Robert Grant
06-28-2008, 03:07 PM
Disclaimer note: No predictions can be made of the true quality of any new CECB, since there is no way to predict variables affecting quality control and choice of materials inside sealed components. In other words, I cannot predict what percentage of any product may not work, nor how long any particular product could be expected to last. This goes for all makes and models. This information is mainly to give some idea of a DXer's ability to make use of a product).
I have received some questions about the availabilty of the Philco TB100HH9 CECB I reviewed in February.
I notice that two retailers in the Detroit/Toledo region are no longer selling the Philco unit, and both seem to be carrying a metal-cabinet, non pass-through box from AccessHD instead.
I suspect that the Philco TB100HH9 may have been discontinued. The off-white cabinet of the Philco was criticized by some (I think it's a matter of personal taste and think it looks great on a blonded-wood TV set :-), and suspect the manufacturer may not have the production facilities to keep producing it. They may be overwhelmed with demand for the black-cabineted Magnavox models sold through Wal-Mart. Many of the people likely to shop at WMT are also the prototype customer for a CECB, and WMT stores often sell-out of large shipments of CECBs soon after they arrive in stores (an employee of the home entertainment department of one WMT compared the demand for the CECB to the demand for the Nintendo Wii!)
I have noticed that WMT has been selling a new Magnavox box that claims to have analog pass-through. I have not had a chance to see the box itself (only in the carton), but the drawing does not show the mechanical power switch that had been featured on the older Magnavox boxes. If so, the new Magnavox box *may* be identical to the Philco, except for the black cabinet.
What may have happened is that retailers are afraid the LPTVs legal action may cause an analog pass-through requirement, and that production switched from the two models to the one "Philco" design with a black "Magnavox" cabinet to meet the overwheling demand.
Rob Grant, N8NU.
I have received some questions about the availabilty of the Philco TB100HH9 CECB I reviewed in February.
I notice that two retailers in the Detroit/Toledo region are no longer selling the Philco unit, and both seem to be carrying a metal-cabinet, non pass-through box from AccessHD instead.
I suspect that the Philco TB100HH9 may have been discontinued. The off-white cabinet of the Philco was criticized by some (I think it's a matter of personal taste and think it looks great on a blonded-wood TV set :-), and suspect the manufacturer may not have the production facilities to keep producing it. They may be overwhelmed with demand for the black-cabineted Magnavox models sold through Wal-Mart. Many of the people likely to shop at WMT are also the prototype customer for a CECB, and WMT stores often sell-out of large shipments of CECBs soon after they arrive in stores (an employee of the home entertainment department of one WMT compared the demand for the CECB to the demand for the Nintendo Wii!)
I have noticed that WMT has been selling a new Magnavox box that claims to have analog pass-through. I have not had a chance to see the box itself (only in the carton), but the drawing does not show the mechanical power switch that had been featured on the older Magnavox boxes. If so, the new Magnavox box *may* be identical to the Philco, except for the black cabinet.
What may have happened is that retailers are afraid the LPTVs legal action may cause an analog pass-through requirement, and that production switched from the two models to the one "Philco" design with a black "Magnavox" cabinet to meet the overwheling demand.
Rob Grant, N8NU.