RF Demodulator/Tuner Best Solution?

[bbking67]

I am setting up my gaming room and I would like to use my older systems with modern displays (the most important being the Atari 2600). I've already got solutions for various composite and component devices (using a DVDO iScan which works well).

 

I really don't want to modify the systems which use RF channel 3 output. I do have a cheap "TV Box" from Tigerdirect, but the quality of the image is sub-par. I recognize the limitations of RF, and I believe I have reasonable expectations.

 

I have considered using a VCR, and then taking the composite or S-Video output from an SVHS machine--I have not actually tried it yet, but the VCR is huge, so it's more of a last resort, but I expect it to work.

 

Are there reasonably decent Tuners or demodulators that I could use to convert to composite (or better)? I have heard that there are RF noise filters that also may help reducing visible noise.

 

 

Example of a tuner:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FCable-TV-Tuner-RF-Coax-To-Composite-A-V-Demodulator-%2F350356605803%3Fpt%3DUS_Video_Cables_Adapters%26hash%3Ditem5192e18b6b

 

Anybody else doing this? Successfully?

[+remowilliams]

The RFDM2 is the exact unit I have and it works well, I do feed it into the XRGB-mini for final output though which improves the situation massively.

[bbking67]

I have a pretty good video upscaler, the DVDO iScan HD. it works really well with everything I throw at it (but obviously there is no RF input)... I've got a few others, but none are quite as flexible. The standard iScan Plus works well with vintage gear, but the Zinwell Brite-view (while its excellent for newer systems) doesn't like the output of older systems like the Atari 8-bit computers.

 

Thanks for the feedback... the RFDM2 is now on my wishlist--at $85 it's just a tad above the no-brainer price-point.

 

/bbking67

[telengard]

I just picked up a Taimerico 8401 and it works great, pretty decent output too. Even has the fake woodgrain to blend in.

[Lynxpro]

What about using a TiVo Series 2 in the place of the VCR?