[opendtv] Re: Accurian DTV STB from Radio Shack
- From: Cliff Benham <cbenham@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 10:37:14 -0400
Got brave and took the top off the box. Took a picture too. It's only
40K if anyone can host it,
let me know. There is a URL on the main board:
http://www.dstreamtech.com
Went to the website and they also make PC DTV cards and other products.
**This** box was not
shown on the site so perhaps it was OEM'ed especially for R/S, or it is
an older model.
There is one Intel chip, didn't recognize the names on any of the other
chips.
Don't think it is the LG chip set, but I've never seen inside any LG
products either.
Cliff Benham wrote:
>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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