I got my two $40 subsidy coupons for purchasing new DTV converter boxes months ago, but I only recently got around to using them. They expire June 30! So I finally set out to go buy boxes, only to find that many local retailers (Sears, Target, Radio Shack, even Wal-Mart) are sold out of them completely.

The best I could find retail was a Philco box (TB100HH9) at Fred Meyer for $49.99 (before subsidy). They had a bunch of them. So I bought two.

For basic TV reception, the Philco works fine. Initial setup is very easy, but switching between channels is a bit slow when you are used to nearly-instant analog channel changing. One big minus is that it has no channel buttons (or any buttons) on the box itself; you must use the remote that comes with it. I don't know if the IR codes are compatible with any of my universal remotes, haven't tried. (A couple of my old remotes are "learning" remotes but they are kinda beat.)

But the picture quality - on my old TVs - is excellent. I have only rabbit ears and get all the same analog channels I get now, perfectly. It's nice that there are several OPB channels to choose from now! I love OPB but half the time they are broadcasting something I find hopelessly boring. Now there's a much better chance I'll find something of interest on at least one channel.

So for only $9.99 per box, I'm quite satisfied with my purchase.

Andrew

We went out last week with our $40 coupon for a converter box only to find all the "$40" models are sold out. So we paid an extra $20 bucks for the "$60" model and it will get delivered to us this week via UPS.

My coupon ran out on June 26th. Oh well.

I like the OPB options, but they come with cable. Chris, one great show that you are missing is Tavis Smiley. It is available on-line, and has a massive interview archive, so your coupon can be filed away in the broadcast history file.

Do you recieve KPXG 22 on your box?
I gave up and went on digital starter Comcast.

Yes, I get 22. Unfortunately, I only get 32 upstairs. The TV downstairs, with rabbit ears, does not get 32 (which was always iffy with analog anyway). Perhaps I'll need to wire an antenna into my former cable jacks in the wall...

Andrew

Littlesongs- Gotta tell ya I'm not familiar with Tavis Smilely. When I can I'll look him up.

32 both analog and digital is difficult at best for me to receive and KPXG-DT on channel 4 is impossible to receive most likely because the VU-190XR is not exactly a good performing antenna in the VHF low band. Only KPXG analog is receivable but I always get interference from KMYQ 22 Seattle off the back of the antenna. This will be a problematic one after the DTV transition is complete in 2009 but most stations should be received without a problem.