Explain DTV to me because apparently I don't get it

THEPAIN73

Ok so when you hook up a converter box to a television all you do is turn on the box and television and enjoy the TV? That's what we do in my jobs break room and it shouldn't be different outside of it.

Someone keeps telling me I need a cable box AND a converter box to get basic channels. And because my big screen (wooden case circa 1990 big screen) never needed rabbit ears to get channels before it didn't need it now.

dtv.gov was also not valid enough proof.

MichaelLC

So you're currently (or were) getting TV from an antenna? If that's the case, then yeah I think all you need is the converter box.

A cable box is if you want cable service - Comcast, Quest, AT&T, etc. Gives you more channels and options, but costs more too.

Mr_Grinch

You plug the DTV in to your TV usually through a scart socket (or any external input such as Composite if you don't have scart). The aerial that currently goes in to your tv plugs in to the DTV.

The DTV receives digital channels through your aerial and outputs them to your tv, so they'll display on whatever input you've plugged the DTV in to (eg scart).

At least I assume it works the same over there as it does in the UK.

matt has a problem

We don't have scart, but yeah, it works the same. The DTV box is just converting the digital over-air signal into an analog signal that the TV can understand.

EggyToast

Yep. A cable box would imply you're getting cable. You just need a digital antenna that converts the signal to analog. The antenna looks a little different, but because it's a digital signal the reception should be dramatically improved compared to your old signal (or non-existent in the case of stations you could barely see before).

Mega Playboy

As stated above all you need is the converter box and rabbit ears. The problem we are having at my job is that DTV is all or nothing. The building we are in is basically a giant tesla cage and block out some or the channels/kill reception.

DHS Odium

It's already been said but here it is again in the simplest explanation:

Antenna => Converter Box => TV

THEPAIN73

So in other words, I am right in not needing a cable box to go along with my converter box.