Portable TVs and Signal Converter Boxes

Know the signal you convert from and to

Conversion is the common thread in this category, and the first question is what goes in and what comes out. Listings here range from converters that turn analog camera formats like TVI, CVI, AHD and CVBS into HDMI, through HDMI scalers and EDID fixers, to Ethernet-to-fiber media converters. Most video converters work in one direction only: a unit that turns analog video into HDMI cannot do the reverse.

An HDMI scaler changes resolution, and an EDID fixer helps when a source refuses to send a signal because the display reports the wrong capabilities. Media converters for fiber must be matched at both ends: multimode or single-mode fiber, the connector type such as SC, and the wavelengths must pair up, which for single-strand units means a matched A and B set. The quoted range, from hundreds of meters to many kilometers, depends on that fiber type.

Broadcast standards for tuners and portable TVs

Digital tuners follow regional standards: ATSC in North America and DVB-T or DVB-T2 across much of Europe, so a tuner box built for one will not receive the other. Small portable TVs, often 13 or 14 inch LCDs, list their inputs, so look for an antenna connector, AV input and HDMI, plus the power source. A converter box adds a tuner to an older set, but it still needs a working antenna to pick up any channels.

Questions about Portable TVs and Signal Converter Boxes

What does an EDID fixer do?

EDID is the data a display sends to a source to declare which resolutions and audio formats it supports. When it is missing or wrong, a source may send nothing. A fixer or scaler can supply a correct profile or convert the output to something the display accepts.

Do fiber media converters work on their own?

No. They need a partner at the far end, a second converter or a switch with a fiber port: one side turns Ethernet into light, the other turns it back. Fiber type, connector and wavelengths must be compatible, and single-strand units come as A and B pairs. Check the cable too, since multimode and single-mode are not interchangeable.

Do I need a digital converter box for a new TV?

No. A modern TV already contains a digital tuner for its region. Converter boxes are for older analog sets or screens without a tuner, such as a monitor, and they still need an antenna connected.