Here's a quick review of the new digital-to-analog converter box,
Magnavox TB100MW9. I found it at one Wal-Mart location in the Indy
area for $49.87. As a DTV DXer, I was very curious how it would locate and
decode very weak digital signals. This is the initial review I just
shared with a DXers' group. BTW, up to now, I, along with a few other
DXers, have found the RCA ATSC11 (from 2003) to be one of the better
units for receiving weak and distant DTV signals.
............................................................ ..................................
Yes, I took a 25 mile drive to the Indy area Wal-Mart
that is currently stocking this unit and purchased
one.
My initial reaction to its performance next to the RCA
ATSC11 is that I really like it. I have the UHF
antenna signal coming out of a two-way splitter and
feeding the two receivers. I also have a Radio Shack
attenuator on the line for testing purposes.
I currently have them tuned to WIPB-DT-52 (49.1,
49.2), Muncie, IN (PBS) @ 40 miles. The Triax stack
antenna is misaimed by approximately 45 degrees for
this station and the new TB100MW9 is displaying a
perfect picture with perfect audio while the ATSC11
has neither. In fact, the green LED light (indicating
DTV signal)on the ATSC11 is only occasionally even
lighting. Too bad there's no enhanced tropo today,
as conditions are really bad at the moment.
Positives for the TB100MW9 so far:
Can skip auto scan...Can manually enter true RF
channel number. It then brings up a small screen
indicating "SCANNING." If it locates a station,
it brings it up. If it doesn't find it
initially,
it will allow you sit on the channel and then
when the channel is found it will lock it in
and bring it up on the screen.
It has a signal meter, via the "DISPLAY" button or
through the menu button. The one through the
menu
gives a full graph giving a visual, plus it gives
a "NOW" signal reading plus a constant "PEAK"
reading, indicating the highest signal
registered. So far, the signal strength screen
does not seem to time out. AND it stays up even
while changing from channel to channel.
It automatically remaps the channel from the true
RF channel to its virtual channel number. The
"DISPLAY" button also indicates the call letters
of the station.
Has 3 Display Modes: Letterbox, Zoom and Full
Has Auto Power Down feature with 4 settings:
Off, 4 hours, 2 hours and 1 hour.
Seems to be very user friendly.
Negatives with the TB100MW9 so far:
Is slower than the ATSC11 at initially locating
and decoding a new station. But once it is
locked, no doubt that it is better at holding
and retaining the station over the RCA.
It is very small in size and very lightweight. It has
an RF in and an RF out. It also has composite outputs
for video, and left/right audio outputs.
Initially I'd say this is a keeper, especially for the
price. I would like to know if this unit DOES contain
the 6th generation chip. More later. Have to head to
work.
Steve
Magnavox TB100MW9. I found it at one Wal-Mart location in the Indy
area for $49.87. As a DTV DXer, I was very curious how it would locate and
decode very weak digital signals. This is the initial review I just
shared with a DXers' group. BTW, up to now, I, along with a few other
DXers, have found the RCA ATSC11 (from 2003) to be one of the better
units for receiving weak and distant DTV signals.
............................................................ ..................................
Yes, I took a 25 mile drive to the Indy area Wal-Mart
that is currently stocking this unit and purchased
one.
My initial reaction to its performance next to the RCA
ATSC11 is that I really like it. I have the UHF
antenna signal coming out of a two-way splitter and
feeding the two receivers. I also have a Radio Shack
attenuator on the line for testing purposes.
I currently have them tuned to WIPB-DT-52 (49.1,
49.2), Muncie, IN (PBS) @ 40 miles. The Triax stack
antenna is misaimed by approximately 45 degrees for
this station and the new TB100MW9 is displaying a
perfect picture with perfect audio while the ATSC11
has neither. In fact, the green LED light (indicating
DTV signal)on the ATSC11 is only occasionally even
lighting. Too bad there's no enhanced tropo today,
as conditions are really bad at the moment.
Positives for the TB100MW9 so far:
Can skip auto scan...Can manually enter true RF
channel number. It then brings up a small screen
indicating "SCANNING." If it locates a station,
it brings it up. If it doesn't find it
initially,
it will allow you sit on the channel and then
when the channel is found it will lock it in
and bring it up on the screen.
It has a signal meter, via the "DISPLAY" button or
through the menu button. The one through the
menu
gives a full graph giving a visual, plus it gives
a "NOW" signal reading plus a constant "PEAK"
reading, indicating the highest signal
registered. So far, the signal strength screen
does not seem to time out. AND it stays up even
while changing from channel to channel.
It automatically remaps the channel from the true
RF channel to its virtual channel number. The
"DISPLAY" button also indicates the call letters
of the station.
Has 3 Display Modes: Letterbox, Zoom and Full
Has Auto Power Down feature with 4 settings:
Off, 4 hours, 2 hours and 1 hour.
Seems to be very user friendly.
Negatives with the TB100MW9 so far:
Is slower than the ATSC11 at initially locating
and decoding a new station. But once it is
locked, no doubt that it is better at holding
and retaining the station over the RCA.
It is very small in size and very lightweight. It has
an RF in and an RF out. It also has composite outputs
for video, and left/right audio outputs.
Initially I'd say this is a keeper, especially for the
price. I would like to know if this unit DOES contain
the 6th generation chip. More later. Have to head to
work.
Steve
