Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital to Analog TV Converter Box (for Antenna Use)
by Zinwell
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Our Price: $40.00
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Category: Home Theater
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Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: ZinwellBrand: Zinwell
Edition: Electronics
Model: ZAT-970A
Color: White
Publisher: Zinwell
Studio: Zinwell
Music Label: Zinwell
Product features:
- Set-top box converts digital broadcast stations for viewing on your analog television set
- Standard RF antenna output and RCA with stereo audio outputs for connecting to your television
- Fully ATSC compliant--receives RF channels 2-69, supports all 18 broadcast formats, decodes Dolby AC-3 audio
- Parental control with V-Chip technology, lockable channels, and downloadable Rating Region tables
- Selectable aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9 for different TV screens
- AmazonBasics 700 MB 52x CD-R (100-Pack Spindle)
- AmazonBasics Digital Optical Audio Toslink Cable, 6 Feet
- AmazonBasics Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable Braided (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters) - Supports Ethernet, 3D, and Audio Return [Newest Standard]
- AmazonBasics 3RCA Component Video Cable (6 Feet)
Digital camera reviews of Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital to Analog TV Converter Box (for Antenna Use)
Digital camera Review: (1) Nice Hard To Find Perk, But A TERRIBLE PRODUCT For Hearing Challenged In Need Of Consistent Closed Captioning
Summary: 1 Stars
Despite it's primary obvious positive, this Converter Box is full of quirks. Taking a moment to read on may help those considering taking a jump from Cable or Satellite programming, and looking for a product which will better enable recording from the free-digital-tv channels to a recording device (not requiring a monthly subscription). Reading messages on this board influenced me to buy this product, and while it does indeed offer an important option not available with the other boxes I looked at, it's far from perfect.
I bought it because it was the only converter box being sold on Amazon offering a timer to synch with a VCR or DVD recorder. Anyone with a reasonably seasoned recording device knows 99% of the older ones don't allow programming with dashes (ex: 17-1), so one has to keep the VCR recording on channel 3 at all times, and hope that the converter box will be able to change the channel. Otherwise, the VCR will simply blind-record whatever channel was last left on (or nothing if the converter box is in sleep mode).
Ultimately, if having the ability to record programs on various channels while you're away from home is important to you, than this is likely one of the only converter boxes which will help. Unfortunately, you'll need to prepare yourself to deal with its quirks as you'll likely have unpredictable trouble with many programmed recordings.
Here's a quick list of the quirks I've experienced:
1) The closed captioning is badly scrambled on certain local channels.
2) The internal timer frequently gets out of whack. There's no apparent reason. So the recording device will record whatever channel the roulette ball of the converter box lands upon.
3) The timer programs often require excessive follow up form the user, as it literally has a mind of its own. For example, it will unpredictably decide to change the destination channel from recording NBC-17 to ABC-11 instead.
Were it not for these critical quirks, I'd be tempted to give this 3 stars. In fact, I have tried to avoid dwelling on some of the obvious knocks like the remote control being incredibly small, and far from durable. It has the look and feel of a $1 Store kids toy. I figured I'd give it a free pass in most areas simply because it would allow me to record a program when I wasn't home. Well, we're a household with a hearing challenged individual, so closed captioning is very important to us. Just over 2 months ago, two of our local stations were no longer able to generate closed captioning in a readable format. What do I mean? "Teh wodrs aer lkei tihs" Far from fun to read!
We've contacted the local stations and went through extensive testing. Turns out it really is the converter box. We even tried other converter boxes on the same tv, and they worked fine. The problem is, the other boxes don't allow us to record when away, so we have this proverbially double edged sword situation.
On the positive side:
1) The box does display a nice digital quality.
2) The info button makes it easy to see the signal strength fluctuation.
3) It also allows the user to view the title of the current programming in addition to the next program.
I see a couple hundred postings to date, and actually used this board prior to making the purchase (looking for a converter box with a timer to synch etc..). If anyone has found a work-around to the challenges I've outlined, please share. Also, if you know of another converter box in the same league (not requiring a monthly subscription etc..), please take a moment to enlighten us.
More Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital to Analog TV Converter Box (for Antenna Use) reviews:
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Summary of Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital to Analog TV Converter Box (for Antenna Use)
The ZAT-970A ATSC Digital to Analog Converter from Zinwell is a digital to analog converter that supports analog pass through. It converts digital TV signals to analog and offers several convenient features including multilingual support digital parental control and an IR wireless remote control for making volume and channel adjustments from a comfortable distance. ZAT-970A ZAT-970A ATSC Digital to Analog Converter Feature Highlights: ZAT-970A ATSC Digital to Analog Converter, Supports Analog Pass Through, Converts Digital TV Signal to Analog, Multilingual Support, Digital Parental Control, Includes Remote ControlCategories
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