which digital-to-analog tv converter box

[gator67]

I have a digital-to-analog tv converter box currently, but it apparently has a very weak tuner as I cannot even pick up most of the stations in a nearby city. There are so many converter boxes out there, I can't figure out which one would work for me.

I'd like to know of folks who have a converter box and are happy with it, and which is good at picking up the signals of the local stations.

[TXiceman]

A friend just went through the weak converter box. I took my small digital TV over to his rig and did a channel scan with the same antenna, booster and coaxial cable. He could got 1 channel. I got 30.

My suggestion is to ditch the converter and spring for a new digital TV.

Ken

[rgvtexan]

Remember the Dig channels are UHF, you may need an antenna mod.

[wa8yxm]

I am told by experts that the Insignia or Zenith (Both the same product) made by Lucky goldstar has one of the best tuners... However I can not recommend an LG product as every one I've ever had to deal with, including one of the Insignia (Best buy house brand) branded converter have issues. I will admit the issue with the converter is not likely to ever surface again, but I know it's there.

There was a web site I think it's on the AVS forums that had a compairson of the various tuners/converters.


But to be honest, you should look to your antenna Improvement there is your best option...

First, aim properly

Then The standard RV antenna is a Winegard Sensar II, Adding the wingman makes it an III Which is better, adding the Sensar Pro switching unit/power supply inside the rig makes it a Sensar IV and better than that I do not think you will find.

Make sure it's working properly first.

[Shadowcatche]

The price of a good flat screen TV is so low why bother with a converter.

[VanDiemen23]

I have a zenith, works fine. it's been so long since the conversion that there aren't a lot of options any more. Wal mart still sells converters.

BUT the best ratings I've seen by far are for the DISH converter. No longer available from DISH, and prices on E-bay are frequently higher than new.

YMMV

[JimM68]

a signal strength meter to help you aim the antenna is going to be very helpful.

[VanDiemen23]

the converters have a signal strength meter displayed on screen

[Wayne M]

Wow! There could be so many variables involved. You did not check your reception using a digital TV, or a borrowed converter box, so there are two variables that could be involved. The cables going from the converter box to the TV, or from the antenna are a couple more. I'd start by trying a portable digital ready tv, and if that did not work I'd start looking at connectivity, and even the antenna, as stated.

As far as what frequencies the digital signals are transmitted on, they are transmitted on both VHF and UHF. It depends on the location and how many other interfering signals. Example, if one city broadcasts on VHF, and another is assigned the same VHF channel, they may be close enough to cause interference, and in the digital world it dose not take much to cause interference. So the FCC will assign one of them a UHF frequency. In rural areas they may all be on the VHF spectrum, and in city environments some may be on UHF. So, you need an antenna that can pick up both VHF and UHF signals for areas that you travel to. I just needed to clarify that digital tv signals are on both VHF and UHF.

You can find out the spectrum a signal is transmitted on HERE

[lenjen]

I went through the converter box issue when I lost the remote for the one in my RV. With the universal remote I only picked up 2 or 3 sports channels. Finding a new unit was a hassle, there was one at Target. Now we get 8 to 10 channels at most. Not good but the news is what I wanted most.

[gator67]

As to why I don't get a new TV...

We have a Sharp LCD TV mounted in the front of our RV. It handles HD input, but not into the antenna connection. We had an LG receiver, through which ALL inputs went... cable, antenna and DirecTV satellite. It handled the local stations fine... even came in in HD. Then my LG receiver died, and they apparently don't make satellite receivers anymore which process all inputs. So... I have the satellite box going to the TV, and the cable going directly to the TV, and they work fine. I had to get a converter box to handle the antenna input. Even though we are not far from the local stations (we are in Georgetown, TX and Austin is where the stations are), we can only pick up one station. I have tried turning the antenna, but haven't been successful in picking up the signal.

I am investigating if there is such an animal as a converter box that takes HD antenna input and has an HDMI output that the TV can handle.

[Dunner]

I have the RCA and my TV and universal remote are also RCA. The universal remote works the converter.