Got tv converter box coupon. Now the choices are many. Which box is best to get?

Question

With my coupon I got a list of tv converters that's about 48 manufacturers. I see reviews of maybe 15 of them on the internet. Actually, on youtube, there are many good demonstrations of various brands. The most impressive review I saw was of the Zenith DTT9000/DF-2000. However, the reviewer said the newer DTT9001 is even better. I've read reviews of ones from Walmart and Radio Shack going from poor to the best. With at least 48 brands to choose from, and prices from $59 to over $250, considering buying a digital converter box is a tough descision to make. Does anyone really KNOW which ones are the best? (I've heard that virtually all of them change a weak antenna reception to a picture and sound quality that is as good as or better than sattelite or cable. Is this also true?)

Answer 1

I bought the Zenith DTT900 at Radio Shack only after reading many reviews.  I am very pleased with it.  I bought 2 of them.  The great thing on the Zenith is the quality of picture.  Also, it has an attractive metal case with great ventilation slots.  The magnavox from walmart is plastic and looks cheap.  So at $59 minus the coupon it will only cost $19.00 for each Zenith.  I haven't heard or saw anything on DTT901 except that its an upgrade from the 900.

In either case, no matter what converter box you buy, you might need a better antenna.  Most rabbit ear antennas will work, but many  people (including myself) needed an amplified antenna to pick up all the stations.

Answer 2

I can't answer your main question, but I can answer the last part. I very much doubt that the converter box will improve your antenna signal. If the antenna is currently not giving you a good picture (if you have a very good antenna, the signal can be very crisp and clear without a converter box), the digital converter box logically cannot make the picture better. If it isn't receiving all the information, then it is impossible to display it, because unlike a living creature, it cannot assume or infer the missing data based on the data already received. It either has all the information to display, or it doesn't, and the display will reflect that. So, in essence, unless your converter box comes packaged with a stronger antenna, the antenna will not suddenly be receiving enough extra information to improve the picture.