Does Our RV Need A Digital TV Converter box?

by Dolly
(Pomona, NJ ,USA)

I'm still confused about the digital TV thing. Our 2006 unit is cable and internet ready, but if we are not at a campground do we need a converter to pick up TV signals after Feb?

Important Update 05/26/09: Towards the bottom of this page are whole bunch of links that give you instructions on how to install a Digital to Analog TV Converter Box in your RV or home, How to get a better signal to your converter box, etc.

ANSWER: Greetings Dolly Thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.


There is a lot of confusion about the change to Digital broadcast TV scheduled to take place on June 12, 2009.

If you do not have a TV with a digital tuner, you will not be able to receive any stations when using an antenna, all you will get is snow. If you are at a campground with cable TV, you will be able to receive TV, whether your TV has a digital tuner or an analog tuner. Since your RV is a 2006 model, there is a pretty good chance that you will need a Digital TV Converter Box for each TV in your RV to watch TV using an antenna.

Let me take this opportunity to give you my personal recommendation for a Digital TV Converter Box if you end up needing one. My personal recommendation is the Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital to Analog TV Converter Box which is very highly rated by its owners and it seems to pull in more channels than other DTV boxes we have tried. It also has analog pass through which is a must have option for any DTV Converter Box you buy.

Now continuing on; the government required that all TVs sold after March 1, 2007, had to have digital tuners. Your TVs in your RV were manufactured before that.

You say that your RV is "cable and internet ready". Unfortunately that does not mean that it is Digital TV ready. It simply means that the cable
and wiring to hook up your TV and computer were included when they constructed the unit.

The first thing I would do is find the owner's manual for your TV/TVs. The manual will tell you specifically if it has a digital tuner. If you do not see anything in the manual about a digital tuner, then you will need a Digital to Analog TV Converter Box.

Save 50% off of Campsites With Passport America

If you are still are not sure, try to find the model number of your TV (this is sometimes hard in an RV because the TVs are usually built into a cabinet). Once you find the model number, go to the TV Manufacturers website and look up the specifications for your TV. If the Specs do not mention "digital tuner" then, you will need a converter box.

We have also added a ton of information on our website about the Digital TV Changeover, please read the answers to the questions below to get even more information.

How Can We Improve The Digital TV Reception In Our RV?

The Digital TV Converter Box In Our Camper Will Not Work.

Did We Purchase The Right Digital TV Converter Box For Our RV?

I Just Purchased A New TV For My RV Do I Still Need A Digital TV Converter Box?

The Digital TV Converter Box In My Motorhome Is Causing A Hum In My TV's Sound

How Do I Install a Digital TV Transport Adapter In My RV?

Hooking Up Digital TV Converter Box In Conjunction With Satellite Receiver In An RV

We Want To Watch TV In Our RV Going Down The Road Can We Do That?

We Are Getting Terrible Reception On Our RV's TVs, How Can We Fix It?

We Want To Install DIRECTV in Our RV, But We Have Wiring Problems

Should I Put A Plasma or LCD TV In My RV?

How Do I Install A Digital TV Converter Box In My RV?

I certainly hope that we have given you the information you needed.

RVing Al

Comments for Does Our RV Need A Digital TV Converter box?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Video Switch Box
by: carolferguson

Do you need a new video switch box for the RV's i bought the attachment for our winegard antenna and still no tv we are going on a road trip and would like to have local tv to where we are staying!
Please help me.
Thanks
Carol Ferguson Canada
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Are there options available to keep analog TVs?
by: Sherri Turner

Are there ways to set up the analog TV with a new antenna? All I want to do is buy a new antenna for the top of the van. It's a 1992 and has an old style airplane type antenna. What do you recommend?

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Ask an RV Question.

LEARN HOW TO RUN 2 RV A/Cs ON A 30 AMP CONNECTION