Technical Details

* Support Analog Pass-Through
* Convert Digital TV signal to Analog
* Multi-lingual support
* Digital Parental control
* Remote control included

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Customer Reviews

By Mike

I bought two important to plan the event timer / converter program available from this date: the Zinwell and the DTVPal Plus (enhanced version of the DTVPal or TR-40 CRA). These are some of the main problems and advantages of each.

The biggest problem I have with the Zinwell is that the remote is the most futile and less expensive control that I have ever seen with any product. The down arrow button is already having problems responding to the pressing after only a few days. Usually it takes several years before that the buttons of a remote start to go wrong, and I fear that this will not even work, a year from now. Text labels on buttons is rubbing off and becoming more difficult to read.

The biggest problem with the DTVPal Plus is the reception. Plus you are supposed to get better reception on the previous models, which were known for bad reception, but in my area you get a couple less than the Zinwell UHF channels and often serious break on the ABC affiliate and two other channels (including an amplified antenna). Maybe this will be less of a problem if the digital signals get increased in the month of February.

Both devices get the time clock automatically from a digital signal, but both devices to take time occasionally erratic. After a few days, the Zinwell stops at 62 minutes behind the correct time and the DTVPal Plus became stuck at 53 minutes ahead. This problem has diminished, as stations to adjust their signals in time. If you are buying this to schedule timed events, it can be a problem. The Zinwell does not have daylight saving on / off, while the DTVPal Plus lets you check the summer time. The Zinwell has the advantage that you can manually set the time, while the DTVPal Plus is not possible to do so. Even after manually setting the time of the Zinwell, I found lost 1-2 minutes a week and also loses the clock time completely if the power goes even for a second (most of the devices for keeping time for 2-3 minutes by a power interruption). I have mine on a UPS (battery backup) to avoid wasting time in a brief power outage. Zinwell least allows you to control time.

As someone has observed, the Zinwell has 8 event timers DTVPal Plus 5 for. The Zinwell is missing a weekday use option MF programming. Both devices let you go through several menus to access the programming timer. DTVPal Plus has a planning process embarrassing when you go through two screens. The Zinwell has its own clumsiness makes you choose a channel from a list of radio call letters, rather than channel numbers! The Zinwell also requires the confirmation at the end of the process of programming the timer, and set aside the default makes it easy to accidentally delete your timer event, so be careful.

If you like the program-guide screen, the DTVPal Plus has a fuller than the Zinwell, and you can even schedule timer events directly from the program guide with the DTVPal Plus. However, it takes a little ‘to download each time you turn on the converter.

If you get a Zinwell, do not throw away the manual. Zinwell unfortunately set a password on some of the functions of the channel, so you will need to check the default password in the manual if you try to access these functions.

Do not expect much support. Both companies have several days to respond to a request and gave canned answers did not address my question. After providing the information for follow-up, neither company has towards me. There are several other aspects and features of both devices.

(- Some notes updated 9/16/2009 after a few months of use -)

Zinwell image quality was good. In rare cases, I had a little problem with the audio and video Zinwell getting a bit ‘out of sync (as also reported by a couple of other guests) but does not care about me and turn off and puts them in tune.

The biggest problem I had with the regular use of the Zinwell is expected that recurring events (weekly, etc.) get messed up regularly so I have to constantly monitor them. The Zinwell loses the channel on recurring events and resets the channel to the highest numbered station. (This problem is not unique to me, I think that the problem most commonly reported important with this device.) Approximately every 4-6 weeks recurring events is completely lost and need to be reentered. One-Time Events get messed up less often.

Using the clock time manually (rather than automatic time signal from the TV), Zinwell has changed the clock on years of me a couple of times – even if it did not alter the clock time (hours / minutes)! This means that the timer event has not been activated, because the clock was changed in years 2044, 1989, or some other date. If the time clock has also messed up I want to see that something was wrong for the correct time and realize that I had to set the date. But the time clock was good, leaving me without knowing that the year was messed up. (This has happened a couple of times, even though there was no loss of power and did not go to settings, date and time. Tax manual, there should be no change in spontaneous years.) Now that you regularly check the on the device. I was more excited about this box if you purchased before, but the clock and timer bugs manifest themselves over time. I bought mine in October 2008 and, perhaps, have set some of the anomalies clock in recent releases.

DTVPal Plus tends to run hot, so I backed up in a corner to give him a little ‘cooling space. I had a serious problem a couple of times that the DTVPal Plus would not have the power on-had to pull the plug from the power source and reconnect it again, and then went to work. Since enhanced digital signals after the transition, the weaker the reception was not a problem now becomes all the channels that my other converter boxes to obtain. (However, I live in an urban area and has an amplified antenna, so reception may still be weaker than a problem for many people.)

DTVPal Plus regularly loses timer events. I found two specific sequences of events that cause a steady drop timer events. Issues DTVPal Plus timers were even more problematic than those with the Zinwell. I used several video recorders more than two decades and never had a malfunction of the device on its own timer events or spontaneously change the selected channel. Not sure why it is so difficult for these digital boxes.

Although the station on-screen program guide for the DTVPal Plus is robust, I have found very convenient. The normal access program guide turns off audio and video while you’re browsing the guide, so you can listen or watch television as browse it. To view the television as you browse the guide, you can not use the Help button on the remote, but must use the directional buttons to access the guide, but the guide overlaps much of the screen (semi-transparent).

DTVPal Plus has a bright spot: it handles poor signal quality good. The two issues are the reception signal strength and signal quality. While the DTVPal Plus not pick up low resistance well, to manage the poor signal quality very well. There are a couple of stations with poor quality (but adequate strength) that my Zenith Zinwell can not receive, but that the DTVPal Plus collects. In my experience, but also less abandoned by other things that reduce the signal quality, such as the division of the feed antenna or electrical interference.

Another small plus I found with the DTVPal Plus: work from my old universal remote control (like a box of SAT), which allows me to control all my devices, very, very practical. None of the other converter boxes that I work with this old universal remote, although I have heard that some new universal remote that can control converters. This makes it a little ‘for the fact that the DTVPal Plus has no buttons on the window and can be operated by remote control. (However, it might be too sensitive, it becomes even when you press the fast forward on a brand of VCR remote!

By Troy Heagy (Forest Hill MD)

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

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

The Zinwell also has analog pass for people who come to watch low-power or “clean air” stations after the February 2009 analog shutdown. If you’re like me and do not have any analog stations post-transition, then this feature has no real relevance.

Driving the Zinwell is rather poor, since he says only what is planned today, and what program will now be next. DTVpal the plate has a complete guide show = up to 12 hours in the future, but I do not recommend the device due to poor quality build & software bugs that make it almost unusable.

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

By couchbum “couchbum” (California USA)

I only have an external antenna TV. No cable or satellite. I also bought this converter for the construction of timers. You can record different channels at different times while you are away from home with your VCR and TV antenna (however, you can not record one station and watch another station “at the same time”). You must set your TV and VCR to channel 3 (always) and the timer in this converter must be set for time and channel to record. Sure that the time clock on the converter corresponds to the time clock on your VCR. Or, you may lose part of your show. There is a problem that I have not understood yet. I connected this converter for the TV in my living room. My line continues and the external antenna cable goes into the bedroom and the TV in the bedroom has only the channel that the converter is in the living room. I have 2 of these converter boxes, and so I hooked up in the second bedroom. It does not receive the signals of the channels. Well, that did not last long since I received my DVD by mail (Toshiba DR560 1080p Upconverting DVD Recorder with built-in tuner, purchased on Amazon) and this DVD recorder has a built-in ATSC / NTSC / QAM digital / analog tuner . Sense, I do not need a converter in my bedroom life now. This DVD recorder allows me to record one station and watch another station, at the same time from my over the air, external antenna. Just like a VCR. Awesome! Now the converter works on the TV room and bedroom. Since the DVD recorder is the signal that allows you to continue through the bedroom. I am a happy camper. Now I have a special converter box. Maybe I’ll sell it on Amazon.

Over 3 years ago, I got rid of my cable (yes, the first 3 months was very difficult). I bought an external antenna TV and lived with it for about a year. The reception was not good, a lot of white or specific lines. Then I bought a booster antenna. Almost like a big improvement receive cable paid. This converter allows me to receive more TV channels then the external antenna TV alone. I did not understand yet what are these stations. I think they’re cable or satellite channels. This converter also been receiving all TV stations. My new DVD burner, as I said, even better reception even better then this converter.

Among other things, so far I have saved more than 2 thousand dollars, abolishing paid my cable and go to an external antenna. Add your monthly cable bill by 12 times. This is what you are paying a year’s paid cable

Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera

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Customer Reviews

By Hyun Yu

My journey with DSLRs began in 2003 with the original Digital Rebel. DSLRs changed my photography for the better like nothing else. Five years and some 25,000 shots later, is still strong. Along the way I upgraded to the Canon 30D, which is a fantastic camera as well. When the 40D was announced, I decided to wait until the 50D sometimes in 2009 but wanted a newer backup / second body for my photographic needs. So when the XSi/450D was announced, it sounded like a perfect fit for my needs.

I got it from Amazon.com three days ago, and have made a pretty good workout since then, they fired about 650 shots under a variety of shooting conditions and with a different number of Canon lenses and third parties. The following are my impressions.

The build feels very good. The camera feels wonderfully light yet well built. ‘m 6 feet high with average size hands, and the camera feels good in my hand. Taking the battery for me defeats the purpose of having a small, light DSLR, so I opted for a Hakuba / Opteka grip (it’s a plate that screws into the tripod socket that allows you to use the excellent Canon E1 strap it) and I could not be happier. I’m not a fan of neck straps, so it works well for me (see the uploaded photo for the configuration).

Most of the menu buttons on the back feel different from that on the original Digital Rebel and 30D, the XSi buttons feel more tactile and have a precise “click” for when you press them. The exception are the Exposure Lock (*) and AF selector buttons, which have maintained the feeling deeper, softer cameras larger. Just different, not better or worse, for me.

The LCD is now 3 “with 230K pixels. Playback images look great, and probably because of the higher resolution of the sensor, there is a very slight delay when you zoom to 10x while the image loads and displays correctly. People from other cameras or brands might not even notice it – I did only because the difference between this and my other two Canon cameras (which are low-resolution sensors). The viewing angle LCD screen (as can be clearly see the screen from side and up and down) is excellent, you can still see the screen holding the camera almost up for a shot in the head (more later).’d estimate the viewing angle is about 160-170 degrees both horizontally and vertically.

The Digital Rebel has a separate status screen above the main LCD screen, and the 30D had one on top of the camera, so I was not sure if I was going to like the large LCD screen that acts as a state and not the screen top. I am happy to say that this system works well, at least for me. The rear screen makes it really easy to take all the settings at a glance. The viewfinder is much bigger and brighter than the Digital Rebel. A feature humongously welcome for me is always displayed ISO value in the viewfinder.

The camera is only 1 / 2 the equation of image quality, the other is the lens in use. Coupled with my favorite target, the Canon EF 70-200mm f / 4 L telephoto lens, the XSi is fantastic images. The supplied kit lens is very light and compact for an image stabilized lens, and reveals good performance. The IS is certainly very useful.

Two features that used to miss the Digital Rebels and found in more expensive DSLRs are now present in the XSi: spot-metering and flash exposure compensation (which may have been available in previous model, the Digital Rebel, the XTi as well) . The inclusion of these two features make the camera a much more complete and compelling photographic tool. The timer function now has a custom mode, where it will count down 10 seconds and then take a number of shots (specified by you) in succession. No more running back and forth to reset the timer after each shot! There is also the traditional 2 second timer.

Let’s talk for a minute of sensors and ISO values. XSi/450D has five ISO values you can choose: 100 (best image quality), 200, 400, 800 and 1600. Higher ISO increases the sensitivity of the camera sensor to light, so you can get faster shutter speeeds for a given lighting condition. However, the trade-off is that the sensor “noise” (think grain for film photography) increases with higher ISO, so you get a degraded image quality in exchange for less image blur from hand shakes ( through the shutter speed). This can be useful in situations where flash use is not permitted, such as a museum or a concert or a theater. However, compared to point-and-shoot digital cameras, the larger sensors of digital SLRs, including XSI, it means that even at ISO 800 and 1600 you get very usable images right out of the camera. Performs the images turn those ISO settings through any number of third noise reduction third party software will improve even more.

This links to another useful feature of XSi/450D that makes life easier for the photographer: The Auto ISO function. By default, Auto ISO sets the ISO (the sensor sensitivity to light) between 100 and 800 (using custom functions, this can be changed to 200-1600). If you are, for example, target shooting, the Kid’s indoor basketball court and you know that you need a shutter speed of at least 1 / 200 sec to “freeze” the action, then you can set the camera to your TV (mode shutter priority) and set the value to 1 / 200, and set the camera to Auto ISO. Then the camera will match the aperture and ISO to get proper exposure to the shutter speed. With my other DSLRs, setting the camera to shutter priority only allowed the camera to adjust the aperture value, ISO setting had to be adjusted manually. With XSi/450D, the possibility for the camera to adjust the ISO value automatically makes one less thing for you to worry about the photographer.

I just tried the Live View function to see how it works, but I can already see how useful it will be in studio and macro photography. Just a note, you can press the shutter button halfway to autofocus while in Live View mode. You’ll focus or manual, or use one of two methods of auto focus, fast (the mirror stage, the LCD goes dark for a short period, and flips it down with focus locked) or live ( the camera uses the LCD monitor’s contrast detection to achieve the focus – this method is slower than the fast method) or by pressing the exposure lock button (*), while in Live View mode. Using the RS-60E3 wired remote or RC-1 wireless remote in Live View mode only fire the shutter, and has no bearing on focusing.

Some people seem to be under the impression that the inclusion of Live View function allows them to use the XSi/450D as do point-and-shoot digital cameras, to compose their shots. That is not the case. You can not really do use the Live View function works unless the camera firmly mounted on a tripod or on a flat surface. Both the Live View focusing modes, while precise, are too slow to be used for hand firing.

That said, there is a use of Live View in hand the times that I have come to value. During the aerial or an obstacle, I can not, with the same hand holding the camera, shooting Live View, compose the scene through the LCD monitor (even if it is out of focus, it’s easy to get the general framing right), disable Live View, and take the photo normally. With a little ‘practice, this can be achieved very quickly. Very useful when you’re only holding the head camera and hoping for the best.

The Direct Print button that has been much ridiculed and maligned in most Canon cameras now Double button white balance menu. The button located in the center of the four directional arrow keys can be programmed for a variety of different functions: Change image quality, exposure compensation, flash, LCD monitor on / off (same as Display button, but can be activated by the same hand holding the camera), and the menu (again, can be activated by the same hand holding the camera).

There is a dedicated ISO button, which is also much appreciated. Can be easily accessed during shooting with the right thumb, so as to minimize the interruption to shooting.

Battery life seems very good. I shot about 500 shots on a single charge and control of the state is still showing a full load.

I’m using Transcend 8GB Class 6 SDHC card with it. At ISO 100, the camera reports that it can fit 396 RAW + JPG (highest quality) on it, but it is probably fit about 420-450 (the camera always in the conservative estimate). With RAW only, you can fit 507. JPG higher quality, which can accommodate 1822. Note that as ISO increases, so do the file sizes and then you can store less images per card. For example, ISO 1600, the same card can hold only 323 images, compared to 396 at ISO 100.

My only gripe, and this is more about me that the camera is the RAW + JPG buffer. I always shoot RAW + JPG, and the buffer only hold four images at that speed (this is a limitation that is integrated into the camera’s memory buffer, and then using a fast memory card does not help – see page. 64 of the manual). When the buffer is full, you can take two additional images at about one frame per second, then had to wait until the buffer empties (finishes writing to the memory card). When shooting RAW only, it’s 6 images. When shooting JPG only, so there is a problem in more than 50 frames. I found switching the mode dial to Sports mode when I’m shooting fast-moving subjects, and the buffer can not keep up with it. Well, that’s why Canon produces different types and ranges of digital SLR cameras.

By J. Lane “Dash2481″ (Salt Lake City, UT)

I had the XSi for about 3 months and are Thouroughly impressed with it. This is my first DSLR and I was a bit ‘skeptical of going with a brand new camera new and untested, but I always like Canon (I used an ELAN II in High School and I bought a SD600 about 2 years ago to take snapshots of my son). Overall, I was not disappointed with the quality of the photos that the XSi produces. The IS works great and I took some photos rather surprising (at least for me). I only have a couple of problems, good and bad, that I think all those who seek to buy this would want to know.

Battery life – Great battery life. I must say, AMAZING battery life. I took over 5000 pictures and I only had to charge the battery twice.

Live View – LiveView is not for beginners. Is not a substitute for your Point-and-Shoot. You can not use it in AUTO mode (Green Square). This is not that great of a deal for me, I prefer full manual myself, but the whole point of this feature, I thought, was to make it easier to use for point-and-shoot photographer. My wife can not use Live View in its current form (in particular, I bought a digital SLR camera with Live View function so that it could continue to use the camera.) So, if Live View is a big selling point for you, you look at some others (if it is not that big of a deal for you, then this is still an amazing camera – added 4-23 — 2008). If you do the work in the studio, however, you can connect the camera to your PC and use it as a remote viewer. But it is a point-and-shoot camera in Live View. In my previous review, I said that it would be nice if Canon fixed some of the Live View, with a firmware upgrade, I was wrong. Live View is a nice feature, once you understand that it is not for beginners. Studio and landscape photographers will find Live View a great tool.

Image Quality – I had a very successful shooting in a studio setting as well as some shots of the great outdoors. In the studio, I used tungsten “hot” lights with subjuect against a white background. The pictures turned out great. Skin tones are perfect and there is very little, if appropriate, chromatic abberation at the edges. Shoots great outdoor shots. We just got into beekeeping and I was able to get some AMAZING shots of our bees up-close outdoors. The bees looked dirty and not very interesting from a distance, but the macro photos I got up close they are beautiful and full of details perfectly sharp. The lens is a bit ‘short, the image quality you get from it is pretty good considering it costs only $ 100. I plan to purchase more than one target in the near future.

Overall, the camera is solid and feels nice in hand. It is not too heavy, but still feels sturdy. If you can afford the higher price, I do not think you will be disappointed. If it is not possible, the XTi is still a great camera. And if we can afford to wait some months for price to drop a bit ‘(LIKE IT already!) I would. I managed to work a few extra weekends so I could afford to do this, and I can tell you, I do not mind a bit ‘, because the quality of the photos I’m was totally worth it.

— Update —
I was incorrect when I said I could not use the 9-point autofocus in Live View. You can use the 9-point autofocus while in Live View, but the mirror flips down and focuses so that he can not see what you’re trying to focus on until the camera is actually passed through the process autofocus.

— Update # 2 —
Now I had this camera for almost two months and I am happy to report that most use it, the more I like it. Once you learn the layout of the camera and you load the MyMenu with the tools you use most often, the camera becomes an absolute pleasure to use. I took over 5000 pictures with it until today and now I need an extra hard drive to put them all on.

I was able to rent a Canon EF 24-105 L IS and a 580 EX II Speedlite for my sister’s wedding. WOW! What great pictures. The camera is interfaced with the flash without any problems and are increasingly convinced that much of the quality of the photos is the glass you use and not so much from the camera itself (I think it is about 65% of the camera body to 35% give or pick up some points – I know there will be those who disagree, but this is my take on it, and I’m sure if I had a 1Ds MkIII I would think that there was a piece of glass quite well to my camera).

This is a great beginner DSLR camera and a great all around. I am very happy with my purchase and I did not regret spending $ 900 to buy a great tool. Amazon sells now at $ 799, you can not go wrong at that price!