22
Access HD DTA1080D
$70.00
The Pros:I like the zoom button, it retains the proportions of the image unlike some options available on my other brand unit. I like the fact that it's easy to setup and it's small too.
The Cons:Loses channels every few days. The box does get hot if left on for a while, takes forever to scan and I only get 4 channels in (probly cuz of my antenna and I need to get it hooked up to the one outside). I personally would recommend the Zinwell ZAT 970A cuz thats the one we got for the big screen TV downstairs. RF output noisy, unlike the other brand box I compared it with under identical conditions. The other one has a metal enclosure that likely provides more shielding than the plastic Access HD unit.
The Access HD DTA1080D is government certified and has been confirmed to be eligible for purchase with the government $40 off coupon.
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User Reviews (8)
Pros & Cons
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2
I like the zoom button, it retains the proportions of the image unlike some options available on my other brand unit.
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2
I like the fact that it's easy to setup and it's small too.
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3
loses channels every few days
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3
The box does get hot if left on for a while, takes forever to scan and I only get 4 channels in (probly cuz of my antenna and I need to get it hooked up to the one outside). I personally would recommend the Zinwell ZAT 970A cuz thats the one we got for the big screen TV downstairs.
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2
RF output noisy, unlike the other brand box I compared it with under identical conditions. The other one has a metal enclosure that likely provides more shielding than the plastic Access HD unit.
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2
On the remote, the volume-up button is too similar in size and too close to the standby button, and the channel-up button is too similar in size and too close to the mute button, contributing to accidental shutoff and accidental muting when adjusting the volume or changing channels.
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1
standby button should be renamed "erase" button because it erases the channel programming, requiring the channels to be rescanned every time you use it, either intentionally to shut the box off, or unintentionally pressing it or thinking it will
turn the TV off.
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1
This brand has less desirable warranty return requirements than my other brand box potentially costing a $25 round trip if they disagree that the unit is bad. My other brand only requires the serial number sticker from the bottom of the unit be mailed in with an explanation using a single postage stamp.
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1
The standby button issue in con #3 above is not a universal problem with all the Access HD units. See more detailed discussion in the "comments" section via the link at the top of this page.
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0
RF output died after less than 2 weeks of use.
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Comments (3)
tvbob:
#access_hd_dta1080d Four units from two mid February shipments exhibit standby button issues. The standby button erases the channel programming on all four units, requiring repeated rescanning of all channels in contradiction to the user's manual. Also, the standby button on these four units is not always reliable in powering up the unit from standby mode. At least one of the units would only power up by unplugging the power supply from the back of the unit and plugged it back in, and most of the units would not always power up on the first press of the button.
I exchanged my mid February units for units from a late February shipment and the more recent units do not have the standby button memory loss and reliability issues. The late February units are packed with a different power supply labeled "MOSO" that is rectangular shaped and almost 3" long instead of the square shaped power supply the four mid February units had. Perhaps the MOSO power supply solved the standby button problems. However the RF output is still noisy even with the MOSO power supply, unlike my other brand unit under identical conditions.
Mar 1, 09
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lightningstrikestwice:
#access_hd_dta1080d Get another brand, locating warranty service is impossible. ACCESS HD is distributed by GXI International. The warranty info states: "To locate your nearest authorized service center, warranty and parts, or for general customer service, please call 1-800-393-1246". All you get is a recording that tries to sell you a new antenna; or a recorded repeat of the steps that are spelled out in the instruction booklet. There is absolutely no mention of service centers, warranty or parts. Customer service is just a recording and a sales pitch. The only human contact offered is to purchase the antenna.
Oct 27, 08
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zylorian:
#access_hd_dta1080d Purchased this product because it is free with coupon, and still have another coupon in case it dies.
Setup
The channel autoscan takes ~3-5 mintues. It finds all the local stations +
some that the analog could not get at all, although some digital stations are
weaker than the analog equivalent.
Quality
Picture quality is great, audio quality has a little added noise compared to
analog of same channels.
The RF output died after only 2 weeks of usage. We did not abuse the unit at
all: we used it for less than 10 hours/day and unplugged it during the night,
which should not be unreasonable. We have now resorted to the composite out
and who knows how long that will last! Thankfully the composite output
quality is the same as the RF output quality. Plan to give updates if the
composite dies and what happens when we complain to HDAcess.
Remote
The box has only three buttons! Power on, channel up and channel down. Thus you NEED the remote to do necessary tasks, like add channels. Bad news if it breaks!
Features
Has analog passthrough, works just as one would hope.
You cannot scroll through the EPG without changing the channel, which I find
annoying. The EPG does allow you to scroll through 12 hours of future
programming on your current channel.
The box has a signal strength indicator, which can be turned on from the
SIGNAL button on the remote, and turns off upon channel change or the SIGNAL
button. It gives you a number from 0-100, and it needs about 25+ to display
the channel.
The Menu has the following items:
Auto Channel Searching [allows option of full scan OR add channels, which is
very nice in case you can't get reception of all channels at once]
Channel List Editing [you can manually "delete" (i.e. hide) a channel so that
you skip it when you surf]
Change Password [for Parental Controls]
Parental Controls [V-chip]
Advanced Closed Caption [Style, Size, Font, Text Color, Text Opacity,
Background Color, Background Opacity, Edge Effect, Edge Color]
Language [English, Spanish, French]
Auto Power Down Timer [Off, 1, 2, 3, 4 Hours]
Time Zone
Overall
Does what we want it to do, but VERY disappointed that the RF output died
within a week of purchasing.
Oct 26, 08
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