http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/ Engadget HD Comments for The quest for a DTV converter box http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 12:12PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units]]>Mar 18th 2008 2:20PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/May 9th 2008 12:44PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/May 9th 2008 12:44PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
I'm actually pretty well versed in the whole transition thing, but here's what I don't get: If I have traditional cable, going from my wall plate to my TV (read no box) how will that still work post-transition? If there's no box and no digital tuner on the TV, isn't what's coming from the wall plate analog? What am I missing?]]>Mar 18th 2008 12:17PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 12:25PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
Satellite has always needed a STB, and all cable customers won't need one for at least 3 years after, and even then most cable co's will provide them.]]>Mar 18th 2008 12:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
Now, I own one of the Insignia boxes (same box as in the Circuit City picture above as it's really an LG box that is being branded by Insignia and Zenith) for testing (my mother-in-law wants to drop cable altogether) and I have yet to connect it to cable service. I doubt, however, that it will do anything at all with cable service.]]>Mar 18th 2008 12:34PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 12:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Not exactly, the FCC has mandated that all cable co's continue analog service, or hand out free STBs, for 3 years after the transition date.

The way you put it, makes it sounds like they have a choice in the matter.]]>Mar 18th 2008 12:49PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 1:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq16 “for business reasons (among other things, digital is much more efficient than analog), cable companies may be interested in transitioning their systems from analog delivery to digital delivery. If a cable company makes the business decision to go all-digital (meaning it will stop offering any channels to its customers in analog), it must ensure that its analog customers can continue to watch their local broadcast stations. This may require customers with analog televisions to get a set-top box. If the cable company provides the customer with a set-top box, any costs related to it will be determined by the cable company. Therefore, it is recommended that analog cable customers contact their cable company to ask if a set-top box will be needed, when it will be needed, and if there will be a cost."
Also lots more info on converter boxes here at http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Cable_Television.html
]]>Mar 18th 2008 12:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq16 “for business reasons (among other things, digital is much more efficient than analog), cable companies may be interested in transitioning their systems from analog delivery to digital delivery. If a cable company makes the business decision to go all-digital (meaning it will stop offering any channels to its customers in analog), it must ensure that its analog customers can continue to watch their local broadcast stations. This may require customers with analog televisions to get a set-top box. If the cable company provides the customer with a set-top box, any costs related to it will be determined by the cable company. Therefore, it is recommended that analog cable customers contact their cable company to ask if a set-top box will be needed, when it will be needed, and if there will be a cost."
Also lots more info here at http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Cable_Television.html
]]>Mar 18th 2008 12:46PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/index.html

The folks behind that site have really done their research.

The basic boxes, like the Magnavox, will be pretty simple. But there are others - some with smart antenna and s-video ports - that make the research downright stupefying.

A few things to keep in mind:

1) Low-power stations are NOT affected by the mandate, so if you have a low-power station near you and you watch it, then you will need a box with analog pass-through to get that signal (or you can keep the current antenna attached to your TV and attach the converter box to a different input - if that's an option).

2) Canada does not transition until August of 2011, so those of us in northern border states who use OTA to get Canadian stations may still need analog pass-through for the next few years if their favorite Canadian station is not broadcasting digitally yet. I can't speak to Mexico, by the way, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have a different DTV transition date, too.

I've been using an Insigina (re-branded LG) box and cheapie RCA antenna ($10) I bought from Best Buy and, thus far, I'm impressed with the picture and reception. There's even guide data that's loaded.

All in all, it's an odd mishmash of a project and I don't think the user education is happening the way it should... but there's some cool stuff out there to play with because of that.]]>Mar 18th 2008 12:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 12:57PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 1:53PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 2:13PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
]]>Mar 18th 2008 2:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 2:41PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 3:38PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Actually I bought two at the same time on the same receipt. Both with coupons.]]>Mar 18th 2008 3:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Converter_Box_Coupon_Program.html]]>Mar 18th 2008 2:53PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 3:07PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 3:37PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 4:02PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 3:59PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 4:17PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
Mumble grumble!]]>Mar 18th 2008 4:41PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
Go to Ebay, search for a Hughes HTL-HD its a 1st gen HD DirecTV reciever, you don't need to subscribe to DTV to use it as a OTA Tuner only. It outputs all the various HD formats.


"Richard S.
@ Mar 18th 2008 3:37PM
Hooray for Welfare."

Only problem is, its not any sort of welfare at all. These $40 coupons are being paid for by the upcoming auction the government is drooling over from all the freed up bandwidth in 2009.

Which my friends, is the point of this whole thing. Money. And lots of it. You can be sure as hell that its going to bring in a hell of a lot more than all these $40 coupons cost.


]]>Mar 18th 2008 5:26PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
Whether or not the government "makes money" off the sale is irrelevant. They should be making a lot MORE money because there's no REASON to subsidize this device for people. Like the post above yours where the guy says its disgusting that he has a TV capable of supporting 1080i but is mad because the government won't pay for a free tuner for him. That's what's truly disgusting.

You must be one of those people that think their "medicare part D" plan isn't welfare either because they make you pay $2.50 for your $10,000 prescription of Oxycodone.

- Richard S.
Works for a Living. Not on Welfare.]]>Mar 18th 2008 7:45PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/So you're not on welfare, eh? Do you drink milk? Eat bread? Eat pork or beef? Eat cheese? Put gas containing ethanol in your SUV's tank? If you answered yes to any of those questions, guess what-- YOU'RE ON WELFARE, BITCH!]]>Mar 19th 2008 9:56AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
The only reason the government subsidizes those products is to pay farmers more than the are worth so they can maintain a highly eccentric standard of living.

It's not to make it affordable for me. Furthermore, almost 40% of my pay goes to taxes, so I absolutely believe that any "benefits" of farmer subsidiaries should go to me. Since I don't draw social security or disability or food stamps or medicaid or any other of the dozens of welfare programs you are probably on.

And these same "benefits" should not apply to you since you probably don't have a job and if you do you're too "poor" to pay income tax anyway.

Thanks for trying, though.]]>Mar 19th 2008 2:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
And as far as farmers with a "highly eccentric" standard of living, the romanticized American family farm is dead; it's almost all corporate agribusiness now.]]>Mar 20th 2008 9:30AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
I'm saying that I didn't request to subsidize farm goods. Furthermore I did not apply to receive these goods at subsidized prices. And if I needed to pay taxes just to subsidize the farmed goods that I consume I would probably be paying less than 0.1% of my pay in taxes.

But unfortunately because you and likely your entire household is on every form of welfare imaginable, I'm paying close to 40%. And that my friend is the problem.

So while it may still be a form of "welfare" in your eyes it's not in the same ballpark as the other welfare forms I already mentioned. It's not even in the same zip code.

The government subsidizing farmed good is not for my benefit at all. I live in Oklahoma and I know (and am related to) plenty of farmers that make more money than most people on this site. I know one cattle farmer that owns a Ford GT and a 360 Modena. Do you drive a Ford GT? Do you drive a 360 Modena? I doubt it. The whole "helping out poor farmers" by subsidizing the prices is another form of welfare FOR farmers. I would gladly pay 20 cents more per gallon of milk than have to shell out more taxes so people can drive lavish cars and live in fancy houses.]]>Mar 20th 2008 4:02PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
A Modena or Ford GT? Nope, I don't have one. Oh, I'd like one, but the lot on which I built here in Suburban Chicago was restricted from a more than two car garage. And I need a backseat in a car for at least another ten years. So, as my wife needs a car as well, I'm limited to one car, so I drive a Mercedes, which my wife actually hates because she's afraid to drive it for fear of damaging it somehow.

But strangely, Richard, I think we might actually agree on farm subsidies.]]>Mar 21st 2008 7:58AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 8:45PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
Let's take for example the Hurricane Katrina victims. There were hundreds of reports about these people who spent their "government issue debit cards" on frivolous crap like designer purses and breast implants when they SHOULD have been rebuilding their houses and lives. And now, the FEMA trailers that were provided with them aren't good enough because they have measurable levels of formaldehyde. Yeah? So does every other trailer you buy off the lot. Go look for yourself. They _all_ have warnings (usually in the bathroom) saying there is significant formaldehyde due to the materials and glue used during construction. But, because these people are 'entitled' to the trailers, it MUST be fixed. The people that actually paid retail for the travel trailers with formaldehyde get the big ol' shaft. More tax-payer money wasted on welfare.

Or lets consider the people who don't pay their bills, stupidly get into an ARM they can't afford and then get foreclosed on. What oh what to do? I have an idea... The government should freeze their rates so they have an equivalent mortgage to people who actually pay their bills! Great idea. Lets ignore the fact that they didn't qualify for a fixed-rate loan in the first place for a REASON. They don't pay their damn bills.

There's no incentive for being responsible anymore. And just because people are irresponsible with their money does not mean responsible people should foot the bill.]]>Mar 18th 2008 10:06PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 18th 2008 8:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220222920165&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=012

I have one for sale!! no reserve and it starts at 99 cents!!!!]]>Apr 10th 2008 9:30PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 19th 2008 9:27AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/ Verry upset only one so far not for sale yet maybe May to July has VCR timer to change channels Echostar/Digital network TR-40 for $39.99. One thing have not seen is a 12 volt digital tuner for my 5" portable TV`s]]>Mar 19th 2008 10:53PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Artec_T3A_Pro.html]]>Mar 20th 2008 11:23AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 20th 2008 11:34AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
However, when she also implements universal health care and (like Canada) it takes 6 months to get a doctor's appointment, the quality of health care takes a dive, and we (as taxpayers) can't afford to pay for it, we'll for sure be in a bigger mess than we are now.

Unfortunately the FCC officials responsible for this are not elected officials. So there is nothing anybody can do about it. I'm having trouble understanding people's logic of "Well the government will make money so everyone should get a free converter box." The government has no money. Any money the government spends on "free converter boxes" WE WILL have to make up in higher taxes. Why is that so hard to understand? ]]>Mar 20th 2008 4:11PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 24th 2008 9:46AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/The Tech writer is right. Cable will switch to digital, I think more sooner than later. A clear signal from the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and the compromise with the FCC is what they aren’t saying. NCTA members agreed to provide over-the-air local broadcast channels to their subscribers in analog until 2012. The key phrase is "local broadcast". It says nothing about other channels that are now viewed in analog like CNN or Discovery and them staying analog until 2012. I've heard people from around the country say their cable provider has switched or is about switch to digital. It makes to much business sense for them not to, removing one analog channel frees up space for several digital channels. For reference see http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Cable_Television.html
]]>Mar 26th 2008 2:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 21st 2008 9:04PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/Mar 21st 2008 11:10PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
I was playing around yesterday with antennas in the living room. The small classic Radioshack double bowtie picks up certain stations that the large homemade 4 bay coathanger bowtie misses, and vice versa. I don't have any preamp hooked up. I was surprised the 2 bay had improved gain over the 4 bay on certain stations. I always just thought "bigger was better" when it came to this. Any ideas. Anyone tried the Hoverman design? ]]>Mar 22nd 2008 11:43AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/18/the-quest-for-a-dtv-converter-box/
Back on post, at the other Richard : does your portable have any RF inputs? If not you're out of luck (I have a color casio I keep in an office drawer for emergencies which will be junk) Radio Shack has a cheap (by portable standards) portable with both tuners, but it's still the sale price of a 13" LCD for the home at $200!

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-buy-the-accurian-7-portable-handheld-tv-on-wwwradioshackcom--pi-2855063.html]]>Mar 22nd 2008 4:23PM