[Don_S]

I searched this topic and only found one post.

Can anyone recommend a good model/brand? 

Anyone familiar with the more expensive GE model that is supposed to be "smart" and lock in the best signal?

Everyone I found only had antenna in/out and RCA stereo out and video out.  What is the purpose of the RCA outs?

My kitchen table-top Sharp sits on a VCR.  Currently I input my roof-top antenna into the VCR and then out from that to the TV.  I watch TV with the VCR off.  I am assuming I can do the same thing with the converter box>VCR>TV using only the coax antenna connections.  Is that correct? 

My Panasonic DVD-recorder will also require one.  I do not think there are any models of converter boxes that will allow me to program multiple channels to record while I am gone for a week or two.  As far as I can figure out the converter box has to be manually set to the channel that is recording.  Is that correct?

Thanks for any help.

[WGH]

The Samsung converters are good, I have been using one (SIR-T151) daily since the 2004 Summer Olympics. A friend has the Samsung SIR-TS360 which he uses strictly for OTA broadcasts. The TS360 can also upconvert a standard DVD or VCR signal to 1080i which then looks very acceptable on a large screen. The manual says it can control a VCR, I have never tried this function and the instructions are less than clear, but you can download a manual and and see if it makes sense to you.

The converters you can get through the free coupon program are very limited in what they can do. The RCA DTA 800 from Walmart have both a RF output and a composite output along with the L-R RCA audio outputs so you can plug the audio into a receiver for "big sound".

I solved the digital recording problem with an ATI TV Wonder 650 tuner card in my computer, it works beautifully but is not a solution for everyone.

Wayne

[Don_S]

Wayne,  Thank you for the response.  I just spent 40 minutes searching both the RCA and Samsung sites.  I did not find converters on either site.  I searched in both in general terms and by the model numbers you provided.  First I checked the menus for each site in case they offered multiple items.  Zero, zip, nada.

[WGH]

I'll help you out:

RCA DTA800 at Walmart

Samsung SIR TS360
I should have mentioned it is an old model, discontinued but still available on eBay. If you go this route make sure the Direct TV card is included, even though the box works perfectly without a Direct TV account, you still need the card inserted to make it work. And make sure it has the remote, replacement remotes can cost $$$.

Samsung SIR-TS360 manual in PDF format.

Samsung SIR-T151, none available, discontinued.

Samsung Set Top Boxes - Digital TV Converters
The SMT-H3090 looks interesting because it is also a digital video recorder, make sure it records OTA programs too.

You can do more research and get more answers at AVS Forum.

Wayne

[Don_S]

Wayne,  Thanks for the info.  I checked the RCA DTA800 at WallyWorld.  It is not available online.  It is also not available in stores.  Guess that means it is not available.

I sent emails to both Samsung and RCA customer service asking what the heck is going on.  I could not find available converters on either website.

[WGH]

Are you using the free $40 voucher cards for the converter boxes? The card is the only reason I would ever go into a WallyWorld. I picked up a couple of the RCA DTA800's a couple of weeks ago, but they sell out quick at $14 each after using the card. You just have to keep calling to find out when they are in stock, then rush down the same day.

The cheap converter boxes will start selling out quicker and quicker as more people get their cards and the Feb. 18, 2009 deadline gets closer. A whole bunch of people who don't get cable will be banging on their TV's and then calling around frantically looking for a converter box at any price because they procrastinated.

If you already have the card, then you received the paper with the eligible converter boxes. I only picked the RCA box at WallyWorld because it is $10 cheaper than the boxes at Rat Shack, Best Buy, or Circuit city. I got the boxes to give as presents and am basically a cheap SOB.

Now if you too procrastinated and don't have your two $40 cards yet, you can sign up here:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/
I think my cards took 6 weeks to arrive.

I sent emails to both Samsung and RCA customer service asking what the heck is going on.  I could not find available converters on either website.

The converters are called Digital Set Top Boxes. I guess you missed my previous link:
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/subtype/subtype.do?group=audiovideo&type=digitalsettopbox&subtype=hdtvtuners

Just for fun I went to the RCA website, clicked on the image below (try it - it's clickable)

and even though they don't sell high end digital set top boxes, they do sell a 27" digital TV.

Wayne

[Don_S]

Wayne,  Thanks for the tip on how long it takes to get the coupons.  I have not ordered mine yet but I guess I should.  I kept hoping that closer to the deadline there would be more choices.  It does not seem like industry or the retailers have really jumped on this thing.  Little or nothing on the manufacturer's websites and no ads in the Sunday fliers from BBuy and Circus City.

You are right about WallyWorld.  I was just following the link you sent me.  Sometimes I go in there if I can't find what I want someplace else.  That = about 2X a year.  A week ago they were still selling RG-59 coax and 950MHz splitters.  Talk about behind the curve.

I will probably end up with a Zenith from Circus City.  Not too many choices in my town.  Some who have their splitters already are enjoying digital already.  The nuisance is my DVD-recorder will only record whatever channel I set the adapter to.

[Don_S]

Wayne,  Has anyone tried the RCA boxes yet?  If so, some feedback please.

I am trying to help my sister long distance.  She has her coupons and was going to go to Target and get two Venturer boxes.  I told her the consumer feedback was horrible.  She has an extra 10% shopping day coupon for Target and she wants the boxes cheap.

The next cheapest is WallyWorld and the RCA boxes.

I just ordered my coupons today and I am leaning toward the Zenith boxes at Circuit City.  For what I spend on audio equipment I certainly don't care about an extra few $$$ for a converter box.  I want the best reception I can get without bleeding each month for cable or satellite.

[WGH]

Don, I have only tested the RCA box for about 5 minutes, it worked, all the stations came in crystal clear, so I packed it back up and gave it to a friend. I can't comment on reception, here in Tucson the broadcast antenna is at 8000 ft. on Mt. Bigelow so everyone has a great line-of-sight, and with an outdoor antenna signal strength is no problem.

Any old analog antenna will work, that is what I use, but my signal is so strong I could could probably get reception with a stick. There are new smaller digital TV antennas available, my neighbor just got one. A new antenna will probably cost more than the converter box. A good starting place for antenna info is Antenna Web: http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Wayne

[Don_S]

Update on my experience with two converter boxes.

After advertising that the programmable Dish Network DTVPal would be available at Sears it does not seem to be available. Well at least not in the Sears near me. I called twice in the last couple of weeks. The response I received was they had them in one time and they sold out quickly. They have no idea when (I say "if") more will be in stock. Meanwhile my coupon goes tick, tock. Anybody have better luck?

I have one Zenith 901 with a manufacture date of May 2008. It works great on TV but is worthless for my VCR. I hooked it up with component cables (better than the factory ones) to Input 1 on my VCR and programmed the VCR to record Input 1 at a certain time. I set the Zenith to the proper digital channel and left it on. The picture that was recorded was pretty good but the audio was unbelievable.

I played the tape back through my 46" Sharp with the volume maxed. I simultaneously played it through my main 2-channel system with the volume MAXED. Yes, I mean TV and stereo system simultaneously at max volume and I still could not hear the dialog loud enough to understand it.

So be warned, the Zenith is great for TV. I use it on my 15" Sharp LCD in the kitchen. But the Zenith is entirely useless for a VCR and probably for a DVD-Recorder as well.

[Doublej]

For what its worth, Zenith comments.

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/zenith_converter_box_better_than_advertised/C91

[Don_S]

Somebody just pointed out to me that I probably needed to have the volume turned up on the Zenith during recording.  I never thought of that since volume is a moot point when recording off the coax antenna in. I never had to set volume before.  I am not sure that is the answer but I will try it sometime to be sure.

I still do most of my recording via my analog DVD-Recorder with hard drive that is on my main system so it does not have a converter box yet. The TV does not need it. I only tried to use my VCR and converter box (kitchen system) once with the results reported. 

[WGH]

I hooked it up with component cables (better than the factory ones) to Input 1 on my VCR and programmed the VCR to record Input 1 at a certain time.

-----------------------------------------------
I never thought of that since volume is a moot point when recording off the coax antenna in.

Are you running the composite video cable and audio L & R to the VCR or the antenna coax? You probably should not do both, though it really shouldn't matter, but on these cheap boxes who knows what interactions exist.

Try running just the coax from the Zenith antenna-out to the VCR's antenna-in, you will have to set the VCR to record channel 3, or the set output channel.

The volume button is a good guess too.

Wayne