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03-07-2008, 01:35 PM
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#31 of 42 
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Gary
Member
Join Date: Aug 1998
Local Time: 03:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 1,548
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
My coupons arrived last week. The packet included a listing of stores in the area carrying qualifying models. I did a quick online price check and the local Best Buy, Circuit City and Radio Shack had them for $59.99. Walmart had two models for $49.98, so I bought one there (RCA) just to check it out. Out of pocket cost was $9.88 plus tax. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Setup is simple, and on the bedroom TV I tested it out on using an old rabbit-ear antenna, I immediately pulled in 11 stations, where previously I was lucky to get 3 or 4. Right now, the other sets in the house are connected to cable, but at this price, I will buy the other one since we have several other rooms in the house that are not cable-ready, and at some point, we may want to put an older TV in one of them as we upgrade to more digital sets.
Gary
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03-28-2008, 06:32 PM
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#32 of 42
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Local Time: 04:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 975
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
I just received my coupon. (I only asked for one since we only have one TV connected to an antenna - the others are connected to cable or satellite.) Along with the coupon is a list of about 38 different boxes. 3 of them are indicated as saying that you can also get an analog signal to the TV set. They also indicate this website https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm which has the current list of eligible boxes. Are there any ratings or reviews of these somewhere?
Thanks,
Neil |
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03-29-2008, 11:41 AM
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#33 of 42
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Local Time: 03:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 684
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
Here is the best reference that I have found so far on boxes.
Converter Box Retailers
The general concensus (?) is that the EchoStar/Sling TR-40 has the best features with it's VCR timer and EPG. |
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03-30-2008, 12:31 AM
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#34 of 42
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Member
Location: Albany, NY (May - Sept); Boston (September-April)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Local Time: 04:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 8,242
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
The problem with the TR-40 is that it's been delayed until June. I definitely want a box with analog passthrough, so I'm holding on to my second coupon in hopes that it will be on shelves before the 90 days are up.
After reading buzz online from AVS, Google, etc. and checking what was available where at that EZDigitalTV site, I ended up getting the Zenith DTT900 from RadioShack. Only one of the half dozen in my area still had the Zenith model in stock. I'm working up a PDF review now, which I'll post here within the next couple days.
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03-30-2008, 03:19 PM
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#36 of 42
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Local Time: 04:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 975
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Adam Lenhardt
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Nice review. Thanks |
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04-07-2008, 12:46 PM
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#37 of 42
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Local Time: 04:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 1,805
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
What type of plug does the Zenith come with?
My only analog TV that I still use is an old Sony Watchman that, all it has for an antenna is a little ear phone jack like output.
Will the Zenith work with it?
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04-07-2008, 10:58 PM
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#38 of 42
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Member
Location: Albany, NY (May - Sept); Boston (September-April)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Local Time: 04:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 8,242
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jon Martin
What type of plug does the Zenith come with?
My only analog TV that I still use is an old Sony Watchman that, all it has for an antenna is a little ear phone jack like output.
Will the Zenith work with it?
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It accepts coaxial and composite (red, white, yellow) cables. Here's the picture of the back from my review:
So if the jack on your Watchman matches either the coaxial jack or the yellow composite jack, it'll work. The coaxial jack will output both picture and sound. The yellow composite jack will only output the picture.
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04-08-2008, 07:54 AM
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#39 of 42
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Local Time: 03:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 684
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
While Sony had a little antenna adapter with impedence matching for the jack, in practice, a couple of simple adapters will work.
The input is a mono miniature phone jack (like a mono earphone). There are adapters to go from mini phone to RCA and adapters to go from RCA to "F" (antenna coax). I'd put the coax to RCA on the box and the RCA to phone on the TV with a simple RCA cable to connect the two.
Female RCA to Male F Adapter - MCM 27-460
RCA ADAPTER INLINE MONO METAL RCA FEMALE TO 3.5MM MALE - MCM 27-315
I've not seen a single adapter that goes from mini phone to coax. You can build one if you have rudimentary soldering skills. |
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04-08-2008, 09:47 AM
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#40 of 42
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Local Time: 04:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 1,805
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
Thanks everyone! That looks like it will work!
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05-05-2008, 07:33 PM
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#41 of 42
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Local Time: 03:02 AM
Local Date: 05-17-2008
Posts: 684
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Re: Online application for TV Converter Box Coupons
There are now 82 approved models of converter boxes. My town has three available. (RCA, DigitalStream, Zenith/Insignia) WalMart had the Magnavox but ran out quickly.
Has anyone seen any others in their retail stores?
Or talked to any that were going to get any others to stock?
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