digital tv transition '09
#26
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so, how strong this digital signal will be? because as of now I dont get any of the analog channels in my area in perfect pic quality and sound except one-- not to mention the sound being all disortorted and there are about 20 channels in my area. So, I'd like to assume that when this transition begins I'll be able to receive ALL these channels in the clear, right? Also, will sound be 5.1 digital?
Last edited by bareva; 02-28-08 at 12:11 PM.
#27
DVD Talk Legend
So, I'd like to assume that when this transition begins I'll be able to receive these channels in the clear, right? Also, will sound be 5.1 digital?
http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html
Last edited by Brian Shannon; 02-28-08 at 12:20 PM.
#29
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Originally Posted by bareva
so, how strong this digital signal will be? because as of now I dont get any of the analog channels in my area in perfect pic quality and sound except one-- not to mention the sound being all disortorted and there are about 20 channels in my area. So, I'd like to assume that when this transition begins I'll be able to receive ALL these channels in the clear, right? Also, will sound be 5.1 digital?
(Though one begs to question why you're so concerned about 5.1 but not concerned about DOWNCONVERTING HD feeds to your SD television.

#30
DVD Talk Hero
The "coupon" converter boxes only allow 480i output video and stereo. The purpose is to subsidize replacement for what you are losing, not give you HD.
If you have an HD-ready (ie tunerless) TV, there are better boxes for HD tuning and 5.1 sound, but no coupons allowed. In almost all areas, stations are already broadcasting ontheir digital frequency; they are just still on their analog too. Newer HD TVs are required to have built in digital tuners.
If you have an HD-ready (ie tunerless) TV, there are better boxes for HD tuning and 5.1 sound, but no coupons allowed. In almost all areas, stations are already broadcasting ontheir digital frequency; they are just still on their analog too. Newer HD TVs are required to have built in digital tuners.
#32
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Originally Posted by nateman
I "get" how the digital TV transition is going to work in 2009, but I'm wondering if this will only affect US citizens or all of North America?
I would imagine we would be, mostly because as America Jr. we are lockstep with Washington on most issues, but I have heard nothing North of the border about analogue shutdown.
There are a great many Canadian stations, all located close to the border (as most of our cities -- outside of Alberta and Newfoundland -- are), with powerful analogue signals. Would be strange if the US shut down and repurposed that bandwidth while Canada kept going causing Americans living along the border to go mad with interference.

Has anyone heard anything about Canada in regards to this situation?
#33
DVD Talk Hero
Canada currently has no plans to shut off analog (or analogue, if you prefer) television broadcasts.
Geez, you Canadians may as well just join up with us if you think our laws affect you this much.
Geez, you Canadians may as well just join up with us if you think our laws affect you this much.
#34
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Interesting the stations in Canada and Mexico won't be going off- sometimes in the US with a good roof antenna you can get stations from there, usually channels 2, 3 and 4. With the American stations going off the air these may come in more often.
I've heard the low-power stations in the US will be staying on the air, at least for a while. I'd really like to see some pirate broadcasters start up on the empty analog frequencies. (Wonder how easy it would be to broadcast a pirate digital TV signal?)
I've heard the low-power stations in the US will be staying on the air, at least for a while. I'd really like to see some pirate broadcasters start up on the empty analog frequencies. (Wonder how easy it would be to broadcast a pirate digital TV signal?)
#35
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Originally Posted by bareva
so, how strong this digital signal will be? because as of now I dont get any of the analog channels in my area in perfect pic quality and sound except one-- not to mention the sound being all disortorted and there are about 20 channels in my area. So, I'd like to assume that when this transition begins I'll be able to receive ALL these channels in the clear, right?
which helps determine your antenna needs and locates your nearby stations.
I'm assuming that some converters will be better than others in terms of handling weaker/distant stations, with the same incoming antenna signal. This is important to folks in rural areas and folks who can't have a big outdoor antenna. I'm keeping an eye out for reviewers to start evaluating the various models as they become available. Last week, my local RadioShack had received it's first product, a Zenith. The coupons must be used within 90days of receiving it, so I'm gonna hold off until there are some real choices available before applying for the coupon.
#36
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Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
Geez, you Canadians may as well just join up with us if you think our laws affect you this much.

#37
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So are all stations going to finally commit to a 16x9 aspect ratio standard for the switchover or will we forever be cursed to fiddle with our remote AR buttons whenever we change channels or a new show comes on?
#39
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Originally Posted by SteelWill
So are all stations going to finally commit to a 16x9 aspect ratio standard for the switchover or will we forever be cursed to fiddle with our remote AR buttons whenever we change channels or a new show comes on?
So short answer, yes you'll probably still fiddle with your aspect ratio buttons, although this'll probably happen less and less as time goes by.
#41
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The RadioShack guy told me they will have what amounts to an "instant in-store coupon" (my invented phrase), for customers who don't have a coupon. It's not in effect yet; he indicated the start date is some weeks away. It was the first I heard of such an option; I have read the gov. website and faqs and all, but there was no mention of such a thing, iirc. I can see how this would be good for the retailers to make an instant sale rather than lose the customer while waiting to receive mailed coupons. Anyone else heard of this? (Possibly the guy was confused?)
Last edited by jonnyquest; 03-02-08 at 10:26 PM.
#42
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Originally Posted by jonnyquest
The RadioShack guy told me they will have what amounts to an "instant in-store coupon" (my invented phrase), for customers who don't have a coupon. It's not in effect yet; he indicated the start date is some weeks away. It was the first I heard of such an option; I have read the gov. website and faqs and all, but there was no mention of such a thing, iirc. I can see how this would be good for the retailers to make an instant sale rather than lose the customer while waiting to receive mailed coupons. Anyone else heard of this? (Possibly the guy was confused?)
#43
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Count me in as one of the few that is going to get bent over when they shut down the analog broadcasts. Right now, we have OTA television, with an antenna on the roof. We also have 4 VCR's around the house, that pretty much all tape a couple shows a night, when the tv shows are not in reruns. My understanding is that these boxes will take the place of the analog tuner in the tv. So the tv will be set to channel 3, and the channel will be changed by the box. What does this mean for the vcr's? Will they be able to tape a show on a different channel, than the one that we are watching? will the box have to be preset to the channel so the vcr will tape the correct show?
#44
Originally Posted by jjcool
We also have 4 VCR's around the house, that pretty much all tape a couple shows a night, when the tv shows are not in reruns. My understanding is that these boxes will take the place of the analog tuner in the tv. So the tv will be set to channel 3, and the channel will be changed by the box. What does this mean for the vcr's?
I would post your question on "VCR Talk," right under the sticky about getting rid of the blinking 12 O'clock.

#45
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
My son's TV is a Sony that is HDTV ready - no HD tuner, but able to play HD content via an HDMI cable. He lives in a fairly remote area of Texas that has no cable, but does receive many OTA broadcasts. My understanding is that the coupons are only good on SD sets, not HD-ready sets. We've already purchases a digital tuner and a decent antenna for him.
#46
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by jjcool
Count me in as one of the few that is going to get bent over when they shut down the analog broadcasts. Right now, we have OTA television, with an antenna on the roof. We also have 4 VCR's around the house, that pretty much all tape a couple shows a night, when the tv shows are not in reruns. My understanding is that these boxes will take the place of the analog tuner in the tv. So the tv will be set to channel 3, and the channel will be changed by the box. What does this mean for the vcr's? Will they be able to tape a show on a different channel, than the one that we are watching? will the box have to be preset to the channel so the vcr will tape the correct show?
#47
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Originally Posted by N2DVD
My son's TV is a Sony that is HDTV ready - no HD tuner, but able to play HD content via an HDMI cable. He lives in a fairly remote area of Texas that has no cable, but does receive many OTA broadcasts. My understanding is that the coupons are only good on SD sets, not HD-ready sets. We've already purchases a digital tuner and a decent antenna for him.
#48
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The tuners in VCRs and older DVD recorders will work if they are used in conjunction with the tuner in the digital converter box
However, there are plenty of DVD recorders on the market now that have OTA digital tuners built in. Those relying solely on OTA signals (that don't have a DVR) could invest in one of them for a more convenient recording method than VHS.
However, there are plenty of DVD recorders on the market now that have OTA digital tuners built in. Those relying solely on OTA signals (that don't have a DVR) could invest in one of them for a more convenient recording method than VHS.
#49
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that VCRs use their own internal analog tuners to record. Therefore, your VCR will be useless.
(That box doesn't have the greatest tuner, and I plan to try one of the coupon boxes. The LG one uses the 6th generation LG tuner chip which is supposed to handle multipath better).
But, I don't think the VCR can change the channel on the box. You have to set box to correct channel, leave it on, then program vcr to record from line input or channel 3/4 at the correct time. So, each night, each VCR can record the programs of interest on one channel without intervention, or intervene if that's a limit.
But my VCR is only my backup. If 3 things are on, I watch one in HD, record one in HD on HD-DVR, and VCR the third,
#50
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by jjcool
We also have 4 VCR's around the house, that pretty much all tape a couple shows a night... My understanding is that these boxes will take the place of the analog tuner in the tv. So the tv will be set to channel 3, and the channel will be changed by the box. What does this mean for the vcr's? Will they be able to tape a show on a different channel, than the one that we are watching? will the box have to be preset to the channel so the vcr will tape the correct show?
Another option would be upgrading your recording equipment. If you wanted either permanent copies of what you're recording, or at least something portable, then you could replace your VCRs with DVD recorders. Some new ones include digital tuners, so you wouldn't have to worry about synchronizing the box with the recorder, and you'd then only need 4 converter boxes for watching TV separate from the recorder.
If you don't need permanence or portability, go with a DVR. It's possible that a dual-tuner DVR may be able to handle most of your recording needs. An added bonus of the DVR would be that you could start watching shows as they're still being recorded. If dual-tuners aren't enough, you could possibly use some combination of DVRs and DVD recorders.
Or, get cable. Cable will still have analog broadcasts, and aside from the initial installation of the outlets, which you may or may not have, they'd only charge you for single household use while all 4 TVs and all 4 VCRs could tune into the analog channels pumped through the cable. If you only need the locals, cable companies are still required to offer them separately as a "basic" package. Basic cable in my area is around $15 a month.