Digital Television Transition: DTV Transition and TV Converter Boxes

Digital Antennas For The Transition

emosko — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:26:12 +0000

I know I haven’t been posting a lot lately. I have been quite busy with other ventures of mine and work but I found some interesting digital antenna reviews from the same website that I have you all the converter box reviews on. This website has written over 25 different digital antenna reviews and it appears as though they will be writing more reviews.

I have listed what they have so far. Let me know if you have any questions about any of these as I know quite a bit about digital antennas and might be able to give you some tips on which one is best for you.

I actually contacted the guy who runs this website too and he seems to be are really sensible guy, was very easy to get ahold of, and was very willing to answer any questions I had.

I hope you enjoy!!!
Winegard RS 1500

Winegard RS 2000

Antennas Direct DB8

Channel Master CM 3671

Channel Master CM 4228

DX Antenna DTA 700

Channel Master CM 4221

RCA ANT1450

Winegard SS 3000

Antenna Craft Y5-7-13

Antennas Direct 91XG

Channel Master CM 4220

Antenna Craft HDX1000

Channel Master CM3000

DTV Converter Box Reviews

emosko — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:31:28 +0000

Hey everybody! My friend has a DTV Converter Box Reviews website and has now gotten up over 40 different converter box reviews. If you are interested in any of these reviews I have provided links below to each one of them. Feel free to take a look around his website. He has been getting noticed from many news publications for the quality of his reviews.

Tivax STB-T8
Tivax STB-T9
Dish Network DTVPal Plus
Dish Network TR-40 CRA
Dish Network DTVPal
Channel Master CM-7000
RCA DTA800B1
Lasonic LTA-260
Sansonic FT300A
Microgem MG2000
Philco TB100HH9
Access HD DTA1020D
Access HD DTA1020U
Access HD DTA1010D
Access HD DTA1010U
Access HD DTA1080D
Access HD DTA1080U
Artec T3A Pro
Artec T3AP Pro
Insignia NS-DXA1
Zenith DTT900
Zenith DTT901
RCA DTA800B
Digital Stream DTX9900
Digital Stream DTX9950
Digital Stream DSP7500T
Digital Stream DSP7700T
Digital Stream DSP7700P
GE 22730
GE 22729
GE 23333
GE 23334
Winegrad RC-DT09A
Alpha Digital AT2016
Zinwell ZAT-970A
Magnavox TB100MW9
Magnavox TB100MG9
COShip N9988T
COShip N9900T
Venturer STB7766G
Apex DT250
Goodmind DTA 1000
Zentech EZTV DF2000
Zentech DF2000L
Dish Network DTVPal DVR
Spica AT2018
Memorex MVCB1000
Wi EX Zboost YX510
Airlink101 ATVC102
Artec T3AP

FAQs about the TV Converter Boxes

emosko — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:30:46 +0000

Here you will find the most common questions regarding Digital TV Converter Boxes

What is a TV converter box?

A TV converter box is a small square electronic device that hooks into your TV and allows it to pick up digital television signals.

Where can I buy a TV converter box from?

A TV converter box can be purchased online, over the phone, or at a store. The easiest way to get a converter box is by visiting your local electronics dealer. Places like Wal-Mart or Radio Shack would be a good place to go.

How much does a digital converter box cost?

Digital TV converter box prices can range from $50 to over $100 depending on what features you get. You can get the government $40 off coupon to reduce the price by $40.

Can I buy any converter box and use my coupon?

No, you must buy a government certified converter box or you cannot use the coupon

How big is a TV converter box?

A TV converter box is about the size of an average novel book. They can easily site on top of your TV or DVD player.

How do I hook up my converter box?

The best thing to do is consult your owner’s manual but it is very easy. You just have to hook one wire into your TV and then hook an antenna up to your converter box.

Can I get a digital converter box and begin using it today?

Yes! A lot of channels already have digital signals going out so you can begin enjoying the benefits immediately.

What is the best converter box that I can get?

If you are interested in finding the best converter boxes out there we suggest you check out some TV converter box reviews.

FAQs about the DTV Transition

emosko — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:12:08 +0000

Here you will find the most common questions regarding the digital television transition and answers to these questions

What is the DTV transition?

The DTV transition in the government controlled gradual switch from dual analog/digital television signals to exlcusively digital television signals.

When will the transition take place?

The DTV transition switch will happen on February 17th, 2009 at 12:00 a.m.

Why is the government requiring the digital transition?

The digital transition is happening because it will provide consumers with a better picture, higher sound quality, and more/new programming options. It will also open up analog airwaves for emergency services.

How will the transition affect me?

If you have an analog TV it will not work after the transition unless you have cable, satellite, or a TV converter box.

What should I do to prepare for the digital transition?

First you should find out if you have an analog TV (most made before 2004 are analog). If you do have an analog television you need to do one of the three things listed above to keep your TV working. The other option is to buy a new TV that already has a digital tuner built into it.

Frequently Ask Questions section

emosko — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:10:11 +0000

Over the next few days I will be making a few FAQ pages.

These pages will go as follows:

FAQs about the DTV Transition

FAQs about TV Converter Boxes

FAQs about the Converter Box Coupon Program

FAQs about Using your Converter Box Coupon

FAQs about Getting your Converter Box Coupon

That is all for now but if I come up with any others I will add them also.

Using Your TV Converter Box Coupon

emosko — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:26:37 +0000

In my last two post I have been covering many different things related to the digital transition and continuing to watch TV after this transition. A couple days ago I outlined the digital transition and gave you all details about what the transition was and how you could prepare yourself for it. Then yesterday I gave my you all information about how you can get a TV converter box coupon from the government so that you can save $40 on the purchase of your converter boxes.

Today I will be going over the details about when, where, and how you can use your converter box coupon once you receive it.

Once you get your converter box coupon you need to find a place that you can use it at. Only government certified retailers can accept the coupon code so you will have to choose one of these. Most larger retailers like Wal-Mart, Circuit City, and Best Buy are certified retailers.

After choosing a retailer you will need to decided on a converter box. Again, only a government certified TV converter box can be purchased with your coupon. You will have to check out lists on the Internet to find out which ones are certified. Your local retailer will also be able to tell you if a certain one is certified or not.

Once you get your coupons you need to be very careful because there is a strict limit of 2 coupons per household and they cannot be re-sent if they are lost or stolen. Each coupon can only be used toward the purchase of 1 converter box. This means that in order to use both coupons you will have to buy 2 converter boxes.

Also, converter box coupons are only good for 90 days from the mailing date and cannot be renewed so make sure you use it before it expires.

Today I have given you a very short and quick overview of how you can use your digital TV converter box coupon program. Tomorrow I will go into more detail about your converter box coupon and the digital transition but coming up with a FAQ post that outlines certain questions my readers might be having and then giving answers.

In the meantime if you have questions leave me a comment or call 1-888-DTV-2009 for more information about the digital television transition and the coupon program.

Digital TV Converter Box Coupon Program

emosko — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:11:57 +0000

In my last post I gave my readers very general information about the digital transition and converter boxes. I went over what the digital transition was, the history behind the digital transition, when the digital transition will be occuring, and what you can do to continue watching TV after the transition. Reviewed and compared the three different options that we all have for continuing to watch TV after the transition and gave you my opinion about which one I thought was the best.

Now that I have give you all a foundation on what the digital transition is and my opinion on the converter box option being the best one I wanted to take this blog in the direction of providing information about comparisons of analog to digital TV converter boxes.

Today I am going to write about the government sponsored coupon program for the converter boxes. After reading this post you should know everything that you need to about the coupon program and be able to get your own coupon. Tomorrow I will give information on using the coupon and today I will provide information on getting the coupon.

To get a converter box coupon you need to visit the governments website dtv2009.gov. Here you will find everything you need to get the coupon. Once here you will realize that there are several different options for getting your coupon. You can get your digital to analog converter coupon through the mail and can apply through the mail, internet, telephone, or fax.

If you want to make your order through the internet you can do it at the dtv2009.gov website. Here you will simply give them your name and address and they will verify that it is legit and that you haven’t already order your limit of 2 coupons. After applying it should take several weeks for them to mail your coupon and 2-9 to receive it after it is mailed. If you don’t get your coupon after awhile please call the government (NTIA) about it and they will be able to assist you.

If you make your order through telephone you will need to call 1-888-DTV-2009. This is a 24-hour hotline so you can call it anytime.

If you are interested in mailing your application for the coupon then you need to mail it to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000.

Finally, if you decided to fax your Digital Television converter box coupon application you will need to fax it to 1-877-DTV-4ME2.

The 4 ways listed above are the only ways to apply for the coupon. You cannot apply for your converter box coupon at any store or library and if anybody says so they are trying to scam you!!

If you have any other questions about getting your DTV Converter Box Coupon please leave a comment with your question.

DTV Transition and DTV converter boxes

emosko — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:10:05 +0000

Today I wanted to give my readers an overview of what the DTV transition is and what they can do to keep watching TV after the transition.

The DTV transition is the government regulated/mandated switch from a combination of digital and analog television to solely digital television. The digital transition is set to occur on February 17^th, 2009 and after the transition all analog TVs will no longer work for watching TV. If your TV was made before 2004 then there is a really good chance that it is an analog TV. Your TV however will continue to work if you subscribe to cable or satellite. It will stop working for all free over the air broadcasting.

Back in the late 1990s our U.S. Congress passed a bill that put the DTV transition in motion. This transition was decided on around 10 year ago but it has been largely ignored until this year. Now that the transition is getting close it cannot be ignored anymore. After the transition there will be a lot of problems because millions of Americans will not be able to watch TV anymore.

As a result of these problems American’s will be forced to do one of three different things to keep watching TV. The first option to continue viewing TV is to go out and purchase a new TV. If you purchase a brand new TV anyone of them will work because all TVs sold from now on are required to be capable of showing digital TV signals. The major problem with this solution is that it could be very expensive. With today’s slow economy and credit crunch this option does not appear to be all that good.

The second option for continuing to view TV after the transition is to subscribe to cable or satellite. Satellite and cable are not required to stop broadcasting in analog until 2011 so this option would be a short term fix for consumers. The drawbacks of this option are that it can be rather expensive if you do not already have cable/satellite and it is only a temporary fix. This option will cost consumers anywhere from $40-$80 per month.

The third and final option for continuing to watch television on our analog TV is by purchasing an analog to converter box. A digital TV converter box quickly hooks into your television and allows digital TV signals to be compatible with your analog TV. Converter boxes are very small (size of a normal book) and usually sit on the top of your TV. Converter boxes cost about $50 and can be bought for as low as $10 after using the government provided $40 coupon. The benefits are that this option is very cheap, quick, and easy. The drawbacks of this option are that there have been a lot of glitches with the first converter boxes that have come out.

Overall the transition will be causing quite and inconvenience for all of us and we will have to do something about it. In my opinion the best option is to get a TV converter box. However, if you do decided to go with this option you should definitely check out DTV Converter Box reviews ratings, and comparisons to make sure you choose a glitch free converter box.

Analog to Digital TV Converter Boxes Solve DTV Transition Problems

emosko — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:09:28 +0000

The DTV transition is causing quite a dilemma for many of us but we are all in luck. Previously many people were worried that they were going to have to spend a lot of money on a new Digital TV to keep watching TV but the new converter boxes have significantly changed that (I’m sure TV companies are not happy).

The invention of the TV converter boxes has, for all intensive purposes, completely eliminated the problems caused by the DTV transitions. Consumer will be able to spend less that $20 and actually get an upgrade on their viewing experience when using the government coupon.

After getting an analog to digital converter box people will be able to watch digital quality television (better picture, sound, and options) without buying a digital TV.

If you are looking for more information about the digital transition you can visit the Digital TV Converter Box blog.

Digital Television Transition

emosko — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:37:27 +0000

At the Digital Television Transition Blog we provide information about the conversion from analog to digital television signals. Here you will find information about the coupon program, digital television, transition options, and TV Converter Box Reviews, Ratings, and Comparisons.

Feel free to leave a comment if there is any information that we didn’t cover.