bearsnob
Oregon
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Joined: 03/04/2004
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When I was waiting for my coupons, I did a lot of research on converter boxes. The first one I bought was a Philco model that had analog pass through. It worked exactly as advertised/reviewed and I was happy with it. I then waited for the much-hyped echostar to come out. It did literally one week before my second coupon expired. The name was changed to DTVPal and you can get it from several online retailers and, I hear, from Dish Network retail locations. I've used it for more than a month now and I really can't imagine a better box. It is near perfect. Not only does it have true analog pass through, it is also EASILY programmed to record shows from different channels to a video or DVD recorder. The reason why the programming is so easy is because it has an onscreen guide that shows you the programs that are on all the channels. You simply click on a show and verify that you want to program that show. That's it. When the time comes, the box automatically switches to that channel. I also find this feature useful when there is something I want to remember to watch. I just program that show and, if I happen to forget, the box reminds me by changing channels for me at the appropriate time. Really cool. The remote is great and has a button on it for toggling between viewing formats. This is a nice feature because most shows are still not being broadcast in HD. But when they are, you can easily switch to a wide screen format that plays well on a non-HD tv. You also have a volume control on the remote. I ended up paying about $20 for this box after my coupon. It is definitely worth the extra money over the boxes that you can get for about $10 from major retailers like Walmart.
Bill, Carol & Striker The Cat
2005 Everest 323k
1989 Ford F-350 Crew Cab, 460, 5 spd, 4.30 axle
Everest owners: check out the Everest Owners Club.
Make a small loan, Make a big difference: Kiva.org
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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Thanks for the information. My coupons should be coming soon.
93 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel, DRW, Crew Cab. PullRite Hitch. 90 Nomad 28' 5er, 375 Watts Solar, 2800 Watt Yamaha Generator, 1750 Watt Inverter, 4 Trogan T105 Batteries, Spare tire and wheel and folding ladder. Me, wife and 2 spoiled Maltise furkids.
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az99
N.Y.
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Joined: 12/26/2006
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Definitely stay away from the Magnavox that Walmart sells. It has no pass thru and you can not change the antenna position and rescan without wiping out all the channels that were saved before.
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rwm2_2000
Reynolds Ga
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Joined: 03/24/2007
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Well it sounded like U knew what U were talking about so i went online just now and bought 2 of the DTVPals
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jharrelson
Carson City, Nevada
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Joined: 01/01/2003
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I bought mine from Walmart for $10 +tax over the coupon.
Walmart in Carson City sells the "RCA" model.
It has the "Pass Through" ability and the remote controls the TV set funtions... Volume, change channels, mute, etc...
John
John Harrelson
Carson City, Nevada
fulltime since 1977
93 Ford 350 4wd Diesel
95 Prowler 30.5 ft 5th wheel w/slide
TWO CENTS WORTH
The story goes that a man died and was approached by the Devil who told him that he could buy his soul back for a dollar. The man searched his pockets and could only come up with 98 cent. While begging the Devil to forget the two cent he was short, an Angel happened by and hearing the Devil laughing, asked the man, "Would you mind if I put in my two cents ?" The Devil got so mad that he exploded in a puff of smoke and the man's soul was saved.
The moral: Sometimes putting in your two cents worth makes a difference.
JOHN "the cook" 1997
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pdoucet
MA
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Joined: 02/26/2005
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I just read an announcement that Sears will be selling the DTVPal in its stores. Has anyone bought one there?
Pierre
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RLS7201
Some Where
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Joined: 10/26/2002
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As RVers, shouldn't we be concerned about what voltage the converter operates on? I find this converter, Artec T3AP Pro*, will operate on 12 volts and has analog pass through.
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apr67
Tallahassee, Florida
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Joined: 02/14/2007
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I bought the Winegard unit at Target. Its listed at a Venturer. It cost me $9. I wanted to get a higher end unit, but elected to get a couple of cheapo's with the ability to trade them in if needed. Target also had Sansonic and GE. The Sansonic didn't have passthrough and didn't have any better picture but might have gotten a skosh more signal strength.
I'm going to spend real money to by a DVD recorder with QAM and DTV conversion, so I elected to just save my pennies at this time.
Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.
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2007 National Surf Side 34DE. Full timing since 1/06/08
2007 Toyota Matrix Da Toad
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RealtyRoy
NW Oregon
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Joined: 08/09/2006
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Here is a little review that I found from C net. It says you cannot control the volume and TV on and off with the remote.
I thought you said you could do the volume, is this the box that you have and if it isn't could you point me in the right direction.
Thanks,
Roy
May the roads and skies always be clear, and the firewood nice and dry!!
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jharrelson
Carson City, Nevada
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Joined: 01/01/2003
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ROY, which box are you talking about ?
The one I got from Walmart, RCA DTA800 B1 can control my television's ON/OFF, Volume, Channels, Mute, .....
John
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