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: Sansonic vs Insignia Converter Boxes
Summary: 2 Stars
When I first purchased the Sansonic FT-300A converter box for my 27" Magnavox set, the box would not work. The menu screen came on the auxillary portion of my television screen without any problems. But the box would not pick up any channels. The screen on the box would stay dark (even after scanning for channels in my area.) I became extremely frustrated with this box because the box would not pick up any digital channels; this incident also occurred just before the first transition deadline this year. I did not want to go through another night of not being able to see MacNeil-Lehrer again. Therefore, there was only one alternative: the box was faulty.
I made purchases of new antennas and cabling all to no effect. The box still, would not receive any digital signal channels. Cost totalled: $250.00. This led me to believe the Sansonic FT-300A was defective. I truly found it hard to believe. When connecting the box to my television set, the menu from the converter box would operate in true form but no digital signals would be received.
I thought I would have to order Direct TV and pay $40.00 per month for one year, $480.00. But I did not want to do that. Money is tight for the family as is.
Finally, I purchased the Insignia NS-DXA1 Digital to Analog TV Tuner Converter Box for Regular TV Sets. Total cost: approximately $33.00. The unit worked right out of the box! The unit also had a display menu that would give me all of the HD (High Definition) and DS (Digital Signals) signals when scanned. Not only would the channel display, but the menu would also give you information about what you're watching. The only drawback that I have with this converter box was on specific channels, the picture (clear picture) would not fill my 27" screen completely. If the channel had more than one digital setting then you could switch to the second channel by pushing the "Guide & > " characters right on the remote control. The Insignia converter box scanned all of the channels right out of the box at my specific location.
Now, I don't have to worry about June 12, 2009 digital deadline and at a pretty good cost-per-savings too. Let it come!
Customer Review: Read before you buy... horrible
Summary: 2 Stars
So like many of you out there, I read the reviews on the consumer report testing site, and saw that this was one of THE best converter boxes out there. I really wanted to get one before my coupon expired, but I wasn't able to. About a month ago, this box was sold out, and people were selling them for $110 each. I was sure this had to be an awesome box since people were stooping that low for it. What I didn't know was that once you enter your coupon on amazon, you can't use them anywhere else (thanks for mentioning it amazon). I got tired of waiting, so I bought a Insignia box from best buy, and ordered a zinwell from amazon (also rated highly on that site). Earlier this month, this box finally was available through amazon again.
By this point, I've used the Bestbuy brand and the Zinwell already, and was hoping for this box to blow everything out of the water. WRONG. This box is pure garbage. I agree, the picture is quite clear, almost dvd quality. That's about it. This thing is beyond Horrible at getting signal. I literally can't watch any program for more than 2 minutes before the signal breaks up and the screen starts to get blotchy. I've tried to move around the external antenna all around, and some places it plays fine for about 3 minutes, then goes back to losing signal. I've tested this on 3 tvs. The Insgnia works on the same tv, with the same antenna, at the same position, with almost no blotch or signal loss. The Zinwell is a bit better, but it still starts to get blotchy after a while.
As if the signal thing wasn't bad enough, but the remote on this thing sucks. The layout isn't convenient like other remotes are and there are no favorites buttons either. I'm only giving this 2 star because my test *may be flawed since I don't have a digital antenna yet, so I can't just rule it out and give it the worst score. However, for general use with regular rabit ears, this thing sucks. I'm not affiliated with any company, but I recommend you get the insignia one from BB, as it's a far better and more user friendly than this thing. I actually despise best buy, and don't shop from there.. but that box really surprised me.
Customer Review: Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
Summary: 4 Stars
Bought this a couple of weeks ago. Had some trouble setting it up, since I wasn't aware that the antenna required, needs to be one capable of picking up UHF and VHF signals, or what is now being marketed to DTV virgins as "digital antennas"...May sound simple, but with all the research I did, I thought all you need to do is plug the box into your old antenna and that's it. Turns out, not so. Only reason I can think of is that the roof top antenna was only capable of receiving UHF, or VHF. Sounds odd, but maybe I just don't know enough about old roof top antennas. Additionally (and more importantly) the signal from the roof top antenna was fairly weak anyway in the past. After buying the "digital antenna" (a basic indoor model from Radio Shack for around $20), I re-scanned and everything worked just fine. Again, how an indoor antenna can work better than a roof top one, beats me, but I don't really care as long as it works. Keep that in mind though when it turns out that you have the same problem. A few adjustments and all the channels come in crisp and clear. I live in a big city with plenty of walls everywhere, so I'm glad the reception turned out to be this good and by far better than the analog reception of the past.
As some other reviewers mentioned, the only real annoying thing is that you really do need to point the remote directly at the box, otherwise it doesn't respond. Still, this isn't a real complaint, unless you are ultra lazy, or incapacitated in some other way. Other than that, I have a duplicate channel that always appears and you cannot get rid of through the menu...something that was also mentioned in a previous review. Finally, the box is a little slow to start up and shut down, but again, no real flaw.
In all, four out of five. The quality is good, the picture clear and it does what it is supposed to do. In terms of the box itself, it's probably like comparing a Sony to a Coby, or Magnavox. It just doesn't ooze with quality, but as long as it receives digital channels in the way it does, why would you want more! It's the recession special...lol. And with the $40 coupon, you shell out around $10...not bad at all.
Customer Review: Getting More Than You Pay For
Summary: 4 Stars
I over research everything and this converter box was no exception. Consumer Reports, other independent websites and the always tremedously helpul Amazon customer reviews, concurred that the Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box was the best in the industry at the time of purchase. As this is the only one we've used, the review is based on our experience with this model only, not as a comparison piece.
1] Appearance--This box is unobtrusive, with a very neutral design. Its case is metal, not plastic, which is always a big plus in our house. It looks more like a quality product. If your home has a lot of activity and the box could be jostled or dropped, the metal casing might save it from breakage. We have not dropped or moved the box since installation, so I cannot speak from firsthand knowledge on that statement.
2] Installation--Plug and play. No sweat.
3] Audio/Video quality--Excellent. Our 'big screen' TV is a 32' analog and the picture is beautiful; the sound better than before.
4] Performance--There are some annoying issues here. The remote has to be pointed pretty much straight on to the box. If you're a little too far off center, the remote requires multiple attempts to respond, if it responds at all. Additionally, the box times out, leaving the television in blue screen. There is no warning and we haven't been able to prevent it, or diagose the cause. The remote buttons are small and could prove awkward for hands with limited dexterity or large hands.
We've lost one big network channel and a couple UHF that we enjoyed. No amount of rescanning helps. We live in Chicago, about five miles from the smaller of our two airports. The interference upon takeoff is consistent and has not lessened with the addition of the Tivax.
At the time of purchase through Amazon, we paid $9.99 each--no tax or shipping--so, a great deal was received. Even without the coupon, the Tivax is still a reasonable choice, considering its high ratings. Boxes priced the same and more seem paltry and fragile. In this case, you get more than you pay for.
Customer Review: GREAT DVD Quality Pictures! Got ALL 62 Digital Channels!
Summary: 5 Stars
Ok,
I have been researching on a very good to top of the line converter boxes out there. After months of research, I ended up buying the Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box & Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital to Analog TV Converter Box (Programmable Timer).
Most of the Negative reviews here on Amazon and other site all point out to these...
1) Quality materials used to construct this unit.
2) Doesn't allow you to turn TV on (need to use your own TV control)
You have to be extremely anal (excuse me) or just plain out lazy, but I don't mind having to used 2 remote controls. The box itself performs GREAT! and the picture quality is of DVD. You also have to remember that with an indoor antenna, you won't get all the channels and the picture quality might not be that good, plus you get might a 'freeze' on the screen while watching your shows.
I have a small outdoor amp. antenna (small white amp. antenna) that I purchase from [...] (item 4730). With this converter box, I did that 1st auto scan and it only pickup about half of all the channels (32 channels) and the signal is at 100% (remember to point your antenna in the right position according to [...] and [...]) Then I did a 2nd scan 'add on scan', and that pickup ALL of the 69 channels that I have within my area. WOW! I never knew that there were shows that I have never seen of heard of before the switch to digital.
So if you are a very picky person, and just can't stand having a plastic built unit and can't stand having to use more then 1 remote control to control the converter box and your own TV, then this unit is NOT for you.
But if you can live with 2 remotes and have the proper antenna hookup, then this unit if for you and you will NOT regret the purchase. I prefer to have a great unit then having to worry about using more than 1 remote control.
Just remember, a OUTDOOR amp. antenna mounted on a 4'-6' feet mask on top of the roof will out perform any indoor antenna. So do your research on the antenna you want, I prefer the Monoprice one (item 4730).