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Need some advice...

post #1 of 11
11/3/09 at 2:17pm
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone,

Can anyone provide some advice on which converter box to purchase? My sister will be ending her cable service soon. Her govt coupon will be expiring soon and she's not sure which two to purchase. Most of the local stores no longer carry any of the converter boxes.

Below are the 3 CECB I found Amazon currently selling and problems I have read from the posts
Zinwell ZAT-970A (timer problem)
Digital Stream DSP7700P (runs hot...overheat)
Tivax STB-T8

Anyone know what is the difference between the Digital Stream DSP7700P vs DTX9950F?
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post #2 of 11
11/3/09 at 3:01pm
Take a look through the associated threads.

The Zinwell is a very good unit overall. The Tivax owners in the associated thread seem to have good results with the units.
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post #3 of 11
11/3/09 at 4:40pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah...mostly like the Zinwell will be a recommend CECB. It now a toss between the Digital Stream DSP7700P and Tivax STB-T8.

I think most of the posts I read on the Tivax with good reviews refers to the STB-T9. Is there a big difference between the Tivax STB-T9 and STB-T8 model? I have read that Digital Stream's boxes tend to burn out and also a few cases of the Tivax STB-T8 being short lived. Not sure which of the two to recommend to my sister...
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post #4 of 11
11/3/09 at 5:12pm
I think the TRT TACB-2009 / 1009 boxes are still available

TACB-1009
http://www.trtinfo.com/STB/tabid/143...gaLj2uvA%3d%3d

TACB-2009
http://www.trtinfo.com/STB/tabid/143...kYw8jfyg%3d%3d

Purchase info here
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post17366296
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post #5 of 11
11/4/09 at 8:22am
According to WIKI, the 1009 has APT and the 2009 has S-Video (no APT?).

NOTE: EZDigital.com info on the 2009 shows that it does have APT, along with Smart-Antenna, and something called "Auto Time setting" - Timers?
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post #6 of 11
11/4/09 at 10:58am
How about the Artec? Isn't that supposed to be a virtual clone of the #1 recommended CECB, the Zenith?

Any of those to be found anywhere?
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post #7 of 11
11/4/09 at 9:14pm
Artecs are available at Meritline.com and digital-tv-converter.net. Same decoder and tuner (Sanyo or LG depending on model) as the Zeniths. Also has the same real low power consumption as the Zenith.

I never heard of a TRT until now. Fantastic EPGs per those links. Wiki claims smart antenna. I wonder how much they cost? (seller website?).
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post #8 of 11
11/5/09 at 6:28am
I'm surprised I hadn't seen them until now too. I think I would have tossed a coupon at one too. Why would they come to the party so late?
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post #9 of 11
11/5/09 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by systems2000 View Post

I'm surprised I hadn't seen them until now too. I think I would have tossed a coupon at one too. Why would they come to the party so late?

Me too and good question. Is there a way to tell when it was listed on Wiki? There's so many on their list that I easily miss the more obscure ones. I suspect the TRTs just weren't marketed to the resale market very well.
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post #10 of 11
11/5/09 at 8:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ydk1 View Post

Hi everyone, Can anyone provide some advice on which converter box to purchase? .......Below are the 3 CECB I found Amazon currently selling and problems I have read from the posts
Zinwell ZAT-970A (timer problem)
Digital Stream DSP7700P (runs hot...overheat)
Tivax STB-T8......

i have the ZINWELL...it works well overall....the timer issues are minor....just check it occasionally to make sure its still what u programmed it as...sometimes it gets corrupted....it has no other real problems and very good pic quality...

also, the ARTEC and the TR40 aka DTVPAL are good units.... consider them if u can still find one....

all these units have some kind of minor issues....none are perfect....

edit> i havnt tried one but the MicroGEM MG2000 might be ok....and its totally free at >

https://secure.freetvsignal.com/viewAll.php
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post #11 of 11
11/6/09 at 11:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pm3839 View Post

i have the ZINWELL...it works well overall....the timer issues are minor....just check it occasionally to make sure its still what u programmed it as...sometimes it gets corrupted.

Check out my Zinwell post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post17401173

If you use Favorites it's worth a shot as I suspect that may be what corrupts channel settings.
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