Features

DTV converter boxes

Many features are common to all coupon-eligible boxes. That's not surprising. For one thing, the government requires all coupon-eligible boxes to have a standard set of basic features and allows a few optional ones. Approved boxes cannot have higher-end features (such as HD outputs) that the government deems unnecessary for basic functionality. Another reason for the similarities is that a number of the boxes appear to be "twins"-they have different brand and model names but similar functionality and sometimes styling, suggesting that they might be made by the same company.

One of the features that varies by model is the onscreen program guide. Some converter boxes list more information for more channels or for a longer period of time. While even a basic guide is better than what analog TV offers-no guide at all-the more complete guides are preferable.

A universal remote is also handy, enabling you to control your TV without using multiple remotes. Another big plus is the ability to add new channels without having to redo the "scan for all channels," which can be time-consuming.

One feature that visitors to our blog have asked about repeatedly is analog pass-through. Several of the models we tested have this feature, which allows analog signals received via the converter box's RF input to be passed through to its RF output, along with converted digital signals. This will allow your TV to continue tuning into available analog channels. (Note: To view digital TV signals in this configuration, the set will have to be tuned to channels 3 or 4.)

Analog pass-through may be most useful now, when some channels might not be available in digital form yet. It could continue to be useful in areas served by low-power stations, which are not required to discontinue analog broadcasts in February 2009. That might not apply to many consumers, but for those in areas with low-power stations, a box with analog pass-through can simplify wiring setups. But even then it's not essential for viewing digital and analog stations. You can buy a splitter to divide the signal from the antenna, feeding one cable to the box for digital broadcasts and the other directly to the TV for analog. If that weakens the signal too much, try using an amplified antenna to boost the signal. If that still doesn't work, you'll have to disconnect the antenna cable from the box and plug it directly into the TV when you want to watch an analog station-inconvenient, but still effective.

Many readers have asked us about the ability to program VCR recordings. Three models in the Ratings—the Dish Network DTVPal, the Dish Network DTVPal Plus, the Dish Network TR-40CRA, and the Zinwell ZAT-970A—have a VCR timer, which would enable them to automatically switch to different channels if you wanted to program a recording from several different stations when you're not around.