Hi,

Your term "converter box" is a little confusing here. Is the signal source from a cable service provider or over-the-air broadcast television?

Also, what do you mean by "turning the TV on?" Is the television AC power cord plugged into the back of the box?

Do you know what type of video or signal connection is being used between the converter box and the television?

Please post back with more information and I'll try to offer whatever help I can.

Thanks! All I can tell you is that it is a Magnavox set-top box used to convert a regular TV, so that it can receive digital signals. I did try looking up an online manual for the box and decided then--from its appearance-- that it was probably the model TB100MW9. But the manual didn't help me much!

No, there is no cable service involved, just broadcast TV. After I turn on the TV, I have to turn on the box before I can receive any picture at all.

The first box actually worked fine for a year or so--and brought in quite a few channels--before developing the problems I mentioned. These days it will seldom produce a picture at all. The second one is the same model. And, although it will bring up the picture right away when turned on, it tends to cut out frequently. I suspect it was probably donated to the thrift store for that reason!

OK!

You said "digital TV", is this a flat panel, or maybe a newer tube type television with an ATSC digital tuner built-in? If so, the box is not needed.

Anyhow, it sounds like an antenna signal strength issue. Analog broadcast television used to get snowy with a poor signal. Digital requires a little better signal, and if it's not strong enough, it simply blanks the picture.

On top of that, many newer televisions (as a power saving feature) turn off if they do not detect a video signal on the input.

Could be an antenna problem or just a bad cable. Looks like you may need to call someone familiar with television antenna installations.

Thanks for the advice. No, the TV isn't a digital once, or they wouldn't have needed the box. The second box has now quit working altogether too. So I suspect it is--as you suggested--some problem with the antenna. In which case it probably won't get fixed, since my patient plans to go into a nursing home shortly anyhow.

My converter box was working fine until it got clunked out. I tried to turn it back on,but it wouldn't come back on. So I tried to install another converter box and it too wouldn't come on. Should I get a new TV, a new cable cord or an amplifier?

Have you had the box rescan for the TV signal? Many stations periodically change their rf channel, leaving their virtual channel the same.