Digital TV Converters

Channel Master Cm-7000
The  Channel Master CM7000 has the best picture quality we’ve seen when using the S-video output, making details and edges look sharper. Using the composite-video output, picture quality was close to what you see with a good DVD.  The audo quality is also very good.

It is one of the few digital TV converter models with an S-video output. The closed caption text is adjustable. Its program guide provides show descriptions for several hours of programming for the currently tuned channel. When first turned on, there is no auto setup feature, so initial setup and channel scan aren’t as easy as on other models that have that feature. Among the few boxes we’ve seen that does not allow you to tune in a channel directly, but only by performing the more time-consuming scan-for-all-channels.  Read our Channel Master CM7000 review.

Sansonic FT300A
The picture quality on the Sansonic FT300A was among the best, close to what you see with a good DVD.  The audio output is good, but the RF’s output volume is a bit lower than its left/right audio stereo outputs. It is also one of the smaller models. While the run time and program title for the currently tuned program are available on the info bar, there is no program guide to give information about coming shows or shows on other channels. There is only a power button on the front of the box so you must use the remote for everything, even changing the channel. Also, there are no options for adjusting the size, font, or color of the closed-caption text, a capability offered by most other tested boxes. Among the few boxes we’ve seen that does not allow you to tune in a channel directly, but only by performing the more time-consuming scan-for-all-channels. It has a detachable power adapter and is Energy Star qualified.  Read our Sansonic FT300A review.

AccessHD DTA1080D
Another top choice is the AccessHD DTA1080D.  Picture quality was among the best TV converter boxes, close to what you see with a DVD. It had a minor flaw that only the fussiest might notice: If you’re watching a downconverted HD wide-screen program letter-boxed to fit your squarish screen, images are stretched vertically to a slight extent.

The guide provides show descriptions for several hours of programming for the currently tuned channel. Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. Additionally, if no signal is found on a particular channel, the on-screen signal meter allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position. So, if you know a channel exists, you can tune to it and adjust your antenna until the signal is strong enough for the box to tune it in. The closed caption text is adjustable. It also has a Smart Antenna connection.  Read our AccessHD DTA1080D review.

Tivax STB-T9
Another great digital TV converter is the Tivax STB-T9.  Picture quality was among the best, close to what you see with a good DVD. It had a minor flaw that only the fussiest might notice: If you’re watching a downconverted HD wide-screen program letter-boxed to fit your squarish screen, images are stretched vertically to a slight extent.

Program guide provides show descriptions for several hours of programming for the currently tuned channel. Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. Additionally, if no signal is found on a particular channel, the on-screen signal meter allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position. So, if you know a channel exists, you can tune to it and adjust your antenna until the signal is strong enough for the box to tune it in. The closed caption text is adjustable. It comes with A/V cables (composite-video and stereo audio) in addition to the usual RF cables. Read our Tivax STB-T9 review.

Zinwell ZAT-970A
The Zinwell ZAT-970A is another of out top rated tv converter boxes.  Picture quality was among the best, close to what you see with a good DVD.

One of the few models available with a program timer, allowing you to program up to eight instances in which the box will turn on and tune in to a specific channel at a certain time. That enables you to record digital off-air broadcasts onto a VCR or other recording device, but you cannot program the box to turn itself off. Has analog pass-through, which allows the TV’s RF input to tune to off-air analog channels while the box simultaneously tunes to digital channels and displays them through the composite-video output, or when the box is in standby. Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. Additionally, if no signal is found on a particular channel, the signal meter in the menu allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position. So if you know a channel exists, you can tune to it and adjust your antenna until the signal is strong enough for the box to tune it in. While the title and run time for the current and next program is available on the info bar, there is no program guide to give information about coming shows or shows on other channels. Also, there are no options for adjusting the size, font, or color of the closed-caption text, a capability offered by most other digital TV convter boxes. It has a detachable power adapter.

Tivax STB-T8
The Tivax STB-T8 is another great choice.  Picture quality was among the best, close to what you see with a good DVD. It had a minor flaw that only the fussiest might notice: If you’re watching a downconverted HD wide-screen program letter-boxed to fit your squarish screen, images are stretched vertically to a slight extent.

One of the few models with analog pass-through, which allows the TV’s RF input to tune to off-air analog channels, but only when the box is in standby or not tuning to digital channels. Program guide provides show descriptions for several hours of programming for the currently tuned channel. Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. Additionally, if no signal is found on a particular channel, the on-screen signal meter allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position. So, if you know a channel exists, you can tune to it and adjust your antenna until the signal is strong enough for the box to tune it in. The closed caption text is adjustable. It has a Smart Antenna connection. It comes with A/V cables (composite-video and stereo audio) in addition to the usual RF cables and the manufacturer claims that its Energy Star qualified.  Read our Tivax STB-T8 review.

Winegard RC-DT09
Next up is the Winegard RC DT09.  Picture quality was a small step below that of the top boxes but still better than most analog broadcasts for standard-def content. With downconverted HD content, some flaws (such as jagged edges) were just noticeable.

One of the smaller models. It has the basic aspect ratio settings, plus a Set by Program option that automatically adjusts the aspect ratio depending on whether the digital signals are standard-def or high-def (which an analog TV would display as standard-def). An aspect ratio control button is not available on the remote, requiring you to use the onscreen setup menu to make an adjustment. Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. And if no signal is found on a particular channel, the on-screen signal meter allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position. So if you know a channel exists, you can tune to it and adjust your antenna until the signal is strong enough for the box to tune it in. The closed caption text is adjustable. When first turned on, there is no auto setup feature, so initial setup and channel scan aren’t as easy as on other models that have this feature. While program information for the currently tuned program is available on the info bar, there is no program guide to give information about coming shows or shows on other channels. It has a detachable power adapter.  Read our Winegard RCDT09 review.

Philco TB100HH9
This brings us to the Philco TB100HH9.  Picture quality was a small step below that of the top boxes but still better than most analog broadcasts for standard-def content. With downconverted HD content, some flaws (such as jagged edges) were noticeable.

Both audio outputs provide good audio, but the RF’s output volume is a bit lower then its left/right audio stereo outputs (which you’d use with the composite-video out).

It’s one of the few models with analog pass-through, which allows the TV’s RF input to tune to off-air analog channels while the box tunes to digital channels. There are no buttons on the console so you must use the remote to do everything, including turning the box on and off. The electronic program guide presents the program title, run time, and brief summary of shows for several hours of programming on the currently tuned channel. Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. Additionally, if no signal is found on a particular channel, the signal meter provided in the menu allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position. So if you know a channel exists, you can tune to it and adjust your antenna until the signal is strong enough for the box to tune it in. The closed caption text is adjustable. But the remote lacks a button for turning closed captions on and off, and one for adjusting the aspect ratio, so you have to go through the menu.  Read our Philco TB100HH9 review.

Zenith DTT901
Another great box from a huge name is the Zenith DTT901.  Picture quality was a small step below that of the top boxes but still better than most analog broadcasts for standard-def content. Downconverted HD content looks a bit soft compared with that of other DTV boxes, but has less noticeable downconversion flaws (such as jagged edges).

Has analog pass-through, which allows your TV’s RF input to tune to off-air analog channels when the box is in standby. The program guide presents the program title and run-time info for the current and next show on all available channels, with a show description available for the currently tuned program. It has the basic aspect ratio settings, plus a Set by Program option that automatically adjusts the aspect ratio depending on whether the digital channel is in standard-def or high-def resolution. The universal remote can turn your analog TV on and off. Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. And if no signal is found on a particular channel the on-screen signal meter allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position. So, if you know a channel exists, you can tune to it and adjust your antenna until the signal is strong enough for the box to tune it in. The closed caption text is adjustable. It comes with A/V cables (composite-video and stereo audio) in addition to the usual RF cables. It is Energy Star qualified.  Read our Zenith DTT901 review.

Insignia NS-DXA1
This brings us to the Insignia NS-DX1A.  Picture quality was a small step below that of the top boxes but still better than most analog broadcasts for standard-def content. Downconverted HD content looks a bit soft compared with that of other DTV boxes, but has less noticeable downconversion flaws (such as jagged edges).

Has analog pass-through, which allows your TV’s RF input to tune to off-air analog channels when the box is in standby. The program guide presents program title and run-time info for the current and next show on all available channels, with a show description available for the currently tuned program on the info bar. It has the basic aspect ratio settings, plus a Set by Program option that automatically adjusts the aspect ratio depending on whether the digital signals are standard-def or high-def (which an analog TV would display as standard-def). Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. And if no signal is found on a particular channel, the on-screen signal meter allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position. So if you know a channel exists, you can tune to it and adjust your antenna until the signal is strong enough for the box to tune it in. The universal remote can turn your analog TV on and off. The closed caption text is adjustable. It comes with A/V cables (composite-video and stereo audio) in addition to the usual RF cables. It is Energy Star qualified.

GE 23334
Last but not least is the GE 23334 digital TV converter.  Picture quality was a small step below that of the top boxes but still better than most analog broadcasts for standard-def content. With downconverted HD content, some flaws (such as jagged edges) were noticeable.

Has analog pass-through, which allows the TV’s RF input to tune to off-air analog channels, but only when the box is in standby. It has a more advanced program guide that provides show descriptions for several hours of programming on all available channels. Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. The closed caption text is adjustable. It is Energy Star qualified.

If you want more information, feel free to browse the rest of our digital converter box reviews. We’ve done all the hard work for you, so you can just sit back and bask in the glory that is digital TV. If you’ve already picked up your digital TV converters, you’re not finished yet. You also need a good digital TV antenna to get great digital TV channels for free. We’re reviewed all the top models ranging from the smallest indoor digital TV antennas to the best outdoor HDTV antennas that can pull in stations from up to 70 miles away. Pick up one of these, and there will be no more blacked out games or fuzzy channels for you.

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