Monday, May 26, 2008

tv, argh

Has anyone already done the research on the converter boxes for TVs (to convert from digital to analog for my elderly TV) and care to tell me which one I should get? Consumer Reports did a review of the first three that were available, but now there are a bunch more out. Or there are supposed to be soon. Argh. Confused. I may end up getting a new TV - my current one likes to show color blotches over the picture - but I'd like to at least try the free converter thing.

An annoying fact I have learned: When a digital signal gets weak, the picture doesn't go fuzzy, it disappears entirely. Which means every time a train goes by, my TV is going to drop out. I may end up having to get cable. Ugh. Or resorting to Netflix and friends' houses for my visual entertainment needs.

7 comments:

Coloradan said...

Don't forget hulu.com. Way more up-to-date than Netflix, and free-er than a TiVo.

towwas said...

Yeah, but how do you get over the fact that watching video on the computer kind of sucks?

Coloradan said...

Bigger screen? Comfier chair?

Anonymous said...

You might want to consider the new TV angle. The price on LCDs has really gone down in the last year, and you can get a good deal over at Big Blue if you know what to look for.

Also, the coupon from the gubmint does not give you a free converter box -- the coupon is worth $40 off, and my contacts at the ATSC tell me that the boxes average around $60.

towwas said...

O wise person who works at an electronics-related chain that shall remain unnamed, can you tell me what to look for? Part of my problem, I think, is going to be the dang trains - I think I'll need one with a really good receiver. They make my picture go a bit fuzzy, which is fine, but dropping out entirely is not fine.

Cheryl said...

Why don't you just come hang out on my couch? I have cable.

towwas said...

Actually, that's one of the many advantages of new friend She Gre: she has a super-duper cable package! Which is not a one-hour drive away!