Channel Master CM-7000 digital converter box review

[tron3]

I wanted to post this on Amazon, but they do not sell this model, though they have a page for it. Therefore there is no way to post a review. Rather than let my efforts go to waste I figure many people here could benefit. Enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/Channel-Master...=3OZEAAZB0Y94J
Your TV will feel new. Your antenna may feel old.

The Channel Master CM-7000 has the distinction of being one of the top picks with a major consumer magazine, and one of the few "Standard Definition" converter boxes sporting an S-video output. (See also Apex models DT150, DT250, DT502) S-video usually comes only on true HD receivers. S-video provides cleaner and brighter color separation so your picture is sharper, more vibrant and less muddied. You still need the white and red audio cables for sound. If your analog TV supports S-video, look no further. Digital signals are so clean that even coax provides a great picture for the old boob tube which hasn't looked this good since hooking up your first DVD player.

The one major failing of the CM-7000 is it lacks "analog pass through". Therefore, it does not receive any remaining analog signals. Now that we are past the June 12, 2009 conversion date few analog channels remain here in the metro area. Channels 2 and 4 are simply playing the same 10 minute loop telling people to upgrade to digital. A couple of remaining analog stations are Spanish and Christian programming. If analog stations are still important to you, use another converter. Another short coming is the remote control arrow buttons do not double as channel changers, as the do on my Craig CVD506. However, the convienent "Wide" button allows a variety of zooms to fit your needs and fill your screen. Aside from the inconvienent channel and volume buttons, the remote control is sizeable and useful. Keep the old remote to turn your TV on and off.

The menu system makes setup very easy for even the novice. It isn't rocket science as it was years ago to tune a TV. Simply follow the directions. There is no sense in me repeating the manual setup. If you can't understand a manual with pictures, you won't understand my words alone. I should clarify after you scanned for channels you can re-adjust your antenna and "update" scan for additional channels without deleting the exisiting ones. Very useful for people with antenna rotators. The CM-7000 receives much stronger signals on the same rabbit ears with VHF loop antenna than the Craig CVD506. 20 to 40 percent vs 70 to 80 percent respectively! Even so, the Phillips Silver Sensor indoor antenna picked up a couple of missing local channels. (See "Antenna Access Answers")

There is a certain "warmth" you only get with tube-based digital video, but don't expect to rival true HDTV. The CM-7000 may find some channels over a competitors box. Worth the money for the build quality and remote control even if you can not use S-video. Do use the S-video if possible as it really makes a difference.

Stars
**** ½

Just for fun:

I connected my Craig CVD506 to some portable TV's. Using some spare parts I adapted a coax connector to an RCA yellow composite cable then to a mono 1/8" jack. This allowed me to plug into the external antenna feed of a 1983 Bently 5" B&W portable TV. Just roll the tuner to channel 3 and viola! Crystal clear digital image on this 26 year old set! Had a bit of audio noise and a smidge of picture artifacts. Worked even better on an RCA B&W portable of about 5 years with the same cable. Finally, using the RCA jacks to a stereo adaptor, I plugged into my portable 4" color LCD TV. Phenominal picture for size and definition. It just goes to show what these TV's are capable of doing. They just never had a clean enough signal to benefit - until now!

Antenna Access Answers:

Many people are claiming some success with their old rabbit ear antenna. They may not realize that most Digital / HD channels transmit in the UHF band. The UHF "bowtie" or "loop" add-on antenna may be pulling in most of the digital signal. Rabbit ears pull in primarily VHF. Channels may be lost in using an old antenna. Other channels will have very pixelated reception. I have experimented with my old Radio Shack rabbit ears with UHF loop built into the base. Adjusting the rabbit ears doesn't help digital reception here in the NY/NJ metro area. Adjusting the UHF antenna nearly flat DOES improve the signal reception. You may still find it inadequate. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, USE AN OUTDOOR ANTENNA. After all, do you know anyone using an indoor DISH service? Check out the Winegard models as they have been around for decades.

Visit http://www.antennaweb.org Type in your street address, city, state, zip and submit. You can omit your name and e-mail address. A list of channels for your area will display with the compass heading and miles from your location where the signal originates. Click the street map button to see the transmitter directions for the towers. This may explain why you had to move your antenna to get some analog stations. My home transmission comes from all directions and looks like a giant asterisk. I need a good multidirectional antenna. My job only receives reception within a 64 degree heading. A unidirectional antenna would be fine. If your transmission is about 30 miles away, or more, most indoor antennas won't pick up. Fringe analog reception could result in a very poor TV image. The same Digital signal could result in no picture.

I recommend the Winegard SS-3000 (with a 27" wingspan) and Phillips Silver Sensor as my respective #1 and #2 choices for indoor antenna. I have 3 Phillips Silver Sensors and they work great, but the antenna is more geared for for UHF signals. Find them on Amazon.com for more information. In short, get a new antenna.