DTV Converter box is not working very well. Help please?

Question

We bought a converter box, hooked it up correctly but now we are getting less channels than when we just had the rabbit ears alone. Why is this? We get PBS Kids (2), ABC and CBS, if we even can at all. Most of the time they're choppy and cutting out. With just the rabbit ears we could just about clearly get NBC, FOX, UPN, GBH, CW and ION, now we can't pick any of those up with the box. I don't get it. If they come in fine with the antenna, shouldn't they come in even better with the box?

Answer 1

TV 101...  The digital converter box basically just a channel changer.  It takes the signal from an antenna and your choose which channel you want to watch and it then converts that signal to channel 3 or 4 so you can watch it.  It must receive the signal in order to convert it. It receives the signal from an antenna.

A digital TV or converter box requires so much signal to work. Give it enough and you get a good picture.  Marginal signal freeze ups and low signal NO picture.  

With analog TV a low signal gives you a fuzzy picture. Digital TV NO picture.

If you get a CLEAR picture with rabbit ears you probably will be OK for digital but an almost clear picture is NOT a clear picture so you are in the marginal to low signal range.

You need a better antenna. Now the Digital channels may be in the UHF band so you need a UHF antenna to get them.  Anything above channel 13 is UHF.  There is NO such thing as a HDTV antenna (marketing hype) but you do need a good antenna to get digital TV unless you are close to the station.

With digital a TV station can send out up to 4 channels where with analog you only get one. The picture is better with digital and bandwidth is freed up for other services.

Answer 2

has it been cloudy/rainy lately? as u probably know DTV is digital tv, when it's clouds pass over the single of the box the screen will appear 'chompy'...

i think  you should keep your bunny-ears until feb. then put the box back and see what happens.

Answer 3

I just got my 2 converters with those $40 off cards, makes them $12 each , not bad.  I'm still learning about this stuff too. So far i found, that you have to have an antenna connected, ..this should be a no-brainer cause the converter isn't a "magic box" , you need a signal from somewhere. I'm using basic rabbit ears , and the stations that i DO get come in great. But, when i run the "Signal Strength" readout , i see i'm only getting a 17% to 20% signal, which i need more. I'm researching the compatible antennas , and i know there are indoor and outdoor. I'm thinking about a small outdoor one , which should boost my signal, maybe get more channels. Try this > go to menu > settings and configuration. There you might see an "Antenna" option with a signal strength meter you can bring up to check your signal. If you have a weak one , you can adjust your current antenna while looking at the meter to see if you can increase the signal. If not, get a stronger antenna , ...like i will do.

Answer 4

Go to...https://www.dtv2009.gov/

Here's a FAQ that was listed...

19. Will I still need an antenna to receive programming? Will I need to

purchase a “DTV antenna” or “HDTV antenna” to receive digital

television signals?

You should be able to receive digital television signals with your existing broadcast antenna. If after you have installed your converter box you are having reception problems using your existing antenna, you may want to contact either your local broadcaster or the retail store where you purchased the converter box. Troubleshooting advice can be found at www.antennaweb.org or via the Federal Communications Commission at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtv...

Answer 5

a converter box do we really need that

Answer 6

you cant use it until feb29.2009