[opendtv] Re: Accurian DTV STB from Radio Shack
- From: Cliff Benham <cbenham@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 00:15:23 -0400
The Fox signal is the weakest of the Philly stations out here 37 miles
from Philadelphia, and it comes
in on the Accurian box with a signal strength of 63/100 and about a 16
to 17 dB SNR. Most of the
others including the Baltimore stations measure in the mid to high 80s
and SNRs of 23-27 dB. The Fox picture
has occasional breakups. I have only been able to watch it for a few
hours since I just got the box this afternoon
and don't know yet what performance will be like when it is not raining.
I can say that Fox breaks up badly
on every other box I have tested here. The Fox signal level is lower
when viewed previously on a spectrum analyzer.
More tomorrow. Less rain may equal better pictures. Could rain be
affecting transmission as well as reception?
Don't know.
(It has been raining in Southeastern PA for about 18 hours steadily
and some areas in this market
have measured over 8 inches of rain and many creeks and rivers are still
to crest over flood stage tonight
and Sunday morning.)
John Limpert wrote:
>Any problems with picking up Fox affiliates? I've read reports of people
>having problems with this STB and Fox affiliates.
>
>Cliff Benham wrote:
>
>
>
>>After reading the posts about this unit I found two on the "bargain
>>table" at the R/S on my way home
>>originally priced at $249.95, marked down to $179.95, then another
>>sticker says 50% off.
>>I got it for $89.95.
>>I have not seen any advertising ever in the R/S flyers for this STB. Why
>>is it being sold at this price
>>and on the bargain table too?
>>
>>When I opened the box at home, I noticed it was manufactured in Korea
>>and the date was October, 2004!
>>Where have these things been for a year? Sitting on a dock in Long Beach
>>or the stock rooms at all the R/S stores
>>because nobody knows what they are or how to display them? Amazing.
>>
>>I connected the audio and component video cables and then the antenna
>>cable...
>>(to the big 7 ft parabolic UHF with a mast mounted preamp 28 feet off
>>the ground--remember that I live
>>in the country 37 miles from Philadelphia and almost in a straight line
>>52 miles from Baltimore)
>>...and then plugged in the power.
>>
>>In a few seconds (without me touching the remote control) the auto scan
>>feature started finding all the DTV channels.
>>This took about a minute, then the picture appeared. I channeled up and
>>down through the list for about 5 minutes
>>and all the signals come in very strong on the included signal meter--75
>>to 90% all in the "green" and all come up and
>>lock in very quickly without any blockiness or pixelation. They just pop
>>up and very quickly too.
>>This STB acquires the signal and displays it faster than any other STB I
>>have tested* and with no hesitation or breakup.
>>
>>Oh, by the way this great performance is occurring while the weather in
>>this area is quite bad. It has been raining for about
>>14 hours non-stop, and it is quite heavy at this time. But it doesn't
>>seem to bother this STB like it does the others*.
>>The setup for this box are the easiest I have encountered.
>>
>>Wait, this just in,---
>>HOLY GUACAMOLE BATMAN, IT'S WORKING WITH THE SILVER SENSOR SEVEN FEET
>>OFF THE FLOOR
>>IN MY LIVING ROOM!!!!!!! I'm getting 4 of the Philly stations and 2 of
>>the Baltimore stations with an indoor antenna! The S.S. antenna
>>is pointed in the general direction of Philly, and I have not attempted
>>repointing it to get better signals.
>>No other STB has ever performed this well out here in the country. No
>>other STB I have tested here will work with an indoor antenna.
>>A $90 bargain for sure.
>>
>>
>>*Other DTV STB/tuner cards I have tested:
>>RCA, Motorola, Panasonic, Sanyo, Access DTV, and Hi-Pix .
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
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