Well it's only been a few days since electronics manufacturers were
forced to begin the analog to digital TV transition, and already RCA is on the scene with a digital-to-analog converter for those holdouts who still won't have replaced all their old sets by 2009. Like the flood of similar products we're sure to see in the coming months -- those government coupons go into effect in January 2008 -- the DTA800 pulls in SD and HD ATSC over the air broadcasts and coverts them to the analog format preferred by your old bubble tubes and in-wall RPTVs. Other snazzy features include closed captioning support, parental controls, on-screen program guides, and a so-called SmartAntenna interface that allows compatible antennas to optimize reception in areas of poor coverage. Since there will be some 20 million analog sets still kicking around come February 17th, 2009, according to CEA estimates, it seems that RCA is going to have quite a market for its new box -- and although pricing has yet to be determined, expect most of the cost to get defrayed by good old Uncle Sam. Unfortunately we don't have any harder details on price nor availability, as RCA says that both will be determined by retailer interest and market forces; maybe if we all feign disinterest, they'll have to start letting these go for a loss.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Doug @ Mar 13th 2007 10:58AM
Does anyone know if these adapters will work with recorders, either VCR or DVD? I can't use the output of my Panasonic HDTV converter with my DVD recorder now. Does this mean no one will be able to record shows?
Mike @ Mar 13th 2007 11:36AM
Doug,
I believe that is why the content industry wants us to move to from the backwater days of analogue to to the new wonders of digital (with HD, plus soon to come broadcast flag!).
Just remember that isn't a bug or something left out, it's a feature!
Harlan S Barney Jr @ Aug 2nd 2007 2:51PM
I charge that this is "Vaporware" and that it will never be seen outside of a press conference.
Ask RCA for a price and even more importantly, availabilty date.
You will get no answer.
Juanita @ Oct 21st 2007 7:40PM
http://www.amazon.com/RCA-DTA800-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B000U4SHZQ/ref=sr_1_1/002-5820235-4753654?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1193009227&sr=8-1
mark houlton @ Dec 24th 2007 2:08PM
I had one of these on order but I received a notice that the order was no longer available and cancelled. Where can we get a digital tuner now and not wait till next year??
mark houlton @ Dec 24th 2007 1:58PM
I have been diligently looking for pre-availablility of the RCA DTA800 and have come up short. the order I had with Amazon fell through and became unavailable. Is there a current DTA out there to buy or are we all waiting for the TV industry to let us have one??? I don't want to wait for over a year to get one....
Jason H @ Dec 27th 2007 7:13PM
My pre-order for the RCA DTA800 through amazon fell through too. I placed the order in Sep. '07 and waited until the first of Dec before they finally gave up. I don't understand why there aren't converters on the market yet. If you find someone selling the converter, please post here. Thanks.
FoX @ Feb 11th 2008 1:02PM
Even though the last post was December these are available at Walmart now as well as a Magnavox one. I just got the RCA and its actually pretty spiffy (yeah I said spiffy) Coax and RCA out on the box and its amazingly clearer then the analog signals (I have been switching between the digital and analog I still cant believe how great the digital is coming in one station here analog is snowy and b/w digital has it crystal clear) great box and 49.87 at walmart 9.87 after the coupon from the feds :)
david Hays @ Feb 25th 2008 7:35AM
Which walmart did you get yours at? I have not found one in my area? Do you know when they started to carry this model in that store? Does the RCA work with your TV as well? Thanks !
Fox @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:58PM
Walmart got these boxes in around the first of Feb. Everything works great for the box. My second one is going to be a Magnovox one they also carry. We'll see how that one works out.
Jerry @ Mar 5th 2008 5:01PM
Wal-Mart lists it as no available online and not availaible in stores. Amazon.com is also a dead end. Did they make a few of these and quit?
Fox @ Mar 5th 2008 5:15PM
I just got a Magnavox one a few days ago and they still had plenty in stock at the store. The Magnavox TB100MW9 is better then the RCA too btw.
Golda @ Mar 23rd 2008 8:53PM
I am on rabbit ears. I bought the RCA DTA800 this weekend at Walmart and cannot get the programming to come up. The message displays that the signal may not be strong enough or to reprogram channels. So I purchased a new UHF/VHF/HD indoor antenna, HDTV compatible, from RadioShack. Still same message. Any suggestions? What would be a compatible brand?
Henry @ Apr 16th 2008 1:04AM
You are not alone. I bought the DTA 800 at Walmart and it didn't work. It said there was no signal even though my antenna drives tvs and a vcr and I receive 20 stations.So I took it back. I thought I had a defective unit. I exchanged it for another and it didn't work. I have a Zenith dtt 900 that I bought from Radio Shack and it works great. Now I have a problem. I can't get my money because I used the coupon. I have to hope that in the next 90 days walmart gets a converter in that works.
Neil @ Apr 21st 2008 1:19PM
I have the same problem. I have a Panasonic TV and have tried two of the DTA800"s and both act the same. I'm beginning to wonder if it's the Panasonic.
jim.irene @ Mar 2nd 2009 1:36AM
The DTA800 instructions need to mention that after you press 'box' on the remote to turn on the converter box, you may need to press 'menu' on the remote to bring up the 'language' screen the instructions claim you will see on your TV.
My TV told me there was 'no signal' and then a lot of other useless info. It took a while to finally figure out that you can not get to the 'language' and/or 'scan' for channels screen UNLESS you bring up that menu using the 'menu' button on the remote! Further on down the instructions page, the 'menu' button is mentioned but it should be at the top of the section, in my opinion.
Ervserver @ Apr 1st 2008 11:55AM
plenty available at http://dtv.bsat.net/
Dick2 @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:06PM
The RCA DTA800 manual gives good instructions how to hook up to a VCR, but there are no instructions on how to get the VCR to record. I've tried everything that I can think of, with zero results. Does anyone know how to do this???? I'd appreciate info. Thanks.
We've had two RCA DTA800's for a week. User manual is inadequate. In initial setup, got the "NO SIGNAL" display. Ignored it and went to menu and clicked on channel selection. After it added channels, everything worked, with better pics than we ever had before on analog.
jim.irene @ Mar 2nd 2009 1:54AM
re: User manual is inadequate. In initial setup, got the "NO SIGNAL" display. Ignored it and went to menu and clicked on channel selection.
After set up, I got the no signal message but it took a long time to realize I'd have to use the 'menu' button on the remote to get the 'language' screen. Then I found the 'menu' button mentioned in the instructions much further down the page.....it should have been up with the #1 Press Box part of the page in my opinion.
jim.irene @ Mar 2nd 2009 1:50AM
The instructions should have mentioned using the 'menu' button right up there with:
#1 Press BOX on the remote
THEN PRESS MENU ON THE REMOTE!...............the following screen can be seen...........
It took quite a while to get past that 'no signal' message on my screen THANKS TO the menu botton on the remote!
Jim H @ May 13th 2008 11:01PM
I too have the RCA DTA800. In the progam mode it receives 30 channels (counting for instance, 48.1,48.2 etc.) super clear. My problem is I cannot get it to receive channel 3 ( the inoperative channel in my area) so my VCR can be used. I've called RCA but none of their "remedys" work. Anyone who has solved this problem your help would be appreciated.
Note: I have two DTA800's, one on a TV with a VCR and one on a TV without a VCR. Neither one can be set on channel 3.
shaun @ Nov 2nd 2008 10:42PM
i have dta800 converter box n a regular indoor antenna.. i cannot catch channel 8 station.. pls anyone can help me ..
KJay @ May 15th 2008 6:51AM
I have had the mis-fortune to also purchase the DTA800 via Wal-Mart. It was the only ones left in my area at the time. Used both my govt rebate "coupons" to get them.
For what they are, they seem to work correctly. However, there is a MAJOR flaw, in that I have yet to figure out how to manually ADD to the stations list. I am in an extreme 'fringe' area and have one of the largest Channel Master antennas available on a 50 foot tower with a rotator. If I point it towards one set of stations, I can get them into the list with the channel search feature. But, when I point the antenna to the other direction for the other stations, I cannot manually enter the station I.D. to get it into the list. Also, if I perform a second channel search, it erases the previously detected channels!
Anybody have any ideas?
carl wadsworth @ May 31st 2008 7:54PM
Walmart doesn't have any . . .
Now, where do I get one; using my coupon $40.00?
Carl Wadsworth
Harold M @ Jun 9th 2008 6:15PM
I have just purchased two RCA DTA800 with my coupons at Walmart.I hooked one up to my old analog RCA T.V. and followed the instructions.
It works just fine,I now pick up 30 channels clear as a bell with a standard set of analog UHF/VHF rabbit ears,I live 45miles from most TV stations in my area,but my Symphonic DVD/CD Player won't play anymore.To acomplish the convertor hook up I had to remove my Phillips/Magnavox RF modulator with a Channel 3-4 switch. There is not enough inputs or outputs to leave it installed. Is there any way to have TV and DVD with the HD convertor hooked-up.
fotoguy @ Jul 8th 2008 2:33PM
Hi Iam trying to do the same thing i have an old tv
and the dta800 works great with rabbit ears,but i am trying to figure out how to get dvd player to work
have an old rf modulator that works,to watch dvd
i wonder if another brand of converter box will work?