OTA STB Tuner

So I'm getting an analog cable connection dirt cheap through a cable
company error. Instead of paying a fortune to upgrade to digital
cable for my older HD RPTV (no tuner), I'm looking to get an STB
receiver to get OTA HD channels.

I'm looking to either buy an inexpensive used receiver (ebay maybe?),
or maybe a new one if I can find one cheap enough. I'd like to spend
no more than $100 +/-.

I've looked at AVS Forums, but they list dozens of possible
receivers. I'm hoping someone can give me some advice to narrow down
my search.


Thanks in advance.

On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:17:37 -0800, ttheissen wrote:

So I'm getting an analog cable connection dirt cheap through a cable
company error. Instead of paying a fortune to upgrade to digital cable
for my older HD RPTV (no tuner), I'm looking to get an STB receiver to
get OTA HD channels.

I'm looking to either buy an inexpensive used receiver (ebay maybe?), or
maybe a new one if I can find one cheap enough. I'd like to spend no
more than $100 +/-.

I've looked at AVS Forums, but they list dozens of possible receivers.
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice to narrow down my search.

I used an RCA ATSC11 for a while and it worked good. Bought it on sale for
$109 about 2 years ago. Sold it on ebay about 3 months later and got more
than I paid for it.:-)

You should be eligible for the Gov. $40 coupon deal that starts next
month. And prices on boxes should fall. The certified boxes will have a
newer tuner, but I don't know if they will also output HD, or just NTSC
for the old analog sets. Just something you might want to look into.

I've seen several atsc STB's for under $100, but couldn't tell you how
good they work. Find a cheap one and search for reviews is about the only
other thing I can offer. Good luck.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
My Tivo Experience http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/tivo.htm
Tivo HD/S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm
AMD cpu help http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php

I've seen several atsc STB's for under $100,

What abt just getting a DVD player/burner with built in
atsc tuner and use it as a converter box?

That would allow you to record shows as well

On Dec 5, 2:21 pm, wrote:
I've seen several atsc STB's for under $100,

What abt just getting a DVD player/burner with built in
atsc tuner and use it as a converter box?

That would allow you to record shows as well

I would love this... I actually looked for one at a couple of sites,
and couldn't find one. Any models/manufacturers?

On Dec 5, 5:11 pm, wrote:
On Dec 5, 2:21 pm, wrote:

I've seen several atsc STB's for under $100,

What abt just getting a DVD player/burner with built in
atsc tuner and use it as a converter box?

That would allow you to record shows as well

I would love this... I actually looked for one at a couple of sites,
and couldn't find one. Any models/manufacturers?

Found them... thanks.

What abt just getting a DVD player/burner with built in
atsc tuner and use it as a converter box?

That would allow you to record shows as well

I would love this... I actually looked for one at a couple of sites,
and couldn't find one. Any models/manufacturers?

Consumer reports just did a review of them and liked
the Samsung AR650 and also a Panasonic machine as well

Check a few issues back in CR....maybe Oct or Nov

I'm cheap...... will only get TV over the air...... and
only have analog TV...so will get such a unit and use
as OTA set top box to allow me to watch OTA digital
channels as well as time shift them for later viewing.

On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:21:17 -0600, me wrote:

I've seen several atsc STB's for under $100,

What abt just getting a DVD player/burner with built in atsc tuner and
use it as a converter box?

That would allow you to record shows as well

Most of those won't display HD, only SD. And they record in SD. And to
find one that will display HD will likely be $300 or more. For that much
he could use a PC and build a nice dual tuner HD DVR. That's really his
best option, but since he wanted to only spend about $100, he'd have to
have a PC already.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
My Tivo Experience http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/tivo.htm
Tivo HD/S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm
AMD cpu help http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php

On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:11:58 -0800, ttheissen wrote:

On Dec 5, 2:21 pm, wrote:
I've seen several atsc STB's for under $100,

What abt just getting a DVD player/burner with built in atsc tuner and
use it as a converter box?

That would allow you to record shows as well

I would love this... I actually looked for one at a couple of sites, and
couldn't find one. Any models/manufacturers?

None of them will record in HD, only downconverted HD to SD. And most
won't display HD either. If you want an HDTV recorder, your best option is
a PC. See links below.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
My Tivo Experience http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/tivo.htm
Tivo HD/S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm
AMD cpu help http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php

On Dec 5, 6:45 pm, Wes Newell wrote:
On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:11:58 -0800, ttheissen wrote:
On Dec 5, 2:21 pm, wrote:
I've seen several atsc STB's for under $100,

What abt just getting a DVD player/burner with built in atsc tuner and
use it as a converter box?

That would allow you to record shows as well

I would love this... I actually looked for one at a couple of sites, and
couldn't find one. Any models/manufacturers?

None of them will record in HD, only downconverted HD to SD. And most
won't display HD either. If you want an HDTV recorder, your best option is
a PC. See links below.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder?http://mythtv.org
My Tivo Experiencehttp://wesnewell.no-ip.com/tivo.htm
Tivo HD/S3 comparedhttp://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm
AMD cpu helphttp://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php

I appreciate all of the replies. Still looking on Ebay, etc. The
closest thing I've seen is a Pro Brand HD 3150. I don't like that it
doesn't offer a remote, but it's cheap, and will get the job done.
The Samsung models (H260F) don't get really good reviews.

What abt just getting a DVD player/burner with built in atsc tuner and
use it as a converter box?

That would allow you to record shows as well

Most of those won't display HD, only SD. And they record in SD. And to
find one that will display HD will likely be $300 or more. For that much
he could use a PC and build a nice dual tuner HD DVR. That's really his
best option, but since he wanted to only spend about $100, he'd have to
have a PC already.

Oh I agree

But personally I think even NON HD quality movies are
just fine.

I'm as much a gadget freak as anyone else but as I get
older find I don't want to "tinker" with stuff much....
just want to buy it and use it.

For $200 one could get the Samsung DVD recorder with
atsc tuner in it and just hook to TV and go

But your method of using home built PVR's is definitely
the ultimate