Converter box size

sbw1

sbw1

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2006
8,188
West Michigan
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Has anyone looked into installing a converter box on their analogue TV so it can receive the digital signal coming in 2009? I've got an Aquos flatscreen that is too new to replace. I'm wondering if anyone knows the size of coverter. Hopefully it's small enough to be tucked under a stairway or out of the way spot where it doesn't waster storage space.
 
Some boxes are starting to appear on the market. "The Digital Stream boxes measure about 7 by 4 by 1.5 inches." Smaller boxes will appear as the units mature. Since TV reception is every man's God given right protected by the Constitution, the government will be giving away $40 coupons so that consumers can purchase a box.
"The NTIA, a division of the Commerce Department division, is overseeing a federally funded program that will make available to qualified TV households coupons worth $40 toward the purchase of the converter box. The coupons will be available starting in January."
Click to expand...

Best regards,
Frank C

P.S
I think your coupon request should probably not indicate that you want the converter for the TV on your half-million dollar boat.
-fc3
 
I still haven't found a convertor for 12 volt TVs like the flip down unit I have in my boat. And Sea Ray is still offering theses same flip downs in their 2008 models too but I wonder if they are analogue or digital?
 
Aren't all flat panels already digital? I thought the only TVs that were affected were the ones that only get VHF channels 2-13.
 
Sea Gull said:
Aren't all flat panels already digital? I thought the only TVs that were affected were the ones that only get VHF channels 2-13.
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I'm pretty sure thats what I read. All newer TV's should be OK I thought. If you tune with a dial, you need a converter though. Most TV's have had digital tuners in them for quite a few years now, I would imagine the fold downs Sea Ray has been using are digital. Correct me if I'm wrong though. SB
 
Newbie said:
I'm pretty sure thats what I read. All newer TV's should be OK I thought. If you tune with a dial, you need a converter though. Most TV's have had digital tuners in them for quite a few years now, I would imagine the fold downs Sea Ray has been using are digital. Correct me if I'm wrong though. SB
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Not even close.

That a tuner uses digital or analog technology to demodulate a signal does not indicate what type of signal is being demodulated.

Standard definition analog television is broadcast based on a standard known as "NTSC" which is generally known as "never twice same color." :grin: High definition television is broadcast using the ATSC promulgated by the Advanced Television Systems Committee, hence the name. For any set to receive the high definition programming, only kind of TV broadcast signal after Feb 2008, an ATSC tuner is required. A close relation of ATSC is QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) which can most easily be explained as the cable TV version of ATSC.

If your tuner is ATSC/QAM compatible, you don't need a converter box.

Best regards,
Frank
 
As far as I know the flip down in my boat does not have a digital tuner. Nothing is mentioned in my manual and I can find nothing searching the menu available on the TV.

When I do an internet search for "digital tuners" for flip downs, the only sites that come up for me are ones in the UK. This seems a bit strange to me. Maybe I will email the manufacturer of my TV to see if they can give me any insight.
 
First Born said:
So Frank it has to be a HDTV or you will need a converter box?:huh:
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Not necessarily. But manufacturers pretty much don't want to spend the money on an ATSC/QAM tuner if the display isn't HD. Look in the TV's manual for ATSC/QAM tuner. If you don't have ATSC/QAM, you'll need the box in 2009.

Best regards,
Frank
 
Thanks for clarifiying it. I probably have four or five TV's then that will need converters :smt013 What is the main purpose of this changeover? SB
 
OK, so does the "old" antenna get the digital signal? Seems like it should since rabbit ears supposedly will work and this does a much better job than ears.
 
Never mind on the antenna. Just checked the UFO web site and the company states that analog and digital signals are received. Thanks for the other feedback.
 
The FCC is in the process of auction off that part of the spectrum. Auction was set for last week.

There were a lot of companies looking to bid. Seems like everyone is dropping out. The one many thought was going to bid hardest just folded the company and died. The FCC rules for the new bands are pretty onerous. Should be interesting, but we'll probably get screwed by verizon. The other big money players don't seem to want to play. Even google stepped back.

The HDTV bands are higher frequency than the old VHF. I've not looked into marine antennas to see if they cover the band. It's UHF-ish.

Best regards,
Frank
 
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We get UHF on our TV with the UFO and that comes in pretty clearly. The web site does state the new digital signals are received. Range is supposed to be about 40 miles for the gain on my set up.
 
Sounds like you should be good to go. But if not, there's always a KVH M3. :grin:
Best regards,
Frank C
 
Talk about getting thrown overboard, that might just get me pushed "over the edge." I'll settle for a small box that fits under my steps so I can keep the nice storage behind the flat screen. Like others, I was surprised to learn my TV is digital. This issue will be interesting to watch.
 
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