Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!oliveb!ames!hc!lanl!opus!bruce From: bruce@nmsu.edu (Bruce Rowen) Newsgroups: sci.electronics Subject: Re: Stereo TV Converters? Message-ID: Date: 31 May 89 18:01:55 GMT References: <77@anasaz.UUCP> Sender: news@nmsu.edu Followup-To: sci.electronics Organization: NMSU Computer Science Lines: 31 In-reply-to: john@anasaz.UUCP's message of 30 May 89 16:44:26 GMT I have a Recoton MTS converter that uses a "stick-on"probe to pick up IF leakage from the set. This is then decoded and passed through several noise reduction stages to a pair of RCA jacks which can be connected to the line inputs of a stereo system. The unit has a stereo synthesizer for non-stereo broadcasts plus a circuit to expand the separation depending upon your speaker placement. I paid $49 for my unit and feel that this was the way to go when I bought a new TV. A stereo TV costs about $100 more than a mono version, and to find a set with audio output jacks is even tuffer (even a stereo TV sounds bad through its small speakers). The probe is to be taped on the cabinet of the TV where the signal is the greatest. They (Recoton) will also supply, for no charge, an internal probe if the external probe does not work well (some TVs are well shielded). My likes and dislikes follow: For the price you can't go wrong. It is awkward to use two remotes (one for the TV and one for the stereo) unless you have a universal. The sound quality is far superior to the original TV sound system. On my TV, the probe could not get a good signal (you must have a good signal or much noise will result), so I placed the probe inside the TV directly on the tuner cover. This works fine, however I could have ordered the internal probe but did not choose to since I am lazy and know the hazards involved. Some small problems I have noticed are "pops" when I change channels (not too bad but could damage speakers if the volume is high) and sometimes the dynamic range is so great that it can be annoying. All in all I am happy for the performance/price ratio and the money I saved on a true stereo TV. -Bruce -- -Bruce