Accurian Radio Shack HDTV Tuner problem

[Vikas]

Anybody else has this ancient piece of hardware? This is off-the-air HDTV tuner which I purchased from Radio Shack many years ago. It had given me great service but lately I can not get sound from the local ABC affiliate. I am not sure if this is a problem with the digital encoding at the source (i.e. TV station) or decoding by the tuner or decoding by my Pioneer receiver. Unfortunately, I have no other receiver or anything which can take digital sound as input signal to trouble shoot. I have already tried both optical and coaxial digital. I have yet to try analog out and even it it works, i would be pretty sub-optimal. The tuner has to USB input, so I do not believe there is any way to update firmware. Besides I would be shocked if manufacturer ever provided an updated firmware. These tuners were essentially clearanced and sold at firesale prices.

AVSForum is probably the best place to ask this question but alas that has not worked.

 

[NateDN10]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I have yet to try analog out and even it it works, i would be pretty sub-optimal.

If analog out does work, it would at least rule out the station transmitting. Do you have another SPDIF source, to rule in/out your Pioneer receiver?

 

[Vikas]

Everything else including other HDTV channels and my other digital sources such as DVD player and cable set-top box are working with that receiver. The station transmission is working because otherwise everybody would be complaining and the station would have fixed it long time ago. Also my upstairs QAM capable TV is working correctly with that channel.

 

[bullwinkle]

Vikas-I actually own one of those, and I haven't used it for a couple of years. I hooked it up with a pair of rabbit ears & a spare TV, and I have audio for my local ABC affiliate (WKRC-9)-wonder if your station might have changed something?

 

[Vikas]

I should have thought this before. The analog is obviously generated by the tuner itself i.e. the entire stream as originating from the station is digital. And since the tuner is not able to decode the sound, there is no analog either.

Also because of my location, I can not receive the other ABC affiliate.

 

[The_Jeff]

Call the station. You never know. Someone might call you back.

Also make the thing rescan.

Maybe they set it up so instead of channels 1 & 2 being left & right stereo they suddenly started using the "center channel" (for voice) as part of 5.1 surround.

Also try and see if it does this in ABC network programming and also local news and commercials.