Digital Converter Boxes?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I am moving in June and have decided *gulp* to wait until the first of the year to get internet and cable. I figured I can use my cell phone to get some limited internet and if need be take my computer to wi fi hot spots. For TV, I can get some on my cell phone, and then perhaps get the free channels.

I'm assuming that to get the free channels I will need a converter box. My TV is probably about oh, 3 or 4 years old. I do not have an antenna for it and have never tried to get the free channels before. I plan on applying for a coupon.

For those of you who get or have gotten the free channels, how exactly does that work? Do Ineed the converter box? The website was not the clearest. Thanks for the help!

 

[S. C.]

We have converter boxes for 2 bedroom tvs. have satelite for main tvs. I get many more channels now with the con box than I ever did without. I also like that I have a menu button that will tell what is on and a little about the story line just like with satelite.

I use to get without the box. channels 6, 10, & 47, and sometimes channels 18, 30, 31. and 53. The channels I did get were not that clear we live in the country.

With the box I get channels 6, 10.1, 10.2, 18, 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, 31.4, 47.1, 47.2, & 53. Channel 10.2 is a weather channel and one of the 31's is always a kids cartoon channel. plus one of the 31's is ION which we also get with the satelite. All channels are a very clear picture just like if I had cable/satelite.

Not all of the stations in our area went digital yet, so i'm hoping when they all go that I will get even more stations.

The box does work with our everyday set of rabbit ears hooked up to the bedroom tvs. But I believe this depends on the area you live in.

I hear the newer tvs have the boxes built in, my bedroom tv is about 5 yrs old and I did need the box.

I don't watch tv very much but do like to watch tv while trying to fall asleep.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

If your tvs are not digital tvs, then you will have to have the converter box for each tv after June 12 (I think that's the date).

If you have no antennas, you will more than likely need to get one for each tv as well.

The coupon program will only give you 2 coupons per household. If you have more tv's, then you'll have to spend the regular amount for the remaining boxes.

 

[bicker]

A few notes: The converter boxes have been on the market since last March. They were intended to be sold primarily between that time and this past February, after which there was little reason to think that there would be much demand for them. In addition, a lot of folks bought converter boxes that didn't need them, just to take advantage of the CECB coupons that were made available. As a result, many retailers are running out of converter boxes, and manufacturers don't see enough demand remaining to warrant another production run. So it may take a little bit of work, depending on where you live, to track converter boxes down. If you're having trouble, check eBay. You cannot use CECB coupons that way, but at least you can get the device you need.

Next: You probably want to go to http://tvfool.com, click on >> Start Here <<, enter your full address, then click "Find Local Channels". This will give you an excellent view of what you can and cannot expect to receive with various antennas.

Note that it is really important (though not required) to enter your full address, because different parts of town might be higher or lower than others. That makes a big difference. I live in a low area, but on the southern side of a hilly ridge that runs through town. Folks on top of the ridge obviously will get somewhat better reception, but folks just over the other side of the ridge, still in town, get much worse reception (you'll see this described as "1edge" or "2edge").

Generally, with any decent indoor antenna you should get good reception for any station shown in green, but only as long as the antenna has a relatively unimpeded view of the direction where the station's transmission towers are. (This is also indicated on the graphs available from tvfool.com.) Stations in yellow are problematic with indoor antennas -- sometimes you're okay, sometimes you're not. And unlike with analog television, there is no significant in-between. Digital reception is like a cliff... either you can get reception or you cannot.

Stations in red, or with a "C" indicating a co-channel conflict, you probably will have a lot of problems receiving, except with an excellent outdoor antenna. The "C" stations may only be available to you if you have a directional antenna.

I'd be more than happy to help further, if you need it. You can post your zip code (for somewhat accurate insights) or PM your street address (leave off the house number; I don't need that, unless your street is excessively long).

Or, if you prefer, there is a website forum devoted to helping folks figure out what they need to do to get over-the-air reception (though they'll need the same info): http://www.dtvusaforum.com

 

[bicker]

Not all of the stations in our area went digital yet, so i'm hoping when they all go that I will get even more stations.

This is a very important point. Until June 12, you cannot possibly know what reception will be like, in many places, because many (digital) stations either are moving to a new frequency, on that date, or are increasing their power output or raising their transmitter, on that date. Those stations are not able to do so earlier, because doing so would cause interference with the legacy analog stations, which will continue to operate until June 12.

I hear the newer tvs have the boxes built in, my bedroom tv is about 5 yrs old and I did need the box.

Televisions could not be sold retail in the United States after March 2008 (I think) unless they had digital tuners in them.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Does anybody know how to tell if your TV has a digital tuner?

 

[bicker]

The most direct way is to see if there is any way to enter channel numbers like "7-1" or "7.1".

What's the model number?