Been doing research on what to spend my Government Converter Box coupons on before they expire.

Consumer reports has a pretty thorough guide to what's available here:
Consumer Reports Digital Converter Box Comparison Chart

One of their favorites, the Zinwell ZAT-970A is available at SolidSignal.com for shipping plus a penny.

Of note, it is one of the few that has a tune-to-channel timer and analog passthrough (big selling points for people who still use VCRs etc.)

Linky

ZINWELL ZAT-970A

From ConsumerReports:

Picture quality. Picture quality was among the best, close to what you see with a good DVD.

Audio. It delivers good audio from its RF and line-level left/right audio outputs (which you'd use with the composite-video out).

Features. One of the few models available with a program timer, allowing you to program up to eight instances in which the box will turn on and tune in to a specific channel at a certain time. That enables you to record digital off-air broadcasts onto a VCR or other recording device, but you cannot program the box to turn itself off. Has analog pass-through, which allows the TV's RF input to tune to off-air analog channels while the box simultaneously tunes to digital channels and displays them through the composite-video output, or when the box is in standby. Allows you to directly tune to a new digital channel without having to do a scan-for-all-channels. Additionally, if no signal is found on a particular channel, the signal meter in the menu allows you to monitor its strength as you optimize the antenna position. So if you know a channel exists, you can tune to it and adjust your antenna until the signal is strong enough for the box to tune it in. While the title and run time for the current and next program is available on the info bar, there is no program guide to give information about coming shows or shows on other channels. Also, there are no options for adjusting the size, font, or color of the closed-caption text, a capability offered by most other tested boxes. It has a detachable power adapter.

I've spent a *lot* of time reading over at avsforums.com about converter boxes.

1) The best boxes, signal quality wise, are the Zenith DTT-901 and the Channel Master CM-7000.

2) I do know that here is an entire thread discussing the Consumer Reports reports on the subject - the quality of the Consumer reports evaluations seems uneven from what I am reading.

3) There are a lot of folks who will never again order from solidsignal.com - myself included. Packing is minimal, and their customer service is horrible. If you don't have a problem with your order, they are cheap and quick. But if anything goes wrong, watch out!

4) A quick read over at AVSforums indicates the Zinwell does not tune as well as the Zenith/CM boxes, nor have as good a picture quality. Acceptable on both counts, but not great. Seems like the best box with a built in timer (so it is capable of starting a VCR w), but otherwise get a Zenith/CM box.

Just a note: Zinwell uses military time when you program the timer. If you want to program 6pm to record, you have to convert the time to 1800 and input it correctly. But it's the best box to get for timer purpose.

If you don't need timer, I recommend Zenith 901, overall the best non-timer box.

Another Zinwell Review Link - B+ Rating

Yeah, looks like the CM-7000 is the Cadillac of DTV Converter boxes according to most sources. This one falls in the "almost best" category with some useful features. Probably the best ones I've seen for a penny plus shipping.

I agree that SolidSignal isn't exactly the most careful company when it comes to product packaging, but I've placed quite a few orders with them and have never had a problem (rooftop antennas, splitters, etc.)

Sorry for being a complete noob, but where do you get the gov't coupons? My parents are going to need this

I have a Both the Zenith DTT901 and the Channel Master 7000. Picture quality alone has me preferring the Channel Master. It beats the Zenith using either RCA or S-Video. S-Video is best though (480i).

You can pick one up from Fry's for $20 after coupon when on sale.

Buckfalfa said:Another Zinwell Review Link - B+ Rating
Notice that if you click on "buy" via this link, it takes you to SolidSignal and the price shows up as $45.99? instead of $40.01 via OP's link? hmmm. . .

bsg75 said:Also consider the dtvpal.com box from dish network free + shipping. The reception seems good and it has the best channel guide. I think it's the only one that allows you to program for recording. They also have a plus box which supposedly has better reception, I doubt whether it's worth the $$$.

Zinwell can do timer recording too, assume you don't mind military time.

But do avoid Dish and their DTVPal like a plague. Problems after problems, bad customer service in general.

Ive had great picture and many new channels with the Digital Stream DTX9950 from RatShack. Yeah, it costs a few bucks more, but it has analog pass thru, and the remote picked up my free Apex TV. Not a bad deal.

in for one.. thanks OP....