Last-minute DTV Gifts

The February 17, 2009 switch to all-digital TV is now less than two months away, so this year's holiday season provides an ideal opportunity to help friends and family get ready with new DTV consumer electronics gear. Given below are some last-minute holiday shopping ideas for some exciting and affordable DTV-related gifts:

Winegard RC-DT09 DTV converter box - Winegard is targeting viewers who have an existing battery powered analog TV with this product, the first DTV set-top converter box which can be powered by batteries (and has analog passthrough, as well). A separate battery pack (RC-BP9V, cost $14.99 from Winegard) is required for battery operation (the set-top box comes with an AC cord and power supply). For more information (and to purchase from Winegard directly, for $62.99) go to www.winegarddirect.com/dtv/. Since this is an NTIA-certified converter box, a $40 NTIA DTV converter box coupon may be applied to the cost of this purchase (see www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/ for more information about the NTIA coupon program). Also available is a 12v car adapter, the RC-12DC, which is available from www.summitsource.com/ for $14.95.

RCA indoor antenna - no more Rabbit Ears! The RCA ANT1500 Digital Flat Panel Antenna is the latest in antenna technology. Its patented technology is optimized for DTV reception right out of the box. The product's omni directional elements are enclosed in a slim low profile design that allows for multiple placement options. The product can lay flat, hang on the wall, stand up on its own (using included stand), or be hidden behind furniture. It is optimized for improved reception in both the UHF and VHF bands. RCA also makes two other antennas similar to the ANT 1500- the new ANT 2000 which is a "Smart" antenna (uses the CEA 909 interface and is compatible with some DTV converter boxes like the RCA Digital Converter Box model number DTA800), and the ANT 1450 which includes an RF amplifier. The ANT1500 is available from a number of online retailers including BeachAudio.com where it sells for $36 (www.beachaudio.com/Rca/Ant1500-p-146070.html). The ANT2000 smart antenna is available from Walmart.com at www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10096792 for $64.88.

Thirteen-inch DTV/DVD combos - many TV viewing households have a small antenna TV in the kitchen or den. A nice DTV replacement for that kind of set is a 13" unit like the models shown here, which both have integral DVD players. Both the Coby TFDVD1390 and the Heier TCR13 have CRT displays, digital ATSC/NTSC tuners (the Coby also has a QAM tuner, compatible with in-the-clear digital cable TV signals), and built-in front loading DVD players. Both the Coby (www.amazon.com/Coby-TFDVD1390-13-Inch-Digital-Player/dp/B0014KS9B2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=
UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229615316&sr=8-1) and the Haier (www.amazon.com/Haier-TCR13-13-Inch-Combination-Silver/dp/B000TQE434/ref=pd_sim_e_5) are available on Amazon.com for less than $150 each.

Seven-inch portable DTVs - two of the smallest DTV receivers with integral displays are the Axion AXN-8701 and the Haier HLT71. Both receivers have a built-in rechargeable battery (advertised to last for approximately 2 hours before needing to be recharged) and come with an AC adapter and a 12 volt auto adapter, as well as a remote control and a built-in telescoping antenna which can be disconnected to accommodate an external antenna signal. The Axion is available at Newegg.com for $180 (www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889153004); the Haier set, while listed on Amazon.com (www.amazon.com/Haier-HLT71-7-Inch-Portable-LCD/dp/B001E78UQY) is not yet available.

Pegasus BDS-9000TV 9" LCD TV with ATSC Tuner - slightly larger than the 7" models just described is the 9" Pegasus BDS-9000TV. This unit (available with a clear package as shown in the photo or with a dark gray package) has both DTV and NTSC tuners and includes Audio/video and S-video input connectors. It also has a remote control and an integral, telescoping antenna which is detachable (uses an F-type connector). Available for $170 from online retailer Newegg - go to www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889531001.

DTV Tuners for your PC - KWorld offers a line of inexpensive DTV receiver products that work with personal computers, including the KW-ATSC-330U and the KW-ATSC-315U. The 330U, slightly larger than a USB flash memory device, is also called the "PlusTV HD Hybrid Stick." To install, just plug it into a desktop or laptop PC's USB 2.0 port and connect a cable TV or a TV antenna. Then, load the software from the installation CD and you're ready to start watching analog or ATSC digital TV on your computer screen. The 315U is functionally similar to the 330U but is housed in a larger package and includes external inputs (baseband video and audio, and S-video), and is better suited for use with a desktop computer. Both the 330U and the 315 U are available online from Provantage about $60 each - see www.provantage.com/kworld-kw-atsc-330u~7KWRD012.htm (for the 330U)and www.provantage.com/kworld-kw-atsc-315u~7KWRD010.htm (for the 315U).

HDTV Buying Guide 2008 edition - if you can't afford to spring for that big screen TV then this buying guide may be helpful for the person on your list wanting to purchase a big set. This book, which is available electronically in .pdf format, provides the information needed to understand the various choices and choose the right one. Industry expert Bruce Berkoff walks you through each step in this easy-to-read book, and helps you find exactly what you need. A special section on "green" TVs explains which sets are most energy efficient, and how to find them. The electronic version is available online for about $9 at www.diesel-ebooks.com/cgi-bin/item/0965197549/HDTV-Buying-Guide-2008-edition-eBook.html; also available in paperback from Amazon.com for $14.95.

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