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Digital converter boxes...........
Rick Hamilton 05-06-2008, 11:57 AM | Post #2515174 |  2 Replies
0  

As most know, analog TV transmission will end in the US early in 2009. Many stations are broadcasting in digital already, while keeping their analog transmissions going as well.

The guvmint, in another attempt to pander to voters, is giving vouchers for $40 (they are like plastic gift cards) to ease the pain for people who receive their TV over the airwaves.

At first I thought I had no need for the converters, as all my TVs are connected to cable boxes.

But then I realized when the cable is out (think hurricanes), most of my TVs wouldn't work, as I don't use antennas.

So I applied for vouchers for two boxes. When I received them, I noticed they have an expiration date. Mine expire after June 17th, 2008. I wanted to get the vouchers in my hands early, then wait to see which converter boxes were best. Best laid plans....

So I'll have to get mine soon. The Zenith box has received a lot of good comments at various sales sites.

If you have an older TV, and don't use cable, you might want to get a converter box now. I've read over and over where people are getting many more channels than they received using their analog tuner in their TV.  As well, the usual comments indicated the pictures were so much clearer, and sharp. That's expected, of course. Point is, you can get that improved reception now by getting the converter box now, rather than waiting til the last minute. Believe me, your eyes will appreciate the change.

I would imagine an antenna change would be necessary to get the very best picture and reception. Terk antennas consistently get very good reviews, so I'm buying one for the attic, and a smaller one similar to rabbit ears.

I'll use mine for my hurricane TVs, as I don't want to have anything happen to my big-screen HDTVs while I run on generator power.

I haven't found a converter box for $40 yet, all I've seen are about $59-$79.

Any information on the converter boxes would be appreciated, the good and the bad.

Rick

 

  

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Re: Digital converter boxes...........
UncleFutz 05-06-2008, 2:12 PM | Post #2515218
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Wikipedia has a comparison chart of the various boxes out on the market.

 I recently picked up to Insignia boxes at Best Buy.  From what I've read, they are internally identical to the Zenith - both manufactured by LG.  The Insignia boxes work well for me using standard set-top rabbit ears, but note that I'm within 12 miles of of the broadcast towers in town.

 AntennaWeb.org can provide you with information on distance and heading of broadcast towers in your area.

 Hope this helps.

 Fritz

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Re: Digital converter boxes...........
rpike 05-06-2008, 2:13 PM | Post #2515219
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My 2 cents.

1. Except for TVs and a few of the converter boxes, the equipment for digital over-the-air reception are only partially available as of now.

2. The features of the CECBs (Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes) are intentionally limited. If they offer a device which goes beyond the limits, you cannot use the coupon for it.

3. If you currently use a VCR to record over the air broadcasts, unless you have a recent VCR and it has a digital tuner (I haven't seen any in the stores), you will not be able to use your VCR to set a channel to record. You will have to change the channel on the converter box first like the early days of cable TV. Some converters let you program a channel change so you can schedule a recording, but you will have to program 2 boxes to do it.

4. You probably do not need a new antenna. Antennas shouldn't care about whether the broadcast signal is analog or digital. The antenna should only care about what frequency it is on (and whether it is UHF or VHF band). Broadcasters can get away with lower powered digital broadcasts to cover the same basic area, but if you are on their fringe, you might no longer pull in the digital channel. There is a web site (antennaweb.com?) which shows what stations are available in your area, what classes of antenna should be required to receive them, and what direction to point the antenna.

5. Echostar debuted 2 boxes which one best of show at CES in January. The TR40 was a CECB and the TR50 was a non-coupon eligible device which adds a hard drive-based video recorder - basically a modern VCR replacement. How much will it cost? Will it require a subscription like Tivo? Who knows - neither device will be available commercially until at least June and it looks like they will be marketed under the Slingbox brand name.

6. There is a site which lists which stores sell which converter box models. Currently only about 4-5 are available. Walmart is listed as selling 2: a Magnavox which has gotten some pretty awful reviews and an RCA which seems to have better reviews. Mine only sells the Magnavox.

My wife hates the idea that she will no longer be able to time shift over-the-air broadcasts and watch one show while taping another without having to junk the equipment we have now and buy new. Just throwing one of these inexpensive converter boxes in front will not do that.

Another Rick 

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