Anybody else having problems with the DTV converter box?

Question

We have rabbit ears antenna and we just installed the converter box and it is seriously pissing me off..

Sometimes the box works other times we get pixels and interrupted voice, and the "weak signal" all over the TV screen and loose the program.

can anyone help? this is seriously getting annoying.

Answer 1

The DTV boxes are pretty much useless right now unless the stations in your area are already broadcasting digital signals (most won't until February of next year). The boxes are designed to receive and translate digital signals, not analog (the current broadcast signals). If your stations are still broadcasting analog signals, of course the converter box will give you lousy reception.

Answer 2

Why would you need the converter box now ? or is your local stations already broadcasting in the digital mode?

The converter as I understand is designed to change the digital to analog so the old tuners can work the set when the broadcast change takes effect, so you may be jumping the gun so to speak.  Just run your set without the box until they start the new system.

To; Pvredito...

  For a self proclaimed TV engineer, it seems like you cannot read or comprehend the written word too well.  I again read both of our replies and nowhere did I say or the other poster that the stations were not broadcasting digital signals at this time, we both questioned that fact, so read again before making untrue comments and accusations.

Answer 3

You don't say where you are located or give any idea how far away you are from the TV stations you are trying to receive. Rabbit ears antennas will usually work for up to about 10 miles or so from the TV station, then you will need a more powerful antenna. You are not getting enough signal with your current setup and are getting the classic digital breakup. With digital TV, you either get a great image or you get a terrible signal -- there is no in-between.

I suggest that you get an indoor antenna called a "Silver Sensor." It will cost around $30, and you will need to experiment with how it is pointed. It should give you a much better signal than rabbit ears and  stations should come in more reliably. However, even a Silver Sensor is good up to about 25 miles or so -- after that, you'll need an outdoor antenna to get reliable reception.

There are always exceptions... there are probably people that get good signals with rabbit ears who live 20 miles away and Silver Sensor users that get good pictures at 50 miles. However, generally you will need an outdoor antenna if you are more than 25 miles away.

Edit: The couple other answers that say stations aren't yet broadcasting in digital are incorrect. Digital broadcasting in the US started in 1998, and virtually all stations have been broadcasting in both analog and digital since 2002. Every full-power TV station in the US is now broadcasting in both analog and digital -- the analog signals will be turned off in February 2009 but digital will continue.

Answer 4

PVREditor is spot on.  I would like to add, if you visit http://www.antennaweb.org and put in your zip code, you can get a list of stations in your area, suggestions on antennas for your unique situation and guidance on where to aim them.

I hope this helps. Please return and select a Best Answer from all of those submitted.