The quest for a DTV converter box

We've had digital TV tuners for years, but for many there's a lot of anxiety associated with trying to ensure you're ready for the analog shutoff. So to do our part in helping to make the digital transition a success -- and to get some much needed cred' with the mother-in-law -- we set out on a quest for a DTV converter box.

Finding a DTV converter box that is eligible for the $40 voucher is pretty easy, in fact, in almost every place we looked, we found 'em. The problem is that the voucher is only for $40 and since those who actually need one in the first place are too cheap frugal to pay for cable or buy a new TV, every penny counts. We started off at the newest addition to the community, Best Buy. After searching around a bit, a nice blue shirt finally pointed us to a fairly large stack of Insignia DTV converter boxes in a place we might not have ever found them. Unfortunately this was the only type BB had, and the price was $59.99, which would make our cut $19. The employees knew what the deal was, and made sure we didn't have cable or anything and there was also plenty of literature about the transition nearby.

Not happy with the price, we headed across the street to the big red plug and on an end cap in the back we found a much smaller stack of Zenith boxes without a price tag. After we hunted down a red-shirt we learned that the price was suspiciously exactly the same as across the street, but unlike Circuit's competitors no one cared if we actually needed the little black box.

Searching for the best deal, we headed next door to Tar-zhay (read: Target), only to find that no one there was ready for the transition and not only did no one know what we were talking about, but no DTV boxes were anywhere to be found, so we were off. We were on our way to Wal-Mart when we spotted a Radio Shack, so we stopped by to find a Digital Stream -- yeah we never heard of it either -- for, you guessed it, $59.99. Again, we were impressed that the employees qualified us by asking if we had cable, nice.

At this point, most would've called it a day and gave up on trying to save a few bucks, but not us, so off to Wally World we went. After braving the terrifying parking lot for a spot and navigating the huge aisles, we found the electronics department way in the back of the store. Then shortly after, we discovered a pretty large stack of Magnavox DTV converter boxes for the low, low price of $49.87. So yes, we spent an entire Saturday afternoon to save $10.12 -- we like to think of it as 50 percent off -- an amount we could've easily saved by looking online before setting out on our adventure -- but what fun would that have been?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 23rd 2008 5:25PM]

closer we get wouldn't they get more expensive since if you didn't have one you couldn't get a signal? Hey buddy!!! I'll sell you this raft today for a $10 but in a month when the big flood comes it'll be $500...if you don't want to buy it then i guess you could swim or drown.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 10th 2008 9:25PM]

I have an RCA analog to digital tv converter box model DTA800 for sale... there is no reserve and the starting price is .99 as of right now I have no bids, so this could be a great chance to snag one!! Especially if you have more than 2 tvs in your house!! anyway, check it out if you want! thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220222920165&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=012

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 17th 2008 9:38PM]

We got our STB's with our coupons, at Wal-Mart -- our portion was about $10. Then it turns out that stations that use low power translators to get their signal to viewers out of reach of their normal signal, are not required to go digital! All except one, PBS, is still going to be analog in our area! And now I can't find one STB that will allow the analog pass through, using all the usual search engines that I try! When I asked at our local Wal-Mart, they acted like I was an idiot -- that ALL stations have to go digital in February, 2009. Not so! And, mind you, never once have we heard this on any of our stations we watch! Just that all signals will be digital! What a mess! I'm sure glad we didn't spend $50 on these worthless pieces of, well, excrement. . .

[(Unverified) Posted May 9th 2008 4:47AM]

Richard S.

Your ball less man, Universal Health Care in Tiwan has true compettion, now wait or appontment needed to see a Doctor 24/7, plus free home visit 24.7. But in USA there is no competition for Greedy Doctors. In USA you wait 6 months for many specialists due to fake shortage the AMA creates to keep prices up. We have welfare for greedy doctors, who only make money if you stay ill the longest. If a Doctor heals you he will loose a customer. So USA Doctors like to keep you ill!

Universal care opens up real choces, far more then you HMO gives you!

[(Unverified) Posted May 13th 2008 1:10AM]

I've been reading the comments in hopes of finding information that is relevant to the purchase of a dtv box. Somehow the issues of politics and world health have been discussed. Is there someone out there who is knowledgeable in the area of dtv boxes, which is best and why? Could that person(s) be so kind as to strip it down to the nitty-gritty so those of us who are about to use our soon-to-be-expired coupons can make a decent choice? Finding comparisons on the net has been fruitless. Thanks.

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2008 8:30PM]

I have a zenith dtx9900, and this works great. All different models have their pros and cons. You should check out http://www.dtv-hdtv.com for reviews of different converter boxes and signal tips.

[(Unverified) Posted May 23rd 2008 5:40PM]

I live in hurricane country and am concerned about disasters. Considering that Electric & Cable shut-downs can last for weeks and weeks, how will people stay connected to news? Should we all get converter boxes just in case? Also, are there 12 volt converter boxes for battery operated TV's? Thanks,