This topic is in the Television discussion forum.  (rss)


Problems with DTV converter boxes?




Topic started on 6-5-2008 @ 06:36 PM by Uphill


Well, it had to happen to somebody, I guess: Our digital TV converter box won't wake up. We had used coupons obtained online to buy an inexpensive digital TV converter box for our old analog TV, and the converter box arrived last week (here in California). We hooked it up and it worked really well. Each night we would shut off the TV, the DTV converter box would go into auto-sleep mode, and we would shut off the power stick that everything was plugged into. The next day we would flip on the power stick and TV set when ready to watch TV, and the DTV would automatically come out of sleep mode, until today that is! It will not come out of sleep mode no matter what. We contacted the manufacturer and Wal-Mart where it was purchased but there are no repair options offered so far. The DTV we used is an RCA Digital TV Converter Box, DTA800:


www.walmart.com...


Wal-Mart says they will give us a refund, but what we'd really like to know is if we will get credit back for another coupon??? Time will tell, I guess.

We contacted a group of DTV converter box users, and out of 50 who bought this model, one other person had this exact same problem happen, so we're looking at about a 1% - 2% failure rate. Here's hoping you other DTV converter box purchasers will have better luck than we did.

FYI: These DTV coupons don't cover the whole cost of the DTV unit, and you still have to pay the sales tax.

[edit on 5/6/2008 by Uphill]



reply to this post:   copyright & usage 


reply posted on 18-5-2008 @ 10:06 AM by Anonymous ATS


We are having the same problem! We installed it last night and watched great TV all eve. We turned the TV and the converter box off with the new remote and this AM only the TV comes on with Snow. The converter box is off no green or yellow lights. We can find not assistance by phone or online. HELP!!!



reply to this post:   copyright & usage 


reply posted on 27-5-2008 @ 02:43 PM by Uphill


Yup, I'm beginning to think that some of these converter boxes are more equal than others. I did find one good web page recently set up by Consumer Reports on this topic, so start with that:


www.consumerreports.org...


Techie websites such as CNET are starting to look at DTV converter boxes in a more in-depth way. Here's a link for that:


reviews.cnet.com...


Both these websites provide one or more forums where you can explain about your DTV converter box problem and get advice. In fact, that is what I will be doing as well. Good hunting!



reply to this post:   copyright & usage 


reply posted on 19-6-2008 @ 07:46 PM by Anonymous ATS





reply to this post:   copyright & usage 


reply posted on 19-6-2008 @ 08:30 PM by Desert Dawg


I'd read on another forum that running the converter box now results in picture quality about half way between what you get off the antenna and what it will be when HD goes in next February.
Which is to say, pretty good.

I get real good reception from the repeaters up on the hill about 4 miles away using an about 2nd from the top listed antennas in good reception characteristics.
Radio Shack fwiw.

When the converter box is on I get a channel with lots of hip-hop on it.
It comes in very clear, but no other channels are available.
I can't get the hip-hop channel when I'm operating the TV without the converter box.

Weird stuff....

[edit on 19-6-2008 by Desert Dawg]



reply to this post:   copyright & usage 


reply posted on 2-7-2008 @ 08:07 PM by Anonymous ATS


my one box died the other didn't. I dont really like them, too touchy, am in the country, and get signal loss all the time,




mod edit to remove personal information

[edit on 12-7-2008 by DontTreadOnMe]



reply to this post:   copyright & usage 


reply posted on 12-7-2008 @ 07:36 PM by Anonymous ATS


reply to post by Uphill


mine went out and only 6 weeks old what a hunk of junk



reply to this post:   copyright & usage 










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