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Re: Tv Converter Box Problem
First, as to the best converter box, go to ConsumerReports.org - DTV converter boxes ratings to check out the best boxes.
As to channel 4 lack of reception, I looked up Washington on antennapoint.com. All the stations are UHF except ABC and all on the same compose heading and as you said, all within 17 miles. Since you lost NBC (digital channel 48), your building antenna may be your problem. In metro areas like DC, with multiple buildings, you have to deal with Multi-path, Multi-path signals reaching the antenna out of phase can confuse the ATSC (Digital) chip set in your converter box (or digital TV tuner sets).
If the signal reaching the front of the antenna is not 2 to 3 times stronger than a bounced signal from the same station reaching the back of the antenna, the ATSC chip doesn’t know which signal to use, so it just keeps searching.
The answer, at the distance you are from the towers, is to buy a new indoor antenna tuned to receive digital signals and help reject Multi-path signals, working with the ATSC chipt set in your tuner.
Signals bounce off walls also in apartment also, so if you try an indoor antenna, move it around the room, to find the best location for it, aiming it in different directions as you watch the signal strength on channel 48. When it’s the strongest, check your other channels.
Buy your new antenna from someone who will refund your purchase price, no questions asked, until you find the right antenna.
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