OT: My Experience with a DTV Converter Box

[Thomas Rogers]

Because I am in the business (cable tv industry) I applied for the government coupons to subsidize the purchase of a digital TV converter box. These boxes are used to decode over-the-air digital TV signals (many are broadcast in most areas already) and make them available for use in an older, analog TV.



I purchased the $59.99 Insignia DTV Converter box from Best Buy today. The coupons are for $40 off. Total cost to me after taxes was about $23.



I installed the box today, hooking it up to an old 27" floor model TV (probably 30 years old) in our basement and single rabbit ear. The TV stations in my area are about 35 to 50 miles away in Philadelphia and NJ.



I was able to get 6 stations. As with anything digital, 3 of them came in crystal clear, the other three the signal was too weak to make for a reliable picture. But remember, this was with a single antennae in a basement of a house.



Features of the box that I like:



- Built in program guide, with info button



- Real-Time signal strength indicator (bar graph that is animated), so you can position your antenna to get a good, usable signal



- Automated channel detection as part of the "out of the box" setup.



- Lots of other things that are useful...



So, for those with old TVs, no desire to add satellite/cable service, and not looking for a new digital TV, I recommend these boxes.



Go to www.dtvanswers.com for details.



(click)

 

[Scott Doughtie]

Thanks. I am not in the market, but wondered what clarity would be rendered and what the REAL benefits were beyond your TV not working.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Scott,



I looked into the box out of curiosity and because the church that I go to has many elderly folk that have older TVs and no cable or satellite service. They are on fixed incomes and don't want to plunk down $40/month for TV service, or $600+ for a new digital TV comparable in size to their 27" analog tube TV they already have.



For them, and others like them, $25 bucks for the box is a good deal.



TJR

 

[EddieS'04]

I have 2 government coupons I have to spend them by may 31...

 

[Bill V]

I heard that lots of the coupons expire at the end of May, and many stores are sold out of them until then. Why did they bother having the coupons expire so bleeping soon?

 

[CobraXP]

I haven't seen the coupons yet, but still need to get two converters to use in the cars. I have the Alpine TUE-151 TV tuners in my wife's Escape and in the Sport Trac. They are nothing more than rabbit ear setups themselves. I might stop by Best Buy on the way home tomorrow and see if they have some. I was going to wait until I actually needed them, but might go ahead and put them in to help with the signal anyway.

 

[Shaun Haskell]

Walmart has the boxes for $49.99.

 

[Gary DiPietroSr]

Thanks Tom, I have a lot of customers that will be calling soon. Where did the coupons come from?



Gary D.

 

[Shaun Haskell]

Gary see his link

dtvanswers.com

 

[Gary DiPietroSr]

Thanks shaun, it's that CRS disease. I see now, that the cut-off date to apply is over.



Gary

 

[Shaun Haskell]

Gary try here!

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Also, the Insignia boxes are readily available on eBay for around $25, including shipping. So you really don't save a lot by using the coupons.



Here is a LOT of the boxes for sale, not a bad price (Gary) if you know you are going to resell several:

 

[JerryW Gilliland]

I just switched to digital for the TV in the kitchen with no satellite feed.

The picture is truly amazing..at least as good as the HD plasma in the den.

One thing I've noticed: The signal is all there or all gone. During bad weather, the signal pixelates and switches to black. With the analog it would just get "snow" in the picture.

That's the part that's not good.

During bad weather (especially in Oklahoma) is when one needs to watch the weather!!

Otherwise, it's an excellent switch to crystal clear reception.

 

[EddieS'04]

Going digital is going to be a trade off from anolog. Some folks are not going to recieve a signal at all on an antenna. The reason will be hills and other things in the way. Also distance from the broadcast source. The digital signal will chop off. As where the anolog would come in but be weak..

 

[Dreman]

What do you know about hills, Fast Eddie? I thought you lived on the Gulf Coast!

 

[Gavin Allan]

I hooked an old rabbit ear anntenna to my Dish TV box to try to get the over-the-air digital signals (that are not on Dish TV!!!), and I can get them sometimes but they lose signal strength. What kind of antenna do I need to get? Is there a special "digital TV" antenna that I should use?

 

[EddieS'04]

dreman, I have been reading up on that data.

Your right Iam closer to the coast than you..:lol:

 

[EddieS'04]

Gavin,,I had a site at one time that talked about anttenas and positioning. I will see if I can find it.

 

[Bill V]

 

[Shaun Haskell]

just hooked mine up, $9.99 after rebate walmart.

thing is great, Picked up a ton of channels & crystal clear. I will be going to show a few other buildings so they can get one.

This is for a Tv in the breakroom at work