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Digital TV converter boxes: What to look for, what to avoid
We've been anticipating this day for years. February 17, 2009 was supposed to be the day when all analog TV broadcasting ceased, meaning anyone who gets TV over the air would need to have a digital tuner by now. Otherwise, dead air.
But thanks to the procrastinators in Washington and 5.8 million U.S. households across the U.S., some of you are getting a reprieve. While 641 TV stations will shut off their analog transmitters today (or have already done so), the cutoff date for all analog transmission was pushed back to June 12, giving everyone a few more months to get their digital ducks in a row.
If you have an old TV with rabbit ears, you still have time to get a converter box for it, and we've singled out the best ones from the hundreds available. We also warn you to steer clear of a few stinkers. Hit the jump for the list.
1. Cheapest: Airlink 101These are the most popular boxes, for good reason: They're free. Well, if you can get a government $40 coupon, and if you can find one of them — most are sold out. But we found one that's available and costs $40 — the Airlink 101. You'll have to lay $6.95 shipping, but that's about as close to free as you can get.
2. Coolest Looking: GE 23333Our parent company GE makes this pricey ($80) Model 23333 when they're not busy making missile guidance systems, and wow, ain't it purdy? We wouldn't be embarrassed to have that sculptural artifact on top of our old TV.
3. Consumer Reports Favorite: Zinwell ZAT-970AConsumer Reports put the Zinwell ZAT-970A box at the top of its ratings, calling its picture quality "among the best, close to what you see with a good DVD." It's also equipped with a program timer, letting you turn it on at a certain time and tune to a specific channel so you can record a show on your VCR. Good luck finding a Zinwell box anywhere — they're sold out everywhere we looked.
4. CNet Favorite: RCA DTA800B1The reviewers at CNet liked the RCA DTA800B1 the best because of its easy-to-use remote control and program guide, and "solid video quality and reception." We like its vertical placement capability, reminding us of a tiny XBox 360.
5. Most Versatile (and Expensive): Dish Network DTVPal DVR Dish Network got itself into the DTV converter game, cranking out a line of boxes topped by this fancy-schmancy device, the $300 DTVPal DVR. It can record HDTV over the air, and acts like a TiVo by pausing live TV. Its best feature: Also like the TiVo, it has a 30-second skip button, perfect for jumping past annoying commercials.
6. Cheapest TV to Buy Instead: Sansui DTV1300If you're thinking of spending your hard-earned moolah on one of these sleazy boxes, what about just getting a new TV with a digital tuner built in? We searched far and wide and here's the cheapest one we could find: The Sansui DTV1300. This tube-type TV is just $95.78, and it has a digital tuner on board.
7. Cheapest HDTV to Buy Instead: MagnavoxTarget may have already run out of its $199 Magnavox 720p HDTVs, but that's got to set some kind of record, and hopefully it'll be matched by more cheapo TVs to come. Too bad the government won't chip in $40 if you want to buy a new TV.
1. Ugliest: Channel Master D2AWhile this Channel Master D2A box is highly rated, it just got slapped around by the ugly stick. Hide this one under the bed in that guest bedroom.
2. Most Inconsistently Priced: Artec T3A ProWhat's up with the pricing on this Artec T3A Pro? We saw it at Amazon for $93.18, and at Game Java for $48.99. And besides, who would call themselves a professional TV watcher? This is taking the "pro" designation way too far.
3. Most Hazardous?: Access HD 1080DThere must be some reason why multiple Amazon reviewers said this Access HD 1080D box runs hot. One even went so far as to describe it as a fire hazard, while another called it the "worst converter box you can buy...horrible." Even if it doesn't run hotter than a two-dollar pistol, the box's maker raises red flags by using the number 1080 and the letters HD — both of which are typically associated with high-definition television, which has nothing to do with the Access HD 1080D. That's a misleading model name we'd say is not so hot.
4. Stupidest: U.S. GovernmentTake the money and run. As soon as you get the government involved, you find yourself in an alternate universe that should be avoided at all costs (well, only after you've snagged your two $40 coupons). Shame on you, Feds, for making the coupons $40 instead of $50 (the price of most of the converter boxes), and for creating a coupon expiration date of 90 days. Why not just make the coupons never expire? Or at least have them last until the DTV transition actually takes place? Pathetic.
By Yogurt at 7:52 PM ON 02/17/09
"Stupidest: U.S. Government"
I agree 100%. Just remember, most of these politicians were re-elected. We voted for change from ONE person, and forgot about changing the rest.
By aragonii at 8:03 PM ON 02/17/09
The Zinwell can be found online @ solidsignal.com
PS the 950 version has a better tuner for the same price
By thexfile at 2:22 AM ON 02/18/09
grrrrr why is there now review on lcd panels withe a built in digital tuner ??? there are loads around !!!
i dont get why everybody is so blind to jump on the "get a box" train....
dont you see it's stupide ???
ex when you bought your 1st tv , was there a sailsman that sayd "eue yes but for this to work you wil have to get this aditional box"
NOOOOOOOO
so why not get a tv withe a standard box built it , it's called a digital tuner !!! :-S
you pay a bit more , but you save the hassel of having 2 remotes , and a ugly remote and a ugly box on your tv that suks aditional power.
and if your getting digital tv why stil have your own analog tv ?? you would not even see the imporoved picture qualety !!
dam i'm begining to hate you stingy as amaricans !!
By Daryn at 5:50 AM ON 02/18/09
@THEXFILE; Firstly, I request that next time you post, you try to do it with better english. It is extremely difficult to read and understand your comments.
Secondly; most americans who can afford to get a new TV at this time benefit from the option of a set-top box.
Then there are simply those who like their TV's as-is and dont want to upgrade, and that it their choice.
Lastly; dont insult Americans when you cant even spell properly, you leave yourself open to attack. Besides, not all Americans are "stingy"
I think you need to learn to respect people choices in what they decide they want to buy. Since you lack an impact on their life, you also like the right to judge them.
As for the "two remotes" comment, give me a break, we have about four remotes at home for different gear we have attached to our TV, Ive never had a problem with that many, and as for looks, who cares? Its a freaking remote for crying out loud, its not exactly a status symbol.
By EnOne at 8:36 AM ON 02/18/09
I put in my request for a coupon right away, then looked for a digital converter box to purchase, and found nothing. When my coupon expired all the review places were saying to wait for better boxes to come out. The conversion should happen since having a convert date is useless unless people actually follow it. If you moved tax day from April 15th to May 15th people would still scramble on May 15th to get their taxes done.
By matt at 10:10 AM ON 02/18/09
Why is digital better again?
From my experience there are still interruptions in signal and they are even more disrupting to the viewing experience (blocky stuttering images or temporary total blackout) than a bit of static on an analogue set.
And has anyone else noticed how garish HD is? Way, way, way too over-saturated colours, and frankly too much detail (especially in close up portrait type/interview shots). It is not flattering. I still think that SD often looks better*
*note that sharper and better are not synonymous.
By Traveler at 12:30 PM ON 02/18/09
Forget the box. Walmart and Costco are virtually giving HD sets away.
By CJW at 1:21 PM ON 02/18/09
What some commenters don't seem to get is that people have TVs that they cannot or will not upgrade. Builtin TV's on Boats and RV's for instance. It's a non-trivial upgrade to put a new widescreen TV into a situation where the cabinetry has been built around the included TV.
I've got my two DTV welfare checks in my hand, and I'll use one to turn an old Commodore monitor into a PBS box for my 2 year old daughter. I'll probably put the other box on the living room TV, which is something I'd love to replace with a flat panel, but can't even begin to afford. Why would I replace a decent TV with a marginal one, and pay hundreds in the process?
Television is, unfortunately, a necessity for one simple reason: EBS. There is no faster, easier or more reliable way to get information out to the masses than the Emergency Broadcast System. Even prisoners have their own TVs. The poorest people I've ever met still tend to have a TV, but can't really shell out more for a new TV.
Finally, there's the waste factor. Why not let people keep their functional ecological disaters until they actually break? TVs are good for decades. Let's keep em out of the landfills for as long as possible. A DTV converter box allows for that.
By CJW at 2:33 PM ON 02/18/09
FYI, I went with the Tivax STB-T8 because of its high Consumer Reports rating, price and availability. Definitely worth a look.
By vongregor at 5:31 PM ON 02/18/09
You don't have to have a digital converter box to receive emergency broadcasts. The emergency broadcast system also gives news and warnings out on the radio. You can buy an am/fm radio from a thrift store or garage sale for about a dollar. If you can't afford that, you are probably homeless and don't have a television either.
By Akito38A at 6:16 PM ON 02/19/09
emergency broadcasts are going to still be broadcast on analog bands. Most the people who haven got a converter box are people who are either very poor or elderly folks who just don't know about it. and don't bother to listen. Those 5.8 million they are talking about are people who dont have any digital capable televisions. they are not referring to people who have boats and R.Vs or secondary t.vs that are not digital capable.
They should of just gone ahead with the date. I doubt most those poor or ignorant folks are going to change until they actually force it to happen. they may be able to lower the number to 3.8 million instead of 5.8 million at best.
Television is not a right. neither is internet access or a subscription to a newspaper. you have to pay for these things one way or another. even if you just have rabbit ears you still have to pay for electricity.
By dennis at 5:15 AM ON 02/23/09
Heh Guys, I live in the UK. and we are now experiencing all the things your'e going through with the didgital TV, if we dont want to buy a new box we have to buy a new didgital arial,and that can range in price, from, £138 to £180. but we get know help from our Govnt' to go didgital. i suppose we will all have to fork-out hard cash to get it done in the end.or just sit in the armchair, staring at the Wife??.
By nadia at 6:08 AM ON 03/04/09
By jeff at 9:40 AM ON 05/31/09
When the gov set up the $40 card program, it was because the industry estimated that the boxes would cost about $40. As soon as the program started, the industry set the pricing at about $50. Not surprising at all. "Everyone will pay 10 bucks for a box." I agree that the gov is pretty stupid at times, but never underestimate the greed of american businesses.
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jeff:
When the gov set up the $40 card program, it was because the industry estimated that the boxes would cost about $4...More »