HDTV tuner reviews

[EricC]

Does anyone know of any out there? I am too cheap to pay for cable or a dish and I'm now stuck buying a tuner. I havn't even looked yet so I wasn't sure if there are POS models or ones to look for.

 

[whoaru99]

An actual HDTV tuner or merely a digital converter/tuner?

If the latter, the Zenith DTT901 (last current model I looked into and purchased) seemed to garnish largely favorable reviews. My friend in the country has one and it actually pulled in more stations to his old CRT TV than the digital tuner in his new flat panel TV did.

 

[zenith2134]

I got the DTT900 and its okay. It is sensitive enough and doesn't have the audio issues everyone keeps talking about.

 

[EricC]

I guess I'll try the Zenith, I don't think I need anything fancy unless it pulls in stations better. This transition seems like a load of **** to me. Should I use a different antenna to receive stations better?

 

[Red Stick]

I have the DTT901. I have tried it out, worked fine but not installed right now. Our CBS tower, which will also broadcast the Fox is about 110 miles away, with a medium UHF digital signal from halfway up the tower. Can't get it here. On Feb. 17th, they are switching back to the VHF at the top of the tower, full strength. We get the VHF no problem. It looks like I will be able to get all of the channels from one direction, eventually.

Obviously the brains that picked the date for the "digital conversion" don't live in northern climates. How many people are going to be falling off of their snow covered roofs and towers, trying to adjust their antennas in February?

 

[EricC]

Obviously the brains that picked the date for the "digital conversion" don't live in northern climates. How many people are going to be falling off of their snow covered roofs and towers, trying to adjust their antennas in February?

There is an old antenna in the attic of this house but I haven't traced where or if the wire goes anywhere. I take I could reuse that and my rabbit ears?

 

[whoaru99]

Go to antennaweb and click the "Choose an antenna" button in the middle of the page.

Follow the flow and it'll tell you what stations and what band they transmit in. Afaik, most will be UHF but there will be some VHF too. So, the type of antenna will depend on distance and the transmitting band.

There is also lots of other info there and links to other DTV information.

 

[zenith2134]

I get all my local channels with this box (almost all UHF as well) in my basement with a '78 Magnavox and a small bowtie antenna.

 

[spaceman]

Another option you might consider, is an add-in card for your PC. I got a Hauppage HDTV tuner card, that goes in the small PCI-E slot, & I think it only cost me like $60. I just use a set-top antenna, & it brings in WAY more channels than the old over the air format. My only gripe is, not all stations use the "full-screen", so some look like they're in a window.:scratch2:

 

[usedto]

One of the local TV stations did a comparison of a few different models, and found out the el crappo walmart one did just as well as more expensive ones.

 

[jdrum1]

One of the local TV stations did a comparison of a few different models, and found out the el crappo walmart one did just as well as more expensive ones.

I got two of those el crappo's from Wal-Mart (Magnavox) last spring with the cupon. It finally occured to me a few days ago that I should try one out since the local stations are using both digital and analog.

Holy crap....I get way more stations along with a better picture. Until now, I thought this digital conversion was a bunch of bs.

 

[EricC]

I got two of those el crappo's from Wal-Mart (Magnavox) last spring with the cupon. It finally occured to me a few days ago that I should try one out since the local stations are using both digital and analog.

Holy crap....I get way more stations along with a better picture. Until now, I thought this digital conversion was a bunch of bs.

I guess my opinion may change this weekend when I pick a box up.

 

[P. Shivers]

Does anyone know of any out there? I am too cheap to pay for cable or a dish and I'm now stuck buying a tuner. I havn't even looked yet so I wasn't sure if there are POS models or ones to look for.

Look for a used LG LST-4200A tuner. They sell on eBay for close to and sometimes more than what I paid for mine new a couple years ago, but are totally worth it. It has an ATSC, NTSC, and a QAM tuner as well. I read a lot of reviews at the time, and it was the best set-top tuner at the time I bought it. It really is an awesome HDTV tuner.:yes:

 

[bgadow]

I bought 3 different models. The Magnavox from Wal*Mart is pitiful. It's missing several nice features that the better boxes have. I'm not sure if they've changed it but the one I have lacks analog pass through. That means that you can't watch analog tv even with the box off, you have to unhook the coax and hook the antenna up manually to your set anytime you want to switch. Not too big a deal after the February switch, unless you have some low power analog stations staying on the air. The Digitalstream from Radio Shack is much better. My favorite is the Insignia from Best Buy. (only thing I've ever bought there) This is supposed to be the same unit as the Zenith. I have to pick up a pair for my father and the Insignia/Zenith will be what I insist on.

 

[drh4683]

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[EricC]

Just got home with the Zenith. Can't say I'm jumping up and down. I think a new antenna will help.

 

[EricC]

After playing with this and the antenna I have to say I am happy with the results. I now get fox perfect where before it was snow. All the other channels look better or the same as before.