Women in Technology

Article:		Digital TV without the Subscription
Subject:		Any receivers that only select digital channels?
Date:		2004-10-18 14:07:49
From:		JR_510
I'm really intrigued by this article since I have an outdoor antenna, and have been contemplating getting DirectTV due to sub-par reception, not for lack of content. The only thing holding me back is the problem Matthew described with the Hughes receiver cycling through all its inputs for repetative channel requests -- even when the digital input is the only one in use. Is anybody aware of a receiver that allows the analog and cable inputs to be disabled or at least disregarded for channel requests? I'd be willing to compromise the serial input and use the IR connection if it ment no manual intervention would be needed for TiVo to record it's intended channel.

Showing messages 1 through 2 of 2.

• Any receivers that only select digital channels?
  2004-10-21 09:55:25  Matthew Gast | [View]
  
  
  I wish I had an answer! The largest chunk of time on this project was researching which set-top box to buy. I hadn't realized that finding a receiver which allowed inputs to be disabled would be such a big deal. Every TV I've owned allows you to scan channels and exclude unused channels from your lineup. I was surprised that the HTL-HD doesn't allow this because I would have assumed such a feature was Usability 101. (Especially with DirecTV replacing analog cable in most subscribing households--I can't imagine there are too many DirecTV subscribers that use their set-top box to receive analog cable.)
  
  When I was doing the research, I didn't find much information on the features important to me. From posts on various A/V and TiVo community forums, I was able to discern that the HTL-HD would automatically default the digital subchannel to 1, and that it would provide simultaneous high-definition and standard-definition output. However, there was no mention of the input cycling "feature."
  
  You might be able to use Girder, an IR control program. It can translate an input IR code from from the TiVo for a supported device, and translate that into an output code for your set-top box. Translation would also enable you to use a newer-generation set-top box with a better receiver, too. However, Girder requires a PC. I considered using it after discovering the input cycling problem, but it's easier for me to check the recording schedule every week than it is to build an IR translation PC and stash it in the entertainment center. If I were to build a PC for recording purposes, I'd just use MythTV with an HDTV card.
  
• Less cost HD Tuner box!
  2004-10-23 07:06:58  jazzimus [View]
  
  
  Tivo recording and satellite subscriptions aside, you might want to check out the US Digital HD tuner box available at WalMart for $198.76 http://www.usdigitalhdtv.com/. You can check out your local HD brocasts here: http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx. I can say that this unit works very well and has several hookups including SVIDEO, Component video, Composite video, USB (for future use) and S/PDIF digital audio optical. Currently, here in the Austin TX area, I am picking up around 18 channels FREE. I did mount a large regular antennae in my attic which allows for more coverage and it worked much better than my RCA powered set top antennae as far as ghosting and digital blur... The box is actually made in China by Hisense a large electronics manufacturing firm. I believe USDigital is planning on providing a subscription service around the country but for now you can use this unit to pick up all of your local broadcasts for FREE!... enjoy!