I don't see the DTV PAL listed in Consumer Reports articles of the rated DTV converter boxes. This will not help DISH at all.....Consumer Reports Names 4 Best DTV Converters
The magazine rates 14 different converter boxes.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (June 23, 2008) -- In its latest issue, Consumer Reports Magazine has given top scores to four Digital TV converters now on the market.
The four top-rated converters, which the magazine says delivers the 'Best Picture Quality,' are the Tivax STB-T9 ($50); the Lasonic LTA-260 ($55); the Sansonic FT300A ($60); and the Microgem MG2000 ($65).
Consumer Reports says the four converters are "capable of picture quality that comes close to a good quality DVD."
On February 17, 2009, all full-powered local stations must switch their analog signals to digital which means viewers will need a Digital TV, a digital converter box or a pay TV subscription to watch television.
The feds are offering two $40 coupons for consumers to buy the converter boxes, which generally cost around $50-$60. The boxes will enable an analog TV to display the new digital signals. However, consumers must use the coupons within 90 days after receiving them.
Consumer Reports says the four top-rated converters can be purchased at solidsignal.com and freeDTVshop.com.
The magazine gives 'Better' ratings to six other DTV converters, saying they offer a picture better than most current analog broadcasts.
The six 'Better' converters are: the Philco TB100HH9 ($50); the Magnavox TB100MW9 ($50); the Artec T3A Pro ($55); the Insignia NS-DXA1 ($60); the Zenith DTT900 ($60); and the RCA DTA800B ($65).
Four converters were rated 'Acceptable.' meaning they offer a picture comparable to an analog broadcast but with some flaws. Those four converters are: the Digital Stream DTX9900 ($60); the Digital Stream DSP7500T ($70); the GE 22730 ($70); and the GE 22729 ($80).
There are approximately two dozen Digital TV converter boxes now on the market.
