If you have an old television set built before the transition to digital, high definition TV, it won't work with an antenna without a converter box. There was a government program that would provide TV owners with a TV converter box free, but that program ended in 2009. You can still purchase a TV converter box, and you may be able to find an inexpensive used converter box as people upgrade their old televisions.
Free Digital Converter Box Program
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U.S. television broadcasts switched from an old analog format to a new digital format in 2009. Since TV owners wouldn't be able to pick up broadcast signals without getting a new TV or a converter box, a federal government program offered a coupon for a free digital converter box. People who requested the coupons would get two $40 coupons, usable within 90 days toward the purchase of such a box.
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The program ended in July 2009, and according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, about 33,962,696 coupons were ultimately used. Unfortunately, it's no longer possible to get a free digital converter box through the government.
Do You Need a Box?
You'll generally need a converter box only if you have a TV made before the digital transition. If you buy a current HDTV, you won't need such a box. If you're not sure if you need a converter box, check your TV, its packaging or its manual to see if it's an HDTV.
If you're using your TV with a cable or satellite subscription, you may not need a box if your cable or satellite converter box is capable of outputting an analog signal itself. In that case, the set-top box essentially doubles as the converter box. Check with your cable or satellite provider to see if the company can provide you with a box that doesn't require a separate converter.
If you're using your TV only with older hardware, such as VCRs, older video game systems or other devices that work with an analog TV, you won't need a converter box.
Buying a Converter Box
If you do need a converter box to use your older TV, you can buy one. Some have additional features, like digital video recording capability or parental controls, built in. Others simply offer digital-to-analog conversion so you can watch TV. Shop around for one with the features you need or want. Keep in mind that you may be able to buy a cheap used or even new digital TV for not much more than the price of a converter box.
If you're on a budget, you might want to look for used converter boxes online or at a thrift store, since people upgrading their TVs may sell or donate their old converters when they no longer need them.