Sparks

Many times when we get a question about loss of digital channels and poor reception I wonder what kind of DTV converter box or digital TV they are using. Some tuners in both TV sets and in the converter boxes do better than others. This is referring to the tuners ability to pull in the signal. Digital TV is ether a good picture or no picture at all. There will not be a good picture without a strong enough broadcast signal from the TV station.

I searched the internet and other places for information on how well the various DTV converter boxes stack up against each other. The information concerning this that I came up with is listed below. The information as to how well many of the converter boxes do is information from sources other than my personal experiences and from this forum. The ratings are sort of an average of each unit that I was able to find information about. I cannot say the information below came from any one source. I do not have first hand information of any of the converter boxes other than a few of them that I have evaluated and wrote a review about. These reviews are in the Reviews Section of this forum at: Converter Box Reviews, Ratings, and Specific Questions - DTV USA Forum

Probably hundreds of converter boxes exist. This is a list of those that are listed as the biggest sellers according to the various places that this information came from.

Rated as having the best reception - Is best for all areas especially rural and fringe areas

--Tivax STB-T8
--Zenith DTT901 This model replaced the DTT900
--Tivax STB-T9
--MicroGEM MG2000
--Sansonic FT300A
--Channel Master CM-7000
--Winegard RC-DT109A This model replaced the RC-DT109

Rated as having good reception - Is best for metro areas and the suburbs

--Artec T3AP Pro
--DTVPal More than one model available - Check it out at DTVPAL.COM
--Zentech DF2000L
--Zinwell ZAT-970A
--Zinwell ZAT-970
--Artec T3A Pro
--GE 22729
--GE 22730
--Coship N9988T
--Digital Stream DTX9900
--Magnavox TB100MW9

Rated as poor reception - areas with strong signals from all stations viewed

--RCA DTA800B

Even though the ratings of this RCA unit are listed as poor, another moderator on this forum, ‘cowboyup4christ’ works with and installs this model in deep fringe areas. He feels that it does Ok in the poorer reception areas. With this the poorest rated box operating in an acceptable manner. Those rated as good and best should do even better. On those days of poor reception that we occasionally have this converter may not maintain the programming as well without flaking out if it were used in the fringe areas.

christyanne

i'm not a very technical person so forgive me if this is a dumb question. but I wonder why there is such a difference between converter boxes and reception? even if they're connected to the same antenna?!?!

cowboyup4christ

it is all about the tuner and its sensitivity even digital tvs some have better tuners than others.

Aaron62

Exactly, that's why it's worth it do some research before you go out and buy a converter box or especially a TV.

Jay

Great post, and now it's been stuck to the top.

BillT

I just learned something new. Up till now, I believed a converter box was a converter box. It just so happens that I have an RCA DTA 800B1 and I live in a Rural Area. I picked it up at Wal-Mart and it was either the RCA or the Magnavox. The Magnavox has ridiculously small remote buttons (for me anyway) so I went with the RCA. I've got 2 of them.

Where could I find some of the Top Rated ones. I prefer to buy one locally in a store.

Thanks.

Aaron62

Only problem is, most stores only sell specific converter boxes. Best Buy only sells 2 brands, and same with WalMart.

Here's a link at Consumer Reports that mentions a where you can find 5 different converter boxes: DTV converters: Best performers from our tests: Consumer Reports Electronics Blog

Tivax STB-T9
Microgem MG2000
Insignia NS-DXA1
Zenith DTT900
Philco TB100HH9

mikeener

Any experience with this RCA model?

It was one of the limited choice at Target.

Thanks

DTVuser2009

Actually it's innaccurate on one point.

I tested my two conveters (Zenith DTT901 and DigitalStream DTX9900) on the same channel lineup on two TVs (not hard in a 24ft travel trailer) at once. on the same roof antenna (12dB Winegard Sensar) and they are tied. the only difference is that the DigitalStream does a tiny bit better with lower signal strengths below 30%. it will only break up at 25% or lower. on the Zenith DTT901 (merely a rebadged LG) it breaks up while still in the yellow zone of 45-50%. but the difference is moot because 30% on the DigitalStream is about 60% on the Zenith, but the part where they tie at is that the same weaker signal breaks up the picture, just in different spots on their signal meters, respectively.

mac4amps

I happen to own 2 of the Zenith DTT901 boxes (which were NOT purchased at the same time/place). The first one, I use with a pair of "rabbit ears", and it has always worked well. My other one (which I purchased via e-bay) is used with a "roof" antennae (actually mounted in my attic space), but I'm constantly running into some major stations (like ABC & NBC) that have weak signal, and often don't work, or they're constantly cutting in & out. And I live right outside of Chicago, so I SHOULD have great reception (right?). So does my problem stem from a bad box? or a bad antennae?