Customer Reviews

RCA ATSC11 High Definition Tuner

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Beach Audio delivered a brand new, non-refurbished unit that was manufactured in 2003. Made in Korea. You don't need an HDTV to enjoy the wonder of HD using this RCA receiver - simply switch its output to 480i and 4:3/zoom. Or, if your TV has an enhanced 16:9 mode for viewing DVD's, and you want to watch almost any primetime network program these days, you are set! Switch the output of the ATSC11 to 16:9/full, put your TV on 16:9 enhanced...and just like that, the picture is downright awesome! As good or better than DVD, and clearly the biggest bang for the buck you can find today if you want to see HD.

I am viewing on a Sony 27FS120 that I calibrated myself, and using our old analog roof TV antenna to pick up the HD signals. The ATSC11 runs pretty hot so if it's safe to do so in your living space I recommend that you remove its (well vented) cover and leave it exposed to open air. Just remember to give it a treatment from a dust can once a week or so. *Including* the cost of the Sony television, I am now enjoying beautiful, widescreen, noise-free HD programming in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound - all for around $450. Best of all, off-air HD is 100% FREE.

It's true that an HD television would look better. But if you want your network shows to look as good as your DVD's, and you aren't ready to upgrade to an HD television, you cannot go wrong with this excellent receiver. Heck - it's got such great connectivity that if you just HAVE to see all of that high definition, plug your computer monitor into it. Awesome.

At first I was debating whether this tuner would be any good - primarily since it was going for half price of the more popular samsung and humax models I was looking at. There were plenty of reviews for those, but not many for this rca model. I went out and gave it a try - I'm glad I chose this instead! At the time I recieved the shipment, I had no antenna to hook up with it. I had a pair of $1 bunny ear antenna's lying around - gave it a shot, the tuner picked up 16 channels with it - I didn't even have to try hard, I just extended the bunny ears and left it on the floor! The quality was superb! I have yet to hook it up with one of the specially made HDTV antennas. Already, I am satisfied with this tuner.

I wanted to buy RCA ATSC21 modal, but the price was too high($400+?), So I bought this one. Here is what I found:
ATSC11 received all the local channels with my motorola booster and a regular antenna. It received about 50% when the booster is off. It has DVI, Component and S-video ouputs, two audio outputs and a optical port for D-Digital. I used the component video. Format selection switch is on the back to select 1080i/780p/480p/480i.(also another switch for DVI or component output selection) I love the remote control as it controls my VCR, DVD player, TV, SAT-Reciver and this tuner!!.

I had been browsing around for a DTV tuner for quite a while, but stumbled upon this one for about $140 ($200 shipped to Anchorage, Alaska) from Beach Audio, while the MSRP is $450. My unit was also manufactured in 2003, but it picks up all of the local channels that it can (there are a couple on the other side of town broadcasting in EXTREMELY low power, just so that they can say that they're on the air) using a rooftop antenna. With rabbit ears, I was able to pick up most channels, but they were just too weak to be all in one spot, so I would have to move them around a lot. The Anchorage broadcasters also have a lot of multipath issues due to the mountains in the background, as well as not broadcasting in high-enough power to get into peoples' homes from several kilometres away, but I'm hopeful that that will change in the near future.

I'm very glad that I chose this unit because it has an easy-to-use menu, outputs in 480p, 720p, and 1080i for when I get a high-definition or digital TV, as well as 480i for my current 32" analogue TV, and was cheap in price at the time that I purchased. You would love this unit.

This works great. Wow! What a difference HD makes over standard cable. The setup was easy and all my channels worked. I also like the TV guide program that comes with it.

Has a lot of nice options and picture was GREAT! -- for 13 months. Then turned it on one morning and no DVI output to the TV. Since it is out of warranty (by one month) and it is an EXCHANGE only item, it can not be repaired by even an authorized RCA repair center. For only $286 they will exchange it for a refurbished one.....