Converter Boxes

Do You Really Need a Converter Box?

If any of your TVs are using an off air signal then you might need a digital to analog converter box. First, check to see if your TV has a digital tuner (ATSC) or analog tuner (NTSC) or both. If your TV has only an analog tuner and you are receiving the signal from an outdoor antenna or rabbit ears, then you definitely need a converter box. Otherwise, your TV will be blank after February 17, 2009. If your TV has a digital tuner and you are using an off air signal, then you do not need a converter box.

HDTV ready?

Some TVs are HD ready but do not have a digital tuner. If you have one of these TVs you will probably want to purchase an HDTV receiver. This way, you will not only receive the digital channels but will also receive High Definition, thus utilizing the full potential of your TV. However, your $40 coupon from the government cannot be applied to the purchase of an HDTV receiver.

Have Satellite or Cable?

You have probably heard that if you have satellite or cable that you do not need a converter box. This is only true to a certain extent. You will be able to receive the main local channels but you will not receive all of the available digital channels. Cable and satellite are not required to carry all digital channels and most likely will not. If you want to receive all available digital channels you may still need a converter box. In addition, if you have one or two TVs on cable or satellite but have an additional third or fourth TV that is using an antenna to pick up the local channels, you will still need a converter box for each one of those.

Do You Need An Antenna?

You will also need a good antenna (preferably outdoors) to connect to the box. We recommend a UHF/VHF combo antenna since the FCC has indicated that some digital channels might eventually move back to VHF. All of the current digital channels are on UHF for now. Here are the current digital channels that can be received with a converter vox and may or may not be available thru cable and satellite: 2-1, 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 5-3, 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 9-1, 9-2, 9-91, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 13-1, 13-2, 14-1, 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4, 30-1. These stations are being broadcast right now and can be received with a converter box.

Another benefit of receiving a digital signal is that it is a better quality signal and you will probably notice an improved picture. Digital is not susceptible to ghosting, snow, or power interference. All converter boxes are not created equal. You will need to decide which box is best for you. For instance, the government is allowing some low power stations to remain on analog and not convert to digital. In the Salt Lake area this would include the following channels: 18, 23, 26, 45, 50, 58, 59, and 66. If you watch any of these channels you will probably want to get a box that has analog pass thru.

The government coupon compliant boxes we currently sell are the Philco TB100HH9 and the Tivax STBT9.

For the official U.S. TV Converter Box Coupon Program website, go here.
For the official U.S. TV Converter Box Coupon Program FAQ, go here.