Cr@p! My digital converter box just cr@pped out...

[PeterB]

... it's the Channel Master CM-7000... powers up with a red light that never turns green, apparently this means that it isn't "booting"... it's out of warranty, they only give a 90-day on it...

So... anyone have a good rec for a replacement? Is the Dish Network one still the one to get? (I'd prefer something that has S-video output, like the CM-7000, for ease of connection to my TV... I'm tempted to get another CM-7000, but without a government coupon, they're $70 or so, and obviously the build quality seems to be lacking...)

TiA

[Doc]

My Dish DTVPal still works. It's tiny and innocuous. It doesn't get hot. I've had to pull the plug a couple of times when it refused to turn on and when the program-guide didn't update, but given what I've seen of other boxes it's a small price to pay for the conveniences it offers.

And there aren't many boxes out there with event-timers.

[deckeda]

Peter B,
In my experience the Dish TR-40 (if that's the model you're referring to) isn't a paragon of reliability either.

If we leave it on (for convenience) after a week or so its brain will lock up and become unresponsive and have to be unplugged for a while to reset. Of course, if we turn it off, it takes a few minutes before it shows a picture as it downloads the guide. I think waiting for the tubes to warm up on an old TV takes less time.

The Zenith DTT901 has garnered positive news but I have no experience with it. Most of course won't have an S-VHS output. http://www.zenith.com/products/set-top-a...ox/DTT901/

[C(-)ris]

Time for a new TV?

[PeterB]

1) The only two I've seen so far that have the S-video output that I'd consider are the CM-7000 and the Coby DTV-102, the latter of which seems to have gotten OK reviews at Amazon...

2) I've had a Zenith crap out on me... gives kernal panics (?!?)

3) No way am I buying a new TV, nothing wrong with what I have, and I refuse to add to the waste stream...

[deckeda]

To be fair, you're referring to the waste stream of TVs, not the waste stream of converter boxes.

[PeterB]

deckeda, that's true... but relatively speaking, the TV represents a LOT more e-waste.