Which Converter Boxes allow RF/Analog pass thru?

[NuovoTech]

I want to hook up a converter box to my olde VHS-VCR, then to my new HDTV. When I want to record a tape I'll turn on my converter & set it to the desired station. When I'm just watching HDTV I want to turn off my converter box & have the RF pass-thru...just as my VCR does. I use an outdoor antenna, with a rotator & live in a large city.

I also want to buy a 2nd converter to use with my desktop PC that has a analog TV tuner card in it. For that box I would like it to have analog signal pass-thru while the converter is on so I can switch back & forth from analog to digital channels using it's remote(at least for the next year). I do not want to use a manual A/B RF switch.

I searched here & someone stated that only 4 of the converter boxes currently available have the RF pass thru. Anyone know if any coupon-eligible converters have this feature and/or the analog pass-thru feature? TIA :)

[Mike-CT]

So far, found just this....

Philco TB100HH9 Digital to Analog Converter

Then there's that RF pass-through that drew me to the Philco - almost useless. I was expecting that this meant that the RF would pass-through simply by turning the box off. No, the box has to be ON for the pass-through to work. You access it by going through several steps in the menus, and then the insertion loss is considerable. It is useful if I use video and audio cables for DTV, and the RF output for the pass-through, but I don't think the general public would go to this effort.

[indysteve]

Here's a fairly updated chart that might help you.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13211355&postcount=256

UPDATE: Thanks for the update, Mike.

Steve

[Jim Thomas]

This is from the NTIA website, regarding ALL CECB's. The asterisk by each model indicates that particular unit passes the analog signal.

The following is the list of approved CECBs.

AMTC AT-2016

AccessHD DTA1010U

AccessHD DTA1020U

AccessHD DTA1010D

AccessHD DTA1020D

Apex DT1001

Apex DT1002

Artec T3A

Artec T3APro

CASTi CAX-01

COSHIP N9900T

Digital Stream DSP7500T

Digital Stream DSP6500R

DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10

DigitalSTREAM D2A1D20

DigitalSTREAM DTX9900

ECHOSTAR TR-40*

GE 22729

GE 22730

Goodmind DTA900

Goodmind DTA1000

Goodmind DTA980

Insignia NS-DXA1

Kingbox K8V8

Lasonic LTA-260

Lasonic LTR-260

Magnavox TB100MW9

Magnavox TB-100MG9*

MaxMedia MMDTVB03

MicroGEM MG2000

Microprose MPI-500

Mustek MAT-K50

OLEVIA DTA100

Philco TB150HH9*

Philco TB100HH9*

RCA DTA 800B

RCA DTA 800A

Sansonic FT300RT

Sansonic FT300A

Skardin DTR-0727

Synergy Global Supply SYN2009

TATUNG TDB3000

Tivax STB-T9

VENTURER STB7766G

ZINWELL ZAT-856

Zenith DTT900

Zentech DF2000

*The manufacturer has indicated that these models are capable of passing analog signals through to the TV set.

[NuovoTech]

So far, found just this...Philco TB100HH9 Digital to Analog ConverterThanx for that info. I also just found this: http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Converter_Box.html

[NuovoTech]

Smart Antenna Interface from EZDigitalTV.com: "This allows a converter box to be connected to an antenna which adapts to the signal reception conditions where it is located. Some converter boxes with this connection will only work with a specific model, usually by the same manufacturer as the box."

I noticed from online chart(above link) that the Philco TB150HH9 supports Smart Antenna & the Philco TB100HH9 does not. I wonder if this is the difference between them? Since Philco makes outside antennas, I'm suspect that the TB150HH9 may only supports Philco's Smart Antenna model after reading the above info?

[NuovoTech]

Well that narrows it down to 3(thanx to Mike): Philco TB150HH9, ECHOSTAR TR-40, and Magnavox TB100MG9. I wonder how I can find out online if any of these analog pass-thru converter boxes also allow RF pass-thru while off? If I could find any of them locally(Seattle, WA), I reckon I could bring a VOMeter & 2 paper clips with me. I could test the resistance between the center holes of the in/out RF connectors while the converter was off?

[NuovoTech]

Well, since I'm told the EchoStar TR-40 will not be available till June or July(> my $40 coupon expires) & the above concerns over the Philco TB1x0HH9, that leaves the Magnavox TB100MG9. Anyone have one of these or know anything about it's availability??? :D

[Russ-PA]

Neither the chart posted earlier nor anything else in this thread seems to answer whether or not passthru occurs only with the power on or with it off.

It would really be a pain to have to unhook or bypass to DX.

[NuovoTech]

I called Magnavox(800 605-8610), then Funai(800 242-7158) about the TB100MG9, which appears to replace the TB100MW9. They both said the TB100MG9 does indeed add analog pass-thru & should be available at WalMart this April. You can download the manual for the TB100MW9 at the below link now & in April the TB100MG9.

I asked about RF pass-thru in the off state, Funai said it should work about the same as a VHS-VCR. IE if you have a weak signal it will degrade it somewhat. I have a strong RF signal going thru splitters, 2 VCRs, etc now that works well. So I'll get 2 of the MG9's in April with the coupon$. Thanx All! :cool:

http://www.funai-corp.com/support/manuals.aspx

[Russ-PA]

Good info.

The list Jim posted, as well as the spreadsheet view posted above both showed two Philco models as having the passthru feature. I seem to recall someone in a post on the list saying that some unit which allegedly had this required it to be "on".

Does anyone know how this works on either of the Philco models, since there have also been some other positive comments about them ? It's probably in a list post, but I haven't been able to retain them all on the subject and if I had I'd never find it just sifting through them.

Thanks-

[NuovoTech]

Does anyone know how this works on either of the Philco modelsRead this thread...http://www.wtfda.info/showthread.php?t=1938

[Russ-PA]

Thanks- I knew I'd seen something like that. So that rules out one of the Philcos - the TB100HH9. I wonder if this is a similar situation to that with Magnavox - one has it and one doesn't ?

I'll likely not wait for the EchoStar lest my coupons expire. Unless someone comes along and says the Philco TB150HH9 does have analog passthru when off, the Magnavox will be the only choice.

[NuovoTech]

Noticed 2 more STBs with analog pass-thru were added to NTIA/CECB list. Namely, Digital Stream DX8700 & DSP7700T.

[NuovoTech]

Newest addition to CECB list: Microprose MPI-500 (http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Microprose_MPI-500.html)

I emailed MicroProse about RF pass-thru, got this reply: "When the power is turned off on the unit, analog TV signals are passed through the RF in and RF out ports on the unit to the TV, which can then be tuned to the channel you wish to view."

As for buying the MPI-500: "Most small firms such as ours will only be selling direct via our website or into smaller electronics retailers. Our website (http://www.micro-prose.com/dtv.htm) purchasing system will be online at the end of this month to begin taking orders and coupons." :cool:

[tubaloth]

I'm trying to figure out which one to buy. (I'm maybe more in a Rush now, because I borrowed my brothers HDTV for a week, he took it back, and I'm hooked on Digital)
So the List is:
Philco TB150HH9 Found through Sears and Kmart but current links aren't working?
ECHOSTAR TR-40 not slated to be released until June or July
Magnavox TB100MG9 I have yet to see this on line anywhere (And it is at the end of April). I have seen a Sylvania with the same model number.
Now there are the 3 newer ones
Digital Stream DX8700 & DSP7700T
Microprose MPI-500
These newer ones look better, but I guess the Microprose MPI-500 won't be out until the end of May. The other two I haven't found on a website yet.

So which ones do people own? Which is the "best"?
Is it true, you need to keep your TV remote around because none of these boxs/Remotes work with your TV (can't be programed to work).
and I'm guessing these don't really work with a VCR. You can't watch one stations and record another right?
Is analog Pass through really that big of deal?
At first I thought it was (more for the VCR) but after having the HDTV I don't think I even want to look at an analog station every again?

[Mike-CT]

So which ones do people own? Which is the "best"?

Well, it depends. For those of us who like to watch it and also have fun looking for distant out-of-market DTV stations from 100,200,300 miles or more away, the Insignia/Zenith boxes are about the best there is at this time, but even those are missing a few features I'd like to see. What you need to do is read all the threads here because there's a wealth of information in this DTV forum.

Is it true, you need to keep your TV remote around because none of these boxs/Remotes work with your TV (can't be programed to work).

I can't speak for all of them, but I can say that the Insignia's remote works with my RCA television. I can turn them both on and off plus change the volume on the TV. I got the remote to work by using the instructions that came with my RCA remote.

Is analog Pass through really that big of deal?

It is for some people. It isn't for me. If you sort through the threads here you'll find which converter boxes have it but there aren't too many of them.

I'm guessing these don't really work with a VCR. You can't watch one stations and record another right?

They should work with VCRs since the converter boxes' output is analog and you can select either output on either ch3 or ch4 of your TV.

[Danny]

I'm guessing these don't really work with a VCR. You can't watch one stations and record another right?

They should work with VCRs since the converter boxes' output is analog and you can select either output on either ch3 or ch4 of your TV.


These new boxes work just as well with VCRs as the older style DTV STBs.

As far as I know, the only way to record one channel and watch another would be to use two STBs, with one connected to a VCR running into an A/B switch, the other connected directly to the A/B switch. You would have to split the antenna signal between the two STBs or use two antennas.

[NuovoTech]

A couple of updates...I emailed MicroProse to verify analog pass thru now that they have the MPI-500 for testing & will be selling them on their website soon. Below is their reply:


That is correct, when you press the Power button on the remote or the Standby button on the front of the unit, it powers down into standby mode and allows Analog TV signals to pass in/out of the RF module so you can watch non-Digital TV.

Also noteworthy, the new DISH Network DTVPal(formerly EchoStar) unit includes a VCR timer that can be set to change channels for recording more than one channel in absentia. This unit will also allow RF pass-thru. :D

[NuovoTech]

MicroProse (https://www.microprosesystems.com/store/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=15) is now taking online orders(Total=$19.99 w/coupon) for the MPI-500. Below is one customer's review regarding RF pass thru.


Its essentially a (Sanyo) box inside, but looks like more up to date components, plus the tv pass through feature. Pass through is the easiest of any box - just turn the box to standby mode by pressing the standby button or the power button on the remote - thats it, not complicated procedures and confusion like the Philco box.

[Jesse]

Just a Heads-Up: It appears from the MicroProse website that they are only selling the converter box with analog pass thru to non-coupon customers. I saw something on AVS that said the coupons were only good towards the purchase of a "digital only" model converter box.

[NuovoTech]

It appears from the MicroProse website that they are only selling the converter box with analog pass thru to non-coupon customers. I saw something on AVS that said the coupons were only good towards the purchase of a "digital only" model converter box.MicroProse currently states on their website that "THIS ITEM IS IN STORE TEST MODE - DO NOT LIVE ORDER"...see below thread. My online order for a MPI-500 w/pass thru was cancelled.

[NuovoTech]

Jesse - Here's a link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1028081) to the AVS thread you must be refering to. Seems like the current version of the MPI-500 is actually the MPI-500PT(PT=PassThru) & consequently is not on the CECB list. I hear NTIA is closed for the holidays...I hope MicroProse can sort this out then!

[Mike-CT]

This one has it:

http://www.wtfda.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=142&Itemid=43

[Robert Grant]

Another CECB with "turn off" analog pass-through is the Digital Stream DTX9950, which has recently surfaced at some Radio Shack stores.

Rob

[CasualOTAer]

Another CECB with "turn off" analog pass-through is the Digital Stream DTX9950, which has recently surfaced at some Radio Shack stores.

Rob

And the Zenith DTT-901 with APT is now at Circuit City.

Also the Apex DT250 at Best Buy has APT.

[NN2E]

Insignia NS-DXA1-APT now with analog pass through...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8854527&type=product&id=1209166340855

73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds