TV Digital to Analog Converter Boxes

In my last post, I talked about how I had applied for the government-sponsored coupons that were available. I received my two coupons mid Match, 2008. Curious about how the converter box would change my TV viewing experience, I went and bought one Best Buy branded Insignia converter box the next day. That evening, I took it home and set it up. Wow. What a difference. The digital signal offers many more features than the analog signal. Here are the features that I now enjoy with this converter box hooked up to my older analog TV:

• DVD quality picture and sound
• Program guide - I get a description of current and upcoming TV shows
• Many more channels - In the Salt Lake area, over analog I received these stations: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 30 and 50. Over digital, I receive these stations: 2.1, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 9.1, 9.2, 9.91, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 13.1, 13.2, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, and 30.1. Some of the sub channels (i.e. 13.1 and 13.2 are the same program in letterbox and 4:3 formats, but most of the stations broadcast different programs during the same time slots)
• My kids like it, because now they have a couple of channels that play cartoons throughout the day
• The model I purchased has a power and channel up and down buttons on the box itself. A necessary feature, because sometimes all I want to do is change the channel without having to hunt for the remote control
  

This purchase was well worth the $20 after using the coupon. I recommend it to anyone who can receive broadcast stations over the air and also doesn't want to get rid of their analog set.