Winegard RC-DT09 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews


Product Rating: 3.5
Update: Another box that has sold out at almost all retailers and without any plans for more of them to be produced. This one wasn't one of the best out there but it was good enough that people that had already bought it could certainly get by with it. With a quick online search you may be able to find it at 1-2 retailers but the further we get from the transition the less likely this is.

Product Details: The Winegard RC-DT09 is very similar to the old Winegard RC-DT09A. In this regard it comes with a picture quality that rates just below the first tier of boxes we have looked at. This means that it is a major improvement an compared to analog TV but that it could also be better, evidenced by what we've seen from other converter boxes. Sound quality is good too. Not the best we've see but pretty clear and of a high quality.

Features: This box comes with all of the standard features including a program guide, analog pass-through, adjustable closed captioning, parental controls, just to name a few. The only difference between this and the older Winegard box is that this one sells for less money and comes with analog pass-through. Funny how that works right? This one sells for $50 instead of the $65 that the older version costs. At $50 this is actually a pretty good buy. If you are interested in either of these I would recommend this one because of its extra feature. Analog pass-through is a very important feature that most people will need.

Winegard RC-DT09 Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: We haven't seen much chatter about this box but listed below are the reviews that have been submitted to us thus far. Please check back in the future for more reviews.

Thomas Said...
"The receiver feels very solid and has a very good build quality. It is not too heavy for a receiver packing 95 watts/channel and does not get very hot at all, even after a three hour marathon watching Lord of the Rings III - The Return of the King. I particularly like the quick selection buttons that are like macro buttons you can program for events such as watching a dvd/blu ray movie or listening to the radio or a cd, etc..."
Jonas Said...
"The remote for the RC-DT09 is decent. It is adequate and feels solid in build quality with smallish buttons that are somewhat rubberized. The remote is also able to control some other gear such as tv's and dvd players which is nice, but it is definitely not a universal remote." 
Specs 
V-Chip Lock Parental Control Settings
Configurable Closed Captioning
Electronic Program Guide - Shows Current and Future shows
On Screen Signal Strength Meter For Easy Manual Tuning
Energy Star Compliant

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
Remote Control Batteries
RF Cable

Zentech EZTV DF2000L Digital TV Converter Box Reviews


Product Rating: 3.0
When this was available for sale it was a great option, but no surprise that it is now out of stock. The stock on this guy lasted all the way through the transition but the company stopped producing it after, thinking that there would be no more demanding for converter boxes. Unfortunately demand has been high for several reasons. One being that a lot of people didn't heed warnings about losing TV and waited to convert. The other being that a lot of various converter box models have proven to be unreliable and consumers have been forced to purchase a new one. We were unable to find this one at any retailers or even at any online auction websites.

Product Details: You get the fairly common second tier rating for both the picture and audio that this converter box puts out. Again, it's a significant improvement over your typical analog broadcast, but there are other boxes out there that provide even better improvements than this one. Still, it is sufficient at what it does and you could certainly do worse.

Features: As stated before this ones comes with the most important features, analog pass-through. It also has the three common and important different language options including Spanish, English, and French. It comes with its own remote control for your convenience and also an electronic program guide that gives you upcoming show details up to a week in advance. This makes it one of the best guides out there. This DTV converter box also comes with parental control settings so that you can monitor what your children watch. Finally, it comes with adjustable closed captioning and is energy star compliant.

If you are looking for a mid rated  box that will get the job done but don't want to spend a ton of money then you can't go wrong with the Zentech DF2000L. It's clear that there are other converter boxes out there that are better but at the same time our review showed that this one is sufficient at supplying consumers what they need.
Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: At this time no users have submitted reviews about this TV converter box. Please check back from time to time as we will be sure to post any reviews that we do receive.

Specs
Accepts All ATSC Formats
Electronic TV Programming Guide
Closed Captioning -Personalize it
Parental Controls With V-Chip Technology
Analog Pass Through
Energy Star Certified

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
Power Cord
Owners Manual

Sunkey SK-801 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews


Product Rating: 2.5
This is another one of only a few boxes from the digital transition days that is still available for sale brand new. You can get it at Amazon (as of May 2014) but beyond that you will be hard pressed to find it.

Product Details: The picture quality of the Sunkey SK-801 falls somewhere in the middle range. It is still better than analog broadcasts but you can definitely get a better digital picture with other options. Albeit options that are no longer for sale. This product is like most other converter boxes in that it comes with great sound quality.

Features: A short list of some of the features you get include the program guide that lets you see current and upcoming show. It also is one of only a few that has a VCR timer for the recording of shows. It also comes with the ever important analog pass through function so you won't lose low power stations that aren't required to make the transition. Finally, it comes with composite video and RF outs. This box was government certified back in the transition days so that means it comes with a pretty good set of features as was required by the government. As of now it sells for just under $50. It is not a top rated box but also sells for a reasonable price considering its quality. If you don't want to spend a lot of money but want a converter box that will get the job done then this one will work for you.
Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: For further details regarding the use of this converter box by please see the user reviews below that were submitted to us via email and our comment section.

Sheryl Said...
"My Sunkey does not work after just 3 months of use. And the use was sparingly since I don't watch TV everyday. It quit working when I left the TV on for about ten hours while watching and then falling asleep. The green light comes on, but it does not pick up any channels, nor does the box responds to the remote."
Tony Said...
"This box wouldn't work for my sister so she gave it to me. I got it to work but it died after only a couple of months. The red light will come on if you want to turn the thing on but it will not go off without unplugging it. It doesn't get any channels anymore. It makes a nice paper weight though. It was used sparingly if at all. There's some really crappy electronics inside. I suspect that maybe it was made by Sony or Belkin as their products behave like this, in my experiences. I guess this Sunkey is my latest experience with crap consumer electronics. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! THIS IS THEFT!"
Anonymous Said...
"Same as the first post. My Sunkey quit working when I forgot to turn off the converter one night (the tv was off, but the box was on). Now, the green light comes on, but it does not pick up any channels, nor does the box respond to the remote. The only thing I can do is turn the light to red if I unplug/plugin the box.
Jerry Said...
"I have two Sunkey boxes, one died about a year ago, the other died last night. When I plug them in, the on/standby light lights up as red (which is what it should do). If I then press the on button on the box or on the remote, the light will change to green (which is what it should do). But there is no picture, that is, it transmits a black screen image to the TV. Once the light on the box has turned to green, there is no way to turn off the box except by unplugging it. Neither pressing the power button on the box nor on the remote control turns it off. Has anyone found a way to fix them? Can the boxes be reset by sending a specific signal to a connector in the converter box (perhaps to an internal connector after removing the lid)? My boxes never ran hot." 
Specs
Works With Every Current ATSC Signal Format - (All 18)
Analog Pass For Lower Power Stations
V-Chip Lock Parental Control Setting To Control What Your Children Watch
Personalize Your Closed Captioning
Electronic Program Guide To See What Shows Are Airing
Signal Strength Meter For Tuning Channels Manually
Energy Star Compliant
English, French, and Spanish

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
Remote Control Batteries
RF Cable

Artec T3AP Digital TV Converter Box Reviews


Product Rating: 3.0
This older version from Artec has been out of production and unavailable for purchase for quite some time now. This is not a major concern though because the company has done a good job of upgrading and keep new boxes in stock. The intention was to let this one go out of stock since they a newer version for sale that has more features. You can still find this box on auction sites but it's highly doubtful that you'll find a new one anywhere.

It has been upgrade several times, the upgraded versions in order from earliest to latest models are the Artec T3AP Pro, Artec T3AP-LL, and Artec T3AP-LS.

Product Details
: The picture that you get here is great. When viewing free over the air broadcasts with it you can get a picture quality that is a small step below DVD quality. When you consider that it is truly free television we think this is pretty amazing. Its picture quality will give consumers a significant upgrade from the average analog broadcast that they have gotten use to over the years. In fact, its current quality is pretty reminiscent of what you get with a paid service like cable. The sound quality for this box is also up to par with our standards and the standards for most converter boxes. It allows you to get crystal clear sound without the static or interference that you may have become accustomed to in the past.

Features: The T3AP is very similar to all of the other Artec converter boxes on the market. It comes with an electronic program guide, on box buttons, multi-language functions, and even analog pass-through. It also comes with a remote control although not a universal remote so it can't be programmed with remote codes to work with your TV.

Overall our review revealed that this is a great option.  This box comes with a bunch of excellent features, great picture and sound quality, and also sells for a very reasonable price of around $40-$50. If you are looking for a cheap yet high quality optin then this one would be a great choice.

Artec T3AP
Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: See below for several reviews that were submitted to us by consumers who have purchased and used this converter box.

Anonymous Said...
"This converter box is OK as long as your remote control does not break or does not get lost. The box is absolutely useless if the remote control is no longer available. There is only one button on my unit and that is for on/off. There is no other way to change the channel w/o the remote. Some of the new models have arrow buttons to the top, bottom, and sides which allows you to change the channel manually."
 Sean Said...
"What a ripoff! I bought this from TigerDirect and it has good picture quality but the remote has a range of less than 5 feet (yes, I changed the batteries with known good ones and cleaned the windows). Which means it's pretty much TOTALLY USELESS unless I am using the TV for a stool. TigerDirect offers no exchange on it and just refers me to Artec. Artec has NOT answered any emails after two weeks! Very disappointed!"
Specs
Works With Every ATSC Format (All 18)
Sleep Timer
Analog Pass-Through For Lower Power Analog Stations
V-Chip Lock For Parental Control Settings - Set The Rating You Want To Be Blocked
Configurable Closed Captioning Fonts
Electronic Program Guide
Signal Meter On Screen For Tuning Channels
Energy Star Compliant And Certified
English, French, and Spanish Language Support
Compact Size

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Users Instruction Manual
Remote Control
Remote Control Batteries

Airlink101 ATVC102 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 2.5
Another converter box that is out of stock unless you want to either get it used or pay a ridiculous price! Currently there are some used ones on eBay and Amazon and a couple sellers on Amazon selling new ones for over $150. We recommend that you look elsewhere if you are in need of a converter box.


Product Details: Great picture and sound are two staples of this Airlink box. When using it you can expect to feel as though you are watching a paid service such as satellite or cable. No static anymore, although remember, getting a digital antenna can go a long way in helping you to pick up channels consistently and even find new ones. Basically put, it does what you expect a converter box to do, not a whole lot more, and not less either.

Features: The Airlink 101 ATVC102 comes with a bunch of quite excellent features that are sure to satisfy. It comes with a program guide (TV Guide) that supplies you with most of the same program info that you get with a paid service. It also comes with a V-chip that allows for parental controls so that they can monitor the ratings that their children have access to. It even has adjustable closed captioning so that the hearing impaired and personalize their viewing experience. One extremely important feature for this box is that it comes with analog pass-through so you can keep channels that aren't required to make the transition yet. A remote control is another staple of this product and its on screen meter that displays signal strength helps immensely when trying to individually tune channels. As a last mention, it has three different language settings of English, Spanish, and French.

Airlink 101 ATVC102
Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: If you have been wanting a real world opinion of this box then see the reviews below. They were submitted to us by actual users of the box and give the best representation of what you can expect from the box. 

Njpski Said...
"When changing channels an opaque channel info screen takes up >50% of the screen and stays for several seconds. ANNOYING! Reception seems finicky compared to 3 other Models/Brands I own. This model does not pick up the local PBS channels (which all other models do). Front has only ON/OFF button. Lose the remote and you're toast without some other universal remote. I do like the signal button on remote. Signal strength numbers jump between 49% & 74%m as if any change automatically registers as 25% swing. Does pick up analog channels w/ analog pass thru.  
Remote well organized. No support for TV ON/OFF function but does have volume, thru adjusting the ATVC102 box. I paid $0 for two units using the 2x$40 coupons via mail. Pass this one by unless you are getting 3rd 4th or 5th boxes and don't want to have to pay a dime. I like the ability to easily change the screen format at the touch of a button. 
Compared to my 3 other brand boxes, this one gets the LOWEST marks. Was hopeful the AirLink101 website would give some aid regarding firmware installed and signal/tuner strength. Other than a general info page, they IGNORE the fact that they make these models. Something tells me their manufacture was an afterthought to tap into the US $40 coupon mark. Quick and dirty. GO elsewhere with your money. The one redeeming feature is the remote which lays out well, and has good button access and placement. Unfortunately muted signal strength puts the usefulness of a good remote into question."

Joe Said...

"Great unit, sound and video quality is superb, easy to setup, the previous review was not 100% correct - the red/green buttons do work for channel list. Get 3 PBS channels, received a total of 42 channels, a big surprise."

Anonymous Said...
"The Airlink101 AVTC102 is a very good converter box for the money. I am able to watch all of the channels available in Houston including three PBS channels. I would recommend scanning your box once a week to pick up additional channels. Also try getting a decent antenna to go with the box. You will get more channels and a clearer picture."

Sam Said...
"I Love this box! I paid nothing but the coupon for it and to my surprize this box works BETTER than my roomates RCA and Magnavox! Crystal clear picture and sound. No breakup like my roommates! Easy setup. I am going to use my second coupon to get another Airlink 101!"

Specs
RF Input, RF Output, RCA compatible Output 
Size:: 182 x 118 x 36 mm (L x W x H)
Energy Star Certified 
Displays All Of The 18 Used ATSC Formats 
Analog Pass-Through 
V-Chip Editable 
Closed Captioning 
Electronic Program Guide 
Triple Language Support For English, French, And Spanish 
1 Year Limited Warranty

What Is Included With Your Purchase? 
Converter Box
Owners Manual
Remote Control
Batteries
RF Cable
Power Adapter
A/V Cable

Zinwell ZAT 950A Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 4.5
Zinwell has put this box out of production intentionally because they have a better version that they have decided to keep stocked and available for the long term. Finally, we have found a company that plans to keep producing converter boxes and have them available for sale even after the digital transition has come and gone.

Product Details: Just like its older brother, (Zinwell ZAT-970A) this one comes with excellent picture quality. It is in the second tier of boxes for its picture quality which means that it is not quite as good as the very best but still a pretty big improvement from the average analog broadcast. Again, it is just like its older brother in terms of its sound quality. Using this converter box will give you crystal clear and crisp sound quality. It rates right at or near the top in regards to its sound quality.

Features: Some of these features include with this box are an electronic program guide, the ability to scan for channels, adjustable/changeable closed captioning, analog pass through, and much much more. The new 950A is better than the older version because it comes with a built in VCR timer so you can record television shows, a silicon based tuner for better signal gathering strength, and 8 ports so that it can work with your VCR for recording.

This is a great product brought to you by Zinwell. The older one was a good one and the Zinwell ZAT-950A is even better.  The company really thought it through and provided some pretty neat and rare feature here. We have concluded that it deserves a very high grade. At a selling price of $64.99 it is also a good buy. Overall it is a great converter box and there are only a few other options that are as good as this one.
Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: For further reading on the quality of this product please read the real user reviews listed below. If this is still not enough check out the comments section as we are always getting new information from users.

Lance Said...
"Don't loose the remote. Without it you can't access main menu, this is no good seeing as mine is in sleep mode set for 90 min. It caused me to replace it with one that's more user friendly and loosing the remote on my new means turn on/off & channel changing requires more manual type effort or children are my go to method in my house. A universal remote was not the answer either as none I tried could communicate with this thing. Just buy one that can be used with or without the remote. That's my 2 cents, GOOD LUCK!"
John Said...
"The only complaint I have about this unit is that the timers sometimes change themselves. I may, for example, ask it to tune to CSI on 9-1 from 9-10 PM and it will instead change the timer to 67-3. One must check the timers regularly to make sure they haven't become corrupted.
Unfortunately this is just about the only converter box with a timer, so I'm stuck with the occasional misfire."
LisaRea Said...
"I bought myself a 950A back in September and am relatively pleased - it does tend to "lose" the channel, when I have the timer set for recording via my VCR. Mine has a "bypass" button: I can leave the unit powered-on, hit the 'bypass' and my analog reception is clearer (than just turning-off the Zinwell).

I recently purchased a 2nd unit for a friend. Same model BUT the remote HAS NO BYPASS button (despite the information being in the manual). So, I think I need to try a different product to see if it has a 'bypass' AND whether that makes a difference for my friend."
Specs
Pass-Through For Analog Stations That Aren't Required To Switch Over
8 Event Timer
Configurable Closed Captioning For Personalized On Screen Display
Parental Controls With V-Chip 
Electronic Program Guide
English, French, and Spanish Language For Captioning And Operation

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
Users Manual
Power Adapter

RCA ANT 2000 Indoor Smart Antenna Reviews

Product Rating: 4.5
Update: This antenna is sold out and no longer available for purchase. From time-to-time you can find one used on eBay, but you're best off looking elsewhere for your antenna needs.

Product Details: The RCA ANT2000 is an excellent smart antenna. This antenna is specifically designed to be used with any converter box that come with a smart antenna port. If your converter box does not support smart antenna technology then you will have to get a different type of antenna.

This smart antenna comes with an amazing new flat omni directional receiver that allows it to get signals from a full 360 degrees range. It allows you to get HDTV, DTV, UHF, and VHF signals all with one antenna. This antenna comes with special technology that helps it to grab and amplify weak signals to get better reception from further away than traditional antennas. The RCA ANT2000 can either be laid flat or hung in the air and is ultra slim and compact.

Features: It comes with patented smart antenna technology that allows it to automatically shift itself to the optimal reception position. It works with all boxes and digital televisions that come with a CEA909 smart antenna port. This smart antenna is also optimized for HDTV reception for both UHF and VHF bands. Another great thing about it is its extremely low profile flat design. It is also great because it will communicate with your television or converter box to lock in the best reception signal for each channel and filter out unwanted noise. Lastly, has also been shown to receive television signals from further away than the average smart antenna and also provide a more clear picture.

If you are looking for a smart antenna to improve your overall TV reception then the RCA ANT 2000 is a pretty good choice. Our review has indicated to us that although not the best smart antenna on the market this one is quite good when considering its cheap price of $54.99. We can't promise you the world with it but assure you that it will eliminate that annoying tasking of constantly adjusting your rabbit ear antennas and in most circumstances should allow you to get more channels.


Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: Please see the user reviews below in order to get a more clear picture of the functionality and reliability of this antenna. These reviews were submitted both via email and through our comments section, please see the comments below for even further reading on this antenna.

Michael Said...
"This antenna works pretty well. Before getting it I got about 10 digital channels and after installing the antenna I was getting around 20 channels. I live in the Philly area so there is a lot to choose from. It is not the most robust as I have friends with multi-directional outdoor antennas posted high up and they are getting upwards of 50 channels. It all depends what you are going for and how much money you are willing to spend. For me 20 channels was fine as I don't watch TV all that much."
Tara Said...
 "This antenna was average at best. My reception improved and I got a few extra channels but honestly, I expected more from it. I may go forward and try a rooftop antenna to see if I can get more channels."
Tessa Said...
"Love it. Cheap price and now I get crystal clear reception where as before my rabbit ears had to be adjusted for each and every channel that I watched" 
Specs
Weight: 3.1 pounds (lbs)
Size: 12 x 12 x 1.2 (in inches, L x W x H)
Full 1 year warranty against manufacturer defect
Supports all digital signal types (UHF, VHF, HD, and DTV)

Why should you consider a Smart Antenna?
We suggest getting a smart antenna because digital television signals are much different than analog television signals. With digital signals you need to have your antenna pointed in precisely the right direction or you will not get a signal if it's far away. In order to be able to get the best picture possible without having to move your antenna constantly we suggest a smart antenna. Smart antennas are made so that you can set the antenna to remember which direction it must be pointing in order to pick up each individual channels signal. Then when you change channels your smart antenna automatically adjusts to the setting that it remembers for that specific channel. This allows you to get the best picture and sound quality possible without ever having to manually adjust it and completely automates the tuning process.

Spica AT2018 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 4.5
Update April 2014: Another small brand that we have never heard of and were skeptical about. Unfortunately we weren't able to find out a lot about this product but it's a moot point now because it has sold out and can't be purchased anymore. When it was for sale it was set at a pretty affordable price but we have no idea about its functioning quality.

Product Details: The Spica AT 2018 is a widely unknown and rather unpopular converter box. When attempting to do this review we were unable to find sufficient information it and couldn't get our hands on one. The only retailer we could find that was selling it was Amazon. Unfortunately we were not able to gather any info on it's picture or sound quality and therefore can no give you any suggestion on whether it is a good buy or not.Our only thought was that this DTV converter box was manufactured at the request of Amazon and for their exclusive sales rights but we are totally guessing here and don't know for sure.

If you are interested in reading more about the Spica AT2018 and seeing if it is right for you we suggest that you head on over to Amazon and check out the user reviews over there. We apologize for not being able to bring you more info on this box and hope to be able to do so in the future, if and when it becomes available at more retail locations in-store and online.
Spica AT2018
Features & Specs
Analog Pass-Through
EPG
18 ATSC Format Compatible
Parental Control Settings
Easy To Install
MPEG-2 Standard Compliant
Supports Emergency Services And Closed Captioning

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Manual
Remote
Power Cord

Dish Network DTVPal DVR Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 4.5
This product was great while it was around but it has sold out and cannot be found for sale except through auction sites where users are selling a used version of it. In fact, even these used ones are very hard to come by and we haven't seen any in quite a long time.

Product Details: The Dish Network DTVPal DVR is unlike any other box we have looked at. Dish Network has come out with some great boxes but this one is just crazy. It is a souped up version of all of the other Dish boxes that were already great. It is essentially exactly what the name says. A two in one converter and DVR. In fact, it is the first one available that combines the powers of both a Digital Video Recorder and a converter box into one product.

It is just like the DTVPal, DTVPal Plus, and TR-40 CRA in regards to its picture quality. It is essentially the same box with the added DVR feature. This means that is comes with the absolute best picture you can expect with free over the air digital signals. The sound quality is also quite excellent. If you are looking for crisp clear sound similar to cable or DVD quality then you will want to get this converter box.

Features: It comes with more features than any other box on the market. First and foremost it comes with all of the standard features including a top notch program guide, parental controls, adjustable closed captioning, analog pass-through, VCR timers, its own remote control, 3 aspect ratios, and much much more. Since it is a DVR it also comes with the following other features: HD and SD resolutions, a DVR tuner, two built in digital tuners, ability to record two broadcasts at one time, the ability to record up to 150 hours of video, and also DVR trick modes such as pausing a show and skipping ahead.

This TV Converter Box/DVR is very expensive at around $250 but is also a one of a kind product. If you are looking for a both a DVR and converter box then it might be better to just buy them in tandem as one product. As a stand alone converter box this is one of the better rated ones in the industry and the DVR also appears to function quite well. If you are planning to shell out the cash to get a converter and a DVR then you might as well knock out 2 birds with one stone and get this combo.
Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: We haven't got a ton of feedback from consumers on this converter box, just one review up to this point. For further user reviews check out our comment section as new ones may be added from time to time.

Joan Said...
"The Dish Network DTV-Pal DVR has an excellent RF front end. It works with analog television sets and HD monitors. Compared with the RF front end on the Samsung STB, Digital Streams STB and Zenuth 901 STB, the sensitivity on the DTVPal DVR is much better. Besides having an excellent tuner and RF front end I love that it has a DVR as well!!!"
Specs
HD & SD Resolutions
DVR Tuner
Dual Tuners For Recording One Show While Watching Another
Energy Star Certified 
Three Aspect Ratios
Analog Pass-Through 
V-Chip For Parental Controls
Closed Captioning 
Electronic Program Guide 
Language Support For English, French, And Spanish 
1 Year Warranty

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
DVR Converter Box
Owners Manual
Remote Control
RF Cable
Power Adapter
A/V Cable

Memorex MVCB1000 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews


Product Rating: 3.0
This box has been taken out of production by the manufacturer and it is no longer supplied to retailers for sale. The current stock has sold out and it can only be found sporadically on auction sites if you are lucky. It was average at best and there are better options out there that you should go with instead.

Product Details: According to the information we compiled over the internet the Memorex MVCB1000 appears to have excellent picture quality. Early reports show that it is a significant and major upgrade from analog television and that it even helped some people to get a bunch of extra channels. Not only do you get a better picture and viewing experience with it but you may get some new channels that didn't even know existed. The sound quality for it has also be reported to be very good and quite crisp.

Features: It comes with the standard ability to converter digital signals for viewing on an analog television. This converter also comes with TV guide for programming information, a sleep timer, adjustable closed captioning, parental controls, 3 language supports, and its own remote control.

Although we only found very limited information when doing this DTV converter box review, all the info that we did find was very positive. However, at a price of about $65 it is a bit expensive, especially for not having a brand name to back up its long term reliability.
Memorex MVCB1000

Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: For further details about the function of this box see the reviews below that were submitted to use via email.

Sarah Said...
"I purchased 2 of these boxes when they first came out, one at rite aid and one at wal-mart. Each store only had one each. One of them works fine but the other is a very sorry piece of crap. You have to stand directly in front of it to make it work. Then it will immediately turn off. Turn it back on and it goes back off. I have to do this two to eight times before it will finally stay on. It has no range whatsoever. I would definitely NOT recommend this piece of crap to my worst enemy."
Rennee Said...
"I have a Memorex Digital Converter box that has never worked from the day of purchase. I have done all of the trouble shooting suggestions to no avail. Then on top of all of this when I called the 1-800-919-3647 number I spoke with two representatives who had limited English skills and very limited comprehension. I am highly disappointed with this product and the service received. I vow to never purchase any other product manufactured by this company nor will I recommend to anyone I know to purchase anything manufactured by Memorex."
Alexander Said... 
"I purchased this product in Canada approximately 1 year ago and have been using it for 6 months. It died. There is no reset instructions for the unit. I am extremely disappointed in Memorex, I refuse to pay online for advice. Based on what is posted here I am not alone. No menu, no guide, no nothing. If anyone has a fix for this let me know. I think that I will look for an alternate manufacturer in the near future. Truly a waste of hard earned money with no support from Memorex."
Specs
Works With 18 Different ATSC Formats
Analog Pass-Through
V-Chip Lock That Allows For Parental Control Settings
Configurable Closed Captioning Fonts
Electronic Program TV Guide
Energy Star Certified
Works In Three Languages - English, French, and Spanish

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
Attached Power Cord
User Guide/Manual

Tivax STB-T12 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 4.5
As of 2014 this is one of only a few converter boxes that is still available for purchase. The majority of boxes are out of stock and if there ever was one that you'd want to still be able to purchase it's this one. This baby is loaded with a bunch of great features and does its job extremely well.

Product Details: The new Tivax STB-T12 is almost exactly like the old Tivax STB-T8. It comes with the same great picture quality that people have come to expect from Tivax boxes. It also comes with excellent sound quality that provides users with a great viewing experience. Beyond this it can be reasonably assumed that it will stand the test of time just like the previous two converter box versions that are still being reported to be running great for the majority of consumers.

The only major difference between this and older versions is the added S video output that many people have been asking for. Before this box came about the Channel Master CM-7000 was the only converter we were aware of that had the S video output feature.

It has been shown to be very reliable over the long haul as we have seen very few complaints about it breaking or refusing to run properly. It is available exclusively online and currently sells for $60-$80 depending on where you purchase it from. We highly recommend this converter box just like we did with all of the other Tivax converter boxes. Without any more government coupons this will cost you a decent amount of money but if free over-the-air TV is what you want then you can't go wrong here. Take a look at the complete list of features below in order to make sure it has everything you are looking for.
Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: To this point we have only one user review of this box. For more reviews see Amazon.

Anonymous Said...
"This box works great, got one at a thrift store for $10. I like the controls on the box, not like my old magnavox were I had to use only the remote. I also love the fact that I can reprogram for new channels with add on function and not have to do a full reprogram and lose channels and have to start over like my magnavox. The magnavox is an early model and did not have analog pass through. I should have bought tivax the first time around. The on screen program menu is not the greatest but I bought the converter to watch tv, not to read tv."
Features & Specs
Analog Pass-Through
V-Chip Lock Parental Control Setting
Configurable Closed Captioning
Electronic Program Guide
On Box Buttons
On Screen Signal Strength Meter
Smart Antenna Port
Energy Star Compliant
English, French, and Spanish Language Support
Compact Size
Supports Both 4:3 and 16:9 Aspect Ratios
S Video Output

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
Remote Control Batteries
RF Cable
AV Cable
1 Year Manufacturer Warranty

Artec T3AP-LL Digital TV Converter Box Reviews


Product Rating: 3.0
This converter box is no longer available for purchase after being pretty popular and selling out at most retailers. Artec came out with a bunch of different models and we are bit confused because most of them have the exact same features. In other cases they kept adding one feature at a time to each new upgrade, pretty weird we thought. Anyhow, if you were interested in this model there are several other Artec boxes still available for you to choose from.

Product Details: The picture and sound quality for the Artec T3AP-LL are both quite excellent. It provides a solidly rated picture with very clear images and excellent color contrasts. Deep right blacks and ultra smooth movements are what you get. The sound is also crisp and clear, and without questions a big upgrade from old school analog. As far as compared to other converter boxes this one rates out super well in regards to viewing experience. When watching you will almost think that you have a DVD popped in. It is currently priced at $45-$65 at most retail locations. At $65 it isn't that good of a deal because there are $40-$50 boxes that are just as good or better However, if you can find a retailer selling it for $40 I would jump on that right away. But be quick, this converter box is sure to sell out quickly just like all of the ones on the market.

Features: As far as features go, it comes with a pretty standard set of features. It has a basic TV guide that displays program details. The guide is pretty user friendly and we really like the setup of it. It also had an auto sleep mode that helps it to save power and lower your electricity bill. On box buttons are another rare feature that we see on this box which helps in the event that you lose your remote, batteries die, or it breaks. Three language closed captioning support is also available with this box. This is one of the best boxes on the market and you can't go wrong with it. For a full list of features and what you receive with your purchase please see below.
Artec T3APLL
Updated: April 2014

Real User Reviews: We haven't had very many comments or email feedback regarding this box but there are a couple user reviews below.

Frank Said...
"I bought one in August and until now it is working just fine! Good image quality (but it is not DVD image quality) and good reception! I can tune any channels around 10 or 15 miles around my house and I can even tune CBS (70 miles from my home) using a better indoor antenna with a reflector! I hope this product will last for a few years!! The only negative point I have found is with the remote control. It will only respond if you are within around 7 or 8 foot of your Artec converter!"
Mike Said...
"I purchased this converter box because I was looking for one that had analog pass through. This one had that and was rated pretty highly by everybody. I am pretty happy with my purchase and am getting crystal clear pictures and an extra 4 channels since hooking it up."
Features and Specs
Analog Pass Through Function
V-Chip Lock Parental Control
Adjustable Closed Captioning
Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
Signal Strength Meter (On Screen)
Power Saver Auto Sleep Mode
Energy Star Certified
Multi-Language Support (English, Spanish, French)
Some On Box Buttons
Compact Size
Displays All 18 Different ATSC Formats
Composite Video Jack
Stereo Audio Jacks
75 ohm Connector
6.40”W x 3.90”D x 1.20”H (Approximate)

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control (Non-Universal)

Detached Power Cord
Users/Owners Manual

Artec T3AP-LS Digital TV Converter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 4.0
This converter box is no longer available for purchase at any online website or with any brick and mortar retailers. This is pretty typical with most boxes, as manufacturers stopped producing them just after the digital transition took place. If you want to find a converter box your best bet is to check online through either eBay or Amazon.

This converter box has been reported to have reception issues. As with most boxes, this is totally incorrect and it in fact is an excellent choice, provided that you get a digital or smart antenna (something that you will need with any and all converter boxes).

Product Details: Is picture quality the most important thing in your choice regarding a converter box? If so then this little box just might be for you. It comes with great picture quality that is only beat out by a couple of others out of the 100+ that we have reviewed to this point. It is the same as all of the other Artec boxes such as the Artec T3AP Pro and Artec T3AP-LL.  It comes with rich deep colors and reminds me of when I am watching a movie on my DVD players. The T3AP-LS's picture quality is far superior to that of old analog signals. The audio quality that you get is also top shelf. Not only does it come through crystal clear but it is very crisp and sharp. Of course if your TV has bad speakers this won't be the case. At an affordable price of only $45-$60 it is highly recommend. Although don't buy it for $60. Please do your due diligence, you can find it for less.

Features: As far as features go it is pretty loaded. It comes with a pretty neat sleep mode that we haven't seen with a lot of others. This allows you to set a sleep timer and it will shut off. It also comes with V-Chip technology so parents can block shows with certain ratings. As far as the electronic program guide goes, its pretty standard. The adjustable closed captioning allows you to change the font and size along with a choice between three languages - Spanish, French, and of course English. On box buttons are also a nice edition that we haven't see very often. It also has the ability to work with some very specific universal remotes (sold separately). 
Artec T3AP-LS
Updated: April 2014

Real User Reviews: This is another box that we haven't gotten much feedback on but there are two user reviews left below. However take them with a grain of salt, as having only two reviews don't really give you a good idea regarding the products quality.

Don Said...
"I manage a complex for patients with active TB. We bought 4 different kinds of converters and the Artec T3AP-LS stands out. The picture is noticeably brighter and it's easier to use. Two of the others run really hot. This one stands out enough for me to take the time to write this review. If we have to purchase any others will be certainly getting this one again."
Jon Said...
"We bought the Artec converter box from Radio Shack. The box works well, but the customer service is absolutely awful. No one answers the phone, or it is busy, and the representative who answered the phone, asked us to wait until she found a pen!"
Features and Specs
Analog Pass-Through
V-Chip Capability For Parental Controls
Adjustable And Personalized Closed Captioning
Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
Signal Strength Meter
Sleep Mode
Energy Star Compliant
Tri Language Support
Several On Box Buttons
Small Size That Fits In Tight Spaces
Works With All 18 ATSC Formats
Composite Video Jack
Stereo Audio Jacks
75 ohm Connector
6.40”W x 3.90”D x 1.20”H (Approximate)

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control

Users Manual
Detachable Power Cord

Artec T3AP Pro Digital TVConverter Box Reviews

Product Rating: 3.0
The Artec T3AP Pro is no longer available and has been upgraded several times, the upgrade versions include the Artec T3AP-LL, and Artec T3AP-LS. For some reason the company keeps coming out with updated versions of its boxes but we are seeing very little differences in the models. It would be nice if they would come out with an all encompassing box that has the majority of the key features that all converters should have.

Product Details: The picture quality for this product is actually very good. When watching free over the air broadcasts with this one you get a picture quality that is just a tiny notch below that of a DVD. If you are looking for a significant upgrade from the quality you get then the it is a good one to consider. The sound quality is also very good for this product. It is similar to most of the others we have looked at in that it gives viewers a crystal clear sound.

Features: It comes with an electronic programming guide that shows/displays information for upcoming shows and currently running shows. It also comes with real physical buttons to allow control without the remote control. The best thing about it is that it was upgraded from the Artec T3A Pro to include analog pass-through. Other key features include an external power adapter and multi-language functions. It does not come with a universal remote control or a smart antenna connection port.

This box has just about everything. The only things it is missing is the smart antenna port and the remote being able to be programmed for universal use. Other than that it is very good and for most it will get the job done very well. We highly recommend it if the price is right. If you can find it for under $50 we say go for it!
Artec T3AP Pro
Update March 2014

Real User Reviews: For further details regarding the reliability of this box we have provided several reviews left by users. You can see even more info from real users by checking out our comments section at the bottom of this post.

Ken Said...
"The T3AP Pro Digital-to-Analog Converter Box will only show stations that have a 90%+ signal. If the signal is weak, the station doesn't show. Before the stations in Buffalo went digital, I could pick them up fairly well with rabbit ears, not the same quality as Toronto stations. After Buffalo went digital, I can no longer pick them up with the T3AP Pro Digital-to-Analog Converter Box."
Wil Said...
"I have an Artec, have had it since the conversion, and have been very happy. Unfortunately now the remote won't hold a program, even for the converter box. Could this just be a battery problem or something else and if it is some thing else where could I get a new one? Like I said, outside of the issue with the remote I am very happy and this box has function very well for me for several years."
Specs
Works With All 18 ATSC Signals
Comes With Pass-Through For Lower Power Analog Stations
Automatic Sleep Timer Settings
Parental Control Settings For Keeping Your Children From Seeing Adult Rated Shows
Composite Video
Stereo Audio Out
75 ohm RF Video/Audio Jack (Coaxial Cable)
Electronic Program Guide
On Screen Signal Strength Meter
Energy Star Compliant
English, French, and Spanish Language Support
Compact Size

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
Remote Control Batteries
External Power Adapter

Craig CVD508 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews


Product Rating: 1.0
Product Details: This box is not considered a top of the line converter box and is not priced out as such. It can be had for around $45 which is pretty cheap. Top boxes to consider that are a bit more expensive include the Dish Network DTVPal Plus. This box doesn't come with the best in industry picture or sound quality but it gets the job done and is an upgrade from what you are use to getting with analog television.

Features: It comes with composite video and audio jacks. It comes with a remote control that is NOT universal. It has adjustable closed captioning and parental control settings available via V-chip. It also comes with a sleep timer so that it will automatically shut off at the set time. This converter box also comes with a program guide that provides information about future and currently airing shows for each channel. One key feature that makes it a good buy is its analog pass-through function that allows you to get channels that continue to broadcast in analog. It also comes with language support for Spanish, French, and English.

As stated before, the Craig CVD508 is not a top rated converter box but it seems to have enough features to satisfy most users. It comes with the most vital function, analog pass-through, and it is also very reasonably priced at $45. We however do not recommend it. One complaint about this box is that the remote control is not very good and some of them seem to be faulty. However, the main complaint we have gotten from many users is that the box overheats and seems to fail at the 2-8 month mark, which is clearly unacceptable.


Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: The following reviews have been sent to us by users of the CVD-508 totally unsolicited by us. In general they were pretty bad and we strongly advise against purchasing this box.


Anonymous Said...
"I work for a TV station and we've had many complaints from viewers saying they can't get us or any other station anymore. We took on apart and found it blew capacitors from overheating. This unit is a bad design and cannot properly cool itself. Hence a two month life."
Mark Said...
Like countless others, I bought two of these things. One worked for about 6 months, the other a little longer but they both broke. The green light is on and won't turn off manually or with the remote and no reception."
Fran Said...
"I have the same story as everyone else. First box went after 3 weeks and the second one is in the process, first channel buttons on box and now the remote. Why hasn't the people who made the signal change done anything about this."
Anonymous Said...
"I've had my box since last year, and have had no problems at all. I suggest turning the box off when not using it, or when it gets hot. One thing I noticed, you have to move the antenna around to get most of the channels to work, when other converter boxes pick up more channels, and better signal at that. Remote works fine, and I hope my box doesn't overheat and stop working like the rest of you. I wish you the best of luck, and I highly recommend purchasing a Digital Stream converter box. It's the best one I've seen so far."
Sam Said...
"I to was one of the victims of Craig Electronics with CVD508 TV converter box like all of the commenters above. Mine worked just about 10 minutes then the picture got frozen. I found out it was because the box got so hot and stopped working. Since many commenters had no answer when they called 1-866-321-7191, I think all of us should file the complain to Better Business Bureau."
Phyllis Said...
"Well, mine seems to have lasted a bit longer than most. It started with intermittent signal loss and I noticed the box was quite warm. Would work again once unplugged and allowed to cool. Now, when it's turned on there is only the green light, no response from the remote and no picture on the screen. Cannot even be turned off manually. Must be unplugged."
Features & Specs
Analog Pass
V-Chip Lock Parental Control Setting For Adult Rated Shows
Configurable Closed Captioning For The Hearing Impaired
Electronic Program Guide For Show Previews
Sleep Timer
Multi-Language Support

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control
Power Cord
Manual

Channel Master CM-7000 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews


Product Rating: 4.5

Unfortunately this top notch box has sold out and can no longer be purchased. If you can find it online used or on an auction site for a reasonable price go ahead and get it and we promise you will not be disappointed. Currently there are rumors Channel Master will be coming out with an even better high end box that they plan to keep in production permanently.

This box has proven to be one time and time again to be one of the best available due to its enhanced reception which results in more channels. It has also seen a significantly lower number of complaints as compared others and appears to have significantly better long term reliability. Not only that but it comes with what we have deemed the best picture quality out of any box we have seen.

Product Details: The picture quality of the Channel Master CM-7000  is the best that we have seen out of all converter boxes we have looked at. It  provides an absolutely crystal clear picture that is equivalent to that of DVD quality, which we all know is very good. The sound quality of the Channel Master CM-7000 is just as good as any of the other boxes that we have looked at. Its sound quality rivals that of a DVD.

Features: It is one of only a few models that we know of that comes with S-video output as of right now. It also comes with an excellent programming guide, channel scanning function, and adjustable closed captioning. Unfortunately it does not come with analog pass-through, a universal remote, or auto aspect ratio. Despite lacking these features it is still highly recommend over the majority of other converter box that malfunction or break rather easily.

If you need a converter box then the Channel Master CM-7000 is one of the best ones out there. It sells at a good price and has the best picture and sound quality around. Beyond that is the fact that the it has proven to be reliable over the long haul and you can expect it to work for years rather that months, as is the case with a lot of other converter boxes.
Channel Master CM-7000
Update April 2014

Real User Reviews: If you are strongly considering this box see the user reviews below that were submitted to us. These reviews will give you a valued outside perspective on the functionality and reliability of this converter box.

Dick Johnson Said...
"The CM-7000 has a great picture, even when I tested it through composite inputs on an old (1983) NEC 17-inch TV monitor. But out of the box it had no right channel audio and I returned it for a replacement to the factory, with authorization from Channel Master's customer service person. The replacement unit came May 2. Audio and video are terrific. The sensitivity of the receiving (front-end) is better than the Zeniths I've installed. I couldn't be happier with my purchase to this point."
Homer Said...
"I just bought the Channel Master for $50 at Frys, and also an Insignia converter at Best Buy for $60. They both are good yet the CM is a better buy for all around quality, the only difference in features is the Insignia has signal display and you can turn your TV on and off with its remote. The CM does not have these options but these are not a big concern because the CM has a much better remote control and picture. If you need a great antenna booster Chanel Master makes excellent ones, I've had one of theirs for 10 years. Just independent consumer passing on what I have experienced." 
Laura Said...
"Plain and simple the Channel Master CM-7000 is the only converter box that worked in my location. An added bonus was a remote that did not resemble the quality of a dog chew toy"
George Said...
"The CM 7000 is the Ferrari of converter boxes.
I started with the cheap Magnavox from Walmart, mediocre at best. When I rotate my antenna towards another city I had to rescan as it has no add feature. It's going to the guest room. 
The Insignia from Best Buy is a great unit but has no S-Video and the program guide is very basic. 
I read the reviews and picked up a CM 7000 for use with my bedroom TV that has S-Video inputs. The picture quality is incredible and the tuner sensitivity is even better than the Insignia. The remote is rock solid and you can point it anywhere you want, unlike the junk Magnavox remote. 
The CM 7000 and Insignia pull in about 100 channels during the night and early morning hours, some ranging well over 200 miles away. I get about 60 channels at all times that never go away. The Magnavox unit hooked up to the same antenna system is nowhere close. 
For those wondering, I'm using a Winegard 9032 antenna about 30' up, rotator and booster. I'm in NW Indiana and I receive stations from Chicago, Wisconsin, Northern Michigan, SouthBend, Quad Cities Iowa and Indianapolis." 
Specs
Government Certified And Eligible For The $40 Off Coupon
Compatible All 18 ATSC Formats
Composite Video Out
Stereo Audio Out
S-Video Output
Electronic Program Guide
Configurable Closed Captioning
Parental Controls

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Converter Box
Remote Control - Batteries Sold Separately
Owners Manual