Tivax STB-T8 – Digital Converter Box
 26 Reviews |
18 Positive Reviews |
7 Negative Reviews |
   Overall Rating |
Tivax STB-T8 Digital Converter Set Top Box with Analog Pass Through
- Brand: Tivax
- Model: STB-T8
- Price: $79.99
- With Coupon: $39.95 ($40 Discount!)
- Pros:
- Receives free on air High Definition TV (HDTV) broadcast. And Analog signal passes through when in standby mode.
- Easy to use auto channel scan with electronic program guide and program information.
- Supports for 4:3 and 16:9 TV aspect ratios.
- Energy Star compliant
- Trilingual on-screen display (English, Spanish & French)
- Available Online: Best Place to Order
TV Converter Box Coupon Program
Go Green - Energy Star Compliant
This digital converter box is slightly larger than the other set top boxes here. With a height of 1.8″ the front panel is 8.7″ and extends 6.3″ backward. Although slightly wider and higher than other digital converter boxes, many other appliances are sometimes even larger than this and should not be a problem blending this in with your current home set up. If you own an old analog television set, setting this up should not be a problem, with the analog pass through, just plug in your TV’s antenna socket and you are set to go.
For a slightly more expensive price compared to other TV converter boxes, many under $50, and simply looking at the features for more benefits of this converter box is it has many features that are also present in cheaper ones but not in all. Like the parental controls, varying aspect ratio, full remote control, programming guide, trilingual, Energy Star compliant and more. Besides, even if they may be more expensive, using the government coupon, you can get a $40 discount and $39.99 should not be that bad.
$79.99, but can be bought at a price of $39.99 with a TV converter box program coupon. You can buy this here.
Popularity: 67% [?]
Overall Rating: A+
Picture Quality: The Tivax STB-T8 digital converter box is exactly the same as the Tivax STB-T9 digital analog converter box when is comes to picture quality. The picture quality of this TV converter is better than almost all other analog digital converters on the market. When using this digital TV converter you will get a picture that is just as good as DVD quality.
Audio Quality: The sound quality for the STB-T8 is also rated very high when compared with other digital converter boxes. The Tivax STB-T8 delivers crystal clear sound that is better than what you would get from any analog broadcast.
Product Features: This TV converter box comes with a great set of features. It comes with an above average programming guide that shows information for current and upcoming shows. The Tivax digital analog converter also comes with auto scan or manual tuning functions. This TV converter box also has adjustable closed captioning, an on screen signal strength meter, and analog pass-through.
This TV converter box is lacking a universal remote control.
Overall the Tivax STB-T8 digital to analog converter box is one of the best converter boxes available. It comes with plenty of features and the best picture quality you can get. At a price of $55 it is also a very good buy. If you are interested in a analog digital converter we would suggest that you purchase the Tivax STB-T8.
Source: TV Converter box Reviews
rip off
why pay amazon 80 when you can buy it for 1/2 somewhere else?
amazon… why don’t you understand that no one will buy this item unless you lower your profits, i mean price!
from research i personally decided this converter and the zenith dtt901 were the best available (~10/1/8). tonight, i plugged both into the best of 2 antennas (an amplified antenna from radio shack) to my 43″ hd widescreen tv.
advantages of this tivax: better quality picture, could view ~6 hours in advance of up-coming shows.
disadvantages of this tivax: bars above/below picture on hd channels unless zoomed in, could not list info from other channels without changing to that channel and then pressing info.
advantages of zenith dtt901: good picture, could view info from other channels while on another channel.
disadvantages: could not view up-coming shows, bars on sides of picture on non-hd channels.
Source: Amazon
IT’S GREAT!!
The previous reviewer was upset about the high price Amazon charges – not about the converter’s performance. I purchased two of these from another online vendor using the coupons and ended up paying an additional $45.00, so about $60.00 a piece. If you want quality, you have to pay for it. This model received high praise from Consumer Reports and I agree with them. The picture is as clear as a DVD and the sound is really good too on most stations. The stations without super sound probably has more to do with the broadcaster than the box. The remote has a number of useful buttons. Very simple to set up. The colors are a bit more intense so you may need to adjust your TV set again. I received about 30 stations initially, but deleted ten or so since they were in other languages. Very happy with my purchase. Highly recommended.
Source: Amazon
Tivax stb-t8
Personally I do not think this device is worth the extra money. I also have a Philco converter box and it seems to do much better than the Tivax. The Tivax drops the signal at a higher rate than the Philco, so I put the Philco on my most used tv and the tivax on another. I would recommend getting the Philco instead.
Source: Amazon
A really great upgrade to analog TV
After much research, including the previously mentioned Consumer Report recommendation as a best buy there, we ordered and installed this converter box about a week ago. Even with just an indoor amplified rabbit ears antenna, the quality of the picture of the channels is DVDesque and the other functionality such as the Signal (strength measuring) button are extras that help get the antenna oriented right, depending upon which channel you are trying watch. After getting everything hooked up (well illustrated in the User’s Guide) I ran the Automatic Scan for the first time and instantly had more channels than before (4 PBS channels compared to one before, along with four of another Network that previously only had one using just analog). Then I pointed the antenna towards the one major city we live to the east of, ran the Update Scan and pulled in more channels without wiping out the previous channels found. Point the antenna towards the other major city we live west of, and more channels appeared rerunning the Update Scan. In all, about 26 channels with an indoor antenna that we’ve had for close to eight years. This converter also comes with both AV and RF cabling, unusual for most of these units. All and all, this a great solution to those who don’t want to sell out… er… shell out a weekly food budget to cable every month.
Source: Amazon
Excellent picture
My first converter box was a Zenith DTT900. It died exactly 92 days after purchase which was 2 days after the full warranty expired – very displeased. Instead of paying Zenith the $35 they wanted to fix it, I ordered a 2nd coupon and bought the Tivax. Wow, the color is brighter and the picture is noticeably more sharp than the Zenith on the same TV. My whole family noticed it right away. Almost made me glad the Zenith died – almost. I’m very pleased with the Tivax. The only thing the Zenith has over the Tivax is that the Zenith remote can be programmed to turn on the TV so you don’t need 2 remotes to watch TV. Of course, that doesn’t help much if the box is dead.
I must add that although I love Amazon and their service, this box is overpriced here. It’s available for less elsewhere.
Source: Amazon
There are better products
Consumer reports gave a top rating for the video quality. I purchased this based on that. However, when you use it with a composite output, it doesn’t matter much. I compared it to a DTV Pal and it is almost the same. Pros: It has slightly better reception than DTVPal. It has channel and power buttons on the device. However for advanced user, without menu options on the device, it is limiting. The box has vents, to cool off the device if it gets hot. Cons The device is bigger than necessary. Remote looks about 20 years old, in design. The channel buttons are not convenient. On screen display colors and characters are poorly conceived. Initial channel scan takes much more time than DTV Pal Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is poor in design and content. Very limited. I couldn’t get the guide which displays all the channels’ programs. I could only see the programs in the next few hours on the channel I am tuned to.
Source: Nextag
No need for cable!
This Tivax digital converter box lived up to its Consumer Reports promise. It delivers a DVD quality picture across the board on my 32-inch analog CRT. The instructions were correct that using the video/audio input/output cables give the best picture, but it was still very good using the RF cable. I learned the hard way that one must take the old VCR/DVD player out of the loop. Attaching the antenna to the VCR and then the VCR to the converter does not work. With this size picture, I am happy enough to feel no need to get a new HDTV immediately. And the new digital channels are a delight.
Source: Buy.com
It never worked
Tivax STB-T8 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box I bought one for $19.95 with card and never got it to work, I am in the process of getting an RMA number so I can return it and get an exchange. What a hassle. I also found out that you cant turn the TV on with the remote. So you need two remotes to operate it !!! Its always something.
Source: Amazon
The digital transition is creeping closer and closer as each day goes by and we need to prepare our TVs so that they do not stop working. In order to do this you will need to purchase a digital to analog converter box and I have just the right one for you.
The Tivax stb-t8 digital to analog TV converter box is the best converter box that money can buy. Consumer Reports recently completed a review of some of the most popular converter boxes and determined that the Tivax STB-T8 was the best one of the bunch.
The stb-t8 converter comes with one of the best pictures when compared with other converters. A review of it revealed that it gives you the best possible picture that you can get with a TV, except for when watching in HDTV. There are no picture flaws and the quality is simply amazing.
The stb-t8 also comes with great sound quality and a lot of good features. For example, the Tivax stb-t9 comes with a electronic program guide that shows information on all current and upcoming shows. It also comes with a universal remote control, closed captioning adjustment functions, and much much more.
The Tivax STB-T8 is one of the best converter boxes around because of its amazingly high picture quality and its cheap price that is under $60. If you apply for a government $40 off coupon you can actually get it for $20 before taxes and shipping fees.
Source: Hubpages
Excellent Unit
Excellent picture quality, good remote control. This might be the best such converter on the market.
Source: Amazon
I had purchased a couple of Zeniths, but this Tivax is great! You sold it for a good price, and delivered very quickly. The product works very well with my Tivo. I know have 2 boxes: one for Tivo and other for regular TV. I can record one show and watch another. Marvelous
Source: The Twister Group
Nice piece of hardware. Works as advertized. Price was very good too.
Source: The Twister Group
Have 2 other converters. the Tivax did not perform as well as the two others on one station. There was signal loss while the other two were strong (Dish tr40 & Zinwell ZAT-970A)
Source: The Twister Group
Tivax works beautifully, everything I view on it is crystal clear.
Source: The Twister Group
Purchased this unit as it was rated high by consumers reports and glad to have made this purchase.
Works perfectly!
Source: The Twister Group
Competitive price and quick delivery. However, the T8 was defective and I had to ship it back to Tivax AT MY EXPENSE.
Source: The Twister Group
Picture quality is great. The sound is low and had to turn up the volume all the way and turn up volume on TV.
Source: The Twister Group
Tivax is working great, added 3 channels on an indoor antenna. All 3 channels are over 40 miles away.
Flawless purchase and shipping, Thanks.
Source: The Twister Group
We have tested many converter boxes, the Tivax STB-T8 and the Zenith DTT901 are the best. The Tivax STB-T8 has slightly better picture quality than the DTT901.
The Tivax STB-T8 Analog Pass-Through converter box is an improvement on the Top Rated, Best Selling T9 model.
The STB-T8 has the best quality pictures over the air, much better than cable and satellite. Solid metal construction and an internal power supply. It has easy hook up, a good remote and easy to use menus. You can add channels without needing to rescan them all. The channel guide shows both program titles & show descriptions. (Click on Image to enlarge)
This is our best TV digital converter box.
This box is our best seller and we have had no returns or problems with it.
The Manufacturer has given us great customer support.
It comes with a 90 DAY Warranty
We highly recommend it.
Source: DTV Box Answers
I got the Tivax STB-T9 in the fall of 2008. The reception is much better than the RCA DTA800, but the Tivax STB-T9 tuner adds channels at will that you made not viewable and you have to edit again and again – most frustrating! You can do an add on scan.
The volume is very low and you have to have it way up to balance your other equipment, but it does at least have it’s own volume control. The RCA has a few universal remote features. One thing I do like is the previous channel button on the Tivax. It is very slow to select a channel with the keypad. The program guide is only on each individual channel which is a real pain, but is a transparent window over the picture. The RCA DTA800 has all the channels in the menu, but is not a transparent window over the picture and does not have very complete info on the individual channels.
To have analog and digital, put a Y connect on your RF cable with one to the DTV box and one to the TV. Then use a Composite Video cable (Yellow RCA Plug) from the DTV box to the video input on the TV (If your TV is so equipped and is a better quality picture). You then use the Input (TV/Video) select button on your TV remote to switch between the DTV box (video) and use your TV remote for analog channels. I use the tuner on my VCR for this, as it has a better tuner and is between the box and TV.
The aspect ratio button works as it should on major networks. There is Normal, Zoom, Wide, and Cinema, however on shall we say lesser channels, normal is zoom and zoom goes wide. You have to constantly change it. Cinema would only be useful on a 16:9 screen. I think this is more of problem of industry standards and stations that do not follow them than the box control.
I like the Tivax better, as it gets the PBS channels better, but they all have there quirks. I don’t think there is one really good one. I have a Phalanx of remotes! You get the 9 model for $50.
Hooked mine up through my DVD player to the TV. However, it works good for about fifteen minutes and then my apparently defective TIVAX turns itself off every five minutes and turns itself back on. I get green screen which takes away about 30-45 seconds of viewing time, and is immensely frustrating. It finally just locked my TV so I couldn’t even turn it off and had to unplug the TIVAX, so now I’m back to analog. Apparently, I have to pay to ship it back myself, so I get the pleasure of going through this hassle. The picture is really nice when it works. But I would much rather watch analog then deal with this. Hopefully, the next one will work better.
this is the best model ever! I’m selling Tivax STB-T8 since weeks ago. I think is the best option because the price is just a few box over $40
The Tivax seems to work fine, although, with the power (standby) and mute buttons on opposite sides of the remote control from what they are on the TV remote, I am still turning it off when I really just want to get rid of the sound briefly. My only complaint is that the owner’s manual was almost useless when it came to installing the box. Furthermore, when I got into the Tivax Web site, the instructions and illustrations, although slightly better, were still inadequate. I had to ask a professional engineer friend to come over to do the job. Even he remarked about the abysmal owner’s manual.
Has anyone else been getting a “green screen” and losing the signal. The box seems to cycle itself which usually doesn’t resolve the problem. Turning the box off for a period of time usually resolves the problem for a spell. This issue just started happening and my box is only about a 1.5 yrs old. I’d be curious to here what is causing it.
Same experience as GreenScreenDeath. Seems 1.5 years is the product life cycle. I’m looking around for a replacement convertor and can’t find any product that’s consistently highly praised. No way will I buy another Tivax.