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

Comments

[skylights]

New tests!

DTV converters: Results of our tests of 14 models
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/06/dtv-converters.html

[Dan]

I just got the Insignia (2 of them) and am quite floored by the difference, I would have got them the second the vouchers arrived if I'd have known what to expect...for our little bedroom TV (which happens to be Insignia as well) and our little basement TV, this is a perfect solution.

Easy to use, outstanding picture and sound, new channels I wasn't expecting...it's a winner. What a deal.

[tina.pdx]

OK- got coupons a couple of weeks ago- only good till mid July. Did some reading up on features and found a Philco 100HH9 box for $49.99 at Fred Meyer store. Just got it home and hooked it up to a Magnavox TV (19" circa 1987) and it's not working at all. When I plugged the rabbit ear antenna into the box, it made the signal worse. Also, the box wouldn't go through its setup mode.

Am wondering if I need to get a digital antenna or exchange the converter box. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.... tina

[DTV Converter Guy]

How long does it generally take to get our $40 coupons? I ordered mine a few weeks ago and am still waiting.

Anyone have suggestions on which DTV converter Box to get? I am leaning toward the cheap magnavox from Wal-Mart. From what I understand they all operate at nearly the same quality levels and it is not much worth it to spend extra money.

[Jude]

I just got my box from Wal-Mart using my $40 rebate. The Magnavox converter was only $49. All I can say is WOW! the picture is so clear! Plus I get so many other free digital channels now! With the raising cost of fuel and food, this allowed me to cut back on the $100 mo. cable bill that I was not watching....

[Brian Hass]

I have had the Magnavox TB100MW9 converter box for over a month and a half. I have connected it to a 17 year old Magnavox color television. The unit has worked well; and, I am satisfied with the results. My picture quality is good; and, the unit appears to have a decent tuner. Some of my favorite features include the signal strength meter as well as the ability to add digital channels manually (which can sometimes be necessary when the initial scan does not detect all of the local channels).

Some of the more distant television stations are more difficult to receive. However, I attended a local meeting on digital television; and, the representative from South Dakota Public Television informed us that digital television stations are currently broadcasting at only 40% power. He said that this should be increased to 100% power after the analog signals are switched off in 2009.

[Kim Pearce]

Leanne yes you, i have outside antenna

[Kim Pearce]

Hey the longer cord worked on the magnavox, I'm gettin all the channels crystal clear. great advice. Thanks

[Luanne]

Ok, I'm getting more confused as I read the posts. Do I still have to keep my aerial antenna on my rooftop, even with the converter box? I thought that this box was supposed to make that obsolete. And where can we find out which converter boxes are compatible with which TV/DVD/VCR?

[Bill Busineau]

I bought a Magnavox tb100mw9 converter box recently and
tested it on my cable service on an old analog tv.

I contacted customer service with a few questions about installation
and was told the the Magnavox converter will not convert a digital
signal from cable and would only work with antenna signals. I would
have to contact my cable provider about a converter box.

I thought converters would convert digital to analog regargless
of the source of the signal.

[ssalava]

Does anyone have any experience with Dish Network's DTVPal converter box? (see http://www.dtvpal.com)

It's one of the few listed with analog passthru. My coupon expires on 06/12/08 (received on 03/29/08) and so I need to make a purchase decision soon.

[Margaret Lind]

We just received the two TV converter box coupons and the coupons are only good for 60 days, which is reasonable.

It's towards the end of May now and they're good through August 5.

Also, I read somewhere that there are only a limited number of coupons that will be issued so if you think they will be there through next January, I would advise going ahead and procuring your coupons now and making your purchase in the allotted time.

Also, I found it interesting, that the government was issuing coupons on a weekly schedule, somewhat like the tax rebate checks. You can click on a link to that schedule on the government website. We are happy.

We live 3 miles from the transmitter tower and have never paid for TV. We are looking for analog-pass-through but may not need it, as even the PBS station is already broadcasting in digital.

[George]

A desirable feature and ANY TV converter box is the ability to watch both analog and digital TV broadcasts. The converter box coupon is on a short leash. We received ours in mid May. The coupon expiration date is July 15th. The 90 days have been diminished to 60 days.

The government lists the 81 coupon eligible converer box (CECB) models at www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm Of these, only 15 models are capable of passing though analog signal to the TV set. The CECB models with "analog signal pass-through capability" are:

APEX DT250 DIGITAL STREAM DTX9950
Apex DT500 DIGITAL STREAM DX8700
CASTi CAX-02 DIGITAL STREAM DSP7700T
DISH Network DTVPal Jiuzhou DTT9001
Magnavox TB-100MG9 Skardin DTR-07271
Philco TB100HH9 TATUNG TDB3001
Philco TB150HH9 Venturer STB7766C1
RCA DTA800B1

The three TV converter boxes tested by CU in its Yonkers, NY lab and reported on in March 2008 (Magnavox TB100MW9, Best Buy's Insignia NS-DSXA1 and Zenith DTT900) ARE on the CECB list but NONE of them have the "analog signal passthrough" feature. In it March report CU selected the Zenith DTT900 (the twin of Ingignia NS-DXA1)as its PICK.

Two Magnavox models are on the government CECB list: Model TB 100MW9 (no "pass-through" capability) and Model TB 100MG9 (WITH the desired "pass-through" capabilty). Could CU evaluate them side-by-side to determine if anything is lost by making a model "analog signal pass-through" capable? Second, please evaluate side by side several "pass-through" capable converter box models from the list above--including Magnavox, RCA, Digital Steam (from Radio Shack), and Philco.

CU's timely findings would hasten the process for consumer's to make a wise choice. Better choices from better information. We're counting on you for the latter.

Thanks

[Bob]

I talked to a Zenith rep on the phone and was told that the DTT900 downmixes stereo sound to mono even though the box has left and right cable audio connections. Same signal on both sides I guess. In this respect it seems some coupon eligible boxes will offer inferior sound to analog. It may be the rule rather than the exception. How to tell?

[K Keeley]

I purchassed two of the RCA DTA 800-B converters but they will not work on my Magnavox TVs (one 20 years old and one 2 years old). All I get is snow - no sound, no picture, no nothing. I have changed cables, used splitters, amplifiers, etc. but to no avail.

The same converter boxes work great on an old RCA w/rabbit ears and a GE hooked up to a rooftop antenna. The two Magnavox are also hooked up to the rooftop antenna. Any ideas as to why the Maganov TV won't work with the converters?

[Larry]

I recently got the Magnavox converter from Wal Mart. Picture is excellent with all stations, both VHF and UHF, but one. It is clear on my other TVs in the house, but for some reason the converter box says 'no signal'. It's a UHF station, with the tower being the longest distance from my house (50-65 miles), and it does broadcast in digital. I have an outdoor VHF/UHF antennae on the house (two story). My mother (who lives 20 miles closer to the tower) gets this station crystal clear using the same converter box. Again, the other TVs in the house get this station's analog signal very, very clear. Ideas? I already have the signal boosted with a pre-amp before it splits to all the TVs.

[Gene B.]

I just received my two $40 off coupons for converter boxes. As reported by others, a full month of my 90 days usability period had already expired when the coupons were received.

I need converter boxes with analog pass-through because so many stations don't currently broadcast in digital mode and some smaller stations won't make that digital transition in 2009.

Most local retailers don't sell ANY converter boxes yet, and of the few that do, not one model supported analog pass-through. The estimated availability date of converters with this much-needed feature is long after the expiration date of my coupons.

I should have expected this. The $40 off coupon program allows our government to loudly proclaim the wonderful things they are doing for our citizens.

The reality is yet another government program that is so ineptly handled that it's meaningless.

[Philip]

I have a walmart magnavox tb100mw9 converter box is this one generation 6th? I need the best high power one as I live behind mountians and gettting drops outs on some channels. Thank you anyone outthere for your help. phil.

[Dolores]

Problem with signal may be due to the cable that comes in the Zenith box. We found that we had a bad cable. We replaced it with a new larger one and we have a beautiful picture and sound. Hope this may help you.
Dee

[Dan D.]

I received a coupon as requested for the converter box. It is only good for ninety days, according to the coupon. The problem is I when I received it, thirty days had already expired before I received it. When I went to purchase a box, the store hadn't gotten any in stock yet. Also you suggest that an individual can get two coupons, HOW?

[Ken Lanovich]

I have purchased a Philco model TB100HH9 DTV converter. I have tried it on both indoor, and outdoor antennas. This unit work well on both antennas systems, but far better on my old roof top UHF, and VHF antennas. In the Chicago area, DTV signals are currently broadcast on low band VHF, high band VHF, and UHF signals. This unit also has an analog pass through feature, to view standard TV signals without disconnecting the antenna cable. The only drawback the the Philco model is the tiny channel buttons on the remote control. Ken Lanovich

[everett whitney]

TO: " Nancy-Ann B.-05 April-10 w/ Rabbit Ears but now Zero"..

"V" type analog set top antennas will not get the digital signal needed .

At "Digital Transition-03 April-#8054.1" is a listing of (2)
Comb VHF/UHF antenna, as many small, private systems will stay on analog for the foreseeable future. So, a digital for the Federal Converters & VHF for the "pass-thru" Boxes.

Depending upon distance from TV broadcasting towers, etc., these may work adequately in your attic - otherwise, outside.
(1) = AntennaDirect #XG-91 (same as Terrestrial )
(1) was Televes #DAT-75

May be seen + measurements at
www.solidsignal.com (no connection w/ myself!)

[Nancy-Ann Button]

It is sad that the government can bail out Bear Stearns, lower interest rates for banks, change laws for homowners who bit off more than they should have because they had to keep up with the Jones' or thought they could make a quick buck but when it comes to an afordable solution to watch TV without cable it is impossible. We have available 10 TV stations with rabbit ears and now with converter baoxes "the signal is too weak". What are the people on fixed incomes with interest on deposits falling every day to do? This is one example of how our government "fixes" things. Need suggestions.

[everett whitney]

TO: " Phil K. - 04 April -- 8 analog TVs "-

At "FORUMS - 03 April - # 8054.3 - your answer -sadly -
is One-for-One, a rather large cost, since only the initial two will have Coupons!

Otherwise, only a single channel will be displayed throughout the entire system.

[Glen Fotre]

I can't wait to get my hands on a complete evaluation of all of the major brands of boxes including external dimensions and the availability of using 12V power. I'm trying to find a box that will work in my space challenged RV! So far, it looks like a toss-up between Artec T3A and MicroGEM MG2000.