Consumer Reports Announces the Top DTV Converter Boxes

With the Digital Transition rapidly approaching, many electronics retailers are beginning to carry DTV converter boxes. As more brands come on the market, it's difficult to figure out which ones are the best. Thankfully, we have Consumer Reports magazine to do the leg work for us. They recently came out with a list of the top digital converter boxes. Fourteen boxes were reviewed.

The top 4 boxes rated for the best picture quality, are listed below, in no particular order:
• Tivax STB-T9 ($50)
• Lasonic LTA-260 ($55)
• Sansonic FT300A ($60)
• Microgem MG2000 ($65)

The Digital TV Transition refers to the time in which all full-powered analog broadcasters must convert to digital broadcast signals. After the Transition occurs, viewers will need to have either a digital TV, pay TV services (cable or satellite TV), or a digital converter box in order to receive digital signals. The federal government is currently issuing up to two $40 coupons per household to put toward the purchase of the converter boxes. More information on the coupon program can be found at www.dtv2009.gov.

If you already have your coupon codes and are looking to purchase a converter box, you can find the top rated Sansonic FT300A at AllAmericanDirect.com.

How the Digital TV Transition will work with your analog TV

News about the Digital TV Transition occurring in 2009 is finally starting to get around. I know this because my technically-oblivious relatives have been asking me about it during our family gatherings this holiday season. Most of them have a vague understanding of what the DTV Transition is all about, but ultimately they were still left asking, "But how will the Digital Transition affect me?" I can only assume there are many others out there in the same predicament, so I thought I would lay it out here, nice and clean.

Good News! You don't have to part with your analog TV.
First, I would like to clarify one major point. Yes, you will still be able to use your old, wood-veneered, curved screen, analog, CRT television even after the transition occurs. However, your analog TV will only work with the aid of a digital converter box. Without this converter box, your analog television will not be able to pick up the digital signals using simple bunny-ears or a roof-top antenna. You'll have to cough up some cash to buy these converter boxes, but they are much cheaper than buying a new TV. You'll also need a digital converter box for each of your devices that only have analog tuners, such as an analog-only VCR or DVD recorder. Some households will qualify to receive up to 2 coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of digital converter boxes. More information about the coupon program can be found at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009.

Cable and Satellite TV Subscribers
Cable customers will need to make sure they have a set-top box that can receive digital television signals, then convert the signals into the format of your analog television. If you are a satellite TV customer, you will likely only need to change set-top boxes if you want to upgrade to receive High-Definition (HD) programming. Viewing HD TV will require a television capable of displaying HD; your old analog TV will not be able to display HD quality signals.

You can still use your current antennas
If you're currently relying on a good VHF and UHF antenna to receive your television signals, either indoors or on the roof, you will not have to upgrade to an "HD Ready" antenna. This is because DTV broadcasters have been assigned channels in the VHF and UHF bands, between 54 and 700 MHz, where analog channels 2 to 51 are now. As long as a DTV signal is available in your area, your existing antenna should still work even after the transition is complete.

Of course, a change can be good...
If you're just looking for a good excuse to upgrade your current TV to a nice flat panel, like an LCD TV or Plasma TV model, you'll find them with built-in digital tuners. With a built-in digital tuner, you won't need a converter box. Careful though, some stores may still be selling models without built-in digital tuners. The FCC has mandated a Consumer Alert be displayed with any TV equipment with only an analog broadcast tuner. On AllAmericanDirect.com, you won't find any analog TVs, or TVs without built-in tuners.

For more information on the DTV and the DTV Transition, visit www.2009Countdown.com. Or for the government's official consumer site regarding the transition, visit www.dtv.gov.

FCC fines major consumer electronics retailers

Big Box Electronics Retailers Face Hefty Fines

Recently, the FCC began issuing citations to major electronics retailers such as Best Buy, RadioShak, Comp USA, Kmart and Circuit City, for failing to post warnings near their TV sets without internal digital tuners. If you recently purchased an analog television, the notice below is what you should have seen posted near the tv. If you're a retailer, you should make sure this statement is posted near every analog tv set to ensure compliance.

Consumer Alert

This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.dtv.org.

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To find out more about the analog to digital transition, read my previous blog entry or visit http://www.2009countdown.com/.

Find great prices on FCC compliant High Definition Televisions at http://www.allamericandirect.com/

Analog TV to Digital TV - The Digital TV Transition

The DTV Transition - Are you ready?

On February 17, 2009 analog broadcasts will cease to exist, leaving many without the ability to receive TV programs such as the news or their favorite shows.

I wish I could say there's been a lot of buzz around this particular topic, but I can't. So far, it' s been more like a dull hum instead. If you either feel as if you don't know as much information as you should about the digital transition, or don't know anything at all, don't feel bad. You're not alone. It has been proven a majority of Americans are not even aware these broadcasts are disappearing.

February 17, 2009 has been selected by Congress as the date all analog television broadcasts will stop, and stations will fully transition over to Digital Television (DTV) broadcasts. Since early 2006, most TV broadcasters have been sending both analog and digital signals. Once these analog signals are discontinued for Television viewing, they will be reused for public safety services such as emergency, fire and rescue, as well as advanced wireless services.

Unless you recently updated all your televisions, you likely are relying on an analog TV to view your programs, and receiving either free over-the-air signals with an antenna, or subscribing to pay TV services. When broadcasters stop sending analog signals, you will not be able to view over-the-air signals without obtaining a separate set-top box. These converter or set-top boxes are capable of receiving the incoming digital signals, and then converting it to display on your analog set. Without the aid of this additional equipment, you will not be able to receive free over-the-air digital broadcasts to any form of analog TV, including your small handheld TVs, or that small black and white tv in the kitchen. While these converter boxes will be relatively low cost, affording one may be difficult for some. In order to ease the burden for these consumers, the government has set up a converter box coupon program. This program allows a household up to 2 coupons valued at $40 each to use toward the purchase of up to 2 converter boxes. If you do not want a separate set-top box, your options are to either upgrade to a new TV with a built-in digital tuner or subscribe to pay TV services, such as Digital Cable or Satellite TV. Most newer TVs, especially those manufactured after March 1, 2007, have been equipped with built-in digital (ATSC) tuners to pick up over-the-air digital signals. If you currently are a Digital Cable or Satellite TV subscriber, you will be least affected by the transition. However, if you want to view Digital TV at its optimum capability, called High Definition, you will want to check with your provider to make sure you have the right equipment.

Read more about the Digital TV transition and High Definition at www.2009Countdown.com.

So long analog...

If you've been looking for a good excuse to throw your outdated analog TV out to curb, the digital television transition occurring in February 2009 would be a good one. Ok, so you don't REALLY need a brand new TV in order to receive the digital signals, just a set top box and antenna, but just think about how great the picture quality would be...

Dreams of a new TV aside, the Digital TV (DTV) transition is really important. There are a ton of people out there that either don't know anything about it or don't know much. In order to educate the general population, the FCC has set up a corny, yet informative web site for consumers regarding the switch. Just visit www.DTV.gov. You'll also find the link under my Relevant Links.

To summarize, on February 17, 2009 all television broadcasters will discontinue analog broadcasting and transition over to digital broadcasting. There are many benefits to Digital TV technology including improved picture quality, its ability to efficiently transmit more information than analog, and it can transmit multiple standard definition digital TV programs at once. Even more importantly, switching over to all digital will free up valuable analog stations currently in short supply. These stations will be used by public and safety services such as emergency, fire, and rescue services. Until the switch occurs, all broadcasters will continue to transmit in both analog and digital formats. Customers most affected by the switch will be those solely relying upon “bunny-ears” or antennas for over-the-air broadcasting. Converting these digital broadcasts into analog format will require a converter box. Cable and Satellite subscribers may simply need to update equipment.

DTV is not the same as HDTV, or High Definition Television. HDTV is a form of DTV, but is the highest quality digital broadcasting available. If you're looking to experience the full potential of digital television, you need to subscribe to High Definition programming. I'll provide more on this topic later.