Yeah, you're right, I didn't catch that.

Chris

The revised bill that the Senate passed still needs to clear the House. No one pays attention around here, do they?

I knew, I do!

Chris

True, but it's all but a done deal. The previous version had to pass by a two-thirds majority and fell just short of that. The current incarnation has to pass by a simple majority, and there are plenty of votes to ensure that happens.

I may fall into that idiot catagory, but I do remember a long time ago one or two commercials on TV saying that very thing. And even with all my reading about it now saying that since I have cable I have nothing to worry about. Then why am I reading about soooo many people buying these things?

With everyone in this thread who has bought one, its just confusing me even more. You guys have satellite/HD cable with a $5000 HDTV, a $3000 reciever, Blu-ray player, PS3, Xbox 360, etc. Why buy the coverter box? plan on sitting in your basement with a little 14" CRT TV unable to get your HD cable to reach down there or something? I dont get it.

Sorry if im the idiot here. Im just really confused here.

Well, I don't have any of that stuff. I got a $120 TV I bought before digital tuners were installed and I actually need the tuner for its intended purpose. I got two coupons and have two tuners, one in use, and an extra/backup in case something goes wrong with the first.

I don't have cable, I don't watch enough TV to justify having it. I also don't really have the $$ to pay for it. So what limited channels I get have to pass for entertainment outside of DVD's.

Thats more than understandable and makes complete sense.

As for everything else I said in my original post - maybe im just staying up too late too often (early signs that my body isnt in its 20's anymore even though my soul feels its still 17?)

Some of the how-to programs on the subject point out that if a household has multiple TV's and some aren't connected to cable/satellite, those sets will need a box.

I don't know about must-carry rules. Do some areas have digital broadcast channels that aren't carried by local cable or satellite systems? If so, you'd need a box to receive them.

Cable does fail from time to time. Wouldn't it be nice to switch to OTA on those occasions.

We got a box for the basement tv, that isn't hooked up to cable. Also got a box for my dvd-recorder that isn't digital.

Why? It's because they don't know any better. When they hear things like "your TV will stop working," they don't realize it's the OTA antenna and the type of signal. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them think they need it so that a DVD player or game console will still work.

I mean, look at all the people who think they're watching HD because they have an HDTV, or those that don't understand OAR.

I think thats my true confusion there. Will I need a box to get those few extra channels, or is what im currently receiving now what I will continue to receive after regardless box or not?


A very excellent point. I have a habit of just waiting it out, lol.


I have no idea what OAR is (at least by initials).

OAR = Original Aspect Ratio.

Ok, this may seem like an idiot question but I setup my great aunt's new HDTV last night and have a question about a vcr. She has Comcast basic cable but no box, the coaxial cable is plugged right into the back of the HDTV. Everything works fine, all the channels came through. However I didnt realize she wants her vcr hooked up so she can record her daily talks shows. If i plug the coaxial into the vcr then plug the vcr into the tv via coaxial or composite, will the VCR be able to get a signal? As far as I know, it isnt a digital tuner.

Thought, ideas, help?

Since she has non-digital cable, it would work. The digital transition only applies to OTA signals, not cable.

so the VCRs tuner will be able to pick up all the channels and she can use the VCRs remote to change channels and stuff?

Yes.

Last question, what about the HD channels? Right now on her tv there is channel 5, then channel 5.1 is the HD channel just to use channel 5 as an example.

The VCR will NOT be able to pick up the HD channel. On cable, the local HDs are in clear QAM. Most ATSC tuners can also decode QAM (in-the-clear). The cabel company's proprietary HD is encrypted.

The House voted 264-158 to approve the delay. Obama will obviously sign the bill.

Aren't some cable companies also getting rid of their analog? Or was that just a rumor?

Yup. Now the next four months will be MUCH messier than a hard transition. Stations can turn off analog if they want OR continue to broadcast analog; the law gives them the option and does not require analog continue. It is unclear what hoops the FCC will make them jump through to turn off analog via agency rules.

For stations already on their permanent digital frequency and power, they are all set. For stations that have to switch digital frequency (or change power), they may be blocked by an analog channel that refuses to vacate. They won't be able to switch until the analog goes silent.

So now instead of knowing when to rescan channels for the switches (Feb 18), we have 116 days of random switches across the country. Fortunately most of us only have a few channels which will change frequency.

Only Congress can upgrade a minor problem to a total SNAFU. AND, they didn't bother to fix the coupon program, so you can't use the 116 days to get a coupon and be ready the next time. The idiocy and incompetency is truly amazing.

Velcome to America!

Chris

I keep saying it, but i'm so glad Wilmington was the pilot, and already switched. The hell with the rest of you

So I just found out that the house passed it yesterday. Dammit, what a mess. So freaking pointless.

Is there a site that lists which stations will turn off analong Feb 17?