Why are the new tv converter boxes not universal??

Question

when i received my coupons there were names of tv's and serial numbers. I thought that these boxes were to be universal and could be used with any analog tv. what if I do not have one of the tv's specified in the listing?

Answer 1

The digital TV converter boxes ARE universal.  The list of manufactures and numbers aren't serial numbers, they are for programming the included remote control.

If you don't have one of the TVs listed, no worries, you can just continue to use the remote you are using for your TV now.  The box can still be hooked up and will work just fine.

I'm attaching a link for you just in case you need help hooking your box up.  It really looks like a great article and has pictures in case you get stuck.  Good luck!

Answer 2

The converters are universal. Any brand of converter can be used with any brand of TV.

The list is of of converter models that meet government specs for their coupon program. You can only use your $40 off coupons for models on the (updated on their web site) list.

Analogies would be:

If you own a RCA VCR, it will still work with any brand of TV.

If you own a Panasonic DVD recorder, it will still work with any brand of TV.

Answer 3

Dont worry about those serial numbers, they are more like market statistics & data collection stuff for those companies.

The TV converters use the MPEG2 or MPEG4 standard video over standard broadcast frequency bands of reception from your cable company and they typically feed using a standard video (yellow: video + red/white 2-track audio) to your TV. So as long as your TV has these inputs, any converter should do. Other converters use DVI or HDMI connectors that are also standard. In short, TV converter boxes are universal because the video/audio interface between digital set-top boxes & TV are all standard.

Here are some links explaining more on these:

http://dtvfacts.com/digital-tv-converter...

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/elect...