PrimeDTV PHD-101 / PHD-200 / PHD-205 / PHD-205LE ATSC/QAM Tuner Official Thread - Page 28

Amen to that brother!

Especially since during the OTA digital conversion the Comcast marketing message was, use Comcast and you won't have to worry about digital converstion.

I too have reduced my Comcast service to the lowest $10/month level, which is essentially free if you also have Comcast Internet.

Good riddance!

I had programmed my URC MX-3000 and spent a lot of time getting the PHD 205 working with it. It still works with OTA, but useless with Cable. Effort, time and money wasted.

Hey guys,

I recently purchased a PHD101 for use with a projector and I can't figure out how to view SD content. I did the auto-scan and I found the available HD channels, but I don't know how to watch SD channels, as there are obvi many more channels that are in SD than HD.

Thanks!

Sorry I meant PHD-205LE, the newest one for $140.

The new one doesn't have a analog (NTSC) tuner, just pass through.

(BTW, you can edit a post instead of adding another).

So I need to buy an NTSC tuner as well? how much is that? and then with that I could use the pass-thru function so when the 205LE is not in use, the signal goes to the SD box? or would it be better to try and return and buy a different box from the same ePVision company?

Thanks a ton!

Do you have an old VCR around? You could use the NTSC tuner from that.

First question would be; what are you hooking it up to? A Monitor or what??

Just bought a Philips 47pfl5704d - 47" Lcd 1080p Hdtv with inbuilt ATSC /QAM tuner (and also NTSC I suppose)

Using Rogers basic cable, without a box

If I use HDMI from PHD-205, Will it give me better picture ? (as it will have HDMI and I am using COAX right now)

I doubt it. My built in tuner is as good or better than the 205 IMO. Also remember that if your cable company decides to encrypt channels then the 205 is useless, unless you use OTA.

no way would HDMI & external tuner give you a better quality than the built-in tuner.
but using PHD with hdmi or component-vid-input, you might get improved flexibility with picture-in-picture / side-by-side-pictures, which I think your new tv supports.
(It can be nice to have one of the "PIP"/side-by-side pictures controlled by an external tuner and separate remote).

Just wanted to give an update on my PHD 205. I had it hooked up to a projector and had sub paw reception compared to my Philips TV, which resides in the same room. That being said, I fiddled with my entire cable setup throughout the house and have had better results. I used a 8 port bi-directional cable tuner splitter from Amazon. This improved my signal in all rooms considerably and I'd recommend it if you're have signal issues with the PHD 205 etc. One caveat is that if you use a cable modem for internet, you'll need to hook that up before the splitter since it's not an active 2 way splitter.

So I'm currently using the PHD in a different room and the PQ is fine. The remote isn't good and it takes time to change channels. However, it's usable.

So I need recommendation for an alternative to the PHD-205 because I'd like to see how it fares compared to the competition. I need 1 more tuner for my projector. Anyone have recommendations?

Even if that tuner was sub-par design or just had a problem?? Never make that type of statement

I see this is an inactive thread, but thought I would give it a try anyway. I just purchased an PHD-205LE. My goal is the clear QAM channels from Charter basic cable in Rochester MN. It scans and finds them great. Problem is the only resolution that works is 420p. I've tried hooking it up via both component and hdmi. Switching to 720p or 1080i results in a jumpy, distorted picture. Kind of like it is encrypted. Could my cable company be doing something funky with the signal? TV is a Sony Bravia LCD. Thanks!

Have you tried another monitor? Does the LE still have that 3 position slide switch for resolution selection?

I had that problem with a long cable run. I ran a cable line quite a distance. I have a 46" tv and a projector. The tv has a built in tuner and it picked-up everything fine. The PHD-205 had the problem you're describing. I added a cable signal booster to that line where it came into the house and upgraded a couple splitters - they were satellite splitters. The PHD then picked up all the channels and displayed them fine. So the tuner in that unit isn't nearly as good as my built in tuners.

How old is your sony? It doesn't have a built in tuner? Do you have the model number? I had some issues hooking up the PHD to my old Mitsubishi rear projection tv. I got it working but it took some fiddling. I occasionally have to turn off the PHD and turn it back on due to pixelated pictures.

Because my Centronics ZAT-502 started dying, I purchased one of the PHD-205's. Installation and set up were easy. I was able to find the proper codes for my Logitech Harmony 550 programmable remote, so the remote's update went fairly easily. Everything is just fine, so far.

The channel scan went quickly and I was able to delete the unwanted channels, unlike the ZAT-502 which does not allow you delete unwanted channels. I found it very irritating to not be able to delete the dozens of channels you don't watch. It's amazing anyone would build a tuner without this ability.

There is one "rub". I noticed it right away. My wife alaso noticed it, so that's saying something. The video picture has an overall "washed out" appearance, as if the display's brightness setting were set way too high. There is no place in any image where you see full saturation of color. It is as if there's a haze or fog over everything.

The "washed out" appearance is so prominent that I noticed it. In order to ensure I was correct, I re-connected the ZAT-502 and switched back and forth between the two tuners. As I was doing this, my wife, looking in from the other room, started saying, "new tuner,...old tuner,...new tuner,..." as I switched back and forth. Even when I tried to trick her, she got it right 100% of the time.

This is my FOURTH tuner. I just don't know what to say. I am dumbstruck by the products and companies in this industry.

Could I use this box to display Digital HDTV to my Sanyo Z2000? (Basically turn my PJ into a TV).
I am getting a broadcast signal due to my cable modem. I do not subscribe to Cable per se... My two TV's have built in tuners and are getting around a dozen channels just great. Hopefully this will work and allow me to watch Superbowl this year on the PJ!

I had to find and read my review four years ago as I thought there was some issue, but it had to do with analog stations;
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=300

I would say there might be a issue with your unit. What output are you using? Have you tried a different output? How about another monitor?

videobruce,

The testing I did should exonerate the display and the receiver as possile sources for corrupting the video output signal - the other unit worked just fine.

I am using the HDMI output of the 205. My tv reception is OTA only. The signals are digital now but they are broadcast signals not cable or fiber optic.

I didn't try the component output or other types, as I plan to use only the HDMI. If the HDMI does not work properly, the unit will be returned as defective.

Try the component outs and report back.
You tried the DVI/HDMI out on another set?

The output level off my component is low. It only tops out at 80 IRE, not 100.

Why would I do that? It is not my intention to use the component outputs and I already know it is not a problem with my display. I am not being argumentative here, I just want to understand the logical path you are on.

I just recently purchased the PHD-205LE and agree that the picture is soft and washed out. Not sharp enough for my taste. May return it. According to epVision, the newer version of the 205 uses a Sanyo tuner, whereas the older version uses a Samsung tuner. Not sure if the Samsung version is still available or has a better picture.

Did you ever think it might be a issue with just the HDMI out?
You try all avenues. Component will give you the same PQ for all intensive purposes.
I doubt it is the tuner. Post processing would be the most likely culprit.

Ah, okay. I thought that's where you were heading.

The HDMI output failed on the other Epvision tuner I had (the PHD-8VX). On that unit, the component worked just fine but HDMI died. I sent it back as defective. If this one is defective, it's going back, too. That the component outputs work is insufficient.

Still, thanks for the help.

tylerSC/videobruce - have either of you tried using component cables to see if the washed-out picture is an HDMI problem?

I ordered one of these recently but UPS want a brokerage fee that's pushing the price of the unit up to almost the cost of a new TV. I don't want to pay the brokerage fee only to have to return the unit.

Huh??
For what??

I'm in Canada so they charge $30 to collect $8 in taxes for the federal government. Its a nice little earner for the courier companies than can only be avoided by sending stuff via USPS. Anyhow I'm wary of paying the fee if I'm going to have to end up returning the 205 due to the soft picture issue. If its just on HDMI I don't mind as I will be using component cables.

These are still available. If anyone is interested, I have mine to sell. PM me.

videobruce, what is it exactly that you are selling? PHD-205LE? Does it have the washed-out HDMI problem? And for that matter, did you guys ever figure out if it was a problem with all units or was "Big Lag"'s tuner defective?