DTV converter boxes-which ones don't work?

Question

I just got a Philco DTV converter box, and in less than 24 hours I had problems.

Audio sometimes doesn't come in when going thru the converter box while at the same time I can switch to the channel thru the normal TV setting and get perfect sound

Sometimes sound is distorted.

Also, sometimes the description says that there is SAP (second audio input--for other languages) & I press the button on the control to switch to the other audio and nothing happens

Also, changing channels is soooooooo slow. It's ridiculous.

So, are any of you having problems with your brand of DTV converter box?

Which ones are rated highest? Are there online ratings of these converter boxes, or some site where it will tell you what features to look for?

Answer 1

The Zenith DTT901 is the best box for most people. Best Buy also sells the same model relabeled  as the Insignia NS-DXA1-APT.

These models are generally pretty good to:

Zenith DTT900/ Insignia NS-DXA1 (manufactured after 3/08)

RCA DTA800B1

Channel Master CM-7000

There are a couple of other models that allow you set timers so you can program channel changes for VCR use, but they  just came out and seem to have problems. (DTVPal & Zinwell ZAT-970A)

I've had the earlier Insignia model for several months. Works great. (Ones that were manufactured before 4/08 have a problem with some stereo sounds; they are OK for antenna inputs.)

>it won't work with my VCR at all

If it will display a picture on your TV, it should also record on your VCR. The converter box only converts one channel at a time, so if you are recording through the VCR's antenna input, you have to set the VCR to channel 3 or 4 (which ever you set the converter to output to). When the converter is on it's not supposed to pass any analog signals. I'm not sure about the Philco, but most converters that pass through analog signals only do so when the converter is in standby mode.

>I just read in Wikipedia that you will need 2 converter boxes to watch a digital TV transmission and to record it.

You need 2 converters to watch one digital channel while recording a different digital channel. If you only want to watch  & record the same channel, then you only need one converter box.

It sounds like your Philco has some sort a audio problem, see if you can exchange it. Stores cannot refund the $40 coupons but they are allowed to exchange defective converters.