Awesome
Written: Nov 12 '01 (Updated Feb 03 '02)
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Pros: Great setup features, Local digital and analog reception, Directv reciever
Cons: Can't set DTC 100 Digital station manually - need to use the search menu.
The Bottom Line: Price, Price, only affordable.
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| Wintermon's Full Review: RCA DTC100 DIRECTV System |
After buying an HDTV ready TV (Pioneer SD582-HD5) I was anticipating HDTV programming. The Pioneer turned out to be an excellent TV for a progressive scan DVD. The movies are Awesome!! Directv was good, but lacked the clarity of DVD. Cable was terrible! Now, where was that HDTV? I need a receiver.
Well, I began searching. I found the DTC100 at ABT for $448 using this site. I decided after reviews posted at many sites that I'd take a chance. I have not been disappointed!
The output of the DTC100 uses a VGA 'D' connector which plugged right into the back of my Pioneer, no adapter required (though one is sold for component video). I then set the output of the DTC100 to HD output, and the signal was routed out this connector to my Pioneer. This output is used for all selections of received signals not just for HDTV. Better than component video out!
I did have setup problems. Initially the sync was wrong for my pioneer. The sync default setting was for the RCA HDTVs and produced a smaller horizontal image. There is a setup menu which allowed setting the sync to an industry standard, which the pioneer was. Everything looked great, now for the HDTV local station broadcasts.
I had a frustrating experience getting the HDTV signal. I bought some high tech rabbit ears, digital ready (Yea, Right!). I was avoiding the view of the classic Yagi antenna on my chimney. So I tried other types, no luck. Then I submitted to bad aesthetics and bought a Yagi at Radio Shack and temporarily propped it up on my deck attached to my pool cleaner pole. I then pointed it at a local station that was broadcasting digital. I started the DTC100 search (using the menu). There it was, DIGITAL TV!. I did notice that the signal is extremely directional much like setting up a satellite antenna, so don't get frustrated!. I do wish that the DTC100 would allow you to manually set a local broadcast station as Digital rather than using their search!!! This would allow just moving the antenna to get the best signal strength. It can be frustrating pointing the antenna, doing a search, then moving the antenna a few degrees and doing another search, etc... Once the station is found, you can adjust the signal strength to get the most beautiful picture.
I am located about 20 miles from WGBY, a PBS station here in Western Massachusetts. I may need to put my yagi on the chimney to get WFSB in Hartford, Ct. (I need a rotor now, Oh the neighbors). Can't wait!!
If you have an HDTV ready TV, I highly recommend this Receiver. The price is still high for me, but well worth the picture. Receiving a HD digital picture over the air is better than any standard digital satellite signal and by far better than cable. The Digital signal is comparable to Directv even when a HD signal is not sent. These over the air digital signals have no ghosting and are crisp. I see a resurgence of the Yagi chimney antenna with a rotor, where permitted (maybe a little camo paint will help).
My only requests now, are for more stations to come on line with more HD programming. I'm hooked and sitting here, waiting!!!
Update, 2 February 02
I have since added the Direct TV eliptical dish so that I could receive HBO (HBO has an HDTV channel), but had problems with installation. The eliptical dish allows you to hit a second satellite, but both satellites must be visible from one location. In my case, I did not have visibility from one location to hit both satellites, so I used my old dish in a second location and ran a pair of RG6 cables to the four way switch on the back of the eliptical dish. This required disconnecting the 'B' feedhorn and calculating a new azimuth/elevation for the old dish to hit the west satellite. I then went to the DTC100 antenna setup menu to change the dish type. The new channels were added automatically. Now I have (2) dish on my deck, my wife loves this! Reminds me of a radio telescope array.
The DTC100 has performed most excellent. I now receive multiple DTV HBO stations with Dolby digital surround sound, HDTV HBO, and HDNET (HDTV only station with lots of hockey, I love hockey!). This reminds me of a computer phase I went through a few years back. At 45, will I ever grow up?
Well, the itch to get more stations by direct broadcast has motivated me to install an attic antenna. I could not convince the wife about the chimney antenna, "We have enough stations!", but we all know we need more.
HDTV (Digital) is broadcast only in UHF, so I evaluated the yagi antenna I was using, along with a radio shack bow-tie antenna ($19) that I read was very good. On my deck, both of these performed about the same. This was surprising due to the fact that the bow-tie antenna was so much smaller and I could even put it inside the house(nah!). My past experience with the Terk TV50 and a Radio Shack amplified antenna were sensitive and marginal at best, but these cheaper antennae outperformed them by about double the signal strength. Before I climbed into my cave of an attic (I live in a ranch house), I'd test the final setup on the deck.
Well, I wanted more. More signal, that meant bigger antenna (I liked the little bow-tie, so bigger is better, right?). I purchased the Channel Master 4228, (8) bay bow-tie antenna for $51 at stark electronics. This is an ugly monster that even I wouldn't put on my chimney! After some deck testing, the elusive channel 3 station in Hartford was located (approx. 35 miles). You need a lot of antenna to pull in a signal strong enough to get a good signal/noise ratio for Digital TV. This may be partially due to lower power outputs by the TV stations. Now to get this antenna into the attic.
It was obvious that I was not crawling through the access hole in my ceiling to move the antenna (I hate fiberglass), so off to Radio shack I went. After spending $69 on a rotor for this beast, I was beginning to question myself. Is this ever going to end? As my wife would say, " It's a guy thing!".
It's done. I am able to position the antenna to get a good signal (need at least a signal strength of 50 to minimize pixelization) and I get one more station, WOW! (sarcastic). I am now looking at the CM7775 pre-amp to get even more. I am convinced, It doesn't stop, but what a ride.
The DTC100 has been one of the most enjoyable purchases I have made, along with the Pioneer projection TV(my wife even agrees, so do the kids). I find myself rarely watching DVDs. I have taken myself to the next level, couch potato - TV Junkie!
I wish the superbowl was HDTV. I can't get Fox in the 480P which it is to be broadcast, but I'll figure it out for next time. I wish everyone could experience this.
Rich O.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 448
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Epinions.com ID:
Wintermon
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
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