Digital TV converter boxes: What to look for, what to avoid

We've been anticipating this day for years. February 17, 2009 was supposed to be the day when all analog TV broadcasting ceased, meaning anyone who gets TV over the air would need to have a digital tuner by now. Otherwise, dead air.

But thanks to the procrastinators in Washington and 5.8 million U.S. households across the U.S., some of you are getting a reprieve. While 641 TV stations will shut off their analog transmitters today (or have already done so), the cutoff date for all analog transmission was pushed back to June 12, giving everyone a few more months to get their digital ducks in a row.

If you have an old TV with rabbit ears, you still have time to get a converter box for it, and we've singled out the best ones from the hundreds available. We also warn you to steer clear of a few stinkers. Hit the jump for the list