Ratings of DTV converter boxes: New models added

We've updated our exclusive Ratings of DTV converter boxes, which now cover 24 of the 50 or so models now available. New arrivals include a box with the best picture quality we've seen so far, another that has the first VCR timer we've encountered, and several boxes with analog pass-through. (Read the latest update to our DTV converter box guide for more information, including free access to the DTV converter box Ratings.)

Prices for tested models range from about $50 to $90. (Prices are what we paid. Some readers have reported that they've found different, sometimes higher, prices.) You can use a $40 government coupon to defray the cost. Call 888-DTV-2009 or go to www.DTV2009.gov to request one or two coupons; you'll also find a list of online retailers there. Visit our guide to the digital TV transition, free to all visitors, for more complete information on the digital TV switchover and DTV converter boxes.

The Channel Master CM-7000 was tops for picture quality. It's among the first boxes to have an S-video output, which can deliver better picture quality than a composite-video or RF out. It's pricey, though, at $80. The Apex DT250 also has an S-video out, though its picture quality didn't quite match the Channel Master's. Older TVs don't have an S-video input output, so you'd have to use either the composite-video or RF input output.

With a run-of-the-mill TV set, it might be hard to appreciate the incremental improvement in picture quality offered by the top performers. Converter boxes that are a step down in picture quality provide better video than most analog sets and might be perfectly satisfactory.

The Dish Network DTVPal, $60, has both a VCR timer and analog pass-through, as does its brandmate, the TR-40 CRA, which is available in limited quantities for $40. (It arrived too late to be included in this latest update to our DTV converter box guide.) The timer will change the channel on the box so your VCR can automatically record from different channels. Analog pass-through enables a box to feed your TV analog signals as well as digital signals converted to analog. Other tested models with this feature are the Philco TB100HH9, Magnavox TB100MG9 (seen above), and Digital Stream DTX9950. (See our "How to choose: DTV converter boxes" for more information that will help you decide which DTV box features are right for your needs.)

As in our first round of tests, all tested models converted broadcast digital signals from our rooftop antenna into analog signals that an older TV can accept, with decent picture and sound quality. They also performed comparably in their ability to pull in digital stations. The number of digital channels that will be available to you depends on how many stations broadcast digitally in your area, the distance from your home, your antenna, and whether trees or other obstructions block the signals.

Comments

[Lee]

A comparison of converter box features can be found at this Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units (http://tinyurl.com/5ljf4c)

[everett whitney]

TO: Joe - " Research everything ...! "

Here are those - http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/03/dtv-converter-boxes-more-rated-some-scarceat-least-for-now.html

Do also realize that in essentially every single case, one WILL need to explore a new outside Antenna System, too !

Since the vast majority of DTV signaling IS sent on the UHF Band, the older, "V" indoor set top antenna units of picture-tube days are NOT going to be adequate at all for 100% reliable, consistent-in-all-weather & Seasons! Plus, you must be within 25 - 35 miles of the TV Towers with zero obstructions in the line-of-sight as well. Successful UHF reception vs our old VHF for analog differ the same as day vs night.

Go to & use www.antennaweb.org, inputting only your ZIP, check 'digital' & the info needed for the purchase of an appropriate one will be provided.

Many safe, good, web stores - (1) is - www.solidsignal.com & be certain to connect w/ Quad RG-6 coax, available here @ under $8 / 50 feet - www.monoprice.com

[joe zweck]

I like to research products before I make a purchase. My television is an RCA ColorTrak 2000. It has an S-video input and yet it was purchased before 1992 (zing). I would like to know which converter boxes available now (March 2009) produce improved picture quality by using an S-video out. Thanks.

[everett whitney]

TO: Pete - " Keep dropping the signal on the Converter..?"

It is NOT that Converter at all !

In spite of all those "glowing claims" printed upon the indoor HD Special indoor, set top antennas, most will NOT provide 100 % consistent, reliable, in all weather & seasons digital reception at all !

UHF transmission was never simple or straightforward during these past 25-30 years even on analog . . . it never will be as "simple" to accomplish as VHF either.

Elevation differences, taller structures or even planes using their landing & take off patterns in that Line-of-Sight between your antenna & that TV Tower, sudden variations in either Temperature or Wind, leaves on Summer hard wood forests, etc., all make UHF extremely-tedious !

Either DO use www.antennaweb.org w/ Only your ZIP & buy / install a proper outside antenna atop your roof ridge, connected via quad RG-6 coax or get the latest, limited channel cable service @ $11-$12 / monthly!

[Pete]

I bought a Tivax STB T-8, and a Tivax amplified antenna. I scanned in the available channels and received about 14 of them.Every channel comes thru with a very clear picture,but on almost every channel, it keeps on blacking out to no signal from every few seconds to every couple of minutes.

It only blacks out for a second or two each time, but is enough to have me ready to dump it in the trash. The signal strength meter in it shows normal to strong, but it keeps bouncing down to weak and back up again. I am not in an area where planes are going overhead all the time & can't figure out why it is doing this. If the signals are strong, why do they keep bouncing down to weak and back again?

I am reluctant to go spend on an outdoor antenna (even though this unit will work a smart antenna), because I suspect I will still have the same results. I am thinking of getting the Channel Master due to the claims of it having a superior tuner(which maybe could stablize my reception?), but that unit doesn't work with a smart antenna, and I don't know whether getting the smart antenna would be the better solution, or going for the supposedly stronger tuning Channel Master. If anyone has any suggestions I would be glad to hear them.

[Innocent Bystander]

CHANNEL MASTER CM-7000

"...Among the few boxes we've seen that does not allow you to tune in a channel directly, but only by performing the more time-consuming scan-for-all-channels."

Not entirely accurate. You can do a "Quick Scan" which will only search for new channels, leaving the already discovered channels untouched.

[everett whitney]

TO: D. Plautz - " Antenna Troubles ... all a mess ..?"

First, patience ! This "DTV" has already required over ten years .... lots of new info is to be learned by us all before any degree of success will be achieved.

From going to your various listed cities, it would seem that you ARE lucky ... the vast majority of all your digital TV Channels will be only on UHF Band reception & there'll be all of them represented pretty much. By-the-way, there are NOT ( 15 ) different networks --- only the 5 major broadcasting ones plus PBS .... to ever get anything like dozens of literally different channels, one has always needed local cable and / or satellite.

ONLY ABC out of Durham will be on Hi VHF Band.

Now, to your "complaints!" .... already went to www.antennaweb.org and got your digital channels, Compass Headings & ( post Feb ) the suggested UHF Band being used principally .

You will need to get a Rotor assembly .... successful digital signal reception Must be treated with much greater diligence / patience than analog ever was. And, it is 100 % or Zero.

And, your exiting antenna must be too weak in it's abilities to "lock on" UHF signals ..... consider a DB-4, instead plus do NOT use any Amplifier at all ... your TV Towers are all much too near & this will only cause more troubles !

Another one that might be appropriate is the Channel Master # 3016 & also boxed/sold under # 5646. Sometimes less costly/ on sale.

Your coax needs to be new - all Quad RG-6 - no splices, from that antenna connection right onto the TV Converter terminal. Cheap, as well, at that same web store.

www.solidsignal.com is only (1) web store of very many.

[D Plautz]

I also live in a fringe area.... most people around here dont make much for aliving, and that is if they still have their jobs at all! I get about 15 channels from Greensboro N.C., Durham N.C.,plus Lynchburg and Roanoke Va. Turn on the "converter box" and I get three all from the same TV station channel, who run mainly "info commercials" on one channel, the other is a 24/7 weather channel with a fixed picture of temps. and the third some other crap. I would rather watch my ""snowy" sixten channels than this one station, I have turned the antenna until I am blue in the face. I was told to try a signal amplifier, but the neighbor has one and it did "NOTHING", I think in Feb. this transition will be horrid! And lets not forget the older people, handicapped people and the many poor people who cant afford to change antennas and add other stuff that may or may not work.... I think the FCC should reconsider the digital change over date in Feb. 2009 to a much later date if not another year. I am grossly disappointed in the digital signal and cant believe that in a few weeks I will have nothing but one lousy station to watch. And by the way, I had sat. service for years, due to the economy and the rising high price of their service I had to give it up, along with many other things in my life just to make ends meet! Where's the coupon for a new antenna and a coupon for the amplifier?

[everett whitney]

TO: Davido - " TIVO doesn't offer converters ...?"

You are perhaps "mixed up?" TIVO already IS a digital tuner and, so, does NOT need a converter at all !

With two tuners as well as a hard drive for the recording of (1) channel while watching a different channel, etc., it has an excellent program guide as well.

These may be used for all O.T.A. signals- NOT just some - and DO need an appropriate outside antenna usually.

[Davido Hermoso]

Some converters will not allow a analog signal through the box even when the box is off. So U can't watch analog with them connected up. This is only a problem if U are in an area that will still have analog signals after feb 2008 or if U want to use your box before feb 2008 and still watch analog TV.

Tivo boxes can still be used in some cases with over the air signals. U have to buy a converter that Tivo has the IR codes programed into the TIVO box and then U have to have IR cables to provide the codes to the converter box.
TiVo doesn't provide converter boxes.

[ralph albano]

I WOULLD LIKE TO KNOW WHY WHEN I PROGRAMED THE INSINGIA BOX I HAVE I FOUND THE FREQECNY AND THE SET WHEN OFF. BUT GOING TO TURN IT ON IT WON'T TURN ON YOU HAVE TO USE CHANNEL 3 AND TURN IT ON

[Jo]

I've connected a converter to two tvs in my house. After a few days a faint, continuous static noise starts coming from the tv. I'm using the Insignia box. Has anyone else noticed this? I can't figure out how to make it go away!

[jtillman]

I'm trying to utilize the links in your article re Ratings of DTV converter boxes: New models added and they do not work all I get is site not available

[Paul Eng]

The links have been fixed.

Thanks,
Paul Eng
--Web Senior Editor, Electronics

[don cave]

can you provide ratings of dtv converter boxes. When I click on site it says site is not available.
What is this about?
DC

[Tom]

I have the same problem as PJ. I am in Poughkeepsie, NY - halfway between New York City and Albany - on the fringe of two TV markets. My rooftop antennas are 25 years old (one fixed VHF antenna and a UHF antenna on a rotor), and they served us well during the analog years.

I hooked up the converter box as soon as I could get one earlier this year. Our reception went from 8 analog stations from New York City (7 VHF, 1 UHF) down to zero. When the UHF antenna was aimed toward Albany, NY, we went from one UHF analog station (WXXA) down to zero UHF digital stations. We also have two local independent UHF stations (WTBY and WRNN). Their DTV signals come in fine because they are less than 10 miles away. However, since the major network affiliates broadcast from Albany (67 miles away) and New York City (Empire State Building - 63 miles away), I am most interested in receiving those DTV channels.

Late spring, we installed a Channel Master preamp to the mast and ran RG6 coax cable (which replaced the existing twin-lead flat wire) from the preamp to the Channel Master pass-thru power supply inside the house. I spent most of the summer tweaking the aim of the UHF antenna with the rotor. We can now receive Albany stations WTEN-DT (ABC), WMHT-DT (PBS) and (most of the time depending on the weather) WRGB-DT (CBS), which raises the DTV station total from Albany up to three.

With the UHF antenna aimed south, only WNYW-DT (Fox) comes in from New York City. No other NYC station even makes a dent on the DTV tuner. Although that is still better than zero, I still get fewer digital stations than analog. TVFool.com shows the terrain is not favorable for UHF. Our VHF antenna currently picks up all the VHF analog stations from NYC, so it will be interesting to see what happens when three NYC DTV stations return to their original analog VHF channels in February.

I heard about the Wilmington, NC DTV transition back in September. Many folks complained to the FCC that they could not receive WECT's digital signal after the early switchover. I predict more upset folks like PJ, especially if they live in fringe areas and find out their existing antenna will not do the job.

[everett whitney]

TO: P J - 29 Oct -"Got 10 before .. now Zero!"

That's because your "antenna" Must be at least able to receive UHF channels!

Certainly does Not need to be a "Monster on the Roof" for everyone! Plus, amplifiers do Not help in every case, either, since these might make things worse.

Try .. www.antennaweb.org .. Only put in your ZIP & check "digital", ignoring all those others.

Listed will be those channels available, how far, what Compass direction and WHAT color-code / strength ...

IF only UHF channels now as well as after FEB, an antenna may work in front of a window, behind the draperies, in the direction of the TV Towers. One that we've used thusly is a DB-4, no tax & under $66, delivered.

www.solidsignal.com has about all, at very reasonable costs.

Lastly, come Feb, all digital channels will have stronger transmissions.

[PJ]

I purchased a converter box quite early on from Best Buy. Without the box I receive 10 channels, with the box I receive 0. I live in a fringe area. I know one person in my area who finally got some reception by buying a big new antenna, and then an amplifier. There are many people in my area who can't afford all these extras, including me. So I guess I just won't be watching tv anymore. I get really annoyed by all the ads that say "all you need is this little converter box..."

[everett whitney]

TO: Troy - 20 Oct -" Great Tuners in Converters.."

Obviously, an "catch 22" - but - since the vast majority of Converter owners are not about to disassemble their new boxes, it is possible to recall that @ $40 retail & about 1/3 of that for actual wholesale values, that doesn't allow for the purchase of very many sterling, top-of-the-line internal parts.

Judging from these many C.R. posts, Federal coupon Converters Converters have not been a spectacular, howling success story.

[Troy Heagy]

>>>The Top Tier HDTVs do Not have to be tested by the government. The Market does that.

Sure, because Consumer Reports does not. (zing). People who own HDTVs have found that the built-in tuners are inferior to the FCC-tested coupon boxes. The built-in tuners simply aren't as sensitive as the latest-generation technology (6G) placed inside these coupon boxes.

[everett whitney]

TO: Troy - 17 Oct - " Federal are the very Best Innards ?"

Maybe - maybe not - since these Are , after all, the lowest bids from the poorest Asia makers ....

The Top Tier HDTVs do Not have to be tested by the government. The Market does that.

[Troy Heagy]

The tuners inside the coupon boxes are the most-advanced, latest-generation tuners ever produced. In addition, they are run through a battery of FCC tests prior to their acceptance into the program.

No HDTV has to go through similar testing, and those built-in tuners are typically previous generation with poor performance.

[Troy Heagy]

Yeah.

[b]Anybody who's tried a DISH DTVpal versus a Zenith converter box *knows* there's a difference in reception.[/b]

The DTVpal only brings-in about two-thirds as many stations as the Zenith box, and the DTVpal experiences tons of dropouts while the Zenith remains rock-steady.

[everett whitney]

TO: Doug - 14 Oct - " Lots of Alternatives .."

Absolutely true - BUT - none of these very cheap, basic federal coupon Converters are apt to be the way to succeed in trying to get a better quality tuner.

Instead, one may well need to seek out / simply buy a Top Tier HDTV instead & then, also buy an appropriate Antenna system .

Alternatively, either of the TIVO (O.T.A.)units will be less cost than a new HDTV but will also need a proper antenna.

For very many with only analog Rabbit Ears, & the federal coupon class of Converters, there may well not be dependable, free TV. The commercial installation of any outside, new, larger antenna, etc., will simply be prohibitive!

[Doug]

TO: everett whitney - 02 Oct - “either 100 % perfect or Zero…..That's Not an issue of 'bad Converters, weak signals' ... just one of the issues of "fringe areas" that will never receive proper, dependable, digital signals.”

So you’re saying that people in “fringe areas” will no longer have a choice whether they will receive over-the-air reception after the change to digital? I think we both know that there are several things that can be done to receive clean digital signals in “fringe areas”. Larger antennas, amplifiers, and selecting the right CECB (as well as other changes) can all improve digital reception.

Also,
TO: Everett whitney – 20 Sept - “Sorry, but the solid state tuners are all very much alike anymore ... rather, it's the very nature of digital's "all or zero" broadcasting feature that determines our "issues".”

Once again, I have to disagree. If you had properly researched the issue, you would know better. I have a TV with a digital tuner and two different CECBs and live in a “fringe area”. Each of these provide me with a different level of reception when connected to the same antenna. Also, one visit to the AVSforum website and you will find much discussion by owners of multiple CECBs with quite a range of reception results between the models. And finally, DishNetwork has recently release a CECB called the “DTVpal Plus” which is supposed to be identical to their “DTVpal” box in every way except that it features a superior tuner for better reception for $10 more. So, clearly, the solid state tuners are NOT alike in all CECBs!

I have concluded that Consumer Reports is choosing to ignore the CECB reception issue to limit the amount of testing required and to avoid admitting that they were wrong to not include reception sensitivity in their previous tests. Unfortunately, no matter how many times you repeatedly say that there is no difference between CECB reception sensitivity, it won’t make it so.

Doug.