Q: In our bedroom we have an old CRT TV connected to a digital converter box and rabbit ears. I have noticed that picture quality is much better with the converter box than it was when we used the antenna directly with the TV (before everything went digital). It also does a better job getting a signal. Without the converter, we were always fussing with the rabbit ears whenever we changed channels. Not anymore.

A friend told me that new flat-screen TVs can receive our local broadcast channels over the air without the converter box. Can you confirm this? My converter box can also tune subchannels used for networks like ION, the CW, QVC and others. Will it get those, too?

A: Yes, any new flat-panel TV will have a digital tuner, so you won't need a converter box, just the antenna.

This is a good time to talk about how great digital broadcasting is. Even when you have cable or satellite, it is not a bad idea to have a small antenna connected to your TV, as well. You can use it to get some extra programming for free.

It is much easier to tune digital signals than the old analog broadcasts, and when you tune a digital station, you will receive it perfectly. The picture quality from broadcast HDTV is not compressed in the same way as cable and satellite signals, so you get better picture quality. If you are happy with the improvement made from your converter box when it was connected to your old TV, prepare to be blown away with your new flat panel. You will be watching high-definition television in its full glory.

Besides the better picture quality, there are many subchannels you get only with an antenna and not with cable or satellite. Some of them have fun, interesting programing. I once saw a marathon run of the 1966 "Green Hornet" TV series on one of these subchannels, all in high-def. It was a real treat because I have always been interested in the series, and it hasn't been released on DVD or Blu-ray.

Speaking of speakers

As I have said many times in the past, poor television sound and unintelligible dialogue are by far the most common topic of correspondence I receive. I've had a lot of positive feedback on the new ZVOX SB400 and SB500 soundbars, which sell for $499 and $599, respectively. They are wonderful products, but they may be overkill for television watchers who simply want clear and understandable TV dialogue.

ZVOX is introducing a product that solves the TV sound problem with a much-smaller speaker selling at a more-affordable price. The new ZVOX AccuVoice TV Speaker looks like a miniaturized version of the SB400 and SB500 soundbars. It uses the same technology found in the best hearing aids to lift voices out of the background audio, making dialogue much easier to hear and understand. Overall television sound will be much better, as well.

The ZVOX AccuVoice TV Speaker will sell for $249 with deliveries starting in September. Discounts and promotional offers up to 50 percent off are available for those who preorder. Go to http://tinyurl.com/zvoxpreorder to learn more and read an excellent, illustrated explanation about why modern television sound is so very bad.

Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.