Who Needs Converters?

Do you need a DTV converter box?

Despite a recent delay, the end is near for analog broadcast TV. By June 12, 2009, all broadcasters across the country will have flipped the big switch, turning off nearly all analog TV channels -- the ones we've been enjoying since the birth of television -- and replacing them with digital channels carrying high-definition TV signals and, in some cases, a multitude of subchannels offering secondary programming such as news and weather channels, shopping channels and more.

While the mandatory date for the transition has been moved to June, some viewers will lose access to analog TV even sooner. According to reports, hundreds of stations plan to shut off their analog channels sometime prior to June 12, in accordance with revised FCC rules regarding the transition. In some markets -- such as Hawaii -- the transition took place even before the original Feb. 17, 2009, deadline.

Regardless of when stations in your area make the switch, if you get your TV through a cable or satellite receiver, you don't have to worry about losing your signal because you won't be affected. You only need to consider getting a converter box for your older television if you get TV signals over the air with an antenna. Those who have not yet purchased a new digital TV or HDTV have not been abandoned, however. The life of your old analog TV can be extended by purchasing a digital TV (DTV) converter box.

To help ease the financial burden of the digital TV transition, the government has set up a coupon program that reduces the cost of up to two DTV converter boxes -- and in some cases makes them free. However, demand for coupons has outstripped supply, and the program ran out of money in early January, leaving millions on a waiting list.

If you haven't yet obtained a coupon, all is not lost. Funds from unredeemed coupons are being added back to the program as they expire (coupons need to be used within 90 days of when they are issued). Additional federal funding for the program is anticipated, but it's unclear when more coupons will become available as a result. Also, while the coupons reduce the cost, they are not required for purchasing a DTV converter box. Most boxes retail for $60 and less, though a few more expensive options are also available.

Manufacturers might have done a better job anticipating demand than the government as there is a dizzying array of DTV converter boxes available: Nearly 90 government-coupon-eligible converters are on the market, and almost as many have been approved but are not currently available. Fortunately, we found a few good review sources to help buyers cut through the clutter. CNet.com tops the list. Though the site doesn't review the most converter boxes, it does a great job of describing the differences between the boxes it does cover and makes some clear recommendations. Consumer Reports is the champ in terms of number of DTV converter boxes reviewed -- currently 31 -- but while boxes are grouped by picture quality, no recommendations are made. We also found detailed and informative reviews at HDTVExpert.com and DTVFiasco.com. The dedicated DTV converter box discussion forum at AVSForum.com is exceptionally helpful for learning about which boxes leave users the happiest.