Any suggestions for a coverter box with HDMI outputs?

[westcott]

Looking for a digital converter box with HDMI outputs and full support for 1080i and 720p.

Anyone have any suggestions on one they have been using?

 

[TLS Guy]

Looking for a digital converter box with HDMI outputs and full support for 1080i and 720p.

Anyone have any suggestions on one they have been using?

Converting what to HDMI? I doubt there is such an animal because of HDCP codes and DRM

 

[bandphan]

An ATSC set top box? http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/tv-video/digital-set-top-box/hdtv-tuners/DTB-H260F/XAA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&returnurl=

 

[westcott]

An ATSC set top box? http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/tv-video/digital-set-top-box/hdtv-tuners/DTB-H260F/XAA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&returnurl=

You got it digital (ATSC) tuner. The Samsung you listed seems to be only available used.

They all seem to be around the $150 mark for an HDMI out. I did find a unit with DVI out at NewEgg for around US$60.

If I wanted to spend that much, I might as well buy my satellite boxes back from DishNetwork.

I will keep looking. Thanks for the help.

 

[bandphan]

http://www.summitsource.com/product_info.php?ref=1&products_id=8167 120 plus shipping ...note ive never ordered from them before.

 

[jostenmeat]

I use this:
http://www.epvision.com/HDTVSTB/phd205LEmain.htm

If you use Dish, I think they have a box that can record dual channels as most do, and another two OTA channels, all simultaneously.

I haven't paid for TV programming in years, but if I started to again for the long haul, I would likely cough up the extra few hundred bux and get an expensive Tivo, because they work well and are cool. However, I say that with the impression that box rentals from today's companies being exorbitant, for POS's that have been refurbished 10x already.

Anyways, regarding my own tuner, here is a mini:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63135

It appears I didn't mention it in this mini, but the numbers on the display look much better than in the pic, and significantly smaller. The pic has numbers that look like they belong on a $5 alarm clock.

 

[westcott]

I use this:
http://www.epvision.com/HDTVSTB/phd205LEmain.htm

If you use Dish, I think they have a box that can record dual channels as most do, and another two OTA channels, all simultaneously.

I haven't paid for TV programming in years, but if I started to again for the long haul, I would likely cough up the extra few hundred bux and get an expensive Tivo, because they work well and are cool. However, I say that with the impression that box rentals from today's companies being exorbitant, for POS's that have been refurbished 10x already.

Anyways, regarding my own tuner, here is a mini:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63135

It appears I didn't mention it in this mini, but the numbers on the display look much better than in the pic, and significantly smaller. The pic has numbers that look like they belong on a $5 alarm clock.

I found a unit on eBay for around $100 but can not find any quality reviews on it. ATSC Tuner

I appreciate your input. I think I will spend the extra coin and get the one you have.

 

[westcott]

I use this:
http://www.epvision.com/HDTVSTB/phd205LEmain.htm

Well, I placed my order today. Thanks for the heads up.

I will let you know what I think about it once I have had some time to test drive.

 

[jostenmeat]

Well, I placed my order today. Thanks for the heads up.

I will let you know what I think about it once I have had some time to test drive.

I hope it works well for you. What I really like is how much more quickly an OTA tuner locks into a channel than a typical cable box.

If you actually pay for a monthly cable/sat box, I would strongly consider getting a Tivo. I don't pay for TV, but if I did, I think I would. One person told me she's paying something like $20 a month for her stb. That means after just one year, she could have bought something like this. BTW, it has the OTA you're looking for. Just an idea; it can actually save you in the long run, and has more benefits . . .

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67697

 

[westcott]

I hope it works well for you. What I really like is how much more quickly an OTA tuner locks into a channel than a typical cable box.

If you actually pay for a monthly cable/sat box, I would strongly consider getting a Tivo. I don't pay for TV, but if I did, I think I would. One person told me she's paying something like $20 a month for her stb. That means after just one year, she could have bought something like this. BTW, it has the OTA you're looking for. Just an idea; it can actually save you in the long run, and has more benefits . . .

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67697

My wife and I were subscribed to DishNetwork. Pretty happy with their service although their was still more macroblocking than I would have hoped, even with HD service.

Decided to cut the phone, alarm system, and satellite services. I do not foresee the economy getting any stronger in the near future. We are preparing for the worst and trimming all non essentials.

I was getting OTA with my DN box but now that it is gone, the new box will have to handle switching duties.

We upped our NetFlix account to 3 discs with BluRay and I am building an HTPC to download the NF programs accessible over the internet. Along with HuLu and such, we should still get more than enough programming.

Hope everyone is weathering this financial storm as best as possible. I wish everyone the best.

 

[jostenmeat]

Decided to cut the phone, alarm system, and satellite services.

Ah, right, you mentioned that thing about no longer having sat in post #4. Thanks for the well wishes. Now that I am current with your needs, I think this box will fit these needs perfectly. Well, the Tivo does have a DVR, and that is definitely worth something, as well as the streaming capabilities. You can set it to record things from remote locations too. Anyhoo, I've enjoyed Winter Games, Final Four basketball, local NBA, since I've had it, along with a few other things. Every NFL game is national, or so I was told; should be fun to throw perhaps the best Superbowl party my friends have ever seen, hehe. No World Cup soccer though . . . :sad clown:

 

[westcott]

Ah, right, you mentioned that thing about no longer having sat in post #4. Thanks for the well wishes. Now that I am current with your needs, I think this box will fit these needs perfectly.:sad clown:

Well, I got the PHD250LE on Friday and have been test driving it all weekend.

First, the good parts. It gives an excellent picture via HDMI and the signal resolution graph and information is very helpful. Channel changing is swift and it seems to hold and lock better than the DN receiver did. Its performance is well worth the price. Setup was a snap and the manual was not even needed. AutoScan worked perfectly.

Things I would change, add, or edit. The TV guide is VERY limited. Only shows programs coming up next. I would like to see the whole day or week of programming for a station as DN does. You also can not scroll through the guide to other station information while watching one station. You must change stations and then access the station information. VERY cumbersome when you are used to navigating with the DN receiver. You can not tag a station so that it will automatically switch to that station for viewing like DN. I would also have liked a second RF in. There are some free sat programming available and it would nice to try to capitalize on those signals, as well. Lastly, and this is a minor quible, one can not read the fine print in the manual for the two switches on the back that set the resolution of the TV. It is also illegible on the back panel, with glasses on!!! Had to call to ask what it said. I got a swift response and the genteman on the phone was very curteous. The military time is just a minor inconvenience, as well. We do miss the PVR features. Nothing more money could not solve but as a temporary solution (I hope!), it fits the bill perfectly.

I would recommend this to someone who wants to watch OTA programming for not a lot of money but with great picture and audio quality in HD.

Thanks for the help.

 

[jostenmeat]

westcott, do you think there is any OTA tuner that can do what you like? This is truly an honest question. I wonder if since the tuner only tunes to one channel, that's all you can get. NBC is not going to provide CBS' scheduled programming, for instance. I suppose you would need a multi tuner to see info available from other stations. I remember for the Winter Games, I'd have to use the internet to find the scheduled programming for my area. The print on the back is admittedly quite small, but I could read it fine. At least you only have to set it once. Cheers.

 

[allargon]

I use this:
http://www.epvision.com/HDTVSTB/phd205LEmain.htm

If you use Dish, I think they have a box that can record dual channels as most do, and another two OTA channels, all simultaneously.

I haven't paid for TV programming in years, but if I started to again for the long haul, I would likely cough up the extra few hundred bux and get an expensive Tivo, because they work well and are cool. However, I say that with the impression that box rentals from today's companies being exorbitant, for POS's that have been refurbished 10x already.

Anyways, regarding my own tuner, here is a mini:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63135

It appears I didn't mention it in this mini, but the numbers on the display look much better than in the pic, and significantly smaller. The pic has numbers that look like they belong on a $5 alarm clock.

Well, he got rid of Dish's sat service. But the recently discountinued DVRPal from Dish will record OTA with no monthly fee. It's cheaper than a Tivo despite its bugs.

 

[westcott]

westcott, do you think there is any OTA tuner that can do what you like? This is truly an honest question. I wonder if since the tuner only tunes to one channel, that's all you can get. NBC is not going to provide CBS' scheduled programming, for instance. I suppose you would need a multi tuner to see info available from other stations. I remember for the Winter Games, I'd have to use the internet to find the scheduled programming for my area. The print on the back is admittedly quite small, but I could read it fine. At least you only have to set it once. Cheers.

Not sure how DN gathers and assembles the info provided by each of the carriers vs. the PHD. Just know that DN and DTV can do it. On the other hand, they have a lot of resourced compared to PHD. Maybe it could be developed over time. Maybe somebody around here can shed some light.