Still waiting on your DTV converter box coupon?

[eppur_se_muova]

Check here: https://www.dtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx

Mine is FINALLY on its way, thanks to Obama's signing the necessary legislation!

[aquart]

1. I have my boxes but can't figure how to hook them up to the vcrs.

[Sebastian Doyle]

2. You would need to hook the converter up before the VCR

Antenna ---> Converter IN Converter OUT ----> VCR IN VCR OUT ---> TV

[aquart]

7. Thank you. My brain fails when it sees wires.

[this_side_up]

3. which brand has the best box?

quality built?
most dependable?
clearest picture?

thanks

[WorseBeforeBetter]

4. Aren't they generic cheap shit from China?

I have two -- a Zenith and a Magnavox -- with no complaints about either.

[backscatter712]

6. I have an Apex which is utter crap.

When I tune it to a specific channel (Channel 7 in the Denver area), it freaks out and resets itself.

Fucking junk. :mad:

[WorseBeforeBetter]

8. That would be a PITA.

These boxes seem to be all over the place:

Which DTV converter box should I buy?
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-tv-converter/

...the Apex DT250, which is loaded with features but doesn't pull in quite as many stations as the other boxes.

Digital Converter Quality Uneven
http://www.redorbit.com/news/entertainment/1375686/digital_converter_quality_uneven/

I can't get ION with either box, and am not sure whether that's a function of shitty boxes or the station holding off until the June 12th deadline for conversion.

[backscatter712]

10. My piece of shit is an Apex DT502.

AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!!!

[Raine]

12. It could be that ION is a low power station

I'm don't know whether it is or not but if it is you will need to use the "pass thru" feature to get it. HSN in my area is low power and I have to use the "pass thru" to bring it in.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

13. I just tried manual tuning and it said "no signal"...

for ION. What are you doing to get "pass thru" -- I'm not seeing it in the manual or via the remote. (I'm getting ready for the "duh" on my part...) The "DTT901 adds the ability to pass analog signals to a TV," so I have a model that can do it!

[Raine]

14. Actually"pass thru" is just a fancy sounding option

where basically you turn off the power on the converter box and just use the TV with the antenna like with analogue.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

16. As expected, "duh!"

It's a bit fuzzy, but that doesn't phase me too much. Thanks.

[Touchdown]

5. No moving parts. They're pretty much the same.

You should get 5-6 years out of it.

[alfredo]

9. Zenith

[alfredo]

11. The RCA 12 position antenna is good, but you can make a Dipole `

for next to nothing.




I made a folded Dipole 82 inches wide. I went to Radio Shack and bought a Balun for a couple dollars. That made attaching the coxial cable to the antenna simple. I used a piece of bamboo, phone line, and duct tape to make the antenna. Phone line has four lines, I used two, and folded the unused out of the way.
I attached the balun to the phone wire using alligator clips. It works well.

[sakabatou]

15. Already connected to cable