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Sony BRAVIA KDL37S5500 37-inch Widescreen Full HD 1080p LCD TV

The STBT8 from Tivax is a Digital TV Set Top Converter Box with Analog pass through for connection to a TV antenna. Main features of the STB-T8 include receives free on air high definition TV broadcast, analog pass through for easier connection to a TV antenna, auto scan, electronic program guide and program information, parental control, supports both 4:3 and 16:9 TV aspect ratios, closed-captioning, dolby digital, full operation by remote control, energy star compliant, NTIA certified, qualified for $40 coupon, and english, spanish, and french on-screen display.Inputs include Antenna/RF Coaxial and Smart Antenna interface, composite video, stereo audio left and right and one antenna/RF output. Comes with remote control and two AAA batteries.

The main reason I bought this product was for the DVR/VCR Timer. This feature allows you to program your favorite shows, and the box will automatically change channels to that show. You can then use your DVR or VCR to capture the video off the box.

Other boxes like the Zenith DTT901 have better reception capability, but lack the ability to operate with DVRs or VCRs.

The Zinwell also has analog passthru for people who will be watching Low Power or “clear air” stations after the February 2009 analog shutdown. If you’re like me, and don’t have any analog stations post-transition, then this feature has no real relevance.

The Zinwell’s guide is rather poor, since it only tells you what program is on now, and what program will be on next hour. The Dish DTVpal has a full=featured guide upto 12 hours into the future, but I don’t recommend that device due to poor quality build & software bugs that make it almost unusable.

Overall I’m satisfied with the Zinwell’s DVR and VCR capability, although I still use the Zenith as my main box when watching live television.