Exclusive: First tests of digital TV converter boxes
With the digital TV transition less than a year away, digital-to-analog converters have started showing up in retail stores. These set-top boxes convert digital transmissions pulled in by an antenna into analog signals that can be accepted by an older tube TV and other sets that don’t have a built-in digital tuner.
We tested three of the first digital-to-analog converters to hit the market: the Magnavox TB100MW9 ($50 at Wal-mart), Insignia NS-DXA1 ($60 at Best Buy) and Zenith DTT900 ($60 at Circuit City). If you buy any of these boxes, you can use the $40 coupon offered by the government, reducing your out-of-pocket cost to $10 or $20. (The Magnavox is pictured above. You can click on it for a closer look.)
[Feb. 14, 2008 UPDATE: We've further reviewed these digital TV converter boxes and have posted more information about them in our report, "Digital TV converter boxes: First Look," on ConsumerReports.org. —Ed.]
These converters did what they're supposed to—they provided access to free, off-air digital TV programs when we connected them to a rooftop antenna at our Yonkers, NY, lab. In addition, we tested to see how well each box performed when we lowered signal strength to marginal levels. All three boxes did an equally good job with weak signals, comparable to several late-model 42-inch flat-panel HDTVs we tested for comparison. (One important note: While the boxes can pull in both HD and standard-def digital channels, they'll convert HD programs to standard-definition analog.)
Picture quality from all three converter boxes was decent and should be fine on a relatively small-screen set. It's likely to be better than analog broadcasts you're watching on that same TV now. It won't match what you can get with a good digital TV, but the difference in quality isn't that great that you should buy a new TV unless you're ready to change for other reasons.
For an extra $10, the Insignia and Zenith boxes provided a slightly better image than the Magnavox and some added features that make them more convenient to use. The Zenith and Insignia performed closely overall, but the Insignia had a few quirks in picture quality when we used the composite-video output, so we would opt for the Zenith.
If you're in the market for a converter box, stay tuned for our full test report on these three models, which we expect to post next week on ConsumerReports.org.
—Eileen McCooey
Posted by: Rosanne | Dec 1, 2008 10:23:12 PM
Two questions: #1 If my TV is connected to converter box, and if I buy a dvd/vcr such as Panasonic EZ48V which has a digital tuner, will I then have a "normal" dvd/vcr which can record multiple programs on multiple days such as I have now with my present dvd/vcr? #2 I have a television set that is both TV and DVD and VCR player. If I attach a converter box to it, will its' digital tuner control both the TV part and the DVD/VCR part?
Posted by: everett whitney | Nov 17, 2008 7:02:50 AM
P.S. - LAUREN - " Smart Antenna / Zip 80643 ...?"
Sadly, just checked for the above # .... there will be only (2) digital Channels near enough for you & these don't need any Smart Antenna at all. Just a very simple DB-4, perhaps even mounted within your attic !
"ION" & IND" networks are those (2) ... all the majors in Denver are much too far removed ! At 45-50 miles +, with your weather & terrain ... there's not going to be 100 % reliable UHF digital reception of the major networks.
You will need some TV service other than Over-The-Air.
Sorry.
Posted by: everett whitney | Nov 17, 2008 6:48:32 AM
TO: Lauren - " SMART ANTENNA ..."
Those in theory do have the abilities to perform very well ... do understand that it's Not the distance from any .. town .. as from those TV Towers themselves, of course ... these may be located far removed, away from city!
One should always look up their Channels, etc., on
www.antennaweb.org first! Input ZIP, check 'digital' & ignore all the rest.
Listed will be all your channels, what Compass direction + distance to Towers, which Bands or Both, currently as well as IF yours are any of the 400 returning to Hi VHF from temporary UHF and, by color code, how much 'gain' or strength is needed.
Perhaps a relatively routine antenna set up will "do" equally-well --- Smart Antennas are terrifically costly for now.
Certainly true that "IF" your Towers are also only those 12 miles in distance, there ARE many from which to choose.
www.solidsignal.com has about all to be viewed / ask questions, etc..
Posted by: Loren E Shuler | Nov 15, 2008 5:43:30 PM
By accident I came across the Apex dt25o converter and the Smart antenna. We have yet to buy two converters. I wonder if this one that has "all the right connections and the antenna that automatically tunes in the best signal' is a poor, good, better, or best buy. Please advise because we live out in the boonies in the northeast part of Adams county. Nearest town is Keenesburg which is at least 12 miles from our home. I await your response. Loren
Posted by: monty | Nov 6, 2008 5:44:05 PM
I went to wall amrt with a coupon and paid 9.99. It's an RCA and it is fantastic. Prior to ths marvel I received 5 channels. [poorly] now 15 channels and cristle clear It is comparable to cable or dish. And setup is a PIECE O CAKE.
MOLEWA BLANCHARD,OK.
Posted by: everett whitney | Nov 4, 2008 12:47:10 PM
TO: Harry - 03 Nov - " NO Luck w/ Converter ...?"
You - as well as 99% of the rest - haven't realized that a new antenna system may be needed for these Coupon Boxes !
In spite of the very few posts ".. I get 20 channels ..", there are numerous more that get Zero, same as you did !
Federal Coupon Converters must have a UHF Band antenna using a Coax cable ... that excludes NYC, Chicago + some others reverting back to Hi VHF Band.
Plus, unless one is practically "in the shadow" of the TV Towers, any older set top antenna, especially "V" rabbit ears, will not do, either. Again, some are lucky - most are Not!
use www.antennaweb.org input only ZIP { ignore all the rest} & check 'digital' ---- listed will be those digital channels, which Compass Heading, how far, and by color-code, what type / VHF / UHF Band of antenna, both now & Post Feb..
www.solidsignal.com is only (1) web store offering essentially every antenna made.
Posted by: Harry Newman | Nov 3, 2008 10:35:15 PM
I purchased a Magnavox with pass thru and have had no luck in getting it to work, I have an amplifier and the tv works well with the boosted signal however when I hook up the box it says no signal? Is it possible the amplified signal will not work or is it a bad box?
Posted by: everett whitney | Nov 3, 2008 9:57:36 AM
TO: Ed - " Converter Remote Bad - How to Replace? "
Hope that a 'universal' one for free ( rebate ) or at the least very cheap will have the needed code for programming as the separate "O.E.M" remote may be as much as the Converter or simply not available at all. After all, the Converters themselves don't have any warranty on day 91 so, why stock parts?
Posted by: everett whitney | Oct 31, 2008 6:40:42 PM
P.S. to Rosanne - "DIGITAL VCRs .. ?"
Those TIVO units do Not need any federal coupon Converters at all, Will record two different channels simultaneously or view (1) / Record a different channel ....
These Do have a complete Program Guide for every show, every channel, every day for a week ! You may "program" Far easier than you ever could on a VCR, with a terrific "Library" to review what's already recorded.
You may also Record .. all episodes in a series for all season with a single setting & - Most Important - no more blinking 12:00 as the power is lost temporarily.
Not all "bad!"
Posted by: Ed | Oct 31, 2008 5:21:11 PM
What happens when the Converter Box remote goes bad. Do I have to buy another from the original Converter Box Mfg'r or are there Universal Remotes that will work on most Mfg'rs boxes.
Posted by: everett whitney | Oct 31, 2008 5:08:52 PM
TO: Rosanne - 31 Oct - "Where are digital VCRs..?"
There aren't any digital (VCRs)!
Some two & a half + years back, the FCC required that all VCRs (then) had to come with ATSC [digital] tuners internally as well as the analog already!
Some Makers "complied" by simply removing ALL tuners .. only a VCR Player!
Same phenomena happened then w/ Combos.
Now, insufficient sales or demand for VCRs, since these can Not do the better definition of HDTVs!
VCRs are essentially only Players from now on.
A few ATSC & NTSC dual tuner Combo units - too costly & very problematic to date !
There are excellent TIVO units for Over-The-Air Recording / Playback, equalling the same as 30 VCR tapes! --- but these all require a $13 / monthly fee (forever). Refurbs start at $179.
See at www.tivo.com
Posted by: Rosanne | Oct 30, 2008 10:58:31 PM
I'm finding that the digital converter box causes insurmountable problems regarding the use of VCRs's. I ended the installation of the converter box, because I now am able to program(depending on the brand of VCR) four to eight programs at once for daily, or weekly,viewing. With the converter box I could only program one program at a time, and it would have to be on a daily basis. If I want to travel, I could no longer program my favorite shows,to view when I return,I would have to be home in order to do that. I could never again record one program while viewing another, that could only happen by buying two converter boxes, of different brands, then the antenna person could do a split on the antenna to accomodate both converter boxes. The switch from analog to digital was not well thought out. Where are the digital ready VCRs'? At this point, I am just going to let the TV go black!!
Posted by: everett whitney | Oct 28, 2008 7:17:53 AM
TO - Edwin - 24 Oct - "Put Rabbit Ears Outside ...!"
NOT a good idea ! These are Not weather-proof at all & will "short out" in the rain very quickly.
Mustn't recommend a BAD idea to others. They should buy a legitimate outside antenna instead.
Posted by: edwin rivoes | Oct 24, 2008 10:19:19 PM
here in orlando fl , just put my rabbit ear antenna on the roof and it works perfect 25 channels , when i use indoors the signal was too weak.and just show me "Freeze or pixels only" so i get a 15' coax cable and put the same cheap $3.00 antenna on the roof and now i see all the channels . so the thing is not on the box, nor the antenna is Getting the signal. ( maybe attach the antenna to a pole will do it)
Posted by: everett whitney | Oct 24, 2008 4:12:46 PM
TO: Debra - 23 Oct - " Apartment for Channels 2 & 4 ..."
It should be that your market does have the unadvertised BUT available, new, limited channel analog - good thru 2012 - Not next Feb!
COX has (24) @ $11.75, Comcast usually offers (20) @ $11.25 , .. etc..
Lots cheaper than "DSL!"
Be "firm" -- their telemarketers obviously want to sell you their 100 -150 + channel packages instead!
Posted by: Debra Buria | Oct 23, 2008 6:23:07 PM
Response for everett whitney
My antenna is clipped on to the TV set and I live in an apartment and cannot put an antenna outside. I will go to the web site you showed me for options. This is really unfortunate because channel 2 (CBS) is the one most viewed and channel 4 (NBC) does not show at all. I do get the korean channel very clear as well as the others. Thank you for the web link, if nothing works, I will get DSL on my computer and view my shows there and forget about television.
Posted by: everett whitney | Oct 21, 2008 5:44:08 PM
TO: Debra - 20 Oct - "Only see Pixels on 2 channels ..?"
That suggests that your UHF antenna is Not sufficiently strong or is indoors / attic?
With this new transmission, the signals must be much stronger than with analog ... plus, digital TV is either 100% perfect or ZERO, without any sound or display at all!
Unless you literally "live within the shadow of the TV Towers" a set top, indoor antenna will not "do" dependably. Bad weather, difference between each channel, constant "adjustments."
IF it is of the proper type now, just relocate it outside, high atop your rooftop.
IF not, go to a web site - www.antennaweb.org - is only one of many. Input your ZIP, ck 'digital' & ignore all the rest. Listed will be the color code of suggested antennas.
www.solidsignal.com is (1) of many sites to view different antennas.
Posted by: everett whitney | Oct 21, 2008 5:33:28 PM
TO: Rosanne - 21 )ct - " Do we need to wait until Feb?"
Absolutely Not ! With all the difficulties many are experiencing already, definitely try to connect your federal coupon Converter immediately! Stations have been doing digital signals for well over a year already !
And, you may need a new UHF antenna system to make it receive all the various channels.
No, that VCR will Not function with just the single Converter ... it will need it's own Converter, since there is just a single Tuner per Converter.
Hook it up from that same UHF antenna coax with a "splitter" ... then, you may view (1) channel while that VCR records a different one.
Posted by: Rosanne | Oct 21, 2008 1:19:22 PM
Do you have to wait until end of Analog broadcasting before you can hook up the converter boxes and get digital TV? Apparently, VCRs' will not work as they normally do now. It will not be possible to record one program while watching a second one. Will we have to throw away our old VCRs' and buy new ones which will allow us to record,and watch different programs at the same time?
Posted by: Debra | Oct 20, 2008 10:26:46 PM
I have purchased the magnavox converter but have one of those tv/vcr combination. The issue is that my tv is a panasonic and when I hooked it up, stations CBS and NBC cannot be viewed. It shows those "pixcels" as though its trying to scramble it. I bought this box brand because it was the only one available at Wal Mart and did not do my research of different ones thinking all offer the same funtion. Will I eventually be able to view those channels after the Feb date? If not do I have to now return the box for a different one?
Posted by: everett whitney | Oct 20, 2008 1:42:01 PM
To: Andy B. - 17 Oct - "Low spot in house w/ Metal roof"
Bad News!
You will Not get dependable UHF antenna service for any Converter ... that metal roofing totally eliminates any / all hope of inside or attic antennas plus the electronic "reflections" or echos by it + those trees, + being in a low spot will also make any outside antenna essentially hopeless, too.
You need to arrange for the new, limited, basic analog cable service - good through 2012, NOT Feb !
All local cable companies have it ... around (20) channels for under $12/mo.
Posted by: andy bellingham | Oct 17, 2008 7:06:26 PM
We have used a rabbit ear antenae with a recent vintage TV set and have had poor to satisfactory analog reception in Markham VA 22643. The location is in an old house with a metal roof located in a low spot surrounded by trees.
We purchased, and hooked up, and programed a digital conversion which indicated that no signal was received. Would our next step to try an antenae in the attic or outside?
Thank you.
Andy Bellingham
Posted by: everett whitney | Oct 7, 2008 9:29:30 AM
TO: Marie - 06 Oct - "If I need the most costly antenna?"
You may have only tried one of the indoor "special, amplified, ..." indoor antennas displayed in most of the stores selling the Converters nowadays? Except in very unique circumstances, all indoor antennas { very old or brand-new } will be unsatisfactory ... constantly adjusting from channel-to-channel, different during storms, not sufficiently powerful to get all channels, etc..
You are correct ... a new, appropriate, outside antenna system, commercially-installed for those unable to climb up on the roof, etc., Will be extremely costly! Plus, there will be occasional maintenance $$$ due to wind storms, bad icing, etc..
All local cable sysytems HAD to agree with the FCC to provide limited, basic analog channels thru 2012 at reduced fees ... COX has (24) @ $11.75, COMCAST = (20) @ about $11, etc..
This service Does provide perfectly-clear reception on all picture tube TVs of the home plus allows the old VCRs to continue just as always.
You're making the proper choice! Do be "firm" with your cable company ... naturally, they are intent on selling their 75 or 100 ... + channel services!
Posted by: Maria | Oct 6, 2008 7:56:47 PM
I live in a very rural area and bought the Zenith DTT901 (new version of the DTT900). It didn't work at all. It only picked up signals for 3 of the same PBS channel, WB and a Spanish channel. It couldn't pick up any of the main channels I normally view, with a small antenna. If I have to buy the most expensive antenna possible, I might as well go for cable, or Direct TV.
Posted by: everett whitney | Sep 22, 2008 11:33:36 AM
TO: Jimmy - 13 Sept-"One Converter IS Bad .. do I Pay ..?"
Yes, after the limited warranty is past / expired, it's the very same as all our prior electronic / electrical items ...
VCRs, DVD Players, DVR/VCR Combos .... all have been "disposables" for many years, far more costly to repair than to "toss" & start anew.
Plus, even IF a repair might be accomplished, there is never a (90) days guaranty on that "workmanship!" Instead, the shop will simply claim that the failure IS because of something else ... how would anyone know?
Just buy new & hope! Or, give up entirely ... since you do have multiple picture tube sets, perhaps the Limited, Basic analog cable of 20 -24 channels @ $11-$12 / monthly that's available everywhere thru early 2012 would be better.