[BC] Digital converters remote question

[DL-Little at wiu.edu]

I have the Zenith DTT900 at home and the Digital Stream DTX9900 at work.  The Zenith remote has a separate power button that can be programmed to turn the tv on/off.  Its volume button controlls the audio output of the converter.  The DS remote is suppose to be a 'univeral' remote that can turn the tv on/off and change the tvs volume.  Both boxes have channel and power buttons on the box itself (Zenith on the front, DS on its top) which is a plus for me when I can't find the remote.  The Zenith units have a little better sensitivity than the DS.  They use the same LG processor but different tuners.  The DS has a better EPG.

Zenith and the Insigna rebrand are rumored to have a box with analog pass-through on the market soon.  

I put a couple of the Zenith boxes in for my mother.  She leaves them on 24/7 and they have both been crashing at random.  Mine on the other had are only on for short periods and have not crashed.  I don't know if hers are faulty or if there is a design problem.  I'll swap one of mine with hers and see if the problem stays or follows the box.  Either way Zenith is kind enough to put their toll free number on the unit.

Don Little
UHDS Electronic Tech
Western Illinois University

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Earle" <mearle at mearle.com>

Subject: [BC] Digital converters remote question

So.. anyone have some recomendations with the $50 converter boxes? Good 
or bad, after some time living with same?

I know it may be desirable to get one with analog pass through.

What about the remote - and the audio - does the converter's remote, 
control the volume? None of the specs I've seen mention this; can't try 
it at the store of course, that would be too logical.