DTVPal Digital-to-Analog Converter is Now Available

[Scroll]

Got the box . Waiting for me on the front steps when I got home from work!
I live in a rural area of upstate NY. The tuner sensitivity was worth the trouble.
The DTVPAL has found a channel that my DTT-900 and Polaroid Tv missed.

I suppose it's possible that the DTVPAL could have the most sensitive tuner, or at least one of the best, but I do know that the Digital Stream DTX9950 can't be too far behind. I get every digital signal I know of and my antenna is just a satellite clip on. Even an indoor antenna gets the stronger channels. And I've always struggled with receiving analog signals. Even some stronger signals would be grainy.

I even got it to work with a S2DT Tivo. Changes channels and does everything you could ask really. In fact even Tivo recordings seem to have that near HD pop as long as the broadcaster is putting out true digital content and not analog converted to digital broadcast. The difference seems to be slightly more subtile on my HDTV however. But still far better than the straight analog signal ever was.

To me, the DTVPAL apparently has a better program guide (not a big deal as long as I have Tivo) and a S-video jack. Again which I don't really need but might be nice in case I should happen to need it in the future for some reason. Then again the RCA jacks work fine.

I can understand some of the hoopla over the PAL but the more I use the Digital Stream the more I feel good about my purchase. No regrets! I'm sure those who purchased some of the other newer boxes tell much the same story with the exception that around me it seems to be about the only one instock and on the store shelves despite selling well.

 

[Zorak]

While I was hoping to get a DTVPal before my coupons expired, I ended up getting 4 other boxes. From what I see, the DTVPal has many nice features and is a familiar product to those with Dish but I wouldn't knock the DTX9950. It is a lot less hassle to walk into a Radio Shack and buy one and they are very sensitive with acceptable features. I didn't think I would, but I like it the best so far.

 

[kb2kir]

ZORAK/SCROLL:
No offense, and correct me if I am wrong, but didn't the Digital Stream get poor reviews? I don't know if the tester was located on the fringes or in the city.
To me, tuner sensitivity is MOST important as I live in the sticks.
The DTVPAL runs warm, so I removed the board from the case, (not much larger than a pci network card) and drilled the top and bottom full of 3/16 holes.
Runs much cooler.
If you feel the Digital Stream is that good, I will by all means try one.

 

[Anole]

a little OT

The DTVPAL runs warm, so I removed the board from the case, (not much larger than a pci network card) and drilled the top and bottom full of 3/16 holes.
Runs much cooler.

Maybe not appropriate to this thread, but could you take some pictures of the inside and post them?
Clear, close-ups would be appreciated.
Maybe a shot showing how closely the board fits inside the cabinet would be good, as well.
. . . just in case I get the urge to shove a box-fan in there! -

And something you could answer here:
How do you open the box?
Any hidden clips? Any security seals?
There will be a firmware upgrade in the future, and if ya have to send it back, I wonder if they can tell it's been opened?
... of course, maybe they'd just toss 'em in a pile and not look! - :up

 

[kb2kir]

Ok, Guys.
No problem.
I'm off to work, so it'll have to be later this evening.

 

[kb2kir]

Found some time....
As you can see. there is little room inside... MAYBE you can fit one of these video card fans to the inside top of the enclosure. There is about 3/4" between the board and underside of the top.
there is 1/8 " between board and bottom.
To open case, you will see two slots at the rear above and outboard of the RCA connectors. Push in with small screw driver while separating case halves.
Good Luck!
(sorry for lack of picture clarity, but it's all I have...)

 

[Smith P.]

Thanks for pictures, but sorry - it's useless. If you don't have better camera, could you please provide info what printed on chips and the tuner can ?

 

[kb2kir]

Well, pardon me. No one asked for chip numbers.....
I'll post them as soon as I get a few minutes this evening.
For now though, I seem to remember Thompson or Thomas on the tuner can.

 

[Smith P.]

Well, that was a main reason to make the pictures. Thanks for your effort.

 

[kb2kir]

Oh, Ok.
I answered Anole's post regarding possible placement of a cooling fan.
So what I have for a camera was sufficient for that purpose.
Like I said, I will make every effort to post all the component numbers this evening, as I
am at work now.
My box has been apart twice already, so this is not a problem.

 

[Anole]

thanks !

We all appreciate your efforts.
I've had problems taking close-up pictures with my camera, too.
So, something is far better than nothing, and these are the first inside pix I've seen.
If the guys on the AVA forum have any, I haven't run across 'em.

How to take the box apart was a major concern, too.

Your comments about heat in the box, and how the cooling vents helped, were of interest.
It's always amazing how different users report differently on the same hardware.

Likewise, first reports of the picture quality were "soft", and now with more folks reporting, some say it's on par with the Zenith 901.
Could just be a matter of what TV they used, and of course if they used Video Out, or that mono-sound RF connector! -

I had been so disappointed with the entire DTVpal debacle, that I'd been out interviewing alternatives.
With more good input (like yours), I see the problems from more angles, and some are not so bad as I thought.

Thanks again. - :up

 

[TalkingRat]

ZORAK/SCROLL:
No offense, and correct me if I am wrong, but didn't the Digital Stream get poor reviews?

The earlier released DS were Sanyo tuners, same 5.1 mixing problem as the Zenith.

The 9950 is supposedly a Thomson tuner, maybe the same one in the Pal?? CM7000 was Thomson, too. Early reviews weren't glowing, I am reluctant to get something with a Thomson tuner, which kept me from ordering MaxMedia. Wiki shows the Pal incorrectly as MicroTuner, which would have been good for adjacent channel interference. I heard nothing about the switch to Thomson.

I'm glad for the pics, and the news about heat.

 

[kb2kir]

Anole,
The box actually works pretty good IMHO
Other than the heat issue, (I like my electronics to run not much more than room temp if I can help it.) I can find no dislikes with it other than the problems encountered obtaining one.
Chipset numbers follow in another post.

 

[kb2kir]

DTVPAL Chipset Numbers

Cross reference with Pic at bottom of post.

1: Hynix 815A C
HY50U121622DTP-D43
KOR
NWFDU2477

2:STi7707WUDP
L3749005
220KWL3
MLT22811

3:Spansion
S99-50048
815BBW21 H
Thiland
04 SPANSION

4: STV0373
VQ737KJX
22 02V VQ
MLT 22 810

5: Tuner Can:
THOMSON

These strings are typed exactly as printed on the chips with the exception of copyright symbols and logos.
Hope this helps. If you need anything else let me know !

 

[Anole]

Malouff has been kind enough to transfer your pictures and chip numbers over to the AVS forum where the crazed rabble will pick it apart like a swarm of ants on a dead bug! -

They seem to have managed to create a pretty good technical thread on the box, looking for those bugs.
I have no doubt one of 'em, thinking they've been beat out by this forum, will get to a microscope or flat-bed scanner, and try to out-do you! -
The result is a lot of valuable knowledge becoming available quickly.

Just your info on opening the box, should be the immediate lubrication to get lots more folks looking inside.
Thanks again!


Oh, and my comment about putting a fan in the DTVpal was much funnier in my mind than in print.
What I envisioned was this 20" square box fan sitting beside my desk! -

 

[Peter Parker]

Oh, Ok.
I answered Anole's post regarding possible placement of a cooling fan.
So what I have for a camera was sufficient for that purpose.
Like I said, I will make every effort to post all the component numbers this evening, as I
am at work now.
My box has been apart twice already, so this is not a problem.

Don't worry most of us appreciate your efforts.

 

[Smith P.]

Another converters sharing same chip set: MAG CCB7707 DTV Converter Box and Avion ATB-7707.

Can't found any word about the core chip - STi7707 , STM site doesn't reveal it as their own model !

 

[Mr Tony]

Thanks for pictures, but sorry - it's useless. If you don't have better camera, could you please provide info what printed on chips and the tuner can ?

cripes lets be a little ruder, huh?

If you want to see the inside so damn bad, buy one so you can rip the guts out and see how it ticks.

 

[kb2kir]

ANOLE = wyle e coyote
The old Wal-Mart 19" box fan eh??
I'd be careful , you may just blow the chips off the board.
Heh Heh

 

[A guy who read the manual]

We all appreciate your efforts.
. . .
first reports of the picture quality were "soft"

Yes, thanks, kb2kir, for the inside pics and part numbers. I know a lot of people were getting impatient for that info. And if I ever want/need to open mine up, I appreciate the tips on how to do it without damage. (I tend to pry in the wrong place when I'm trying to pop a case open.)

And Anole, as far as the "soft" picture quality that was reported, if you'll recall, in my case, I was only saying it was softer than true HD, which was to be expected since it had to be upscaled by my HDTV. I also said it was roughly comparable to standard DVD quality, which is a pretty positive compliment since DVDs also start as SD and are scaled up by my HDTV. And considering that the DVD player is using the component inputs while the DTVPal is limited to coming in on composite inputs, and is hooked up through the VCR. . .

Well, let's just say I was happy with the picture quality then, and I still am now.