Magnavox TB100MW9 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 2.5

Recent reports have show that this box is having more reception problems that you would expect with most other TV converter boxes on the market. In order to solve these reception problems (a problem you will get to some extent with any converter box) you will need to purchase an antenna that works with digital signals.

Updates show that this product is now in stock and available for purchase again. We haven't located any physical retailers but it can be purchased online from various websites.

Product Details: It displays a very good picture quality that is in the "2nd tier" and just a slight step below that of the high rated converter boxes. Its picture quality is better than the average analog broadcast and better than the lower end converters on the market. The sound quality of it is an upgrade from analog but average at best when compared to other similarly priced ones. The L/R stereo outputs sound excellent but the RF output volume has a fuzzy sound to it when turned up. This box use to sell for around $40 but since the transition has come and gone there is less supply of boxes and it is being sold for $50-$60. 

Features: It has an above average programming guide that provides viewers with the show title, show run time, and a summary of upcoming and current shows. Like most other boxes you can also do a scan for all channels at one time or manually tune channels. It also comes with adjustable closed captioning for those that may want or need this feature. Originally it did not come with analog pass-through but it has now been updated to include this feature.

We have rated it as a middle of the road converter boxes on the market since it's analog pass-through upgrade was announced. Not only does it have this ever important feature but also comes with very good picture quality. Unfortunately it's reception issues keep it from coming out near the top. We do recommend cautiously for anyone needing a solution for their old analog TV.

Update February 2014

Real User Reviews: The reviews we have received of this box have come out pretty bad. It's a tough call because the features worked great when we initially hooked it up, but it's apparent that it doesn't work well when using it on a day-to-day basis. But then again, we have other people coming to the rescue telling us that it does indeed work well. It's a tough call, best of luck with your decision.

Ses1978 Said...

"This model has been nothing but trouble ever since the day I hooked it up in December. Funai tells me to wait until the conversion date which got pushed back to June 12 and rescan. I have to rescan sometimes just because the thing arbitrarily drops my channels without warning. One minute I get all my channels without having to get an outdoor antenna and the next thing I now it drops them or worse it gives me a black & white picture and static for sound! Funai won't take responsibility. Wal-mart won't exchange it for the newer box just because it's more than 90 days old, even though the FCC says they should. I called Magnavox itself who suggested we ask for a supervisor at Funai to ask for an exchange since they haven't already offered one. But the FCC, my local broadcasters association and even technical support at my local television station agree with me, this box is a problem. Many people in my area have had nothing but problems with it. And unfortunately, we used the coupon on it. There went that coupon."

Anonymous Said...

"I have to defend this box. I worked at TV station during the digital switch and we tested boxes for reception in fringe areas. This box had the best tuner for picking up weak signals by far.

Yes, it has design problems. It's stupid that it is worthless without it's remote. The on screen menus are bad. The remote poorly thought out.

But, if you live in area with weak signals or transmitters located in different areas, this is a good choice.

The truth is once you set it up, you'll never look at the menus again. But, the EPG is VERY basic compared with everyone else."

Specs
V-Chip Lock Parental Control Setting

Configurable Closed Captioning

Electronic Program Guide

English, French, and Spanish Language Support

What Is Included With Your Purchase?

Converter Box

Remote Control

Power Cord

RF Coaxial Cable