RCA DTA880 HDMI Digital TV Converter and Recorder
- Analog TV, digital broadcasts, converter box
- USB drive recording, external drive sold separately
- HDMI and USB interfaces, four pins
- Antenna input, then out to a TV
- Included remote for channels and volume
- Parental control built in
- Surface or plug mount, one unit
Last refreshed Aug 4, 2026 · Based on the Amazon listing and published specifications, not hands-on testing.
A straightforward way to keep an older analog television useful after the digital switch, and to record broadcasts onto a drive you supply. The drive itself is not in the box, so plan for that before you start.
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ASIN: B017MY5URYModel: DTA880Category: Video Converters
Overview
Not a streaming device and not a tuner built into a television, the DTA880 is a separate box that pulls free digital broadcasts in through an antenna and hands them to a set that cannot receive them on its own. Hookup runs antenna in, then HDMI or the supplied connections out to the television, with the remote handling channels and volume. A USB port lets an external drive capture and replay broadcasts, and parental control limits what gets watched.
Anyone still running an older television over the air gets a working picture again without replacing the set, and the recording port adds a way to keep broadcasts for later. The limitation is that recording depends on a USB drive the listing does not include, and the box only handles what an antenna brings in, so cable or satellite subscribers gain nothing here.
Who it's for
A spare room, cabin or garage television that only has analog inputs is the setting this box was made for, especially where an antenna already pulls in local stations. People who want to record shows need to add their own USB drive first. Anyone expecting streaming apps or a built in screen guide beyond broadcast listings should look elsewhere.
Pros and cons
- Works with analog televisions
- Records broadcasts to a USB drive
- Remote controls channels and volume
- Parental control limits viewing
- Recording drive not included
- No streaming apps
- Needs an antenna signal to work
- Mounting hardware not listed
Performance notes
Picture quality depends on the antenna and the strength of the local broadcast signal, since the box only converts what it receives. Recording quality follows the external USB drive you attach, and playback runs through the same port. Channel changes and volume go through the included remote, so the box needs to stay within its line of sight.
Specifications
| Brand | RCA |
|---|---|
| Model | DTA880 |
| Brand Tech | RCA |
Frequently asked questions
What comes in the box with the RCA DTA880?
The box ships with the converter and the remote used for channels and volume. The listing does not name an antenna or a USB recording drive, and it states that an external USB drive for recording is sold separately, so both need to come from elsewhere.
Can the RCA DTA880 record shows without extra equipment?
Recording requires an external USB drive connected to the box, and that drive is sold separately. Once a drive is attached, broadcasts can be recorded and played back through the same connection.
Does the RCA DTA880 work with a digital television?
The description says it connects to an analog or digital television, so a digital set can take the signal as well. The box still needs an antenna attached, because it converts free digital broadcasts rather than supplying programming on its own.
How does the RCA DTA880 connect to a television?
An antenna attaches to the box first, then the box connects onward to the television. HDMI and USB are the listed interfaces, and the unit is described as surface or plug mount with the included remote handling channel and volume changes.
Can parents limit what children watch on the RCA DTA880?
A parental control function is built into the box, so viewing can be restricted from the unit itself. The listing does not detail how the controls are configured.