How to Set Up a Converter Box
In June 2009, most TV signals in the United States were converted from analog to digital. For those without cable TV or HDTVs that can handle digital signals, a special analog-to-digital converter box is required to allow viewers to watch TV. Setting up a converter box is fairly simple, similar to setting up other TV peripherals such as VCRs or DVD players.
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Things You'll Need
- Digital converter box
- Antenna
- Two coaxial cables (RF cables)
- Converter box remote control
- User manual
Instructions
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1
A coaxial cable should run from your antenna to your TV. Unplug it from the TV. If you don't have the antenna hooked up yet, connect a coaxial cable to the antenna.
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2
Plug the antenna's coaxial cable into the converter box's "antenna in" plug. The plug should be labeled on the converter box.
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3
Hook up one end of the second coaxial cable to the "TV out" plug on the converter box.
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4
Plug the other end of the second coaxial cable into the "antenna in" on the TV.
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5
Connect the power cable for the converter box and plug it into an outlet.
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Turn on the converter box and the TV, turn the TV to channel 3 or 4, then use the remote control that came with the converter box, the user manual and the on-screen setup instructions to configure the box. The exact setup process will depend on your converter box model.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have cable TV, you do not need to use a digital converter box, even if you have an older analog TV.
If you have AV cables and your converter box and TV both have AV plugs, you can use them to hook up the box instead of a coaxial cable, which may improve picture quality. If you use AV cables to hook up the box, you will have to change the TV to the appropriate AV input to set up the converter box, rather than switching to channel 3 or 4.
