Digital TV converter boxes are available at Wal Mart

[allthatisdaveaz]

I just got one of Best Buy's Insignia brand boxes today. Surprisingly, it has an RF output -- I guess for older TVs -- and composite video output, but not S-video or component output. Considering the target market and $59.99 price, that would probably be overkill. It works great for basic OTA viewing; even the low-power digital-only TV station in town comes in great with the cheapest rabbit ears I could buy.

[ansky212]

I applied for a coupon.  I guess we should be receiving them within the next couple weeks.

The coupons were sent out last week.

I checked the status of mine online and it still says "Preparing to be mailed"
I guess it depends when you registered online.  I waited a couple weeks after they initially became available.

[WPPCProductions]

Wow I have to run down to my Wal-Mart to see what they have. Anyway I need a composite video output and stereo audio output model  for my vcrs,dvd recorders. rf 3/4  output is useless to me,do to downgrade of video and no MTS sound. yeah Funai the makers of milions of tvs and vcrs and dvd players.I hope  a service manual or  schematic of one of these boxes  will show up on the web or on ShareFX service manual  site soon to get a peak under the hood.

[anotherguy]

The Magnavox and RCA models at Wal Mart had RF and RCA connectors. I'm thinking this might work out to add OTA digital TV to a set that's already on cable as well for a set with RCA inputs.

[Johnathan]

FWIW, don't be surprised by Channel 3 / 4 RF output. It's required for any box to become "Coupon Eligible" for the $40 coupon program.

Why doesn't Wal-Mart hook up one of the boxes as part of an in-store display, so that they can demonstrate how easy it is to install, and show the features/menus/etc to customers?

[anotherguy]

I don't know about other stores, but in my local Wal Mart the converters were stuck in a corner of the DVD player/VCR counter with no signs for them other than the regular price tag.

[KML-224]

Same with my Connecticut store too.

[kenglish]

Although there are certain "standards" that have to be met (performance), and certain restrictions (no HD output...."It's supposed to only replace the existing TV functionality"), the boxes DO all have various features and limitations.

Some have better EPGs, some have more functions in Closed-Captioning, some work with "SmartAntennas", some are more "user-friendly".

I wish the stores would hook them up and let the customers try them out.

[KML-224]

I would, but we don't have regular cable on any of our TVs.

[ansky212]

I definitely need a box with RF output.  The spare TV I'm connecting it to is 12 years old and only has an RF connector.