I just used my second government issued $40 coupon towards the MaxMedia digital converter box. This is the first S-Video capable box I could find to purchase. The local stores near me do not have any s-video boxes, and only one online store has it. The government is controlling which boxes, and who can sell them. In any case:
Coupon eligible s-video converter box, with smart (and regular) antenna
input:
http://www.convertmy.tv/
The “maxmedia” model has s-video.
Find stations near you, and they type/size of antenna you’ll need:
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
My family has a large directional roof-top mounted antenna. We are pointing it towards Boston, and can get all the major channels in digital. If we had a smart antenna or an antenna rotator we could probably point towards NH or Worcester and get some other channels.
Smart antennas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_antenna
Some converter boxes have a special input for a “smart” antenna. The
smart antenna is essentially non-directional, but can determine what
direction a signal is coming from and tune to that direction and
eliminate other signals. I couldn’t find too many, but here is one:
http://www.summitsource.com/product_info.php?ref=1&products_id=6320
Order your coupons here:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/