Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
by Tivax
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List Price: Category: Home Theater See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
Customer Review: $30 price drop since April 10, 2009? ;-/
Summary: 4 Stars
On 4/10/09 I ordered "Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box [Electronics], Condition: New; Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC - $79.99." Yeah, $80 big ones. Of course using the $40 coupon it was only $39.99. But still, if I had known Amazon was going to drop the price by $30 down to $49.99 (which is what the top of this page is showing as of today/right now), I surely would have waited. ;-/ Total bummer!
But OK, win some, lose some.
On 4/10/09 I bought 2 converter boxes from amazon: The above Tivax and this other model "Channel Master CM-7000 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box [Electronics] , Condition: New, Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC, $59.95." (Wonder if that one has been discounted as well?)
From Channel Master reviews I thought it was going to be the "stronger/better" box, but it picks up LESS channels that the Tivax, which is my main complaint, besides it's terrible remote control. However, it does have a better TV-Guide (though very small print), and better color (example: faces are cream color vs. "white and pinkish" skin on the Tivax. And one man's dark suit jacket was black on the Tivax but a super-dark-purple on the Channel Master). You probably would not notice the color differences except that I have both TVs sitting side by side. Lastly, the Channel Master will not let you "add channels manually" but the Tivax will.
As far as the Channel Master not picking up several of the channels that I can get on the TV, maybe it is the antenna... Currently have an old Walmart amplified RCA rabbit ears with the Tivax (more channels); but an old amplified Sony rabbit ears with the Channel Master (less channels).
So either RCA makes better antennas than Sony, or the Channel Master DTV box is not as good as the Tivax. Take your pick as I have no idea what the answer is. ;-/
Which is why I am back here now, looking for DIGITAL indoor amplified antennas, hoping to get all channels which SHOULD BE available in my area (per DTV.gov and Antennaweb.org).
PS: Last year I got a Magnavox DTV box from Walmart, cheap, but it didn't get as many channels (but was using it with same Sony antenna), and it had a lousy remote as well. Even though the above TIVAX REMOTE is very lightweight (not good), it's buttons are a decent size and in a "sensible order" on the remote itself (vs. the Channel Masters which seem to be haphazard all over the remote). The Magnavox box had miserable itty-bitty buttons on the remote.
Customer Review: The Whole Story
Summary: 3 Stars
As most buyers did, I too read a lot of reviews prior to purchasing this converter box. In fact, I waited too long until the original date of transition had come and passed to ensure getting the latest manufactured series.
As it were, Amazon was always the first to pop up on Google, and probably the least expensive, so I bought from them. The box arrived belatedly, and immediately, I put it to task.
I connected it to my NEC 37" 1028 x 720 High resolution monitor; a mean and gigantic behemoth from the glory days of Japanese ultra high quality monster professional monitors that weighs in at lb 250 and had cost $4400.00 IN 1999. I also connected it to a Radio Shack VHF/UHF antenna that had received high acclaim for its pulling power.
In my area, Portland-Salem, OR / Vancouver, WA metropolis, there are close to 50 digital broadcasting stations, and my contraption was able to pull only 26 stations. I was told that with an on-TV-top antenna, that was what I would get, and nothing more.
Lacking an S-Video connection, the max scanning resolved by the NEC was 500 lines, so the resulting picture, though good for all practical purpose, could obviously have been much better had the box had an S-video to increase horizontal scanning to 600 and eliminate the crawling dot effect for the sharpest analogue picture possible.
Audio, contrary to published claims, was far below par. Actually one should not expect anything better from such a puny tuner, but there is no merit to any claim in any of the reviews of superior audio quality. I am talking about setting max volume on both box and monitor just so that I could have a decent sound volume in my living room.
Manual channel add on, again contrary to published reviews, was impossible. I tried every trick in David Copperfield's home magic manual but all attempts failed. Another problem I have faced is channel drop off. Rescanning is necessary every now and then and I have no idea why!
Conclusion: Consumer report placed this box among the top for picture quality based on listed price priority. It would have been number one par-non had it had an S-video connection, better audio capability and a slightly better remote control.
Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
Customer Review: It's just OK - it is too annoyingly s-l-o-w
Summary: 2 Stars
The unit arrived in excellent condition. Some background about me. I am very technically inclined; some might, and have, used the term 'geek'. I have worked for years in the information technology field, and I still assemble my own PCs. I also tend to read instruction manuals (yes, I know that is odd for a 'geek', but it is what it is). Now to my review:
The pros:
(1) Buttons on the front of the unit. If the remote gets lost (or quits working) we can still operate the unit. Without those buttons, if the remote fails, then...no dice.
(2) Small compact size.
(3) Price.
The cons:
(1) Lousy (and I do mean LOUSY) instructions. Written or translated by someone who, well, let's just say that English is not their strong suit. (At least the poor English provided some humor during a period of frustration trying to figure out how to program the unit).
(2) Not much better on-screen instructions. This little unit was a beast to program. Once we finally figured it out, it was pretty easy. But it is not intuitive.
(3) It is so S-L-O-W. Actually this is our biggest complaint. It takes seconds (yes SECONDS!) to go from 'standby' to 'on'. Then it takes more seconds to change channels. It is so slow to respond that I thought the remote was not working. So I changed batteries again, and put another fresh set in just to be sure. We realized, finally, there is nothing wrong with the batteries...this thing is just plain slow to respond. Come on folks, it should not be this slow - this is digital technology for Pete's sake!
Now, the following is more of a complaint about digital TV, and not really about this unit, but it is important to note. We have always used an exterior, mid-range, omni-directional antenna, and have been able to receive about six analog stations really well, and two fairly well (a little snowy, but tolerable if the show was good). Now, switch to digital. We get two stations (and not our two favorites). The digital signal is great when it works, but when it drops out, the digital image pixilates and the audio disappearsand the whole thing becomes unwatchable! So, we just purchased a new antenna (long range and directional) in hopes of improving the situation. Will update this review later once we have installed and tested it.
Customer Review: Tivax STB-T8 vs Channelmaster CM-7000
Summary: 5 Stars
After extensive online research. These 2 boxes consistently came up top in ratings and reviews. I knew I would not be happy with a unit that could demonstrate any compromise in video quality vs getting a unit with a programmable (VCR) timer, best program guide, or universal remote to simply turn my TV on. I could not decide which of the 2 boxes to purchase so I purchased both. Upon receipt - I tried both units. For all practical purposes both units have similar performance characteristics. The CM-7000 had the slight edge with S video output being slightly better. Features between the units were basically the same, even the size, feel and functions on the remote felt the similar. Both are great units and are recommended. If I had to pick one, I would select the CM-7000 because it had slightly better video quality with S out, channel changing seemed a tiny bit faster, and the one marginal station in my area seemed to lock in better - though different atmospheric conditions at the time may be the only reason for that. Note that all the stations in my area are all broadcasting in digital so the analog pass thru feature of the Tivax was not needed.
Both units have buttons on the converter box so you can power up and change channels without your remote. On either unit there was no instructions on if or how you get access the menu from those buttons - so I do not know if that is possible or not.
One more thing to mention: I purchased 2 units (one CM-7000 & one STB-08) to have one as a backup. Using govt coupons and low priced shipping, paying a total $7 out of pocket is a cheap backup and is cheaper than paying postage and handling in 2 directions should one unit fail in the future. I read stories on how hard it was to exchange broken units. I purchased the Tivax form Amazon. The first Tivax unit I received did not power up. It was ONE email to Amazon and a replacement unit was at my door the very next day - plus Amazon emailed me a return prepaid shipping label to return the unit to them via USPS. Zero extra cost. What a pleasurable surprise.
So for everyone grinding over the reviews and features and trying to figure out which one to get -- you can purchase either of these two units and know it was a smart choice with no regret.
Customer Review: BEST converter box overall compared to all others!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have really researched the different models for several weeks before choosing this one. It was at the top of my list but was unable to find it, as was the Zenith DTT 901 and the Insignia. The Insignia was impossible to get, the zenith was hard to find from a reputable company which honored the warranty and defects that can occur in any model. When I noticed that the Tivax STB-T8 was overall superior to any other brand and model with its smart antenna connection (great option), analog pass though, power and channel buttons on front of device (a must just! for the just in case situation), does not get hot (don't put on other machines like others have and surprisingly find any electrical device too hot), great remote that controls channels, volume, aspect ratio, signal check, awesome guide display that shows several hours ahead of programming, easy and quick connect and setup. It is well worth the money, I bought it through Amazon for 79.99 and with coupon only cost 39.99 (they are trustworthy and honor defected boxes and will replace it) and signed up for the Amazon prime free trial, upgraded from free 2 day to one day shipping for 3.99 (i placed order on Saturday and received it on Monday which was one business day as estimated). I am buying a second box and now that I have the Amazon prime free trial it is $30 cheaper (that's awesome!). I decided to buy the RCA smart antenna passive multi directional version to see if i can pick up more channels than my current outdoor antenna. Will have to see if it works. Overall I am extremely pleased and satisfied with this device and highly recommend it to everyone wanting a converter box that is well worth paying for. Also, for those viewing reviews to decide what to get. Pay the extra 10 or 20 dollars (better than buying cheap, having it break down and then buy this one anyway) and choose a reputable seller, many had poor customer service and return policies and shipping costs that run up the price. I was dis-satisfied very much with MANY of the companies that i googled when searching for coupon eligible boxes, definitely read the reviews, if they can offer you a too good to be true offer, it probably comes with a cost. Amazon gave me an ease of mind knowing i was buying from them directly and their policy on returns and defects.