Digital Converter box w FiOS

[SoulAssassin]

Just got Verizon FiOS installed today (yeah!) and as expected the two older SDTV's that I have will not work without a converter box. Verizon offers a basic one for $4/mo that doesn't do any of the onscreen programming or remote DVR watching.

Question is I have a converter box coupon (we bring a tv out for tailgating), I asked the Verizon tech today if a non-Verizon box would work and he said "probably". I was looking at the Insignia NS-DXA1-APT from best buy. Anyone know if this will work and at least allow me to get basic cable with Verizon? If this won't work, is there a specific feature in another box I should be looking for or is what I'm trying to do impossible and I'm at the mercy of forever renting from Verizon?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1209166340855

 

[SoulAssassin]

So I'm reading more and it looks like I'll need a box with clear QAM support...anyone know if I'm on the right track?

 

[zzuupp]

Yes, you are on the right track. I do not know how many channels FIOS sends in the clear.

 

[sivart]

FiOS has the same type signal as cable? If so, a box/TV with a QAM tuner would work. I don't have Verizon in my area, but I thought that they were more like AT&T U-verse rather than traditional cable in which a QAM tuner wouldn't work.

If you HDTV has a QAM tuner, take the coax directly to it and see if it pulls any channels. If so, find a tuner with a QAM tuner (you are looking at $150 and up -- gov't coupons can NOT be used for these), if not, you may have to rent a box.

 

[zzuupp]

It's not available in my neighborhood, yet.
From searching around, clear QAM channels are (in Virginia):

Local stations
the national feed of Ion
any premium movie channel during a preview weekend
& a few shopping and city government / school board channels (woot!)

 

[SoulAssassin]

I can only find one non-HD QAM stb for sale out there and it's unfortunately not eligible for the govt coupon and I can't find anywhere that has it in stock. It's the Tivax STB-1. This is for spare bedroom and home office so they are just old school 19" tv's...trying to save money in the long run vs renting. Hmmm....

Not expecting a million channels, but if I get the regular local stuff + weather + cnn, etc that's good.

 

[sivart]

Just get an HD box with QAM, it will down-convert to SD. Good luck with the weather channels and CNN (or any news channel) in clear QAM. It varies by area, but by law all the cable companies are required to carry 'in the clear' are the local broadcast channels.

 

[zzuupp]

I completely forgot about the coupon part of your question.
The coupon program is specifically for over the air ATSC only. Anything with QAM is ineligible.