Thrifty Living: 2008-11-16

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Another NO Out-Of-Pocket Cost TV Digital Converter

My previous post listed one option for a no out-of-pocket cost digital TV converter; I just came across another CECB digital converter box that is offered with free shipping and sells at $40.00 each which nets out to $0.00 with your coupon. Once again, you have to buy two to get the special price and free shipping.

This model is a Sansonic FT-300A which according to Consumer Reports has great video quality but is lacking in features (no program guide, no directly tuning to channels, no size/font adjustments). Guess it depends what you want.

Buy it through Consumer Electronics Group.

Get a Digital Converter Box With NO Out-Of-Pocket Cost

After nosing around for quite some time on the internet, I found a site where you can buy a pair of digital converter boxes (alternatively known as CECB's...Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes) by using two of the TV Converter Box Coupons. This is the only deal I came across where the net to you is $0.00. Through November 30,2008 they are offering free shipping when you purchase two units.

To start, you have to get your two coupons from the government:
TV Converter Box Coupon Program

They mail out in batches, so depending on the timing of things it could take you a while to receive them and you may not be able to take advantage of this deal. I ordered mine on Oct. 19th and received them on Nov. 13th or 14th (can't remember)...anyways, it was roughly three weeks.

The site that is offering the totally free unit is FreeTVSignal. They are on the authorized list at the DTV2009, the government site. You'll see on their homepage their deal of the month. Click on the deal and you will be taken to the product page for the Sunkey SK-801ATSC. You will see on the product page that the sale price for two units is $80.00. With your coupon $0.00. The sale price and free shipping is valid through 11/30/08.

The Sunkey SK-801ATSC, from what I've read, appears to be a fairly decent unit. I like that it has buttons on the box to turn it off and change the channel (some boxes you need the remote...I'm always worried about misplacing the remote). The unit has analog pass through which is good in case you have some low power stations in your area which aren't required to go digital. It has a remote control (not universal), decent program guide, and I think (don't hold me to it) it even comes with the A/V cables (RCA type). It seemed to have gotten decent comments in the AV Science Forum. It hasn't yet been reviewed in Consumer Reports.

I spent a lot of time reading about these units. Here are some links with information:
Consumer Reports
AV Science Forum
DTV Converter Boxes Blog
DTV 2009
WIKI Comparison of CECB Units

You will find so many conflicting reports on the quality of each of the boxes. Take for example the Dish Network TR-40 CRA (which I was originally going to buy because it is free with $8.95 shipping until I found this totally free one). You will find some sites highly acclaiming this unit (it does have the best EPG...Electronic Program Guide); you will find some sites criticizing it. I think there are so many variables (quality of your tv, cables, antenna, position of the unit/antenna, etc.) that even the best units can perform poorly depending on the circumstances. I opted to search for a free unit because I see the units as eventually a throw away as my aging tv's will get replaced over the next few years. I have not yet received the free unit (I'll be ordering it shortly) so I can't attest to its quality at this point.

If anyone else finds some totally free deals, please post in the comments so others can find (especially for when this deal expires).