I bet I'm not alone in the Dollar Stretcher community as a person who doesn't have cable and owns an old televsion set. Over the summer, I sent away for my digital converter coupon, and recently purchased my converter box. Even with my $40.00 off coupon, I still had to pay $20.00 for it. I did some consumer research, and found the most recommended box was the RCA one, but none of the local stores carried it, so I got the second-best Zenith one instead. My local PBS station was switching over early, and I didn't want to lose it.
I lost some channels and gained some channels in the conversion. I only have very basic rabbit ears for my antenna, and I have heard it suggested that if I got an amplified antenna I would gain the channels I've lost. I don't really watch much tv, so I think I'll just keep what I have, unless I come across an amplified antenna at a yard sale or thrift store for a few dollars.
The reception is super-clear, but sometimes it gets pixelly and breaks up. What I really like is that my local PBS channel has a bunch of extra channels -- one that's mostly cooking shows, one that has lots of craft and sewing shows, and one that has PBS World -- with really great documentary programming.
So I'm enjoying the new digital world with my 10+ year old tv. It's kind of like having cable for free. There are lots of wires and things involved, and I have to unplug the box and plug in the vcr if I want to watch a video or dvd, but that's okay with me.
