Innovative DTV Solutions DHT235D 3.5-Inch LCD Pocket Digital TV Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this set from another electronics retailer under the Auvio brand name several months ago. Like many people who live in tornado prone areas of the country I wanted to replace my old analog portable televisions with a new, digital one. Back in February 2009 I purchased a Haier 7" portable from Amazon and, with a few caveats, I've been pleased with it, but it doesn't fulfill the need I really wanted it to, which was a TV I could watch while the warning sirens are blaring and we're down in the basement - the Haier just wouldn't get a signal down there.
After reading several positive reviews of this TV on other web sites, I decided to visit the local retailer that had this set under the Auvio brand name. (I want to stress here that these are identical sets. The box and owners manual list Innovative DTV Solutions on them both.) I had a simple proposition for them: "I'll guarantee you at least the sale of a set of batteries and if this set pulls in a signal here, in the store, I'll buy it." This retailer is located in your standard, steel frame strip mall and I reasoned if it could get a signal there, it'd more then likely get one down in the basement. Long story short, it did and I bought it.
The TV and it's documentation is complete and easily understood. It pulled in almost all of the digital TV stations in my area available save one using it's telescoping antenna. I can get a solid signal anywhere in my house, no mean feat in and of itself, including the basement. Picture clarity is good, and the sound adequate for such a compact set.
I gave this product four stars only because of two weaknesses: the antenna is very thin and will have to opened and closed carefully or it will break. The set also eats batteries up, but that's not a real issue for it's intended use. Hopefully I won't have to stay in the basement a long time - LOL! The TV does have a place to plug in an AC adapter, but the adapter doesn't come with the set. For what I intend to use it for, I'll purchase an AC adapter and rely on batteries only if or when the power goes out. Other then those two weaknesses this set deserves a 5 star rating.
One last point, although it's not mentioned in the documentation, this TV DOES have a jack for an external antenna if one is needed. It's covered by a little plug and is located immediately above the head set jack. You WILL need an adapter to use an external antenna with this set.
Update:
Go to [...] for an AC and antenna adapter. If you think you're going to want both, buy both at the same time. The shipping for the antenna adapter is more then the cose of the adapter itself. The antenna adapter pulled in a more stable signal for me with a cheap RCA set of rabbit ears then the internal antenna.

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Philips AmbiSound Home Theater Sound Bar with Integrated 1080p-Upscaling DVD/MP3 Player, HTS8100/37 Review

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(More customer reviews)Always a tricky one when reviewing something which sounds great, but doesnt really do what it says on the tin.
I read a few reviews on the Phillips sound bar and decide to go for it rather than the Yahama, due to its inclusion of an upscaling DVD player being built in.
My house just doesnt lend itself well to placing 5 speakers, particularly rears, so I thought what the heck I'll try this.
The audio quality is excellent, deep bass (not quite sharp enough with movies on normal settings but that can be fixed by tweaking the audion settings and cranking the treble)and a huge array of different pre set movie and audio settings to suit your ear.
But as far as virtual Surround Sound capability goes...there isnt any as far as I can tell. I've tried various DVD's with scenes I know bring in the rear speakers on full systems and there is no distinguishable surround effect.
Disappointing really, although I have to say I still love the overall sound when its cranked up, it really booms out.
So if you want a boost to your TV sound and have a beautiful looking sound bar with built in DVD (and it does look awesome), you cant go far wrong. But if you are thinking you can change the laws of physics and have surround sound without rear speakers, think again, cause this just doesnt work!

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Eviant T7UC Under Cabinet 7-Inch Television, Silver Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm keeping this unit only because it fits the space that I wanted it in very well - I'm not at all happy with the performance of it.
I purchased this TV to mount on a very large desk that I have. The mounting is pretty straight-forward (they supply a cardboard drilling template and a few different spacer options). One thing to keep in mind on the mounting - make sure to allow for extra space for the speakers when drilling your mounting holes (the template does not have this space added).
Electronically, this is just a very average to below-average unit. I'm using cable as my video source. The TV that was in this location previously had an excellent picture. This unit has a snowy picture, and very poor color balance (I have tried adjusting it many times - it never does get a "good" picture).
The sound is awful. You have to create a balance between two different volume sources - one on the front of the main unit, the other on the TV itself (controlled by buttons on the TV, or by the remote). Between the two, if you turn it up to the point of what I would consider normal volume, you hear a faint but noticeable high-pitched whine (my Jack Russell Terrier hears it too...). The quality of the sound is pretty bad too - very thin and tinny. They should have added an Audio Out Jack, so that you could hook up a decent set of amplified speakers to it.
The Power button on the front of the unit is a cheap, spring-loaded design; I can tell that it will create problems in the long run (it has already stuck a few times).
The clock display is a bit annoying also - most digital displays will display the single-digit time without a zero in front nowadays - 3:00, for example. This clock displays it as 03:00.
The remote must use very unique frequencies - I was not able to program my regular Tivo remote to it (not even when cycling through the hundreds of preset codes that the Tivo remote has). I then purchased a "learning" Tivo remote - even that remote wouldn't accept the "power" or "volume down" functions ("volume up" was the only button that would accept the programming).


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Memorex MVUC821 Under-Cabinet 8-Inch Widescreen LCD TV/DVD with ATSC Digital Tuner Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are smart enough to read these reviews before buying (you'll see the rest of us were not...lol) then here is the low-down...
Pros: Relatively easy to install, good space utilization, good functionality (probably too much for this application), decent picture quality and sound
Cons: Will not process cable tv signal, strange signal delay when using the remote, magnetic remote isn't strong enough to stay on the fridge
THIS UNIT WILL ONLY PROCESS BROADCAST HDTV SIGNALS. It will NOT process a cable tv signal so don't even bother trying.
Summary: I bought the unit and started to install it. But the included "spacers" and mounting bolts were not sufficient to clear the underside lip of my kitchen cabinets. So after cobbling together some 1x2 rails, I finally had everything in place.
If you have average depth cabinets, there's not much space between the back of the unit and the wall. You'll want a $5 right-angle (90-deg) coax adapter to make hooking up the coax cable easier.
Once installed, and power on, we put in a DVD - all was well - and played the radio - all was well. Then came installing the cable. I ran a new cable from the middle of my attic to the kitchen - drilling several holes in walls to get there. It took about 2 hours. When I hooked up the cable, I got the dreaded "No Signal" message. Hmmm - okay, probably my DIY cable ends. I replaced both coax ends, and switched the cables around on the splitter. "No Signal." I completely removed the unit and hooked it directly up to the cable from my main TV which I knew worked. "No Signal." So I guess the unit is bad - which is really bad becuase we already threw away all the packing and can't find the reciept!
So I get online. Low and behold, EVERYONE who bought this unit has the same problem: This stupid thing doesn't process a cable TV signal.
Well I can't take it back so i'm determined to get something out of it. I run down to RS and buy a small, amplified HDTV antenna. I install it high in the attic and hook everything back up. The TV works fine. So now I have one TV with broadcast HDTV, which is probably a good thing in case our cable goes out and we need to know what's going on.
Apart from all that, my only complaint (so far) is the 1-2 second delay between pushing a button on the remote and anything happening on the unit. Irritating yes, but not a deal killer in itself.
So if you don't have cable (or don't mind not using cable if you do have it) and want HDTV in your kitchen, this unit my suit your needs.

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Kodak Theatre HD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)I have this product installed on a 50-inch LCD in my living room. We use it to access six accounts worth of iTunes and overall 6000 songs, about 10,000 pictures, and various home videos we've converted to digital. I love my Kodak player. We use it a lot at parties to play music from playlists (can import or create your own), and to show screen images from the photo collection. (I'd like to be able to email photos from here please Kodak as other parents want pictures as they come up!) The remote is a Wii-like remote that works on the TV, and it's great -- all TVs should have this remote. This would make a great gift for anyone with a digital storehouse of info they want to access on their TV. The only issues I had were that I could not mount a network drive (I store my content on a homeserver) and a minor issue that when reported they sent me a patch. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to access their content on the TV.

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Forget crowding around the computer, with the KODAK Theatre HD Player, you can relive your memories on your big screen HDTV in stunning high-definition. Invite your friends and family over to show off your personalized slideshows, videos and web content in the comfort of your living room. Then share the excitement by wirelessly sending your content to anyone, anywhere.View the pictures and videos stored on your PC, right on your HDTV.Insert a memory card, USB storage device or plug in your KODAK EASYSHARE Digital Camera. Connect to popular photo sharing sites such as KODAK Gallery and Flickr for access to your pictures and those from friends and family. Quickly sort through your new pictures on your TV and send the best ones to your PC for safekeeping. Make the most of your home theatre system-get to your PC music collection and downloaded movies from the living room

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Channel Master 4221HD Multi-Bay UHF Short Range HDTV Antenna Review

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(More customer reviews)I initially made the mistake of thinking all expensive antennas were created equal. Needless to say, my first antenna was a $100 purchase that worked no better than my old rabbit ears.
I then made the decission to "step up" and purchased a Radio Shack antenna from the "electronic experts". It was touted as an attic antenna but was really too cumbersome for the attic and again provided no more value than my rabbit ears.
Fed up with making returns, and noticing that being in a hurry was costing me time, I finally decided to do some research. After much reading, I decided the 4221 based on its rating was going to be the right thing. I have it installed in my attic and could not be happier. It is a very manageable size and most importantly, it brings in all the channels flawlessly! After the two previous failures I could not be more thrilled. Price is not the key. It was cheaper than the two previous attempts by about half the cost. . . And the best news. It works!
You will want to check on the requirements for your area. A midrange UHF was perscribed as the right thing based on broadcast signals in my area. One also needs to ensure the antenna is pointed in the right direction. Most high gain antennas are directional as is the 4221. If you are looking for a midrange UHF, look no further.

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Channelmaster CM-3020 Deep Fringe Advantage TV Antenna Review

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(More customer reviews)I live about 35 miles from NY City and 65 miles from Philadelphia, in a very hilly region. I previously had a Radio Shack UHF/VHF/FM antenna in my attic and received analog NY City TV stations OK. I installed a Samsung DTB-H260F HD tuner for my HD-ready TV and received a few NY City HD stations with that older antenna. (Warning - you must use an HD input on an HD-ready TV with the Samsung DTB-H260F to see the on-screen menus). I used [...]to help select the right direction and the right antenna for HD signals for my house. The PCT International #3020 Deep Fringe TV Antenna improved reception and increased the number of HD stations available (also attic mounted). Adding the Channel Master 7777 High-gain mast-mount UHF/VHF TV antenna preamplifier made an even bigger difference. I now receive most of the NY City area over-the-air HD stations, and most of the Philadelphia area HD stations (with the antenna directed at NY City). I was surprised at the number and quality of the Philadelphia signals considering these stations are almost 90 degrees off of the primary antenna direction and over 60 miles away.

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Winegard AP-8700 Preamplifier High Gain Low Noise 19 dB UHF 17 dB VHF for HDTV Antennas Review

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(More customer reviews)TV Antenna Source said this about install of TV antenna amplifier.
The TV signal from your TV antenna becomes weaker as it travels through the coax cable to your TV.The farther it must travel the weaker it becomes. Signal splitters also weaken the signal. The more times the signal is divided the weaker it becomes. The splitter itself creates the signal loss, it doesn't matter if the TV's are on or off or even if all of the connections on the splitter are used the loss still occurs, it's called insertion loss. The line loss that occurs getting the signal from the TV antenna to the TV or TV's can be overcome by installing a preamplifier near the TV antenna amplifying the signal before the signal loss occurs.
The degree a signal amplifier increases the signal strength is measured in decibels (dB). The higher the amplifiers dB rating is the greater the strength of the signal is increased. "Wait a minute, I know what your thinking "I'll just get the biggest high output amplifier I can get and that will solve all my problems. I have one word for you, OVERLOAD. When too much signal is present overload can and does happen. Signal overload can occur in the amplifier, the TV tuner or both. Use the guidelines below, to select the proper amplifier for your system.
Selecting the correct TV antenna amplifier is a simple mathematical process.
Add-up the total amount of signal decibel loss that will occur as the signal travels from the TV antenna to the TV with the longest cable run. Add the signal loss from the cable length and any splitters between the antenna and the TV. Choose the amplifier with the dB gain rating that is from 5 to 10dB greater then the total loss. EXAMPLE: 100 feet of coax cable and a 2 way splitter have a signal dB loss of 8.7 dB. Also VCR's and other such devices that the signal travels through create minor signal losses. A perfect amplifier match for the above example would be the Winegard AP 8700. The 8700 amplifier has a gain rating of 19dB.
AVERAGE LOSS PER 100 FEET OF RG6 COAX CABLE IS 5 dB
2 way splitter3.7 db
3 way splitter7.5 db
4 way splitter7.5 db
6 way splitter13 db
8 way splitter13.5 db


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Winegard HD8200U Platinum Series High Definition VHF/UHF TV Antenna Review

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(More customer reviews)I have endured and suffered an ongoing struggle to receive local VHF channels Over the air (OTA) through an antenna. The past few months have been particularly bad especially for digital channel 12 on VHF which for most of that time was not receivable and when I could get it I was getting between one and two bars (out of ten) of signal strength. I would usually get two bars of signal strength on digital channel 7 VHF. I had been using a 30ish year old Radio Shack UHF/VHF combo 160 inch rooftop antenna that came with my house for VHF and a seperate UHF AD XG91 antenna combined through a CM 7777 preamp. UHF reception has been pretty good for the last year and a half or so, but it has been a struggle with VHF reception. I live in the northwestern Berkshire Mountain range, just to the east of Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. I sit about 49 miles east of the transmitters broadcasting the Albany, NY networks as I live in that DMA. I have done a lot of research into my problem and decided to replace my Radio Shack with a new antenna. I narrowed it down to a Channel Master 3671 or a Winegard HD8200U. I decided to go with the Winegard and ordered it from Amazon because it was supposed to be UPS shippable and there's no place around here to get one. I was suprised at how long the box was at seven feet and it arrived with all but one staple removed and the antenna suffered a bit of cosmetic damage in transit including a few slightly bent elements that I was able to straighten without much trouble. All of the parts were there however and it wasn't much trouble to assemble. It was a bit bigger than I expected, about three feet longer than the Radio Shack it replaced at a total of about 14 feet assembled, but it is reasonably light. So I got it installed and aimed and checked my TVs. Well to my surprise my signal strength on digital Channel 12 and digital Channel 7 went from one to two bars up to a solid ten bars (out of ten) on both channels! I was quite amazed and wish I had replaced this antenna long ago. Channels 6 and 10 ANALOG now also come in crystal clear and I'm even getting channel 2 analog out of Utica, NY (about 30 miles west of Albany, NY) sound and snowy picture. Simply an amazing antenna and I recommend it highly to anyone on the fringe. I should be set now for the analog shutoff when some other channels move back to VHF. Very satisfied with this antenna! Amazon as always beat everyone else on price and satisfaction. Delivery was a bit shaky, but that was UPS's fault, not Amazon


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Terk Technology HDTVi VHF/UHF HDTV Indoor Antenna Review

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(More customer reviews)To start, your antenna is only as good as the signal that is reaching your home! The HDTVi does a great job on receiving UHF signals, a very good job on VHF signals. From alot of reviews of antennas, it would appear people are clueless on HDTV reception. For your local reception, I'd check out the forum at the following address. They have information and experience going back a couple years on HDTV reception in many cities. So before trying to wrestle with antennas, first make sure you aren't searching for nothing. When I started, I couldn't find ABC not because of the antenna, but because the station was transmitting for four days! http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=7e85bb49c56fa3787e7ed73e6ec7473d&forumid=45
I tried 5 antennas, an old one, the HDTVi, the Terk TV5, Radio Shack amplified antenna (15-1880), and Philips' amplified antenna (SCA050). The best reception was received on the Radio Shack, however, the amplifier needed to be higher for reception of CBS while it had to be lower for FOX or FOX wouldn't come in. This was bothersome. I was also able to get a weak NBC signal unlike any other antenna I had, but the signal just wasn't strong enough. The TV5 had mediocre coverage. It was able to get UHF decently, but it was fighting to get upper and lower VHF. The Philips and HDTVi had similar reception, but the HDTVi wasn't amplified which meant I would have more options regarding moving the antenna around, such as placing in the attic without worrying about plugging it in.
Ultimately, as far as UHF was concerned, each antenna had similar results. It was in VHF that the antennas were a bit different. As far as ranking the antennas for reception:
1) Radio Shack's 15-1880 Best
2) Terk HDTVi Very good
3) Philips SCA050 Very good
4) Terk TV5 Decent
The Terk HDTV wins out because of the lower price, the fact that it is unamplified, had very good reception, and took up the least space. One last comment would regard the coax cable you use. I tried using some coax (about 30 feet) just laying around to hook up the receiver to the antenna. The signal just wouldn't carry the distance. When I used a much higher quality coax that came with the installation of my sat dish, the signal came in loud and clear.
If possible, I'd recommend get a few antennas at the same time and make sure you can return them, most stores have 30 day policies. Plan on spending a week on gaining the best reception with the best antenna for your home.

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With over 1,000 stations in more than 200 markets broadcasting digital television as of 2003, 9 out of 10 households can now receive free high-definition (HDTV) signals when using the right antenna in conjunction with an integrated HDTV (or with a set-top box and an HD-ready television). Most antennas are large and unwieldy and need to be mounted outdoors or in a cramped attic. This is not an option if you live in an apartment or condo, or if you don't want the hassle of installing an antenna yourself. The solution? A quality indoor antenna that can pick up all local HDTV channels; one that will look great next to your television, and one that is easy to install: Terk's HDTVi indoor antenna.At the time of its release, the HDTVi was (and may yet be) the only indoor HDTV antenna optimized for both UHF and VHF reception, channels 2 to 69. The HDTVi elegantly solves the aesthetic challenge of integrating a log-periodic-type element assembly in an indoor antenna. It's tuned for optimum HDTV reception with a unique design that uses log-periodic elements and dipoles for receiving both UHF and VHF HDTV broadcasts, bringing you more stations than lesser antennas.You can easily route the antenna's output cable in 2 directions (front or back) for flexible cable management, and the antenna connects easily to your set-top box or television (integrated HDTV--with built-in ATSC tuner--required for direct connection).Its high gain picks up distant stations and its high back-to-front ratio rejects unwanted signals. You can mount the UHF antenna element vertically or horizontally, as experience dictates.What's in the Box Antenna with integrated 75-ohm cable, instruction manual, and warranty information.

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