Digital TV Converter Works in the Delta!

F

Flutterby

Active member
Joined
Jul 14, 2004
RO Number
14378
Messages
9,320
http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=116670 I installed my Artec T3APRO ATSC Digital Converter box last weekend. It does work exactly as reported. I especially like having a guide to all the programs available. I was also able to delete the Spanish speaking stations since I don't need them. For parents, there is technology to lock out channels not appropriate for kids. My TV just uses plain old "rabbit ears". Digital Broadcast TV is excellent in the Delta! Even when the TV is down in the cabin and my boat is in the shed. Too bad my cell phone doesn't work as well there! I have to go up onto the levee to use it.
 
Good for you Flutter!
By coincidence I was shopping online for the same unit last night. For me it's the best choice because of it's small size and I can easily modify it for both 12VDC or 110AC operation on the boat.

I'll ordering two of these with $80 worth of coupons tonight.

Two outfits with lowest prices:
https://www.digitalstar.com/product/9a93d138-4696-41be-b323-1cb65229223b.aspx

https://dtv.bsat.net/c-2-digital-to-analog-converter-box.aspx

And a video that shows you how to install the Artec T3A PRO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SdENLyJmd0
 
I picked that unit for its capability to run on 12v DC as well as 110v AC. However, I haven't yet hooked up the 12v to verify that works. Also, not all converters control volume from their remote. I wanted that feature too!

Gnarly, I got Ch 3-6-10-13-29-40-58. There were also 2-3 Spanish channels which I deleted. I don't remember the ch numbers for them. These are all the same channels I got before, but digital reception is as sharp as cable and the lower channels come in at the same quality as the higher channels.

Gnarly, I forgot that I also get Ch 3 and Ch 10 all weather stations......nice to have live radar if needed.
 
I just ordered two of the Artec T3A Pro units online with two coupons. I actually paid $.99 for each unit after coupons plus $9 for shipping them both.

I ordered from bsat at the link above because digitalstar would not quote me shipping charges prior to entering my charge card number.

Modifying one of these converters to AC/DC operation should be fun and not very expensive.
 
Keep in mind that you may want to look for a unit that also has an analog pass through if you want to watch some of those low power analog stations. Not all converters do this.
 
Then just unplug the cable which goes from the converter to the rabbit ears and attach the rabbit ears directly to the TV as it was before. No big deal, but I doubt I'll want to do this......
 
I don't think it really matters much in the Delta. From what I can see most of the stations are high power.
 
All of the "broadcast" channels in the lower Sacramento Valley/San Joaquin Valley broadcast from the huge tower near Walnut Grove, so the signal is the same for all of them. With nothing such as buildings or mountains between that tower and your boat, reception is very good for all of them and becomes enhanced when you convert to digital!
 
I got my two Artec T3A Pro converters last week and tried one out on my LCD TV on the boat last weekend.

I haven't made the AC/DC cable set yet, so I just used the Artec on shore power while berthed in the Spindrift marina shed. I got 28 channels on a rabbit ears antenna. The biggest improvement was in Channel 3, which used to be the most difficult for me to tune in. Channel 6 had three HD channels. I was able to watch "Dial M for Murder" on KQED (San Francisco). There are a couple of new UHF stations on HD that are not on standard analog TV. Reception of Bay Area channels may be better still once I get out at anchor on 12VDC.
 
Hmmm, I don't recall receiving KQED......I'll have to double check that when I get to my boat next. Come to think of it, I may have to reprogram my TV, scanning all available channels into memory and then operate off of the converter. I may have some channels locked out on the TV. I'll play around with it again next time.

Thanks for the feedback, yzer! Hope your boat is running well for you.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

Hmmm, I don't recall receive KQED......I'll have to double check that when I get to my boat next. Come to think of it, I may have to reprogram my TV, scanning all available channels into memory and then operate off of the converter. I may have some channels locked out on the TV. I'll play around with it again next time.

Thanks for the feedback, yzer! Hope your boat is running well for you.

Click to expand...

Welcome. KQED HD was somewhere around channel 44.

The boat is running great. I've had so much maintenance come due this summer it looks like I'll be enjoying a late season. New coats of exterior cabin/deck paint and exterior varnish. Like they say, "You want it when?" Nice thing is I won't have enything left to work on this fall and will enjoy the season as late as possible.
 
Sounds like a good plan! I'm hoping I get out more in August then I have been able to do in July.....
 
While in my slip at Riverboat, I have about the same coverage s FB mentioned. When we went to Napa over July 4th, my channel count exceeded 50! I was just showing a ffiend the unit, and didn't actually watch the TV for any length of time to verify sognal or programming quality. Sure beats the old analog only though!!
 
I didn't want to wait for the coupons, so I bought a digital TV. I couldn't believe the difference. It's as if I had cable.

It would be worth buying a digital TV just to get the signal, but getting the coupons and getting a unit like the Artec T3APro for $1 is a steal. Anyone who isn't receiving a digital signal doesn't know what they are missing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top