Radio Shack has a good DTV converter that they sell for $15 with the government coupon.
The hitch, however, is that you CAN'T EXCHANGE IT unless you buy the $7 extended warranty at the time of purchase. I wonder if the sales clerk was mistaken about this, or if I misunderstood. It's an insane policy.
I bought the Digital Stream unit anyway, hoping for the best. I didn't pay the $7. I was already worn out from my struggle to stay current with cutting edge technology. So far the Digital Stream works fine.
It seems like every Radio Shack has a peculiar odor. I've been to this store a few times. The employees are new every time. I've never seen the same person twice. When you walk in, they usually have a TV show playing at ear-splitting volume. This is their scientific strategy for making you want to buy a TV.
The sales clerk who helped me this time was very friendly and polite. She apparently had control over the TV show because we were able to have a pleasant conversation without having to shout.
I avoid shopping at Radio Shack because they always ask for your phone number. Sometimes I make up a number and get a receipt with someone else's name on it. Other times, I refuse citing privacy concerns. I've had clerks get very offended. It makes them mad when I say "Why do you want my phone number?" The reply of course is "company policy," or "we get everyone's phone number. It's just routine procedure."
Well, it's my policy not to tell Radio Shack my phone number. They hate that. Who are you to have a policy?
Since this clerk was so nice, I gave her my number. It was already in the system! Is Radio Shack watching me?