A high-def box for your HD-ready TV

If you have an HD-ready TV hooked up to an antenna, you need to prepare for the February 2009 switch to all-digital broadcasting.

That's because HD-ready TVs have only an analog tuner, and analog broadcasts will be discontinued next year. To continue getting free television programming, you'll need to buy a digital converter box and connect it between the antenna and the TV. There are two types of boxes available.

You can use a basic converter box, which costs $40 to $70, but it will provide only standard-definition content. The government is offering a $40 coupon, which can be used only for a basic model. We've tested a few coupon-eligible boxes and found that they performed well overall. This is the way to go if you don’t care much about HD programming.

But since your TV has the ability to display HD, it might be worth spending more—closer to $200—for an HD-capable digital converter box. This will enable you to get free high-def programming from the major broadcast networks, and you don't have to wait till next year. HD broadcasts are already available in most areas, so you can start enjoying them right away.

One model to consider is Samsung's DTB-H260F converter box. At $170, the Samsung isn't cheap, and it's not eligible for the coupon program. But it will get you free HD, with great picture quality. In our tests, picture quality for both 720p and 1080i HD signals we pulled in via a rooftop antenna was excellent, rivaling if not surpassing what we've seen with the typical cable feed.

The converter box should give you access to just as many stations as an HDTV with a built-in tuner, assuming of course that you have a good antenna in either case. When we fed the DTB-H260F progressively weaker signals, it did a good job with weak signals, comparable to several late-model 42-inch flat-panel HDTVs we tested. A signal-strength meter, accessible via the remote, helps you adjust the antenna to the optimal position.

Other nice features include an onscreen guide that shows programs and start times, and lets you scroll among digital channels.

—Nick Mandle and Chris Andrade

 

Comments

[Mike]

A simple adapter (2-wire to coax) fixes the 2-wire problem for older antennas. I would guess most US tv antennas (roof top, attic, set top) are both UHF and VHF. My local HD OTA channels via the H260f, including the channels with subchannels, render a much clearer (less compressed) signal than the same HD channel via cable company.

[everett whitney]

To " Greg A. - Compression ...OTA vs Cable .. "

Absolutely true, except whenever an OTA channel elects to create too many sub-versions of themselves upon same base channel.

Also a fact - satellite companies have been newly granted by the FCC "permission" to Not sent local channels in full "HD" ! Many of their newer HD satellite Boxes do Not even offer any local HD channel capabilities!

And, for those 2,500 odd smaller market regions, a very good, hi gain, outside UHF antennae will be the alternative to obtain any "HD", since these very small companies may stay on analog indefinitely!

So, an outside antenna for those customers is an "only" option.

[Greg A.]

Everett, from what I've read, over-the-air HD programming is uncompressed and cable company HD programming is usually compressed, so for people in some locations (depending on the number and strength of over-the-air HD stations and the cable company, or companies, serving those locations), over-the-air HD programming may be the preferable option for tuning in the broadcast networks.

[everett whitney]

For Chris S. - 23 Mar -

Yes, some OTA folks Will need a new antenna if their existing unit is only for VHF ( 02 - 13 ) and / or uses twin wire or "ribbon" lead-in. These obviously can not receive digital signals.

TIVO Ser 3 units - @ $799 - are essentially beyond the budget of many -- that's why they use OTA in the first place.

All local cable boxes + Remotes are free of any maintenance / repair costs, whereas TIVO , etc., will be all at owner's costs & there are no extended warranty plans offered by TIVO - only a (90) day labor on new units.

[Chris S]

Everett, I'm paying $13/month to my cable company for its DVR-- I would still be saving $50+ a month if I were willing forego the extra channels that cable gives me. Further, Series 3 Tivo has 2 ATSC tuners, so one would be able to avoid the $170 cost of the Samsung converter box mentioned in the article. I don't understand how this is "dubious"... basically, as the blog entry points out, assuming your HDTV *doesn't* have an ATSC tuner, all you have to do is pay $170 and you can receive HD channels. People who are already getting analog OTA won't need a new antenna. It's true that you won't be able to store HD programming on your VCR or old DVR, but as you point out, you can solve that problem by paying $13/month for a Tivo (money you would have to give to your cable company anyway for the same capability).

[everett whitney]

"... $ 170 for a HD Tuner ..."

That seems to be a dubious "HD" alternative, especially IF one also includes the costs involved in buying a proper UHF digital antenna & it's outside installation. ( indoor or set top digital antenna will not function adequately in most instances)

There will still be no means to record any HD whenever there are simultaneous broadcasts or IF one is away from home at that time - so, the HD program will be "lost."

There is no means currently to record O.T.A.-HD other than the extremely costly (2) TIVO units & their $13/monthly fees - our current DVRs will not "do" HD.

For those that have invested in a HD-Ready high definition sets, perhaps it is time to "bite-the-bullet" & obtain the HD signal instead, with a local cable HD Recording unit. In addition to all the local networks, this would also provide many additional HD channels not available OTA.