OT - HD Converter Boxes

[The Robman]

They said I don't need it for the other TV which is hooked to Comcast, because Comcast will tell us when we have to buy some box from them, which I have no intention of doing.

I checked with Comcast and they said that they are going to switch to all-digital at the same time that OTA goes all-digital, so you'll need to do something with all of your TVs.

[zaphod7501]

I checked with Comcast and they said that they are going to switch to all-digital at the same time that OTA goes all-digital, so you'll need to do something with all of your TVs.

That's hilarious. A friend locally was talking to a Comcast Customer Rep (Comcast just took over our local cable company) and they swore up and down that they would never go all digital because that was their main selling point over Satellite. I've been telling him that digital was inevitable for months, if not years, but now he's confident that he will never need a converter box.

I think I need 6 at home and 2 at the TV shop, so I'm collecting extra coupons from all of my friends that don't think they will need one but got a coupon anyway (usually at my insistence).

[zaphod7501]

The EchoStar TR-40 may have been replaced with another.
http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/DISH_Network_DTVPal.html
They didn't say if it was in addition to the EchoStar or if it replaces the EchoStar/Sling

[ElizabethD]

FYI: Zaphod7501 published an upgrade for the Digital Stream box
https://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9771
Thanks! I'll use it when the feds send me a coupon.

[zaphod7501]

Thanks, I would have eventually thought to post the link here also.

There are 81 approved boxes and my city (Peoria) has three available

Here is more info on the DTVPal from EchoStar/Sling/Dish.
http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/DISH_Network_DTVPal.html
It doesn't look to have any physical buttons, so don't lose the remote until you learn all of the commands!

[The Robman]

There is a thread at AVS that says you can control the RCA DTA800B CECB DTV Converter box using the standard RCA SAT codes (ie, 0392, 0533)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre ... p=13596501

[urc6131]

Something caught my eyes:

Access HD has "U" models that come with universal remote:

http://www.accesshd.tv/assets/pdfs/DTA1 ... cSheet.pdf

http://www.accesshd.tv/products/universalremotes.html

What's funny is the remote has a longer feature set than the box itself:

• Controls the Access HD converter plus a TV and one AUX device.
• World’s largest IR code database supporting 500 brands and over
1000 codes.
• Compatible with more than 93% of all IR remote controlled products
sold in North America.
• Most comprehensive device compatibility available in the marketplace.
• Compatible with the latest plasma and LCD televisions as well as leading
satellite and cable systems.
• Advanced code search feature.
• Uses XMP-1 IR protocol to communicate with Access HD converter.
• User programmable macros.
• LEDs for mode indication under a translucent keypad.
• Volume punch through allows access to TV and AUX volume control
without changing modes.
• 64k flash micro-controller.
• Low battery voltage indicator light.
• Includes 2 AA batteries.
• Free website support.
• Call center support.
• 2 year limited warranty.

The highlighted features are interesting. Could this be a JP-1 remote?

[kupakai]

Something caught my eyes:

Access HD has "U" models that come with universal remote:

http://www.accesshd.tv/assets/pdfs/DTA1 ... cSheet.pdf

http://www.accesshd.tv/products/universalremotes.html

That looks a lot like the "Max" on UEI's website:

http://www.uei.com/category.php?page_id ... product=74

[zaphod7501]

This box can use the same upgrade as for the DTT900, so a new upload is probably not needed. While searcing for any hidden commands, I did find a discrete OFF (EFC 228 - OBC 92) but no discrete "On".

I also found some dangerous commands. I could be off a digit on the EFCs since I was running through them quickly but I didn't feel brave enough to go back and press my luck and possibly "brick" my box. I may get braver when I get some more boxes.
Full Factory Reset (I think) - EFC 080 - OBC 234
Factory Service Mode - EFC 079 - OBC 237
Factory OK (whatever that is) - EFC 083 - OBC 235
Reset (of some sort) - EFC 089 - OBC 41

I found another one (but can't remember which) that turns on both the red and blue front panel LEDs simultaneously.

Edit: The service mode offers the following options:
Front Key Test
HVRAM Test
Factory Reset
Exit
Service Mode (Submenu options: Lock Region - USA, Canada, Both)
Start Download

[ElizabethD]

DTX-9950 is the same DigitalStram box as DTX-9900, but has analog pass-through. Analog works best when the box is turned off.
Local Radio Shack, where I got the first box, permitted me to exchange. They even called me when it came to the store. So I'm not going to bash RS for pushing the batteries on me any more

Most likely the codes in the Zaphod's file will work. I haven't done anything with the remote, but there's a list of the native IR codes, so I scanned the page in case anyone's interested in whatever it is they might mean.
https://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... le_id=5630

[vickyg2003]

I see that the DTVPal, is now shipping, so I ordered my coupons. Funny thing is, this is selling for $79, which is 10 over the MSP. The TR-40 is still not available.

I'm really hoping that this may solve some of our interference issues. We get 11 channels crystal clear Monday - Saturday, but Sunday we only get 3, and I can't watch many of my favorite shows.

[zaphod7501]

I see that the DTVPal, is now shipping, so I ordered my coupons. Funny thing is, this is selling for $79, which is 10 over the MSP. The TR-40 is still not available.

That sounds like Solidsignal.com, they are charging 79.95 even though the MSRP is 59.95
https://www.digitalstar.com/product.asp ... 9391e20191 is another source, as is dtvpal.com (which seems to be a sublink to Echostar/Dish itself)

There are a number of stories around the name change and availability shift on the TR-40. It may be an extremely convoluted bait-and-switch after the buzz started on it. Some of the latest rumors are that the TR-40 will be a future reduced features model or that Wilmington residents will get their first two at $40 and additional ones at $60

It looks like small Dish dealers are more likely to get the DTVPal than retailers like Sears and Radio Shack.

[The Robman]

Here are some updates from the ReplayTV/CECB thread
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008500

The code numbers below are either CBL or SAT codes, present in ReplayTV boxes.

DigitalStream DTX-9900 uses code 0899.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre ... st13987267

Channel Master CM-70 uses code 0144.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre ... st14019543

DigitalStream DTX-9950 uses codes 749, 819, 899, 8749 or 9749.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre ... st14026573

CBL/0899 = NEC1 33.156
CBL/0144 = $0060, "CA" (old Pioneer cable code)
CBL/0749 = NEC1 12.251
CBL/0819 = NEC1 12.251

8749 and 9749 are "fine tuned" versions of 0749

[jetskier]

I got my DTVpal yesterday. It's like the Dish boxes stripped down to analog OTA only. It found all my locals except CW, which is really weak to begin with. It pixelates with my large attic boom antenna in the house. THe clarity on downscaled HD programs was good on my old 27 tube. The guide data populated in a matter of 10 seconds or so. It went well past 3 hours.

It cost me $30 after the coupon (shipping, taxes, etc). I need to build a 12V to 5V circuit so I can hardwire it into my 5th wheel.

[jetskier]

I see that the DTVPal, is now shipping, so I ordered my coupons. Funny thing is, this is selling for $79, which is 10 over the MSP. The TR-40 is still not available.

The DTVpal is the new name for the TR-40. I think you are thinking of the TR-50 DVR due out later this year. I paid $59.99 plus S/H + taxes -$40