DnvrFox

Best Digital Converter for a 50+ watching Bicycle Races on DTV

OK, I am really trying to make this on-topic so it doesn't get foo'ed.

Assuming a 50+'r wanted to watch bicycle racing (or anything else!) on TV and had two of the $40 government issued converter coupons to purchase a converter from VHF to DTV, which converter might be the best?

I have two coupons, expiring 07/07/2008, and have been doing a bit of internet searching to attempt to find quality comparisons, and I do find a lot of disparity in reviews of how the product works.

Now, since we do have cable at the moment, it is not vitally important right now, but it is highly likely that I may do away with cable, at least on a couple of the TV's, and would have to use these critters.

So, does anyone out there have any experience with these things?

BTW, if you haven't applied for your 2 free coupons, you might want to do so.

I have been reading about the Magnavox (mixed reviews) and the Zenith (better mixed reviews) and the Digital Stream (one good review).

I just read the Consumer Reports write up of 3 of them - Magnavox, Zenith and Insignia and the Zenith came out best, features and better picture.

Tom Bombadil

The Echostar TR-40 (Echostar is Dish Network's brand) won an award from CNET at this year's CES convention as being the best one they had yet seen. List price is $40, so it is free with your coupon. However it may not ship until July, so anyone who applied early for their coupon may be out of luck.

No subscription to Dish is required.

As I get my OTA signal via my satellite receiver's built-in HDTV tuner, I won't need a set top box.

DnvrFox

I read a long discussion on another forum re: the Echostar

It is rated best because of its VCR timer, allowing changing channels between programs when recording when no one isin attendance, which the others don't allow.

https://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1001979

There is pressure to get ES moving on this, or to have the government offer an extension.

They are supposed to ship in June - which cuts it close for my July 7.

Tom Bombadil

I've been a Dish subscriber for 11 years and have followed the progress of many of their product introductions. If they are now saying June, then you have about a 50% chance of that happening.

There was one HDTV receiver that missed its target date by 2 years.

But as they are rushing to get it out in June, due to potentially missing out on the first wave of coupons, perhaps they will make it this time.

If you are lucky then you will have one in place in time to watch the cycling events at this year's Olympics!

BluesDawg

nm