Comments on: Get $40 and HDTV on Your Old TV http://dan.hersam.com/2008/04/07/get-40-and-hdtv-on-your-old-tv/ A computer programmer's commentary on news, Linux, programming, music, web design, trivia, humor, usability and whatever else strikes his fancy at the time. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:54:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Dan http://dan.hersam.com/2008/04/07/get-40-and-hdtv-on-your-old-tv/#comment-139568 Dan Fri, 23 May 2008 21:01:00 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/?p=1782#comment-139568 Don't believe what the Walmart web site says. I just got back from one and am now a proud owner of an RCA DTA 800 (there were over a dozen on the shelf). Oddly enough I went to Radio Shack first to get the Digital Stream DTX9900. Their site said it was in stock but the guy told me they were all out. What's the point of having stocking information if it's not accurate? Don’t believe what the Walmart web site says. I just got back from one and am now a proud owner of an RCA DTA 800 (there were over a dozen on the shelf). Oddly enough I went to Radio Shack first to get the Digital Stream DTX9900. Their site said it was in stock but the guy told me they were all out. What’s the point of having stocking information if it’s not accurate?

]]> By: Dan http://dan.hersam.com/2008/04/07/get-40-and-hdtv-on-your-old-tv/#comment-139562 Dan Fri, 23 May 2008 04:56:04 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/?p=1782#comment-139562 I finally got my coupons today and from the research I've done, it looks like the RCA DTA 800 is the best one out there right now. Walmart had it for $49.87 but it looks like they're sold out (<a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8343230" rel="nofollow">their site</a> says it's not available in stores or online). You can get one online for $54.99 plus shipping at <a href="http://dtv.bsat.net/pc-18-2-rca-dta800-ntia-certified-convertor-box.aspx" rel="nofollow">BSAT</a>. Best Buy has the <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8624081&st=insignia+ns-dxa1&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1199495190393" rel="nofollow">Insignia NS-DXA1</a> for $59.99, Circuit City has the <a href="http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Zenith-Digital-to-Analog-TV-Tuner-Converter-Box-DTT900/sem/rpsm/oid/204154/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do" rel="nofollow">Zenith DTT900</a> for $59.99 and Radio Shack has the <a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3043012&cp=&sr=1&origkw=digital+to+analog&kw=digital+to+analog&parentPage=search" rel="nofollow">Digital Stream DTX9900</a> and <a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3006502&cp=2032057.2032187.2032188.2032199&parentPage=search&sr=1&origkw=digital+to+analog&kw=digital+to+analog&parentPage=family" rel="nofollow">Zenith DTT900</a> for $59.99. I'm going to hold onto my second coupon for what used to be the Echostar TR-40 but <a href="http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2008-05/dish-team-summit-tweets/" rel="nofollow">has been renamed</a> to <a href="http://dtvpal.com/" rel="nofollow">DTVPal</a>. I finally got my coupons today and from the research I’ve done, it looks like the RCA DTA 800 is the best one out there right now. Walmart had it for $49.87 but it looks like they’re sold out (their site says it’s not available in stores or online). You can get one online for $54.99 plus shipping at BSAT. Best Buy has the Insignia NS-DXA1 for $59.99, Circuit City has the Zenith DTT900 for $59.99 and Radio Shack has the Digital Stream DTX9900 and Zenith DTT900 for $59.99.

I’m going to hold onto my second coupon for what used to be the Echostar TR-40 but has been renamed to DTVPal.

]]> By: Dan http://dan.hersam.com/2008/04/07/get-40-and-hdtv-on-your-old-tv/#comment-139295 Dan Sat, 03 May 2008 20:22:48 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/?p=1782#comment-139295 Cameron: I've looked around and read reviews to see which one I should get (having not received my coupons yet). I hadn't heard about the Echostar one, but I'm glad to hear the RCA works. Cameron: I’ve looked around and read reviews to see which one I should get (having not received my coupons yet). I hadn’t heard about the Echostar one, but I’m glad to hear the RCA works.

]]> By: Cameron http://dan.hersam.com/2008/04/07/get-40-and-hdtv-on-your-old-tv/#comment-139294 Cameron Sat, 03 May 2008 19:11:46 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/?p=1782#comment-139294 This past week I went out and bought my DA converter box. I did a little research and it appears a lot of people are waiting for the Echostar box for features and price (essentially free with Fed coupon). The problem is it isn't out until June or July (which probably means Aug), and the Fed coupon is only good for 90 days. So, I bought the RCA one and with the exception of a weak remote, it works great. I can watch all the broadcast channels now with great pictures (couldn't do that before). This past week I went out and bought my DA converter box. I did a little research and it appears a lot of people are waiting for the Echostar box for features and price (essentially free with Fed coupon). The problem is it isn’t out until June or July (which probably means Aug), and the Fed coupon is only good for 90 days. So, I bought the RCA one and with the exception of a weak remote, it works great. I can watch all the broadcast channels now with great pictures (couldn’t do that before).

]]> By: Dan http://dan.hersam.com/2008/04/07/get-40-and-hdtv-on-your-old-tv/#comment-139249 Dan Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:29:45 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/?p=1782#comment-139249 Yup, the converter will let you watch digital channels on your analog TV. When you sign up for the coupons they point that out too. Thanks for the tip on the DVD recorder to get an HD tuner. My plan is to wait for the analog TV to bite the dust before upgrading to a 42" LCD HDTV. Of course, that will take years, so I may spring for one if I find a fantastic deal. Yup, the converter will let you watch digital channels on your analog TV. When you sign up for the coupons they point that out too. Thanks for the tip on the DVD recorder to get an HD tuner. My plan is to wait for the analog TV to bite the dust before upgrading to a 42″ LCD HDTV. Of course, that will take years, so I may spring for one if I find a fantastic deal.

]]> By: Levi http://dan.hersam.com/2008/04/07/get-40-and-hdtv-on-your-old-tv/#comment-139232 Levi Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:32:18 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/?p=1782#comment-139232 I get all my TV over the air, and digital reception is great. The converter boxes you speak of are perfect for old TVs, but it must be noted that they output analog, standard-definition signals. If you hook one up to an HD-ready TV expecting an HD picture, you'll be disappointed. From what I understand, the cheapest way to get an HD tuner these days is to buy a DVD recorder that has a built-in ATSC tuner. The gov't coupon won't apply, but they're not terribly expensive and you're probably not *that* poor if you've purchased an HD-ready screen in the past. :) I get all my TV over the air, and digital reception is great. The converter boxes you speak of are perfect for old TVs, but it must be noted that they output analog, standard-definition signals. If you hook one up to an HD-ready TV expecting an HD picture, you’ll be disappointed. From what I understand, the cheapest way to get an HD tuner these days is to buy a DVD recorder that has a built-in ATSC tuner. The gov’t coupon won’t apply, but they’re not terribly expensive and you’re probably not *that* poor if you’ve purchased an HD-ready screen in the past. :)

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