best dtv converter box to get?

thisjustanother

thisjustanother

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i just got those coupons for 40bux off a converter box and was wondering what is the best converter box to get? i was looking online and there are like 20 models and was just amazed.

what is it i should be looking for in converter boxes and what stores sell what models
 
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I got the RCA ones shown Walmart's website. It is an okay box, it sometimes loses signal whenever a car passes by my house in the afternoon. I can't compare it to the others since I only have that brand.

It comes with a nice remote, has buttons to change channels on the box itself, and can connect to a TV through composite cables or RF. You can even connect one TV to RF and the other to composite to have two TVs showing the same channel as the converter box is set to!


My main complaint is that it signal drops so much, but it could be just my area. I live about 20 miles from a major city. I might buy one of those signal amplifiers, but for the basic/local channels it is okay overall.

I am considering the Zenith or the Insignia one found on Bestbuy's website, though to compare. Hope that helps. :)
 
I have the Insignia(Zenith clone) from Best Buy. I have not had any issues with it so far. Picture Q and reception is great. Much better than the one from the Walmart. Fry's has the Zenith and Channel Master which I hear are pretty good.
 
Is the Insignia one the $49.99 one at best buy?? They had a mountain of them as soon as you walk in. For $10, I gotta pick one up for the in-laws.
 
[quote name='VipFREAK']Isn't it $10 AFTER rebate? :roll:

(Ghey, we have to pay more just because they want to make us switch)[/quote]

[quote name='shadowkast']Is the Insignia one the $49.99 one at best buy?? They had a mountain of them as soon as you walk in. For $10, (after rebate) I gotta pick one up for the in-laws.[/quote]
There I edited my post so it's not SO hard for you to understand:roll:
 
[quote name='thisjustanother']i just got those coupons for 40bux off a converter box and was wondering what is the best converter box to get? i was looking online and there are like 20 models and was just amazed.

what is it i should be looking for in converter boxes and what stores sell what models[/QUOTE]

First, make absolutely sure you need one. If you have cable or satellite, you do not need one. You only need it if you're using an antenna.
 
My advise is to try out the one that you think that might be the best for you. Test it out to make sure you get everything you are looking for before you make your final purchase with coupon. For example (Best Buy) will not return your coupon credit if you return the item. They will refund you the price paid out of pocket. So in essence, your out one coupon.
 
[quote name='shadowkast']There I edited my post so it's not SO hard for you to understand:roll:[/QUOTE]

The rolling of the eyes emoticon was towards Best Buy for making their customers send in for the $10 rebate, I don't think it was towards you for not mentioning the rebate in your post.:)
 
Any new recommendation .. just received the coupons and need to get one .. saw the ones radio shack sells but it received mixed reviews .. most of them state that the box goes bad after a few months
 
I need to get one of these pieces of crap too soon. Ugh.

Edit: Maybe not... I have one already. My Samsung DTB-H260F

h305DTBH260-fp.jpg
 
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I just signed up for the coupon since it seems I won't be having satellite or cable very soon. Thankfully I got in before the switch. I'm going to keep an eye on this thread to see what else people recommend.
 
You can forget recording tv shows unless you get a converter box with a timer (fast forward to 2:50 on video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaFVG_qd9Ps

My Grandmother bought 2 RCA converter boxes from Wal*Mart and they only have a 15% signal strength. They also don't pick up Fox or My13(formerly UPN). When I called the FCC they said the signal won't be at full strength until the official switch on June 12th.
 
i ended getting the channel master 7000 from frys electronics and i gotta say one thing holy crap . ever since i got this, i have loved it. the picture quality is superb especially if you are able to connect it with the best cable, s-video. before the converter box my tv had the option of 16:9 resolution but it was blacked out. and since i had it, it has opened up that option and i have kept 16:9 ever since and havnt changed back.

i know i am only 18 miles away from the main site that sends out the signals and i am able to get a lot of channels even with a quite old indoor antannea. i havnt tried other converter boxes, but i will say the channel master is one hell of a box and is easly the best out there.
 
[quote name='EnronLackey']more recommendations plz! ^_^[/QUOTE]

I got the Insignia NS-DXA1 and I can recommend it. Good reviews if you look around.

I also got the Channel Master CM 7000 on sale at FRY's for near nothing after coupon. But seeing as you live in Houston, I can't recommend it because Channel 11 glitches out every minute or so. I've seen where other people mention this online. I even emailed KHOU but got no response. Also Channel 2-2(THIS) seems to run at 1/2 the proper frame rate. Could be location but my signals are strong. Other channels are fine though. I had high hopes for this one because it is well reviewed and has s-video out which most others don't.

Edit: How to build a cheapass/free coat hanger hdtv antenna on Youtube
here and here
.
 
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I've a Zenith and it's pretty nice and I can't really complain about it since it is only the antennae I have problems with. I don't know about any other boxes, but do all of them have a built in closed captioning option with all those fonts and colors?

About that video... are there alternatives to make one without power tools?
 
Well Im thinking about picking up the Channel Master CM 7000 at Fry's since I got the coupons. Or should I wait for it to come down during a sale?
 
[quote name='EnronLackey']Well Im thinking about picking up the Channel Master CM 7000 at Fry's since I got the coupons. Or should I wait for it to come down during a sale?[/QUOTE]

It's currently on sale thru Thurs. $10 AC. They have it at that price often. Let me know if you have issues with channels 11-1 and 2-2. I returned it once and have the same problems with the second one. Maybe after the switch in June issues will get ironed out.
 
well not every state or even city has those channels lorne, i know phoenix doesnt have any of those you listed. but yes, when the deadline rolls around june 12th, more then likely the singal strenghts of stations will increase making the channels much better. as right now they are having to broadcast in both analog and digital, which im sure is not hard but still a pain.
 
[quote name='thisjustanother']well not every state or even city has those channels lorne, i know phoenix doesnt have any of those you listed. [/QUOTE]
Yeah, I was directing it towards the guy here in Houston(read up a few posts).

Just wanted to add that Monoprice has some cheap powered HD antennas $17-24 before shipping. The outdoor one gets pretty good feedback and recently came back in stock.
 
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