wmansir

In my case I wasn't looking for HD, but I would like a box that offers more than just analog pass through. It would be a lot more convenient to have a single tuner for both analog and digital channels.

Jon2

I think you may be confusing what converter boxes do... with analog pass through. Analog pass through is an extra feature that not all the converter boxes have. It just passes the analog signal from the antenna on through to your TV set's antenna connection.

A converter box needs to be connected to a TV with component (RCA) connectors or, for a better video signal, S-Video. If you have a converter box attached to your TV with coax cable, you aren't getting a converted signal (unless the converter box DOES NOT have analog pass through). You're still receiving the analog signal... only with a little bit more degradation from having to pass thru another set of connections.

I don't see the point of analog pass through anyway, since analog signals are going away... sooner (in Feb) or later (July... maybe).

I live 40 miles north of Phoenix and over 20 years have had 3 antennas, each rated for 75 mile reception range. There are 9 stations (not counting the nearly half dozen religious and Hispanic channels), and their signals all come from one point, a group of broadcast towers located on Black Mountain, south of the city. Analog reception has varied considerably (some stations have less power).

But not with digital. Every station looks terrific and much better than the best analog signals I have ever received in 20 years. Considering how well my converter box works (connected via S-video), I don't even watch analog broadcasts anymore.

Jon2

If you have a converter box and the video looks terrible, I would suggest connecting the box to your TV with an S-video cable. If you are connecting it with a coax cable and your converter box has the "analog pass through" feature, you aren't getting a converted signal. A converter box with "analog pass through" does not send a converted signal through a coax connection. It simply passes the analog signal from your antenna on to your TV.

I have had a converter box for about a week and every station (I receive nine) looks terrific. Much better than the best analog signal broadcasts I have ever received in the 20 years I have lived here. My current set is a four year old, 4:3 TV and I get better looking OTA TV with my convertor box than my son does on his new Sony HDTV with (non-HD) DirecTV .

More than will really need to, I think. Cable is quite a bit more than the cost of a converter box... and a new UHF antenna, if one is needed.

UAIOE

I have my converter box hooked up via component and when the Olympics were on they looked amazing on my TV

Jay G.

You can get one with both NTSC and ATSC tuners, but it's not going to be one of the cheap converter boxes. You'll have to get a full HD tuner (which you can still use on an SD set):
http://www.amazon.com/ATSC-QAM-NTSC-...dp/B000V8XR1U/

There's also a number of DVD recorders on sale that have both tuners, which you could use as a tuner box instead:
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-DR560-...p/B001415ENM/r

The switchover isn't manditory for all TV stations. Low Power, Class A, and TV Translator stations can stay on analog for the time being:
http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq22

OldDude

This is not quite correct.

There are some (mostly low power) analog stations which remain after analog shutoff. Analog pass through lets you view those when the converter box is turned off or in an inactive mode.

When the box is on, it converts the digital station it is tuned to to analog and outputs it on:
*Channel 3/4 on the RF output
*Composite video on the yellow RCA
*S-Video out, if so equipped.

In pass-through mode, it outputs the antenna signal only on the RF output, and you can use the analog tuner in your tv. For ANY converter box, you could split the antenna siganl and route to TV's antenna input IF you connect the box via composite or S-video.

Most (all??) boxes only support mono sound on the RF modulator, so if you want stereo, at least use the composite out (or S-video if available) and hook up the white/red RCAs for the stereo sound signal. The picture quality will also be better than via RF modulator.

wmansir

Thanks for the links, Jay G. I know there are more expensive options, but my original post was about how none of these options are coupon eligible.

From what I've gathered in order to use the coupon I'll have to find a box with analog pass through and then set it up so I can turn off the box so it just passes the analog through and use the TV's tuner for analog/cable and then turn it on and use the converter's tuner for digital.

EDIT: I'm slow this morning so I didn't see OldDude's post before I posted.

B.A.

I am getting ready to pull the plug on a converter box for the bedroom tv, and the one I have my eye on is the Insignia @ Best Buy, but I am looking for other options, too.


ETA: It seems that the Insignia box that I am looking at is the same as the Zenith.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1029256

OldDude

Yes it is the same. I have the Zenith DTT901 and I'm very pleased with its performance. The other one that gets high marks for performance in AVS threads is the ChannelMaster (7000??).

The others seem to have roughly equal supporters and haters, even where they have some unique feature..

Superman07

I assume you meant composite rather than component? S-Video is not better than component, and yet you state it is. The correct statement would be, "composite connectors or, for a better video signal, S-Video".

B.A.

The CM-7000 has an S-Video output, too. It is $45.99 (+9.95/shipping) on Solid Signal. I'm thinking about that one, too. However, I can go to my local best buy and pick up the Insignia right now. That will probably be the play. It's a bedroom TV that is used more for watching DVDs than it is the local networks. S-Video isn't too much of a concern, imo.

Ended up getting the Insignia over my lunch break. I went home to get my coupon and noticed that it expired tomorrow! Thankfully, the BB I went to had one unit left.

I would have had to use my coupon at least three days before it expired to get the ChannelMaster anyway. Oh well.

pinata242

Update: Senate approves delay!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28863961/

OldDude

To add to the confusion, other versions of the article say the delay is optional. Stations can petition the FCC to shut off analog early. (some stations have alreday done so, including all stations in Hawaii, stations in Wilmington, NC, and various individual stations)

twikoff

booo hisss boooo hisssss

Im sick and tired of the ads.. and now another 6 months?
blah

fujishig

Did they have to get waivers or something in order to shut them down early? And I would think everyone has to agree... I can see one network affiliate not wanting to shut down analog if their competitors are not doing so.

B.A.

The delay is a gigantic waste of money, which is about all our gov't is good for.

I hooked up an Insignia converter to my old Trinitron this afternoon - the setup was simple and the picture looks great. Now I just need to figure out what is wrong w/ the VCR so I can hook it up through that for an emergency back-up.

al_bundy

did the House approve it as well?

OldDude

Not yet. And it isn't clear if they will pass Senate bill, or a bill of their own that requires conferencing to resolve.

Ranger

Disappointing, but hopefully more stations will petition.

marty888

from Associated Press:

NEW YORK – Delaying the upcoming digital TV transition for four months would cost public broadcasters $22 million, the PBS system chief estimated on Monday.

Paula Kerger, president and CEO of the Public Broadcasting System, said she hopes lawmakers keep that in mind as they consider legislation to delay the switch from Feb. 17 to June 12.

The stations will face increased power charges to maintain over-the-air broadcast signals, she said. Many have leases for signal transmitters that were due to expire on the date of the switch over and will have to make new arrangements, she said.

"This is such a tough situation for our stations because they have just gone through a process where they have raised the money to go through this transition," she said.

Alan Smithee

Most PBS stations now are run by people who think like those who work in commercial TV, so let 'em bleed some more money.

Goldblum

Thanks, Mr. President, for wasting more time & money for nothing.

Cardsfan111

The Louisville (KY) area news last night indicated they were switching to all-digitial in February regardless of the decision to postpone the transition.

Brian Shannon

What does the President have to do with this? Or much of anything else for that matter?

pinata242

If anything wouldn't it be more a failure on the previous administration?