http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/ Engadget HD Comments for Ask Engadget HD: What's the best digital TV 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/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
Huh?

Is it an HDTV monitor with no tuner or a plain old SDTV. The coupons can't be used to buy HDTV tuners. ]]>May 27th 2009 1:45PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
You're right about the tuner though, it's a downgraded digital signal, so not HD.]]>May 27th 2009 2:49PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 28th 2009 12:21PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 1:46PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 1:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
As for the converter boxes for the budget minded; the DTVPal works well enough for my neighbor (or so he tells me). Doesn't have buttons on it so he's got an extra remote to keep tabs on but he swears by it. He got one of the few $40 ("free") units so he wouldn't complain no matter what though, I'm sure.]]>May 27th 2009 8:24PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
After that, I'd suggest the Zenith. Both my parents and grandma use them, and they seem to have really good reception and image quality out over RF.]]>May 27th 2009 10:54PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
I'm buying two of them.]]>May 27th 2009 2:02PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 2:08PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
1) What's the best 8-track player?
2) What's the best reel-to-reel player?
3) What's the best black and white TV?
4) What's the best buggy whip manufacturer?
5) What's the best stagecoach maker?
6) What's the best converter box money can buy????????

I gotta' have it..........................snoorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr]]>May 27th 2009 2:42PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
Someone else will have to suggest a proper tuner, but don't just go and buy the convert with a coupon if you really want the best picture.]]>May 27th 2009 2:41PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1029256

i voted +1 insignia and +1 sansonic. sansonic had better PQ, but the most user unfriendly interface ever. gave my mom the insignia as it had one of the better (best?) user interfaces.]]>May 27th 2009 2:48PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
Seriously though, if you want to find one that tunes the best, and deals with DTV's biggest enemy, multipath signal reflection, the best, get one with a Zenith/LG chipset. Zenith worked with the government on the ATSC standard and the 8VSB transmission method. Zenith is now owned by LG, so you are getting the Zenith chipset with any LG or Zenith branded box. You may need to do some research as to what other boxes have this chipset. At this point, other manufacturers may have just given up since the Zenith/LG was far better than the rest, so they may all use it now.

In my own tests years ago, I had two different Samsungs, took them both back. Found the Zenith after recommendations on forums, it scanned and found all the channels in my area versus just a couple with the others. The channels were much more stable as well, and the box did passthrough (if the channel was 720p, it would output that, 1080i it would output that, or you could set it to not do that). After getting a more directional UHF antenna, signal never dropped (and of course that was back when they were all broadcasting at a much lower strength)]]>May 27th 2009 3:03PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
]]>May 27th 2009 3:30PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 10:56PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/Anybody on this blog has a HD TV with ASTC]]>May 27th 2009 3:09PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 3:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
Why is this even being discussed on Engadget HD? ]]>May 27th 2009 4:23PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 3:45PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
http://www.dtvpal.com/

Records OTA HD......alas, coupon not welcome.]]>May 27th 2009 3:55PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 4:24PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 4:29PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 4:35PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 28th 2009 10:34AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
From AVS Forums:

Worst
DTVPal - 5
Magnavox - 4

Your recomendation was voted the Worst solution.
]]>May 28th 2009 1:20PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 27th 2009 5:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
I have three converters:

Digital Stream
- This is my favorite. Mostly because of the remote.
- The remote is nicely laid out and very functional. It also controls the Power, Volume, and Input on the television.
- Digging into program info or looking at the schedule is a pain. Really the only downside.
- I think the main reason I like this is because it's like not having a converter box. The way it should be.

Channel Master
- Just works.
- Scans and sets up nicely.
- I like the way the Favorites menu works.
- I'd like it to have remote like the Digital Stream

Access HD
- My least favorite.
- Everything is slow. Start up, scanning, etc.
- If feels cheap. Snap, Crackle, Pop as you do things.
- The audio on the coax output is unusable. Usable on RCA outputs.
- I like the way you can advance program information through the schedule. This is a very nice feature.

I wanted to buy a DTVPal, but they're not available. I found one at a local Sears store for a 50% markup. I won't support that.]]>May 27th 2009 6:03PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 28th 2009 11:03AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 28th 2009 2:08AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 28th 2009 2:31AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/May 28th 2009 2:59AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
Again, one size does not fit all. What I bought for myself and what I bought for my parents, were very very different. Find someone that actually understands your area. Not to make this sound like an advert, but I had good luck with the people at SolidSignal.com. For both recommendations, they screwed up the first time. I questioned their logic, Rachel stepped in and gave me a perfect recommendation. With my old antenna, I could get 30% of the stations in on one TV with 50% signal strength. Now I get 100% of them in on four TVs (split twice) with 90-100% signal strength in all weather. No boosters needed. I'm amazed as to how much better my little new antenna works vs my big old one.]]>May 28th 2009 11:51AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/
Zenith 901: This is a good box. Works well, easy to use. The remote can turn my TV on and off, which is nice. The channel listings only go out an hour or two though, which is not great.

Channel Master: This is my favorite box. It has a good user interface, and the best picture, especially with S-video out. I can see what's coming up for the whole day in the morning. The remote can't control the TV though.

DTV-Pal: My least favorite box. It's a bit of a pain to use. It does have one really great feature though... timers. I can set it to turn itself on and go to a specific channel, like a VCR can. It's hooked up to my VCR and this is all I use it for, so I don't have to interact with it much.]]>May 29th 2009 11:04AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/Analog pass-thru, good interface menus, remote can control both TV and converter box.
]]>May 31st 2009 12:03PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/Jun 18th 2009 8:38PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/DTVPal (discontinued?) which seemed to have a poor tuner. And I see several people (above) who confirm its poor performance.
DTVPal Plus which has an "enhanced" tuner which seems to get great reviews by CNET. I think that's why DwightMix gave it a good review.
DTVPal DVR also has an excellent tuner and ALSO provides HD output, HD to SD conversion (!) and SD Antenna feedthrough. Plus it's an HD and SD DVR with no monthly fees. Again, great CNET reviews. However, it appears to have some serious bugs, so has been "out of stock" for some time because of this. I'm holding off until they fix the bugs (so I suggest you don't buy one from other resellers until you see you are getting a "fixed" unit). This will be my eventual purchase.
The DTVPal DVR will be a good solution (when fixed) for my old HDTV that has a really cruddy 1st generation tuner.]]>Jun 20th 2009 1:59AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/http://hd.engadget.com/2009/05/27/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-digital-tv-converter-box/Jun 20th 2009 2:04AM