Don't laugh-I still have rabbit ears on my TVs. Don't plan on getting cable. Which TV converter Box is best

Question

Can't afford $40.00 per month for digital TV, cable, Satellite, etc. right now. One of my TVs doesn't even have a remote - I actually have to get up, go over and turn the k**b to change channels.

But I do have a nice, 18 year old, 45" Panasonic CinemaVision color video projection system TV. Still works great. Wondering which converter box to use my government issued coupon to purchase. There are over 34 different brands of converter boxes listed. I'm afraid I'll get to the store and an uninformed teenager will just sell me anything they have. Of course, I want the one that will give me the best reception. The dtv2009 website was no help in this. Any ideas?

Also, When I finally get my converter box, will it convert to digital immediately? Or will I have to wait until Feb. 17, 2009? again, the dtv2009 website was no help with this question either.

Answer 1

I've looked at a few of the coupon converter boxes and I own two. There is nothing special about most of them and all are adequate.

The one at Wal-mart is the cheapest costing only $50 ($10 after coupon).

The one at Best Buy is $60 - ($20 after coupon) has a remote that can be programmed to turn on and off your TV and use the volume on your TV.

As far as I can see the one at Circuit City is the same one as the one at best buy, except the name plate on the front.

The only thing that might make a difference is something they call Analog pass-thru.

Basically most boxes do not pass the over the air signal through their antenna connection. So if you turn the box off there's just static... not like the old days with a VCR where you  turn it off and it's like the antenna is connected without the VCR.

None of these boxes has an analog tuner, currently the two PBSs in my area have different programming on their Analog than their digital signal, this is annoying but it will go away in 2009.

Some places will have Low power or "Translator" stations that aren't required to go digital, (You won't get any analog stations with these boxes) -this is probably a non-issue for 99% of people.

On the list of boxes from dtv2009.gov the ones with stars * have analog pass through, none of the others do. The Wal-mart, best-buy and circuit city ones DO NOT HAVE ANALOG PASS THROUGH.

Unless you need analog pass through, (99% chance you don't) then get the cheapest one you can find. I have seen ZERO difference in quality between any of these.

Answer 2

Previous poster got everything right on the money. I just want to add that YOU DONT HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO CABLE/SATELLITE. That is why you are getting a converter box. You'll still use your rabbit ears, but the converter box, will take the digital signal and convert it back to analog so you can watch it on your tv. So you don't have to worry about any extra $40 fee a month.

Answer 3

i own 2 of the RCA models from walmart and they work

quite well. more stations, program guides, etc. they are also

one of the lowest priced. they are  a nice small size too