RCA Converter Box Problems

[HPMM]

We get excellent reception on the channels we want to watch, but we have a different issue with our converter box. Periodically, our video goes black or just has a thin dark gray picture, while the audio is fine. This happens maybe every couple of months and continues for days until the normal video quality returns.

Occasionally, we can make it work temporarily by tapping the RCA Converter Box.

Any ideas on what causes this and how to prevent it?

 

[dkreichen1968]

Get a new converter box http://www.amazon.com/Mediasonic-HW-150PVR-HomeWorx-Converter-Recording/dp/B00I2ZBD1U

They aren't that expensive, and they record also.

 

[HPMM]

I figured that was the issue. I wish we would have realized it was the box and not the TV before. When this started, we thought it was our old TV, so we disposed of it and brought home one from storage that is not as good. We seldom have a TV on and basically only watch ME, Decades, and Cozi, so it is no big deal if we even have a TV. We'll probably eventually get around to buying a new converter or new TV.

Thanks for your input.

 

[wmj259]

I agree with our guest about poorly designed Converter boxes, but what would you expect from a Government mandated program? Kinda makes ya wonder about what's coming along in ObamaCare, eh?

My first Converter box was a Dish DTV Pal and it misbehaved within the first week that I owned it. Frozen or scrambled pictures, no audio, etc. Its plastic enclosure was always very hot and I resolved it by drilling holes in its case for ventilation.

I replaced it with a Channel Master CM-7000 converter box and haven't had any problems in three years. That box was not on the Government subsidy list and it was made in Bulgaria rather than China. It has a metal case, too.

I disagree about our guests poor opinion about digital modulation and reception. In my area, analog reception is very problematic and in spite of years of work on antenna systems, I always had ghosting including leading ghosts which indicated the signals were arriving directly to the tuner, ahead of the signals collected by the antennas. That's a problem I couldn't beat being located under a mile from four 316,000 watt transmitters. Here is a shot of analog 4 at the best it ever came in and it is an 'excellent' picture compared to some of the other channels received here before digital.

Compared to digital, which makes a 1960s TV show look pretty good and it is received from 75 miles away.

Plus, we are now able to watch full-width letterbox (wide screen) pictures like this one transmitted in SD.

Here's what analog TV reception looked like in 1930. Progress!

Jim

Hey, I have the same problem with mine, would you mind telling me if when you opened it if theres a backup battery in it? I only ask is since I lost my remote and the channels were set at different zoom rates, So i bought a universal remote which couldnt change the DTVBOX'S zoom rates. It could only change the televesiions. Wondering if pulling out that battery would reset it. Am also interested in buying your remote since I just found mine yesterday after 8 years of battery acid leaking inside it, I washed it out yesterday with cold water, but no luck.

 

[Fringe Reception]

wmj259,

I haven't seen a backup battery in any Converter Box and I assume they rely on a capacitor to maintain their memories. I don't have the box nor the remote control unit any longer: if I did, you would be welcome to it but considering the cost of freight these days, why not buy a new Converter Box that also records? They're only about $40.00.

Jim

 

[wmj259]

wmj259,

I haven't seen a backup battery in any Converter Box and I assume they rely on a capacitor to maintain their memories. I don't have the box nor the remote control unit any longer: if I did, you would be welcome to it but considering the cost of freight these days, why not buy a new Converter Box that also records? They're only about $40.00.

Jim

All I want to do is reset the zoom ratios that I had stupidly set with the dtv pal remote, (which i later found after 8 years (and with 8 years of battery acid leaking into it) which i tried to wash out, but no luck.) All i want to do is change the zoom ratios, because when I watch the morning news half the bottom side or the vertical sides are cut off.

 

[wmj259]

wmj259,

I haven't seen a backup battery in any Converter Box and I assume they rely on a capacitor to maintain their memories. I don't have the box nor the remote control unit any longer: if I did, you would be welcome to it but considering the cost of freight these days, why not buy a new Converter Box that also records? They're only about $40.00.

Jim

All I want to do is reset the zoom ratios that I had stupidly set with the dtv pal remote, (which i later found after 8 years (and with 8 years of battery acid leaking into it) which i tried to wash out, but no luck.) All i want to do is change the zoom ratios, because when I watch the morning news half the bottom side or the vertical sides are cut off.

 

[SWHouston]

Battery Operated D/A Converter Box

FYI - Battery Operated D/A Converter Box:

BP3 Battery Operated Digital TV Converter Box Kit with Battery Powered Power Pack For Digital Converter
TV Converter Box | Haband
Amazon.com: NAXA Electronics NT-53 Digital Television Converter Box, Black: Electronics

There are probably several others..
I have the Winegard RCDT09A with an old Battery Operated TV.
Comes in handy every now and then (power outages) :bowdown:

 

[wmj259]

FYI - Battery Operated D/A Converter Box:

BP3 Battery Operated Digital TV Converter Box Kit with Battery Powered Power Pack For Digital Converter
TV Converter Box | Haband
Amazon.com: NAXA Electronics NT-53 Digital Television Converter Box, Black: Electronics

There are probably several others..
I have the Winegard RCDT09A with an old Battery Operated TV.
Comes in handy every now and then (power outages) :bowdown:

based on the picture the jim posted it doesn't seem like its got a battery storage to save settings.

 

[SWHouston]

based on the picture the jim posted it doesn't seem like its got a battery storage to save settings.

It's possible that it may have a PlugIn Pack, also, some of the compartments are very subtly placed. The only way to be sure is go to the Info Sheet provided by the Mfg, and read it.

PS-Preparedness:
I have a sheet in XL, listing all my BOE (Battery Operated Equp). When preparing for our stormy season, I just summarize the batt/quantity needed and never have to open a device to see what it needs.

 

[Eliza]

I have a magnavox converter box since the conversion. .recently I lost signal on low number channels. No signal. Then lost all channels except This tv and one other channel. Checked antennae connection, ok. Lost all channels then 2 days later got all channels back. Even when No signal, channel showed description of the program. Is it tv or converter?

 

[Fringe Reception]

Eliza,

Since your TV displayed program descriptions, the problem is with your converter box.

Jim