Zenith - DTT900 Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Review

Welcome to the digital age using an analog TV.  Several months ago I went on line to (http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon) and processed my two coupon cards for Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes.  Not being fond of the cable company either, I was eager to try 'em out.  I had THE MOST BASIC cable package which included only local St. Louis stations, government access programming, all the shopping networks (puke) and the local public access channels.  I had to go with it...  The landlord would not allow me to mount an outside antenna and an inside antenna only received blurs. 

There are good and bad points to a converter box.  The good...the picture is as good or better than cable. (Better in my opinion.) I can't explain the electronics of it...but, the same antenna that got rotten analog reception now gets great digital reception.  There are more stations too.  The local NBC affiliate runs one normal and one weather channel.  The local PBS station has FOUR channels.  You can also "zoom" in if you don't like the 'letterbox' style.  If I still lived back in North St. Louis County, I would be picking up stations from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.  Living in the city with all the wires and buildings blocking signals, I'm glad to be picking up what I do.

The bad...several, but they are outweighed by the picture.  If you run the RF cable into your TV or VCR the signal is MONO!  However, there are also A/V cables. (left & right audio and video)  If you use them into the back of your TV or VCR the reception is stereo.  I run the RF cable into the back of my TV.  I also run the A/V cables into the back of my VCR and then run ouput A/V cables back to the TV.  I know...I know...so many wires.  But this way I can have both the great picture and stereo sound.

More bad...you CAN NOT record one channel on your VCR and watch another on TV.  What ever signal is coming out of the box goes to both.  So what?  I got an extra TV in the bedroom with the second box.  Last Saturday evening I recorded the original "Thomas Crown Affair" with Steve McQueen.  Great flick.

Bottom line; if you don't have the $$$ to shell out for a HDTV, go on line and get your Converter Box Coupons or call 1-888-DTV-2009.  That's 1-888-388-2009.  I can't afford $300 or more for a 19" HDTV.  I already have a 25" flat panel.  Why downsize?  This will cost you about $20 after the coupon discount.