DTV converter box or buy a new set up?

Question

Will a digital Tv record off a VCR/DVR recorder tuner- the same as the old analog tv and vcr?--I was told 2 converter boxes would allow "tape & view"- but will it allow me to set multiple channels and dates to record during a week? Help please before I purchase anything else.

Answer 1

To program channel changes for your VCR/DVR, you would need to buy a converter with a timer feature.

There are only two on the market at this time.

http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Zinwell_ZAT-9...

http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/DISH_Network_...

There are reports of the DTVPal being buggy.

The only exception to this is that some analog DVRs have an "IR Blaster" feature for controlling  cable/satellite boxes. If you have one of these you can probably find a converter that matches the remote IR codes in the recorder.

Answer 2

Do you have cable TV? From what I have read cable TV will be unaffected by this as the cable box acts as a converter already. The conversion will only affect people who tune in with an antennae as it is the broadcast signal that is changing.

If you dont already I would recommend just switching over to a basic cable package with a telephone and high-speed internet bundle perhaps (very economical), but thats just because thats what I do and the digital switchover won't affect me one bit.

I read somewhere that the converter boxes will be very bare-bones for the govt assisted program. These are the 40 to 50 dollar converters that will be covered by the govt coupons. As far as all these extra features such as programing to tape multiple programs, are you refering to what you do already on your VCR?

The signal has to be converted from digital to analog in order to be viewable on your televison. So if the converter is doing this the signal should also be recordable by an analog VCR. (in theory) Like recording cable TV on a VCR. As for the multiple channels and setting dates if your VCR can already do that (mine can and i think it cost me $50) since the signal is being converted to analog this shouldnt affect the functionality of the VCR. Provided the set up is Antennae-Converter-VCR-Television.

I do not know for sure though as I havent done much research regarding this as I am not taking the converter box route, and could be completely wrong as this is theory.

As for whether these converter boxes have these kinds of functions I do not know but doubt the cheaper govt provided ones will.  

As for me personally I am buying a new TV anyway, which is why I came here, to read up on DLP vs. Plasma vs. LCD. The new flat panel televisions are coming down in price and to buy something, especially if you are looking at something just to replace a CRT around 30-40 inches, is rather inexpensive. Personally my TV is an old 32 inch CRT and it weighs ALOT and takes up ALOT of space. A Flat panel TV around the same size will take up alot less space. And most of these newer TVs will be compatable with the new broadcast format. The converter won't make the picture look any better especially on your older CRTs as the converter cannot cause more lines to scan it just converts the HD signal into the 525 line NTSC analog signal.

In short get cable/satelite if not then buy a new TV, actually I would recommend doing that anyway.

Answer 3

THAT IS A GOOD (AND PUZZLING) QUESTION.  I know this sounds silly ( if not impossible) , but see if you have some friends that have converter boxes that will let you borrow them. Try it out and see what happens.