Customer Reviews

Terk LF-20S Wavemaster Wireless 2.4 GHz A/V Distribution System

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

 

 

I bought this to transmit PBS Kids channel from my 2nd satellite receiver in the basement to my toddle's room on the 2nd floor. Great reception if I turned off my 2.4GHz wireless network router and did not talk on my 2.4GHz cordless phone. With the router on, I got a strobing horizontal line down the screen. With the cordless phone, pressing the Talk button to use the phone killed the signal. I returned the product to the store.

If you don't have other 2.4GHz devices it seems like it will work well for you.

This product works great -- if you have no other products on the 2.4GHz spectrum. Unfortunately my 802.11b network and Vtech 2.4GHz phones were too much for it, and the sound was punctuated with sharp snapping sounds and the picture showed strobing horizontal lines. When I unplugged my 802.11b access point and 2.4GHz phone, the sound and picture were great. Buy it if you don't have other 2.4GHz devices to interfere, but otherwise avoid it.

I've read several reviews submitted in this and several other forums. I've noticed that opinions about the Wavemaster vary greatly by the intended use of the reviewers. Those that use the device for transmitting video/audio from DVDs, satellite decoders etc. are generally very happy with the quality.

Those that are attempting to use the device attached to a computer are usually unhappy. They give the device a bad review without realizing that the problem is not the device. Most people are unaware that the resolution of a computer monitor is much higher than that of a TV. When you attempt to use a TV as a computer monitor you get very poor results. It doesn't matter what mechanism you use to deliver the computer output to the TV. The limiting factor is the TV.

I purchased a a "Leap Frog" aka Wavenaster this weekend. It operates at 2.4 Ghz, and has 4 channels. It consists of a transmitter and a receiver (extra receivers are available for additional TVs). I hooked it up to my computer's video out and to my TV. Voila! It works great! Throw in the fact that my video card came with an RF (radio frequency) remote (doesn't need line-of-site path) and I have a pretty neat solution. I can sit at my TV and control a MPEG2 movie playing on my computer in the other room.

Now for the bad. The picture quality is pretty good (at least as good as the best broadcast TV you've seen), but seems to be susceptible to intermittent static interference. Not a big deal unless you're really anal about that stuff. There's a slight underlying hiss and occassional pop in the audio. That's my biggest complaint so far. I'm pretty picky about sound. And don't think your gonna get THX. The last problem is that due to the fact that regular NTSC TV transmission is at such low resolution it's difficult to view text displayed on the computer screen transmitted to the TV. It's difficult to control the movie or browse directories from the couch. I guess the solution to that problem is to buy an HDTV or at least something bigger than my 25 inch set.

This technique is not limited to computers and satellite signal decoders. I played with hooking up a DVD player sitting in another room. I also hooked up my digital camera and displayed a slide show. Anything that has composite output and can generate a NTSC signal can be used as a source (sorry no component or SVideo out for you video quality freaks). If you're looking for a high quality you might have to wait a year or so until a true digital solution is available. The advertised range is up to 300 ft. You should be able broadcast to you're neighbor across the street. Obviously, line-of-site is optimal, but if you had that you could also just run a cable.

Sorry that other person had such bad experience with this product. I am just thrilled with it. My sister in law recommended it as she has one in her exercise room to watch satellite. I had a rabbit ears on my tv in my bedroom and now with the TERK I can watch my satellite shows in the bedroom. I have also hooked it up to a tv on my deck and with a little patience and adjusting of the antenna it works great outside. I got one for my mother since she did not want the cable man to drill holes in her bedroom and she is thrilled with it. She can now watch tv in bed and falls asleep much easier. We also bought the terk wireless remotes so we can change channels from the remote room. I just hooked them up today and they work great. Must read directions and be patient if you have a hard time, but once hooked up it is great. My brother wants to buy one now as he would like to watch satellite tv outside. I thought I would let people know there are 3 buyers who just love it (sister in law, mother and myself) and a 4th is on his way.

My transmitter is on the floor several feet away from my PC and wireless 2.4 ghz router. It sends the satellite signal to the room downstairs, thru the floor and an armoire (down 2 shelves) that holds another TV. Once in awhile I have a very slight crackle in the audio, but is is hardly noticeable. The picture is great. I have not noticed any interference when a 2.4 ghz phone is used in nearby rooms. I solved the channel changing problem by using the original RCA satellite remote downstairs. It also works thru the ceiling. I use another remote upstairs. I recommend this unit. It is certainly worth the price vs. installing another satellite receiver.

I dont usually write reviews, but in this case, I felt obligated too. The Terk Wireless AV Distribution System is our 2nd purchase of Terk products this year. Both have been complete pieces of junk. The Terk Wireless AV Distribution System would not transmit the signal even at a distance of only 25 feet, direct line of sight. The Terk tech support has never responded to any support requests. Basically a huge waste of money here.

Our first purchase, a Terk Satellite antenna, also failed to work, and Terk also would not provide support for that either.

With more and more companies apparently abandoning support of their products all together, I thought this warning might be appreciated. Avoid TERK.

Unfortunately, this product is incompatible with other products sharing the 2.4 Ghz spectrum.

If you have a newer generation of cordless phone (2.4 Ghz) or a Wireless (802.11b) router/gateway, you'll get a lot of interference / lines with your picture.

The other "downer" is that the product won't transmit back a signal from your remote control - meaning if you want to change channels at the receiving tv, you have to get up & leave the room.

Oddities - There are also vestigial appendages on the device that aren't used - a small antenna on the side, an ABCD switch on the bottom (the manual refers to a channel 3/4 switch -which the A and the B settings are for, but the C and D settings don't do anything), and an IR port designated in the instruction manual as "for future use".

Very easy to install. My transmitter is on the second floor hooked up to my VCR and the receiver is on the first floor, immediately below the transmitter. The picture is clear and without noise, unless the microwave (or the neighbor's) is turned on. No interference from my 2.4GHz wireless network, fortunately. Aside from the interference at lunch and dinner time, the system does a great job.

As others have said, with other 2.4 GhZ techs, there is a strobing horizontal line, and clicking with the audio. I had the transmitter and receiver about 15 feet away, and could not get rid of this. I tried different channels on my 2.4 GhZ internet, as well as my 2.4 GhZ phone. Trying to use this product with both other technologies was just getting to greedy with wireless! They just need to invent one that goes over the wireless LAN!

I bought one about a year and a half ago, and it got sent back right away. I have a friend that has one, and it worked great, but he used it in his house. I bought mine for an apartment and I think that all of the wiring, in apartment a/c, and the like just ran too much electric interference with it.