The analog-to-digital TV conversion in the U.S. has left many people wondering whether they will need to get a digital converter box when purchasing new or used TVs to get reception. If you get your TV signal through a cable, you do not need a converter box, since the change was made strictly for over-the-air digital signals. For those receiving TV over the air with an antenna, you will need a digital converter box unless your TV has a built-in digital TV tuner. There are several steps to go about checking if your TV has a tuner.
Instructions
1. Read through the TV's user manual. The manual should tell you if your TV has a digital tuner.
2. Use an online converter box helper. Many websites have tools that allow you to select the TV make and model and then they will tell you whether you need a converter box. Such tools may not include all TV models, but they can be a quick way to find out if you have a digital tuner if you have a popular TV model. (See Resources for an example.)
3. Ask electrics store employees if a particular TV you are interested in buying has a digital tuner. Also read the technical information on the box.
4. Ask a private party you're buying a TV from if it has a digital tuner, and ask that person to show you the reception it gets in his home.
5. Test the TV in your home without a converter box. If you have an old TV laying around and aren't sure if it needs a box to get reception, try hooking it up with a normal antenna and see if you get reception. If it has a digital tuner, you should get adequate reception.
Tags: digital tuner, digital converter, need converter, need digital, need digital converter