Finally got my two $40 government coupons, so I went to Walmart and purchased two RCA converters ($49-$40=9 each). One for the house and one for the RV
If you have cable in your house ... or an HDTV in your RV ... you won't need them when the TV signal changes in early 2009 ...
But, I have a little DC black and white DC TV that we use in the RV when dry camping because it uses all lot less power ... I've owned it for years and wanted to continue to use in the future.
I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the converted pix on my little Black and White tv after hooking up the converter box.
Set up procedure is simple.
Hook up the converter box, raise the antenna, use the remote to "scan" for digital tv signals and bam, there they are ... even the "sub" channels that some networks are now broadcasting (ie 25.1, 25.2)
I know, I know, I could have purchased a fancy HDTV and been done with it.
But, hey, I'm cheap ... for an out-of-pocket $9, I've extended the life of my little black and white tv.
And how many people can say they have a b&w tv that they still use?
Thing I haven't figure out ... the converter box needs ac power to work. Since I want to use my b&w tv dry-camping, that means I can only watch tv with the honda generator running ... or use an inverter.
But hey, we usually run the generator for a couple hours each day, so I should be in business.
I would post the site where you can apply for the coupons ... but I'm not sure how to do that. I'm sure if you google Digital Converter Box , it will pop up.
If your RV (and tv) is a couple of years old, you will need this converter box ... or upgrade your TV or you will be out of business in Feb 2009 ... so plan ahead. Even the earlier flat screens are not capable of receiving a digital signal
I_rv2 wrote: Finally got my two $40 government coupons, so I went to Walmart and purchased two RCA converters ($49-$40=9 each). One for the house and one for the RV
Thing I haven't figure out ... the converter box needs ac power to work. Since I want to use my b&w tv dry-camping, that means I can only watch tv with the honda generator running ... or use an inverter.
I would imagine that the converter box uses a minimum amount of power, so an inverter should be no problem, so you can save the genset, and enjoy the sounds of nature.....oh, I mean "Nature" on PBS. LOL
We also have one of those little battery operated 5" screen B&W TVs, for when we have hurricanes. Of course, now that we have the RV, and it's genset, we won't need it....but, I'll still keep it....just in case!
Bill, Claudia, and the Paps
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 The Pets
Then again, since I'm speculating whether it will run off an inverter or a generators .... maybe it could stay in the tech section.
Thanks for the reply, pappy. I don't think the converter box will draw a lot of power ... and to be honest with you, we only watch tv for a short time for news, etc.
Will a converter run off inverters or generators.. Yes, No, yes and I don't know
(Why 4 answers? Read on)
True sine wave inverters: YES
MSW inverters: Well, not all combinations have been tested but at least one owner found the answer was NO, I'll explain in a bit
Generators: Quality generators with a nice clean output YES
Cheap generators with outputs that frankly scare me when I 'scope them (This includes many "Contractor" types) I don't know
Honda, Yahama Kipor and such Inverter generators are Quality, So are Onan and Genrac "Traditional" generators.. Other makes I have not tested or seen tested or do not recall the brand name (I have seen the traces, just forgot the brand)
MSW inverters (I promised more later) generate a lot of radio frequency interference,, Television is a form of radio. Since television signals are "Synced" to the power line frequency and since the MSW inverters generate odd harmonics of 60 HZ (means 60 (1) 180 (3) 300 (5) and so on) they can knock out the digital signal at least one other poster had this happen to him.
Just remember this about true sine inverters.. They are as clean as, or cleaner than, the hole in the wall in your stick house.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
I just installed my converter box in the MH a couple of days ago and I to am impressed by the quality of the picture and the number of channels it picks up. Much better than with just the MH antenna.
I hooked mine up through the VCR like Winnebago suggests but I may switch it to the AUX on my control box, that way I don't have to mess with the setting on the VCR
1fastdad wrote: All TVs manufactured after 2004 have built in digital tuners. I have a 2005 MH but the TVs are 2004 so no digital tuners.
Not quite.
By July 1, 2005 all televisions with screen sizes over 36" must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner
By March 1, 2006 all televisions with screen sizes over 25" must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner
By March 1, 2007 all televisions regardless of screen size, and all interface devices which include a tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.
Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.
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