DTV Converter Reviews and Ratings

It's all plastic. It's not square on the side so it can't be tucked vertically alongside the TV without leaning against something. The menus look a bit like an early Atari game.

But this is a really functional DTV set-top converter box, especially its remote control, which in our opinion is simply better than any other we have tested.

If you have the chance to see and touch the boxes and their remotes, consider this: If there is a virtual tie in terms of reception and tuning quality, which remote control do I want to have in my hand for the next few years? Until we see something better, the DTX9900 has the most user-friendly remote we have tested.

If your priority is a good picture this box fits that bill. If the remote control is your top concern you need to see this converter before you commit your $40 coupon (which we cannot stress enough can only be used one time without refund). The fact that Radio Shack (4,000 stores nationwide) is easy to find even outside metropolitan areas is another plus.

Finally, the Digital Stream is the first unit we have purchased that can display cable ATSC (digital) signals that may be sent by some cable companies in their original, unconverted format (this is NOT a QAM tuner). Cable companies use a variety of transmission schemes. We have no idea how many systems will send ATSC (ours does not) but it is a great extra if your cable company does.

The LG-made Zenith and Insignia boxes are excellent in our view, but we give a slight edge to the Digital Stream based on its superior remote.

As a cautionary note, the units run very hot. There are lots of electronics in this small box. Competitor Venturer has a box of similar size, but they put the power transformer on the power plug and thereby move that heat source outside the case. Heat is the enemy of all electronics and this may negatively affect the lifespan of the Digital Stream boxes.

All things considered we still think this is a terrific converter. We give the Digital Stream DTX9900 a Very Good rating.

9900 or 9950?

As indicated in the Tests, there was no appreciable difference in performance between the two Digital Stream converters. They were virtually indistinguishable, and the remote controls were interchangeable. All controls for one worked exactly the same for the other, with one notable exception.

At first we thought we had to give up the Channel Info Banner function found on the INFO button of the DTX9900, but thanks to a kind reader we now realize the function is still there on the DTX9950 -- it has just been moved to the OK button.

Perhaps there is no good reason not to choose a DTX9950 since it adds a new feature, and over time crafty users may find creative uses for the analog-pass through (send old VCR signals through it perhaps?).

In our view you cannot go wrong with either of the Digital Stream converters, whose remote control is our current favorite, and whose frequency of use is equal to the Insignia NS-DXA1.