I have a RCA model #32V550T tv. Will I have to buy a converter box from analog to digital to watch local stations from a outside antenna? This tv is a class B digital device.

The RCA BD20TF10 was manufactured before digital tuners (ATSC) were required. It only has an analog (NTSC) tuner so you will need a digital to analog converter box to watch most local channels. (These were the boxes available with the discount coupon as the ATSC broadcast transmitters were enabled.) Depending on the converter box model, use either the composite video input or use the RF antenna connection. If you use the RF output from the converter, you will need to set the TV to channel 3 or 4 (set the switch on the box to match). Then follow the directions for searching for channels with the converter box.

You may be able to find a low power analog station still broadcasting. However, you'd need to be close to the transmitter or have an antenna that is rated for a long-range signals. (Usually this will need to be an outdoor antenna with few obstructions between the transmitter and the antenna.) To scan for any available NTSC channels, make sure that the TV is set to TV mode. Then press Menu. Use the Up/Down arrows to highlight Channels and press OK. Select Auto Channel Search and press OK. You may need to confirm this step by highlighting the Start Search option and pressing OK. This will also let you add the appropriate channel for watching the signal from the converter box with the RF cable. The manual for this TV is available from Sears Parts Direct here: http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/user-manuals/BD20TF10-Rca-Parts-Television-Parts-manual . The direct link to the manual is http://c.searspartsdirect.com/mmh/pd_download/lis_pdf/OWNM/L0312126.pdf .

I hope this helps. I'm not sure if the Menu feature is available from the front panel buttons. You may need a remote with a matching code to do the channel scan.

Cindy Wells

According to the user's manual, the TV can receive and decode analog and digital TV signals, so no, you should not need a digital converter box. During the channel scan it will search for analog channels first, then digital ones.

The problem is probably that your antenna can't pick up any of the remaining analog stations in your area. Only low-power stations are still broadcasting an analog signal. If you are using an indoor antenna, you might the signal with an outside antenna with an amplifier. (Check a site like tvfool.com to get the direction to any nearby analog station and make sure that your antenna is oriented correctly. This site or antennaweb.org will also help you orient your antenna for the digital stations in your area.)

You need a set-top digital tuner or a converter box to translate the OTA digital signals (ATSC) and translate them to the analog NTSC format. Low end converter models with only SD output are harder to find but still available. However, there are some converter boxes that have HD output as well. This one, http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=3500STB&d=iView-HD-DVR-ReceiverConverter-Box-for-TV-Antenna-QAM-(3500STB)&c=Digital%20Converter%20Boxes&sku= , lets you attach an external drive (USB flash drive or hard drive) . It connects via component video or HDMI. (We've had good luck with our model with a portable (2.5") external hard drive. It replaces the SD converter box and DVD recorder.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(In my area, there is only one low-power station still broadcasting. Its transmitter is nearly 40 miles and can only be picked up with the external antenna and amplifier. If the weather is bad, we will lose that signal. Beware: an amplifier can become damaged and block the signal. The usual check for this removing the amplifier and attaching the antenna directly to the TV. For low-power stations, this test doesn't often help.)

The Mintek DTV-260 only has a NTSC (analog) tuner. You will need to connect your RCA antenna to a digital to analog converter box to watch TV over the air. Then connect the output of the converter box to your TV.

The common converter boxes are limited to SD output. You might be able to find an HD converter box online. (With the standard converter box, the available outputs are coaxial and composite video.) The DTV-260 has a composite video port; alternatively set the TV to channel 3 or 4 and use the coaxial (RF) input on the TV.

There may be a low-power station that still broadcasts in analog. However these are rare. You will need to switch from CATV to OTA (Air) to check for one of these stations. Analog Cable has different parameters than scanning for over the air signals.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

The KV-32FS100 only has an analog tuner (NTSC). Unless there is a low-power analog station still broadcasting in your area, you will not be able to watch OTA stations. (I've got one in my area that barely comes in.) If your local cable still sends an analog signal, you won't need a set top box to watch that subscribed service.

Otherwise, you need a set top box to watch TV. A digital to analog converter (the boxes that were available with the government coupon before the switch over) will give you over the air stations. The basic models only provide SD output; there are a few HD models available. Otherwise, you can use a satellite reciever, cable box (for digital cable service), or something like the Boxee or Sling with tuner. (There are a few different models of the Boxee; one added a tuner with a USB dongle. The newest model of the Boxee has the ATSC tuner built in.)

Note: OTA digital signal quality is either a strong enough signal for the tuner or no signal will be present. You need to point the antenna in the correct direction to receive the signal from your local transmitters. The type of antenna and its placement will also change the number of watchable channels. You can use antennaweb.org or tvfool.com to get more information. Antennaweb assumes an outdoor antenna but gives a conservative list of stations. If the signal is split to several devices, you may need an amplifier to get a watchable signal. (Sometimes amplifiers fail and you won't receive any stations, so test without the splitter or amplifier by using a direct cable to one TV.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

It is meant for Rabbit Ears or Outside Antenna Only.....

Here is how you should have it connected.
1- Antenna (rabbit ears or whatever)
2- Converter box
3- Television

When you turn on the TV and the converter box, go to channel 3 on the TV. You should see the converter box signal there. If you do not see it try channel 4. Bring up the convert box menu and go through the AUTO SEARCH, not manual search. Now your box will search all the frequencies and add any stations that are in your area. Make sure you change channels with the converter box, not the tv. An antenna on the roof will still provide somewhat better range, but even rabbit ears will likely pick up something. If you still get no channels you could be too far away, digital signals have a shorter range than analog signals. You can check your local TV stations website or call to see if they are broadcasting digital yet.

You have to use the RCA plugs on the back of the converter box and the tv (red,yellow and white). Or you can attach the antenna wire to box and then attach the wire that comes with the converter that is listed as to the tv and instead attach it to the antenna in on the vcr. The converter box will determine which channel your vcr will get a singal to record from. Your VCR for every program will be set to channel 3 or 4 (depending on what your converter box is set to broadcast on). Make sure the power saver on the converter box is turned off as if you want to record a program in say 4 hours, if the converter box turns off in 2, your vcr will have nothing to record.

I ran seperate coaxible cable to the tv from vcr and unplug the tv converter box everytime I want to watch the vcr. You can also use the RCA cord to send the signal from the vcr to the tv and use the input signal to watch your recorded programs. I had static showing up everytime I played it through the second converter box thus I solved it by running a seperate coax line. I don't know if you will have this problem, just wanted you to be aware.

Ok first I can save you some money. Take your "HDTV" antenna back. There is nothing different about the antennas needed receive analog and digital signals. If you got reception without your converter box, use the same antenna with your converter box.

Next let's see if there is a problem with the box. Hook up a television with the antenna. How many stations do you get? Now hook up the same television & antenna, but this time put the converter box between the antenna & the TV. Do not turn on the box. Now how many stations do you get? If the number is different, the box is not allowing the antenna signal to pass through. That is bad. You want your signal to pass through the box so you can still pick up stations that don't broadcast digitally. Some areas of the country will not be covered by digital stations from all major broadcasters when the changeover happens in Feb.

My suspicion is either you did not have the antenna hooked up to the converter box when you searched for channels OR you are in an area that is not yet broadcasting digitally.

I hope this helps you solve your problem. Thank you for using FixYa and feel free to add more questions here by using comments.