Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 484
 IT'S GREAT!! October 27, 2008
Mr. Simon (North Hollywood, CA United States)
221 out of 229 found this review helpful
The previous reviewer was upset about the high price Amazon charges - not about the converter's performance. I purchased two of these from another online vendor using the coupons and ended up paying an additional $45.00, so about $60.00 a piece. If you want quality, you have to pay for it. This model received high praise from Consumer Reports and I agree with them. The picture is as clear as a DVD and the sound is really good too on most stations. The stations without super sound probably has more to do with the broadcaster than the box. The remote has a number of useful buttons. Very simple to set up. The colors are a bit more intense so you may need to adjust your TV set again. I received about 30 stations initially, but deleted ten or so since they were in other languages. Very happy with my puchase. Highly recommended.
Excellent picture November 4, 2008
Brad (Cincinnati, OH USA)
92 out of 94 found this review helpful
My first converter box was a Zenith DTT900. It died exactly 92 days after purchase which was 2 days after the full warranty expired - very displeased. Instead of paying Zenith the $35 they wanted to fix it, I ordered a 2nd coupon and bought the Tivax. Wow, the color is brighter and the picture is noticeably more sharp than the Zenith on the same TV. My whole family noticed it right away. Almost made me glad the Zenith died - almost. I'm very pleased with the Tivax. The only thing the Zenith has over the Tivax is that the Zenith remote can be programmed to turn on the TV so you don't need 2 remotes to watch TV. Of course, that doesn't help much if the box is dead.
I must add that although I love Amazon and their service, this box is overpriced here. It's available for less elsewhere.
A really great upgrade to analog TV November 1, 2008
S. Jacobson (Mebane, NC USA)
113 out of 118 found this review helpful
After much research, including the previously mentioned Consumer Report recommendation as a best buy there, we ordered and installed this converter box about a week ago. Even with just an indoor amplified rabbit ears antenna, the quality of the picture of the channels is DVDesque and the other functionality such as the Signal (strength measuring) button are extras that help get the antenna oriented right, depending upon which channel you are trying watch. After getting everything hooked up (well illustrated in the User's Guide) I ran the Automatic Scan for the first time and instantly had more channels than before (4 PBS channels compared to one before, along with four of another Network that previously only had one using just analog). Then I pointed the antenna towards the one major city we live to the east of, ran the Update Scan and pulled in more channels without wiping out the previous channels found. Point the antenna towards the other major city we live west of, and more channels appeared rerunning the Update Scan. In all, about 26 channels with an indoor antenna that we've had for close to eight years. This converter also comes with both AV and RF cabling, unusual for most of these units. All and all, this a great solution to those who don't want to sell out... er... shell out a weekly food budget to cable every month.
Tivax STB-T8 vs Channelmaster CM-7000 March 7, 2009
SAL
67 out of 68 found this review helpful
After extensive online research. These 2 boxes consistently came up top in ratings and reviews. I knew I would not be happy with a unit that could demonstrate any compromise in video quality vs getting a unit with a programmable (VCR) timer, best program guide, or universal remote to simply turn my TV on. I could not decide which of the 2 boxes to purchase so I purchased both. Upon receipt - I tried both units. For all practical purposes both units have similar performance characteristics. The CM-7000 had the slight edge with S video output being slightly better. Features between the units were basically the same, even the size, feel and functions on the remote felt the similar. Both are great units and are recommended. If I had to pick one, I would select the CM-7000 because it had slightly better video quality with S out, channel changing seemed a tiny bit faster, and the one marginal station in my area seemed to lock in better - though different atmospheric conditions at the time may be the only reason for that. Note that all the stations in my area are all broadcasting in digital so the analog pass thru feature of the Tivax was not needed.
Both units have buttons on the converter box so you can power up and change channels without your remote. On either unit there was no instructions on if or how you get access the menu from those buttons - so I do not know if that is possible or not.
One more thing to mention: I purchased 2 units (one CM-7000 & one STB-08) to have one as a backup. Using govt coupons and low priced shipping, paying a total $7 out of pocket is a cheap backup and is cheaper than paying postage and handling in 2 directions should one unit fail in the future. I read stories on how hard it was to exchange broken units. I purchased the Tivax form Amazon. The first Tivax unit I received did not power up. It was ONE email to Amazon and a replacement unit was at my door the very next day - plus Amazon emailed me a return prepaid shipping label to return the unit to them via USPS. Zero extra cost. What a pleasurable surprise.
So for everyone grinding over the reviews and features and trying to figure out which one to get -- you can purchase either of these two units and know it was a smart choice with no regret.
BEST converter box overall compared to all others!!!!! February 3, 2009
N. Lewis (Woodstock, Ohio)
34 out of 37 found this review helpful
I have really researched the different models for several weeks before choosing this one. It was at the top of my list but was unable to find it, as was the Zenith DTT 901 and the Insignia. The Insignia was impossible to get, the zenith was hard to find from a reputable company which honored the warranty and defects that can occur in any model. When I noticed that the Tivax STB-T8 was overall superior to any other brand and model with its smart antenna connection (great option), analog pass though, power and channel buttons on front of device (a must just! for the just in case situation), does not get hot (don't put on other machines like others have and surprisingly find any electrical device too hot), great remote that controls channels, volume, aspect ratio, signal check, awesome guide display that shows several hours ahead of programming, easy and quick connect and setup. It is well worth the money, I bought it through Amazon for 79.99 and with coupon only cost 39.99 (they are trustworthy and honor defected boxes and will replace it) and signed up for the Amazon prime free trial, upgraded from free 2 day to one day shipping for 3.99 (i placed order on Saturday and received it on Monday which was one business day as estimated). I am buying a second box and now that I have the Amazon prime free trial it is $30 cheaper (that's awesome!). I decided to buy the RCA smart antenna passive multi directional version to see if i can pick up more channels than my current outdoor antenna. Will have to see if it works. Overall I am extremely pleased and satisfied with this device and highly recommend it to everyone wanting a converter box that is well worth paying for. Also, for those viewing reviews to decide what to get. Pay the extra 10 or 20 dollars (better than buying cheap, having it break down and then buy this one anyway) and choose a reputable seller, many had poor customer service and return policies and shipping costs that run up the price. I was dis-satisfied very much with MANY of the companies that i googled when searching for coupon eligible boxes, definitely read the reviews, if they can offer you a too good to be true offer, it probably comes with a cost. Amazon gave me an ease of mind knowing i was buying from them directly and their policy on returns and defects.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 484
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