You want riots in the street? Wait till TV goes all digital...

[BuelahWitch]

I just read a post on a local message board from a very angry cable subscriber. Many of the expanded basic channels went digital, and can only be seen with a converter box now. This guy is pissed because he does not want to buy a converter box for all of his 6 TVs (yes, that's six. S-I-X). I used to work for a cable company and he's not the first I've heard who's upset about this. The only thing is now that the date of conversion is getting closer, more channels are converting to digital.

Now, I think this is BS for the poor and the elderly, b/c it's forcing them to get something they didn't need before (and may cause more frustration if they can't configure the cable box or the set top boxes the gov't is supplying vouchers for). But these people who have the NEED for 6 TVs, all I can say is...:nopity:

Illegal war? Who cares? Decreased civil rights? No prob! BUT DON'T YOU FUCK WITH MY FOOTBALL OR AMERICAN IDOL, DAMMIT!!! :grr:

[Missy Vixen]

1. It'll be TV and gas prices

I just filled up this afternoon. $4.35 a gallon. The TV thing and the gas thing will be what gets Joe and Josephine American out of their BarcaLoungers and demanding to know what the hell is going on.

Julie

[aquart]

2. "May cause frustration"???? MAY?

Personally, I can't wait for the advertisers to realize their viewing audience just disappeared.

[BuelahWitch]

7. The boxes can be a pain in the butt if you can't configure them

We used to have all kinds of situations where the older people wouldn't want to use the cable remote, and would grab the TV remote instead, and gum up the whole works. It's going to be hell for them to be required to mess with it all the time.

[aquart]

13. I'm really sorry this will happen with the Dems in power.

I'd prefer to see the hatred focused on the darlings who caused it.

I assume the broadcast nets will be doing surveys to see who is up and running in their viewing area? I wonder when panic will begin to set in. And who will be panicking the most.

[elocs]

3. Just wait until 2/09, there will be people claiming they knew nothing about the switch,

that nobody ever told them or warned them. This too shall pass.

[BuelahWitch]

6. That's what this guy claimed

I remember reading about it in 1995, and that's probably quite late.

[mikelgb]

4. yes the new telescreens will have amazing features

buy
consume
watch

[AndyTiedye]

5. Also Means No More Over-the-Air TV At All In Fringe Areas

Digital TV needs a strong signal or you get nothing.
If you get a snowy picture now, you'll get nothing.

[aquart]

14. Which means I lose my beloved Channel 50, Montclair.

[KamaAina]

22. Hmmm. Might be an opportunity here...

DTV trivia: Only full-power analog stations must go dark on "Black Tuesday", 2/17/09.

http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq22

It might be possible to set up a string of analog LPTVs to serve the said fringe areas. Think of it! It could be the lefty equivalent of the dreaded Sinclair!

[galledgoblin]

24. I believe the signal is stronger with digital

some on the fringe will not get the signal anymore, but most should see vast improvement.

[AndyTiedye]

27. We Get Several Stations Reasonably Clearly in Analog. Nothing in Digital. Not One Station

[Liberal In Texas]

29. I assume you have a digital box and/or a digital reciever in your TV.

[galledgoblin]

30. could be, I'm just repeating what I've read (n/t)

[LTR]

49. How's your antenna?

Cheap, crappy rabbit ears won't cut it.

I actually found a decent $20 antenna at Radio Shack. It works great! Before I got mostly static on local stations (I live near a small airport). Now, I get everything.

Here's a site that may be helpful:

http://www.antennaweb.org/

[AndyTiedye]

67. Big Antenna on the Roof. Amplifier.

Been to Antennaweb. They say we should be picking up a dozen digital stations. We don't pick up any.
Signal is far too weak even on the strongest of them.

I don't think Antennaweb really takes terrain and trees into account as much as they should.

[Liberal In Texas]

28. It's not stronger, it's digital. On-Off-On-Off. You will either get it clear and no ghosts, or you

won't get it at all. I've had a digital box for over almost 2 years, and that isn't quite true; if you're not tuned in well the reception may go on and off as the signal varies due to atmospheric and other conditions.

I agree, it's going to make some people (like my 82 year old mother) unhappy.

[Lorien]

65. You need a better antenna

I found that a cheap pair of rabbit ears works better in my area than an amplified antenna, but results vary from place to place.

[Lorien]

63. It's much stronger

I only use rabbit ears with a little HDTV with an internal digital tuner. In the past I could only get ABC, the CW, Fox, and some Christian and shopping channels-and very fuzzy images at best. Now I get every network except NBC, plus EIGHT PBS stations-all perfectly clear and crisp without cable.

[ThatsMyBarack]

8. I'm so SICK of those ads.

Okay, okay we GET IT already! :eyes:

[LTR]

50. Most people don't

Remember, 50 million of them voted for Bush.

No matter how many times it's pounded into peoples' heads, there will still be some that will claim to be oblivious to it come next February.

[TheDebbieDee]

9. I must be misunderstanding.........

I thought that if you already were a cable subscriber then you would not need a converter box......

[BuelahWitch]

11. No, you still need a converter box, unless you have digi TV

If you've got old, analog TVs, you need to add a converter box to them in order to get the digital channels.

[electron_blue]

17. not true. See post 15

[LTR]

51. Here's the deal

If you use an antenna to pull in free over-the-air stations, and your TV is older than a few years (and DTV-compatible), you need a converter box.

If you subscribe to cable or satellite, you don't need one, though a spare box in case of outages might not be a bad idea.

[electron_blue]

10. But you don't need a converter box if you have cable, right?

That's what our cable company is saying. It's only people who get TV channels w/ just antenna who need the box.

[BuelahWitch]

12. See post #11

[electron_blue]

15. Charter says no converter box needed for analog tv's...

*If* your tv is hooked up to cable.

I found this from their site:

"How will I be affected by the Digital Transition?
As a Charter residential or business customer, we’ve got you covered. We offer you the best solution for the Digital Transition.
If your TV is connected to Charter Cable or Charter Digital Cable, you can sit back and relax, you don’t have to do anything!"

At the bottom of the page they explain that converter boxes are needed if your analog tv is *not* hooked up to Charter cable.

http://www.charter.com/customers/support.aspx?SupportArticleID=1986

[BuelahWitch]

18. Must differ with the companies then

Because our company here gave away free boxes last summer to people with expanded basic so that they wouldn't lose their channels. Probably better infrastructure there.

[electron_blue]

33. I suppose. But aren't you seeing the HD shows that are on right now with cable?

Seems like most of the ones on at p rime time are broadcast on HD right now and sure nuf, I can see them just fine. Of course they dont' look as nice as they would if I had a digital tv, but they are coming through just fine with my analog tv. Just wondering -are the HD shows currently blocked with your cable tv unless you have a converter box?

[BuelahWitch]

39. Well, I don't have cable right now at all

I am not sure whether the HD came in or not, as I did not have an HD box (I did have a DVR, which I loved). Truthfully, the price of cable was a waste for me as I didn't watch TV much.

[LTR]

52. To get the full HD experience, you need an HDTV

One that can show the higher resolution.

You can still see HD shows (720p or 1080p) on a normal TV, but they are downscaled to standard definition (480p). THink of it as hearing a stereo FM radio station on either a mono or stereo radio receiver. You can hear it on both, but you get the desired effect on a stereo set.

FYI, DTV and HDTV are two different things that often get confused with one another.

[WillowTree]

16. That "very angry cable subscriber" is full of it.

If he has cable, he doesn't need a converter box now and he won't need one after 2-9-2009. The cable and satellite companies have already gone digital (mine went all digital almost 8 years ago) so this is a tempest in a teapot for the majority who already have cable or satellite service.

This is just one more topic about which there is an astonishing amount of misunderstanding and misinformation floating around.

[BuelahWitch]

19. It seems some companies require them, some do not

Ours apparently does.

[HughMoran]

41. Will it effect those of us with analog cable though?

That's what I wonder...

[LTR]

53. That's up to the cable company

Most still offer analog cable, but are trying to get everyone to convert to their digital service, which is more efficient for them to transmit.

The DTV transition does not cover analog cable and satellite services. Only over-the-air.

[high density]

46. All digital 8 years ago? Hmm.

Most cable operators still have a lot of analog channels and that's likely to continue for quite some time. The cable companies often do not broadcast standard definition digital copies of the analog tier stations, instead they just have the digital cable box tune in on the analog signal.

[Trekologer]

20. Analog broadcast is not equivalant to analog cable

Analog broadcast is not equivalant to analog cable, even though there is just a push toward both right now. Cable companies are moving chanels to digital not because of the analog/digital broadcast cutoff but because they use less bandwidth on their cable system (due to compression mostly) so that they can then add more channels (such as HD channels) and make room for other data-based services (internet access, video on demand, and voice over IP).

The move push to digital cable does not necessarilly mean that you need a cable converter box for each TV, but it does mean that you need a digital cable ready TV, which includes the digital tuner built-in. You may need to rent a CableCard (and CableCard ready TV) to watch more than basic channels though.

[BuelahWitch]

21. Thank you!

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

23. Cable subscribers have nothing to worry about

The cable box takes care of it for them, unless they don't get local channels. The guy is an idiot.

But for those who don't have cable (poor and elderly), this is another way to shut them out. Imagine all the old men and ladies who turn on that tv that day and are confused as hell. (because you know many of them will not pay attention/forget about the converter box thing.)

[HughMoran]

43. Cable box?

I don't use cable boxes...

Am I screwed with analog cable then as they remove analog channels to digital?

[BuelahWitch]

70. No, but you need a cable box for each TV

That was his complaint. He could still get the analog channels on all his TVs, but the ones that our cable company had converted to digital needed to have a cable box to be seen.

[pdxmom]

25. We have a couple of TVs that aren't on cable, are antenna only. So

we need the converter boxes. We got the voucher, though it took over 3 months for them to send them after we requested them. They send of list of about 40 different converter boxes you can buy. DH started doing his research and not only was there very little out there to use for comparison shopping, but when he found info and then started calling around, no one is actually carrying these converter boxes!

This is a scam to get people to buy new digital TVs.

[Lex]

40. Around here the boxes are easily found at Radio Shack, Walmart,

Best Buy, and Circuit City. I've seen them. My parents purchased theirs already and with the coupon, it was about $10.00 or so for the box.

[LTR]

54. It's really not that difficult

Here are some comparison sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units
http://reviews.cnet.com/4321-6487_7-6613951.html

The initial wave of vouchers took awhile to get out to the public. Now that there is product in the stores, and the government has caught up, the vouchers should get out quicker.

You can also call your local retailer (Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City, to name a few) to find out what they have in stock. Radio Shack and Best Buy have the capability to check stock at local stores online.

Needless to say, if you can post on DU, you can locate and buy a DTV converter box. It's not rocket science.

[pdxmom]

71. The problem has been that they aren't in stock. Yes, we could buy them

online, but prefer to actually get them from a brick/mortar store. They aren't keeping them in stock or simply not carrying them right now where we are.

I realize it's not rocket science, but my husband refuses to patronize some of those stores, others we don't have, and the rest don't have them in stock. I'm hopeful it will change, but for now, we're just waiting until they become more prevalent in this area.

[LTR]

72. These retailers are participating in the program

* Best Buy
* Circuit City
* Kmart
* RadioShack
* Sears
* Target
* Wal-Mart

I have personally seen boxes at these four:

* Best Buy
* Circuit City
* RadioShack
* Wal-Mart

Or check for other retailers (i.e. local stores):

https://www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx

Now, I assume your husband is likely boycotting Wal-Mart. Hey, many people are.

But I suggest Radio Shack, since I've never heard of anyone boycotting them, and they seem to be everywhere.

Here's a link to get you started:

http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=dtv%20converter%20box&origkw=dtv%20converter%20box&sr=1

You can also check to see if individual stores in your area have them in stock. If they don't have them currently in stock (they are selling fast - in the millions, according to some retail clerks I've talked to), then you have until next February. Stock situations should be clearing up at this moment in some cases.

And I've heard good things about the Digital Stream box. I have the Best Buy Insignia version of the Zenith box, and I recommend it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8624081&st=+dtv+converter+box&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1199495190393

[gasperc]

61. Miejer's has the Philco brand

it's the one I got. Sadly, they do sell out fast so you have to check back frequently.

Once you have one though you'll be pretty happy. The picture clarity is excellant, you get on screen info, you get alot more channels, the local stations have 24/7 weather radar and forecasts, so overall you will find it pretty cool.

[cyberpj]

26. What bothers me is that there eventually won't be any analog radio either! Power outages and radios

that run on batteries will be a whole 'nother problem I hear.

[LTR]

57. Analog radio will be here for a long, long time

So far, HD Radio has been an industry joke. Nothing to worry about. It'll take decades to take off, if at all. And we'll still likely have analog radio, though it's been bastardized by the big corporations.

Besides, there is much to be said about the importance of analog radio being available. For emergency situations, it's a must. Plus, AM and FM spectrums aren't that great for digital transmission (though FM digital is adequate).

[Rosemary2205]

31. i just wish it would freakin WORK.

I have rabbit ears and $4.95 a month dialup, but the neighbors on both sides have "the box" and 5 gazillion channels, plus cable telephone and internet. Comcast is out here tinkering with some sort of problem at least once a week. What is the point of all this technology if it never works.

Rabbit ears will always get me something (until 2009) and the old fashioned land line almost never goes silent or drops the call or is too crackly to hear.

[Delphinus]

32. To tell you the truth,

there's not much on TV (at least the limited amount of channels I get) that will be worth missing.

[undeterred]

34. All I have is one 13" antenna tv that is 8 years old.

It works. I've never had cable. And I don't want to spend money on a new television, but I guess I have to. And I'm sure there are a lot of other people who don't want to spend the money either.

[Liberal In Texas]

37. You don't need a new TV...just the converter box.

And there are coupons. Wait til after the first of the year, though. They'll be a lot cheaper and be better.

[Blue Diadem]

38. I believe you need the converter box. Info for coupon here:

https://www.dtv2009.gov/AboutProgram.aspx

It says the coupon is good for $40 toward a converter box. I've heard the box might cost an additional $10 or more depending on what converters are available in your area.

I also read that your same antenna should work.

[gasperc]

62. yep, just get the coupon and buy a converter

Meijer has the Philco model for $49.95, so it will cost you about $10.

You'll get excellant picture clarity, more channels, on screen info, 24/7 weather channels. It'll be a big leap for just $10. It's not at all necessary to get a new TV.

[Blue Diadem]

35. All you ever wanted to know(or not know) about the DTV transition.

http://www.dtv.gov/

[mwooldri]

36. I got me two of the converter boxes for my TV's...

... and it turned out that it works much better than I thought.

On regular rabbit ears I'd only get two or three stations with a good picture and some were "watchable" and I got a lot of channels with snow. I'd also need to fiddle with the antenna every time I changed the channel. We never got CBS/ABC/NBC/Fox all in the clear with nice pictures - we got better reception of the smaller networks - Ion is so strong where we are it would thunder in if we just stuck a paper clip at the back of the TV. So to get watchable TV, we had to subscribe to cable or get satellite - and in our new place satellite isn't an option - too many trees and no line of sight. So Time Warner Cable is our TV monopoly.

Since we had TVs that would require converter boxes were we to cut the cable, I applied and got two of the coupons. I went to Wal-Mart (yes kill me now if you must) and they had some boxes in stock though only one model to choose from. So since they're costing me about $10-15 apiece I got two... and hooked one of them up to the main TV. I was pleasantly surprised that without twiddling my antenna and without much effort on my part, I now get excellent reception of all but one of the TV networks serving my area (NBC). All I did was plug in the box, and it started up and guided you through the set up of the converter box. The main trick with the box is to learn the "scan" function where it learns the signals that it can receive. Having learnt this trick with the box and learning to fiddle around with the antenna (the trick is to move the antenna and then have the box re-scan) I managed to pick up that final elusive NBC station. Plus UNC-TV (our PBS station) and Ion broadcasts extra sub-channels with some somewhat worthwhile programming.

So for me the digital transition works out to be an advantage.

[Lex]

42. Thanks for that info.

My parents have purchased their boxes but haven't set them up yet. Glad to hear it's not so hard, and that the channels will come in better than before! :thumbsup:

[gasperc]

64. agree, the instructions were kinda poor

and I'm an electrical engineer. So your right, it's take a few minutes to figure out how to scan and config the box to really get the full potential out of it.

[supernova]

44. Wilmington NC will be the guinea pig - going in Sept

Wilmington will go all digital in September as a test case to see what will happen.

[Lex]

48. Yes, I saw that. It will be interesting.

nt

[high density]

45. Analog cable will probably be around for quite some time

Cable operators will phase it out eventually, but I think we've still got years to go in most locations before they do that.

[LTR]

47. The digital switch is happening world wide

I mean, 70 year-old technology can't last forever. Countries all over the world are converting to DTV. Much of Europe has already done so.

As for the converter boxes, I have one (a $60 box I got for $20 plus tax) and it's a breeze to use. With it, I can get all of my local stations, crystal clear. I can also get subchannels that aren't available via analog (the NBC station has an all-weather channel, the local PBS station has tons of feeds, including PBS World, which is all documentaries and news, and another station has vintage shows from the 50s to 80s). For $20, I'd say that's worth it.

With the FCC $40 voucher, one can go to Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. and purchase a box that typically retails for $40-$60. That means that a box could almost be virtually free (though tax is extra). Sounds worth it to me.

In addition, digital signals are more effective than analog, meaning that there's no static, and a few quick moves of the antenna will eliminate any pixelation that may occur.

So far, I'm impressed with DTV. And from what I've heard, digital converter boxes are flying off the shelves. I had to go to a few places until I found my box at Best Buy (Insignia brand, which is the same as the Zenith box). I highly recommend it.

[Snarkturian Clone]

55. OH jesus, this is sooooo not a big deal.

It only effects high-power network broadcast stations. Low power stations stay the same.

[ensho]

56. will digital be all that different?

nt

[gatorboy]

59. If you have an HDTV....

Oh yes.... I love me some HD!

[gasperc]

58. Just got a converter, digital TV is pretty cool

The picture clarity is amazing and you get double the channels. Almost every station has a 7.1,7.2,7.3 etc The local network affilates have a station that shows the weather 24/7, radar shots, temps for the next few days.

I don't about this asshole with 6 TVs, I mean, I thought I was nuts for having 4. But chill the fuck out or get satellite, like me.

[ensho]

60. I thought it was just a sharper picture, didn't know it was added chs.

does the cost we pay change? the cost now seems to go up on a regular basis.

[gasperc]

66. there is no added cost we pay

You just simply by a converter box which runs about $49-$59, or about $10 with the coupon, hook it to your TV, hook the antenna to the TV, scan for channels and you should be up and running. Now if you subscribe to cable or satellite, I don't think you will pay any extra unless they add the extra channels to your palette. Right now, my satellite channel list is the same. I haven't asked if the plan to add the additional "free" broadcast stations. For instance, the local ABC and NBC station have 24/7 weather channel which I don't need since I have satellite. 7.2 is like TVLAND, PBS has 5 stations which greatly expands their info and educational offerings. If you just get broadcast, you'll get alot more. Cable and sat, you won't see any difference.

[LTR]

68. The added channels on over=the-air DTV are free

All you need is the box.

It's kinda like the icing on the cake for upgrading to digital.

Think of it as the stations one would pull in with an antenna, but instead of one, you may get 2, 3 or more.

[Xenotime]

69. Digital TV is just another way for * to monitor Americans