Ok
went out a bought a cheap converter box 39.95
Venturer brand-

my review
does pick up all the channels in our area so now we have twice as many choices than on analog tv
picture is good but the sound is a little out of sync
the channels changes are delayed compared to reg TV
the remote is needed to change the channels - it is tiny
and they only give you one {we have 2 remotes for tv { one by couch and one at recliner} that we like much better}
if the digital signal gets weak it drops the connection and you have to turn the box on again to get the station back

and the remote needs to be lined up fairly straight on for it to "see" when you want to change channels or adjust volume

So my next step was to try a DVD/VCR combo with am ATSC/digital tuner.
Sylvania brand 229.99
Well.. same problem as the converter box more or less

remote is not ergonomically designed & kind of cheesy
have to have the DVD/VCR on at all times to get the digital channels
channel change is slow - same as the converter box

so both of those products are going back to the stores

We'll just wait until end of year TV sales to buy a new one that has the tuner built in so we don't have to mess around with more things to plug in.


I did get a TV tuner card {digital & analog} for my computer and it works really well even with a little plug in antenna
channels change quickly
can record shows and all sorts of things with this card and the software with it.

[Watch hi-definition ATSC digital TV and clear QAM digital TV on your PC! Analog cable TV, too!

* Dual format TV tuner for your PC. Watch ATSC and clear QAM digital TV or analog cable TV, in a window or full screen.
* Watch and record all digital TV formats, including the highest definition 1080i format
* Includes TV scheduler, remote control and IR blaster to control satellite and cable TV set top boxes.
]from here-
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/produc...a_hvr1600.html

Thanks for posting the link to this awesome card Jo55 and for the review, did you get a coupon from the Gov for this box converter or did you just outright cash purchase?

I applied for the gov coupon but when I checked the gov site it said it had been sent and deactivated already
I was waiting and waiting for it and never did get it
so i appealed on the site for a new coupon, but didn't want to wait.
paid the full price.
But I did buy at stores that have easy return policies and I made sure I didn't toss the receipt.

I guess we will just wait til we have to change over -plus there's a better chance of them improving the products by then.

I think they are withholding the coupons, this happened to Mom too, they said they sent it but it wasn't sent, I applied for 2 and we'll see if it happens to me too, I have a feeling I won't get them...

we Bought two of the Insignias for the bedrooms as they have the older TVs they work fine but I tell ya this digital stuff is for the birds, a semi goes by, screws up the signal, storm, screws up the signal, it is not the box, it is the signal, just like when we had satellite. Was a real pain. We were talking to a few sales people and they said that it would probably take a couple of years for them to get the signals strong enough and get all the glitches out of the system and there will most likely be a huge public outcry in FEbruary. Cable is going to make a fortune.

Right now I have my antenna looking like something out of Star Strek with a little foil on the ends and in the right position to get all my channels with a minimum of "static". God forbid someone should nudge it.

The tv in the living room is already digital and the bf went out and bought a very expensive antenna that you mount on the outside of the house and then got mad when the channels wouldn't come in and he couldn't adjust his antenna, that went back, then the next one he came home with was more expensive indoor one, didn't work at all but when he hooked up the dollar store one we had been using it came in crystal clear. Back to Walmart LOL.

Our new digital TV in the living room has a lot of interference and I hate watching it so I watch my foil reception in the bedroom .

Why does that not surprise me Christina? LOL! Hope the dollar store antenea holds out, it's funny how expensive ones can just NOT do it isn't it?

I found this info about how to find the best direction for your rooftop antenna-
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

I am so so so glad to see this post girls....
My MIL needs the box and I was wondering............If you have more then one tv in a house that needs it does "each" tv need one????
Or can cables be run to them all....(like Sat?)

DD and spare rooms all have tv's but will not work after this switch over.....been wondering what to do?

Stinks that perfectly good tv's will be junk...............I cannot go out and buy 3 new and one for my 82 year old MIL...........

Kay,

Each TV will require a box.

Your local PBS station will send you a few coupons for the free converter boxes if you go to their website and request one for each TV using a different name for each person that watches the TV.

http://www.PBS.org

Since I live near an Air Force Base, our signal is scrambled all of the time when aircraft fly over the house, so don't be too concerned if the signial bites it once in a while if something in the air blocks your signal once ina while.

-Vic