A question for anyone who has a high-definition TV convertor

[Dave S]

Does the convertor become the "tuner" for your TV? I would assume it does but I thought I would ask just to be sure. I assume it has to be postioned in the open too so the remote will work correct?

I still have not been able to find a 12 volt convertor which is what I need for the small 10 inch DC powered TV on my boat. But if the convertor has to be postioned in the open somewhere, I see this as a problem on the boat.

 

[delliott00]

Yes, the new HDTV converters replace the "tuner" part of your analog TV. The analog signals will be going away next year and all of the local stations have to be transmitting a digital signal. That doesn't necessarily mean HDTV, as it could be just analog quality TV being transmitted on a digital signal.

Once you get an HDTV/Digital converter box, you would plug your antenna into that box, and then plug the video out from that box into your old analog TV. If you have a Glomex antenna, it should work fine with the new box. I had very good luck with that antenna and HDTV on my 320DA. As far as power, If the input voltage is 12-14 volts DC, you can make one by cutting off the cable (test it to find polarity first). If not, use a cheap AC>DC inverter. The amp draw for most small TVs is not much, and I think the DTV boxes are even less.

The government is giving each of us $40 each for up to 2 boxes per household. You'll get a coupon that can be used for a new converter at any Best Buy, Walmart, Radio Shack etc. The converters should cost between $40-70 each depending on the model. There is a website up to request your coupons.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/

EDIT: Here is a pic of my solution. I researched all the DTV boxes last year and found that this Motorola unit was the smallest (about 9"x1.5" I think) and the only one I could fit in the stock location along with a DVD player. It also worked very well. I took out the cheap 12v DVD player and replaced that with a slim DVD player from best buy for $25 and this HDTV box. It worked very well and fit nicely. The older flat screens (Zenith 15") that Sea ray used were HDTV ready and had a great picture.

If anyone wants that Motorola HDTV tuner, I'll sell it for $50 shipped. I took it out when I sold the 320DA as they were so hard to find. Remote and AC power cable included.

-Dave
'04 280DA T4.3 Alphas
'07 Sea Hunt 220

 

[Dave S]

Re: A question for anyone who has a high-definition TV converter

Dave

Thanks for the information. The problem I have is trying to mount a convertor somewhere on a 260DA and not have it look like it was installed by Rube Goldberg. So probably the easiest thing to do on the boat is just replace the current TV that Sea Ray installed (and before anyone asks.......yes I am sure it does not have a digital tuner). The trick will be to find one that is an exact fit for the recessed hole that Sea Ray cuts into the ceiling panel.

 

[delliott00]

Dave,

I don't think you'll find any flip down TV's with a digital tuner built in yet. I googled and did not see any. Since it won't get you anything right now (that TV is not going to be HDTV compatible), I'd just wait until next year when the transition occurs and see if they have them at that time. Until Feb 2009, it should work fine.

Where is your DVD player? You should be able to mount a digital TV tuner near it and just use an A/B switch to change between DVD and digital TV. I had one DTV tuner running on two HDTV ready TVs and one run to the cockpit for a cockpit TV.

FWIW, that flip down TV that Sea Ray charges ~$1800 for on the options list can be bought for around $150 at various car electronics sites online.

-Dave

-Dave