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In Reply to: RE: Thanks for the mini review. Some questions for you. posted by AbeCollins on June 02, 2008 at 07:10:47
I bought a Zenith from Radio Shack, and wanted to get another one when I realized my coupon was about to expire. I called the store before I drove the 20 miles to make sure they had the Zenith converter. The store manager told me sure come on up, "we have a ton of them". Well, when I got there 5 hours later, the two Zeniths they had, had sold the previous day and the manager had left "an hour ago", according to the guy behind the counter. I was pissed. All they had were four boxes of Digital Stream DTX9900 Digital-to-Analog Converter Box's, (two of which had notes on them not to sell with the Gov. Coupons?).
With my time running out I had to take the Digital Stream box. If I did not like it, I had planned on returning it and giving the manager a tongue-lashing, (which I still might do for his deceitfulness). However, I like the Digital Stream more than the Zenith! You can blast through your favorite channels faster with the D.S. In addition, you can control TV volume and power, instead of just power as with the Zenith box.
I live 70 miles from Chicago; neither box will consistently pick up CBS. CBS is channel 2 on regular TV and difficult to watch with all the snow. I have a big Wineguard antenna with a power booster.
I have a US Digital HDTV box that I use on my downstairs TV. Its picture seems much smoother than either the Digital Stream or the Zenith boxes, (even on regular definition digital stations). However, the sound often does not match up perfectly with the picture. It is also a little slow switching channels. The US Digital can rarely pull in CBS here. Lucky for me CBS is moving to channel 12 before the Feb. 2009 deadline, which should tune in better.
Follow Ups:
Zenith and Insignia (Best Buy) are the same boxes made by LG of S Korea. My local Radio Shack doesn't have anymore Zenith but Best Buy has Insignia.
I'll have to check if RS has the Digital Stream box. They have a couple GE models which from what I have read, are junk.
The box to get is the EchoStar TR40 which isn't out yet... maybe later this summer. Apparently this model will be priced right at $39.95 AND have a friendly multi-day Electronic Program Guide (EPG) that the others do not. But I like the idea of the Digital Stream being able to control the TV volume. Thanks for that tip.
My coupons expire in August so I have to get something before then.
Thanks for the tip on Digital Stream.
Yes, that is what I was waiting for, the EchoStar TR-40. I remember the EchoStar TR-50 looked even more interesting!
It seems to me the Zenith did something important that the Insignia could not do. Yikes, it has only been three months since I researched this crap and it is already damn near gone!
Well, I went ahead and got the Digital Stream DTX9900 based on your comments and the fact that my local Radio Shack didn't have any Zenith models in stock or in the warehouse. Even the Digital Stream is back ordered but I should have it in about a week.
I may also get the Zenith later if I can find one. But for now, it's the Digital Stream DTX9900.
I'll be looking for a directional antenna that isn't too directional... something with more than a 45-degree beamwidth. This way, I should be able to point the antenna between the two main transmitting locations for my area. We'll see.
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