Click this link to read a post I like on the clusterheadaches.com message board...

KJ

CH.com Alumnus

Offline

Posts: 596
Indianapolis, IN
Gender: male

DTV Converters
Jan 5^th, 2009 at 6:51pm

I know there are many folks here who don't use cable or satellite tv. Has anybody bought a converter box yet? Any recommendations? They seem to have allowed so many manufacturers and sellers, that good product reviews are hard to come by.

I'm leaning toward a Zenith, which is Insignia if you buy it at Best Buy, and is manufactured by LG. Huh

Techno geeks, please weigh in!

Back to top

Quit smoking March 6th, 2008

IP Logged

Click Here to visit the CH.com Facebook page!

Mosaicwench

CH.com Sponsor

Offline

www.mosaicwench.com

Posts: 3507
Near Milwaukee WI, USA
Gender: female

Re: DTV Converters
Reply #1 - Jan 5^th, 2009 at 7:10pm

We have cable at home, but my 85 year old aunt needed a converter box. We bought a Sony or Magnavox at Walmart with her government coupon, installed it for her, and she says it works just fine. $48.97 less $40 coupon = $8.97 out of pocket for Aunt Shirley.

The guy I spoke with at Walmart (consider the source) says other places have them for twice the price and they all just do the same thing.

Back to top

“Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.”
~Flaubert

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?id=1240423960&ref

IP Logged

KingOfPain

CH.com Hall of Famer

Offline

Disgusted!

Posts: 1935
North America
Gender: male

Re: DTV Converters
Reply #2 - Jan 5^th, 2009 at 9:34pm

TV Converter Box Coupon Program Website - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

TV Converter Box Coupon Program Website
[Home Page]
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

Back to top

Arrived August, 1999.
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. - Denis Diderot
Thanks for the ignore function! Wink

IP Logged

Kevin_M CH.com Sponsor Offline withered branches grow green again. Posts: 8754 Michigan, USA Gender:	Re: DTV Converters Reply #3 - Jan 5^th, 2009 at 10:21pm Thanks Steve, I was going to ask. Been slackin' at putting off and postponing procrastinating.
Back to top	IP Logged

Callico CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Author of "Stranded at Romson's Lodge Posts: 4916 Aurora IL Gender:	Re: DTV Converters Reply #4 - Jan 5^th, 2009 at 10:39pm We got ours at Radio Shack, a Magnivox for $40, so was out nothing with the coupon. Haven't hooked it up yet. Everyone we talked to said they were all the same thing. Jerry
Back to top	"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of dung by the clean end." Texas A&M Student (unknown) IP Logged

Opus

CH.com Hall of Famer

Offline

"We have met the enemy...
and he is us"

Posts: 2746
Sidney,NY USA
Gender: male

Re: DTV Converters
Reply #5 - Jan 5^th, 2009 at 11:10pm

The cheep converter boxs work but they only output with RF at standard definition. If you have a HDTV with an analog tuner then you will be missing out on a great picture. You can buy better boxes that output with s-video or the better component video.

If you have a standard definition TV, you may want to look into getting a high def, digital tuner TV.

Don't listen to anyone who tells you that to receive digital broadcasts you need a digital antenna. If an old antenna works now it will probably work the same or better with digital stations.

Paul Smiley

Back to top

I no longer post because no one cares what I say.

IP Logged

Azraels Kiss

CH.com Hall of Famer

Offline

11/8/2006

Posts: 1806
Georgetown, KY
Gender: male

Re: DTV Converters
Reply #6 - Jan 5^th, 2009 at 11:30pm

Opus wrote on Jan 5^th, 2009 at 11:10pm:

Don't listen to anyone who tells you that to receive digital broadcasts you need a digital antenna. If an old antenna works now it will probably work the same or better with digital stations. Smiley

Ya don't absolutely need one, but some of them do help. But if you're gonna only buy a cheap one, you may as well just stick with good old fashioned rabbit ears... Smiley

PFDAN.......................................... Azrael's Kiss

Back to top

"Hello police? I would like to report a robbery. Someone stole all my beer while I was drunk."
--------------------------------
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

IP Logged

Charlie CH.com Alumnus Offline Happy to be here Posts: 18971 Jamestown, NY Gender:	Re: DTV Converters Reply #7 - Jan 6^th, 2009 at 12:15am Cable here. We had several TVs like that from 1949 through the 1950s. Watched Gabby Hayes too. Charlie
Back to top	There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill IP Logged

Opus CH.com Hall of Famer Offline "We have met the enemy... and he is us" Posts: 2746 Sidney,NY USA Gender:	Re: DTV Converters Reply #8 - Jan 6^th, 2009 at 1:42pm Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or Paul[
Back to top	I no longer post because no one cares what I say. IP Logged

Click Here to visit the CH.com Facebook page!

aubmari

CH.com Old Timer

Offline

Do not lose heart~

Posts: 443
Helena, Montana
Gender: female

Re: DTV Converters
Reply #9 - Jan 6^th, 2009 at 2:16pm

I just got a Zenith right before Christmas. I really like it. Really easy to set up. Took me all of about 5 minutes.

In regards to the coupons...... I know of at least 8 people that didn't end up even getting them in the mail.(myself included) Very aggravating! Angry

I even went back out on line and they refuse to send out additional even after the appeal process. I am not in a situation to afford $50-$70 so I wouldn't count on getting one in the mail.

I ended up getting one from my dad and now have my channels back!!! Long live the Bachelor Roll Eyes

Gina

Back to top

Life is too short for drama & petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, Love deeply and forgive quickly.&&&&

IP Logged

KingOfPain

CH.com Hall of Famer

Offline

Disgusted!

Posts: 1935
North America
Gender: male

Re: DTV Converters
Reply #10 - Jan 6^th, 2009 at 3:38pm

I had not applied for the coupon [before now] as I didn't see
the need for the converter but then thought about my TV in the
garage [non-digital, etc.].
Well...just out of curiosity I thought I'd go ahead & apply for the
coupon [today].
I did & this is the result...

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

Oops, I guess the early bird truly does gets the worm.
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

Back to top

Arrived August, 1999.
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. - Denis Diderot
Thanks for the ignore function! Wink

IP Logged

KJ

CH.com Alumnus

Offline

Posts: 596
Indianapolis, IN
Gender: male

Re: DTV Converters
Reply #11 - Jan 9^th, 2009 at 7:37pm

OK, I bought my boxes today, and hooked them up. I bought two Insignia DXA-APT from Best Buy for $59.00 apiece....so $19.00 apiece after coupon. Hooked them up, and the picture is fantastic! All of the stations here in Indy are already broadcasting in digital, and some have two sub-channels, so I get some new content.

The reason I spent more than the forty dollars was because I am relying on the airwaves for my tv....if you have cable or sattelite, and just want something to use when they go out, by all means find a cheapie. The best web source I found for comparison was:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

The important features for me were: universal remote, box controls for channel selection(in case you lose your remote or it doesn't work), aspect control, which lets you pick the size of your picture, and a signal strength meter, so you can adjust your attenna. Seems like they all should have these features, but they don't.

Bottom line....wow, no more snow....picture is clear as a bell!

Good luck rabbit ear folks!

Back to top

Quit smoking March 6th, 2008

IP Logged

Rolomatic

Ex Member

Re: DTV Converters
Reply #12 - Jan 9^th, 2009 at 8:25pm

I recently installed a new antenna at my mother’s lake house in Pine City on Cross Lake. The house is 72 miles as the crow flies from the antenna farm in Shoreview on the north side of the cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul). I installed a Winegard 8200U VHF/UHF 75 ohm down feed with a AP8800 mast mount preamplifier at 28’ on a mast pipe.

Antenna:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

Preamplifier:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

The performance at 70 + miles was astounding; I was able to receive all VHF and all but one UHF (CH 17 PBS) station. CH 17 is still waiting for FCC approval of there new DTV transmitter and I expect that when it is up and running that it will be received well enough for lock in. We tried several different brands and the ~~Magnavox~~ RCA-Insignia seems to be the best of the cheep boxes though one did die in the first weeks use, and was replaced by Best Buy.

I anticipate that I will be doing several more installs to come…

Good luck guys,

Roland. Wink

Add; KOP, they are waiting for the recent round of rebates to expire because they are out of money. They will be issuing more in order requested, and when they know how many more can be issued from defaults in the last round.

Back to top

« Last Edit: Jan 10^th, 2009 at 11:37pm by N/A »

IP Logged

KingOfPain

CH.com Hall of Famer

Offline

Disgusted!

Posts: 1935
North America
Gender: male

Re: DTV Converters
Reply #13 - Jan 10^th, 2009 at 4:37pm

Kevin_M wrote on Jan 5^th, 2009 at 10:21pm:

Thanks Steve, I was going to ask. Been slackin' at putting off and postponing procrastinating.

You're welcome.

Quote:

Add; KOP, they are waiting for the recent round of rebates to expire because they are out of money. They will be issuing more in order requested, and when they know how many more can be issued from defaults in the last round.

Thank you for the info Roland.

Back to top

Arrived August, 1999.
We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. - Denis Diderot
Thanks for the ignore function! Wink

IP Logged

	Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
	Search box updated Dec 3, 2011... Search ch.com with Google!