andyross
join:2003-05-04
Schaumburg, IL
| Anyone open up a DTA
Has anybody cracked open one of the DTA's? I wonder if there could be a way to tap in and pick up an AV feed instead of relying on the RF. That could let you use a TV's built-in tuner for HD, and the DTA for others (depending on availability of ClearQAM). |
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Curlee
join:2009-07-17
Issaquah, WA | I've been tempted, but have so far resisted.
What I'd expect to find is a single ASIC surrounded by a few discrete parts. |
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commonality
@sbcglobal.net | reply to andyross
FWIW, apparently all of Comcast's DTAs (Pace, Motorola, Thomson) use the same chip, the Broadcom BCM3545: »www.lightreading.com/document.as···d=161812 |
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JoesphM
@rr.com
| reply to andyross
The Broadcom BCM3545 chip in the DTA takes a QAM input and outputs a analog NTSC signal, so no there is no HD feed you could intercept and output by opening it up and tapping in.
The DTA does what it's designed to do, take QAM channels and output NTSC analog. Nothing more. |
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Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL
| reply to andyross
said by andyross  :Has anybody cracked open one of the DTA's? I wonder if there could be a way to tap in and pick up an AV feed instead of relying on the RF. That could let you use a TV's built-in tuner for HD, and the DTA for others (depending on availability of ClearQAM). DTA are not built for new tv they are for the old ones.
If you want to really use your tv then get a HD cable box or cable card box. |
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dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
1 edit | reply to JoesphM
Re-read the OP's question - he never said anything about getting an HD feed out of the DTA. Not only that, he specifically said "use a TV's built-in tuner for HD" - he's ONLY wanting to get a better picture quality (& stereo sound I'm sure) on the SD DTA channels, which you obviously CAN'T get with the crappy RF out. 
There ARE DTA's with A/V outs, just NOT the ones cc choose to use... |
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commonality
@sbcglobal.net
| said by dishrich :he's ONLY wanting to get a better picture quality (& stereo sound I'm sure) on the SD DTA channels, which you obviously CAN'T get with the crappy RF out. One correction... Comcast's DTAs do have stereo sound on the RF output. The BCM3545 (DTA version) integrates a BTSC stereo encoder for this purpose, and I can say that my Thomson DTA definitely outputs stereo sound. |
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dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
| Then all that makes even LESS sense, that they DID spring for a BTSC encoder, but did NOT for 3 little RCA jacks. (which would have cost way less than the encoder) 
The majority of stereo TV's ALSO have basic A/V inputs, & if someone cares about stereo sound, most likely they'll care more about having better video quality with a composite video feed - which then the L/R audio inputs would obviously be used as well. (& still be better than a cheap BTSC encoder to boot)
Sorry, but anyway you spin it, it still makes ZERO sense - if the manufacturers could do A/V jacks on cheap (free actually) OTA converters, then so could have all these DTA makers - I'm just glad I don't have to deal with them!  |
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andyross
join:2003-05-04
Schaumburg, IL
| reply to andyross
The issue with the DTA's is that most TV's only have one RF input. If I use a DTA, which only has RF out, I only get to watch SD on the TV. Even worse, it's SD that's been compressed by Comcast, decoded by the DTA, then output as RF.
The idea is that I can split the RF input. One to the DTA, with the hacked AV output going to an input on the TV. The other pure RF goes to the TV, where I can tune in any ClearQAM, especially HD. To watch encrypted (remember, Comcast has a waiver to use encryption with the DTA's) the DTA can receive, I just switch to an AV input on the TV. |
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DrDrew
join:2009-01-28
Apple Valley, CA
| reply to dishrich
The channel 3/4 modulator with BTSC encoder is all part of the chip.
The chip outputs baseband audio and video, there just aren't any connectors. |
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dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
| said by DrDrew :The channel 3/4 modulator with BTSC encoder is all part of the chip. Yea, I figured that; I do have Channel+ BTSC mods in my house - the point (again) is, a BTSC mod IS still more $$$ than a mono one, which is all that you see in 90% of other A/V devices such as VCR's, cable/DBS set tops, external 3/4 mods, etc.
Again, they should have put the $$$ they would have saved on a mono mod, & put 3 jacks on the case.
The chip outputs baseband audio and video, there just aren't any connectors. Again, as I just pointed out it, this makes it even MORE ridiculous they're NOT there... |
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jasg
join:2008-12-13
Seattle, WA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| said by dishrich :Again, as I just pointed out it, this makes it even MORE ridiculous they're NOT there... Not from the perspective of encouraging the rental of more capable STBs - for more money. |
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andyross
join:2003-05-04
Schaumburg, IL | reply to DrDrew
The hope is that there may be testpads or some form of contact that you could connect cables to. It'd be nice if somebody could get the full datasheet to see the pinout, unless the PCB in the DTA actually labels things (doubtful). |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
 ·Comcast
| reply to andyross
said by andyross :Has anybody cracked open one of the DTA's? I wonder if there could be a way to tap in and pick up an AV feed instead of relying on the RF. That could let you use a TV's built-in tuner for HD, and the DTA for others (depending on availability of ClearQAM). It isn't your DTA. It is Comcasts. Breaking open the box and modifying it is against the law.
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My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| reply to andyross
Move where you can get Service Electric. They are offering DTA's for purchase for $50. Yup, you can GASP.... OWN ONE. Or if you prefer not to, you can rent it. Maybe send me $50 plus shipping and I can buy one and you can OWN it. Comcast will likely not activate it though.
This is in Birdsboro, Hazelton and Sunbury PA. |
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Pullo
join:2009-06-18
Reading, PA | Actually the Eagle got that wrong about purchasing DTA's from Service Electric,it's 2 for free than additional units are $1.95/month or a $50 lifetime Lease. |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs: | Lifetime Lease? Meaning if you move you have to still return it? Oh I would be all over that fine print to make sure, and ready with a Lawyer if they missed one particular detail. |
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dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
| said by cypherstream :Lifetime Lease? Meaning if you move you have to still return it? Oh I would be all over that fine print to make sure, and ready with a Lawyer if they missed one particular detail. Why not - both DBS providers do the SAME thing with their DVR's. Yea, you are paying (only) $5 monthly, but people still pay $200 upfront lease (unless you get them to comp you for them) but you still MUST return them when you terminate your service.
But still, $50 ONE time for as long as your an SE sub is not too shabby - but, if you DO this, will SE still replace it if it goes belly up? (since you do NOT own it) If they do NOT, then I don't really see how they CAN have it both ways... |
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jasg
join:2008-12-13
Seattle, WA
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to Pullo
said by Pullo :...a $50 lifetime Lease. A good deal for those who want to use their analog TV for another 25 years or more  |
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