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iview 3500 STB digital tuner and PVR. This $39 digital tuner is everything the govt subsidized digital tuner boxes should have been, but weren't because of lobbying by the cable companies with Congress. Resolutions all the way from 480 to 1080p and everything in between. Composite video output (yellow) analog audio (red and white) digital coaxial audio (black) RF in and out, Component video out (orange, green and blue) HDMI out. I'm using this as a digital tuner for my Panasonic PT-AE200 projector (720p) to get HDTV off air. Did I mention there is a USB port with full record capability to an external flash or hard drive with time shift capability. One way of looking at this is simply as a $39 digital video recorder with a built in tuner. You should be able to record several hours of video on an 8 gb flash drive via the USB output (I haven't tried this yet), then transfer to DVD if you want on any laptop that burns DVDs. This is like a VHS recorder of old with much better picture quality and unlike the cable company DVRs, unlimited storage capacity. Should also work as a digital tuner with a TV of practically any vintage that lacks a digital tuner. There is a QAM tuner that can pull unscrambled channels off your raw cable without renting a set top box (don't tell your cable company as they love to make money renting set top boxes with fewer capabilities for $10 a month or more (LOL). Pictures here of front and back. The USB port is on the front. These are available on Amazon just do a search on iview 3500 and you will find them.
I will try and answer questions as I get more familiar with the box. I'm getting pretty good off air signals from 10 channels (with simple $8 rabit ears) here in Lexington KY
Follow Ups:
Which remote control did you get with your unit, the original with tiny buttons or the "improved" one?> You should be able to record several hours of video on an 8 gb flash drive via the USB output
One hour of ATSC HD content could consume more than 7 GB (from a high-bit-rate HD channel) or as little as 4GB (from a low-bit-rate HD channel).
If you plan on scheduling a recording, you probably should update the firmware.
Regards
Edits: 08/11/13
My remote is the small keys version. I don't see any official upgrade of the firmware on the iview download site yet. The only versions are test versions that can be downloaded from the AVS forum site. I am reluctant to do an update until iview is good with it.
My super simplified version of the DIY UHF antenna
http://uhfhdtvantenna.blogspot.com/
Foam core board covered with foil with a base from packing crate foam
About 12 x 18 inches
The foil board is positioned about 6 inches from the UHF loop on the little antenna and due north of the UHF loop (which I think makes sense if KET transmitter is south of me) with the rabbit ears (VHF we have no VHF stations) in full decline position.
I'm getting much stronger KET signals, plus the other channels are at least as strong or stronger.
I'm now getting 12 different digital channels off air on the tuner.
I will improve on this basic crude design using on-hand materials but good experiment for now.
This is my latest UHF reflector...Aluminum pan from Dollar tree (2 for a dollar) with cooking grill from dollar tree (also 2 for a dollar). Works at least as well as aluminum foil. Better still, if this design doesn't cut it as a UHF reflector the parts are great for roasting brats in the oven. The excess grease drops into the pan. I would resist the urge to use the same pan and grill for brats that you are using as a UHF antenna reflector however. But for $2 total you have parts for one of each.
Unfortunately, its been raining here and no reflector pulls in KET for me in the rain. Worse, the KET is almost opposite the NBC (MeTV channel) in location that gets the strongest signal. I need a clear day to do more tests.
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