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Be aware: This is the same unit sold at Radio Shack under a different name (Zenith DTT900 Digital-to-Analog Converter Box)

I like many Americans use over-the-air television. In 2009, analog signals will go away and a digital TV will be the only way to get OTA TV. A week or two ago I received 2 coupons for a DTV converter box which will allow my analog tuner TV to get those digital signals. I was able to get the Insignia DTV converter box at Best Buy for $20 after the coupon. Here are my first impressions:

Signal Reception:
I’m not entirely sure how digital TV signals get sent out, but I was able to get much better reception on channels that were fuzzy/snowed in the analog world. Sounds great, right?
Signals that I was able to get (enough to watch the channel enough) I cannot with this box. When I tune to the channel I get a “no signal” message on screen. One of those channels (WNET-Thirteen) was what I watched the most. My local Channel 13 is sending out their signal on DT60, which I still cannot get.
Anticipating this change over, I bought a new antenna and placed it in the attic of my house. I have gone to some lengths to get these TV signals. It is a disappointment that I cannot get those signals.
Unlike analog TV, which comes in fuzzy (but watchable) when the signal is bad, DTV will become pixelated during bad weather or at random times.

The Box:
One of the major reasons why I got this box as opposed to the other one out there was that there was some control on the unit itself. Although basic, if you loose the remote, the controls will allow you to turn the power on and change channels.
The remote control feels cheap, but still functions. It would be helpful if the remote controlled the TV volume. Instead it controls the volume of the audio coming out of the box. Seems OK until you change your input to watch a DVD and get blown away by the noise.

The software:
I was surprised to see a menu that deep for a $60 TV box. An autoscan tuner function helped with the setup and programming of channels. A basic programming guide is available that was akin to my digital cable box. A concerned parent will be glad to know you can block programs with a parental control function in one menu screen.

Overall impressions:
It would seem that the maker of the unit brushed aside the needs of people who truly need to purchase a converter box or go without TV in 2009. Knowing people will easily spend $60 on a “need” when they’re really spending $20 makers of these units will take the cheap way out.
With the major component of the unit, reception, being as poor as it is I would not recommend this unit to anyone.
In my area there are 3 units available (including this one) and one of them is the same box under a different name. The return policy at Best Buy does not cover the $40 coupon, which now leaves me with a brick in my living room.

written by tom

This Pepperwood Pinot Noir was my first venture in the Pinot world.  I was a little reluctant to pick one up, mostly due to the fact that it was the wine of choice for Miles in Sideways.  With that said, I actually enjoyed this wine a lot.

I am constantly talking about labels and how deceptive they are but this was the best label/wine match I’ve seen to date.  The class of the design of the bottle matched the taste of the wine, to a tee.  This Napa Valley wine had some complex flavors, but not enough to overwhelm.  There was just the right amount of a dry taste to satisfy, but again, not enough to overwhelm.

The only reason I gave this wine the rating I have is due to the fact that this is the first Pinot I’ve tasted with a critical sense.  I would recommend it and have it again myself.

written by tom

Count another for the label and name…After many months with melots I’ve decided to head to another aisle of my local wine shop.  I fell into the temptation of getting this Barefoot because of the price (less than $7) and yes, the label.

Here’s the low-down: I’m not too impressed when I wine is too dry.  I also like some flavor in my glass.  The Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon was a little too dry for me.  Although the label claims the wine inside has “…robust flavors of wild berries and currants.”  there was little evidence of it.

I wouldn’t check this out no matter the price.  If you’re looking for something around this price check out the new Yellow Bird.

written by tom

I first want to start off this review with full disclosure:  I really don’t like horror films.  Now I can tell you that I really like this film.  There have been quite a number of people who’ve seen this film that I know that have compared the Rodriguez film (Planet Terror) and the Taratino film (Deathproof) the sentence after they say, “I saw Grindhouse”.  It’s very easy to do that considering they play back to back.  But aside from the fact they are part of a double-feature there’s little similarities between them.

The concept of Grindhouse is reason enough alone to see it.  When was the last time you saw a double-feature in the movie theater?  The directors have the entire look and feel of the 70s drive in down to a tee.  Even the slides mentioning “Feature presentation” are perfect.  This works well considering if either one of these films were shown alone they would have to be a bit longer, which would cause a bit more “fluff” that would not have worked for either film.
The double-feature starts with “Planet Terror” a throw-back to the zombie movies of the past.  Robert Rodriguez wrote, directed, and even scored this film.  What made me like this film is that it was easy to tell that no one in the theater or on the set took it too seriously.  Some lines in the film were typical of that genre and made the audience laugh out loud, myself included.  Rodriguez was also able to use the 70s drive-in to his advantage during parts of the movie including a “Missing Reel” sequence that the audience needed to complete the story.  But we all took it in stride considering no one was taking it too seriously.

After a few funny trailers “Deathproof” started.  Quentin Tarantino used some of the same bit actors for his film, which was anoter clever use of the genre.  Tarantino did what he does best, right excellent dialog.   How many of use can recite a line of 5 from  “Pulp Fiction”?  There was a car chase scene which was taken right out of the 70s with two muscle cars included.  Although Tarantino did not use the 70s drive-in to his advantage as much as Robert Rodridguez, this film made it worth the while to come back after a bathroom break.

If you thinking of seeing this double feature…do it!  Do it while it’s in the theater.  You will not get the full affect at your home.  It’s a shame that there are few drive-in theaters left, because I would recommend seeing it there.  And when you do see it in the theater, don’t by (or bring) your own drinks, you’ll miss a few minutes of two great films.

written by tom

I first want to start out by saying that I’ve been waiting for this unit since I ordered it in October of 2005. My expectations were set high as I awaited Radiosohpy’s “Shipping Status” change over the past 19 months. When I saw it say shipping now I called right away to make sure my order was in.

As a quick aside: I called in and gave the person on the other line my credit card number. I was promised I’d have my radio by Friday. On Thursday I got a call from the person I spoke with and she said that she lost my order and credit card number. Appearance it made it’s way to the shredder.

I received the radio on Tuesday and plugged it right in. I used an external antennae in my house that I run up to my attic awaited it’s arrival. After scanning through the dial for an HD signal I only found one. When I did I read the song and artist info scroll by. When I tuned to the station’s HD2 signal the same text was scrolling along. I found out later on that the HD2 channel was not sending any data out. But why was the text still scrolling? I have a JVC head unit in my car. When there is no data being sent it says “NO TEXT”. This ensures there is no confusion.

On some stations I was only able to pull in the station call letters. The radio showed “false” calls on some stations. I noticed call letters like “KCRO”, “KCRP” and the like. Since I live on the east side of the Mississippi I figured it had to be wrong.

After fumbling my way to find out how to set the time (which wasn’t in the manual) I left the unit alone to bring in my car for the ride to work.

On my way in I used a power inverter to power the radio. When I plugged it in the wrong time was displayed. That means it didn’t hold the time I had set the day before. I used the internal antennae to see what stations I could pull in while driving. I mention this because on their web site Radiosophy sells a power supply that plugs into a cigarette lighter and audio adapter to plug into your existing car radio. This would mean they intend users to listen in the car.

Well, good luck trying to get an HD signal in the car. Unlike a house, which is full of insulation ladened with foil which hurts reception, a car should supply a better environment for pulling in a HD signal. I compared my in-dash JVC unit with the MultiStream™ HD Radio. The JVC pulled in many signals while the Radiosophy got none.

Since I work at a radio station I tuned into my station. I was stopped at a light about a mile from my station’s transmitter. I was close enough that I could see the tower. I pointed the internal antennae right at the tower and did not get the HD reception. Only until I was right on the entrace to the college where I work that I got consistent HD reception.

When I got into the office I tried using the external antennae provided and could not get any HD reception.

So I did not hesitate to call to Customer Service to get a return. The person on the other line was more than receptive to my concerns and ended the call with “I hope you’ll keep checking us out, I’m sure we’ll have a radio you’ll like.” While I’m waiting on that I’ll be happy with another radio that actually works.

written by tom