[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]

Digital Stream DTX9900 Digital- to-Analog Converter Box Review

Great Product!

"The Digital Stream DTX9900 converter box works great. We use an antenna, and now get 33 stations instead of the 9 that we received before, and they come in with great clarity. Unlike several reviews which claim that one can only record with a VCR by using the instant recording method, and not by the timer method, one can use the timer quite successfully. You have to keep the converter box on when you record, and you have to tune your VCR to channel 3 (or 4, depending on your location). You do not have to leave your TV on, but it must be tuned to the channel you wish to record), and it is tuned through the converter box channel selector - the TV is always set at channel 3 or 4 and you use the channel selector on the converter box to enter the channel you wish to watch or record. Do not use the TV remote to select channels, other than channel 3 or 4, so that it can receive signals from your converter box and VCR. Use the same setting (3 or 4) that you set your TV to for tuning the converter box. For example, if you wish to record channel 9, have that channel on the TV that you are watching, but always enter channel 3 or 4 on the VCR when you select your channel. That is your pass through channel that allows the VCR to access your TV.



One additional caveat: you have to go into your converter box MENU and settings to cut OFF the automatic power cut off for the converter box. It is preset to cut off after 2, 4, or 8 hours, so that it doesn't use up energy if you fail to cut it off when you finish watching your TV program. You can easily disenable this through your MENU selector. Otherwise, if you wish to record a program 6 hours hence, and your factory preset it at 4 hour cutoff, as mine was, it won't record. Remember, the converter box must be ON in order to record. When the time to record is reached, it will not cut on your converter box if it is off.



Use the FCC website which has clear instructions on how to set up the system and how to record with a VCR. The one defect of the instruction manual that comes with the Digital Stream is that it did not explain how to record by using your VCR. It only shows you how to connect the converter box to your TV. So check the FCC website: "Setting up your digital-to-analog converter box with a VCR". It is very clearly written and it tells you all you need to know to record with your VCR.



If you want to watch one channel and record another, you need a second converter box, and that setup is much more complicated. The FCC instructions mentioned above contain diagrams explaining both setups."