HD Report » DTV Converters

Current list of approved DTV converters

Jeb Stuart — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:23:13 +0000

From time to time we update the list of NTIA-approved digital-to-analog converter boxes. There are over a dozen more models added to the list since our last update, including two RCA models, two Apex models, the Zentech EZTV DF2000L, the Coby DTV-102, and two additional AccessHD models (the Access HD 1080U shown in picture). You can get pricing on some of the converters from Amazon.

Access HD DTA1020D Access HD DTA1020U AccessHD DTA1010D AccessHD DTA1010U AccessHD DTA1020AD * AccessHD DTA1030D * AccessHD DTA1050D * AccessHD DTA1080D * AccessHD DTA1080U * Airlink101 ATVC102 * Airlink101® ATVC101 ALPHA DIGITAL AT2016 AMTC AT2001 Apex DT1001 APEX DT250 * APEX DT502 * APEX DTA250A * Artec T3A Artec T3AP * Artec T3AP Pro * Artec T3APro CADENCE DTVC-9 CASTi CAX-03 * Channel Master CM-7000 Cleartech CT DCB100A * Coby DTV-102 * ComponexX CX-900A * COSHIP N9900T COSHIP N9901T * COSHIP N9988T CRAIG CVD508 * CRAIG Electronics International Ltd. CVD506 * DIGITAL STEAM DSP6500C * DIGITAL STREAM DSP7500T DIGITAL STREAM DSP7700P * DIGITAL STREAM DSP7700T * DIGITAL STREAM DTX9900 DIGITAL STREAM DTX9900D DIGITAL STREAM DTX9950 * DIGITAL STREAM DX8700 * Dish Network DISH Network DTVPal Plus * DISH Network DTVPal * DISH NETWORK TR-40CRA by Dish Network *		GE 22729 GE 22730 GE 23333 * GE 23334 * Goodmind DTA1000 Goodmind DTA1100 * Gridlink GLT-200 iNet Access SSR 1921 * Insignia NS-DXA1 Insignia NS-DXA1-APT * Kingbox K8V1 Lasonic LTA-260 Magnavox TB-100MG9 * Magnavox TB100MW9 Magnavox TB100MW9A * Magnavox TB110MW9 * Magnavox TB110MW9A * MaxMedia LuTRO * Memorex MVCB1000 * MicroGEM MG2000 Philco TB100HH9 * Philco TB150HH9 * RCA DTA 800B RCA DTA800B1 * RCA DTA809 * RCA STB7766G1 * Sansonic FT300A SPICA AT 2018 * SUNKEY SK-801ATSC * Tivax STB-T8 * Tivax STB-T9 VENTURER STB7766G Winegard RCDT09A * WINEGARD RC-DT09 Zenith DTT900 Zenith DTT901 * Zentech DF2000 Zentech EZTV DF2000L * Zinwell ZAT-857 ZINWELL ZAT-950A * ZINWELL ZAT-970 ZINWELL ZAT-970A *
*The manufacturer has indicated that these models are capable of passing analog signals through to the TV set.

What is an HD converter box?

Jeff Chabot — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:06:01 +0000

I get quite a few questions about the best HD converter box out there. The reality is, there is no such thing as an HD converter box. What I believe most folks are asking about are digital converter boxes, which allow the reception of HD signals. Digital converter boxes capture standard and high definition signals and convert them to analog for non-digital TVs — although if your TV is not HD you won’t be able to view the HD signals.

Products like the Access HD 1030U Digital To Analog (pictured right) may look like they were built specifically for high-definition because of the “HD” in the product name, but really all digital-to-analog converters work the same. HD quality, in an over-the-air situation, will depend on the quality of your reception and not the converter box.

Could there be such a thing as an HD converter box? Sure, there are all kinds of converter boxes to convert various video and audio signals. And, it depends on whether you are talking about converting up to HD or converting down from HD. For example, there are converters that will take your HD signal and convert down to SDI or composite, although I’m not sure why anyone would have a use for that except maybe in commercial applications.

Then there are upconverting DVD and Blu-ray players which could be called “HD converters.” They take a lower grade resolution and upscale to a hi-definition resolution. Toshiba hails its XD-E500 Upscaling DVD Player as getting near high-definition quality from standard definition DVDs.

I hope this article helps with any confusion. Remember, digital comes first. Digital television signals are how HD signals are transmitted. If you don’t have an HDTV, no worries, television stations will continue to broadcast standard definition alongside HD for years to come.

DTVPal Plus, the new Digital-Converter box from DISH

Jeb Stuart — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:28:37 +0000

DISH released the DTVPal Plus, a new digital-to-analog converter for the DTV transition happening in February. The DTVPal Plus has apparently improved upon the DTVPal by adding a better tuner to maximize coverage of weak channel signals. However, the “Plus” also means extra dollars.

Priced at $69.99, the converter will cost you $29.99 with the use of a federal $40 coupon. Most other converters I have seen go for $59.99, or $19.99 with the coupon. The DTVPal Plus is an extra $10 more. Are these converters overpriced? Yes. Is the DTVPal Plus overpriced? Yeah, but if you are going to pay $19.99 what’s another $10 if it promises improved reception.

However, I’m not sure how this will work out. If a signal is weak, it’s weak. From my experience, only better positioning of the antenna or use of a stronger antenna has improved channel reception. What I would expect is that even if it can grab weaker channels, it may drop more frames than channels with a strong signal.

DISH commands MPEG-4 transition

Jeb Stuart — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:48:44 +0000

DISH Network announced yesterday it is the first in the television service industry to offer all MPEG-4 based video encoding. In the eastern half of the U.S., in 21 markets, DISH customers with the MPEG-4 HD or HD DVR receivers will be the first to receive the advanced encoding service. At the same time, the satellite television provider is promoting its all high-definition package TurboHD.

The 21 markets include: Cleveland; Richmond, Va.; Baltimore.; Columbia, S.C.; Tampa, Fla; Green Bay, Wis.; Greensboro, N.C.; Providence, R.I.; Greenville, S.C., Knoxville, Tenn.; Raleigh, N.C.; Chicago; Detroit; Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas; Nashville, Tenn.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Philadelphia.; Washington, D.C.; New York, N.Y.; and Hartford, Conn.

“DISH Network once again leads the pack in providing customers with an unparalleled entertainment experience. Our complete MPEG-4 solution — which will offer up to 150 HD channels by the end of the year — uses the most advanced technology in the industry to deliver the best quality picture to any television set in the home,” said Jessica Insalaco, Chief Marketing Officer for DISH Network.

DISH recently released a new DTV converter box for customers who want to receive free over-the-air local digital channels. The TR-40 CRA will sell for $40, $20 less than the company’s DTVPal which is basically the same converter. Why the difference in price? DISH may have been looking for that extra $20 that many other retailers were trying to squeeze out of customers with $40 DTV coupons.

Currently available DTV converters

Jeb Stuart — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:27:10 +0000

Here is an updated list of currently available DTV converters that are eligible for the government issue $40 coupon. The DTV converter will allow your non-digital TV sets to display digital broadcast signals. If you are still using rabbit ears on your old set, read on for more information.

At midnight on February 17, 2009, analog television signals will cease to exist. Sounds so dramatic doesn’t it? In their place, broadcasters will be sending out all digital signals which are sharper, more reliable, and take up less bandwidth. Most broadcasters are already transmitting digital signals in preparation for the transition.

You can get two converter coupons per household but you have to use the coupons within 90 days. I’ve found that most converters run about $60, so you end up paying about $20 per converter. I’d say the converters, which look sort of like mini receivers, are generally overpriced. But with the coupon, they are a bargain at $20.
Here is the current list of NTIA-approved CECBs available in retails stores and online.

ALPHA DIGITAL AT2016
APEX DT250 *
Access HD DTA1020D
Access HD DTA1020U
AccessHD DTA1010D
AccessHD DTA1010U
Apex DT1001
Artec T3A
Artec T3APro
CADENCE DTVC-9
COSHIP N9900T
COSHIP N9988T
CRAIG Electronics International Ltd. CVD506 *
Channel Master CM-7000
DIGITAL STREAM DSP7500T
DIGITAL STREAM DSP7700T *
DIGITAL STREAM DTX9900
DIGITAL STREAM DTX9950 *
DIGITAL STREAM DX8700 *
DISH Network DTVPal *
GE 22729
GE 22730
Goodmind DTA1000
Gridlink GLT-200
Insignia NS-DXA1
Insignia NS-DXA1-APT *
Kingbox K8V1
Lasonic LTA-260
Lasonic LTR-260
Magnavox TB-100MG9 *
Magnavox TB100MW9
Memorex MVCB1000 *
MicroGEM MG2000
Philco TB100HH9 *
Philco TB150HH9 *
RCA DTA 800B
RCA DTA800B1 *
Sansonic FT300A
Sansonic FT300RT
Tivax STB-T9
VENTURER STB7766G
WINEGARD RC-DT09
ZINWELL ZAT-970
ZINWELL ZAT-970A *
Zenith DTT900
Zenith DTT901 *
Zentech DF2000

*The manufacturer has indicated that these models are capable of passing analog signals through to the TV set.

If you want more information about the transition visit https://www.dtv2009.gov/.

Approved DTV converter boxes

Jeffrey Nukom — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:52:48 +0000

If you haven’t got your Government approved DTV converter box yet, here is a current list of the eligible boxes. Major national retailers that are selling the boxes include Best Buy, Circuit City, RadioShack and Wal-Mart. You can find local retailers, online and telephone retailers on the government DTV2009 website.

AMTC AT-2016
APEX DT250*
APEX DT150
AVION ATB 7707
AccessHD DTA1010D
AccessHD DTA1010U
AccessHD DTA1020D
AccessHD DTA1020U
Apex DT1001
Apex DT1002
Artec T3A
Artec T3APro
CADENCE DTVC-9
CASTi CAX-01
COSHIP N9988T
COSHIP N9900T
Channel Master CM-7000
DAYTEK CAX-01
DENCA TBX1005A
DENCA NL8119
DENCA NL8118
DIGITAL STREAM DTX9950*
DIGITAL STREAM DTX9900
DIGITAL STREAM DSP6500R
DIGITAL STREAM DSP7500T
DIGITAL STREAM DSP7700T*
DIGITAL STREAM D2A1D20
DIGITAL STREAM D2A1D10
DIGITAL STREAM DX8700*
Daewoo DAC-100
ECHOSTAR TR-40*
Fuyai ATSC 630
GE 22729
GE 22730
Goodmind DTA1000
Goodmind DTA900
Goodmind DTA980
Gridlink GLT-300
Gridlink GLT-200
Insignia NS-DXA1
Jiuzhou DTT6000
Jiuzhou DTT9001*
Kingbox K8V8
Kingbox K8V1
Lasonic LTA-260
Lasonic LTR-260
MAG CCB7707
Magnavox TB100MW9
Magnavox TB-100MG9*
MaxMedia MMDTVB03
MicroGEM MG2000
Microprose MPI-500
Mustek MAT-K50
OLEVIA DTA100
Philco TB150HH9*
Philco TB100HH9*
RCA DTA800B1*
RCA DTA 800B
RCA DTA 800A
SVA DAC100
Sansonic FT300RT
Sansonic FT300A
Skardin DTR-0727
Synergy Global Supply SYN2009
TATUNG TDB3000
TATUNG TDB3001 *
Tivax STB-T9
Tunbow Electronics E60010
VENTURER STB7766G
WINEGARD RC-DT09
ZINWELL ZAT-856
ZINWELL ZAT-970
Zenith DTT900
Zentech DF2000
Zinwell ZAT-857
Zinwell ZAT-756A
jWIN Electronic Corp JD-TV1000

* The manufacturer has indicated that these models are capable of passing analog signals through to the TV set.

For an up-to-date list visit www.NTIADTV.gov.