ATSC converter boxes.

[nitrogen_widget]

I received my $40 off cards for ATSC converter boxes the other day.

I see other's are starting to look at converter boxes.
I thought maybe a thread to discuss the different boxes we've tried might be a good idea.

There are a couple of selections in the $50 range where I live.

Walmart:

RCA Digital TV Converter Box, DTA800
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...id=8343230

Magnavox Digital-to-Analog TV Converter Box TB100MW9
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...ifications

Best Buy

Insignia® - Digital-to-Analog Converter for Analog TVs
Model: NS-DXA1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...9495190393

Circuit City

Zenith Digital to Analog TV Tuner/Converter Box
Model #: ZEN DTT900

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Zenith-Di...tDetail.do

Radio Shack

Digital Stream DTX9900 Digital- to-Analog Converter Box
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....age=search


Zenith Digital to Analog TV Tuner/Converter Box
Model #: ZEN DTT900

Same as Circuit city.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Zenith-Di...tDetail.do


I've got a few months before my cards expire so I want take my time to make sure I can use my MCE blasters to control them.

[pcostanza]

I picked up one at Radio Shack a few months ago just to try one out. Can't recall what kind I got but it works ok. It's a spare just in case. I actually get ALL the stations that are available in my area with a crappy antennae that I don't get with 2 different ATSC cards and a good antennae!

I'm hearing that if you wait a while, the prices will come down so that some brands will almost be free after the $40 rebate. I doubt that will happen but you never know.

[gstone123]

Good idea, would like to choose something someone has already had success with.
Will be nice to improve several snowy channels to digital.

[Deusxmachina]

Main thing I've read is the Magnavox one is garbage. Lots of problems. Most people go with the Zenith or the RCA. People are trying to wait for the Echostar 40 (TR40?) since it has a VCR-timer, 7-day EPG (if available from your stations, if not it may not work anyway), and possibly s-video, but s-video is hard to come by on any of these, much less on the cheaper ones.

I think it's the Zenith with the slight audio buzzing problem under certain circumstances, but I guess the new versions have it fixed, so be sure not to get an old Zenith.

Some brands are rebrands of others, but I can't think of which offhand.

[zaphod7501]

Here's a good source of info.
http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Converter_Box_Retailers.html

In general, all the ones available seem to be the worst at the highest price possible. The RCA would seem to have the worst features and performance of the current distribution. I picked up a Digital Stream at Radio Shack and it performs pretty well. Much more stable than my MyHD HD tuner/capture card.

The Echostar TR-40 is the one everyone is waiting for but most of the coupons will have expired by the time it hits whatever store carries it. (no retailer that I have talked to indicates that they will stock anything but what they already have on the shelves) The Echostar looks to have three iterations. (EchoStar, Sling, Dish)

I believe the Zenith and the Best-Buy Insignia are the same unit, probably built by Goldstar. (also know as Lucky-Goldstar or LGE)

Usefull value added features seem pretty much limited to S-Video connections and the VCR timer. (IMHO) A non-searchable, limited, station suplied TV guide seems pretty useless in a HTPC setting. (also IMHO)

On my DS there is a setting for preferred output type. It only seems to control audio. (L/R with the A/V cables but mono with RF ch3/4) An incorrect setting for hookup method will produce a sound problem. This could be some of the audio problems reported with some boxes. The setting is not obvious and appears to have no effect to a casual inspection. The video is unchanged between settings.

Remote control blasters will have to be able to send the decimal point for direct channel selection. (25.2 for instance) The ability to directly enter the channel and subchannel will be a necessity.

I have a number of capture cards but my cable system has been taken over by Comcast so 100% digital (all encrypted) is on the horizon. I can't decide whether to stock up on converter boxes or go with a HDHomeRun for Network programming to go with my MY-HD.

[Deusxmachina]

Oh yeah, when buying a box locally, the best thing to do is to pay cash and then if you like it come back with the receipt and rebuy it with the coupon. If you use the coupon upfront, you can't get that money back if you want to get a different brand. Unless maybe the same place carries both brands and would do an exchange, I guess.

[esscrivo]

Sansonic has the best unit I think, they are the only one using stage 2 Silicon tuner (micotune 2 stage tuner,better reception than cann tuner) instead of stage 1 Cann tuner (cann tuners are made for analog TV), witch make a big difference, and they are the only mfg that pass 100% on the certification test, if you are interested you can also check out their site, http://www.sansonic.net.
I hope this is helpful. It took me a long time to find these things out....

[HarryH3]

I looked on the Sansonic web site but was quite disappointed with the list of retail outlets. They only show a single store that carries them in the entire state of Texas.

[kayleigh]

I was looking at the list of Sansonic retailers in Minnesota. None in my neck of the woods, either, but there's one retailer in the Twin Cities Metro that ships - reasonable rates, at that! It might be worth a look for anyone who doesn't have a local retailer.
http://www.freedtvshop.com/

[nitrogen_widget]

Nothing local for me either.
I may just go for the Samsung at Best buy.
It's local, no shipping to pay either.