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What is a Converter Box and How do I Get One?
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A converter box receives and converts a digital over-the-air TV signal to analog for display on a conventional analog television. A converter box is different than other set-top boxes such as a digital tuner box or a digital cable box. A converter box is designed specifically for those who want to watch digital television over-the-air on a conventional analog television.
If you have more than one analog television that receives signals with an antenna or rabbit ears, you will need a converter box for each television set. You do not need a converter box if you subscribe to cable or satellite.
Where and When Can I Buy One?
Converter boxes are carried by a number of national retail outlets and some speciality ones as well. Most of these retailers offer the boxes for sale online and in some cases in-store as well.
If you are buying a box before the Canadian transition date, make sure it has an analog pass-through feature; otherwise you may need to also purchase an antenna switch or signal splitter that will allow you to by-pass the converter box when you need to watch analog television (see below).
Will a Converter Box Purchased in the United States Work in Canada, and What Should I Look for?
Yes it will work, but be sure to purchase a converter box that has an analog pass-through feature. This feature will allow your analog television to accept American digital signals as well as Canadian TV signals still being broadcast in analog.
You should take note that all converter boxes need to be compatible with, and labelled according to, the BETS-7 – Technical Standards and Requirements for Radio Apparatus Capable of Receiving Television Broadcasting before they are imported, sold, or offered in Canada.
What Is An Analog Pass-through Feature?
Some converter boxes have an analog pass-through feature, which allows analog television signals to continue to pass through, as well as converting digital signals to be displayed on an analog television. Converter boxes without this feature will not allow standard analog channels to be displayed unless you connect an antenna switch or a signal "splitter" to bypass the box when you want to view analog TV broadcasts. This is important for those who wish to begin watching channels that are broadcast in digital television before the Canadian transition date of August 31, 2011; this includes those who want to receive digital television from the United States after their transition to digital, which is expected to be completed by June 12, 2009. Some stations have already made the switch to digital. A converter box with an analog pass-through feature will allow you to continue watching Canadian television that is still being broadcast in analog format.
How Do I Set-Up a Converter Box?
Take the time to read the instructions that come with your converter box. For troubleshooting help, contact the converter box's manufacturer.
Here are the basic steps you will need to take to set-up your converter box:
- Unplug your television.
- Unplug the existing coaxial cable from the "antenna in" jack on your TV.
- Plug that same cable into the "antenna in" jack on the converter box.
- Plug the coaxial cable that came with the converter box into the "antenna out" jack on the converter box.
- Plug the other end of that same cable into the "antenna in" jack on your TV.
- Plug in the converter box power cord.
- Put the batteries in the converter box remote.
- Turn on the converter box. Check the instructions to see how to set-up the output of the converter box to either Channel 3 or 4, depending on your community. This channel selection likely will be the same as you may have had in the past with your VHS player.
- Plug the TV back in and turn it on. Tune it to Channel 3 or 4, depending on what you have set on the converter box.
- Use set-up instructions to scan for channels.
