Sansonic FT-300A Digital To Analog TV Converter Box

by Sansonic

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 1 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001I6HRGU
• Item model number: FT-300A
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,957 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #42 in Electronics > Televisions & Video > Analog-to-Digital (DTV) Converters

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Manufacturer's Description (January 29, 2009)
Enjoy an easy transition from analog to digital TV broadcasts with the Sansonic FT-300A Digital Converter Box, which enables an older TV not connected to cable or satellite to receive and display digital TV programming (ATSC). This converter box is eligible for the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. It supports programming and system information in both 4:3 (standard definition) and 16:9 (widescreen, digital) aspect ratios to fit any TV. It also includes a remote control that features mute, sleep, and V-Chip controls.

The front (top) and back (bottom) of the Sansonic FT-300A digital converter box.

Features

• Receives over-the-air (terrestrial) channels 2 through 69
• Input: RF cable
• Output: RF cable or composite video (yellow plug) and audio (red and white plugs)
• After installation
• Supports channel display, closed captioning, and V-Chip parental controls
• Displays antenna level and signal quality
• On-screen display languages: English, French, Spanish
• Coupon-eligible converter box (CECB)

Instructions

1. Disconnect your existing antenna by pulling or unscrewing the coaxial (RF) cable from the "antenna in" jack on the back of your TV.
2. Connect the coaxial (RF) cable to the "antenna in" jack on the back of the converter box.
3. Do one of the following:
   • Use the supplied coaxial cable to connect the "antenna out" jack on the converter to the "antenna in" jack on the back of your TV. Using this method, you will view digital TV broadcasts on either channel 3 or 4 (selected during initial setup of the converter box).
   • If your TV (or VCR) is equipped with the corresponding inputs, you can use an optional AV composite cable (yellow video plug; red and white audio plugs) to connect the "AV out" jacks on the converter to the "AV in" jacks on the back of your TV. Using this method, you will view digital TV broadcasts by selecting your TV's AV mode.
4. Plug in the converter box power cable, and turn on your TV.
5. Press the Channel Scan (CH SCAN) button on the remote to find available channels in your area (which will be memorized by the converter box).

Note: If your antenna connects to your set via a thin, flat wire hooked to a pair of screw terminals instead of a threaded coaxial cable input, you will need to use an inexpensive antenna adaptor.

What's in the Box
Converter box, remote control (with AAA batteries), AC adapter, RF cable, printed user manual

Tech Talk
Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio refers to the shape of the video image. Standard-definition television broadcasts have a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is almost square in appearance. Many digital TV broadcasts have a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is widescreen and appears rectangular, looking more like a movie screen and filling more of the viewer's field of vision for a more lifelike viewing experience. Even after the transition to the ATSC digital TV broadcasts after February 17, 2009, some programming (especially older shows) will still be viewed in the 4:3 aspect ratio.

ATSC tuner: Often called an ATSC receiver or HDTV tuner, allows reception of digital television (DTV) signals broadcast over-the-air by TV stations. May be integrated into a television, VCR, digital video recorder, or set-top box.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have an analog or a digital TV?
What you need to know is whether your TV set has something called a "digital tuner" already built in. If it does, your TV set will receive digital signals. The best way to determine whether your TV set has a digital tuner built in is to consult your owner's manual.

If you bought your TV set before 1998, it probably doesn't have a digital tuner at all. Almost every TV set made before 1998 was a traditional "analog" set. If you bought a big-screen, projection TV between 1998 and 2004, it may have a built-in digital tuner inside. But chances aren't great.

If you purchased a new TV set since 2004, your chances of having a built-in digital tuner improve dramatically. Starting in 2004, many of the TV sets sold at popular electronics stores feature digital tuners. But it's not a sure thing. Even some of the newer TV sets are purely display monitors that lack the internal circuitry needed to pick up digital broadcasts. Usually these sets have been advertised as "HD-ready" or "HDTV monitor" sets. That means they can display digital and high-definition signals, but they need help getting those signals in the first place. You'll still need a special converter or a cable TV connection.

Will I receive High-Definition TV with a converter box?
No. Analog televisions are not capable of displaying High-Definition resolution, but the picture will generally be better with a TV converter box. If you want to view High-Definition TV, then you will need one of the newer sets rated for "High-Definition" resolution.

Will my VCR or DVD player still work once I plug my converter box into my TV?
The analog equipment you currently use will continue to work with (output to) your analog TV set just as before, but they will not be able to receive over-the-air programming without the TV converter box. Attach the converter to your VCR, TiVo, DVD-R, etc. instead of hooking it directly to your TV.

Product Description

Coupon Eligible digital converter box (CECB) that converts ATSC Digital broadcast signals to Analog (NTSC) allowing an Analog (non-digital) TV to receive Digital broadcasts. The converter processes and displays ATSC programming and system information in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios to fit any TV. It features outstanding pictures quality that provides viewers with a near DVD quality picture and is rated recommended by Consumer Reports. Its compact size makes it convenient to install. Specifications: Receiving and Presenting Audio/Video Formats Contained in ATSC A/53E * Support 4:3 and 16:9 Video Format * Process and Display ATSC A/65C Program and System Information Protocol data. * Receiving RF Channels 2 through 69 inclusive * Include a female 75 ohm F-Type Connector for VHF/UHF Antenna Input. * Include a female 75-ohm F-Type Connector with User-selectable Ch3 or 4 NTCS RF Output. * Composite Video and Stereo Audio Output. * Full Compliant with ATSC A/74, Receiver Performance Guidelines. * Support Channel Display, Closed Caption, EAS and Parental Control (V-Chip) * Full Compliant with Energy Standards. * Display ANT Level and Signal quality on the TV.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars It Is Awful, February 18, 2009

By 

jessie "jessie" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sansonic FT-300A Digital To Analog TV Converter Box (Electronics)

It scrambles the tv signal - on and off. Sometimes the picture is ok, sometimes (most of the time) it is completely scrambled and unwatchable. I have a really good antenna as well. Buy something else. This is getting returned.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Average only, March 14, 2009

By 

William G. Schmidt (Farmersville, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sansonic FT-300A Digital To Analog TV Converter Box (Electronics)

The unit is small and the picture and sound quality are excellent. We wanted a conveter on a fairly new TV that we use in the kitchen and this fits the bill. We can receive all of our local channels on a rabbit ear antenna with only ocassional pixelization and drop-out (I've had a DTV for a couple of years and I think the general digital scheme, if you're using an over-the-air antenna, is marginal at best).
This unit is digital only; there's no analog pass-through. That won't matter in the future, though.
I've also noticed our unit regularly turns itself off (after several hours). I can't find anything in the manual about this other than the unit being "energy complaint". If I were using a VCR with this, I'd never know if the unit would still be operating when the VCR was set to record. Maybe our unit is defective in this regard.

20 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money on this product!, January 14, 2009

By 

Kevin Miller "KMiller" (Blairsville, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sansonic FT-300A Digital To Analog TV Converter Box (Electronics)

This product is a waste of money. I have owned one for a few months and have not been satisfied with it performance even when it was working properly!

I purchased this DTV converter several months ago and I was able to receive a few channels from local TV stations with transmitters ca. 2 miles away with minimal problems, but stations more than 10 miles away have always been a problem to receive. Within the last week I have been unable to receive any stations! I tried a new antenna with no success. I tried going to the second story of my house with no success. I have tried many times to scan for channels with no success.