DSP7700P Digital TV Converter Box (Black)

Various things can interupt cable service so I set this up as back up. Installation with an antena in the attic was simple. I was pleased with the result and very pleased with the features. If the cable does not meet my needs at any time, I now have a second choice at a very low price.

I just brought this converter today after reviewing numerous ones online. Set up was a little confusing at first. Converter doesnt automatically find channels. After receiving channels,however,picture quality is good. Sound however, appears to be low. I dont have any other converter boxes to compare this to,but so far,so good.

It is more than I expected. I haven't had any form of TV other than DVDs since the switch until today. It was VERY easy to set up and it saved 44 channels the first scan and then I adjusted the antenna and on the second scan 4 more were added. I also live outside of a major city, but who needs cable with that many channels. I can NEVER find anything to watch with cable anyway.

Having never applied for a coupon before it was too late, this was the most affordable over-the-air dtv converter option on Amazon after I moved, bought a used 32-inch WEGA for my new apartment, and then realized that between netflix and hulu, I probably didn't need cable.I have it hooked up to an RCA ANT1450 that is sitting on top of my TV that I picked up at wal-mart. I had been planning to get both the box and antenna at wal-mart so I could return them easily if I wasn't getting any channels, but they just simply didn't have any boxes left.Pros:1. Lowest priced box I could find anywhere. I have no idea when all the coupons would expire thus eliminating the artificial price floor on these, but I couldn't wait.2. Great picture quality on my large-screen SD TV (when the signal quality is good)3. Auto scan is reasonably quick. Takes about 1-2 minutes to do a complete re-scan detecting about 45 active channels/sub-channels in the process (this obviously depends on your area and antenna)4. Seems to work fine based on the number of channels it detected for me and the smooth video & audio for nearly half of them most of the time (admittedly I have no other boxes to compare with)5. Clear, large fonts and menus that are well categorized and very easy to use6. Has all the standard features; auto-scan, CC options, language options, CC size, program info, signal meter, aspect ratio switching, local-time auto-update, etc. Even has favorites.7. Compact, minimalist size and design8. Has analog pass-through that I haven't tried (I believe this is to view analog broadcast tv; probably one or two tele-shopping channels still on the air that are broadcasting in analog in my area).9. Has RCA ports that you can use if your TV's coax input doesn't work (or to pass through a VCR/DVR) - haven't tried this either. No RCA cable included though.10. The box shows whatever video & audio it can with the available signal without trying to 'pause and wait'. This is good, especially with the lack of any artifact/static noise. Audio is just broken when the signal is poor without any annoying clicking noises.Cons:1. Not a speed demon. Time between switching channel and picture appearing varies from 1-3 seconds, with most taking 1-2 seconds. For channels that have no program or too poor signal to display, the 'Poor signal' or 'No program' message can take between 3 to 12 seconds to appear, which can get pretty annoying2. Supports quick switching between 4 video aspect modes - anamorphic, 16:9, 14:9 and zoom. This makes quick switching very easy and that's good, but I would expect to not be too difficult to detect the incoming signal resolution and choose the mode accordingly, without the user having to choose the correct mode each time you reach a channel that uses a different native mode from the one you chose last. At the very least, the last mode setting should be remembered at the channel level, i.e. if I switch to 16:9 while viewing channel 4 and then switch to anamorphic when viewing channel 11, the mode should go back to 16:9 when I return to channel 4. This doesn't happen.3. The program guide is very basic, and I mean VERY basic. You cannot see what programs are on other channels without switching channels, the guide itself takes about 1-2 seconds to update after switching a channel, it displays a very limited number of characters from the program title and there is no PIP browsing.4. Has controls for TV power & volume adjustment, which do not work for my TV. The set-top box volume adjustment works fine though. This just means that I still need to use my TV remote to turn my TV ON/OFF. [SEE UPDATE BELOW]5. Remote pointing angles aren't very wide.6. Included coax cable is very short (probably 2ft) with slip-on connectors (instead of the standard screw-type). Picked up a 6ft coax cable at wal-mart.Overall: Recommended for anyone on a budget who wouldn't mind the slight delays in switching channels and the really basic program guide. Excellent value given the picture quality - can't get much better than this.Note: 2 of the current customer images show a DTX9950, which is NOT what I received. My box has the same number as the Amazon product title - DSP7700P - and the same curved-front appearance as the Amazon product image.UPDATE 10/30/09: I discovered that the included remote can in fact control my TV and it was just my manualophobia that prevented me from doing so earlier. There is no code set button on the remote which had led me to assume it was one of those no-code universal remotes, which it isn't. You need to set the code by holding down the tv power button on the remote, entering the code and then releasing the tv power button. A correct code is confirmed by the tv turning off when you do so. The other option is to just hold down the tv power button on the remote and keep pressing the up button till the tv turns off. The latter was what I did and, 2 dozen up-button presses later, the remote was programmed for the tv. The tv functions are very minimal; power, AV source, Vol Up and Vol down. But I've since realized how entirely adequate just those 4 controls are.

This is the first time I've ordered something from Amazon that can't be returned, so I missed the fine print about it. Other competing models can be returned, but not this particular item for some reason. I always try to go through Amazon direct or fulfilled by Amazon (if they're at all price competitive) and not the outside Amazon vendors in case I need to return something - was stunned that returns are just flat out not accepted on this item. WHY NOT?!?!?The unit didn't work for our application, but I guess that's just our tough luck. Bye bye $40!!!Lesson learned, sure, but it came as a big surprise after not having this come up in 10 years of shopping on Amazon.

I believe that this product is likely to be a good one. But. This was "suppose" to be a NEW product as advertised but appears when I received the box, it had been tampered with and was "missing" part of the covering that protects the remote light on the front of the box. I did not want to be bothered to return as I remained disgusted with the idea that anyone would ship an item in such condition. This is the blame of "Amazon" or whomever sent or packaged this particular item. Also believe the box has a circuit "short" in the equipment. It crackles intermittently. Disappointed!

I was hesitant about buying this converter because I'm not great at setting up electronics but I had this setup and working in less than 5 minutes without even looking at the instructions and the picture is excellent. No problems whatsoever and delivery was quick. I would recommend this to anyone needing a converter box.

This is my second DSP7700P it seems to be good. The first had a problem with the tuner and could not recieve anything, only the analog pass-through worked and the menu foungtions. Amazon made it good put it was difficult to find the cousumer service department. Just don't give up you to can find it if you need it. I am pleased with the new box.