television converter boxes

[redcow]

Will I need a converter box on the TV in my 2002 Excel when I use the crank up antenna for local stations?

Jim

[redcow]

Will I need a converter box on the TV in my 2002 Excel when I use the crank up antenna for local stations?

Jim

[L44SPD]

I was thinking the same thing and decided to sign up for the coupons from the government just in case. I'd imagine you would need the converter box since the current antennae is analog in my 02 unit, however I'm willing to bet that Wingard has or is in the process of making a digital antennae. The difference for me is I'll go the cheaper way for the installed antennae, and purchase a dish later for satellite usage when we use our unit more often.

[Route 66]

The Winegard crank up bat wing antenna will work just fine with a digital signal, and a digital HD signal. Many folks are receiving their over the air HD programs already.

There is no antenna change required.

The converter box is for older TV's than cannot receive a digital signal.

The government is offering a $40 coupon toward the purchase of a converter box.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/

I understand the coupon is only good for 90 days, and there is no need buy now.

Analog TV will still be with us until Feb. 2009.

I would expect converter box prices to come down as 2009 approaches.

[redcow]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Route 66:
The Winegard crank up bat wing antenna will work just fine with a digital signal, and a digital HD signal. Many folks are receiving their over the air HD programs already.

There is no antenna change required.

The converter box is for older TV's than cannot receive a digital signal.

The government is offering a $40 coupon toward the purchase of a converter box.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/

I understand the coupon is only good for 90 days, and there is no need buy now.

Analog TV will still be with us until Feb. 2009.

I would expect converter box prices to come down as 2009 approaches. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Maybe I should re-word what I was trying to ask.
Will my 2002 TV receive a digital signal or will I need the converter box?
My trailer is in storage so can't look at the owners manual.

Jim

[Workshop]

Route 66 is correct. You can receive digital channels on a batwing antenna. Have read it and now can't find the information, but it stated that if the wing is painted white it will be ok when the change comes and will not need to be replaced for digital reception. I will post the info if I can find it.

As we have a 2001, 27 in. analog TV, what we did was upgrade the VCR recorder with a DVD-VCR recorder that has a digital turner. Turn the TV to channel 3 and use the digital turner on the DVD-VCR to watch other channels, and they are out there. With this setup I don't think a seperate converter box is needed or necessary. When the present TV is replaced, all that will be available will be digital anyway. If you go this route, be sure to get the equipment that has the antenna connection on the rear. Found not all of them did.

Hope this helped.

[Workshop]

Jim,

I didn't see your second post. I believe that you will find, because of the age of your TV, that it is an analog and by it's self will need a converter if not routing the signal as we did through a DVD-VCR or like device that has a digital tuner if using the batwing antenna.

Here is another link to FAQ's.

Hope it helps, Chris

[redcow]

Thank you all for the information.

My IQ on that stuff is lower than rockintom's

Jim