RCA Digital TV Converter Box, DTA800

My 1st box. First thing I noticed using a converter box was how slow the converter box changed channels. A big difference from changing tv channels on the tv, the way it was in the past. I got used to it though and the converter box remote worked well. 1 side for the box, 1 side for the tv. Easy to hold, buttons easy to use. But I had trouble picking up PBS from time to time (they went from being 1 channel to being 3), all the more reason I'd like to be able to watch it. I got PBS well enough before, but not since the switch to digital. Some days yes, some days no. The box worked satisfactorily that summer but come fall it would turn back off after turning it on in the morning. Puzzled me (& the company tech too), but I finally figured out it was sensitive to temperature. With it shut off overnight, if the temps got cool enough overnight(in the lower 60's), it would not come on and stay on without turning it back on about 3 times in a row. Then it'd stay on the rest of the day. So I put up with that until I found the setting to turn off the automatic shutt-off, so that it did not shut off after 4 hrs. Worked ok again that way with it left on all the time. It worked for me thru the winter of 08-09, and spring & summer '09, accepting a few glitches with it here and there. A month or two ago it started locking up more often, ie. picture freezing & box no longer functioning at same time. On the night of the Survival finale show, I had changed channels just before the last hour and rushing to get back to Survivor, the picture froze and box failed to respond further. I did what I'd done a hundred times before, unplugged the thing and then plugged it in again. It came on standby as always, I turned it on but the picture froze again. Repeat a couple more times and still wouldn't stay on without locking up. And since then I've not been able to get it to come on and stay on. With the antenna *disconnected* from it however, it stays on fine! Green light comes on, stays on for hours. Hook up the antenna and after 20 seconds or so it shuts down. Same antenna, same everything. I've tried all sorts of things. Moved it further from tv. Took splitter out of antenna line. Took vcr out of equation. Looked inside at the circuitry -forget that! it's complicated. Slapped it around. It just will not stay on [with the antenna connected] anymore. So I'm getting another converter box. Picked a different brand. I haven't used other converter boxes so I don't know whether the picky behavior I've experienced with this one is common with all of them or what. The principle behind the operation of a converter box seems to be somewhat different from a vcr or tv or electric clock. It's very sensitive. This one's become overly sensitive to the miniscule quantity of 'juice' in an antenna lead.

At first it worked great, then after 9 months just died one day. From what I'm reading 9 months was longer than most. Too bad.

Product died after 6 mos. for no reason.

i bought two of these and one is already not working, the other one is working but used very very little. the one in my bedroom is used almost daily and it will not power on.

I bought 2, yes 2 of the pieces of junk, because I had RCA TVs and VCRs. Wasn't long until first one then the other started going black, sound was ok. I can get picture back by turning the Converter Box off then back on again but that doesn't help when I'm recording on my VCR and I record a lot.

I called RCA customer service and was told I'd have to pay shipping to get warranty work. Since both units were doing the same thing, and from reading reviews that is a common problem, I decided I'd be throwing good money after bad to ship them and swap junk for junk.

I wrote RCA but didn't get a response. I am no longer loyal to RCA. Just bought a Samsung TV and I love it.

I was amazed at how easy this box was to install and how much clearer the picture on my set is now.

The only thing I would add is a "previous channel" buttton on the remote, but other than that I am glad i chose this brand over others.

Thanks RCA!

This product did not meet my expectations. Bought 2 of them. One lasted a week and quit. Took it back and exchanged it for a Magnavox and it scanned half way and quit. The second box also quit when it was only used 2 weeks. On July 28 I took both back to Walmart and was told they can no longer have the boxes and can no longer order them. I was told I would need to go to Radio Shack. I did get my $10 back for each box from the store. Now I can't get another coupon for any box. I am very disapointed in this product and would not recommend it. The products should last longer than 1 month.

Can't pick up signal good. Goes in and out ALL the time. Gonna get a better one.

I bought two of these boxes, on for the travel trailer and the other for when the cable goes out. The don't work. I took my trailer out this past weekend and tryed out the box. I could not get any stations. A guy next to me with the same type of trailer and antenna was getting a great picture with a digital tv. He said he tried the box but it didn't work so he got a new tv. I brought the box home and hooked it to my big antenna on the roof of the house. Still no joy.
I got mine early, back in Jan or Feb so I can't take them back. Glad I had the cupons so I'm only out 18 bucks...