Steve Rich writes this review of the new Magnavox set-top-box available at Walmart:

My initial reaction to its performance next to the RCA ATSC11 is that I really like it.  I have the UHF antenna signal coming out of a two-way splitter and feeding the two receivers.  I also have a Radio Shack attenuator on the line for testing purposes.

I currently have them tuned to WIPB-DT-52 (49.1,49.2), Muncie, IN (PBS) @ 40 miles.  The Triax stack antenna is misaimed by approximately 45 degrees for this station and the new TB100MW9 is displaying a perfect picture with perfect audio while the ATSC11 has neither.  In fact, the green LED light (indicating DTV signal) on the ATSC11 is only occasionally even lighting.  Too bad there there's no tropo today. Conditions are really bad at the moment.

Positives for the TB100MW9 so far:

   Can skip auto scan...Can manually enter true RF channel number.  It then brings up a small screen indicating "SCANNING."  If it locates a station, it brings it up.  If it doesn't find it initially, it will allow you sit on the channel and then when the channel is found it will lock it in and bring it up on the screen.

   It has a signal meter, via the "DISPLAY" button or through the menu button.  The one through the menu gives a full graph giving a visual, plus it gives a "NOW" signal reading plus a constant "PEAK" reading, indicating the highest signal registered.  So far, the signal strength screen does not seem to time out.  AND it stays up even while changing from channel to channel.

   It automatically remaps the channel from the true RF channel to its virtual channel number.  The "DISPLAY" button also indicates the call letters of the station.

   Has 3 Display Modes:  Letterbox, Zoom and Full

   Has Auto Power Down feature with 4 settings: Off, 4 hours, 2 hours and 1 hour.

   Seems to be very user friendly.

Negatives with the TB100MW9 so far:

   Is slower than the ATSC11 at initially locating and decoding a new station.  But once it is locked, no doubt that it is better at holding and retaining the station over the RCA.

It is very small in size and very lightweight.  It has an RF in and an RF out.  It also has composite outputs for video, and left/right audio outputs.

Initially I'd say this is a keeper, especially for the price.  I would like to know if this unit DOES contain the 6th generation chip. 

Review by WTFDA member Steve Rich 1/29/08