Digital TV converter boxes allow older analog TVs to pick up digital signals, which all U.S. television stations use exclusively as of June 2009. (Digital signals are preferable to analog signals because they take up less space on the bandwidth, freeing up room for emergency broadcasts and other government functions.) A number of different companies currently produce digital TV converter boxes for sale. By comparing their features carefully, you can determine which one is right for your needs.
Instructions
1. Check the number of connections on the back of the digital converter box. If you have a VCR, a DVD player or other components, you may wish to connect them to your converter box. (This is especially the case with VCRs, which you can use to record shows but which must be plugged into the digital converter box in order to do so.)
2. Think about buying the converter as part of a larger package. Some companies include digital converter technology in DVRs or DVD recorders, allowing you to continue watching television while enjoying added features. If you are using government vouchers to purchase a converter, you may not be eligible for such models, however.
3. Look at the size and clarity of the control buttons on the digital converter. Some converters have very clearly labeled, large buttons that allow elderly or near-sighted users to operate them more effectively. The buttons on other models are smaller and more difficult to operate.
4. Check the onscreen menu and determine how simple it is to operate. A digital converter with complex or confusing menu options may not be right for you. Ask the salesclerk at the store to provide a demonstration for you before you buy.
5. Compare the quality of the image itself on your TV. Some digital TV converters provide a stronger and clearer digital signal than others. In addition, particular models may work better with the specific brand of television you own.
6. See if the digital TV converter operates on batteries. While most do not, a few types are available with battery options---an excellent choice for battery-powered analog TVs or for use in places that suffer recurring power outages.
7. Weigh the price of each digital converter model against the others. The easiest part of comparing converters should probably be the last: decide what features you need, examine those models that provide them and select the one that costs you the least. Be sure to shop around as well: a different store may offer the same model you need for less.
Tags: digital converter, converter boxes