DigitalSTREAM DTX9900

(DTV converters)

"Any time the potential of new hardware is limited by existing hardware, I would deem the new hardware as being virtually worthless. I tried the DS DTX9900 with a set of rabbit ears. It totally missed one local digital TV station. I moved it into another room with an antenna of the UHF/VHF style (round loop with rabbit ears) and it finally saw the other local station.

In stark contrast, the Zenith DTT901 I also purchased today picked up everything it reasonably should have, using nothing but the set of good old rabbit ears which the DS box didn't play well with.

If you're in a rural environment, and need adequate sensitivity and compatibility with your existing antenna, I would recommend the Zenith DTT901 instead of the DS DTX9900.

If you have the cash to throw away on antenna upgrades, or can live with less-than-adequate reception or antenna incompatabilities, I would recommend the DS DTX9900.

Understand that no matter what, digital broadcasts suck. Pixelization and a complete sound drop-out are far inferior to a little bit of static. At least with analog broadcasts, you could still partly hear the dialog, and watch the show relatively uninterrupted. I can only imagine that the first sports game I watch that the signal flakes out on me for will end up with me buying a new TV, as I will not be able to hear anything, nor see anything until the pixelization stops. Surely this will frustrate me into smashing my poor old analog television, and many new digital televisions in the future.

Say, who gave the FCC the authority to sell the radio frequencies, which truthfully belong to The People of These United States, to a for-profit organization? What's next? Coupon Eligible Sun Light? Coupon Eligible Air?"

Review date: 25 Jun, 2008

Zenith DTT901

(DTV converters)

"I bought the Zenith DTT901 today. Excellent reception compared to a DigitalStreams DTX9900 in an identical, typical apartment-living setup with a rabbit ear style cheap antenna. The DS box completely missed one local tv station signal, whereas the Zenith DTT901 picked up everything it should reasonably have picked up. Zenith for the win!

I have since moved the DS box to the other TV, which has a slightly more sophisticated set of more expensive rabbit ears. It now picks up that local channel which it couldn't see previously.

Say, anyone want to buy a lightly used Digital Streams DTX9900? I would also be willing to trade my DS DTX9900 for another Zenith DTT901..."

Review date: 25 Jun, 2008