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Zenith (LG) DTT900 CECB

post #1 of 2421
12/2/07 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 


Zenith DTT900 Digital TV Tuner Features, Spec Sheet & Quick Start Guide
http://www.zenith.com/dtv/dtt900.html

Zenith DTT900 Performance Report *(first known hands-on Review)
by John Shutt: WKAR TV-23, DT-55 (PBS) East Lansing, MI
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...9#post13047439

First Tests Of The Zenith Converter Box
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post13196355
User Review by Bob Diaz, LA, Calif.

EnergyStar.Gov lists 2 new revised LG Converter Boxes with Analog Pass Through & lower Power Consumption
- LG: Zenith DTT901: On Mode: 3.9W, Sleep: 0.5W
- LG: Insignia NS-DXA1-APT: On Mode: 3.9W, Sleep: 0.5W
http://energystar.gov/ia/products/pr..._prod_list.pdf
Posted by AVS member Smoke_signal on 4/11/2008

Screen Shots [three zoom (aspect) modes for the Zenith DTT900; also "channel list"]
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post13252117
More Screen Grabs From The Zenith [Menus, Signal Strength, Program Info, Program Guide]
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post13233193
Photos & text by Bob Diaz, LA, Calif.

Zenith DTT900 DTV Converter, >>> NUDE <<< [a look inside the Zenith converter]
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post13252117
Hi-Res photos of the circuit boards, chips and other internal components
Photos & text by Bob Diaz, LA, Calif.

30 hi-res photos of the DTT900 completely dissected!
nuxx.net's Photo Gallery: Zenith DTT900
http://www.nuxx.net/gallery/v/acquir...zenith_dtt900/

Comments answering question, "Would this [Zenith] be a good DX tuner?"
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post13195868
Posted by DrBri99, Afton, VA

LG's Zenith-branded DTT900 converter box gets pictured
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/11/14...gets-pictured/

LG Zenith DTT900 converter
http://www.slashgear.com/lg-zenith-d...p#entrycontent

LG touts first converter box approved for 2008 digital changeover
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/08...tal-changeove/

LG readies $60 digital TV converters for 2008 release
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/03/21...-2008-release/

CES Preview 2008: LG's Zenith DTT900 Converter Competes with RCA for Grandma's $40 Coupon
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/ces-previ...pon-322560.php

Retailers Answer DTV Converter Call
Cable Digital News: December 12, 2007
http://www.lightreading.com/blog.asp...41266&site=cdn

Availability: February/March 2008

Industry Competition:

List of Converter Box Retailers & Approved CECB's with Links to Specs, Pics
http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Converter_Box_Retailers.html

RCA DTA800 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
http://www.keepmytv.com/

RCA DTA800: AVS Thread
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=934600

Info, Features & Specs for the DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10 [SDTV-SX300]
http://www.dstreamtech.com/english/p...ail.asp?idx=29

MicroProse MPI-500
ATSC Digital Television Receiver
http://www.microprosesystems.com/dtv.htm

Sansonic FT300A
http://www.sansonic.net/consumer/atsc_converter.asp

MaxMedia DTVB Converter Box MMDTVB03
aka: MaxMedia ATSC Box (Stingray)
http://maxmedia-usa.com/index.php?op...d=14&Itemid=27

MicroTuner MT2131
Microtune's 3-in-1 Tuner Featured in DTV Converter Box Certified by NTIA
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix....7155&highlight

The following is the list of approved CECBs:
- for updatess see: https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

- AMTC AT-2016
- AccessHD DTA1010U
- AccessHD DTA1010D
- AccessHD DTA1020D
- AccessHD DTA1020U
- Apex DT1002
- Apex DT1001
- Artec T3A
- Artec T3APro
- CASTi CAX-01
- Channel Master CM-7000
- COSHIP N9900T
- Digital Stream DSP7500T
- Digital Stream DSP6500R
- DigitalSTREAM D2A1D20
- DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10
- DigitalSTREAM DTX9900
- ECHOSTAR TR-40*
- GE 22730 [without Smart Digital Antenna interface; Jasco branded]
- GE 22729 [with Smart Digital Antenna interface; Jasco branded]
- Goodmind DTA1000
- Goodmind DTA900
- Goodmind DTA980
- Gridlink GLT-200
- Gridlink GLT-300
- Insignia NS-DXA1 [apparently identical to Zenith DTT900; sold by BB; made by LG]
- Kingbox K8V8
- Lasonic LTR-260
- Lasonic LTA-260
- Magnavox TB100MW9
- Magnavox TB-100MG9*
- MaxMedia MMDTVB03
- MicroGEM MG2000
- Microprose MPI-500
- Mustek MAT-K50
- OLEVIA DTA100
- Philco TB150HH9*
- Philco TB100HH9*
- RCA DTA 800A
- RCA DTA 800B
- RCA DTA800B1
- Sansonic FT300A
- Sansonic FT300RT
- Skardin DTR-0727
- SVA DAC100
- Synergy Global Supply SYN2009
- TATUNG TDB3000
- Tivax STB-T9
- Tunbow Electronics E60010
- VENTURER STB7766G
- Zinwell ZAT-756A
- ZINWELL ZAT-856
- Zinwell ZAT-857
- ZINWELL ZAT-970
- Zenith DTT900
- Zentech DF2000

* These models are capable of passing through an analog signal to the TV set.

Avio
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #2 of 2421
12/2/07 at 1:13pm
Some of their comments are hilarious, the links are a good read at least.
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post #3 of 2421
12/2/07 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bdfox18doe View Post

Some of their comments are hilarious, the links are a good read at least.

Speaking of hilarious...



This 2 slice toaster shares the model number: DTT900

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-DTT90...dp/B0002XGKCW/

It looks like it has a retractable antenna!

Avio
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post #4 of 2421
12/2/07 at 8:30pm
I wonder if this uses LG's sixth-generation 8-VSB chip.
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post #5 of 2421
12/2/07 at 10:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikemikeb View Post

I wonder if this uses LG's sixth-generation 8-VSB chip.

Having SmartAntenna technology would be more effective for achieving the best performance.

Ernie
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post #6 of 2421
12/3/07 at 5:14am
And who has a SmartAntenna? Who'll know how or where to buy one? Will it be easy to mount indoors, or wherever the current antenna may be? How much more $$$$ will the SmartAntenna cost? Who will understand what it's all about? Will anybody be convinced it's worth anything?

The point is, the digital transition in itself will bend the minds of the average American OTA viewer. I don't think they'll want to bend their minds more learning about a "smart antenna"; they'll just want the box to work with what they've got. A sixth-gen 8-VSB chip will help a lot more people in this regard than a SmartAntenna connector or a fifth-gen chip combined.
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post #7 of 2421
12/3/07 at 8:34am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikemikeb View Post

And who has a SmartAntenna? Who'll know how or where to buy one? Will it be easy to mount indoors, or wherever the current antenna may be? How much more $$$$ will the SmartAntenna cost? Who will understand what it's all about? Will anybody be convinced it's worth anything?

The point is, the digital transition in itself will bend the minds of the average American OTA viewer. I don't think they'll want to bend their minds more learning about a "smart antenna"; they'll just want the box to work with what they've got. A sixth-gen 8-VSB chip will help a lot more people in this regard than a SmartAntenna connector or a fifth-gen chip combined.

SmartAntenna is discussed in the RCA thread cited below:

RCA DTA800 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=934600

Avio
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post #8 of 2421
12/3/07 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 
EnergyStar.gov
Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes (DTAs) Qualified Product List
List Current as of October 31, 2007

Company Name | Brand Name | Model | Date Available

LG Electronics Zenith LSX300-4DM 12/1/07
LG Electronics Insignia NS-DXA1 12/1/07
LG Electronics Zenith DTT900 12/1/07
Falcon Digital Falcon FT-200 1/1/08
Falcon Digital Sansonic FT-300A 1/1/08
Falcon Digital Sansonic FT-300RT 1/1/08

Google's HTML version of .XLS file:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache..._prod_list.xls

EnergyStar.gov MS Excel .XLS file:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/product..._prod_list.xls

Avio
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post #9 of 2421
12/3/07 at 7:45pm
Seriously, there are going to be a demand at the end of 2008/early 2009 for these things down in SE Arkansas from the rural-elderly crowd. Even though the area I live in has high D* and E* penetration many OTA antennas still stand, and nearly all are VHF/UHF combos or older VHF-only antennas. And these are not those in houses with the "tar paper" shacks or trailer parks, but generally socially conservative folk that often fear the "Internet" and "Cable TV" content.
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post #10 of 2421
12/4/07 at 3:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Avio View Post

EnergyStar.gov
Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes (DTAs) Qualified Product List
List Current as of October 31, 2007

Company Name | Brand Name | Model | Date Available

LG Electronics Zenith LSX300-4DM 12/1/07
LG Electronics Insignia NS-DXA1 12/1/07
LG Electronics Zenith DTT900 12/1/07
Falcon Digital Falcon FT-200 1/1/08
Falcon Digital Sansonic FT-300A 1/1/08
Falcon Digital Sansonic FT-300RT 1/1/08

What's the difference between the LSX300-4DM and DTT900? Will the Insignia version have functionally identical remotes and menus (I can understand slight cosmetic differences)? And why's the RCA DTA800 not on the list?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Avio View Post

SmartAntenna is discussed in the RCA thread cited below:

RCA DTA800 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=934600

Now how to get that info to Americans? And again, who's going to want or care about mounting brand new antenna equipment, or understanding how it works, when the box can work fine with what they've already got (unless their current antenna doesn't support UHF)?
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post #11 of 2421
12/4/07 at 11:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikemikeb View Post

What's the difference between the LSX300-4DM and DTT900? Will the Insignia version have functionally identical remotes and menus (I can understand slight cosmetic differences)? And why's the RCA DTA800 not on the list?

Now how to get that info to Americans? And again, who's going to want or care about mounting brand new antenna equipment, or understanding how it works, when the box can work fine with what they've already got (unless their current antenna doesn't support UHF)?

All good questions... I don't have the answers. Let's stay tuned and see.

Avio
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post #12 of 2421
12/4/07 at 11:18am
Another product I don't need.

If anyone sees a news story about LG coming out with a full over-the-air HD tuner using their 6th generation chip, please post a new thread ASAP.

IB
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post #13 of 2421
12/5/07 at 3:37am
They said long ago that they weren't. Only in TV's.
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post #14 of 2421
12/7/07 at 11:18am
Thread Starter 
NTIA Approves Philips’ [& other] Boxes
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6510069.html

NTIA approved the following according to the Twice.com article:

- Magnavox TB100MW9

- Philco TB150HH9

- DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10 [SDTV-SX300]

- DigitalSTREAM D2A1D20

Info, Features & Specs for the DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10 [SDTV-SX300]
http://www.dstreamtech.com/english/p...ail.asp?idx=29

Avio
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post #15 of 2421
12/8/07 at 12:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski View Post

They said long ago that they weren't. Only in TV's.

That was years ago and they said it because construction costs were high. With the forced phase out of analog, and construction prices way down because you can put more circuits on one chip, they might have a change of plan.

IB
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post #16 of 2421
12/13/07 at 9:22am
Thread Starter 
Retailers Answer DTV Converter Call
Cable Digital News: December 12, 2007
http://www.lightreading.com/blog.asp...41266&site=cdn



Avio
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post #17 of 2421
12/13/07 at 11:25am
I guess the smarmy tone should be expected from Cable News.
But, uhh, I don't need your stinking cable to get HDTV, and, frankly, the box and an old analog TV will probably be near as good as your bit-starved offerings.
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post #18 of 2421
12/13/07 at 12:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Avio View Post

Retailers Answer DTV Converter Call
Cable Digital News: December 12, 2007
http://www.lightreading.com/blog.asp...41266&site=cdn
Avio

So how does one "request" a digital converter box coupon? It says you can request one starting January 1st. That is just a few days away. Can you do it on-line? Is there a URL set up already for this?

IB
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post #19 of 2421
12/13/07 at 12:43pm
There is supposed to be a site "www.dtv2009.gov" , but it is not up yet. There will also be an 800 number setup for people to request them.
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post #20 of 2421
12/13/07 at 12:54pm
You know I think I will get one. The Zenith box will have LG's 6th generation tuner in it, so I can use it as a back-up for times when my built-in HDTV tuner in my big screen TV does not work. I guess with the 40 buck discount, and the boxes selling for 60 bucks, it will cost only 20 bucks. Is that correct? Are all the brands of boxes going to cost the same?

IB
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post #21 of 2421
12/13/07 at 2:56pm
One thing about the converter boxes I've seen so far, they are plain old ugly little things, the only converter that actually looks good is the Microprose unit.


LL
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post #22 of 2421
12/13/07 at 4:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by inky blacks View Post

You know I think I will get one. The Zenith box will have LG's 6th generation tuner in it, so I can use it as a back-up for times when my built-in HDTV tuner in my big screen TV does not work. I guess with the 40 buck discount, and the boxes selling for 60 bucks, it will cost only 20 bucks. Is that correct? Are all the brands of boxes going to cost the same?

IB

Edit: Check out the rules for the coupons, esp. Appendix 2 for Disqualifying features:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/DTVmanufacturers.pdf

Component video, DVI & HDMI are DISQUALIFYING FEATURES. Therefore if these boxes have been certified for the NTIA $40 coupon, they CANNOT possess any HD output. Oh well.

Looks like we have to hope for a "penumbra" effect where the cost of SDTV standalone tuners plummets due to tremendous demand. Then the much tinier market for HDTV standalone tuners benefits from the reduced cost of the components and hopefully these HDTV tuners will be offered more cheaply than they are now due to economies of scale on the supply side (though the demand side is small).
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post #23 of 2421
12/13/07 at 4:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger999 View Post

Is there proof that any of them do HD output? I read the specs for some & I know some of these only have S-video or composite output (depending on the brand), in addition to RF out.

To be eligible for the coupon rebate, they are FORBIDDEN to. (I imagine they have to prove they DON'T to the government to get certified.) The government is subsidizing people with old analog tvs, not HDTVs.
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post #24 of 2421
12/13/07 at 4:18pm
You want a standalone HDTV capable ATSC tuner ? - Pay up, full price, whatever you can find. As stated above - these converter boxes are FORBIDDEN to have any HDTV outputs (HDMI, DVI, component, TOSLINK, Digital Coax audio) whatsoever. The primary purpose is to allow the old analog TVs to receive the ATSC signals, and to that end, all they need for outputs are RF modulator, s-video, composite video, and at least 1 set RCA analog audio output jacks.
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post #25 of 2421
12/13/07 at 4:32pm
I assume they will connect via S-video or antenna inputs on your TV. For $20 it is a good deal as a back-up unit. I already have full HDTV built into my set, but the tuner chip I have is probably only 3rd generation. It works most of the time, but not all of the time. With a cheap back-up at least I will get a picture and never miss a show, even if it's not HDTV. I would pay $200. for a LG 6th generation full HDTV receiver today, but there are none available and I don't want one of those crappy little computer devices.

IB
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post #26 of 2421
12/13/07 at 4:45pm
I got a Samsung DTB-H260F ATSC HDTV tuner - 5th generation or so - before I got my HDTV. The Sammy works pretty good for a 16:9 HDTV, not so great for 4:3 TVs. See this thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=728392 for more info.
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post #27 of 2421
12/13/07 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooper View Post

I got a Samsung DTB-H260F ATSC HDTV tuner - 5th generation or so - before I got my HDTV. The Sammy works pretty good for a 16:9 HDTV, not so great for 4:3 TVs. See this thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=728392 for more info.

SD is not the Sammy's main goal, that is why.
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post #28 of 2421
12/13/07 at 5:17pm
Samsung has a 6th generation chip out, so I assume they may sell a new full HDTV tuner soon using that new chip. I might buy that if it gets good reviews. I am on the first floor of a 4 story building with a metal roof, and I am surrounded by trees and other buildings. I need the best tuner I can get.

IB
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post #29 of 2421
12/13/07 at 5:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_malloy View Post

One thing about the converter boxes I've seen so far, they are plain old ugly little things, the only converter that actually looks good is the Microprose unit.

I added a link to the Micro Prose MPI-500 to the first page of this thread under the "Industry Competition" section. It claims NTIA certification and coupon eligibility.

MicroProse MPI-500
ATSC Digital Television Receiver (claims NTIA certification and coupon eligibility)
http://www.microprosesystems.com/dtv.htm

It's seems to me that the looks of a little black converter box is rather insignificant, compared to features and performance of the box. Personally, I don't find this model better looking than the Zenith or RCA models.

Avio
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post #30 of 2421
12/13/07 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Avio View Post

It's seems to me that the looks of a little black converter box is rather insignificant, compared to features and performance of the box. Personally, I don't find this model better looking than the Zenith or RCA models.

Avio

Why would anyone buy any box other than the Zenith. It is the only one with the LG tuner chip, which is the chip you want.

IB
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