Philco TB100HH9: A DTV set-top box with analog pass-through

With the clock marking the DTV transition ticking more loudly every day, we're starting to see more converter boxes showing up in stores. We recently posted First Look reviews of three boxes—the $50 Magnavox TB100MW9, the $60 Insignia NS-DXA1, and the $60 Zenith DTT900. Now we've just completed our preliminary tests on one of the first boxes with "analog pass-though" capability, the Philco TB100HH9.

Analog pass-through can be an important feature for households in areas served by so-called "low-power" broadcasters. Though all full-power stations are required to broadcast only digital signals as of February 17, 2009, the low-power broadcasters can continue analog broadcasts, at least for the time being. Since the converter box does not include an analog tuner, you will have to continue using your TV's built in analog tuner to pick up these stations. A converter box with analog pass through will not only put digital programs on the RF antenna output to the TV (channel 3 or 4), but will also pass along traditional analog antenna signals as well. For more information, check out "The DTV Transition: The low-down about analog pass-though."

A low-priced option

Priced at $47, the Philco TB100HH9 is a compact, no-frills box that's similar in many ways to the Magnavox TB100MW9 we tested. Like that model, it has a built-in ATSC tuner that can receive digital off-air signals and convert them to analog. Unlike the Magnavox box, however, the Philco allows analog signals to bypass the digital circuitry, routing them directly to a TV with an analog tuner.

The Philco performed its basic functions well. Picture quality from its antenna RF output was decent; it improved slightly when we used the composite-video output. While the digital tuner can pull in digital HD signals, they're converted to standard-def analog inside the box. Some images had jagged edges, especially when HD images were converted to standard definition.

Tuner sensitivity tests showed that this model performs as well with off-air digital signals as other converters and flat-panel HDTVs we've tested. (Note: Analog reception will depend on the sensitivity of the TV's built-in tuner). A signal-strength meter, located in the channel information banner, helps you adjust the antenna's position for optimal reception.

The box proved fairly easy to use. An electronic program guide offers the program title, run time, a brief summary of each show, as well as a 7-hour timeline for the currently tuned channel. A "setup wizard," which appears the first time you power on the device, makes the initial set-up and channel scan fairly simple. You can adjust the color and size of the fonts in Closed Caption, and aspect-ratio controls let you adjust the size and shape of the programs, so widescreen HD broadcasts can appear either as a letterboxed images with black bars above and below the picture, or they can be zoomed and cropped to fill a squarish 4:3 screen. Unlike some converter boxes, though, there's no aspect ratio button on the remote—you have to change it using the set-up menu. The box itself has no controls; since they're all located on the remote, you won't be able to use this box should you lose or break the remote control.

A minor note: The Philco is colored white, rather than dark gray or black like most converters we've seen.

The Bottom Line

This Philco TB100HH9 provides access to free off-air digital programs for analog TV owners on a budget, and enabling those who receive analog broadcasts from low-power stations to continue enjoying them after the DTV transition in 2009. However, its only fair performance with downconverted HD programs means that those who want optimal picture quality, particularly on TVs with larger screens, may want to look elsewhere. While there may be better converters, this Philco is still worth its $47 price, especially since you can use a $40 government rebate to defray most of its cost.

Comments

[dylan]

if you buy the philco and loose the controller, your completely screwed, no other controllers are compatible, how do you get a new one?

[Frank Elliott]

Even with an eight bow tie array antenna mounted higher than roof peak, my signal dropped audio so constantly , ( and picture pixelated ) that I could not understand speech with the Philco TB100HH9.
Problem was solved with a new STB, the Channel Master Brand...excellent! I do not recommend the Philco...at all...sorry, Philco

[David Bishop]

I have a philco tb100hh9 and the sound quit working on some channels. I swapped it out with another one and the same problem exist. The remote has really small buttons and I would not recommend this unit. The only reason I got it was because I could get them for free with my gov coupon. Regretting not spending a little more for a better unit.

[Paul Eng]

To Jack Tyler:

As Everett mentioned, your DirecTV boxes will NOT do ANY digital-to-analog conversion of "local" over-the-air TV station broadcasts. If you want to continue receiving those 2 over-the-air channels, you need to buy and use a DTV converter box.

You can use our Guide to DTV Converter Boxes to find the right one for you.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/digital-tv-converter/overview/dtv-converter-box-guide.htm

Our video on How to hook-up your DTV converter box will give you general help on how to set it up with your TV.

http://video.consumerreports.org/services/link/bcpid1329233564/bclid1118125802/bctid8350375001

But since you have a DirecTV set-up (not explicitly covered by our video), here's what I can offer based on my own (limited) PERSONAL experience and knowledge of DirecTV boxes:

When you get your converter box, disconnect (from your DirecTV receiver) the cable from your rooftop antenna. (NOT the cable that comes from your DirecTV "dish" antenna!)

Connect that antenna cable into the "Antenna in" input on the DTV converter box.

Take the short antenna cable usually supplied with the DTV converter box.

Connect one end of that cable into the "Antenna out" connection of the DTV box.

Connect the other end of the cable into the "Antenna in" input on your DirecTV box. (NOT the "Sat in" input!")

Follow the directions that came with the DTV box to "scan" for your local channels. (See the video, linked above.)

If everything is setup correctly (and the broadcasters are close enough, transmitting digitally at full power, and your antenna and wiring are in good shape, etc.), you should be able to receive your local channels from your antenna through your DirecTV box!

Good luck!

--Paul Eng
Web Senior Editor, Electronics

[everett whitney]

TO: Jack - 15 Feb - " Direct TV w/ (2) older Boxes?"

That's going to Have to be provided by DIRECT , as Converter boxes have Nothing to do w/ satellite contracts and / or service.

DISH TV does have such "converters" available .... (?) your company .

[Jack Tyler]

I have DirecTV 2 TV's are HD and 2 are analog. The 2 analog tv's are connected to 2 old RCA satellite boxes that have OTA cable connectors. I get 2 OTA channels with my roof antenna, and from what I was just told the 2 rca boxes will not convert the analog signals after the 17th. What do I need to keep getting OTA on those 2 TV's?

[everett whitney]

TO: Larry - 21 Dec - " Get analog from 65 / 75 miles..!"

BUT -post Feb - those you are now getting may well change to different frequencies, the same as some 400 other Tv stations will be doing when they leave their temporary assignments for their newest Hi VHF designations.

Best check w/ www.antennaweb.org to verify that you might not still need that federal converter box and / or another extremely-strong "combo Hi-VHF / UHF antenna" as well.

[Larry]

I have the Philco TB100HH9 reviewed herein and can't disagree with the review more. Installed it and it really doesn't pass through the analog signal well at all; barely watchable.

Scan says there are no digital signals, but there are. I'm 65 miles from one tower and 75 miles from the other towers. I can get the analog signals fine without the converter connected.

Don't buy the Philco, its a waste of money.

[MH]

CR's guide to DTV converter boxes suggests that there is little to no difference in signal reception ability between boxes - in other words, if you receive signal via an antenna, not from satellite or cable, then problems receiving the digital signal are likely due to location problems (obstructions, etc), not the box itself.

My experience suggests that this is wrong. Yesterday my husband and I bought two converter boxes at Radio Shack: A Zenith DTT901 and a Digital Stream DTX9950. We just installed a box on the older of our two TVs, a rather ancient Magnavox(15-20 years old). We started with the Digital Stream. Everything was OK except it would not pick up the local public TV station adequately; the signal was weak and audio and video were stuttery. It's a weak analog signal anyway, but we can at least receive the analog. Then we switched to the Zenith and the signal on that station was far better - in the upper level of "good". Only the very occasional stutter which is quite tolerable. There is a definite difference. We are returning the Digital Stream today.

[Sandra O.]

I bought the Philco tb100HH9(just before my coupon expired); bought that one because that was the only one available. It did not come with the signal splitter that the instructions said I'd need to receive both analog & digital, nor did it have the color-coded cables it indicated. I'm an electronics idiot, so I had a friend to hook me up. He put converter, DVR,DVD and TV.(He said I didn't need the splitter or cables.) I had been getting nine channels. Now I got two! I turned that aggravating converter off and am getting seven channels. I miss the ones I lost, but don't know how to fix it. Help!! Thanks

[Bill Brady]

Thanks for the reply. I called up the website and it says that I am 200 miles south of Omaha, NE and 100 miles north of Pittsburgh, Kansas or 50 miles due south of the television antennas in Kansas City, Missouri. Yes the converter has a signal strength meter included and I point the antenna to receive the best signal before scanning for available channels.
I just received this e-mail from channel 9:
We have a flat spot in our digital signal to the south in order to protect a station in Pittsburgh, KS. This was mandated by the FCC. If you can get channel 29 on your converter, you'll be able to get 9-3.
I will reattach the converter and scan all available channels today.
It is hard to understand why channel 9 is restricted to broadcasting (in HD)only 10 miles to the south so as to protect a small town station that is a little over 100 miles away.
Thanks for the help!

[Bill Brady]

Thanks for the information. The website that you suggested says that I am 200 miles south of Omaha, NE and 100 miles north of Pittsburg, Kansas. Or 50 miles directly south of Kansas City, MO.(Missouri) Solid Signal is the supplier of my CM3671 antenna for deep fringe areas.
I don't know about channel 7 but, on the kids TV in Kansas City it is channel 9.1 and 9.2(9.2 is their weather channel). I don't get channel 7 or the 9's at my house.
Is this a problem with the converter box or is it a problem with the digital transmission from the television station?
The station engineer says that they do not broadcaster the digital signal very far to the south due to possible interferrence with their sister station which is 150 miles south of them. In other words they may only broadcast 10 miles to the south of K.C., Mo. with the digital signal.
I may be forced to wait until February 2009 before using the RCA box unless you have a good solution for me.
I wrote to Solid Signal for suggestions and they reccomended that I purchase another antenna of the same model. They did not read the questions.
Thanks.

[everett whitney]

TO: Bill B. - 17 Oct - "Why Not 9.1 @ K.C...?"

That ABC is transmitting in VHF ( actually assigned to channel #7).

You posted ... I point the antenna for the best strength ...
says that you do have a Rotor assembly. Since there's no way of knowing where your are relative to K.C. from the post, consider using www.antennaweb.org to determine where that the Compass heading needs to be for your specific location ... just input the Zip but do ignore all the rest !

As for the "kid" ... no indoor units will perform dependably.... always different between channels, foul weather ...

Again, after using that site for their ZIP to determine IF all UHF or a mix with VHF as well, , try an appropriate new legitimate antenna, preferably outside, but, with your very constant winds, sleet storms, tornado Springs, certainly the attic would be the much-preferred IF that roofing doesn't filter out too much of the signal. Usually, eliminates about 50% at the minimum.

Suggest a DB-4 "IF" all UHF now & after Feb - or a Channel Master 3016 / 5646 ( the same/different boxing)
IF UHF-VHF

[Bill Brady]

I have to main questions concerning the RCA converter. I live on a hill approximatley 50 miles from a Kansas City, Mo. I use a large antenna mounted on the roof. There are no obstructions within 2 miles of my house. I purchased 2 RCA boxes and attached them to the TV's and antenna. Using the antenna signal meter in the box menu, I can point the antenna for the best signal then scan for all available channels. I can not pick up the local cahannel 9 with the converter. I get about 20 channels. If the weather is right we can pick up a sister station of channel 9 (ABC)from a city that is 100 miles the opposite direction (Pittsburg, Ks) and one in Omaha, Ne. over 200 miles beyond Kansas City.
This seems to be a common problem for us with the RCA boxes from Wal-Mart. I hope you can tell me why I can not pick-up these channels 9-1 and 9-2.

Second question is, that one of my kids live in K.C., MO and they also have the RCA converters and their problem is when the wind blows above 8 miles per hour they lose the stations. Yes, they are using rabbit ears with VHF and UHF. We have tried two types of antennas and ampilfied them. Not much better. The TV stations are less than 10 miles away.

Hope that you can help.

[DSCGOONIE]

I live in the Denver area and tested different antennas. I have concluded that a tiny antenna is best. I use just the basic double rabbit ear antenna(not powered, and no round UHF antenna), and only pull out 2 of the sections to keep it very short.

[Gary]

I have three of the new digital boxes. The Philco is by far the worst of the bunch....very few functions on the remote, and a slow connection from one channel to the next. The RCA works great, and I love the size of the buttons on the remote. The Digital Stream is the best, it is awsome....wish the buttons were easier to see, my eyes are not what they used to be, every feature is first class!!!!!!!

[Max Roberts]

Thank you for the info on the watch/record issue. Does anyone know why the box is not working with the DVD/VCR at all?

[everett whitney]

TO: Max - 27 July - " Mom needs DVR/VCR to Record 1 / watch another.."

Sorry, but with only (1) of these federal coupon Converters, she can not.

Only a single digital tuner in ALL ... hence, there's no means for one to record (1) channel while simultaneously watching a different one unless you buy / connect two Converters, etc., one for the TV , the other for the recorder. Rather "busy" for her to easily keep track of, as well.

No neat solution now, other than cable & their "rental" Recorders.

[Soupy]

Radio Shack carries the Digital Stream DTX9950 with analog pass-through for only $59.99. Also, If the store is sold out they can ship a unit (Free Shipping) to your home within 30 days.

[Max Roberts]

I recently hooked this converter up for my Mom, and am having some problems. If I hook it up directly to tthe TV, everything works great, nice picture etc. However, when I try to hook it up through her DVD/VCR all I get is a blank blue screen. The DVD/VCR works fine, but no TV signal at all. I did carefully check all the connections, I used the recommended RCA cables, I followed the instructions in the manual exactly. She needs the DVD/VCR so she can record her shows, watch one record the other etc. Her DVD/VCR is made by Samsung Model DVD-V4600. Does anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong? Or, is there a compatabi;lity issue here? Any help would be appreciated!

[everett whitney]

TO: James A. -" Only (1) digital reception w/ attic antenna?"

* All antennas within an attic will "lose" nearly 50 % of the available digital signal via that roof construction timbers / decking + outside roofing shingles.

* Your current antenna may possibly be a variety that Only has up to channel # 13 - VHF . Some cities do broadcast their signals for digital TV on this ( Chicago, NYC, + others).

However, most use above #13, which dictates a UHF band antenna .

Visually, that first VHF type resembles a huge, very long arrow, with elements in multiple horizontal rows, sort of like flying geese (backwards).

The UHF will be a much smaller array, sometimes looking like a series of 'bow ties' or a vertical assortment of much shorter, more compact set of short rods.

If that long coax is of a good quality, not old & of RG6 rather than the older analog RG59, it's O.K.. Runs of 100 feet or more are not recommended.

Amplifiers do work - but - are to be used as a last resort, in my experiences. Far better to have a sufficient antenna, mounted outside, as high as possible upon one's roof on a metal mast.

A 'combo' type - both VHF & UHF - is the most safe one to buy, since some assignments Will change after next Feb..

Before spending monies, simply do relocate your current one outside instead. Use a length of rigid 1 1/4" conduit and a weatherhead ( used for electrical entrance service) thru a roof flashing instead of the flimsy, thin TV masts w/ multiple guy support wires.

Then, the Quad RG6 Coax may be passed down thru the center of that conduit into the attic, without needing to be flapping in the wind all along the roof !

If you'd care to, try C.R,'s .. "antenna, cable, satellite" .. Forum - there's lots more available there, as well.

Everett

[everett whitney]

TO: CW - " A Way to test HD on Converter ...?"

No Converter will output any HD signal at all ... the federal specification is strictly to have the digital O.T.A. signals changed to analog, which by definition is not technically capable of anything approaching "HD."

These Converters are Not involved in any way with "HD" or cable or satellite, for that matter.

[everett whitney]

To: Sandy S. - 21 JUNE - " Converter for new P.C. + pass- thru to record ?"

Unless you do also happen to have a video card & tuner inside that computer, no, you need NO converter for it.

Convereters are only for changing digital O.T.A. signals back into analog for those with picture tube TVs. These have nothing to do with you internet connection per se.

You posted .. new computer .. so, IF it did come w/ a video card and tuner, it also will have more than likely been built with an ATSC ( digital ) tuner ... so, again, no Converter.

Your husband doesn't "need" to have pass thru simply to be able to record .... that is more for those areas / small places with private & very small TV broadcasters that are NOT going to change to digital ever. So, the feature will
"send on" those signals which are already analog to the TV.

However, he will not record one channel while watching a different one anymore with a Converter.

[Sandy Savage]

I am wondering if I need a converter box for my computer monitor since I don't have cable. I live in a large city in Ohio and my monitor is fairly new.

Secondly, my husband loves to record shows for later viewing and he was thinking he had to get a pass through converter box like the Philco or Magnavox TB 100MG9. However, after reading all the problems with those 2 models we were rather discouraged. Does he have to have the pass through feature to record or just to see analog only stations like the WB53(Smallville show). Thanks for any insight you might have.

Our coupon expires the end of June! We didn't realize the gov. was going to add an expiration date to the coupons or we would have waited a bit longer before requesting the coupon. I guess it is better than finding out they have run out of the coupons!

[Charles]

Well, based upon the CU review of the Insignia (LG) converter and some additional input from the blogs, I bought & installed the Insignia two weeks ago. I have it hooked up to a 20" Apex TV, using a powered Jensen set of rabbit ears, and connected it to the video/audio inputs.

Previously, I could receive 10 channels in the Central Florida area - I now can receive 31 channels, and the picture/audio is remarkable! You can definitely see the difference in digital!

I can just imagine what this unit would do with a decent outside antenna...

The Insignia is very easy to use, and has a surprising amount of features (picture aspect, program display, signal strength, etc). I didn't have much of an expectation for this unit, but, I was pleasantly surprised.

To sum it up, my second coupon expires on July 4th - I'm going back to Best Buy and get another for my other non-cable TV. I think that says it all.