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Unfortunately, this unit is white plastic with a gray sticker on the front. For those that don't know, ClearQAM channels are unencrypted digital and sometimes high definition channels that come from the cable company. Also to my surprise, when I connected the unit to analog cable (no box), it picked up all the analog stations plus ClearQAM stations. Sometimes the colors bleed together on DVD's. For me, that was just two pieces of plywood sandwiched between the tv and the cabinet.Pros:As expected, the unit plays DVD's, mp3's, radio, and receives ATSC OTA (Digital TV over the air with an antenna) without a DTV converter box. If matching appliances are a big issue for you, you may want to consider another product.The picture quality was average at best.
In my case, that also includes about 30-40 digital music channels.Overall:With all the cons, I was tempted to give this unit less than 5 stars, but with the good surprises, I figured they cancelled each other out. Judging by online pictures, I liked the looks of this under cabinet tv better than others, and that's probably the biggest reason that I bought it. It's not perfect though, so I'll try to explain what I've been able to discover the first day.Cons:I thought this tv was silver in color, based on pictures and even the box itself. In order to see the controls, you'll need to make your own mount for it to attach to.
A little patience, and it's no problem.Most modern cabinets have a lip under the cabinet to hide lights, or whatever else. Even skipping chapters on a DVD takes a few seconds. We generally keep the volume at less than half the maximum, and it's plenty loud enough. I can't say much for the longevity of the product, since I've only had it one day, but time will tell.
This makes it perfect for playing those home movies burned on disc and other videos you may have "acquired" online. But, for our purposes, this isn't really an issue.Starting the unit, and switching to different modes (ie. Perhaps our kitchen is just more quiet than most.To my pleasant surprise, the unit also plays VideoCD's and DivX videos. I thought it would go great with stainless steel appliances.
It actually picked up more channels than my DTV box, but when I checked those channels, they didn't come in very clear.Aside from the standard coax cable/antenna input and am/fm radio input, it also has rca video/audio input, so you can attach pretty much attach any modern digital device and play through it.Despite some complaints about it being too quiet, I don't find this to be the case. is somewhat slow. I expected better from a digital tv. DVD to music, to tv, etc.).
Are there tiny vacuum tubes in there that need to warm up.The clock has a date function, but it seems that the date is set in european mode. In 2009. Really.
The only reason I chose this model of TV is that I was a last minute shopper, and it was the only under-counter tv with a digital tuner available for order at the time. 2 isn't quite adequate. I bought this gift as a Christmas gift for my parents.
The operating manual is a joke.It takes 6 seconds to switch between TV and radio. (Day/Month/Year) Again, the manual is of no help here.I've given some gifts before that weren't the greatest, but I've never been embarrased by a gift like I am with this Coby TV.I will never buy a Coby product again. The volume control is crap.
Level 3 is blaringingly loud.
The remote control is another example, it works well but is very cheap looking and feeling. I had the previous model of this Colby TV but it did not have a digital tuner so I had to upgrade to this model. Based on past performance I expect this TV to be trouble free. This is a good but cheaply made TV.
They deleted these spacers in the new model.So over all functionally a very good TV that suffers from extreme cost cutting in its design and manufacture to the point that the TV screams cheaply made. This is a shame because if they had invested a few more dollars into the Quality of materials and design I would have given it 5 stars but as it is the 3 stars are on target. Fortunately I still had them from the older unit or mounting this new one would have been much more difficult. No magnet one monochrome colored piece of cheap white plastic with a rough finished edging.The previous model had some nice mounting spacers that made mounting it a snap.
This unit is far cheaper looking and feels cheaper in all respects. The new control screams cheap and feels it. Here are my impressions of the new set and how it compares to the old one.The Picture quality and tuner are very good and Colby seems to make a better TV for under the counter mounting then any of its competitors. The old model had a very solidly build control with a magnetic back that could stick to the refrigerator, great feature.
Functionally it seems to have the same quality, hinges are good and buttons function well but you can see they cut cost where ever they could. What I don't like is the way the quality has dropped between this model and the previous. The white plastic in the current model is very cheap looking.
full refund no problem but 4 holes in my cabinet which I don't plan on replaceing with another one of these. kinda pissed cause I tested it out on the counter before drilling into my cabinets to mount it about 4 days after mounting it the tuner crapped out.
If anyone is thinking of getting one I say go for it. I used to have a GPX piece of junk, Now that I have this Colby I love itI'm happy as a pig on the mud.
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