channelmaster
Latest
The best indoor HDTV antenna
By Grant Clauser This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After spending more than 20 hours attaching many antennas to multiple TVs in two different testing locations (one suburban and one urban), watching way too much daytime programming, and compiling objective data from a signal-strength meter, we think the new 35-mile-range Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse is the indoor HD antenna with the best combination of features for most users. It matched or outperformed larger models in pulling in TV signals, required less (basically zero) assembly, and was easy to hide. The omnidirectional antenna is double-sided (black on one side, white on the other), equipped with a detachable 12-foot coaxial cable, and designed to stick to your wall without any hardware or tape, so finding the right mounting location is simpler than with the other antennas we tested.
Smartenna+ emulates seven TV antennas to find the best OTA signal
Believe it or not, some people still get their television signal over the air from antennas. It's one way cord-cutters can watch local television without purchasing a cable subscription. Getting good reception can be tricky, though. Channel Master's new Smartenna+ is an amplified, indoor TV antenna that uses an internal computer processor to analyze the signals at your home and choose the best one for you.
The best HDTV indoor antenna
By Grant Clauser This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here. After spending more than 20 hours attaching many antennas to multiple TVs in two different testing locations (one suburban and one urban), watching way too much daytime programming, and compiling objective data from a signal-strength meter, we think the Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse is the indoor HD antenna with the best combination of features for most users. It matched or outperformed larger models in pulling in TV signals, required less (basically zero) assembly, and was easy to hide. The omnidirectional antenna includes an attached 12-foot coaxial cable and sticks to your wall without any hardware or tape, which makes finding the right mounting location simpler than with the other antennas we tested.
Channel Master's DVRs add Sling TV to entice cord cutters
One of the few major drawbacks of Sling TV is that it doesn't license the big broadcast channels, but there's an easy fix for that now. Channel Master announced at CES that its DVR+ products -- which are built to catch your local broadcast channels via antenna -- are adding Sling TV to the mix. That puts an impressive slate of channels on one box, right next to the likes of Netflix, YouTube and a few others. The two DVR+ setups don't have any service fee or subscription by themselves, and are available for $249 (16GB storage if you'd like to BYO hard drive) or $399 (1TB HDD built-in). Owners should see Sling TV appear in an update on the 6th and then they'll be ready to go.
Channel Master tempts cord-cutters by adding YouTube to its subscription-free DVR
Let's imagine that you want to cut the cord, but still want to watch local OTA programming. If you want a DVR with online features, you've only really got the option of buying TiVo's Roamio OTA. Unfortunately, that device comes with a $15 per month subscription that might bite if you're trying to save money. Thankfully, Channel Master understands the plight of the cost-conscious consumer, which is why it's adding YouTube to its flagship DVR, the, uh, DVR+. The addition is part of a software tweak that'll also see the box gain a series record feature that'll only preserve new episodes of your favorite show, saving you from deleting the after-hours repeat of that sitcom you love so much. The additions will drop at some point in November, so if you're looking for a dirt-cheap way to join the timeshift set, this might be a good place to start.
Channel Master and Echostar working on new OTA DVR
Sometimes you just want to enjoy TV without making a commitment, and time-shifting broadcasts either means building your own HTPC or purchasing an OTA DVR -- like the now defunct Boxee. Back in 2011, Channel Master teamed up with Entone to fill that niche and a recent FCC filing shows the company (once again) partnering with Echostar to bring a new OTA DVR to the market. The set-top box -- called Channel Master K77 (not pictured) -- also provides over-the-top functionality and comes in two flavors: CM-7500GB16, which features 16GB of built-in flash (and relies on external USB storage for DVR support) and CM-7500GB320, which incorporates a 320GB hard drive. While it's unclear when the device will launch, it will be competing with a number of similar offerings from Simple.TV, Tivo (Series 5) and Aereo once it lands on store shelves.
Channel Master TV review
If you prefer your DVR with no strings attached, your choices are pretty limited these days. You can of course roll your own, but admittedly, that isn't for everyone. Channel Master does plan to change that, though, as it's currently accepting pre-orders for its over-the-air DVR with over-the-top features that doesn't require a subscription. The Channel Master TV ($399) should be hitting retailers and homes this week, and since we love DVRs, especially when they're free from commitments, we decided to take it for a spin. Click through to see how it stacks up.
DISH Network's DTVPal DVR bites the dust after a short, troubled life
It's only a few days shy of 13 months since we released our mixed review of DISH Network's DTVPal DVR, and yet Zatz Not Funny reports that DISH will no longer offer the niche recorder. While it's not particularly shocking news given the device's performance issues and befuddling connection to the satellite provider, it does imply that finding an affordable, modern, and subscription-free solution for over-the-air recording will soon go the way of the dodo. So all issues aside, if you're in need of a ATSC dual-tuning HD recorder with 250 GB of space for $250, we'd suggest you snag one of the dwindling units available online before it's too late (or, as CNET notes, keep an eye out for its Channel Master CM-7000PAL doppelganger.) Otherwise, be prepared to either upgrade to the pricier world of full-fledged DVRs, or more unthinkably, dust off the VCR sitting in your attic. If you do choose the latter option though, for the love of humanity do not allow those taped episodes of Dragon Ball Z to ever see the light of day.
Channel Master CM-7000 DTV converter box now coupon eligible
Although Channel Master's CM-7000 was announced some time ago, many assumed the "HDTV compatible" logo on the front would keep it from becoming eligible for use with those $40 government-issued coupons. Granted, the marketing is still a bit wonky here -- after all, you can't really "Get Free HDTV" when the maximum output of the unit is 480i -- but at least it has finally slid into the NTIA's list of voucher-eligible boxes. According to early reviews, the reception / interface isn't half bad, so those who've been holding out in hopes that this critter would make the list, you know what to do.Read - Channel Master Digital To Analog Converter Box Now NTIA Coupon EligibleRead - CM-7000 user impressions
