Philco TB100HH9: A DTV set-top box with analog pass-through

With the clock marking the DTV transition ticking more loudly every day, we're starting to see more converter boxes showing up in stores. We recently posted First Look reviews of three boxes—the $50 Magnavox TB100MW9, the $60 Insignia NS-DXA1, and the $60 Zenith DTT900. Now we've just completed our preliminary tests on one of the first boxes with "analog pass-though" capability, the Philco TB100HH9.

Analog pass-through can be an important feature for households in areas served by so-called "low-power" broadcasters. Though all full-power stations are required to broadcast only digital signals as of February 17, 2009, the low-power broadcasters can continue analog broadcasts, at least for the time being. Since the converter box does not include an analog tuner, you will have to continue using your TV's built in analog tuner to pick up these stations. A converter box with analog pass through will not only put digital programs on the RF antenna output to the TV (channel 3 or 4), but will also pass along traditional analog antenna signals as well. For more information, check out "The DTV Transition: The low-down about analog pass-though."

A low-priced option

Priced at $47, the Philco TB100HH9 is a compact, no-frills box that's similar in many ways to the Magnavox TB100MW9 we tested. Like that model, it has a built-in ATSC tuner that can receive digital off-air signals and convert them to analog. Unlike the Magnavox box, however, the Philco allows analog signals to bypass the digital circuitry, routing them directly to a TV with an analog tuner.

The Philco performed its basic functions well. Picture quality from its antenna RF output was decent; it improved slightly when we used the composite-video output. While the digital tuner can pull in digital HD signals, they're converted to standard-def analog inside the box. Some images had jagged edges, especially when HD images were converted to standard definition.

Tuner sensitivity tests showed that this model performs as well with off-air digital signals as other converters and flat-panel HDTVs we've tested. (Note: Analog reception will depend on the sensitivity of the TV's built-in tuner). A signal-strength meter, located in the channel information banner, helps you adjust the antenna's position for optimal reception.

The box proved fairly easy to use. An electronic program guide offers the program title, run time, a brief summary of each show, as well as a 7-hour timeline for the currently tuned channel. A "setup wizard," which appears the first time you power on the device, makes the initial set-up and channel scan fairly simple. You can adjust the color and size of the fonts in Closed Caption, and aspect-ratio controls let you adjust the size and shape of the programs, so widescreen HD broadcasts can appear either as a letterboxed images with black bars above and below the picture, or they can be zoomed and cropped to fill a squarish 4:3 screen. Unlike some converter boxes, though, there's no aspect ratio button on the remote—you have to change it using the set-up menu. The box itself has no controls; since they're all located on the remote, you won't be able to use this box should you lose or break the remote control.

A minor note: The Philco is colored white, rather than dark gray or black like most converters we've seen.

The Bottom Line

This Philco TB100HH9 provides access to free off-air digital programs for analog TV owners on a budget, and enabling those who receive analog broadcasts from low-power stations to continue enjoying them after the DTV transition in 2009. However, its only fair performance with downconverted HD programs means that those who want optimal picture quality, particularly on TVs with larger screens, may want to look elsewhere. While there may be better converters, this Philco is still worth its $47 price, especially since you can use a $40 government rebate to defray most of its cost.