Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box by Tivax
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Digital camera reviews of Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
Digital camera Review: Better than the others in general price range - default power off
Summary: 5 Stars
-Better than the others in general price range
-tivax, converter box, stb-t8
ADDED TO ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW
TIVAX converter followup - default power-off timer
After we put up a positive review today (4/19/09), we noted several reviews about the TIVAX turning off on its own and wanted to add this.
All three converter types we tested had the AUTO POWER-OFF set for 2 or 4 hours as a default. Really for no obvious reason other than to mystify users.
Users must go through the entire menu and see what the various setting defaults are after the initial setup and fix this by selecting the auto power off to OFF.
We had been alerted to this default "feature" by another converter rerviewer's flagging the issue on Amazon.
The TIVAX is also physically larger than the other two tested -because the AC to DC transformer is inside the unit, not dangling on the AC end of the power cord.
ORIGINAL REVIEW
The TIVAX ST-8B digital to ATSC converter was easy to set up as the other reviews indicated. It also had the best color & video image.
COMPARISONS
The other two tested and rejected (Sunkey & Kingbox) also have the multiple Aspect Ratio button on the remote to find the least distorted picture on the NTSC non-digital TV screens (Panasonic & Daewoo).
Only the Kingbox & TIVAX had the ability to not display unwanted dash# digital channels.
The remote control layout for the TIVAX was the most logical, with reasonable-sized keys & groupings.
All had a signal strength display button.
On STANDBY, all passed the antenna analog signal through to the TVs,
as advertised.
BASIC SETUP COMMENTS
Since we had no near-term plans to abandon Direct-TV NTSC and the 3 still functioning 70 hour UTV receiver/DVRs until one or two die, we elected to stick with the coaxial cable and A-B-C switches and RF amplifiers currently connecting our 2 large screen TVs and the 3 back bedroom smaller TVs to the 3 DVRs and the external antenna.
These are also connected to 3 medium screen HDTVs that can view either the antenna's analog/digital signal or the signals from any of the 3 Direct-TV receivers/DVRs.
After June 12 - assuming no more delays, the DAEWOO TVs and converters will be superfluous. But, in the interest of understanding the converter setups. we kept them in the coax network - mostly since they have built-in VCRs that could tape anything they display.
Spare short coax from a wire bag were used to insert each converter between the external antenna - a large Yagi that we'd kept connected via
manual A-B-C coax switches as an option in case we ever wanted to use the old Panasonic VCRs - which we never did after seeing the image quality on the DVRs many years ago.
The similar setups were via the startup menu and the full menu button screens.
No vast differences were noted on any of the 3 - other than the better TIVAX image and the ability to de-select dash# digital channels not wanted so the channels were subsequently skipped.
The TIVAX EPG (programming guide) button calls up a guide for the station that is similar to that of the Direct-TV DVR receivers, though less total info.
The guide can be scrolled forward in time.
INTERNAL ANTENNA
During the setup, we discovered that one of the DAEWOO/HDTV TV pairs had a ratty signal. Troubleshooting determined that one of the inline RF amplifiers/splitters feeding that COAX was turned off. Essentially, they were operating with only about 50 feet of coax as an indoor antenna.
We assume that use of any non-specialized digital indoor antenna would similarly degrade the image immensely.
Go external or smart (indoor?) antenna (on TIVAX) if possible.
RGY RCA COMPOSITE
We did not bother to use these, preferring to use the existing coax network instead. Which is routed throughout the home like the LAN cabling for our multiple computers/laptops.
SUMMARY
TIVAX does the job better than the other two converters tested by us.
We originally only had 2 TIVAX converters, but bought 3 more from Amazon for the smaller back bedroom TVs.
Also to make use of the remotes the same in all rooms - like the programmable remotes currently in use that we will probably eventually add the TIVAX remote commands to.
Digital camera Review: Beware
Summary: 1 Stars
The remote worked for about an hour and died. Amazon said I couldn't return it so I have to send it off and wait a few years for repair/replacement. I would only buy one of these cheap things local so I can take it back.Digital camera Review: Beware of Amazon redeeming your coupon without a purchase
Summary: 4 Stars
I am really annoyed because some link took me to an amazon page that requested my coupon codes for eligibility before I even started shopping. I this this is a really good box to buy from the research I did, but it is under $50 at a few sites including solidsignal.com. However, when I tried to order it at solidsignal, they said the coupons had already been redeemed and there was "no money in the two coupon accounts." She asked if I had visited another site, and I said that I was on amazon and she explained that they have the audacity to empty the money out of your account before you even buy a unit. I called Amazon customer service and was told there was no way to undo that. I am going to file a complaint with the government about this. I refuse to spend $60 more with Amazon. I asked if they would match another vendor's price and was told no. My feelings about Amazon have soured after using them since their inception. They are just another large uncaring retailer. I will go to the little guys now with lower prices and better customer service.Digital camera Review: Big Disappointment
Summary: 2 Stars
Compared Tivax STB-T8 and Zinwell ZAT-970A converters, same antenna, same TV.
The Zinwell User Manual much better, Main Menu much easier to read on screen and more user friendly. Zinwell Menu has more options for setup. Zinwell Aspect selections better screen viewing picture. Zinwell picked up alot more channels during automatic scan than the Tivax. Zinwell Remote more friendly channel selection. Tivax STB-T8 BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.
Digital camera Review: Bought it for our RV
Summary: 4 Stars
Set it up this weekend in our RV when we were visiting the Pacific coast. Surprisingly, we got better reception and more channels than before we had the converter attached! One wish, would like a Power Off button rather than having to unplug.