Which Set Top Box Is Right For Me?

Well, they are here.  The local Radio Shack store has a supply.  The big box electronics stores like Best Buy, h h gregg and Circuit City have them in stock.  Wal-Mart’s Blue Lights are a “spinnin’.”    The Digital TV Converters have hit the store shelves.  The good news is that they are, for the most part, moderately priced.  With the $40 coupon available from Uncle Sam, you will have to spend only $20 and tax to take one home.  The question is which one to take home.

 

For those who may need a refresher: The set top Digital Converter is a device that attaches to your analog TV and allows you to receive the new digital signals without buying a new digital TV.  It is ONLY needed by those who receive their TV programs over-the-air with an antenna.  If you are in that group, you will need to get one no later then midnight, February 17, 2009.  If you have cable (basic or digital) or use a satellite service, or you have a new digital TV set, you can stop reading now, YOU DON’T NEED ONE!

 

For most of us the basic converter model will do just fine.  It receives all the over-the-air digital signals and displays them on your TV.  It is connected to your old TV in one of two ways.  The simplest is through the TV antenna connection.  Just like many video games, you connect the DTV Converter to the TV antenna plug, connect the TV antenna to the DTV Converter and tune the TV to either Channel 3 or 4.  Voila, the connection is finished.  You have to keep the TV set on channel 3 or 4 and use the new remote that comes with the converter to change channels and set volume.  Even your oldest TV will now be controlled with this snazzy new remote and be able to display all the digital channels being broadcast by your local stations.

 

The second way to connect the converter to your TV is to use the direct Audio and Video (A/V) inputs.  Many newer analog TVs have these inputs either on the front or the rear of the TV.  They are usually color coded.  Yellow for video and Red and White for audio.  Most of the converters come with both an antenna cable and this special A/V cable.  The only difference when using these audio/video connections is that you will need to set your TV to the proper input.  It is usually called “Video or“Video1” or “Line or Line1” Each TV model is different, but a little trial and error with the TV’s remote should do it.

 

I mentioned above that there are other “flavors” of these converters.  If you are a viewer of the low-power TV stations in Cincinnati, (e.g. Channel 25 and 3 you will need to make another choice.  These TV stations will not convert to digital in February 2009, so if you want to continue to watch them you will either need to purchase a special DTV set top box or use the audio video option as described above and get a second antenna.

 

Let me explain.  Some special converter set top boxes pass through the old signals when they are tuned off.  So if you want to watch the old analog programs from the low power stations, you just switch the box off and use your TV tuner as you do now.  When you want to watch the new digital channels, you turn the box back on.  If you connected your new DTV converter using the audio/video cables, you can use the standard DTV converter.  You will need to have a second antenna connected to your TV set for the analog channels.  There is actually a third way using an A/B switch.  For a diagram of that method, send me an email.

 

All of this can be a bit confusing.  For most of us the simple converter is just fine.  There is a list below of the various DTV converters on my blog if you want to know which one you will need to receive the low power analog stations.

 

I have tried out several converters and they all deliver a good picture and are very easy to set up.  Most are “Plug & Play” meaning that once connected they search out the local channels, set up the on-screen program guide and give you options for captions.  You must have a converter for each analog TV set.  You don’t have to wait until February 2009.  The digital channels are being broadcast locally right now so it is not too early to convert.  Gee, I sound like a preacher!

 

These DTV Set Top Converters will pass through the analog signals of the local Low Power stations. ECHOSTAR TR-40 Magnavox TB-100MG9Philco TB100HH9Philco TB150HH9 

Since these converters are not readily available in local stores, you will also be able to receive the low power stations using the info on the attached sheet.  The A/B switch can be purchased at most Radio Shack® stores for about

Do I Need A DTV Converter?

I have written extensively about the February 2009 Analog Broadcast cut off  and the Set Top DTV Converters that are now available to allow you to continue to use your analog TV sets – yes, even the old black and white model in the basement - after the analog channels go away.  In light of the misinformation that is being distributed on radio and TV and in newspapers, I thought that I would take this opportunity to go over the basics again.

 

First a definition.  A Set Top DTV Converter is a device that connects to your analog TV and allows you to watch programs being BROADCAST locally over-the-air in the new Digital format.  These devices are NOT used with cable or satellite services.  Those services have specialized set top boxes.

I received a series of questions from John, a regular reader. I think they are representative of some of the most often asked.

 John writes, “I have analog cable; will I need some sort of converter box for my new digital HD LCD TV?” 

You have two choices if you want to get the digital channels.  You can upgrade your cable service to digital with a HD Cable box and get all the digital and HD channels including the cable-only channels, e.g. ESPN, HBO, etc., or you can attach an antenna to your new set and receive only the local digital channels broadcast over-the-air.  You do not need a Set Top DTV Converter for the new digital TV set. You will no longer get the analog channels from cable on this new set without upgrading to digital cable.

 “What about the old TV’s?  Will they still work with basic analog cable?”   

Yes, you will get all the channels that you get now without any converter.  If you want to watch all the new over-the-air digital channels, you will need a converter connected to an antenna for each TV. If you want to get the cable digital channels you need to upgrade your cable service and connect the old sets to cable using a digital cable boxes.  There are two types of Time Warner digital cable boxes.  One connects to your regular analog set and provides all the non-HD digital channels.  The other is an HD box and it provides all those channels plus the HD channels and can be used only with new HD sets.  Currently Time Warner charges the same for the standard digital box and the HD box.

 “I have several VCRs that are not digital; will I still be able to record and time shift?” 

As long as they are connected to either the cable or the converter, they will work as they do now.

   The bottom line, everything you now have by being connected to basic cable will continue to work after February 2009. If you want HD on your new set you must either subscribe to digital cable with an HD Cable box or install an antenna on the HD set to receive local the local Digital channels (both HD and Standard Definition.) “Do you have some suggestions for finding good unbiased reviews of DTV sets? 

Consumer Report® magazine is always a good place to look.

 

The converters are now available in stores and most are priced at $59.99.  The local Radio Shack® store now has then in stock.  With the $40.00 coupon applied to the purchase price you are looking at $20 bucks each for the devices.  If you have not already done so, you can request coupons from Uncle Sam on line at www.dtv2009.gov or by calling 1-888-388-2009.

 

Next week I’ll discuss the various types and models of converters that are available and how to connect them.

Questions are welcome

We are eager to answer your Digital TV questions on this blog.  You can also use the CET TechInfo Hot Line 513-345-6512.  We have a special email address as well.  If you would like to use that it is   techinfo@cetconnect.org.

With permission, I sometimes will post the questions from the phone line or email on this blog. 

If your questions are more generic technology questions, you might find my personal blog of some interest   www.jackatcet.blogspot.com