Customer Reviews

Magnavox DTV Digital to Analog Converter

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This is one of many similar devices that adapt over the air digital TV to non digital television sets. You get composite video, left and right audio, and RF in and out for those with TV sets that only have an antenna connector.

Set up is painless. The tuner is remarkably good; it picked up all stations in my area with just a pair of rabbit ears. Lack of S-Video out sorely missed, reds bloom a bit (adjust your TV set accordingly). The converter will zoom, letterbox or crop 16x9 content -- I have mine set for letterbox. The remote is poorly designed. Little teeny tiny channel up and down buttons, big buttons on the bottom for navigating through the electronic program guide or set up. Note the EPG only shows programs for the channel you are currently on. If you are on a channel, you can find out what is coming up on that channel for the next 3 hours, but not what is on other channels -- without switching to that channel. I would guess that all the converters will work this way.

The device itself is made by Funai, for what it is worth. It does do what it is designed to do, and again -- the tuner is quite good. I would look around at what else is available, though, at least for a nicer remote.

The Magnavox DTV Converter was easy to set up and, with at least a standard set of Rabbit Ears, received all the local digital TV channels. The image is good, though when DTV signals are weak the image freezes or the sound drops out (that's the nature of DTV signals). The problem with this unit is that changing the Zoom or Aspect ratio has to be done through the Setup function - there is no button on the remote to easily change this feature. This is critical since some programs are broadcast in Letterbox and others in the standard 4:3 dimensions. 4:3 programs appear as a small image in the middle of the screen. Again, to make it full screen, you have to go into the Setup function to "Zoom in". I returned this unit and purchased the Zenith DTT900. It has a Zoom button on the remote so I can change this ratio on the fly.

This convertor works just fine for me, get all the great new HD channels, but I regret getting this model.

It has a power switch but this is just the main power and doesn't actually turn it on. You MUST USE THE REMOTE with this box. There are no channel buttons on it. No remote = no TV.

I have purchased different models for my other TVs and this is my least favorite model.

I just purchased two of these. This was one of the least expensive converter boxes at the stores I shopped. Very easy to setup. Good brand name. Most importantly works on both of my older TVs with no problems. I have been using them for about 2 weeks and seems like a great purchase.

This box does what it is supposed to which is allow you to watch digital tv and that is about it. Few converter boxes on the market will control the volume of your tv and this box is one that will not, so you will need to use two remotes for your tv with this converter. The menus are not very user friendly, and neither is the remote that is included. If you have problems with small buttons, this is not the converter for you. The box tunes in channels without a problem and displays a nice picture, but that is about it. If your looking for a converter a lot more user friendly try the insignia or zenith branded converters. They will also at least allow you to turn the tv on and off with their included remote controls. This box would be my last resort choice, especially if using a coupon for purchase.

This is the same model you can get at Walmart for $50.00. With government coupon worth $40.00 it only cost a little over $11.00 out of pocket with tax. Don't see any reason to buy here. Walmart is everywhere. Magnavox is fairly good. It has alot of nice features which, others have mentioned. My problem is having rabbit ears I can't get good reception now with the box attached to the rabbit ears and I think that would probably be the same with any converter box I purchased.

We purchased this for a cottage we have in a rural area. It was $10, after the $40 coupon, and that's about all it's worth. Major drawbacks:

1. If you don't have a strong signal, you get a frozen, pixelated picture. You can watch regular TV thru a little snow, but with this, it's either really good, or nothing.

2. You can only control it with the remote - so if you lose the remote, or the battery goes dead - it's no use.

3. The sound is really bad - we had to have it almost all the way up to hear it.

We have a rooftop antenna, with a rotator, and can usually pick up about 4-5 stations well. We can pick up more stations with the converter, but not well (see above) and a lot aren't something we want to watch anyway (how many religious broadcasts or shopping channels do you need!). Can't get CBS and NBC at the same time - we have to rotate the antenna to EXACTLY the right point for each. And even when it looks like it's coming in good, it'll go out for 10 seconds or so several times during a half hour show.

I'm definitely doing some more shopping around for a better model.

Went to local WM and bought their best antenna, a RCA that looks like a 4' boomerang at $59. Bought their only brand of converter, made in China, using a $40 U.S. government coupon. After much trial & error I can get all the local stations that are within 20 miles, but none 30 or 35 miles away. Was only able to do this by removing the antenna's in-line amp, buying 75' of RG-6 cable and mounting the antenna 10' above roof. With in-line amp I get only two channels. The channels I do get are perfect. Pressing EPG brings up only a banner of the current program, not a guide. Remote buttons are small. Suggest waiting to order coupon.

Hooked it up to the cable wire as shown in booklet.. did the autoscan - did NOT pull in even one channel - and I even tried it with a channel amp too. Total garbage

I've had two of these boxes for a few months now, and neither one has failed. In fact, the Magnavox converter box does a better job of pulling in weak signals than a new TV set with digital built in that we bought for the kitchen.

Other reviewers have adequately described the limitations of the remote's button layout, but I had another complaint. Of all the remote controls in this house (at least 6) the Magnavox DTV converter requires the most precision in aiming the remote directly at the set. Some of my controls can be aimed sideways or at the opposite wall and still work, but this one has to be aimed with marksman like accuracy or the set just ignores it.

However, I found a solution. I opened up the box (UNPLUGGED OF COURSE!!!) and found that the infrared "eye" has blinders on! I have no idea what the engineers were thinking, but it literally has a cross-shaped screen in front of the domed receiver chip. This screen serves no purpose that I can see except to reduce the sensitivity of the control, so I cut it off with small wire cutters. Now the remote is easier to use. Not great, but not exasperating.