[ale] Results of my digital TV converter research

[Charles Shapiro]

Installed yesterday, dead-stupid-easy even for a non-TV guy like me. Analog
pass-through works fine for now, but I presume will stop working Feb 17. The
dual remotes are gonna be a challenge to keep track of.  It is indeed true
that the major TV channels in the metro area are broadcasting their analog
channel plus one or more sub-channels on the digital side.  I had no trouble
with my indoor antenna even though the instruction manual hints that not all
of them will work well.

One interesting note about the Tivax is that it holds screen proportions
globally. Digital channels differ in their proportions; some show with black
borders all around them on my TV if the proportions don't match my screen's
geometry.  The Tivax remote has a "zoom" button which enlarges the center
portion of the screen, but the setting is not tied to a channel. If you
switch to a channel which already uses the entire screen after zooming a
smaller one, the "zoom" setting will remain set and you'll lose the picture
around the edges on the new channel.  Also, the default password for
parental controls given in the manual is "5555", but the actual one is
"1111".

I've found nothing about the RS232 port either in the instructions or on the
web -- not even the right serial settings.  I still have a coupon left and
I'm sore tempted to go back to Micro Center and buy another $18 Tivax just
to HAX04 on.

-- CHS


On Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 11:02 AM, Charles Shapiro <hooterpincher at gmail.com>wrote:

> The magic coupons arrived last weekend and Saturday I went up to Micro
> Center on Pleasant Hill Road to redeem them. We staggered around a bit in
> the TV section before being directed to the East wall, where there was a
> pile of different brands of digital converters. The guy tried to sell us a
> cheaper one, but I held out for the Tivax; they still had a good-sized pile
> of 'em on the shelf as of Saturday.   Using the coupon turned out to be a
> minor-major hassle; the sales clerks acted like they had never seen one, and
> it took about three of them before we were able to pay the $18 difference
> between the coupon and the cost of the unit.
>
>  The instruction book makes installing it look easy; one wire goes to your
> antenna, the other to your TV's 3-RCA-plug video input.   You change
> channels on the DTV converter with the included remote, which (mercifully)
> has a mute button included.
>
> Thanks Keith, I think I owe you a  home-brew on this one.
>
> -- CHS
>
> On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 9:57 PM, <krwatson at cc.gatech.edu> wrote:
>
>> I did some research on digital TV converters and I knew there were a
>> number of people who might be interested in the results to I sent it to a
>> bcc list.
>>
>> All the TV stations have been transmitting their shows in both analog
>> (NTSC) and digital (ATSC) formats for the last few years. On February 17,
>> 2009 all of the analog transmissions nation wide will be discontinued. This
>> means that if you want to receive an over the air (OTA) TV broadcast you
>> must have a TV capable of receiving an ATSC signal.
>>
>> If you have an NTSC only TV that uses a roof top antenna or rabbit ears
>> then you will no longer be able to watch TV without purchasing an ATSC to
>> NTSC converter box.
>>
>> If you are on cable and plug it directly into an NTSC TV (no cable box)
>> you may need an ATSC to NTSC converter. Cable companies can convert ATSC to
>> NTSC and distribute it over the cable system. You will have to contact your
>> cable company to find out what they are going to do.
>>
>> If you have an NTSC TV connected to a cable box then you will not need an
>> ATSC to NTSC converter as the cable box already does this for you.
>>
>> The federal government set up a program to subsidize the purchase of an
>> ATSC to NTSC converter box for any one that needs it. To take advantage of
>> this program you must apply for a discount coupon before December 31, 2008.
>> There are a limited number of coupons so the longer you wait the more likely
>> they are to run out of them.
>>
>> You can get a maximum of two discount coupons per household. A coupon is
>> worth $40.00 dollars off the purchase of an ATSC to NTSC converter box. Most
>> boxes cost between $40 and $70 dollars so you can end up paying $0 to $30
>> dollars for a converter box.
>>
>> If you don't get a coupon and later decide you need an ATSC to NTSC
>> converter box you will still be able to buy them but you will have to pay
>> full price.
>>
>> You can apply for the ATSC to NTSC converter box coupons here:
>>
>> TV Converter Box Coupon Program
>> https://www.dtv2009.gov/
>>
>>
>> Here is the FAQ if you have additional questions:
>>
>> DTV Frequently Asked Questions
>> https://www.dtv2009.gov/FAQ.aspx
>>
>>
>> Which ATSC to NTSC converter box should you buy (with or without coupons)?
>>
>> The short answer is: buy the Tivax STB-T8. You can get them here:
>>
>> NOTE: Prices may vary between retailers and not all online sites will
>> allow you to enter the coupon information so you may have to go to their
>> physical store to use the coupon.
>>
>> Microcenter - They have two stores in Atlanta and you can buy them online.
>> I have not verified if they will accept coupons online.
>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0296153
>>
>> dtvboxanswers.com - will accept coupons online.
>> http://www.dtvboxanswers.com/tivaxstbt8.html
>>
>> Locate a Converter Box Retailer near you
>> https://www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx
>>
>> A list of converter box retailers listed by model number of the box
>> http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Converter_Box_Retailers.html
>>
>>
>> If you are like me you'll want all the gory details so here is the long
>> answer.
>>
>> When ATSC to NTSC converter boxes first became available for purchase
>> there were no product reviews for them. The general consensus of the
>> broadcast and cable TV industries was and still is that they are all alike
>> just pick the one with the best price. I even attended a technical meeting
>> and pointed out the lack of reviews and was pointedly told "reviews are not
>> needed, they are all the same".
>>
>> We'll just like all other products they are not all the same. There are a
>> base line set of features that all coupon eligible boxes (CEBs) must have.
>> However, they do come with additional features and some of them perform much
>> better than others.
>>
>> Here are the final rules that determine which features are mandatory:
>> http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/DTVFinalRule_2e.htm
>>
>> The document is quite long so here is the short list of features common to
>> all CEBs:
>> http://site.dtvboxanswers.com/features
>>
>> Here is a list of CEBs:
>> https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm
>>
>>
>> It seems I wasn't the only one who wanted reviews of CEBs.
>>
>> Comparison of CECB units
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units
>>
>>
>> Additional Features Permitted by the NTIA for the Coupon-Eligible
>> Converter Boxes
>> http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Additional_Features_Matrix.html
>>
>>
>> TV Digital Converter Box Reviews
>> http://site.dtvboxanswers.com/reviews
>>
>>
>> Consumer Reports DTV converter box guide - this guide is free and open to
>> the public
>>
>> http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/digital-tv-converter/overview/dtv-converter-box-guide.htm
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/5csh87
>>
>>
>> Consumer Reports - DTV converters: Best performers from our tests - this
>> guide is free and open to the public
>> http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/06/dtv-converter-1.html
>>
>>
>> CNET - Which (nearly) free DTV converter box should I buy? (not as
>> comprehensive a review)
>> http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-tv-converter/
>>
>>
>> HDTV.biz - DTV converter boxes compare and contrast
>> http://www.hdtv.biz/Article-DTV_converter_boxes_compare_and_contrast.shtml
>>
>>
>>
>> It is a lot of information to wade through so I'll summarize the key
>> differences in the non-mandatory CEB features in no particular order (I may
>> have missed a few of the more esoteric differences):
>>
>>  1. How many days are provided by the online TV programming guide.
>>
>>  2. Analog pass through.
>>
>>  3. Smart Antenna capable. Some vendors use a proprietary protocol instead
>> of the ANSI/CEA-909 standard. If they use a proprietary protocol it only
>> works with the manufacturers antenna.
>>
>>  4. The firmware can be upgraded.
>>
>>  5. Can be controlled by a PC.
>>
>>  6. Comes with universal remote rather than one that only controls the
>> converter.
>>
>>  7. Comes with cables.
>>
>>  8. Price.
>>
>>  9. Quality of image.
>>
>> 10. Receiver sensitivity.
>>
>> 11. Front panel controls allow basic operation without the remote.
>>
>> 12. Quality of manufacture.
>>
>> 13. Quality of documentation and tech support online.
>>
>> 14. Quality of tech support when you call.
>>
>> 15. S-Video output.
>>
>> 16. Internal or external power supply.
>>
>> 17. Have an internal programmable timer that can be configured to change
>> channels at specific times to so you can use your VCR to record shows.
>>
>> 18. The cabinet style and/or color matches the rest of your stereo or home
>> theater equipment. Can you stack other equipment on top of the unit (as long
>> as you don't block air flow).
>>
>> 19. Is hackable.
>>
>> 20. You can modify the color and size of the close captioning.
>>
>> 21. Ability to program a single channel without having to do a full scan.
>>
>> 22. On screen signal quality display to allow for manual antenna aiming
>> and to help in locating stations missed during a channel scan due to the
>> antenna pointing in the wrong (assuming you have a directional antenna).
>>
>>
>> So this is how I came to my decision that the Tivax STB-T8 is the one I'm
>> going to get. (Download the manual and see the manufacturers FAQ for
>> details)
>>
>> Manufacturer's home page
>> http://www.tivax.com/
>>
>> Manual for the Tivax-STB9 (Tivax-STB8 is the identical to the Tivax-STB9
>> but the Tivax-STB8 comes with analog pass through)
>> http://www.tivax.com/manual/STB-T9%20(AT2008)%20%20English%20User.pdf<http://www.tivax.com/manual/STB-T9%20%28AT2008%29%20%20English%20User.pdf>
>>
>> Manufacturer's FAQ
>> https://shop.tivax.com/faq/
>>
>> The Tivax STB-T8 was rated as one of the best (if not the best box) by
>> multiple sites when it comes to picture quality and receiver sensitivity.
>>
>> The Tivax STB-T8 comes with the following features.
>>
>>  1. The online TV programming guide was one of the better ones but not the
>> best. Good enough for me as I use my PC for looking up programming.
>>
>>  2. Has analog pass through.
>>
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_passthrough
>>
>>  3. Smart Antenna capable using the ANSI/CEA-909A standard.
>>
>> https://shop.tivax.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=2&id=23&artlang=en
>>
>>  4. The firmware can be upgraded via the serial port. The manufacturer is
>> not planning on providing firmware upgrades at this time but may in the
>> future. This also means the box may be hackable although I wasn't able to
>> find any sites about hacks to the box.
>>
>> https://shop.tivax.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=2&id=5&artlang=en
>>
>>  5. Can be controlled by a PC. The manufacturer says that the box can be
>> controlled with a PC and gave some very limited instructions but it is an
>> unsupported feature:
>>
>> https://shop.tivax.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=1&id=42&artlang=en
>>
>>  6. It does not have a universal remote but they do publish the IR control
>> codes so you can use a universal remote you already have or IR blaster for
>> PC control.
>>
>> https://shop.tivax.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=2&id=19&artlang=en
>>
>>  7. Comes with cables.
>>
>>  8. The price is good.
>>
>>  9. All of the reviews said the Tivax STB-T9/T8 has extremely good if not
>> the best picture quality.
>>
>> 10. There were no direct measurements of receiver sensitivity but the
>> reviews mentioned the Tivax STB-T8/T9 pulled in stations that others missed.
>>
>> 11. Front panel controls allow basic operation without the remote. This is
>> very limited on the Tivax STB-T8. It only supports standby and channel
>> up/down.
>>
>> 12. Quality of manufacture. dtvboxanswers.com said the following:
>>
>> This is our best TV digital converter box.
>>
>> This box is our best seller and we have had no returns or problems with
>> it.
>> The Manufacturer has given us great customer support.
>> It comes with a 90 DAY Warranty
>> We highly recommend it.
>>
>> http://www.dtvboxanswers.com/tivaxstbt8.html
>>
>> 13. Quality of documentation and tech support online. I had a short list
>> of boxes I was interested in so I went to their web sites and looked for
>> manuals, FAQs, blogs, forums, etc. Tivax was better than all the others I
>> looked at.
>>
>> 14. Quality of tech support when you call. dtvboxanswers.com said Tivax
>> tech support was good when they contacted them.
>>
>> This is our best TV digital converter box.
>>
>> This box is our best seller and we have had no returns or problems with
>> it.
>> The Manufacturer has given us great customer support.
>> It comes with a 90 DAY Warranty
>> We highly recommend it.
>>
>> http://www.dtvboxanswers.com/tivaxstbt8.html
>>
>> 15. S-Video output. This unit doesn't have S-Vidoe output. I wish it did
>> but this is not a show stopper for me.
>>
>> 16. Internal or external power supply. There is some confusion on some of
>> the sites but the manufacturer says that it has an internal power supply.
>>
>> https://shop.tivax.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=2&id=45&artlang=en
>>
>> 17. Have an internal programmable timer that can be configured to change
>> channels at specific times to so you can use your VCR to record shows. The
>> Tivax STB-T8 does not have this feature however, I believe I will be able to
>> control the unit with a PC and if not I will us an IR blaster.
>>
>> 18. The cabinet style and/or color matches the rest of your stereo or home
>> theater equipment. Can you stack other equipment on top of the unit (as long
>> as you don't block air flow). You can stack other equipment on top of the
>> box. I believe in function over form so I didn't care about the color.
>>
>> 19. Is hackable. It appears to be via the serial port but I didn't find
>> anyone doing it yet. See numbers 4 and 5 above.
>>
>> 20. You can modify the color and size of the close captioning. The STB-T8
>> has this feature although this wasn't important to me.
>>
>> 21. Ability to program a single channel without having to do a full scan.
>> The STB-T8 has this feature.
>>
>> 22. On screen signal quality display to allow for manual antenna aiming
>> and to help in locating stations missed during a channel scan due to the
>> antenna pointing in the wrong (assuming you have a directional antenna). The
>> STB-T8 has this feature.
>>
>>
>> The last issue to look at is how to aim your antenna for best reception
>> and smart antennas.
>>
>> I was originally planning on using my rabbit ears and if that didn't work
>> out I would use a high gain directional antenna. When using a directional
>> antenna it is necessary to properly aim the antenna:
>>
>> http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
>>
>> http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp
>>
>> This is a complete 'HowTo' use the site '2150.com'
>> http://www.highdefforum.com/184511-post1.html
>>
>> Another site to find the direction to aim you antenna that is really nice
>> http://www.tvfool.com/
>>
>> TVQ TV Database Query
>> http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html
>>
>>
>>
>> However with the advent of smart antennas and a converter box with a smart
>> antenna interface I am no longer planning on using a regular directional
>> antenna if by rabbit ears don't work out.
>>
>> A smart antenna is an electronically controllable antenna array that
>> allows for beam steering. In layman's terms this means the CEB can
>> automatically control which direction the antenna is looking to get optimal
>> signal quality without the use of a rotor. This type of technology has been
>> in use by the military for many years.
>>
>> Wikipedia - Smart antenna
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_antenna
>>
>> Broadcast Engineering - Smart antennas
>> http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/smart_antennas/
>>
>> I'm very excited about this technology but I don't have a product
>> recommendation yet as I'm still doing research.
>>
>> I hope this answers you questions or at the least shows you where to get
>> answers.
>>
>> keith
>>
>> --
>>
>> Keith R. Watson                        Georgia Institute of Technology
>> Systems Support Specialist IV          College of Computing
>> keith.watson at cc.gatech.edu             801 Atlantic Drive NW
>> (404) 385-7401                         Atlanta, GA 30332-0280
>>
>
>
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