Which (nearly) free DTV converter box should I buy?

If you're wondering whether the DTV transition is really coming in 2009, the recent early test in Wilmington, N.C. should convince you that there won't be any push backs this time. That means that if you're getting your TV programming using free, analog over-the-air signals, you should start looking at DTV converter boxes before the big switch on February 17, 2009.

Out of the boxes we've tested, our favorites are the RCA DTA800 and Dish Network TR-40 CRA. The DTA800 has an excellent remote with jumbo-size buttons, a basic electronic program guide (EPG), solid video quality, and it even works with new Smart Antennas that automatically align themselves to get better reception. On the other hand, the Dish Network TR-40 CRA has the best electronic programming guide (EPG) by far, displaying several days' worth of data in an easy-to-read layout. Coming in right behind those boxes is the Zenith DTT901, which actually has the best image quality of any of the boxes we've tested, and the Apex DT250, which is loaded with features but doesn't pull in quite as many stations as the other boxes. The GE 22730 Digital Converter Box comes in a distant last and should generally be avoided, as its video quality is poor, it's difficult to use, and it also pulled in fewer channels than the other boxes we tested.