divxhacker

I checked eBay, they have yet to put in a separate category for these converter boxes The closest that can come to it is: Electronics > A/V Accessories & Cables > Television Parts & Accessories > HDTV Receivers & Tuners

There should be a "Digital-to-Analog Converter Box" category with this map:

Make:
Model:
Power Source:
Digital Format (ATSC, DVB/T, ISDB-T, DMB/T, Multiregion):
Analog Pass-Through (if RF output included):
Video Outputs:
Video Resolution:
Audio Outputs:
Audio Frequency Range(Hz-kHz):
User Interface (types of graphics mode used):
Program Guide:
Manual:
How Upgraded:

Unfortunately, it's very hard to test the actual frequency range put out by these boxes - I fear that, in addition to picture quality seen in several boxes I've tested, the audio range put out by the boxes could be chopped.

There is a DTV test pattern generator that includes an audio frequency generator out there, ATSC RF Generator, 8VSB QAM Signal Generator - Leader Instruments , but it would be very very expensive - just see how much an NTSC/Pal monoscope generator goes for! Leader Instruments Corporation Leader Monoscope NTSC or PAL Test Signal Generator Color Bar & Pattern Generator at Markertek.com

Lurker Lee

Just curious. Do you think most of the people selling converter boxes on eBay are that knowledgeable about them and would know how to answer those questions, if the answers aren't printed on the outside of the box? I know there are people on there who sell a lot of electronics, but I sort of assumed that most of the boxes for sale are from people who used their govt coupons (or maybe the stolen numbers from another thread ) to buy boxes at the local Wal-mart and try to flip them on line. Out of curiosity I looked at one listing, and then at the seller's other listings - they had 400+ picture frames and pieces of art and one converter box.

HTNut

Kind of like their computer category with mhz, memory, etc. That would be nice, but (see below next quote)

I think Lee is right on this one. Most people are looking for a quick buck and on top of it, 99.9999999% of the converters sold on Ebay have not been tinkered with, so if you know the name and model #, it's pretty easy to figure out the technicals like the one's Divxhacker posted above.

Orrymain

Probably 20% will be knowledgeable, another 10% will be like some of us here, knowing a few things to look for and ask, but the other 70% are just looking for 'converter boxes' and will take the best deal that matches the term.

divxhacker

Ah, well, I'm trying to stir up a little action or something. I just hope I'm not stirring up the dreck from the bottom of the pond, shall we say...

I just forgot another important category- Weather Fade Correction:

Right now I'm getting terrible signal reception on only one station line: KPXN - it crashed my Panasonic DMR-EZ28, and I had to reset it. The DMR-EZ has an extended data buffer so that it composes the output stream, then "blends" any missing data through to the next refresh frame. It crashed on a corrupted refresh frame. The Motorola VOOM doesn't have any buffer, it doesn't pre-compose the data, so it looks choppier.

bellahurty

Ditto on Lurker Lee's post. I believe some suppliers and sellers on ebay are not even that knowledgeable with the products they themselves sell. So, it's important, as a caveat to buyers, know what you need and your rights as a buyer. Just my two cents!