Jay

divxhacker

I opened this one up, and here are the tech specs:

Wattage: 7.5 W max, switching control

Tuner: Sanyo UBD00AL

Main CPU: ALi M3601C

RAM: 256MB 16-bit Samsung

CMOS: Samsung C828

No other significant chips or feature devices seen.

On the circuitboard, a header for a Y and C HDTV video connection was seen.

Bottom line: Simply a 16-bit MPEG video card reconfigured to pick up digital stations and put them on the TV

divxhacker

Setup was easy, the major problem with the kit was the coaxial cable. It was far too skinny! I used a shielded cable I already had. Remote buttons were pretty small, and was featureless.

GUI features an interesting animation, channel editing shrinks the picture to a corner. Very nice use of the 16-bit graphics system. Channel information guide was pretty handy. What made this one worth investigating was the VCR-compatibility mode - a program schedule can be put into its 8 available slots. The unit would change the channel at the appropriate time, so your VCR can record it with its own program.

It pulls in all the local area stations fine. However the system uses too little power to maintain the digital signal, leaving many artifacts during bad weather. . Replacing all the RF cables with better ones fixed the artifact issue. Still, an external signal amplifier or amplified roof/attic antenna must be used with it.

Another underpowered wonder that would be a contender if it was given a better signal lock, higher processing depth, and more memory.

Carmensita

I am not very techno minded. I have an old TV with rabbit ears indoor antanna. I do not have an outdoor antanna. I would like to get the Zinwell Zar 970 in order to have the VCR feature. But you said -external signal amplifier or amplified roof/attic antenna must be used with it.

So can you elaborate on this for me? Will my indoor rabbit ears be good enough? I do not know what an external signal amplifier is-is it another word for roof antenna?

Jay

Hi Carmensita,
The short answer to your questions is: maybe. Bunny ears work only if you have ideal conditions for DTV reception. For some people, that means being located within 10-15 miles of broadcast towers. For instance, in one of my rooms, we use bunny ears for digital reception, while the main family room requires a larger flat type antenna, (hidden behind the TV). DTV reception is mostly trial and error, so I would suggest trying out your old bunny ear antenna first before buying something else.

Most references to an aplifier are for a pre-amplifier which amplifies the TV broadcast signals to allow for better reception. Sometimes an amplifier can also amplify other "noise" and disturbances in the broadcast signals which can actually reduce clarity of reception (ie: pixelation, choppy picture, garbled sound).

Some indoor antennas are sold with an amplifier built in to the antenna itself (Which is powered by plugging the power cord into your wall, as well as connecting to your converter box). An example would be, the Terk Technology HDTVi VHF/UHF HDTV Indoor Antenna.

Let us know if you have any other questions.