Which DTV converter box should I buy?

Matthew Moskovciak, June 11, 2009

As of June 12, 2009, nearly all over-the-air analog TV transmission will cease in the United States. If you rely on over-the-air analog TV, you'll need to get a DTV converter box and the clock is ticking if you want in on the subsidized-coupon program--the last day to apply is July 31, 2009. Whether you pay for the converter box out of pocket or using the coupon program, you'll want to get the best value for your money, and we've compared many of the converter boxes available at major retailers.

Out of the boxes we've tested, our favorites are the RCA DTA800B1 and Dish Network TR-40 CRA. The DTA800B1 has an excellent remote with jumbo-size buttons, a basic electronic program guide (EPG), solid video quality, and it even works with new Smart Antennas that automatically align themselves to get better reception. On the other hand, the Dish Network TR-40 CRA has the best electronic programming guide by far, displaying several days' worth of data in an easy-to-read layout. Coming in right behind those boxes is the Zenith DTT901, which actually has the best image quality of any of the boxes we've tested, and the Apex DT250, which is loaded with features but doesn't pull in quite as many stations as the other boxes. The GE 22730 Digital Converter Box comes in a distant last and should generally be avoided, as its video quality is poor, it's difficult to use, and it also pulled in fewer channels than the other boxes we tested.

Lastly, if you've got an analog portable TV that you'd like to work after the transition, the Winegard RCDT09A is the only battery-powered converter box we've seen so far. It runs off six D batteries and lasts for 18 hours, making it a good option for those that live in areas prone to power outages.

More Resources

CNET's Quick Guide to DTV transition from analog to digital TV,

A modest proposal for a smoother digital TV switchover,

Find out what digital channels you'll receive with Antenna Web,

More information on the TV Converter Box Coupon Program