Tivax STB-T8 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 4.0

For a very long time we suggested this as one of the top three converter boxes on the market and were very happy with it's performance when hearing from customer. We still believe this but unfortunately it has sold out and you can't find it at retailers anymore. You can always check out auction sites, as it seems there are always a few floating around. As an alternative, there is the new Tivax STB-T12 which is very similar but has a few added features such as s-video output.

Product Details: Today we will be taking a look at the Tivax STB-T8 which is an updated version of the Tivax STB-T9. The new version is almost exactly the same as the old one, except for that it has been updated to include analog pass-through. As far as the picture goes it is the same as the previous version of itself. This means that it is near the top rated and is better than what you can get with most other options out there. It's not up to par with a DVD, but it's not all that far off either. As far as audio sound goes it's also excellent and rates as one of the best. Our reviews showed that at most places you can get it for $55-$65 which makes it pretty cheap.

Features: It comes with a program guide that is above average but not the most robust. Some boxes show details for shows up to 7 days in advance but you don't quite get that here with less the 24 hours in advance as the norm. When setting it up you can manually select channels or all the box to do all the work for you via its automatic tuning function. In the manual mode it has a nice signal strength meter which makes it easier to set channels. Coming with analog pass-through is what makes this box what it is. All reports have shown that it's reliable and easy to use, but then add in this must-have feature and you are good to go with this digital tv converter box. In fact, this is the one that we are recommending to all family and friends that ask us which one they should purchase.

Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: See below for a few real reviews submitted to us from real users of this converter box. Almost all reviews we got regarding this box were very good.

Bob Said...

"Just purchased the Tivax STB-T8 and tried it out on a 4-inch analog screen (No kidding) attached to a very old wind-battered rooftop antenna. It pulled in 33 digital channels over the air. Even for central New Jersey, I thought that was a lot. The analog channels also came through even better than before. Caveats: You have to put the Tivax in standby mode in order to get the Analog pass-through. The online channel guide is minimal compared to others. Bottom line --- for $50 (- coupon) you get a great little box that gives good quality pictures even on crummy equipment."

John Said...

"I bought a very high-priced digital TV Tuner about 4 years ago - and I hesitated to buy any more since I live in downtown Chicago and have buildings obstructing the antenna - so I was not expecting much. I bought the STB-T8 not expecting very much. However, this little box really brought in the signals. I am very impressed and would highly recommend this converter box as it surpassed all my expectations and I am very happy with it."

Mantaman Said...

"Hello People: I just bought the Tivax stb-t8 and I love it. Once my digital antenna, HD 360 digital with built-in rotation, was installed, on a 45 foot pole it worked great. I am getting 20 digital channels and 8 analog channels. I live just north of Richmond Hill in Ontario Canada. The analog picture is great and the digital picture is better than cable. I have just ordered three more."

Features & Specs

Analog Pass-Through For Low Power Stations

V-Chip Locks For Parental Control Setting

Configurable Closed Captioning - Set It How You Like It

Electronic Program Guide For Future Shows

On Box Buttons For Your Convenience

On Screen Signal Strength Meter For All Manual Tuning
Smart Antenna Port (unable to confirm)

Energy Star Compliant

English, French, and Spanish Language Support

Compact Size

75 ohm Connector

6.3”W x 1.8”D x 8.7”H (Approximate)

What Is Included With Your Purchase?

Converter Box

Remote Control

Remote Control Batteries

RF Cable

AV Cable

Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 4.0

The Zinwell ZAT-970A has been reported by many to be one of the best on the market. There have been little to no complaints regarding it. It is also one of very few that has remained in stock and available for sale even several years after the digital transition. If you need to purchase a new converter box this is the one we recommend that you get.

Product Details: Reports on the picture provided by the ZAT-970A have shown that it is clearly not the best, but not many boxes rate up there with the top three. This means, in literal terms, that its picture quality isn't up to DVD standards but it's not all that far off. It is also a clear and obvious upgrade from analog TV. The audio output for this box rates up near the top. When using it you get crystal clear sound. This converter box sells for $55-$60 which is a very good buy.

Features: It comes with an on screen program guide that provides show lengths and descriptions. It also comes with a scan-for-all channel tuning option or the ability to manually tune channels, along with adjustable closed captioning for the hearing impaired. The key feature on this box is that it does come with analog pass-through. This means that you will still be able to pick up lower power analog television stations that aren't yet required to make the switch.

This DTV converter box is one of the best all around converter boxes on the market. It has a bunch of excellent features and sells at a great price. This box is one we highly recommend to all.

Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: For more in-depth information about this box we have complied a list of user reviews that were submitted to us in the comments section or via email. For further information beyond these, please see the comments section below this post.

JDMB Said...

"This unit does indeed have 8 programmable timers, which is why I bought it some months ago (for use with my VCR). It's proven extremely reliable in all aspects, and easy to set up and use. I occasionally have programming glitches which I suspect are my fault, not the unit's. I also bought a Dish network DTV-Pal at the same time to compare (only 2 models then available with timers), and the timer on that one is SO unreliable as to be essentially worthless - timers get erased arbitrarily no matter how you set them up. I wish I could get my money back on that one. The Zinwell is FAR superior."

Stan Said...

"My two Zinwell ZAT-970s have been very good to me! I plan to buy two more to replace a chicken-splat Sunkey that lasted only a couple of months. I hate digital TV in general though, bring back my TV ghost!"

John Said...

"I've had Apex as well as Tivax converters. The Apex went out (it was rarely used) so I chose a Zinwell. The remote to this nice unit works so much faster than the Apex and Tivax sets when you change channels - I am amazed! It also picks up all the channels quickly and without having to mess around with the antenna. Picture comes in really nice. The only thing I find that can be improved on the Zinwell is the GUIDE. The Tivax program guide is much nicer and gives you 2 hours of what is coming on the next hour etc." 

Features & Specs
Analog Pass-Through For Lower Power Stations
8 Event Timer For Recording Shows
Configurable Closed Captioning For Those With Hearing Impairments
Electronic Program Guide With Advanced Program Previews
English, French, and Spanish Language Support

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
Power Adapter
User Manual

Dish Network TR-40 CRA Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 4.5

This was one our favorite boxes to recommend based on the simple fact that it could be had for free after using the coupon, but it was the only $40 box where you didn't have to sacrifice important features in order to make the transition at no cost. Unfortunately it is out of stock and can no longer be purchased. We have seen a few of them floating around eBay and Amazon from private parties, but they have been vastly overprice ($75-$100) since they are so good and their supply is so limited.

It is basically a slightly dumbed down version of other boxes from Dish, intentionally designed with affordability in mind. If you are interested in the more expensive upgraded version you can check out the enhanced Dish Network DTVPal Plus.

Product Details: Like other Dish boxes this one provides one of the best pictures out of all available options. When comparing tits picture quality to others there were only several that were comparable. These ones included the DTVPal Plus, Channel Master CM-7000, and Tivax STB-T8. When watching television with this converter box you get a picture quality that is just about as good as a DVD and way way better than any analog broadcast. The sound quality that you get is also great. We had nothing to complain about here. It rates near the top for sound quality and provides viewers with the crisp clear sound that they desire.

Features: It has some of the best possible features available among all converters. It comes with just about every feature you could imagine. It has one of the best electronic programming guides with information up to 7 days in advance of shows airing and rivals the guide you get with their paid. It also comes with three easy to set aspect ratio settings. Another great thing about it is that it is only one of a few that comes with a VCR tuner so that you can record shows in tandem with your converter box and watch them later. You will of course need a VCR and tape in order to do this. The only downside is that it comes with just one tuner so you cannot record one show while watching another.

This is one of the best converter boxes money can buy.  It comes with a ton of excellent features and the best picture quality available. If you are looking for a great digital converter box this one should be your choice, without a doubt.

Update: April 2014

Real User Reviews: We have received a large number of reviews on this converter box, with the majority of them being very good. See some of the user submitted reviews below. For even more reviews check out the comment section of this post.

Mel Said...

"I bought two of these after I decided to distribute my roof top antenna signal (Just bought a Antennas Direct DB-4 HDTV UHF antenna which works quite well in my not-so-great location for OTA signals)and satellite feed throughout my home (via a combiner) to my older analog TV's and dump my cable service. These converters are very impressive in terms of PQ and sensitivity and even remote control sensitivity. I have an old BUD system with OTA/DVB receiver I use for HD OTA and these converters pull in all the stations much stronger. I was able to hide the converter boxes since no line of sight appears to be necessary for the remote control to function; its that sensitive. This is a good thing since the green power light is pretty bright. I will be picking up another two of these for the rest of my TV's if they are available."

Tom Said...

"Are these guys talking about the TR40? I have two of these units since DAY 1 of the conversion to Digital TV. Working fine for almost 2 years now, there are no hiccups with this unit to date. The VCR timer function works great. The only thing I found is that you have to unplug/replug the power line to reset the converter when the batteries go dead in the hand held remote control."

Lains Said...

"Thank you SO much for your review. I used this along with 2-3 other reviews before deciding to buy this box. I got it in the mail yesterday and can't believe how amazing the picture is. The channel that came in the worst for me is crystal clear now! I was getting around 5-6 stations whereas now I get over 20! My Logitech remote works with it too (although it required manual button syncing)." 

Features & Specs
Analog Pass-Through
V-Chip Lock Parental Control Setting To Lock Adult Rated Channels
Configurable Closed Captioning For The Hearing Impaired
Electronic Program Guide With 7 Day Advanced Programming Information
Compact Size - Fits in small places

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
RF Cable
User Manual
Power Cord

Flat Panel TV Wall Mount Information Guide

Are you looking for a TV wall mount for your LCD, LED, or plasma television? Do you need information about the different types of wall mounts, which brands are the best, and how to mount your television correctly and with ease?

If so then you have found the right place. Below you will find links to all of the information that you are looking for related to TV wall mounts. We have done our best to provide a one stop shop for information on this topic and hope that you find it useful.

The Rise Of The Wall Mount
Wall mounts are a relatively new product that has become increasingly popular as more and more people purchase new flat panel televisions. Before the flat panel television explosion there was almost no need for a mount. There were a few bracket mounts out there for smaller tube televisions but those were often only sen in schools or colleges.

The space saving advantages of flat panel TVs is pretty obvious and the same goes for mounts. They look better, save a ton of space, and they are also a cheaper alternative to a stand. Not to mention that a lot of them are universal and you won't have to get a new one if you decide to upgrade or downgrade the size of your TV.

With them being rather new you may wonder how you can know the quality of different brands and we are here to tell you that mounts have actually been around for a long time, it's just now that they are getting popular. Flat panel TVs have been around and many wealthy individuals have had them for years, it's just in the last 5-7 years that they have become a mainstay in most Americans homes. So fear not, we have provided info on the companies that have been around the longest and assure you that they make a very highly product that you will be happy with.

Many of the wall mounts we have reviewed are universal and can be adjusted to fit the size of your television. Some though are not adjustable so you need to be sure that you choose one that fits your television size. There are also several types or options including fixed, tilt, swivel, and articulating wall mounts. When choosing one we recommend that you educate yourself well on all of the different features available before your make a purchase. Some of the major brands as of this post include Peerless, Sanus, Cheetah, Premier Mounts, Videosecu, Pro Mounts, CableTronix, Electrograph and VMP, just to name a few.

If you have any questions about information that we have provided please leave us a comment and hopefully we will be able to help out.

The 5 Most Common Types Of Flat Panel TV Wall Mounts

Pre-Installation Tips

Top Flat Panel TV Wall Mount Manufacturers