In anticipation of 2/09 I am trying to buy a digital TV converter. Are some brands better than others?

Question

Walmart has a Magnavox on sale for about 50bucks but some of the online critiques are not so good. I am willing to pay a little bit more if there is a commensurate stepup in quality.

Answer 1

check this out

the DTVPAL has very goo options and will be available on june 16th and its has several options that others dont and passes analog signals as well.

Features:

Digital to Analog Converter with built-in Digital Tuner

Analog pass-through of NTSC analog signals to the TV

Allows Analog TVs to receive digital over-the-air broadcasts

Provides dramatically better picture and sound quality than analog over-the-air

Digital tuner enables reception of several channels of programming simultaneously, "multicasting" from participating stations, including news, weather, traffic and even digital music

Digital tuner delivers interactive capability and data services such as enhanced closed captioning.

On-screen Setup Wizard for easy customer installation

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) with instant access to up to seven days of program listings and information

Program search

Parental Controls

Closed caption support

(VCR) Event Timer: See below for details

Remote control with built-in aspect ratio and channel guide access.

MSRP $39.99 - FREE with $40 NTIA Coupon

Setup Wizard :

Scans OTA channels

Uses the customer’s zip code to confirm the time zone

Front Panel Feature :

Green power LED

Rear Panel Connections :

1 VHF/UHF antenna input for over-the-air analog and digital broadcasts

Detachable 5V power supply

A/V Connections :

1 set of female RCA connectors for stereo left and right audio and composite video

1 F-type connector with user-selectable Channel 3 or 4 NTSC RF output

Specifications :

ATSC Tuner Range :

Channels 2-6 VHF Low: 54MHz to 88MHz

Channels 7-13 VHF High: 174 MHz to 216MHz

Channels 14-69 UHF: 470MHz to 806MHz

RF Input :

75 ohm for VHF and UHF Antenna

RF Output :

NTSC, 75ohm Channel 3 or 4

Composite Video Output :

RCA Connection

Audio Outputs :

RCA Stereo Left/Right

Dimensions (approx.) :

H: 1.3” x W: 5.9” x D: 4.2”

Weight (approx.): 1.0 lbs.

Color: black

Accessories :

Infrared remote control with batteries

Owner’s Manual

RF Cable included

Event Timer:



The DISH Network DTVPal is the only CECB that we know of that will have this feature.

The DTVPal is expected to be capable of allowing the user to set event timers. This feature is useful when used with a VCR or a DVD recorder for recording programs in the future. An event timer will change the channel on the converter box at a predetermined time.

Events can be created in different ways such as choosing a program from the program guide, browsing the channel banner, using an event search, or by time, date and channel.

Events can be created, edited, or deleted by selecting them from a list of timers. Timers can be scheduled to occur daily, weekly or Mon-Fri and they can be set to repeat.

Answer 2

LG makes to two highest rated boxes:  Zenith and Insignia models available at Radio Shack/Circuit City and Best Buy respectively.  Radio Shack also has the next highest rated model the Digital Stream.  Magnavox is the least likely to recover from signal loss without powering it back off and then back on.

But if for some reason you live where there are low power or repeater stations that may be in analog operation for a little longer you want to make sure you get a box that passes analog signals as well.

Answer 3

Here is some FYI for what it's worth.  I just got off the phone talking to the Chief Engineer at the Los Angeles ABC affiliate television station KABC, and he stated that from all the phone calls he has received lately with regards to Digital Converter boxes, the Zenith DTT900 is considered to be the most highly recommended box from reviewers, bloggers, forums and just plain users.