anyone know of a better solution than the TVA-20?

Solution for what????

Robbie S

Russound DPA-1.2

I'm guessing you are talking about the Niles Audio TVA-20. IMHO that component is far too old to stay on the market, and Niles should drop it or change it.

I've used the Sonance ASAP-1 (now the 2, but I think 1's are still out there and a less expensive, proven design). We've switched to the Sherbourn 2/150, a better component but not one that is available through distribution. I like the Sherbourn for it's wider range of control in & out choices and higher power.

thanks I will check those out.
-James

ADA makes a good solution, as well as the abovementioned Sonance, which we've had bad luck with. We found their threshold point tends to drift over time. The setting that correctly switches today won't in 2 weeks or so. And the ADA piece had shown up DOA twice.

Frankly, I love the TVA-20. It's only drawback is that it's audio-sensing can't be sensitive enough for a bedroom, where the TV is often watched more quietly than usual.

Doug @ HomeWorks

Deb1919 - what other issues have you had with ADA?

You've kind of made my point for me. We use the video switching feature on the Sherbourn, vastly more reliable than audio level switching. What about those silent commericals when many moments pass with no audio at all? Click, then click again after a pause. Then my phone rings, and there's a service call. I hate it......

How to use video switching on a tv that does not have a monitor out? Turn on the local DVD or VCR or sat in the room at the same time as the tv with a macro on the remote.

None. When they haven't been DOA they've worked great. I just wish they'd make it mountable.



This message was edited by deb1919 on 02/23/04 08:31.

Sure... but the same applies to the TVA-20. Plus, I've got 2 dead Sherbournes on my bench right now, and no TVA-20s. Hence my bias.


A lot of DVD players maintain the load on their video jacks when in standby.

Video or AC power sensing from the TV itself is the only really reliable way. Sell/upgrade the TV set with that in mind.

Doug @ HomeWorks

Dead Sherbourns? Huh. Learn something new every day....

On the sell/upgrade the TV set idea, not always possible. People are funny about wanting to make use of their old sets, but seem willing to spend the cost of the switching amplifier to connect Old Paint to the new speakers in the room.

Buy a small amp and build it into the source IR macro, forget about sensing. Better yet run the TV audio back to the media center. Nothing but return calls for pot adjustments. For some reason "threshold" is hard to explain to customers, they nod their heads but seem to miss the point. Plus it's not really their fault that the ambient drops so low at night.