The looming digital transition is quite confusing and stressful for many of us. The idea that everyone needs a digital converter box to be able to continue watching free local broadcasts on their analog TV means millions of Americans are now in the market for a new piece of technology – the digital converter box. This new product basically replaces your TV’s analog tuner enabling you to receive crystal clear digital broadcasts.
So now consumers are faced with the problem of choosing a converter box, a decision making process that has confused many. Which unit do I buy? What is the difference between them? What is analog pass-through? There are many questions being asked by consumers. The government has made an attempt to ease the cost of the digital transition on consumers’ wallets by providing up to two $40 coupons per household, since the new digital transition is mandatory. The task of acquiring these converted boxes is especially daunting for those who reside in assisted living facilities like Rapha Residential Care.
Rapha Residential Care is located in Gaston, South Carolina. It has been around since 1988, and it is the home of 92 residents. Rapha has three main areas, the Alzheimer’s unit (Dementia, or D-Hall) where the residents require hands-on care, the independent hall where attendants only help when needed, and the assisted hall where the attendants help with most day to day activities. Rapha Residential Care houses 45 residents in need of digital converter boxes, as well as five sitting areas where residents sit together and watch TV like a big family.
For Rapha to receive all the necessary coupons, they had to write the NTIA to receive a special form to apply for coupons for a Nursing home. Their application was eventually accepted and they were granted 50 DTV coupons. Keeping with the spirit of the holiday season, due to a generous donation by SolidSignal.com Rapha Residential Care was able to get 50 Sansonic FT-300A’s and their shipping cost for free.
The New Year marks the beginning of a new era of crystal clear reception for the recipients of the 50 converter boxes donated to Rapha Residential Care by Solid Signal. Now those residents are able to continue watching their favorite TV programs, and for some of those in the D Hall; continue their daily conversations with their televised, bed-side companions.
J.S.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
6 Technology Trends for 2009
Energy management, Apple, wireless HD, virtual surround sound, national installation programs and online content to thrive in 2009, says CE Pro's Julie Jacobson
12.26.2008 — What's in store for technology in 2009? Nothing entirely new -- mostly existing products and services that will gain traction in the new year: Apple in the home, virtual surround sound, national installation programs and online content. The only "new" thing will be wireless HD, which manufacturers have talked about for years but never quite got around to shipping. Several wireless products will come to market in 2009, and none too soon. New construction is flat, but high definition is hot -- the perfect storm for wireless entertainment.Here are 6 top technology trends for 2009:
Energy Management
This trend seems obvious, but we have never included it in our yearly Top 5 Technologies to Watch. The reason that this year will be a watershed for energy management is the increasing amount of legislation on the subject (and more to come with a Democratic president?). Other contributing factors include utilities reaching capacity crises and a wide range of new retrofit-friendly HVAC-control products.
Apple in the Home
This could be the year that Apple finally makes a strong showing in the home. Spurred by the popularity of the iPhone and a plethora of applications for the device, Apple is generating greater mindshare among consumers who have not typically embraced multi-purpose electronics. Seems like Apple can do anything this year … and succeed.
Wireless HD
For various reasons, including technological challenges and high costs, wireless HD has failed to hit the residential marketplace, even after three years of promises. Manufacturers and technology developers are nearly there on the development side, and we should expect products from Belkin, Gefen, Monster and others to hit the market in 2009.
Virtual Surround Sound
With new-home construction in the gutter, the prospects for surround-sound wiring is grim. We've seen an explosion of virtual surround-sound systems that simulate the real thing, and 2009 should be a big year for the category.In 2008, Mitsubishi began shipping TVs with an "Integrated Sound Projector." Vice president of marketing Frank DeMartin says the TVs carry about a $400 premium over similar units. He adds that the technology makes it simple to sell a subwoofer with the package.Lest integrators think the solution cannibalizes sales of complete surround-sound set-ups, DeMartin notes, "How many people walk into retailers and don't buy audio?"
National Installation Programs
2008 was a big year for so-called national installers. Despite what integrators think about them, Best Buy's Geek Squad and Circuit City's firedog have gained consumer attention.We also saw the launch of Zip Express, a hang-and-bang installation company that does work for CompUSA and Tiger Direct, and OnForce, provider of leads for integrators willing to take relatively simple jobs. Yet another company (that wishes to keep under the radar for now) is expecting to start installing for Costco customers nationally.Integrators that can systematize the installation of simpler systems (such as TV, surround sound and universal remote) might take some cues from some of these mass marketers.
Online Content
IP-based video-on-demand has finally arrived, with help from such vendors as Vudu, Blockbuster, Hulu, VideoGiants and Netflix (which has partnered with several hardware providers). The forthcoming Windows 7 will kick the trend up a notch, although that OS is not expected to ship until the end of 2009.
What are you doing to capitalize on these new opportunities?
As Seen
12.26.2008 — What's in store for technology in 2009? Nothing entirely new -- mostly existing products and services that will gain traction in the new year: Apple in the home, virtual surround sound, national installation programs and online content. The only "new" thing will be wireless HD, which manufacturers have talked about for years but never quite got around to shipping. Several wireless products will come to market in 2009, and none too soon. New construction is flat, but high definition is hot -- the perfect storm for wireless entertainment.Here are 6 top technology trends for 2009:
Energy Management
This trend seems obvious, but we have never included it in our yearly Top 5 Technologies to Watch. The reason that this year will be a watershed for energy management is the increasing amount of legislation on the subject (and more to come with a Democratic president?). Other contributing factors include utilities reaching capacity crises and a wide range of new retrofit-friendly HVAC-control products.
Apple in the Home
This could be the year that Apple finally makes a strong showing in the home. Spurred by the popularity of the iPhone and a plethora of applications for the device, Apple is generating greater mindshare among consumers who have not typically embraced multi-purpose electronics. Seems like Apple can do anything this year … and succeed.
Wireless HD
For various reasons, including technological challenges and high costs, wireless HD has failed to hit the residential marketplace, even after three years of promises. Manufacturers and technology developers are nearly there on the development side, and we should expect products from Belkin, Gefen, Monster and others to hit the market in 2009.
Virtual Surround Sound
With new-home construction in the gutter, the prospects for surround-sound wiring is grim. We've seen an explosion of virtual surround-sound systems that simulate the real thing, and 2009 should be a big year for the category.In 2008, Mitsubishi began shipping TVs with an "Integrated Sound Projector." Vice president of marketing Frank DeMartin says the TVs carry about a $400 premium over similar units. He adds that the technology makes it simple to sell a subwoofer with the package.Lest integrators think the solution cannibalizes sales of complete surround-sound set-ups, DeMartin notes, "How many people walk into retailers and don't buy audio?"
National Installation Programs
2008 was a big year for so-called national installers. Despite what integrators think about them, Best Buy's Geek Squad and Circuit City's firedog have gained consumer attention.We also saw the launch of Zip Express, a hang-and-bang installation company that does work for CompUSA and Tiger Direct, and OnForce, provider of leads for integrators willing to take relatively simple jobs. Yet another company (that wishes to keep under the radar for now) is expecting to start installing for Costco customers nationally.Integrators that can systematize the installation of simpler systems (such as TV, surround sound and universal remote) might take some cues from some of these mass marketers.
Online Content
IP-based video-on-demand has finally arrived, with help from such vendors as Vudu, Blockbuster, Hulu, VideoGiants and Netflix (which has partnered with several hardware providers). The forthcoming Windows 7 will kick the trend up a notch, although that OS is not expected to ship until the end of 2009.
What are you doing to capitalize on these new opportunities?
As Seen
Monday, December 22, 2008
Is Detroit all set for digital TV?
Efforts begin this week to let the public know if their old televisions will go dark when over-the-air broadcasts end in February, and that has at least one Michigan retailer anticipating a boost in business.
A federally mandated Feb. 17 deadline ends current analog broadcasts in favor of digital, meaning televisions not hooked to cable or satellite services, or without a digital converter box, won't pick up any programming.
Detroit television stations on Tuesday will begin airing weekly tests that will let television owners know if their sets need a converter box.
Jerry Chapman, owner of Novi-based online electronics retailer Solid Signal Inc., has watched converter box sales become 40 percent of his business this year and expects the tests to spike sales.
So far, he's sold 60,000 boxes for a total of about $3 million.
He estimates his company is selling 3,000 to 4,000 boxes weekly, and he predicts that will peak next month.
“There will be lots of people who get into the basement and realize the TV doesn't work down there,” he said. He expects converter box sales, many of which are bought in conjunction with $40 government coupons, to continue strong sales through next summer.
“We're buried in the number of orders,” he said.
His sales are worldwide, with Detroit among the strongest. As of Sept. 1, nearly 78 percent of households in the Detroit market were completely ready for the digital conversion, according to a national study by New York City-based The Nielsen Co., which tracks television ratings and other broadcast information.
Nearly 14 percent of metro Detroit households were partially unready and 8.4 percent (114,000 households) were completely unready for the conversion, according to the study. Those percentages nearly matched the national averages: About 80.5 percent of U.S. households were completely ready at the time of the report, and 8.4 percent were completely unready. Houston was the nation's most unprepared city, with nearly 16 percent of households unable to receive digital signals. Fort Myers, Fla., was most ready with a U.S.-low 2.4 percent unprepared rate.
The federal government is providing $40 coupons through a $1.3 billion program to offset cost of the boxes, which range in price from $40 to $70. Households can request two coupons and redeem them at stores selling the government-approved boxes. Sixteen million coupons have been redeemed out of 40 million requested through Dec. 10, according to www.dtv2009.gov, the U.S. government Web site dedicated to the coupon program.
An increase in coupon requests is expected once local compatibility tests commence: Starting Tuesday and then every Tuesday through Feb. 17, Detroit's TV stations will run 60-second tests to allow set owners to determine if their television needs a converter box. Televisions will either show a green “pass” or red “fail” screen during the test. Failure messages will tell set owners where to get details on how to ensure their set can receive digital signals.
A similar one-time test in Arizona prompted 13,000 calls in three hours, said Karole White, president and CEO of the Lansing-based Michigan Association of Broadcasters, a nonprofit trade group.
The public-awareness campaign about the transition has gone well, based on survey results, White said, but acknowledged that the final weeks before the switch will be tense for the television industry.“Getting millions of people to do the same thing by a specific deadline is very difficult,” she said. “A certain number of people will wait until their television screens go blank.”
As Seen
A federally mandated Feb. 17 deadline ends current analog broadcasts in favor of digital, meaning televisions not hooked to cable or satellite services, or without a digital converter box, won't pick up any programming.
Detroit television stations on Tuesday will begin airing weekly tests that will let television owners know if their sets need a converter box.
Jerry Chapman, owner of Novi-based online electronics retailer Solid Signal Inc., has watched converter box sales become 40 percent of his business this year and expects the tests to spike sales.
So far, he's sold 60,000 boxes for a total of about $3 million.
He estimates his company is selling 3,000 to 4,000 boxes weekly, and he predicts that will peak next month.
“There will be lots of people who get into the basement and realize the TV doesn't work down there,” he said. He expects converter box sales, many of which are bought in conjunction with $40 government coupons, to continue strong sales through next summer.
“We're buried in the number of orders,” he said.
His sales are worldwide, with Detroit among the strongest. As of Sept. 1, nearly 78 percent of households in the Detroit market were completely ready for the digital conversion, according to a national study by New York City-based The Nielsen Co., which tracks television ratings and other broadcast information.
Nearly 14 percent of metro Detroit households were partially unready and 8.4 percent (114,000 households) were completely unready for the conversion, according to the study. Those percentages nearly matched the national averages: About 80.5 percent of U.S. households were completely ready at the time of the report, and 8.4 percent were completely unready. Houston was the nation's most unprepared city, with nearly 16 percent of households unable to receive digital signals. Fort Myers, Fla., was most ready with a U.S.-low 2.4 percent unprepared rate.
The federal government is providing $40 coupons through a $1.3 billion program to offset cost of the boxes, which range in price from $40 to $70. Households can request two coupons and redeem them at stores selling the government-approved boxes. Sixteen million coupons have been redeemed out of 40 million requested through Dec. 10, according to www.dtv2009.gov, the U.S. government Web site dedicated to the coupon program.
An increase in coupon requests is expected once local compatibility tests commence: Starting Tuesday and then every Tuesday through Feb. 17, Detroit's TV stations will run 60-second tests to allow set owners to determine if their television needs a converter box. Televisions will either show a green “pass” or red “fail” screen during the test. Failure messages will tell set owners where to get details on how to ensure their set can receive digital signals.
A similar one-time test in Arizona prompted 13,000 calls in three hours, said Karole White, president and CEO of the Lansing-based Michigan Association of Broadcasters, a nonprofit trade group.
The public-awareness campaign about the transition has gone well, based on survey results, White said, but acknowledged that the final weeks before the switch will be tense for the television industry.“Getting millions of people to do the same thing by a specific deadline is very difficult,” she said. “A certain number of people will wait until their television screens go blank.”
As Seen
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
DTV converters: Best performers from our tests
We tested 14 of the first digital converter boxes on the market, and the preliminary results are in: The models we tested—all of which are approved for use with the government's $40 coupon and thus have a basic set of features in common—didn't differ significantly in performance.
And, pricier models aren't necessarily better than those that cost less.
But for those who face a looming DTV coupon expiration date or are looking for a Father's Day gift, here are some DTV converter box recommendations and guidelines that should help right now.
Every one of these set-top DTV boxes converted broadcast digital signals pulled in by our rooftop antenna into analog signals an older TV can accept. They can receive both high-definition and standard-definition digital broadcasts but will down-convert programs transmitted in HD (such as prime-time network fare) to a resolution a standard-def TV can display. When supplied with a strong signal, all produced acceptable picture quality—although some were better than others—plus good sound, and they were capable of detecting a similar number of digital channels.
While you can't go too far wrong with any of the models we tested, there are several we would consider first, based on a combination of picture quality, features, and pricing.
Some add optional features that increase convenience. For example, the electronic program guides on some have only minimal information while others give you fuller descriptions for more channels and cover a longer period of time. The ability to change the appearance of closed captions to make them more or less visible is another handy feature.
That said, here are the models that stand out. (Prices shown are what we paid. Several models appeared to be "twins" made by the same manufacturer, with differences noted.)
Tivax STB-T9 $50, available from Solidsignal.com
Microgem MG2000 $65, available from Solidsignal.com
Philco TB100HH9 $47 available from Solidsignal.com
Read on to see what made these models standouts and for a list of the other models tested.
Tivax STB-T9, available from Solidsignal.com
This box was among the best for picture quality, with images that come close to those of a DVD. It had a minor flaw that only the fussiest might notice: If you're watching a down-converted HD program letter-boxed to fit your squarish screen, images are stretched vertically to a slight extent. It has an informative program guide, a few nice convenience features, and comes with A/V cables (composite-video and stereo audio) in addition to the usual RF cables.
Microgem MG2000 $65, available from Solidsignal.com
The Microgem is one of the smallest units we've seen. It too was among the best for picture quality and has the same issue as downconverted HD images. Its program guide lists the program title and run time for several hours' worth of programming for the currently tuned channel but does not provide show descriptions. It has an informative program guide and a few nice convenience features.
Philco TB100HH9 $47, available from Solidsignal.com
The Philco stands out as the lowest-priced of the models we tested and the only one to offer analog pass-through. This allows broadcast analog signals to be passed through from the antenna to the box to the TV, along with converted digital signals. Picture quality was a small step below that of the top boxes but still impressive, better than most analog broadcasts. Although the stereo left/right audio output provides good audio, the RF outputs audio volume is quite low, which results in a noticeable hiss when you raise the TV’s volume to compensate. The program guide presents a limited amount of information. It has fewer features than the other boxes recommended.
Other DTV converter boxes
Here are the other boxes we tested, in alphabetical order. They might be worth considering, especially if the features and price suit you. We will be testing more boxes as they become available and posting results soon after on ConsumerReports.org.
Artec T3A Pro, $40. Picture quality was a small step below the best. A decent choice, though it lacks a few useful features of recommended boxes.
Lasonic LTA-260, $59.99. This was among the best for picture quality. Has a very basic program guide that gives minimal information and lacks many useful features. Functionally and stylistically similar to the Sansonic.
Magnavox TB100MW9, $50 (See image at right). Picture quality was a small step below the best. Functionally and stylistically similar to the Philco but lacking the analog pass through feature. A decent choice, though it lacks a few useful features offered by some recommended boxes.
RCA DTA800B, $59. Picture quality was a small step below the best. Lacks some useful features.
Sansonic FT300A, $60. This was among the best for picture. Has a very basic program guide that gives minimal information and lacks many useful features. Functionally and stylistically similar to the Lasonic.
As Seen
We tested 14 of the first digital converter boxes on the market, and the preliminary results are in: The models we tested—all of which are approved for use with the government's $40 coupon and thus have a basic set of features in common—didn't differ significantly in performance.
And, pricier models aren't necessarily better than those that cost less.
But for those who face a looming DTV coupon expiration date or are looking for a Father's Day gift, here are some DTV converter box recommendations and guidelines that should help right now.
Every one of these set-top DTV boxes converted broadcast digital signals pulled in by our rooftop antenna into analog signals an older TV can accept. They can receive both high-definition and standard-definition digital broadcasts but will down-convert programs transmitted in HD (such as prime-time network fare) to a resolution a standard-def TV can display. When supplied with a strong signal, all produced acceptable picture quality—although some were better than others—plus good sound, and they were capable of detecting a similar number of digital channels.
While you can't go too far wrong with any of the models we tested, there are several we would consider first, based on a combination of picture quality, features, and pricing.
Some add optional features that increase convenience. For example, the electronic program guides on some have only minimal information while others give you fuller descriptions for more channels and cover a longer period of time. The ability to change the appearance of closed captions to make them more or less visible is another handy feature.
That said, here are the models that stand out. (Prices shown are what we paid. Several models appeared to be "twins" made by the same manufacturer, with differences noted.)
Tivax STB-T9 $50, available from Solidsignal.com
Microgem MG2000 $65, available from Solidsignal.com
Philco TB100HH9 $47 available from Solidsignal.com
Read on to see what made these models standouts and for a list of the other models tested.
Tivax STB-T9, available from Solidsignal.com
This box was among the best for picture quality, with images that come close to those of a DVD. It had a minor flaw that only the fussiest might notice: If you're watching a down-converted HD program letter-boxed to fit your squarish screen, images are stretched vertically to a slight extent. It has an informative program guide, a few nice convenience features, and comes with A/V cables (composite-video and stereo audio) in addition to the usual RF cables.
Microgem MG2000 $65, available from Solidsignal.com
The Microgem is one of the smallest units we've seen. It too was among the best for picture quality and has the same issue as downconverted HD images. Its program guide lists the program title and run time for several hours' worth of programming for the currently tuned channel but does not provide show descriptions. It has an informative program guide and a few nice convenience features.
Philco TB100HH9 $47, available from Solidsignal.com
The Philco stands out as the lowest-priced of the models we tested and the only one to offer analog pass-through. This allows broadcast analog signals to be passed through from the antenna to the box to the TV, along with converted digital signals. Picture quality was a small step below that of the top boxes but still impressive, better than most analog broadcasts. Although the stereo left/right audio output provides good audio, the RF outputs audio volume is quite low, which results in a noticeable hiss when you raise the TV’s volume to compensate. The program guide presents a limited amount of information. It has fewer features than the other boxes recommended.
Other DTV converter boxes
Here are the other boxes we tested, in alphabetical order. They might be worth considering, especially if the features and price suit you. We will be testing more boxes as they become available and posting results soon after on ConsumerReports.org.
Artec T3A Pro, $40. Picture quality was a small step below the best. A decent choice, though it lacks a few useful features of recommended boxes.
Lasonic LTA-260, $59.99. This was among the best for picture quality. Has a very basic program guide that gives minimal information and lacks many useful features. Functionally and stylistically similar to the Sansonic.
Magnavox TB100MW9, $50 (See image at right). Picture quality was a small step below the best. Functionally and stylistically similar to the Philco but lacking the analog pass through feature. A decent choice, though it lacks a few useful features offered by some recommended boxes.
RCA DTA800B, $59. Picture quality was a small step below the best. Lacks some useful features.
Sansonic FT300A, $60. This was among the best for picture. Has a very basic program guide that gives minimal information and lacks many useful features. Functionally and stylistically similar to the Lasonic.
As Seen
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