Complain about a product or service

DTV Converter

Roc of DOUGLASVILLE, GA November 6, 2009

TARGET DTV APEX A AND RCA Converter. This thing is a piece a junk. Very bad reception and when compared to the RCA it only picks half the channels no matter what kind of antenna you have. I purchased 2 APEX and with in 35 days both remote controls stop working. APEX does not have any buttons so you have to buy universal remote and even with the right codes the APEX only responds 10 % of the time.

Within 45 days one of the APEX completely stop working. I had to go to 4 different Targets before I found one that would take it back and they just resealed it like it was new and put it back on the shelf. The 2nd APEX has either gone alien or poltergeist. It changes channels on its on, mutes itself , resets itself, shuts off during football games and refuses to power back up. It's not funny when you miss the best part of the game.

The government got ripped off with the 40 coupons or guess it was a bailout of Electronic industry and Cable industry. Your tax money that your Congressman spent! For months and months we searched for DTV Converter and everybody was sold out or tried to sell me and many many many other people equipment we didn't need.

Finally a day before my coupon expired Target got a truck load so I called and told other people who I had ran into while looking for DTV Converters As of to date 20 of the 25 converter boxes have failed. Unfortunately I already used my coupons at TARGET so I guess I'm stuck with the RCAs that don't work much better. THANKS A LOT FCC and CONGRESSMAN, WAY TO SELL OUT!

Tammy of San Diego, CA November 3, 2009

My mother and I are both disabled she has a very low income and I have none I am trying to get SSDI/SSi for last 3 yrs. Anyway we purchased 4 rca dta800 converter boxes with coupons in 2008. we did not use them until 2009 when the conversion actually occured. After the installation we had nothing but frustration and headaches, none of the 4 tv's in the 2 houses. 1 in front and one in back received the same channels. only 1 recieved all of the local channels except 36-13,and even though we bought 3 attenas the tv that got the most channels had an old set of rabbit ears with one side bent and nothing to but it on the tv with, I had to memerize the attena positions for each channel and change it accordingly.

Besides this, the remote controls for each box even after programming worked different for each tv even though 3 of them were RCA. Either the volume didn't work, or you could not use the #buttons to enter a channel you had to use the arrow keys on the remote, the converter box remote would not turn on or off thr tv in one room but it did change channels with the arow keys. Also every time there is the slighist movement or noise the channel would go out.

we called the dtv coversion line and were told that in our area we should recieve 27 stations at least, after scanning and rescanning we had 1 tv that finally got 17 channels the rest never got more than 3-8 and most of them were in spanish. Like I said I am disabled and do not drive so most of my time is spent watching tv, especially my soaps from 12-3 m-f. Now I can't get any channels on my tv in the bedroom which was the only one of the 4 that got channel 10 now it does not get any channels aqt all.

we connected walmart about an exchange the said no. we called rca and they wanted 25ea plus S@H there and back to fix them and there was no warranty. I have searched the web and found numerous compliants similar to mine and my mom's and I don't think that it is fair that during a recession our government has decided to force all americans to buy cable or satellite tv or deal with the daily furstration of the converter boxes not to mention having to purchase new ones every 5 months or so do to manufacture area in design or whatever the problems seem to be.

Not to mention that none of the commercials or announcements regarding the purchase of the converter boxes informed you hat you had to get a special smart attena that cost 30 or more and even with the smart antena we only got 8 channels at first and now it says that we get 17 but they require that you spend at least 15mins to 45 mins to adjust the attena and then you can't move or breathe for fear of the signal going out

It seems to me from all of the compliants I have read online, my personal experience, and talking to neighbors, friends and store employees that the public is being ripped off in this recession and with the hard times it is a form of cruelty to deprieve the unemployed, underpaid, disabled, seniors, other americans that can't afford the luxury of cable or satellite to go with out tv the one thing that all americans used to be able to afford no matter there financial status, and also the only way for people to get the news and important information necessary to have.

Personally I do not have the money to purchase another converter box that may or may not go ot 5 months from now so after over 20 years of watching my soaps from 12-3 and feeling like I was a part of each of the story lines I am going to have to due without my favorite shows. I just want to say that when you are disabled,live alone, and can not drive you tend to rely on television for not only entertainment but for social interaction. I feel that the government or the makers of the converter boxes should take care of the people who purchased there products in good faith and are being left out to hang.

Scott of Clearwater, FL October 25, 2009

I recently tried to find a Converter Box for my old TV so that I could pick up the few free channels there are available without having to pay for cable. Only Brighthouse Communications services my area and they want the cheapest 63.00 dollars a month. I went to Target, Walmart, seems like everywhere looking for a box and somebody told me Best buy had them. After driving all over town I went to best Buy only to find the shelves empty and the sales man told me all converter boxes were on back order and they would not be getting any for a long time. before this digital switchover all I had to do was put on an antenna and bing I had at least three channels but now you are forced to buy a converter box that nobody has in stock this is not fair to the consumer. you are forced to buy cable television and they set there own price with has doubled in two years, it used to be 30.00 dollars a month which is reasonable. Why are there no converter boxes available for the poor people??? this is a rip off of the American People who cannot afford cable TV.

Rose of Cedar Grove, NJ October 23, 2009

I bought the DTV converter box and a good antenna for my tv, but can only get ONE CHANNEL...not the 2-13 and more channels they originally bragged about offering. This is a rip-off. Nothing works. Wasted 50.00 for two boxes, even with those discount coupons, and still have to pay for cable service.

Diana of Norco, CA October 23, 2009

box required for the conversion of TV analog signals to digital. However box runs extremely hot in a short time of use. Not just a little hot either, I'm talking blazing hot where you can't touch it nor the connections without searing your fingers. I keep it unplugged which is a very big hassel each time I want to power it up to watch any TV not to mention needing gloves for protection to unplug it.

I am concerned consumers may leave it plugged in as nowhere in the owner's manual does it mention the temperature this plastic encased converter reaches. It can't be safe. I wanted to leave this post so it is on record. The product cannot be safe at that temperature plugged into an electrical outlet. Once again not just mildly hot but burning to the touch.

I've seen other posts about this unit running hot by worried consumers so this is not an isolated case. It is a fire hazard in the making for sure. My fingertips were seared and scorched just trying to unplug the box. Just want to leave a Beware post to let people know Access HD digital converter box runs scorchingly hot. This plastic box should not be trusted left plugged into an electrical source. The owner's manual does not warn of the heat but it is enough to cause a severe skin burn and possible electrical fire.

Bob of Waterville, MN October 22, 2009

Since the High Def TV switch, we don't get any reception using the HD Converter Box anytime there are clouds in the sky. Cable is not an option and to many trees in the direction we need to point a dish. Very disappointed and frustrating.

William of New York, NY September 29, 2009

I purchased a digital converter box and it has made my user experience with basic television three times worse. It's almost like I'm watching satellite television: when a plane flys over, a storm is approaching or some out of the blue glitch, this false contraption fails to perform. Where's the justice? I'm a very unhappy customer and this experience has made watching television horrible. I can't afford an almost 200 bill for basic cable each month and New York doesn't give a plethora of options when it comes to cable options. What does the FCC have to say about this? They promoted this crappy contraption for almost 6 months and i havent heard anything about how they are going to make the user experience better. This just seems like scheme for the government to make some money. Horrible!

Courtney of holly ridge, NC September 28, 2009

Like everyone else using an analog antenna to receive a TV signal I was forced to switch to a digital converter box when the digital conversion took place. Even though I bought mine in January in preparation for the original conversion scheduled for February I have not been able to receive a constant or steady signal since the beginning. I got the coupons online and they had an expiration date on them. I used one before they expired but not the other. Since I believed the coupon to be expired I threw it away after which time it was announced that the coupons would still be accepted after the expiration date printed on them. I went online to try to order another to no avail and I was unable to contact anyone concering this matter. Recently I noticed when the signal is lost the guide reads: DTV PROGRAMMING. I was unaware that a private company had taken over the broadcasting of all public "free" programming. This is especially upsetting as since I have converted, my signal is very unstable and doesn't include many networks that I had before including CBS and at times NBC and ABC.

What is even more frustrating it that DTV is the only cable provider for my neighborhood. It seems as though I was forced to buy a converter box that does not have the capabilities as were described through the commercials that claimed "Digital cable is so much better than analog that the FCC had required the conversion". However it seems more like the FCC allowed DTV to monopolize the singnal and not only that but to have the ability to force people into buying cable through them just to receive the basic broadcasts. I live in a somewhat rural area in Coastal NC and when a hurricane comes these network are typically where I receive pertinent information as to evacuations, business closings, and city wide curfews. IS THIS LEGAL? WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? I have contacted the troubleshooting hotline and done as instructed and while the signal is strengthened for a short period, within an hour it is back to limited channels with the signal fading in and out on the ones I do get.

Regina of Port Townsend, WA September 16, 2009

I cannot watch TV anymore. I have the converter box for my TV. Since the changeover my stations are gone. The consequences are that I as a citizen am less informed about the world. I refuse to pay for cable. Our citizens have been cut out of the loop for profit.

Kim of Acworth, GA September 11, 2009

I long for "the good old days"! We had an antennae for years and never complained, but decided to get cable in order to be able to get more channels. It eventually got pretty costly - so we tried satellite service for a year. What a mistake! Any time it rained in the next state, we lost the picture, the sound, or both. As soon as our contract with "the dish" was over - we went back to cable.

For over a decade we have had cable (bundled with broadband internet) and our only complaint was that it is expensive. Now the govt. made this grand decision that the whole nation has to convert to digital -vs- analog. We didn't think that we'd have anything to do (or worry about) since we already subscribe to cable, but the joke was on us (the consumer)!

Within days of the digital conversion, our cable company sent out notices that they were also undergoing their own digital migration, and if you had an older set - you'd need a conversion box in order to recieve the upper channels. Naturally, we got the boxes for our TV's...it took several attempts to set up each box and we even had to have a tech come to the house to reprogram one of the boxes. My problem with all of this is...#1)we are dealing with a govt sanctioned monopoly! Either you subscribe to high priced satellite or cable, or you have to go out and buy new equipment just to watch TV. #2)

The quality of the cable reception is just a poor as it was when we had satellite service...the picture pixelates whenever there's bad weather in your area (or when planes fly overhead) #3) The basic rule of supply & demand - if EVERYONE has to go this route, then the price should be reduced!

Now I'll give all in Washington DC a little something to think about... remember Katrina? People relied on TV and cell phone service for everything. If all we have available to us is this "new" digital service, what's gonna happen when the lights go out for a few days/weeks? At least before, someone in the neighborhood had an antennae and we could get important weather and news updates.

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