RXD/GND/5V thru-holes are NOT populated with any pins for a connector).
2) OTA, which they say is via "cable"....which would (incorrectly???) IMPLY you need to attach it to a CATV system for "OTA" update....but perhaps they really mean what they call it: "OTA"....so worth a try anyway.

Both CATV and OTA systems have implemented a digital stream that cycles through software updates for THOUSANDS (???) of different products that have arranged for OTA Update Broadcast as just one more Data Stream in the MPEG2 Multiplex:
http://www.updatelogic.com/updatetv.html
http://www.updatelogic.com/network-television.html
http://www.updatelogic.com/index.html
http://www.atsc.org/cms/standards/a_97.pdf
Note that Update Logic also provides a USB Stick mail-out service if you wanted to fabricate your own RS-232 Cable (and figured out whether "TXD" was FROM board or FROM external device...I would trace back to see which went to driver and which to receiver IC).

Your PBS station KERA provides UPDATE-TV per RabbitEars Market summary for DFW:
http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php

As far as I know, some (most?) PBS Stations provide this service, so you'll have to set the Converter up on a PBS channel and let it listen for perhaps several days before the ZAT-970A update comes up in the extremely long sequence....it's also possible that once you enable the Software Update function, it will listen for the periodic time table of events and will automatically turn ON and tune to PBS at the appointed time....not sure how any particular box implemented this functionality....and it would be worth a call/email to Update-TV and/or Zinwell Service to query whether an update even exists....it would also be worthwhile to search Forum for other people's experience with OTA Software/Firmware Updates....
Edited by holl_ands - 2/7/13 at 2:47pm

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle! My puny little manual is blank between the "Load Factory Default" section and the appendix.; same with my ZAT-950A manual.

Yeah they say via "...the cable." Funny writing these guys. "Upgrade By Air."

That's some excellent info you provided - thanks! It's a keeper! I love that RabbitEars. AirBox must be the bizarre-numbered subs that show up via my ION station when using my Motorola HD tuner, they really freak out my Panny 34" WS HD CRT and make it shut down. I delete them out of the Mot tuner list but they keep coming back to haunt me. The SW is a buggy thing on the Mot (HDT-100) and it looks like it might be because I power-strip it off (it barely drops power consumption in standby and its brain chip and a couple of other big ICs getting pretty darn hot). Crummy memory management. I should look for an update method but not much available on this unique box.

Good thing slmjfv asked after all.