ATSC Digital TV Receiver

HFA100

Operating Manual

Important Information
Dolby Digital is a registered trademark of Dolby Corporation. Digital Light Processing and DLP are registered trademarks of Texas Instruments Corporation.
Repairs and Warranty Service
Should your HFA100 require warranty service, please contact Humax first to obtain authorization. You can reach us at 866.humax.usa, 17501 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614, or by visiting our website at http://www.humaxusa.com/support.html.

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THIS SYMBOL IS INTENDED TO ALERT THE USER TO THE PRESENCE OF UNINSULATED DANGEROUS VOLTAGE WITHIN THE PRODUCTS ENCLOSURE THAT MAY BE OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE TO CONSTITUTE A RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK TO PERSONS.
THIS SYMBOL IS INTENDED TO ALERT THE USER TO THE PERSENCE OF INPORTANT OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE (SERVICING) INSTRUCTIONS IN THE LITERATURE ACCOMPANYING THE APPLIANCE.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPATATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. 10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. 11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. 12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over. 13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. 15. The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
INFORMATION TO THE USER This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one more of the following measures: - Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. - Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. - Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference that may cause undesired operation.Caution
Caution: FCC regulations state that any unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment may void the users authority to operate it.
HUMAX HDTV Tuner Limited Warranty
We thank you for having bought this Humax product and hope you will enjoy it for many years. In order to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience on your part, we suggest reading the instruction manual carefully before contacting our customer care department. Also keep the original box and packing material in case you need to return or repair your product.

Limited 90 Days Warranty

Humax warrant the product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, Humax warrant this product against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of ninety (90) days after the date of original retail purchase. During this period Humax will repair or replace a defective product or part, at its discretion, with a new or refurbished product or part without charge to you. You are responsible for all shipping and insurance charges for the unit to the Authorized Service Center. Upon receipt we will at our option exchange the unit with a new or refurbished unit.
Limited One (1) Year Warranty
Humax warrant the product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, Humax warrant this product against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one (1) year after the date of original retail purchase. During this period Humax will repair or replace a defective product or part without charge to you, except that if a defective part is replaced after ninety (90) days from the date of the original retail purchase you shall pay labor charges involved in the replacement. You are responsible for all shipping and insurance charges for the unit to the Authorized Service Center. Upon receipt we will at our option exchange the unit with a new or refurbished unit.

Conditions

1. This warranty will be granted only when the original invoice or sales receipt (indicating the date of purchase, product type and dealers name) is presented together with the defective product. Humax reserves the right to refuse free-of-charge warranty service if the above document cannot be presented or if the information contained in it is incomplete or illegible. 2. This warranty will not reimburse nor cover the damage resulting from adaptations or adjustments which may be made to the product, without the prior written consent of Humax, in order to conform to the national or local technical or safety standards in force in any country other than the ones for which the product was originally designed and manufactured. 3. This warranty will not apply if the type or serial number on the product has been altered, deleted, removed or made illegible.
4. This warranty covers none of the following:
Periodic maintenance and repair or replacement of parts due to normal wear and tear; Any adaptation or changes to upgrade the product from its normal purpose as described in the instruction manual, without the prior written consent of Humax; Transport costs, home service transport cost and all risks of transport relating directly or indirectly to the guarantee of the product; Damage resulting from: (i) misuse, including but not limited to (a) failure to use the product for its normal purpose or in accordance with Humax instructions on the proper use and maintenance, and (b) installation or use of the product in a manner inconsistent with the technical or safety standards in force in the country where it is used and (c) improper or incorrect installation of software; (ii) repair done by non-authorized service stations or dealers, or the customer himself; (iii) accidents, lightning, water, fire, improper ventilation or any cause beyond the control of Humax; (iv) defects of the system into which this product is incorporated.
5. This warranty does not affect the consumers statutory rights under applicable national laws in force, nor the consumers rights against the dealer arising from their sales/purchase contract. 6. THERE ARE NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES OTHER THOSE LISTED AND DESCRIBED ABOVE. AND NO WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SHALL APPLY AFTER THE EXPRESS WARRATY GIVEN BY ANY PERSON, FIRM, OR CORPORATION WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE BINDING ON Humax.
7. Humax shall not be liable for loss of revenue or profits, failure to realize saving or other benefits, or any other special, incidental or consequential damages caused by the use, misuse or inability to use this product, regardless of the legal theory on which the claim based, and even if Humax has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Nor shall recovery of any kind against Humax be greater in amount than the purchase price of the product sold by Humax and causing the alleged damage. Without limiting the foregoing, purchaser assumes all risk and liability for loss, damage to purchaser and purchasers property and to others and their property arising out of the use, misuse or inability to use this product sold by Humax not caused directly by the negligence of Humax. This limited warranty shall not extend to anyone other than the original purchaser of this product, is nontransferable and states your exclusive remedy.

Where states do not allow limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. In this case this warranty gives specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
To obtain warranty service, please contact HUMAX at:
17501 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614 HUMAX USA, Inc. Tel: 866.humax.usa Http://www.humaxusa.com

Contents

Humax HFA100 Digital TV Receiver
What Is Digital Television? Installing Your HFA100
Connection Diagram 1 Analog TV connections Connection Diagram 2 Digital TV connections
Setting Up The HFA100 HFA100 Menus
How To Use The Menus Remote Control Operation
Remote Control Functions Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
IR Codes For Compatible TVs

Specifications

HUMAX HFA100 Digital TV Receiver
The HFA100 is a fully featured, ATSC-compliant digital television (DTV) receiver. It will decode and display free, over-the-air digital TV broadcasts that use the VSB modulation standard.
These broadcasts include both standard-definition television (SDTV) and high-definition television (HDTV) programs with digital audio, multiple language tracks, and electronic program guide (EPG) information.
The HFA100 can be used with both HDTV-ready and analog TVs that accept the 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i DTV display formats.

Input Connections:

F-type connector for antenna input
Output Connections, Video:
Analog component YPbPr and RGB video outputs Analog composite and S-video outputs HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
Output Connections, Audio:
Two pairs of RCA jacks for stereo analog audio Optical (SPDIF) and coaxial digital audio

Features:

Automatic channel scan and mapping Selectable picture aspect ratios for 4:3 and 16:9 TV screens Support for electronic program guide (EPG) * Support for closed-caption information * Auto-resolution circuit for HDMI-compatible TVs

* Where available

What Is Digital Television?
Digital television (DTV) is a new way of transmitting high-quality video and audio to your TV set. Using DTV, broadcasters can transmit high-definition TV (HDTV) images, Dolby Digital surround audio, and services such as multicasting (more than one program on the same channel) and datacasting (electronic program guides and interactive television). Several of these services can be combined into a single digital broadcast.
DTV programs are broadcast in both standard definition television (SDTV) or high definition television (HDTV) formats.
SDTV programs are available either as 480-line interlaced (480i) or progressive-scan (480p) video. Widescreen SDTV programs in the 480p format are similar to progressive-scan DVD movies and have improved image detail over 480i programs.
HDTV programs are broadcast either in the 1080-line interlaced (1080i) or 720-line progressive (720p) formats, always in widescreen. Both formats offer much higher picture quality than SDTV.
With DTV, you can listen to both Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio through your audio system, as well as multiple language tracks.* In addition, DTV will allow you to interact with your television, choosing programs from a detailed electronic guide or accessing ancillary data about a program.

Installing Your HFA100

Follow these instructions to install your HFA100 digital television receiver.

Input Connections

Connect an antenna to the F-type connector on the rear of the HFA100. This antenna can be mounted on a roof, in an attic, or another appropriate location. It should be aimed towards local DTV broadcast stations for best results. DTV stations broadcast on both VHF (2-13) and UHF (14-69) channels. Make sure to use an antenna that works at the desired frequencies so the HFA100 can pick up any DTV broadcasts on those channels. (See appendix for local DTV broadcast channel information.)

Output Connections

First, see if your TV has an HDMI input connector, a special all-digital interface that provides the highest picture quality. If so, you will want to connect an optional HDMI interface cable from the HFA100 to your TV's HDMI input. If an HDMI input connector is not present, then connect an analog component video cable from the output jacks on the rear of the HFA100 to your TV's component video inputs. You may use either a three-wire (YPbPr) cable or a five-wire RGB cable, depending on which connectors are available on your TV. If you are using a standard analog TV that does not have component video inputs, connect either a S-video or composite (yellow) cable from the HFA100 to your analog TV. For digital audio connections, use either the coaxial RCA or optical Toslink connector to bring Dolby Digital audio to your TV or AV receiver. If digital audio connections are not available, use either of the pair of stereo RCA jacks to connect audio to your TV.

The next step is to set the output resolution, using the front panel buttons on the HFA100. First, turn on the HFA100 and wait until the green POWER ON indicator lights up.
For HDTV-ready direct-view and rear-projection TVs using cathode ray tubes (CRTs), select 1080i output. For EDTV-ready direct-view and rear-projection TVs using cathode ray tubes (CRTs), select 480p output. For plasma and large LCD flat panel TVs and rear-projection TVs using LCD, LCoS, or DLP technology, select 480p or 720p output. Check your TV's owner's manual to find its native resolution specification, and use the output format that is closest. (Some new flat-panel and rear-projection TVs coming to market will support 1920x1080 native resolution.) For older analog TVs (non-HDTV), use 480i output.
Note: If you are using the HDMI connection and AUTO RESOLUTION is turned on in the menu, you do not need to specify an output resolution. Your HMDI-equipped TV will automatically configure the HFA100 for the optimum output resolution. Refer to page 16 for more details.
Set the rear panel DTV OUTPUT SELECT switch to match your connection. For a three-wire component video connection, slide the switch to YPbPr. For a 15-pin RGB connection or HDMI connection, slide the switch to HDMI and RGB. Turn on your TV and select the appropriate video input where you have connected the HFA100. You are now ready to set up the receiver to watch free, over-the-air digital TV broadcasts.
Connection Diagram 1 Analog TV connections
Connection Diagram 2 Digital TV connections

Setting Up The HFA100

Your HFA100 digital television receiver is easy to set up and operate. When you first turn the receiver on, you will see a Welcome menu screen with two choices for setup QUICK SETUP and GUIDED SETUP. Use QUICK SETUP if you want the HFA100 to configure itself automatically. If you want to make your own menu choices, use the GUIDED SETUP menu.

Quick Setup

When you enter this menu, you will first be prompted for English or Spanish language menus. After you make your selection and enter OK, no further action is required. The HFA100 will automatically set the time and date, then scan for active digital TV channels. When this channel scan is complete, the SETUP COMPLETED menu will appear. This menu will show you the time zone and daylight savings selections as well as the total number of digital TV programs detected and saved into memory. Select DONE to leave this menu and start watching digital TV broadcasts.

Guided Setup

When you enter this menu, you will first be prompted for English or Spanish language menus. After you make your selection and enter OK, you will be asked for your time zone. Scroll through the available choices to highlight your time zone and push OK. The next menu will ask you if Daylight Savings Time is observed in your area. Select ON or OFF as required (or select AUTO if you arent sure), then press OK. Now you are ready to scan for active digital TV broadcasts. The SCAN CHANNELS menu will appear. Make sure your antenna is connected to the RF input jack on the rear of the HFA100, select START, and push OK.

The HFA100 will scan channels 2 through 69 and save any active DTV channels it finds into memory, along with electronic program guide (EPG) information for each channel. This process will take several minutes and a progress bar will show you when it is complete. Push OK to step to the Channel Edit menu. Here, you can save or delete channels as you wish from the previous channel scan. Push OK when done. You will now see the SETUP COMPLETED menu. This menu will show you your time zone and daylight savings selections as well as the total number of digital TV programs detected and saved into memory. Select DONE to leave this menu and start watching digital TV broadcasts.
The HFA100 lets you customize its settings for your particular TV. By pressing the MENU button, you can choose between four sub-menus: SETUP, OPTION, CAPTION, and PARENT.
The SETUP menu is where you will set your time zone, turn daylight savings time on or off, scan for active DTV channels, add other channels manually, edit the list of your scanned and memorized channels, and check the signal strength of any channel.
The OPTION menu is where you will choose the picture aspect ratio to match your TV, pick a screen format for showing programs that do not match the shape of your TV screen, turn the AUTO RESOLUTION feature on or off for an HDMI connection (see page 10), choose the default audio language track,* and set the digital audio output format.

HFA100 Menus

The CAPTION menu is where you can activate closed-caption services* and customize how that text will appear on your TV screen.
The PARENT menu contains information on TV ratings and allows you to pass or block TV programs and movies based on specific ratings. This menu is password protected and the default password setting is 0 0.

How To Use The Menus

SETUP Menu

Menu Language

Choose between English or Spanish. Default setting is ENGLISH.

Time Zone

Select your local time zone from the list provided. Default setting is EASTERN (-5:00).

Daylight Savings Time

Turn Daylight Savings Time on and off as needed, or select Auto if you aren't sure. Most DTV stations transmit System Timetable (STT) data that will automatically update the time and date information in the HFA100. Default setting is OFF.

Scan Channels

This menu will start a complete scan from channels 2 through 69. The HFA100 will save any active DTV channels it finds into memory, along with electronic program guide (EPG) information for each channel. This process will take several minutes and a progress bar will show you when it is complete.

Manual Channel Add

Selecting this menu will bring up a graphic of all available digital TV channels. Active DTV channels found during a scan will appear in blue. If you believe an active channel has not been scanned by the HFA100, simply highlight that channel and push the OK button on the remote. If a signal is present, the HFA100 should find it and save it into memory.

Edit Channel List

Use this menu to add or skip DTV channels from your channel list as you wish.

Signal Strength

This menu displays the relative signal quality of the channel being viewed.

OPTION Menu

TV Aspect Ratio
Select either 4:3 or 16:9 to match the shape of your TV screen. Default setting is 16:9.

Screen Format

This menu lets you choose how programs will appear when they do not match the shape of your TV screen. Choices include Pillar Box, Letter Box, Full, or Zoom. Default setting is FULL.

Auto Resolution

When turned on, the HFA100 will automatically configure the optimum output resolution to match your connected HDMI-compatible TV. Default setting is OFF.

HDMI Video Out

This menu lets you configure the default video signal format (RGB/YPbPr) through HDMI output. If Auto is selected, the HFA100 will automatically configure the optimum output (RGB or YPbPr) signal to match your connected HDMI-compatible TV. Default setting is AUTO.

TV Offset

This menu lets you adjust the horizontal position of the image when using the RGB or HDMI output connectors only. It does not work in component (YPbPr) mode. Default setting is 0.

Audio Language

Some broadcasters transmit more than one language track. If multiple language tracks are available, you can set default audio language by the menu. Default setting is ENGLISH.

Digital Out

This menu lets you choose between PCM and Dolby Digital AC-3 audio formats. The DTV standard is Dolby Digital. You can also select AUTO if you are not sure. Default setting is AUTO.

CAPTION Menu

Display
This function turns closed captioning on or off. Default setting is OFF.

Set By Program

The HFA100 will automatically detect captioning styles from channel to channel this option is selected. Default setting is OFF.

Font Size

Select smaller or larger text font sizes for captions. Default setting is LARGE.

Font Style

Change the type font style for captions. Default setting is FONT 3.

Foreground Color

Choose a color for the caption text. Default setting is WHITE.

Background Color

Choose a color for the background. Default setting is BLACK.

Digital Option

Choose one of six digital closed-captioning options.* Default setting is SERVICE 1.

PARENT Menu

Lock System
You can lock out the parental controls menu here if you wish. Default setting is OFF.

Change Password

Change the four-digit password to access the PARENT menu. Default setting is 0 0.

Movie Rating

Select movie ratings you wish to allow or block. Default setting allows viewing of movies with ratings to R.

TV Rating

Select TV program ratings you wish to allow or block. Default setting is TV-14.

TV Rating Of None

Viewing of programs transmitted with a rating of None (none, blank, or not available) can be allowed or blocked with parental controls. Note that programs carrying No Rating data cannot be blocked. Default setting is ALLOW.

Remote Control Operation

Remote Control Functions
Push to mute audio on your TV if controlled by the HFA100 remote.

FORMAT

This button lets you change the picture aspect ratio, depending on the program format.

CH ADD/SKIP

Add a channel you are watching to memory, or delete it from memory.

SIGNAL

Check signal quality of the program you are watching.

TV/INPUT

Change input of your TV if controlled by the HFA100 remote.

TV/STB

Toggle between control of the HFA100 and your TV. Use IR programming codes on pages
Push this button to find out a DTV station's virtual channel (such as 3-1) and callsign. Depending on how much EPG information the station is transmitting, you may also see the program name, rating, current time, and program interval. Pushing INFO a second time will show a description of the program* as well as the video format, audio format, and whether multiple language tracks are present.
Push this button to access the HFA100 menus (described on pages 14-18).

CH LIST

Push this button to see a list of DTV channels saved into memory. You can select any channel by scrolling to it and pushing the OK button.
This button brings up an electronic program guide window. The current program is displayed in a small window, while information on the station, the current time and date, the program name and description, and program interval appear to the left. If the broadcaster is providing detailed program guide information, INFO button to view the detailed information. will appear at the bottom. Press
Returns you to the previous channel or menu selected.

FREEZE

Freezes the image on the screen when pushed. Push again and normal display mode returns.
Push to select alternate audio language tracks. Available track choices will be displayed.
Push to exit any menus at any time.
VOL +/Push to change volume on your TV if controlled by the HFA100 remote.
CH +/Push to change channels on the HFA100 (STB mode) or on your TV set (TV mode).

Closed Caption

This button toggles closed caption on or off.

Troubleshooting

If you experience difficulty with your HFA100 DTV receiver, there are several possibilities you should investigate before calling for service.
1. Problem: Intermittent signal or no signal at all. Possible Solutions: Try another channel. Make sure the antenna is connected. If using a powered antenna, turn the power boost on. You may also want to rotate the antenna for a stronger signal, using the signal strength menu as a guide.
2. Problem: Poor sound quality or no sound heard at all. Possible Solutions: Make sure audio connections are correct. Try another channel to see if it is a broadcaster problem. Make sure the MUTE button on your TV is off. Try both analog and digital (coaxial, optical) audio connections.
3. Problem: No color is seen, or wrong colors appear. Possible Solutions: Make sure you have connected the HFA100 correctly to your DTV-ready or analog TV set. For a three-wire component connection, match the red, green, and blue cables from the HFA100 to your TV.
4. Problem: Remote control doesn't work correctly. Possible Solutions: Make sure you have fresh batteries installed correctly in your remote. Also, push the STB button on the remote.
5. Problem: The HFA100 won't turn on. Possible Solutions: Make sure the HFA100's power plug is installed and that the AC outlet is working. Check the batteries in the remote control to make sure they are fresh and installed correctly.
1. Do I need a different antenna for DTV reception? Over-the-air (OTA) digital TV broadcasting uses the same channels as analog TV and should work with existing TV antennas. However, DTV broadcast channels are different from analog channels. You should find out whether your local DTV broadcasts are on VHF (channels 2-13) or UHF (channels 14-69) to see if you need a different antenna.

If your DTV channels are on UHF and you already have good UHF reception, your present antenna may work fine. The same holds true for VHF DTV reception. In some markets, both VHF and UHF channels are used for DTV broadcasts.
You can find out the current DTV channel assignments for your area on any of these web sites:
www.titantv.com www.transmitter.com www.100000watts.com www.nab.org www.tvradioworld.com
2. How difficult is it to get indoor DTV reception? This depends on whether your local DTV stations are running full power, and how close you are to the transmission tower. DTV receivers do not require as much signal as analog TV receivers to produce high-quality images and sound.
Once the DTV signal level exceeds a certain threshold at the receiver, the digital video and audio data are decoded at the same quality they were originally encoded for broadcast. This is a big advantage for DTV over analog TV, since there is no noise, ghosting, static, or scratchy audio.
3. How can I put up an antenna in my townhouse? The Telecommunications Act of 1996 allows residents of condominiums or townhouses, or members of neighborhood associations to put up outside antennas for reception of broadcast TV signals as long as those antennas are not located in common areas and are less than 12' in height.
Residents of rental units (apartments, etc.) are not covered by these rules and must use indoor antennas (powered or not) to receive DTV broadcasts. If you live in an apartment, check to see if over-the-air DTV reception is possible from a master antenna system (MATV).
4. Can I connect the HFA100 to watch digital cable TV? Cable TV systems use a different method for transmitting digital TV programs that is not compatible with the HFA100. Only an outdoor or indoor antenna will receive compatible DTV programs.
To program the HFA100 remote control for your TV, locate the appropriate three-digit code from the following list. You may have to try more than one code for your brand of TV to enable the remote.
1. Push the TV button on the remote and hold. The TV LED indicator will flash once. 2. After three seconds, the TV LED indicator will turn on. Continue to push the TV button. 3. While pushing the TV button, enter the three-digit IR code for your TV from the table. 4. After you have entered the last digit, release the TV button. The TV LED will blink twice to confirm your entry. 5. If you have entered the correct code, your TV will turn on or off. 6. If your TV does not respond, repeat steps #1 through #3 until it does.

Frequency Range: Channels 2-13 (VHF), 14-69 (UHF)
Compatible input signals: ATSC format (VSB modulation) digital TV signals
Input connections: (1) F-type RF input, 75 ohms
Output connections: 3x RCA jacks, YPbPr component video (480i/p, 720p, 1080i) 15 Pin D-Sub jack, RGB video (480i/p, 720p, 1080i) HDMI connection (480p, 720p, 1080i) 1x RCA jack, composite video (480i) 4 Pin Mini-DIN jack, S-video (480i)
Supported Output Signal Formats: 720x480i/p, 1280x720p, 1920x1080i

Dimensions:

Size: 12.2" x 9.3" x 2.4" (WDH) Weight: Around 4.09 Lbs
Power: AC 120V~ (60Hz), 18W

HHFA100.300

17501 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614

tel: 866.humax.usa

http://www.humaxusa.com

February 12, 2007

MORE HD SCREENS THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE
This week's TV TechCheck was prepared by Pete Putman, one of a growing number of off-air DTV reception believers (for good reason), who evaluates and writes about (H)DTV sets in several publications when not offering consulting services. Read more about his HDTV set evaluations at http://www.hdtvexpert.com/. CBS recent HD telecast of Super Bowl XLI was a top-notch engineering effort, despite the constant downpour during the game. The quality of those images was dazzling, at least to the 60-plus guests who congregated at Pete Putmans home in Doylestown, Pennsylvania to watch the Colts and Bears slug it out on no less than 10 different TV screens, with nine of them high definition displays. With the exception of 2006, Putman has shown every Super Bowl since 2000 (ABCs inaugural 720p HD-cast) on multiple HDTV screens at this event. The big game has been projected on the snow, displayed in a Samsung in Dining Room bathroom, and illuminated his sliding deck doors. Its been seen on plasma and LCD HDTVs, along with front projection screens and rear projection monitors. This year, Putman arranged to have two complete 5.1 surround-sound theaters up and running for the game. One featured Mitsubishis new HC5000 LCD projector, which has full 1920x1080 resolution while the other showcased Sanyos PLV-Z5 LCD projector (1280x720). 92-inch and 82-inch front screens were installed in each theater, respectively. The game was also displayed on Pioneers PRO-FHD1 1080p 50-inch Samsung HDTV in Bathroom plasma monitor, Panasonics TH-50PF9UK 1080p 50-inch plasma, and Samsungs LNS-4695D 46-inch integrated LCD HDTV, placed in his living and dining rooms. No one missed a play during bathroom breaks either, thanks to Samsungs LTM-1575W 15-inch LCD monitor. A Toshiba 34HF81 provided HD pictures to family room viewers.
Mitsubishi PK20 Pocket DLP
TV TechCheck 2007, NAB. TV TechCheck may not be reproduced or retransmitted without permission.
Arriving guests saw the game on Sanyos new waterproof CE42LM4WPN 42-inch LCD monitor, positioned along the front walk. Another Sanyo projector, the PLV-Z4, was positioned right outside the sliding deck doors, projecting the game onto a 62-inch Vutec rear screen. For the young at heart, a Mitsubishi PK20 pocket DLP projector was placed in the midst of a tiny, table-top theater with a 15-inch screen, capturing the attention of numerous stuffed and windup penguin toys each holding tiny Colts and Bears pennants. It took two weekends and a lot of wiring to get all of these screens up and running. Each and every screen took a terrestrial 8VSB feed from CBS O&O KYW-DT, broadcasting on UHF 26 from the Roxborough (Philadelphia) antenna farm with a 17.5+ MB/s 1080i stream. Putmans house is located about 21 miles NNE of Roxborough and over the opposite side of a slight ridge not the best location for DTV reception. He used a combination of roof-mounted and attic-mounted Channel Master 3023 suburban UHF yagis with Titan 2 UHF preamps to distribute the signals to a host of set-top receivers, including LG LST3100, LST4200, LST3410, and Samsung DTB-H260F models. The rear deck and front walk displays employed Terrestrial Digital and Channel Master antennas to feed a Humax HFA-100 terrestrial STB and another Samsung Sanyo LCD DTB-H260F. A Terk HDTV amplified indoor UHF logperiodic antenna placed on the dining room floor, against the wall was more than sufficient to drive the KYW HD signal to the Samsung 46-inch LCD HDTV with no drop-outs or hits. Many of the guests had never seen HDTV before, let alone live sports. As expected, most were puzzled that the signals werent coming in from cable TV, or from DirecTV or Dish Network. Putman placed fliers around the house at strategic locations to explain in laymans terms how HDTV works and how the signals get to each of the ten sets. Needless to say, there were many post-game inquiries from these same guests about what HDTV to buy and how to go about getting this free signal! There were also plenty of deer in the headlights looks on guests faces as they slowly wandered from room to room, taking in the HD action and immersing themselves in the magic of Dolby Digital surround.

Rear Deck RPTV

Even the tiny, 50-lumens PK20 put up respectable down-converted images from the 1080i component signal feed (its native resolution is 800x600). The two outdoor Sanyo displays chugged along, providing beautiful HD images for hours in temperatures below 10 degrees, with wind chills dropping below zero as the game wore on. CBS Engineering has made no secret about their position that all of the bits in an ATSC transmission should be allocated to their 1080i HD signal, which is consistently one of the best to be found anywhere. The large-screen 1080p displays at this years party would have clearly shown MPEG compression artifacts seen on some other HD broadcasts that allocate far less bits to 1080i and 720p content. Theres no question that terrestrial HDTV is a real win-win for consumers. The trick now is to let more of them in on the secret, and events such as Putmans annual party are an excellent way to do just that.

Sanyo PLV-Z5 & Humax HFA-100
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