All broadcasting television stations across America are required to go digital. Time is running out, if you haven’t already purchased a Converter Box to convert your signal to digital, on February 17,2009 you could be soon staring at a blank screen. If you have satellite or Cable TV you probably won’t need one. The federal government has issued a limited number of $40 gift cards to help you with the purchase of a new converter box. They have an expiration date so if you don’t use it, you will be out of luck. Only one person per house hold can apply. Request a $40 coupon toward the purchase of a digital-to-analog converter box. Go to https://www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009 for details.
Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to review Converter Boxes. To hook up a converter box it’s as easy as hooking up a VCR or DVD. I have listed a number of different bands and where they can be purchased.
- RCA DT800B – Good reception went from 9 channels to 24 channels. The remote is very simple and easy to use, can be programed to use with any TV. $49 Can be purchased at Walmart, Kmart, Sears. I recommend this as the best value and easiest to use for the consumer. A
- Zenith DTT901 – Reports excellent reception. The remote is more complex and has more features than other boxes. $59 Can be purchased at Circuit City. 10% of users report problems within 30 days, has a 90 day warranty. A-
- Magnavox TB110MW9 – Good reception went from 9 channels to 20 channels. The remote is easy to use, has menu details of whats on each channel and whats scheduled to come on next. $49 Can be purchased at Walmart, Kmart, Sears. No volume setting on the remote, must use with your existing TV remote. B
- Insignia NS-DXAI – Good reception, similar design as the Magnavox. The remote is easy to use, has menu details of whats on each channel and whats scheduled to come on next. $59 Can be purchased at BestBuy, RadioShack, Target, Walmart. No Closed caption, 20% of users report problems after 4 months, has a 90 day warranty. B-
- Digital Stream DTX9950 – Reports excellent reception. The remote is is more complex has more features than most other boxes. $59 Can be purchased at RadioShack. Can’t be programed to use with all TV’s, 30% of users report problems after 3 months. B-
- Apex DT502 – Reports OK reception. The remote is very simple and easy to use. $49 Can be purchased at Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City. 90% of users don’t like the remote, has very few features must use with your existing TV remote. 20% of users report problems after 3 months. C-
- GE 22730 – OK to Poor reception when compared with other models. Box has a cool design, remote is limited with small buttons. $49 Can be purchased at Target. 90% of users don’t like the remote. D
Here is an article that will help you to go digital. It has information on how to hook up your converter box. http://TwitPWR.com/2dk/
