DTV Converter Box and DVD Recorder Hook Up

Want to be able to record TV shows to DVD from your DTV converter box? DVD recorders are a great way to record the SDTV or standard definition TV that you will get from a DTV converter box with over-the-air free television. All you need to do is connect a DVD recorder between your DTV converter box and your older analog TV set.

What do I need to do?

1.) Buy a digital to analog TV converter box for your current analog TV.
2.) Buy a DVD recorder.
3.) Buy blank discs to record on and connecting cables.

What is a Digital to Analog TV Converter Box?

A digital television (DTV) Converter Box is also known as a set top box. It is an electronic device that converts the free over-the-air digital TV signal into an analog signal viewable on older "analog" television set. Most converter boxes are smaller than a VCR. Some are about the size of a small book, about 8 inches wide by six inches deep by an inch or so high. So they don't take up very much space. The converter box connects between your antenna and your TV set. They come with a remote control and you change channels with this remote, not your TV remote.

The digital to analog set top box connects your antenna or rabbit ears thru the converter box and out to your TV set. Apply for coupons for DTV converter box here
• www.dtv2009.gov

In addition to online requests, you can call a toll-free number
Call 1-888-388-2009


• Insignia NS-DXA1 DTV converter box

• Philco TB100HH9 DTV converter box

Where to buy converter boxes

Seven of the largest consumer electronics retailers -- Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart -- have been certified to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program along with more than 100 other retailers, representing more than 14,000 stores throughout the U.S.

• Locate a store near you

Converter boxes can be purchased at any of these national retailers currently participating in the program:

Wal-Mart
Circuit City
RadioShack
Best Buy

DTV converter boxes at dtvfacts.com

Click here for more information on how to determine if your TV is analog or digital.



How to Hookup Digital Converter Box to Analog TV





Digital to Analog TV converter box (REAR PANEL)

Digital to Analog TV

Connecting the digital TV converter box to your older analog TV involves plugging in the antenna cable to the converter box input jack for ANTENNA and connecting the converter box OUTPUT to your TV INPUT. If your TV is the type without Audio/Video input jacks and only has a VHF 75ohm RF input jack, then use a RG-59 or RG-6 coaxial cable to connect the TV to the converter box. This cable is the same as those used in homes with cable TV or satellite TV. You will get only MONO audio from a coaxial cable connection. If your TV is newer and has RCA audio/video input jacks (yellow, red, white) then you can get stereo sound if your TV has stereo sound capability. Use a yellow RCA cable for video and the two (red and white) RCA cables for audio. Use only the white RCA cable if your TV is not stereo sound capable.

You will change channels on the converter box with the remote control. Your TV or VCR will remain on channel 3 or 4 (or Line).

Hookup Diagram for TV with only a RF antenna input jack. Set TV to channel 3 or 4.



Hookup Diagram for TV with Audio/Video input jacks. Set TV to Line input.



Hookup Diagram for VCR and TV. Set VCR to channel 3 or 4 and TV to channel 3 or 4.





How to hook up DVD recorder and DTV converter box to TV



Be sure to select channel 3 or 4 on the DVD recorder. This is the channel you must record from as the DTV converter box outputs on this channel. You can also connect 3 RCA cables to the converter box outputs and hook up to the DVD recorder's 3 RCA line inputs. Select the proper line input on the DVD recorder when recording. For the TV, select channel 3 or 4 or the line input if playing back a DVD to the TV. With a good antenna, you should get excellent local reception of TV stations and therefore be able to record video and audio to DVD with much better quality than on a VCR and the discs will last longer than VHS tapes. (When only watching TV, not recording, the DVD recorder should allow the TV signal to just "passthru" to the TV using the RF cables. Set the TV on channel 3 or 4.)

• How to setup converter box for the first time
• How to hook up converter box to 300 ohm older TV