Sylvania 6900DTE ATSC/HDTV Broadcast Set-Top Box Receiver

Sylvania's 6900DTE Set-Top Box is a video receiver that allows you to view next-generation ATSC (HDTV) broadcast signals on standard analog televisions. This unit can receive ATSC HDTV digital broadcast signals using an external antenna source for display on EDTV or HDTV monitors, or for display on conventional analog televisions. The 6900DTE features Component, S-Video, DVI, and Composite output for video signals, which can be used simultaneously so that you can view and record different content at the same time. Audio outputs include Dolby Digital Coaxial, Dolby Digital Optical, and Stereo L/R.

Get a jump on your living room's high-definition makeover with Sylvania's 6900DTE ATSC/DTV set-top receiver. Whether you've already picked out your HD-ready TV or you're still using the SD (standard-definition) set you've had for years, the 6900DTE puts you one stop closer to enjoying high-definition programming. Of course, it's a lot more fun if you're hooking this up with an HD-ready set: when used with an ATSC antenna (Sylvania recommends its DX multi-directional antenna, model DTA-5000), the receiver pulls free high-definition programming right off the airwaves. The 6900DTE supports simultaneous SD and HD outputs, allowing you to build a high-definition empire from the receiver on up, enjoying clear, ghost-free images on both HD and SD sets. Or--if you do have an HDTV--this parallel-output feature lets you watch standard TV in a second room on a lesser set. Alternately, you can feed a PVR or VCR with an S-video or composite-video signal while you watch the component-video output on your component-video-capable or HD-ready TV, since the receiver's component-video terminals offer selectable output modes for 1080i, 480p (EDTV), and 480i (SD). Hook the Sylvania up to a compatible audio/video receiver and multichannel speaker system through a coaxial digital-audio interconnect (not supplied) and you'll be ready to enjoy enveloping, 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound from select ATSC broadcasts. You can configure the output for either widescreen 16:9 or standard 4:3 televisions and monitors, choosing from letterbox, zoom, and full-screen outputs. An easy-to-use electronic program guide (EPG) displays TV programming information, and full V-Chip parental controls let you restrict mature programming from ATSC sources. What's in the Box Receiver, a remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty information.

I bought this model at BB. It came in a package with an antenna. This combination works well and I am glad to be able to put my HDTV set to good use. I thought that I would not get reception being that I am more than 20 miles away from the nearest station. But to my surprise, I got the main network channels and some others with this receiver and the packaged indoor antenna. I would recommend this to anyone looking to try out HDTV and do not want to deal with rooftop antenna setups. One hint that I have for this unit is that you should place the antenna in a good area before having the receiver scan for available channels. Initially, I could not get my local FOX channel. But after bringing the unit upstairs to do the autoscan, I was able to get the channel in its memory. Then I just brought the unit downstairs and hook it to my HDTV set and place the antenna where I can get decent signal for my preferred channels. The quality of HDTV on my projection TV is amazing.

I just wanted to note that upon initially setting up the unit I had a static buildup which prevented the unit from working until it sat and discharged the excess static.

every thing smooth to operate, connected to a sharp z4 projector , football and CSI out standing picture quality. using the dvi-d cable, using the comp.out(Y/Pb/Pr) 99% rating . using the CVBS OUT ( composite) 70% rating. in all i liked the unit little pricy.but and one big but the clock needs to be reset after the power is switched off, so connect it to a seperate outlet and not the amp on your entertainment center. roll on HDTV

Overall, I am satisfied with this box. The digital picture is perfect (of course), and the Dolby Digital 5.1 surround (which requires a digital cable and surround-capable receiver) is also perfect. The volume of the audio source often goes from loud to quiet (or vice versa), especially when switching from Dolby 5.1 surround to normal stereo (or vice versa), but I think this is caused by the broadcast stations, and will probably become less of a problem as stations pay more and more attention to their digital broadcasts, especially when they start to phase out their analog broadcasts. Since I use a normal CRT television with 4:3 aspect ratio, I also can't help but notice another problem, but since it only occurs with some networks and not others, I assume it is also something the broadcast stations could fix: If you are using the "Letterbox" display mode, and a station is displaying a non-HD program over an HD signal, the top edge of the letterbox area will often contain one or more lines of very distracting "flickering" lines. I don't think you would see these lines when viewing an HD signal with a 16:9 television set. Finally, there are two improvements I would like to see on this Sylvania box: (1) The remote does not have an "Aspect" button, so if you want to change to Letterbox or Zoom or Full, you have to press the Setup button, press the Down button twice (to get to the Display options), press the Enter button, press the Down button once (to get to Display Modes), press the Enter button again, use the Up and Down buttons to choose one of the Display modes, press Enter, and finally press the Previous button a couple of times in order to clear all of the menu stuff off of the screen; and (2) the on-screen EPG (Electronic Program Guide) is so painfully slow that you might not even want to use it. It creates a significant interruption with whatever you are watching, so you may only want to use it during commercials. Also, apparently, the program information for each broadcast station will only load after you have viewed that station for a varying period of seconds (or minutes), and all of the program information (for all channels) is lost whenever you turn the unit off. Every time you turn it on, you have to spend considerable time loading program information before the EPG becomes useful at all, and even then it is very slow and frustrating.

The Sylvania 6900DTE Tuner made my old TV look as good as new. Better! Living out in the country, I could only get two channels "off the air." Now I get dozens, all crystal clear, with great sound, including stations from other towns that were nothing but snow with the NTSC tuner in the TV. It may not be HDTV on my 3-year-old Sony television, but it's hard to believe a picture could look better (without spending thousands of dollars more). The Sylvania tuner sets up automatically (it's fun!) and is ready to go in minutes. I spend a lot more time watching TV now. The programs aren't any better, but they look fantastic. I'm ordering another tuner today as a Christmas present for a friend.