Post DTV Transition CECB converter boxes availability! - Page 4

If anybody's still looking for CECB's, here's a site that I've had bookmarked since last year that might be of interest to some:

http://www.thefind.com/instruments/i...-converter-box

A lot of bad links, but I found the Channelmaster listed at Warren.

http://warrenelectronics.com/antennas/7000.htm

bump

I saw some DTV converter boxes in Target yesterday. They're definitely still out there.

Same here at Radio Shack a couple of weeks back.

Currently an Access box and Apex 150 box on the Wal-Mart web site with free shipping to your local store or 97 cents to your house.

Here's my ol' ref set of links:

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_brlad...node=979935011

^The ones near the top that say "Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping" are sold by Amazon. I've bought from Amazon before (good seller) but I can't attest to the others shown on Amazon.

http://www.meritline.com/digital-tv-...---c-7689.aspx

https://secure.freetvsignal.com/viewAll.php

http://www.solidsignal.com/cview.asp...verter%20Boxes

http://www.freedtvshop.com/fdtv/converters.php

http://www.digital-tv-converter.net/...boxonline.aspx

I actually saw a CM in one ($yow!) and a DTVPal in another.

But I've seen some real good deals on Craigslist, many of which they're throwing in the box (some new) if you buy their CRT TV on the cheap as they've replaced them with new flat panel TVs.

This week's Fry's ad lists the Channel Master for $59.99.
Doesn't seem that long ago that a local (D/FW) Fry's rep told me they quit carrying this brand of CECB.

In my area they had models Access DTA1030D (with Dedicated remote) for $29.95.

These use the Zoran decoder.

I saw a stack of Sansonics in Target recently for $40.

Unforunately, this is the last day for the Rite-Aid sale. This is one of the few times that I have really seen them on sale ($30, instead of $50 or more).

I saw a few deals in those online links in my old post a few posts above like the MicroGEM, which I know nothing about, for $29.99 with free shipping. Those sites are worth checking in on for anyone in the market for one of these boxes.

For the 2nd time in about a month Rite Aid has the Access CECB box on sale for $30 and also has a Pegasus 7" LCD TV for $80. The TV has both digital and analog tuners. I don't know which decoder it uses but it looked pretty good on a digital station. Sale ends tomorrow (July 8) though.

Looking for recommendations for a readily available box that has the following features:

1) Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. And if no signal is found on a particular channel, the on-screen signal meter allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position.

2) Good for receiving distant stations.

Will be used with a rotor in an extreme fringe area.

Thanks !

I thought #1 sounded familiar (Features):

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/e...nd-notes.htm#1

I live in a strong signal area so I don't know about #2 but my Channel Master, Zinwells, and Artecs all seem to tune quite well and even pick up some obscure stations (good attic antena though). Note that some brands came out with different tuner version models. I believe my Zinwells and Artecs can do #1 but not the CM (can update scan though). The Artecs also have an audible signal meter (Zenith/Insignia clone).

Already have the CM and it doesn't.

Topic title changed and first post edited.

Fry's Electronics stores (and frys.com) still (or again) have the Channel Master CM7000 tuner in stock often. This is one of the best boxes that have been made. It can remember letterbox/zoom settings per channel, has an s-video output, and has an on-screen signal strength indicator.

The Channel Master box also has a day-long tv guide, rather than the useless now/next foud on most of these boxes.

And the S-video output is fantastic as it gives you DVD quality from an over-the-air source.

Is there a particular reason why OTA converter boxes are hard to find now? I'm trying to find one for my parents but can only find a few listed at Amazon. They need one for their living room TV.

Because the coupon program is over. Most people who really need one got one or bought a new TV.

Wow, that's just terrible. What if a person's converter box breaks or someone's digital tuner dies. I've seen analog tuners die, so I'm sure it can happen to digital tuners as well. Also, from reading some poor reviews on those converter boxes, some of those boxes DO break down. So for them to assume no one needs them anymore and just pull them off store shelves is just plain ridiculous IMHO.

The FCC is now considering setting a hard date for the end of low pwoer analog tv. As part of it, they are considering if additional "DTV outreach" is needed, especially in areas that rely entirely on low power stations. The report doesn't say this, but I wonder if another coupon program is a possibility? Limited to residents of those areas that have only low power stations that are all or almost all still analog? Anything is possible!

Yep..I have had a Samsung and Toshiba Tv, plus several LG DVD recorders..lose the digital tuning (ATSC and QAM). The Sammy was under warranty with only a few weeks left..The 26" Toshiba takes a +$100 input board plus labor to repair it.

Yikes! Seems like digital tuners have a high failure rate. I can't believe 3 of your tuners died like that. That's awful!

The CVS on Winchester at Benton zip 92596, has the Craig CECB for $59.95.

Unfortunately it's economics driven - not worth keeping up production as the consumer buying volume dropped off precipitously. I think most of the stores just sold out although I'm suspicious Target may have pulled some of their models off the shelves (they were Apex DT250s though ).

Which runs on 12v, BTW...

Yeah, that's true. Since the coupon program is over, it may be a better investment just to buy a new TV. That's what I did. I wish my parents would do the same but they refuse to throw out stuff that's still working.

I see boxes still new in the box that folks hoarded going for $30 or less on the used market like Craigslist (some people give a TV with the box), way less than a new TV. Still some new ones at online retailers too like Fry's with the Channel Master for $60 (other brands I've seen cheaper).
From the discussion I saw above it sounds like the CECBs may be more reliable than some of the TVs and recorders. Mine all still work.

I had a post with a list of online retailer links to easily click and see but looks like the thread was moved or somesuch. If you need it let me know and I'll look again.

If I find one for less than $30, I'll be sure to grab it. Like I said, my parents need one for their old TV.