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DTV Converter boxes??

When are the DTV Converter boxes going to come on sale? I need at least 3! I cant find any yet.
 
Well, the coupons aren't going out until Feb 17, and the boxes should be available by the end of the month.

- Trip
 
StevenNOLA said:
Bestbuy shows them on their website for $59.99

I'm waiting for more brands and lower prices before getting one.

I wonder if the brand at bestbuy covers the cupons. I'm going to try to get 2 cupons.
 
jras20 said:
I wonder if the brand at bestbuy covers the cupons. I'm going to try to get 2 cupons.

I'm pretty sure it is covered by the coupons, but I'm not a huge fan of Insignia products. (I have one) I recommend you wait for something else, like an LG or something.

- Trip
 
I agree on the Insignia products...they are rather low in quality. I am holding out for the Echostar box that is in the pipeline. If it's anything like the tuner in my Dish VIP622 satellite receiver, it's a very good tuner. Also, the article I read states they will likely be offered at the $39.99 price point (basically free with a DTV coupon). Has anyone heard if these converters also do QAM?
 
Ok thanks I'll wait, I want one with a signal meter, it'll be great to put my antenna right on the tower.
 
StevenNOLA said:
I agree on the Insignia products...they are rather low in quality. I am holding out for the Echostar box that is in the pipeline. If it's anything like the tuner in my Dish VIP622 satellite receiver, it's a very good tuner. Also, the article I read states they will likely be offered at the $39.99 price point (basically free with a DTV coupon). Has anyone heard if these converters also do QAM?

I doubt that they will do QAM. In order to qualify for the coupon, the boxes must be no-frills and cannot have any HD capable outputs (HDMI, DVI, component). The outputs most likely be RF and composite only, and maybe S-video.
 
This is what I found on Bestbuy's web site:

Note: Coupon-eligible converter box; coupons can only be redeemed in store
 
this is a great topic, i was wondering when the converter boxes will be comming out and what would be the
best converter boxes to get. someone mention lg and insignia has the best boxes and the prices of these converter boxes and that the converter boxes will be comming out at the end of the month or so. someone mention about a singal finder on them or to locate the tower. we have three tv sets that will need converter boxes. thanks captex.
 
dhett said:
captex said:
someone mention lg and insignia has the best boxes

Actually, they've been panning the insignia products as low-quality.

I can't speak to the overall quality of the Insignia boxes but I'm definitely not impressed by the firmware in their DTV receivers.

DXers are finding the Magnavox units to work pretty well. We haven't tested all of them yet though. (there may be others that are as good or better)
 
I dont understand why they wont let you order these boxes online? Why is it in stores only?
 
okay, i'm a little confuse about the best converter boxes that will be available. so insignia is not a good converter box, how's about lg and someone mention magnavox box and what are the other ones that would be a good converter box and price. we have 3 tv's. thanks captex.
 
jras20 said:
I dont understand why they wont let you order these boxes online? Why is it in stores only?

I think it has something to do with the coupon handling, but I'm not sure.

I like LG, their tuner chips are good. I plan to try out the LG converter box first, asap.

- Trip
 
I'm going to try out the magnavox if I can get one today. I'll hook it up at my place in South Texas over the weekend. (Or try to) and I'll send a report back about it. I've been pretty pleased with magnavox stuff. I have a VCR thats over 5 years old and still runs great.
 
tripinva said:
jras20 said:
I dont understand why they wont let you order these boxes online? Why is it in stores only?

I think it has something to do with the coupon handling, but I'm not sure.

It's my understanding the "coupons" are actually, from a physical standpoint, essentially credit cards. I might guess that they're actually treated as credit cards, pre-loaded with $40. (so once it's scanned & the transaction reported, the card becomes valueless, preventing people from using the same coupon more than once)

Anyway, I think the vendor is required to physically scan the card to get the $40.
 
Well I got me the magnavox DTV converter box today. It works great here just south of Austin. I'm going to take it out in my place in South Texas sometime or another when I can to test it out. It has a signal meter which is very nice. I can get Austin DTV at about 58-65% power with just a pair of Rabbit ears. My out door TV antenna can pick up even better. I'm impressed with it so far. I'm just wondering if I can pick up San antonio DTV out in Lavaca county. Guess I'll soon find out.
 
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