View Full Version : Looking for cheap OTA receiver for the Football Season
Scott in GB
08-05-2005, 01:37 PM
Hi guys,
I currently have HD service from Time Warner and love my SA8300 HD DVR, but I have a problem. The local Fox affiliate is an Emmis station and they are feuding with TW and therefore not included in the HD lineup on TW.
I am looking for a cheap OTA receiver to watch my Packer games in HD.
I see that people are unloading VOOM Motorola receivers for next to nothing on E-Bay. From what I am reading they are decent OTA receivers and can be used as a standalone box for that purpose.
Is that the right direction to go, or should I be looking at something else?
Scott
Splicer
08-05-2005, 01:39 PM
Wal-Mart.com. $198.00.
Scott in GB
08-05-2005, 01:45 PM
That's a decent price for a new receiver, but it looks like I can spend $25 (after shipping) on a used Voom receiver.
The VOOM receiver is indeed risky business. It had to have been activated before VOOM shut down. If it were not, it will not receive OTA signals no matter what you do. Buy VOOM receivers at your own risk. I have read about more than a few very sorry people that bought them.
BrianRH
08-06-2005, 10:18 AM
I picker up one of there on Ebay for the same reason. Adephia fighting at the locals at the time. Sylvania SRZ3000 - currently 2 listed for $51 and $2.75. Older model so it doesn't have all of the cool features of the newer ones. But, as a stop gap till the local is on cable is fits the bill nicely.
mountainman
08-06-2005, 12:51 PM
I bought a VOOM box off ebay and it has worked fine. I get several high definition stations with it. Just be sure to ask lots of questions like whether it still receives OTA signals. djl is right about the receiver needs to have been activated before VOOM went bust. The seller I worked with offered to refund my money if it didn't work. Luckily, all worked out fine for me.
About the $198.00 Walmart receiver-
"For under $200, enjoy digital-quality television right now, on any TV. And if you have an HDTV (High Definition) television, you'll get an amazing DVD-quality picture, too." Walmart.com
That part about a "dvd-quality picture" seems to indicate that while it receives HD signals- it won't output them in true HD. I don't own one so I don't know.
Ratman
08-06-2005, 02:26 PM
That part about a "dvd-quality picture" seems to indicate that while it receives HD signals- it won't output them in true HD. I don't own one so I don't know.
It does...
Sheesh! DVD quality picture. What are they thinking. I can see why people might think the box will only output 480p. OTOH, I suppose they are pitching to people who think DVD quality is the best available. Still, they are liable to get a rumor started that its not a true HD receiver, and they may lose sales.
Scott in GB
08-24-2005, 11:56 AM
I received the Voom box yesterday. Unfortunately it didn't come with the remote and you need that to scan for new channels. By fluke my local fox affiliate was already programmed in, so I can get my Packer games. Still going to pick up a remote to see what else I can pull in.
I hate designs that do not let you do essential stuff unless you have the remote. The idea that a lack of controls on the box itself is a selling point is so backwards!
