Digital Converter Box (sorry) March 04, 2009, 08:23:09 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99930We've had a digital converter box in the rig for about 6 months now and suddenly, it has just quit working. When I went to get a coupon (I actually bought my first box for $10.00 from a lady who had cable and didn't need it) I find there is now a waiting list.Does anyone here have an extra code they won't be using? Traveling around, I find that the digital is often vastly superior to over the air signal, so I've been spoiled.I just thought I'd ask here, otherwise I'll just get on the waiting list and hope for the best, or pay full price.Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Digital Converter Box (sorry) Reply #1 – March 04, 2009, 10:42:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99943Quote We've had a digital converter box in the rig for about 6 months now and suddenly, it has just quit working. ... Kate, Things electronic can and do fail. But, this is so rare now days that one needs to take a quick look to see if it has really failed or if something else going on. When it works I agree with you that the DTV pictures are indeed beautiful. But, while the pictures continue to look beautiful as the signal gets poorer, there is a very fine line where it goes from beautiful to no picture at all. So to make sure that there hasn't been some small change to move you from the working mode to not working mode, perhaps you might entertain some questions. 1. Are you sure that the DTV converter has power, the antenna wire(s) is tightly conncted, etc. (Always check the basics first.) 2. Does the your analog TV still work? Can you still get an analog picture? (Trying to see if the TV antenna, antenna amplifier, etc. is all still working.) 3. Did the failure happen from one day to the next or did it happen when you moved from one place to another? (One day to the next; probably finis the DTV converter. One place to the next; maybe something else changed.) 4. Does the picture the DTV converter puts on the analog TV set still look the same but there now are no DTV pictures? (Trying to see if the DTV converter is still more or less alive and might be working.) 5. If your DTV converter has a signal quality/strength mode does it show the DTV signals as being present but too poor?Sorta on this topic (and sorta not), some stuff I have recently learned: One of the things "everyone" knows about the Winegard Sensor TV antennas on our coaches is is that they are bi-directional; that is, as long as a long flat side is pointed at the antenna, it doesn't matter which side. That's what I always thought. After poking around on the web plus doing some experimenting, I found out this is NOT TRUE when you are tuned to any channel 14 and above. In these channels, the Sensor antenna uses a small antenna inside the plastic box that is uni-directional; that is, it has a greater response when the flat side of the antenna away from its supporting rods is pointed toward the station. Another little surprise is that with a DTV signal, you probably won't know what channel the set or converter is actually tuned to. For instance, our local channel 8 (analog) station transmits its DTV signal on channel 46. As part of the digital information this and every other DTV transmitter sends to the receiver is what analog channel the DTV signal is "associated with". So, even though it is actually transmitted on channel 46, this DTV signal tells the receiver to show it as being 8.1 (main channel), 8.2 (weather channel), etc. In Portland it looks like it's on channel 8, but it comes into the set on channel 46. This scheme is meant to keep the chaotic channel assignments during the changeover period (from analog to digital) from fouling up the station's "branding". Someplace many converters and DTV sets will tell you what channel the DTV signal is actually on but it's often hard to find. Now, for all who have read this far and are completely confused, just remember this: When watching an analog signal on channel 14 and above or, when watching ANY DTV signal (which are transmitted mostly on the same channels), be sure to turn the antenna ALL THE WAY AROUND to check for the best signal(s). I am experimenting with Winegard's "Wingman" antenna accessory that has just been introduced for our Sensor antennas. It's ad copy says it offers "up to 100% more signal" for UHF TV signals. Well, that statement is actually true, but those who do electronics will understand that it actually means that Wingman increases the antenna's gain by about 3 dB. In communications systems, that's really not very much. However, with DTV, this means that in certain marginal cases, you will be able to watch an otherwise unwatchable signal. The fine line I mentioned above that separates the watchable DTV signal from the unwatchable is about 1 dB. I spent several days last week playing with our DTV converter and a Wingman in Puyallup, WA (the wife was at the quilt show) where there are DTV signals of every amplitude coming from several different directions. I could detect the presence of 15 DTV signals without Wingman, 17 with. Without Wingman I could watch 9 of the 17; with Wingman I could watch 11 of the 17. When you add Wingman, the antenna becomes more directional so that in many situations where the signals are weak yet come from slightly different directions, you may need to turn the antenna when you change channels. Further, in weak signal situations, you must fiddle much more with the antenna to initially find the signals. Without it, you might get somewhat fewer signals but won't have to fiddle with the antenna as much. Out of interest, I plan to do some more with/without experimenting. I may well permanently install the Wingman because I like to fiddle with such things. But I don't yet know if I will recommend it to others.Linley
Re: Digital Converter Box (sorry) Reply #2 – March 05, 2009, 12:09:12 am Yahoo Message Number: 99948Quote We've had a digital converter box in the rig for about 6 months now and suddenly, it has just quit working. Gad Zooks, Kate! I just looked at AntennaWeb's prediction of the TV signals present where the DataStorm map says you are camped at Elephant Butte. ( http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx ) It uses color codes signify what signals you can get (it puts it in terms of what antenna you will need). The color sequence is Yellow (loudest), Dark Green, Light Green, Red, Blue and Purple (faintest). With our Winegard Sensor antennas we should be able to get the Yellow, Dark Green and some of the Light Green stations. For your site the only DTV station shown is rated Purple! If you were getting DTV signals there before, it probably was a fluke. If the converter otherwise appears to be working, go slow in spending money to replace it. Something out of your control may well have changed the situation to move your signal from the "works" to the "doesn't work" category. Until you see it, it's really hard to believe how sudden and complete that change is; a tree leafing out could easily do it.Take care.Linley
Re: Digital Converter Box (sorry) Reply #3 – March 05, 2009, 04:12:46 am Yahoo Message Number: 99952LinleyThanks for the detailed post. The box gets power (a yellow light), but wont turn on to green. Everything else works fine (regular TV, etc.). I suspect the switch in the box is bad.Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Digital Converter Box (sorry) Reply #4 – March 05, 2009, 10:59:42 am Yahoo Message Number: 99962QuoteThings electronic can and do fail. But, this is so rare now days that one needs to take a quick look to see if it has really failed or if something else going on. When it works I agree with you that the DTV pictures are indeed beautiful. But, while the pictures continue to look beautiful as the signal gets poorer, there is a very fine line where it goes from beautiful to no picture at all. Our Artec converter failed on a recent fall trip - it stopped reporting stations receivable where we had previously picked up at least 2. I thought it was likely stations were sometimes on the air, sometimes off - a transition test mode or something. However, we had bought 2 identical units, and I had the spare with us. The second worked fine, and I tested both at each location for awhile. Unit 1 would fail to find anything, unit 2 would consistently find stations. Repair is not an option - net cost was $5 per unit. I hope these failures are not a trend...Steve
Re: Digital Converter Box Reply #5 – March 05, 2009, 11:12:06 am Yahoo Message Number: 99964Kate, as I recall, you have a Miglia USB digital-TV tuner for your Mac. One way to diagnose your converter box's (possible) problem is to try connecting the Miglia box to the same antenna. If the Miglia tuner receives a signal but the converter does not, then something may indeed be wrong with the converter. On the other hand, if the Miglia tuner gets a weak signal or none at all, then it's probably just a reception problem.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Digital Converter Box Reply #6 – March 05, 2009, 11:17:26 am Yahoo Message Number: 99966"as I recall, you have a Miglia USB digital-TV tuner for your Mac."AndyThanks for the heads up, I'd already done that and the Miglia works fine. It's definitely the converter boxKate http://cholulared.blogspot.com http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Digital Converter Box (sorry) Reply #7 – March 06, 2009, 11:58:30 am Yahoo Message Number: 100060--- Kate Klein wrote:Quote ...The box gets power (a yellow light), but wont turn on to green. Everything else works fine (regular TV, etc.). I suspect the switch in the box is bad. Kate, You wouldn't happen to have an RCA DTA800B1 converter box, would you? I bought a couple of those at Walmart (using the gov't coupons). One of them works fine, but the other one has the same symptoms you describe. I can turn it off for awhile and it will come back on again, only to cut back off after awhile. It seems like it could be a heat-related problem. I have noticed that some online forums mention that the DTA800B1 should be used in the vertical postion to help ventilation. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to troubleshoot my problem any further.Rick
Re: Digital Converter Box Reply #8 – March 07, 2009, 09:04:38 am Yahoo Message Number: 100095"You wouldn't happen to have an RCA DTA800B1 converter box, would you?" Yep, that's the one. Even when I pulled it out and left it unplugged and off for a few hours, no go. I've replaced it with a Zenith which seems to have a much better menu, etc. but if I could fix the RCA, I'd keep it for a replacement.Please let me know if you know of a fix, otherwise I'm tearing it apart. I always tear my broken electronics apart in hopes of learning something. I rarely do (learn something) but I sure seem to enjoy looking at the insides.Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Digital Converter Box Reply #9 – March 11, 2009, 10:29:37 am Yahoo Message Number: 100253I have a '96 30 IB with a 12 v TV. Eventually I'd like to change TV but for now... Anyway I understand how to connect the box to the antenna connector, But obviously 110 pwr is needed to run the box. other than an extension cord assuming one has electrical pwr..What does one do when "dry camping" , or doesone just not use the box in that situation? This is where I am technically challanged I saw a post suggesting searching for this , but the units I'm finding have newer TV's etc.If you can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.Sylvia
Re: Digital Converter Box Reply #10 – March 11, 2009, 11:43:19 am Yahoo Message Number: 100254Quote "...But obviously 110 pwr is needed to run the box... If you can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.Sylvia SylviaA lot of us have purchased a 12v converter, such as; http://www.newcaststore.com/artec-t3ap-pr3.htmlThis gets you around having to be hooked up to shore power or running the generator.Steve S. Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Re: Digital Converter Box Reply #11 – March 11, 2009, 11:59:33 am Yahoo Message Number: 100255Quote I have a '96 30 IB with a 12 v TV. Eventually I'd like to change TV but for now... Anyway I understand how to connect the box to the antenna connector, But obviously 110 pwr is needed to run the box. other than an extension cord assuming one has electrical pwr..What does one do when "dry camping" , or doesone just not use the box in that situation? This is where I am technically challanged I saw a post suggesting searching for this , but the units I'm finding have newer TV's etc.If you can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.Sylvia Sylvia, altho yours is an older 30', the TV in your entertainment center should be plugged into an outlet that runs through a converter that should have been standard equipment to power the TV. Is there a toggle inverter on/off switch in the cupboard next to the entertainment unit? I'm guessing your TV is not 12v, rather 110v and is running through that outlet controlled by the converter. I could be wrong; I'm not that familiar with older 30's. If that's the case, then your TV and converter box should run off battery power through the converter while dry camping. Others can probably explain this better than I.Chris
Re: Digital Converter Box Reply #12 – March 11, 2009, 12:01:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 100256Quote I have a '96 30 IB with a 12 v TV. Eventually I'd like to change TV but for now... Anyway I understand how to connect the box to the antenna connector, But obviously 110 pwr is needed to run the box. other than an extension cord assuming one has electrical pwr..What does one do when "dry camping" , or doesone just not use the box in that situation? This is where I am technically challanged I saw a post suggesting searching for this , but the units I'm finding have newer TV's etc.If you can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.Sylvia Sylvia, altho yours is an older 30', the TV in your entertainment center should be plugged into an outlet that runs through a converter that should have been standard equipment to power the TV. Is there a toggle inverter on/off switch in the cupboard next to the entertainment unit? I'm guessing your TV is not 12v, rather 110v and is running through that outlet controlled by the converter. I could be wrong; I'm not that familiar with older 30's. If that's the case, then your TV and converter box should run off battery power through the converter while dry camping. Others can probably explain this better than I.Chris PS: My converter is under the refer. Pull out the drawers and there it is.Chris
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