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Digital TV Converter Boxes: Costliest Not Always The Best

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By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2009

TAMPA - At some point this year, after Congress and TV stations finish haggling, traditional analog television broadcasts will end. Only digital TV broadcasts will remain.

Anyone without cable or satellite TV service will need a digital converter box to watch their favorite shows. And woe be anyone who wants to chose the right box.

There are dozens of manufacturers and models. Some cost $40. Some cost almost $80. You might think the more expensive boxes perform better. Nope.

We tested five converter boxes from the roughly 50 on the market. The results were mixed. Some relatively inexpensive boxes were easy to use and pulled in every digital channel available. Other pricey models couldn't pull in some major network broadcasts.

Some boxes could show PBS on the north side of our test house, but not the south. Vice versa with other boxes and NBC. Many had horrible static on the screen, or just wouldn't show many channels at all.

Some boxes were terribly difficult to use. That is, unless you recognize terms like "EPG" or think this on-screen instruction makes sense: "Connect ST band TV via RF cable."

One box didn't even have volume buttons on the remote control, which means you'd have to change channels with your old remote control, and change the volume with another.

Add to this confusion a list of new TV channels available on digital, such as four WUSF channels. WFLA NBC presently has two.

For now, anyone who needs a converter box coupon is going on a waiting list at the federal government, since that program has basically run out of money.

To help TV fans pick a good DTV box, here is a review of a sampling of DTV boxes, taken from testing actual TV stations here in Tampa Bay.

Magnavox TT110MW9

Price: $49

Available: Walmart.

Verdict:Worst performing box in our group.

The setup was terribly complex, with no step-by-step process. There are no volume buttons on the remote control, which means you need to change channels with the converter box remote, but raise or lower the volume with your old TV remote. It also took several seconds to change channels.

In a North-facing room, WEDU's channels didn't appear. In a South-facing room, they did, but other networks didn't appear, including the WFLA channels. (One is the NBC affiliate; the other is 8 Prime, which carries reruns of vintage programs.)

Insignia NS-DXA1-APT

Note: BestBuy's private label brand.

Price: $59.99

Available: BestBuy stores.

Verdict:One of the best in the group.

Simple and easy setup out of the box, with step-by-step process. Clear graphics for on-screen information about each program. Handy "zoom" button can adjust size of TV image, which differs among digital TV broadcasters and shows.

Clearly received all major TV networks in both north and south of our test house with only occasional static.

Channel Master

Note: Received best picture quality rating from Consumer Reports.

Price:$48.69

Available:In select retail stores, and SolidSignal.com.

Verdict:Clear picture, unable to bring in many channels.

Clear image, but with some drawbacks. Setup was somewhat complex. Did not restart well after unplugging to change TVs. Mute button did not work while showing program information on screen.

GE 23333

Price: $69.99

Available: In many retail stores, online too.

Verdict:Poor reception, missing significant channels.

Despite an appealing wave design on the box, the GE model had mixed performance. Setup was fairly easy, and it has a large and clear program information guide, with information about shows through the day and week. Subtitles were quite easy to turn on/off. Suggestive "Applications" item on setup menu suggests room for new digital services to come. However, it only picked up WEDU stations in north room of house. Only picked up WFLA (NBC) in the south room.

Zenith DTT901

Note:Made by the same manufacturer as the Insignia. Available in more retail locations.

Price:$59.95

Available: Kmart, Sears, Circuit City during its liquidation.

Verdict:One of the best in group.

Clearly received all major TV networks in both north and south of our test house with only occasional static. Again, we enjoyed the simple setup, clear graphics, information about programs and "zoom" button to show programs properly.

The Switch Is ComingS

Plans for the digital TV switchover now change almost daily. But for now, Tampa Bay area TV stations plan to turn off their analog broadcasts sometime between Feb. 17 and June 12, depending on each station, and switch only to digital broadcasts.

WUSF, for instance, hopes to transition to all digital before June, partly to avoid steep costs of keeping both analog and digital going simultaneously. Fox plans to wait until June to unplug its analog broadcast, and several other networks are still working out their plans.

Once digital prevails, most people who use "rabbit ear" antennas will need to buy a converter box to view the new TV signals.

For more information about the transmission, including the federal coupon program to help pay for converter boxes, call 1-888-DTV-2009.

Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919.

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