DIGITAL STREAM DTX9950

UHF/VHF (rabbit ears plus loop antenna) 

ground level

55321 

Don't know 

I set up two DTX9950's in a rural home about 50 miles west of the Twin Cities. One was connected to a very large UHF/VHF antenna in the attic with no signal amplifier. The digital reception is good but not great. For the second TV, I used an old set-top UHF/VHF antenna (rabbit ears with loop) AND a Magnavox12dB signal amplifier (model M61107 from Menard's, $7.99). The digital picture was excellent for channels 2, 4 & 5 (I did not bother to check all channels). This signal amplifier requires a 120 volt power supply and is for indoor use only. It worked very well and is very easy to connect (one signal input and one signal output). Both TVs are analog.

WINEGARD RC-DT09

rooftop 100 mile antenna 

Not rated

ground level

55117 

$6.95 after coupon 

I have tried several converter boxes and the Tivax STB-T8 & T-9 are the best. The STB-8 &STB-9 are the same box but the 9 does not have analog pass through. That means that you would have to unplug the 9 to receive analog signals, however, after Feb. 17th it will not matter as analog will be gone. The STB-8&9 are very easy to set up as they find the available stations with 1 set-up. I ordered the STB-T8 & T9 online from: Digitalstar.com. That is E&E Electronics INC in Norhtbrook Il. Good service, fast shipping and packed well. I got the STB-T8 for $8.95 after coupon and the STB-T9 for $6.95 after coupon. Fee of about $8.00 for shipping both. I looked for them at Radio Shack in St. Paul yesterday and they do not carry them so you need to call around if you do not want to buy on-line. If you have an antenna on your roof or in your attic, check and make sure all your connecting cables have the largest diameter copper wire available and that they all match. If one wire is smaller, you will have a reduced signal on the TV it is connected to. Radio Shack does carry the cables. Good Luck

Zenith DTT900

45 or 50 element VHF/UHF about 27' above earth 

None selected

56320 

$60 

I expected it to have a better tuner (i.e. signal gathering strength) than my Toshiba TV, but it doesn't! Being about 90 miles from most TV transmitters, I need a very good tuner.

Insignia NS-DXA1

Simple loop with Rabbit Ears 

upper floor

55124 

$60 

There is a hiss when sending the signal through the RF (coax) path. Sound is fine when using the stereo jacks. Also, the RF pass-through is not working correctly. When inserting the coax, the signal is good if only the center conductor is touching, but is like not having an antenna once the shield conductor makes contact. Note: the RF output from the box uses this same path, and works, but the pass-through does not. I took this back to Best Buy and swapped for a new box, but both had the same problems. So, do not buy this box if your TV does not have the yellow, red and black connectors.

RCA DTA800B1

Rooftop 

ground level

55390 

$2.50 + tax 

Shazaam!! Being one that gets confused screwing in light bulbs, particulary the new twirly model, I am surprised how easy it was to connect the converter box. The video is truly superior. I have two channels - 2 and 4 - that do not come in well. However, they did not come in well before the converter box. Perhaps, in the Spring, I will put up a new antenna and see if that is the problem. Now, for that light fixture that needs a bulb - up, up, and away!!!!

Channel Master CM-7000

Winegard HD-1080, $34 

basement

55126 

$16 + $40 coupon = $56, shipping cost included 

Bought it online though Solid Signal. Easy and fast. Great picture and sound. Metal box. Made in Bulgaria...cool

RCA DTA 800B

Jensen Rabbit Ears 

ground level

55406 

$59.99 minus $40 coupon 

RCA DTA800B converter box from Walmart. Had existing RH modulator to connect old tv to DVD player. First set up with uhf/ vhf antenna 100% UNsuccessful. After switching to Jensen older antenna, connected IN THIS ORDER: -Rabbit ear Antenna to -Converter Box to -RH Modulator to -DVD Player to TV. Pointed antenna ears to window, facing NE toward Shoreview (from SE Mpls). Received all channels BUT tpt 17. After several converter box channel scans, did weakly pick up 17.1 - 17.3. Converter box does not allow deleting of single channels. Have to re-scan all channels to attempt to gain any new channels. Good luck, y'all.

Tivax STB-T9

Radio Shack $20 UHF/VHF 

upper floor

55446 

$44 on line plus shiping 

Picture quality is exceptional. I was surprised how well all the stations (including a couple new ones) come in. Highly rated box by Consumer Reports. It performs very well.

Insignia NS-DXA1

rabbit ears 

basement

80917 

$10.00 plus coupon 

The majority of the converter boxes are from China bought in wholesale lots and the sellers paint their logos on them and sell them as theirs. Zenith and Insignia are identical but perform well but I am still trying to determine how to tape thru my VCR from a box. Magnavox is an inadequate clunk so don't buy it as you have to juggle 3 remotes plus no features. Walmart sells them along with RCA. My RCA konked out in a month. They would only give me $10, back and nothing for the coupon so I lost that. Best of Luck consumers, RWS

ZINWELL ZAT-970A

Rooftop full size uhf/vhf 

ground level

54810 

voucher + $20 approximately 

Located near Balsam Lake WI. Pulled in more stations and a better picture than an Insignia. Also gives a helpful signal strength meter every time you switch the channel. I liked it so much I went to buy another one at Ness Electronics in St Paul but they no longer accept the government vouchers. When I inquired why he simply said "Call the government." Odd and annoying because they already accepted one voucher from me.