Thanks for the response.
> If you have the certificate, the box will not cost much, so it's probably
> worth a try.
That's what I am thinking. However the research I have done doesn't give
me much hope. A lot of info at Consumer Reports but it is "urban
centric" as is most everything else I've found.
<http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/digital-tv-converter/recommendations-and-notes/digital-tv-converter-boxes-recommendations-and-notes.htm#2>
A decent box recommended by Consumer Reports will cost about $20 above
the coupon credit.
<http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_e?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=zinwell+zat970a&x=10&y=17>
Whether or not it is true HD doesn't really matter. I'll get HD content
from other sources.
> ...has enough error correction to cover up a multitude of interference
> evils--especially multi-path
Good to know as that is the main problem as we are sited with low hills
and trees blocking line of sight to transmission source. Even a very
high antenna doesn't help much.
> Dish Network has all your local channels...
No it doesn't. Only if you live in an urban area. I'd get Seattle
channels, over 70mi away. I pay extra if I want all the local
channels.We're not TV watchers and have no interest in most of the
product out there. Basically I watch the news, election coverage,
Olympics, etc. e.g. the Canadian channels were an excellent source of
info when the US invaded Iraq with "embedded" reporters. So if a dish is
the only answer I'd be looking at absolute minimal service at the
cheapest price. I'd rather spend the $600/yr on a vacation. So far the
cheapest looks like the basic Spanish language package. You get the news
and at least the Telenovelas will help with spanish practice as they
generally speak standard spanish clearly and distinctly and have limited
vocabulary :-)
> DSL is a distance limited technology. ADSL (and variants of II, II+) top out
> at around 18,000 feet from the DSL Access Muliplexor
Yep, We're at the effective limit of the subscribed service. I could
pay more for a bigger pipe but the water still drips out. Sounds like
internet TV is out for a while.
> You've just made the same mistake I did. DVD is 480i/p, not 720. HD is
> significantly better on HD originated source material.
I bought this box with no expectation of HD TV. A HD tuner isn't even
included. Anyway HD fuzz looks just like regular old fuzz. But it does
make full use (up to 1080i) of the HD source material I feed it and CRT
is a bonus since the main viewing angle is quite wide.
> An important thing to remember is that antenna performance deteriorates with
> age.
This is why I'm hoping a new antenna might save our bacon. I couldn't
find any info about expected reception outside urban areas but it may be
worth a try. It's no fun to lower a 20' mast from the peak of the roof
though. Especially with a heavy rotor motor on top. That Channelmaster
4228 8-bay might be the ticket.
> You have neighbors, don't you? Have you tried polling their experience?
> They may well have collectively tried all the options.
I have one other neighbor with a similar dilemma. The rest take their TV
via direct injection (satellite) or non at all or don't care. He and his
family also have no interest in a bazillion channels. He just got his
set top box but hasn't hooked it up yet. They are on the other side of
the hill and so in a more favorable situation. I'm awaiting the results.
Thanks,
Mike
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