Channel Master CM-7000

Experts and users are unanimous in saying the Channel Master CM-7000 delivers one of the best pictures of any digital converter box. It is one of the few converter boxes that offers an S-Video output, but that's only useful if your TV is capable of accepting video in that connector. However, video is also excellent over the standard composite video connection. A small and cluttered remote control has drawn some criticism, and we spotted a few user complaints of a customer service department that could be more helpful. The CM-7000 can be hard to find, but Channel Master sells it directly to the public.

Although the electronic program guide is far more basic, and picture quality, while good, is not quite as nice, if you need a DTV converter to use with a VCR or DVD recorder, the Zinwell ZAT-970A (*Est. $40) might be a better choice thanks to its eight built-in timers. Channel Master also offers an advanced version, which combines a two-tuner DTV converter box with an over-the-air (only) digital video recorder that can store up to 250 hours of standard-definition programming (or 30 hours of HD) onto an internal hard drive. However, while reviews of the Channel Master CM-7000PAL are good, it is notably more expensive.

ConsumerReports.org includes the Channel Master CM-7000 in its roundup of digital converter boxes, which is the most comprehensive we've found. A long user review at the Worldwide TV-FM DX Association might be of interest to some. Lots of users at AVSForum.com have weighed in with their opinions about this Channel Master DTV converter box as well. A review at HDTVExpert.com was also helpful, but it is no longer available online.