WHO NEEDS A TV CONVERSION BOX?

On February 18 2009, conventional Analog TV reception over an antenna comes to an end - and the Digital transmission era will begin. On that date, Over-The-Air broadcasts will be in a crystal clear high-def (HD) digital format. If you're receiving your TV stations via rabbit ears or a roof-top antenna, you'll need a converter box to prepare your older television for the impending digital revolution.


There’s a real easy way to fix that - keep reading.

LEARN THE BASICS - FAST!

Converter boxes have TV & A/V cable inputs and outputs, and contain both a digital ATSC tuner and an analog NTSC tuner. They receive digital signals and convert them to analog. The converter box sits between your antenna and any analog tuner-enabled device, such as your TV or VCR. Converters provide EXTRA FEATURES your old TV may not have, such as: Onscreen Menus, their own remote control, a built-in on-screen Electronic (think 'TV Guide') Program Guide of your local station schedule, V-Chip Parental Controls, and the ability to display both standard 4:3 and wide-screen 16:9 content in a single, Energy-Star compliant box.

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In The Digital TV (DTV) Converter Box Marketplace

HELPING YOU DECIDE WHICH CONVERTER TO BUY...

Lots of boxes on the market - Lots of choices - Lots of features and quality factors. Here is a sample of what’s available at each level.

Best
Tivax Model STB-T9

 Tivax STB-T9 Set Top Atsc Dtv/ Dhtv Converter Box
This unit has received Consumer Reports top rating as reported in the Market Watch section of the Wall Street Journal.
Features Include:
  • Smart Antenna Connection
  • Closed-Caption
  • Parental Control
  • 4:3 & 16:9 Aspect Ratios
  • Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
  • Auto Set Up
  • Remote Control
  • Analog Pass-Thru

Better


Insignia Converter Box Model NS-DXA1

 Insignia Eligible Converter Box
  • Compatible with analog TVs utilizing antenna-based broadcast reception.
  • Supports 4:3 and 16:9 aspect modes, including set by program
  • Dual channel stereo audio support.
  • Channel add, erase, skip, auto search, favorite and recall functions.
  • On-screen trilingual menu
  • Parental lock
  • Electronic programming guide

Good
Venturer Model STB7766G

 Venturer Digital Converter Box
  • Easy Hook-up - Just Plug in Your Antenna and Connect to Your Television
  • A single Remote Control for Your Converter Box and TV
  • Displays All Digital TV Formats
  • Multicast Capability
  • Channel 3 or 4 NTSC RF Interface
  • Support of 4:3 and 16:9 screen formats
The FCC wisely mandated a core set of basic functions ALL TV converters need to have. But there are very REAL differences that make some 'Just OK' and others a Much Smarter Buy: More and Better implemented features, Stronger reception and picture quality with easier to navigate logical menus. Ultimately the right TV converter you choose depends on your budget, needs and time-frame.

Visit the "CONVERTER BOXES" page to explore, choose, and buy popular choices like those above.

Digital Transition Conversion Challenges...

Digital Television Broadcasting is pretty amazing. You’ll likely receive many more stations than ever before. Your old TV will deliver clear sharp picture quality like you never experienced! You’ll get more bang for your buck with additional features like Multicast and Electronic Program Guides...

You're gonna LOVE digital reception - and then again maybe you won’t.

Digital TV is great when it works but when it doesn’t it will frustrate you beyond belief. You see, digital television is an ALL or NOTHING technology. In the old days, if your signal wasn’t the best or there was some sort of interference, your picture and/or sound quality diminished. You got snow and static. Not an enjoyable experience, but you did get something.

Digital, on the other hand is less forgiving. You will either get a great picture, or none at all. DTV can compensate for some errors. It has the ability to guess as what it needs to fill in the gaps when there are small pieces of digital information missing because of interference, etc. As the signal coming to your TV starts to degrade, you will see the picture pause, or jump, or even pixelate.

However, once a certain threshold has been reached where the set can no longer guess at what is missing, the picture goes blank and sound goes dead. You see this banner scroll across your set saying “No Signal”. This will be especially true for viewers in outlying and rural areas where the broadcast tower is far away and signal strength is weak. This may also be true for folks living in an urban area where there are lots of obstructions and electro magnetic interference.

There’s actually a pretty simple solution to FIX this though. Once you make a small investment, there’s nothing more to buy. A couple month’s cable or satellite subscription fees should cover it and then you’ll be watching FREE TV.

True, you won’t have your Pay-Per-View, or Sports-Net, but you’ll be saving HUGE money. In a tight economy like the one we’re in now, this is a small tradeoff to make in order to save some precious greenbacks. Those subscription fees add up quick and I found I have better places to put that hard earned cash.

To make all this work, all you really need to do is increase your signal strength. Start from the TV set and work backwards towards the antenna. As soon as you reach a level of reception you’re satisfied with, stop and savor your efforts. If the last step you did wasn’t quite enough, move to the next until you’re content.

The following chart steps you through the process.

Signal Amplifier
Terk 15dB Broadband Cable Amplifier Model AMP-15

Step 1
Install a TV Signal Amplifier.
Terk 15dB Broadband Cable Amplifier’

Sometimes the signal coming into your home is just below the digital threshold I talked about earlier. A boost, or amplified signal may be all that is needed to bring your set back to life. The TERK AMP-15 is a high-performance 15dB amplifier designed specifically to improve the signal strength needed for UHF/VHF/FM/HDTV antenna reception. For the best results, and to prevent signal degradation, the AMP-15 should be installed where the antenna cable first enters the home. If this step is not quite good enough, proceed to step 2. Also note that this is not money thrown away. Step 2 involves getting a new antenna and this amplifier will help that do a better job so nothing is lost here.

High Gain Antenna
Channel Master Model 4228

Step 2
Buy the BEST TV Antenna available.
Channel Master Long-Range Antenna

Without a doubt, the best and wisest thing you can do to improve your television reception is to buy the BEST antenna you can possibly afford. No other piece of equipment has more impact on your reception than the quality and calibre of your antenna. The difference between the best and cheapest is maybe $50. You don’t want to have to buy another cause the first didn’t do the trick, or work as good as you would like - costing you more than if you’d gotten the best right from the start. I’ve never been sorry for buying the best I could afford, but many times I’ve kicked myself in the keyster cause I skimped and got the cheap unit. Trust me, you won’t be sorry you got the best.

Antenna Rotor
Phillips Rotor SDW1850/17

Step 3
Add an Antenna Rotor.
Philips Remote Controlled Antenna Rotor

While the old fashioned analog signals could bounce off objects and make their way to your set, the new digital signals are a “line of sight” signal. They tend to travel in straight lines and don’t take detours. Therefore there’s one last trick left up your sleeve for getting good DTV reception - add an antenna rotor to your setup so that you can aim your antenna at the broadcast tower.This piece of equipment is one that you can shop around for and buy based on features and construction grade. If you live in an area that doesn’t get snow and ice, then a little lighter duty unit may work just fine. In addition, if you don’t need a lot of features such as location storage, remote control, or lit buttons, you can save yourself a few dollars. The unit I chose here is a middle of the road device that should work for most people. However, if you happen to live in a hostile area with brutal winters, be sure to get a unit capable of standing up to that abuse. You don’t want to get up on the roof in the middle of winter risking life and limb to freeze your fingers off as you replace a bum unit. Shop wisely - buy right.



Are You Ready For A New HD Television?...

Maybe this is a good time to consider migrating to the new technology in a fully committed way. Let’s face it, the new broadcasting technology is great and provides a lot of new features, but one thing it can’t do is provide Hi-Def pictures ON an older, low resolution set. You get the new signal, you’ll see the picture, but in standard resolution because your older set isn’t capable of displaying a hi-res picture. If you’re considering a new television, forgo this conversion process and take this opportunity to get a new HI-DEF (HD) set. Here is a small sample of some great sets now available. Keep in mind that some of these televisions qualify for free shipping and no sales tax which sweetens the pot even more. Save gas. Save time. Save money.
BEST CHOICE - RIGHT BUY!!

GET THE BEST PICTURE AND SOUND AVAILABLE WITH A NEW SET
JOIN THE MODERN WORLD!!

Sylvania LC195SL8 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Sylvania 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV
  • HDTV Display with PC input
  • Digital Tuner
  • 1440 x 900 resolution
  • V-Chip w Downloadable Rating
Magnavox 26MF337B 26-Inch LCD HDTV Magnavox 26-Inch LCD HDTV
With its built-in ATSC tuner for digital broadcast and cable signals, the 26MF337B delivers an ultra sharp widescreen HD picture, HD media connectivity, Dolby digital sound, SPDIF audio output, multiple inputs and doubles as a PC display.
Sony Bravia KDL-32L4000 32-Inch LCD HDTV Sony Bravia L-Series 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV
  • 32" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio)
  • Semigloss black finish with chrome accents
  • Built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts
  • QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box
  • 1366 x 768 pixels
  • 2 component video (accepts signals up to 1080i)



NTIA Approved and Available Converter Device List From Major Manufacturers:
To learn about any of these boxes, simply click on the link.

ALPHA DIGITAL AT2016 APEX DT250 *
Access HD DTA1020A-D Access HD DTA1020U
AccessHD DTA1010D AccessHD DTA1080U
AccessHD DTA1030D *  
Apex DT1001 Artec T3A
Artec T3APro CADENCE DTV9C
Channel Master 7000
 
COSHIP N9900T COSHIP N9988T
CRAIG Electronics International Ltd. CVD506 * Channel Master CM-7000
DIGITAL STREAM DSP7500T DIGITAL STREAM DSP7700T *
DIGITAL STREAM DTX9900 DIGITAL STREAM DTX9950 *
DIGITAL STREAM DX8700 * DISH Network DTVPal *
GE 22729 GE 22730
Goodmind DTA1000 Gridlink GLT-200
Insignia NS-DXA1 Insignia NS-DXA1-APT *
Kingbox K8V1 Lasonic LTA-260
Lasonic LTR-260 Magnavox  TB-100MG9 *
Magnavox TB100MW9 Memorex MVCB1000 *
MicroGEM MG2000 Philco TB100HH9 *
Philco TB150HH9 * RCA DTA 800B
RCA DTA800B1 * Sansonic FT300A
Sansonic FT300RT Tivax STB-T9
VENTURER STB7766G WINEGARD RCDT09A
WINEGARD RC-1010  
ZINWELL ZAT-970 ZINWELL ZAT-970A *
Zenith DTT900 Zenith DTT901 *
Zentech DF2000


NTIA Approved and Currently NOT Available

AMTC AT-2016 AMTC AT2015
AMTC AT2016L * APEX DT150
APEX DT502 * AVION ATB 7707
  AccessHD DTA1030U *
Airlink101® ATVC101 Apex DT1002
Apex DT500 * Artec T3AP *
CASTi CAX-01 CASTi CAX-02 *
CASTi CAX-03 * CHANGHONG ATT888 *
COMPONEXX CX-900 COSHIP N9901T *
CRAIG A4108 Clear Tech CTDCB100
DAYTEK CAX-01 DAYTEK CAX-03 *
DENCA NL8118 DENCA NL9119
DENCA TBX1005A DIGITAL STREAM D2A1D10
DIGITAL STREAM D2A1D20 DIGITAL STREAM DSP6500R
DISH NETWORK TR-40CRA * Daewoo DAC-100
Desay ATSC 8000 ECHOSTAR TR-40
Fuyai ATSC 630 GE 23333 *
GE 23334 * Goodmind DTA1100 *
Goodmind DTA900 Goodmind DTA980
Gridlink GLT-300 Jiuzhou DTT6000
Jiuzhou DTT9001 * Kingbox K8V8
MAG CCB7701 MaxMedia MMDTVB03
MaxMedia Maxmedia Lutro * Microprose MPI-500
Microprose MPI-500PT * Mustek MAT-K50
OLEVIA DTA100 RCA DTA 800A
SVA DAC100 Skardin DTR-0727
Skardin DTR-0727L * Skardin DTR-0728L *
Skardin DTR-0729L * Synergy Global Supply SYN2009
TATUNG  TDB3001 * TATUNG TDB3000
Tunbow Electronics E60010 Venturer STB7766G1 *
  ZINWELL ZAT-856
ZINWELL ZAT-950A * Zentech EZTV DF2000L *
Zinwell ZAT-756A Zinwell ZAT-857
Zinwell ZAT-950 iNet Access SSR 2100A *
jWIN Electronic Corp JD-TV1000

* The manufacturer has indicated that these models are capable of passing analog signals through to the TV set.