Best Converter Box as Of Now (December 2008)

[drmark7]

What is the best digital converter box to get as of December 2008?

And where to get it? Can I get a good one at my local Wal-Mart or Best Buy? (They only seem to offer one or two.) Or should I plan to order online?

Are there any with decent features yet? Such as ability to set for time taping. I also heard of one with a built in digital recorder. Not sure how enthused I'd be on that.

What features should one want most in a digital converter???

I'm planning to order my coupons this week, that will give me three months to use them. Right?

Would there be any reason to wait for a better model coming in the future?

Thanx In Advance, Mark

Questions?/Comments? * This Has Been e-mail From:
"Dr. Mark" Hill * The Doctor Of Pop Culture

[hdtvnewbie]

What is the best digital converter box to get as of December 2008?

The Zenith DTT9001 is excellent! It has a great tuner. I was picking up Dayton stations on the far east side of Columbus during dx-season earlier this year and even now still gets a signal for WDTN (though it is too weak to lock on right now). Channels switch quicker than with other competing models and the sound is excellent.

I researched this box and it seemed to be the favorite of the reviewers. If you can't find it, the Insignia NS-DXA1-APT from Best Buy is exactly the same.

[farmerd79]

I'm not sure what your end goal is with the converter box, but my situation was that I had a HD capable TV, but without a built in tuner and thus required a converter. In this case the Zenith mentioned earlier would not solve the problem as it's output connectors are only composite and F-connector, no component video or HDMI. I chose to get the Samsung DTBH260F, can be found on Amazon now. It's certainly more expensive but solves my issue. Hope this helps.

[TvPat]

I have the Zenith DTT900 and the DtvPal Plus by Dish Network.

The number one requirement for me was tuner sensitivity, and both of these are the only tuners in my house that receive WOSU, along with all other local full power stations. (I am in a low elevation location near Grandview and WOSU is in Westerville.) None of my other tuners, including my DirecTV HR-20 with the ATSC tuner, will pick up WOSU. The HR-20 just recently started picking up WWHO, so they may have just recently increased their power.

The Zenith DTT900 is one generation behind the DTT901. I believe the DTT901 has added analog pass-through and also has a new tuner chip. The DTT900 is already pretty good. The other nice thing besides the good tuner is that there is a power buttn and channel up and down buttons on the unit, so if your remote is not handy, you can still turn it on and change the channel. The construction seems very solid. The Insignia converter at Best Buy is suppose to be the same converter.

The only drawback to the DTT90x is that the guide is just ok. It shows the current show and what is coming up next for the current channel, which it obtains from PSIP.

The DtvPal Plus is a really nice converter. You can get it at solidsignal.com and use your coupon. The "Plus" means it has a more sensitive tuner than the DtvPal. The guide looks just like the grid guide you would get on a Dish Network box, which is similar to DirecTV, and it goes about 24 hours in the future. It pulls its guide info from TV Guide On Screen, which I believe it downloads from PBS stations. (Thus the importance of picking up WOSU.) When you set it up, you have to give it a zip code so it knows what guide data to download.

The main drawback to the DtvPal Plus is that there are no buttons on the unit. You will have to find the remote to turn it on and change channels. It is powered by a power adapter instead of a connected AC cable with an internal power supply.

The intention of Coupon Elegible Converter Boxes (CECB) is to convert digital over the air signals to analog for legacy TV's. Thus, they only support 480i, and they only support RF and composite out. Most do not even support S-Video out. None have QAM (digital cable) tuners. They are Stereo capable, but are not Dolby Digital capable.

My number one advice is make sure the converter box you buy has a tuner that is sensitive enough to pick up all of the local stations no matter your location. The two boxes I mentioned should do that. (FYI: 4 and 10 are on the WBNS tower, 6 and 28 are just south of downtown near Greenlawn and I-71, 53 is in Circleville, and 34 is in Westerville.)

Here is a good comparision of all CECB's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units

Do a Google search for CECB review to find reviews.

Order your coupons soon at http://www.dtv2009.gov. They are running out fast.

[jpdublin]

According to Consumer Reports, they ranked the boxes this way...

1. Tivax STB-T9
2. Lasonic LTA-260
3. Sansonic FT300A
4. AccessHD DTA1010D
5. Microgem MG2000
6. Channel Master CM-7000

[rlw]

DrMark7,

I have two of the AccessHD DTA1030D boxes here west of Lancaster. A neighbor also has one (he's right next to the bypass). We tried his with a set of amplified rabbit ears, couldn't receive anything except Channel 51, and that was pixellated and dropped out. According to the meter on the AccessHD, signal strength bounced between 30% and 50%.

On my house, I have an old Radio Shack "fringe area" Yagi antenna, about 25' above the ground, connected through a Radio Shack VHF-UHF amplifier. It's pretty much pointed right at Columbus. Using that setup, I can get all of the Columbus stations (4, 6, 10, 28, 34, and 51). I only checked 4 and 10, but the signal strength meter was pinned at 100%. I haven't tried the AccessHD while bypassing the amplifier in the basement, so I don't know what it will do with a "bare" antenna.

The converter box has antenna in, RF out, composite out, and stereo audio out connections on the back. It comes with a remote that only controls the converter box. There's a format button on the remote that will let you cycle through zoom, full, widescreen, etc. It also has volume and mute buttons, but those seem to only work with the audio out lines, not through the RF out. I've got it hooked up to a little 13" TV in the guest bedroom that doesn't have line-in video or audio, so I have to use the RF connection. The picture is better than the analog picture OTA, but not much better. That's mostly the crappy little TV's fault, though.

I think I paid $49.99 each for them at Meijers, coming to $9.99 each (plus tax) with the coupons.

Hope that helps,

RLW

[drmark7]

Greetings again group. It's been several months since the last posts... I received my "coupons" for the converter boxes. They expire in April, so I though I'd make one last inquiry, if there's been any update or news about a "best" converter box. ???

Otherwise, it looks like I'll go for the ZENITH DTT900 or DTT 901 which is supposedly equivalent to the INSIGNIA NS-DXA1 at BEST BUY. Recommended in other posts here and online.

So far I'm getting by with the tuner in my Panasonic DMR-EZ37V DVD/VHS Digital Recorder. But I have an upstairs TV and also planning for the future.

My antenna setup, is a little wonky, but is apparently working- since I get a strong signal in Lancaster on all but 1 or 2 area channels. Will cover this another time.

Here's a collection of what I found online on this (Amazon review, I think) That added to what's here makes this INSIGNIA one sound like a winner. There is a notation to look for a model made "after April 08"- look for sticker on side of box.

Thanx, Mark

************************************************** ********************************
************************************************** ********************************
Zenith Black Digital TV Tuner Converter Box - DTT900/ DTT901

Key Features:

* Clear Digital Picture: Say goodbye to ?fuzzy? analog channels... your old TV has never looked better!
* On Screen Program Information: Find out what?s on TV at the touch of a button.
* More Programs: See new and different TV programs on ?sub-channels? available from many digital TV stations.
* Easy Remote Control: For command of the Zenith Digital TV Tuner and many other brands of TVs.
* Simple Connection to TV: Using the supplied RF cable for easy hookup.
* Parental Control: Manage access to TV programs with V-Chip technology.
* Advanced Closed Captioning: Access closed captions using the CC button on the remote control or through the simple menu, choose fonts, sizes, colors and more for digital closed captions.
* Energy Efficient: EnergyStar rated.

Features:

* Audio Dolby Digital 2ch Downmix
* Video 480i
* Aspect Ratio 4 Modes
* Channel Add/Erase/Skip
* Channel Auto Search
* Closed Captioning
* Parental Control
* Favorite Channel
* Flash Back
* Program Guide Current/Next (When Available)

Package Content:

* Zenith DTT900 Digital-to-Analog Converter Box
* Remote control
* A/V cable
* RF cable
* User's guide
* Quick setup guide
* AAA alkaline battery

Specifications:

* Menus
o Language English/Spanish/French
o Initial Language English
* Rear Panel Inputs/Outputs
o Composite Video Out 1
o Analog L/R Audio Out 1
o Terrestrial RF Input 1
o RF Module Output 1
* Supplied Accessories
o Remote Control Type Universal
o A/V Cable (RCA Type) 1
o RF Cable (RCA Type) 1
o User Manual English/Spanish
o Quick Setup Guide English/Spanish
o Battery (AAA) 1
* Special Features
o Closed Caption On/Off
o Auto Power Off
o Parental Lock
o Channel Add/Delete
* Power
o Consumption (Typical) < 8W
o Stand-by Consumption < 1W
o Energy Star Compliant

Approximate Dimensions:

* Width: 8.5"
* Height: 1.8"
* Depth: 6.4"

Approximate Weight:

* Unit: 1.65 lbs
* Shipping: 3 lbs

Downloadable (.pdf) Files:

* Specification Sheet
* Quick Start Guide

Easy setup and comfortable easy-to-use remote with decent sized buttons. Tuner is too weak for anyone living a moderate distant from the tv station's transmitter. I am 30 miles away from Green Bay and this box needed a powered antenna to bring in one VHF station (the Fox affiliate) and two UHF stations (one of which is the NBC affiliate). Without the powered antenna the NBC station didn't come in at all and the picture from Fox was all broken up. There is a constant buzzing that is worse when the box's volume control is used to adjust rather than the tv's volume.

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Tuner for the Price, August 31, 2008
By James Rose (Marysville, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This is a good "CECB" (Coupon Eligible Converter Box) for the average user and tech savy person as well. Set-up was a breeze and it draws in signals as well as anything else out there, no matter how expensive.

Pros:
* One touch signal meter. Perfect for aiming antenna.
* It tells you what's on next. Grandma's TV never did that before!
* Menus and on-screen displays are very easy to read and follow.
* Great manual tuning feature. It displays the signal level as you are scrolling through the channels. Perfect for looking for weak signals and then aiming your antenna to pick them up.

Cons:
* Remote is on the small side.
* Box may fail if it gets too warm, so watch where you put it. I fried one this way.
* The program guide could be better.
* Some may find the LED on front (blue when on, red when off) annoying.

*_*_*
Insignia/Zenith/LG DTT901 DTV converter box review

LG makes these converter boxes and sells them as either a Zenith DTT901 or a Insignia brand (at BestBuy). After much research at AVSForum re selection, here is a quick summary of my own experiences.
Out of the half dozen or so READILY available boxes, this one is by far the best. Some other ones are prone to: locking up requiring a reset, sound problems, running very hot, may be impossible to add channels manually, and have difficulties setting the aspect ratio such that the program fills the screen best. These LG/Zenith/Insignia boxes have none of those problems, but make sure that you get one built after April '08 (there is a sticker on the side of the box with either ie "built May 2008" or something like 05A08). Setup is easy, sensitivity is great. With a set of rabbit ears I get stations from 70-90 miles away (see TVFool website for antenna directions and maps for your own area).
Picture Zoom is settable for each channel, box can turn off the TV, and has an independent volume control. There are a couple of small items not quite up to par: Program guide is VERY simple, only current program and NEXT program are described, power cord is only 5ft long, if you set the converter on top of a large tv on a stand, it has a hard time reaching a floor level outlet. The signal strength meter (used for fine tuning the antenna position)has its own button on the remote, with a bar and amplitude varying beeps, but it lags the antenna movement by second or two, so you have to pause after moving the antenna each time to get a true signal level. Oh, and by the way, the picture quality (PQ)is excellent over the composite RCA outlet, and almost as excellent over the RF coax output. And yes, when turned off, the box will pass analog signal to the TV (APT), I thought that would be important, but all of my stations analog signals are duplicated on digital channels, and once you see a perfect quality signal it is very hard to watch a snowy picture. The DTT901 boxes are approved for the 40$ rebate coupon (but some websites may have problems redeeming them and you may have to try a BM (brick and mortar store) instead.

*_*_*
But what's with the analog pass through feature? It will become meaningless after Feb 17 2009 right? Well, I guess it doesn't hurt to have one more feature at no charge then. // Not zactly. In many locations, low power repeater xmitters can continue broadcasting.

*_*_*
Works well (it should because you pay extra), October 31, 2008
By OutdoorsGuy (Chicago) - See all my reviews

After reviewing all converters out there, I decided to pay extra and get this converter over cheaper brands because:
1) once your govt converter coupon used, you don't get it back if you decide to return so it's difficult to try other models
2) this one was readily available and my coupon was about to expire
3) it had good ratings from other reviewers
4) Unlike some converters, it had a remote that could control tv as well as the converter, and had other standard buttons that other converter remotes lacked (mute, volume, channel recall).

Overall this converter works great out of the box. I live within 30 miles of Chicago and all Chicago stations are crystal clear with my little 20+ year old rooftop antenna so it's a big improvement.

My only criticism against this converter like some have mentioned is the "hiss" you can sometimes hear in the background. I can always get the hiss to go away with combination of adjusting the tv and converter box volume controls. If you always listen to tv at same volume you can "set it and forget it" but we tend to have the volume loud (during a workout) or soft when (someone is asleep).

A nice bonus is it's stereo - so our 2nd converter is on an ancient mono tv and I plugged stereo outputs into an old stereo system so we now get 1990s sound off a 1980s tv.

Few things to beware of:
1) there is an auto shutoff feature that you can configure or stop (so if converter goes off - check this out)
2) like all converters - you'll need some extra work/thinking to keep your VCR working - converter has to be on and set to a channel you want to record.
3) Remote will control multiple converter boxes - learned this because magically the 2nd converter box would sometime turn on when we were using the other one somewhere else in the house.

************************************************** ********************************

[Tvland1]

You will be happy with the zenith.....
I have the Zenith,,sansonic and a Dish Network 6000 sat receiver with built in OTA tuner(don't use it for sat anymore but works great for HD tuner)
The Sansonic is a piece of crap! don't know how it made such high rating on consumer report...remote doesn't hardly work,no guide no pass-through for analog..Zenith will pickup signal farther for me than the sansonic or the dish network 6000.I'm close to pataskala and use a large antenna with a rotor on a 40ft tower and the zenith picks up 68.1 and 68.2 in mansfield where the other two won't...
People have the wrong impression that All TV will be digital after the date now of 6-12-09 but Thats not true...Low power stations will still broadcast on analog so If you receive any low-power stations this is one thing to consider

[Mac]

I live east of downtown and in the summer I also could pick up the Dayton channels (well all but 22-on digital 51-appaently its contours are clipped to not interfere with Columbus' 51 on analog)

[drmark7]

I though I'd make one last inquiry, if there's been any update or news about a "best" converter box. ??? // Otherwise, it looks like I'll go for the ZENITH DTT900 or DTT 901 which is supposedly equivalent to the INSIGNIA NS-DXA1 at BEST BUY. Recommended in other posts here and online.

Went to my local BEST BUY (Lancaster) and they had ONLY ONE kind of converter.

APEX DT250A (Some boxes said DT502, but looked the same.)

Here is a review of the discontinued APEX- seems to be a must to avoid:
http://tinyurl.com/c93kbb

The ZENITH DTT901 is $59.99 on AMAZON: http://tinyurl.com/aetp8c

Does anyone know any other good places to go in or near Lancaster?
Otherwise it looks like an online purchase.

[Tvland1]

They have the zenith at radioshack for S59.99 close to me in reynoldsburg.Don't know if you have one in lancaster

[Mac]

The Apex tuners are in my opinion substandard. HH Gregg only carries there...so don't buy one there.

[drmark7]

Greetings Group, I'm running out of time with my converter "Coupon" cards... less than 2 weeks left... (Can one re-apply?) No local stores here in Lancaster have any of the discussed boxes (insignia, Zenith) and neither does AMAZON online... (from dealers accepting coupons.... which doesn't even have multiples of the highly rated Tivax STB-T8- 1 listed for $2000!) Has anyone ordered elsewhere online- where coupons are accepted...? Any ideas appreciated... Thanx, Mark

[drmark7]

They have the zenith at radioshack for S59.99 close to me in reynoldsburg. Don't know if you have one in lancaster

I just checked the local Radio Shack at River Valley Mall. The worker there said they haven't had the Zeniths since last December...

Where is the Radio Shack in Reynoldsburg? I get up there occasionally...

Thanx, Mark

[jpdublin]

Mark,

I went with the Tivax STB-T9. I noticed it was available this morning on Amazon. I did get mine on digitalstar.com and they do accept the coupon, but the shipping I think was higher than Amazon. You may want to look into that, if you go that route. I have been please with the Tivax, very easy to set-up, and quality is great, the only drawback that I see is that it changes the channels a little slow. Good Luck!

[hdtvnewbie]

I just checked the local Radio Shack at River Valley Mall. The worker there said they haven't had the Zeniths since last December...

Where is the Radio Shack in Reynoldsburg? I get up there occasionally...

Thanx, Mark
There's one at the Kmart plaza at Brice and Main; and another one at the Meijer plaza at Broad and Waggoner.