First City Ready To Shut Off Analog TVWilmington, NC pulls plug on Sept. 8th ( old news - 09:35AM Sunday Aug 31 2008) tags: Video · fcc · business · bandwidth · cableFor most of the country, the switch from analog to digital television is going to occur in February. For Wilmington, North Carolina, the shift will be taking place in about a week. This city agreed to be the test city designed to work out the kinks now so that the nationwide transition goes more smoothly. Unlike other testing that has taken place for a minute or so at a time, this is going to be an actual transition. Both the FCC’s chief Kevin Martin and the city’s mayor say that the city is ready to make the switch. Unfortunately, some say that the fact that the city is so ready could mean that it’s not the best test city. Only seven percent of the city is using an analog-only signal which is a much lower rate than in other parts of the country. Combined with the intense education that has been made available because of the early termination of the analog signal, it is believed that fewer problems are likely here than what may occur in other cities. As a result, the FCC is asking other cities to step up and make the switch early as well.
Related:- Friday Evening Links
- Martin, Comcast, Continue Lover's Feud
- NAB Sues FCC Over White Space Broadband
- DTV Coupon Program Back On Track
- Time Warner Cable: Let's Not Talk About Net Neutrality
- Cablevision Ramps Up HD Availability
- Mark Cuban: Still Terrified of TV Competition
- Verizon Uses Your Forum Complaints Against Cablevision
|
 Jonbo298
join:2004-01-12
Council Bluffs, IA
| Analog Death Watch... ...has begun.  Though I hope they don't chop Omaha's analog anytime soon. Don't watch cable like I used to so I just use OTA digital. Fox, WB, CBS (local station versions) have either a dead signal or extremely choppy signal and but NBC and ABC come in perfect so its not the TV (tuner built in). | |
|  | 
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| Re: Analog Death Watch... said by Jonbo298  :...has begun. Though I hope they don't chop Omaha's analog anytime soon. Don't watch cable like I used to so I just use OTA digital. Fox, WB, CBS (local station versions) have either a dead signal or extremely choppy signal and but NBC and ABC come in perfect so its not the TV (tuner built in). yeah but some of those channels will switch their assignments once the switch occurs so you'll get a better signal on them. Of course they can't do that now because they still are required to show both analog and digital. | |
| | | RayW
Premium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
clubs:
 ·XMission
| Sounds like a political game Here in the salt Lake City area we have both Analog and Digital going at the same time until the cutoff (according according to a friend of mine who is an engineer for one of the stations). I think it is someone beating their chest and trying to show that they are the biggest gorilla in the cabbage patch, not for any valid reason.
We just got our boxes and it is interesting to look at the differences between the two versions of TV side by side. Some Digital shows are in letter-box aspect whereas the analog versions are in 'normal' aspect. Most of the digital signals are little bit clearer, and they have the built in future program log so you can see what is coming up. And with the digital mode we have 3-4X the programing (4 * very little is still very little).
We are still playing with it and I have to put the other box on the other TV, we shall see what that one does since the previous owner who wired the basement did a shoddy job, and the signals are weaker.
--
I am not lost, I find myself every time. | |
| 
chronoss2008
Premium
join:2008-03-29 | in the news today the ratings for every show dropped 75% for reasons unknown.
Seems people didn't buy into that digital crap and oh well the rabbit ears still work.... | |
| | 
Steve Mehs
Go Sabres
join:2005-07-16
| Re: in the news today As we all know satellite and cable customers will not be affected by the digital transition, so let's take a look at the numbers shall we. According to the total on the 2008-2009 DMA Ranking put out days ago by Nielsen Media Research there are ~114.5 million TV homes in America.
DirecTV - 17.1 Million
Dish Network - 13.8 Million
30.9 Million Satellite TV Subscribers
61.1 Million Cable TV Subscribers (top 25 cablecos only)
Plus Verizon Fios, AT&T U-Verse and smaller cable operations, you're talking upward of 95 million homes that won't even be affected by the digital transition right off the bat
»www.ncta.com/Statistic/Statistic···SOs.aspx
The whole transition is way over blown, the vast majority of America won't even be affected by it. This should have happened years ago, analog TV should not exist in 2008.
--
Time Warner Cable Loyalist & Fanboy | |
| | |
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| Re: in the news today said by Steve Mehs :As we all know satellite and cable customers will not be affected by the digital transition, so let's take a look at the numbers shall we. According to the total on the 2008-2009 DMA Ranking put out days ago by Nielsen Media Research there are ~114.5 million TV homes in America. DirecTV - 17.1 Million Dish Network - 13.8 Million 30.9 Million Satellite TV Subscribers 61.1 Million Cable TV Subscribers (top 25 cablecos only) Plus Verizon Fios, AT&T U-Verse and smaller cable operations, you're talking upward of 95 million homes that won't even be affected by the digital transition right off the bat » www.ncta.com/Statistic/Statistic···SOs.aspxThe whole transition is way over blown, the vast majority of America won't even be affected by it. This should have happened years ago, analog TV should not exist in 2008. Or you can look at it that
A) those 20 million homes with OTA only is 3 million more homes than DirecTv's subscriber base.
B) of the 95 million how many have multiple TVs. Some of which may not be connected to cable or satelite?
That being said I do think it's overblown because of the large number TV with digital tuners built in being sold and by the large number of digial boxes being sold. My local wal-mart is always being sold out of them. | |
| | | NeonFire
Premium
join:2007-10-20
St John'S, NL
·NBTel now Aliant
| said by Steve Mehs :As we all know satellite and cable customers will not be affected by the digital transition, so let's take a look at the numbers shall we. According to the total on the 2008-2009 DMA Ranking put out days ago by Nielsen Media Research there are ~114.5 million TV homes in America. DirecTV - 17.1 Million Dish Network - 13.8 Million 30.9 Million Satellite TV Subscribers 61.1 Million Cable TV Subscribers (top 25 cablecos only) Plus Verizon Fios, AT&T U-Verse and smaller cable operations, you're talking upward of 95 million homes that won't even be affected by the digital transition right off the bat » www.ncta.com/Statistic/Statistic···SOs.aspxThe whole transition is way over blown, the vast majority of America won't even be affected by it. This should have happened years ago, analog TV should not exist in 2008. What about people with cabins who don't have access to cable, don't want to subscribe to cable or satellite or can't afford to subscribe to cable or satellite? Now they have to buy a converter box for every television that isn't connected to cable or satellite. | |
| | 
MadMANN
Premium
join:2005-08-19
 ·Comcast
| said by chronoss2008 :the ratings for every show dropped 75% for reasons unknown. Seems people didn't buy into that digital crap and oh well the rabbit ears still work.... You don't have to buy into it if you don't want. You just won't have any OTA TV to watch if you don't. The rabbit ears are useless when you don't have anything decoding the signal. | |
| 
n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY
·Optimum Online
| New York City It looks like New York City is still on target to switch off on February 17th. The VHF low channels 2, 4 and 5 will be staying on their current UHF assignments, except 2 which moves from 56 to 33. Channels 7, 9, 11 and 13 will switch from their current UHF assignments back to their VHF channels. The UHF channels will return to their original positions except for those that are above channel 51.
--
I support the right to keep and arm bears. | |
| 
skuv
@rr.com
| I don't agree... Unfortunately, some say that the fact that the city is so ready could mean that it’s not the best test city. Only seven percent of the city is using an analog-only signal which is a much lower rate than in other parts of the country. Isn't it better to do a city that is only 7% on analog as a full test of the transition?
Would you really want them to go to a rural area 5 months before the real cut over and cut off even more people that don't know the transition is happening that soon, much less in February?
It would be better to see on a small scale what needs to be done before February rather than to do it on a large scale and not be prepared to deal with tons of people that don't know what's going on, rather than a few. So that you can learn from small mistakes and issues when it comes time to cut everyone over. Instead of possibly having to rollback the test market.
Seems logical, but the opposition probably comes from the broadcasters still trying to get the February 2009 date pushed out. The last thing those people want is a successful test 5 months early. | |
|
I Want Analog
@swbell.net
| Rural Areas and Signal Strength I live about 30 to 45 miles from broadcast towers and have already purchased a converter box. Nearly every day there is enough loss of signal that some pixelation of a show will occur. It will only get worse during winter months which always tend to have degraded signals.
Has the FCC really thought about what will occur in rural areas where only one station is often all folk can receive, and that station with poor signal?
I'm willing to bet that a very large number of rural folk will be left without television viewing, folk that can't afford to pay for satellite systems and subscriptions.
On the other hand there is such little programming of interest to older folk perhaps it simply doesn't matter.
Now where did I lay that library book? | |
| | EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
| Re: Rural Areas and Signal Strength When the switch occurs, channels whose analog channels on on the VHF-high frequencies (7-13) will for the most part go back to their previous VHF channels for digital- this should improve reception of the digital channels.
Note that the VHF-low frequencies are actually prone more to distortion of digital signals than even UHF, so those channels won't be used (with a few exceptions) | |
| | | jdre
join:2008-03-27
| Re: Rural Areas and Signal Strength All 5 of my local full power stations went off the air last week, during the night 1:45 AM. For about 1/2 hour. One station had a message they were going off for "maintenance". I think they may have had to work on the transmitter antennas which are all in one location, or it was DTV transition test. | |
| | | qworster
join:2001-11-25
Los Angeles, CA
·Brand X Internet
·RoadRunner Cable
 ·Vonage
·DSL EXTREME
4 edits | said by EPS :When the switch occurs, channels whose analog channels on on the VHF-high frequencies (7-13) will for the most part go back to their previous VHF channels for digital- this should improve reception of the digital channels. Note that the VHF-low frequencies are actually prone more to distortion of digital signals than even UHF, so those channels won't be used (with a few exceptions) Any TV station that stays on low VHF is owned by IDIOTS! Those channels are the absolute WORST for HDTV! Ironically, there are only about THIRTY of them, and those 30 stations will be taking up 30 mHz of prime VHF spectrum in the entire USA that could be well used for other services (like many of us who want to extend the FM band from the current 88-108 to 76-108).
This is just another example of how poor a job the FCC does at regulating spectrum! The biggest peoblem is that the FCC has NO ENGINEERS as Commissioners; they are all lawyers. So, decisions that directly involve physics instead are made based upon politics. Unfortunately, even a lawyer can't override the laws of physics-they are what they are.
What's really going to be interesting is all the people who turn their DTV sets on the morning of February 17th to find that they can't receive half their favorite DTV stations. There are two BIG problems; first, every DTV set will have to be re-programmed because many DTV stations will be moving back to their current VHF or UHF analog channels in that overnight-and second, since most current DTV stations broadcast on UHF, many DTV owners have bought amplified indoor TV antennas that only work on UHF. These antennas won't pull in VHF DTV stations well, if at all.
The way around this would have been for the FCC to mandate that all indoor antennas work on both VHF and UHF, but lawyers are too STUPID and IGNORANT of the physics to figure that out. As a result, there is going to be chaos out in TV land come mid Feb. | |
| | | | 
joako
Premium
join:2000-09-07
/dev/null
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| Re: Rural Areas and Signal Strength said by qworster :The way around this would have been for the FCC to mandate that all indoor antennas work on both VHF and UHF, but lawyers are too STUPID and IGNORANT of the physics to figure that out. As a result, there is going to be chaos out in TV land come mid Feb. I disagree. I think we have enough stupid regulation to start regulating what sort of TV antennas can be sold, imported or manufatured.
It's all a big show to distract people from the *REAL* issues.
--
09:F9:11:02:9D:74:E3:5B:D8:41:56:C5:63:56:88:C0 | |
| | | | russotto
join:2000-10-05
Collegeville, PA
| said by qworster :Any TV station that stays on low VHF is owned by IDIOTS! Those channels are the absolute WORST for HDTV! Ironically, there are only about THIRTY of them, and those 30 stations will be taking up 30 mHz of prime VHF spectrum in the entire USA that could be well used for other services (like many of us who want to extend the FM band from the current 88-108 to 76-108). So where would you put WPVI? There's no channels available in the area on VHF-Hi or UHF.
As for FM... now there's a waste. FM contains nothing but duplicate stations now, why give it MORE spectrum? | |
| | | | | EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
| Re: Rural Areas and Signal Strength None? Wow, you guys must have a ton of channels in PA...
But I agree that extending the FM radio spectrum probably wouldn't be too useful- I think we'd be better off breaking up the mega-radio conglomerates and allowing for more local stations (on the other hand, the two aren't mutually exclusive, and locally-owned stations aren't necessarily local or more interesting than mega-corp owned, so argh)
I suppose the same issues that make VHF-Lo bad for ATSC television would preclude the use of that spectrum for other digital purposes. | |
| | | | | | qworster
join:2001-11-25
Los Angeles, CA
·Brand X Internet
·RoadRunner Cable
·Vonage
·DSL EXTREME
4 edits | Re: Rural Areas and Signal Strength said by EPS :None? Wow, you guys must have a ton of channels in PA... But I agree that extending the FM radio spectrum probably wouldn't be too useful- I think we'd be better off breaking up the mega-radio conglomerates and allowing for more local stations (on the other hand, the two aren't mutually exclusive, and locally-owned stations aren't necessarily local or more interesting than mega-corp owned, so argh) I suppose the same issues that make VHF-Lo bad for ATSC television would preclude the use of that spectrum for other digital purposes. WPVI could easily go on one of the High VHF or UHF channels that are being given back after the changeover. Reemeber, right now each TV station has TWO channels-that will be reduced to one in Feb., freeing up a ton of channels. Also, remember that unlike NTSC stations (that required a vacant channel between two in the same city-which is why you had to have have channels 7,9,11 and 13 in the same city), with ATSC you can use adjacent channels, which means that in Philadelphia channels 7,9,11, and 13 will eventually be allotted (the spacing between DTV transmitters is about 3/4 that of NTSC, which means that these channels can be used in both NYC and Philadelphia).
Right now we're in a mixed mode, which means that NTSC channels are still being (over) protected.
I disagree about the FM band being extended. This spectrum is badly needed for several reasons. First, there's no distinct place to put digital radio (and remember, analog radio is almost 100 years old!). As a result we have the fatally flawed IBOC HD radio systen that's going nowhere. Second, the AM band is badly overcrowded-and by extending the FM band and moving many of the smaller AM stations over to it, the AM band will be able to once again be used for its primary advantage-powerful 50,000 watt AM stations covering a large swath of area. These stations are still badly needed-as an example look at the valuable service that WWL performed in New Orleans after Katrina (and may be performing again in a few days!).
Finally, the top of the present FM band is right against the aviation band. Powerful FM stations frequently interfere with aircraft communications. By extending the band downwards, it would be simple to eventually put a 1 mHz 'guard band' between the two services.
Don't you agree that having 30 stations occupying 30 Mhz of VHF spectrum in the entire USA is wasteful? I would much rather see channels 2,3 and 4 used for Hobbiest use and/or short to medium range (2-5 miles) wireless Internet. The equipment costs for this band would be dirt cheap and it would produce a whole new industry. | |
| | | | | | | russotto
join:2000-10-05
Collegeville, PA
| Re: Rural Areas and Signal Strength said by qworster :WPVI could easily go on one of the High VHF or UHF channels that are being given back after the changeover. No, it can't. 7,11, and 13 are full power in New York and would result in interference with a full power in Philly. Channel 8 is in New Jersey, same problem. Channel 9 Allentown. Channel 10, Harrisburg, channel 12 Philadelphia. That's VHF-Hi.
All the UHF stations are also taken or precluded by interference issues; there's no room for a full-power station.
Reemeber, right now each TV station has TWO channels-that will be reduced to one in Feb., freeing up a ton of channels.
Remember we're losing 52-69.
which means that in Philadelphia channels 7,9,11, and 13 will eventually be allotted (the spacing between DTV transmitters is about 3/4 that of NTSC, which means that these channels can be used in both NYC and Philadelphia).
No, they cannot. There's also Baltimore to consider with those. | |
| |
joako
Premium
join:2000-09-07
/dev/null
·AT&T U-Verse
| I guess you can say I live in a rural area. I get 5 stations:
Fox Analog
Fox Digital
Fox HDTV
PBS
PBS Digital.
Fox analog is in b/w most of the time, the digitals aren't too watchable, it depends where people are walking.
--
09:F9:11:02:9D:74:E3:5B:D8:41:56:C5:63:56:88:C0 | |
| | | | | | | 
antwanp
ObamaBiden 2008 I voted, did you?
Premium
join:2002-05-14
Cedar Hill, TX
clubs: | Re: Rural Areas and Signal Strength For rural areas, don't Low Powered stations have exemptions from the switchover? I know at my University in Nacogdoches, TXd, some of the LP Repeater stations are going to stay live after the switch. | |
| | | | | | |
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| said by Arctic nut :said by I Want Analog :
I live about 30 to 45 miles from broadcast towers and have already purchased a converter box. Nearly every day there is enough loss of signal that some pixelation of a show will occur. .....
Now where did I lay that library book?
I'm in the same boat here. I get one station from Grand Forks, ND in digital. Some days are OK and others it's not viewable. There's nothing on worth watching so I guess it will be the marketers’ loss.  As for Washington knowing this will likely leave a good bit of rural America without an OTA signal...they don't care. As usual, they saw the dollar signs. As we all know, inside the Beltway, cash trumps the public interest every time. Some will have DTV and HDTV and those of us rural folk who refuse to be ripped off by DTV and DISH will have NOTV first of all if you can get a station in with analog OTA then that station is required by law to be able to reach you with a digital signal.
before people go getting their panties in a wad wait until AFTER the actual transition before complaining. It's KNOWN FACT that once the transition takes place that station will be switching assignments so the digital signal gets the better one since the analog channel will no longer be necessary. Of course right now the analog will get the better assignment so that way the digital one doesn't come in as good. o course less whining and more research and you would have figured this out. This isn't complicated stuff if you bother looking stuff up. | |
| | | | 
Arctic nut
join:2006-11-26
Thief River Falls, MN
 ·HughesNet Satellit..
 ·Alltel Axess
| Re: Rural Areas and Signal Strength said by BF69 :said by Arctic nut :said by I Want Analog :
I live about 30 to 45 miles from broadcast towers and have already purchased a converter box. Nearly every day there is enough loss of signal that some pixelation of a show will occur. .....
Now where did I lay that library book?
I'm in the same boat here. I get one station from Grand Forks, ND in digital. Some days are OK and others it's not viewable. There's nothing on worth watching so I guess it will be the marketers’ loss. As for Washington knowing this will likely leave a good bit of rural America without an OTA signal...they don't care. As usual, they saw the dollar signs. As we all know, inside the Beltway, cash trumps the public interest every time. Some will have DTV and HDTV and those of us rural folk who refuse to be ripped off by DTV and DISH will have NOTV first of all if you can get a station in with analog OTA then that station is required by law to be able to reach you with a digital signal. before people go getting their panties in a wad wait until AFTER the actual transition before complaining. It's KNOWN FACT that once the transition takes place that station will be switching assignments so the digital signal gets the better one since the analog channel will no longer be necessary. Of course right now the analog will get the better assignment so that way the digital one doesn't come in as good. o course less whining and more research and you would have figured this out. This isn't complicated stuff if you bother looking stuff up. From the tone of your reply, the only panties in a wad appear to be yours. As for your KNOWN FACT statement, the site below clearly indicates that several of the network stations local to me are NOT changing their frequency assignment post transition nor are they increasing their power output. If you had bothered looking stuff up before posting, you might have found you know less than you think.
»www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=···temid=29 | |
| | | NeonFire
Premium
join:2007-10-20
St John'S, NL
·NBTel now Aliant
| said by Arctic nut :said by I Want Analog :
I live about 30 to 45 miles from broadcast towers and have already purchased a converter box. Nearly every day there is enough loss of signal that some pixelation of a show will occur. .....
Now where did I lay that library book?
I'm in the same boat here. I get one station from Grand Forks, ND in digital. Some days are OK and others it's not viewable. There's nothing on worth watching so I guess it will be the marketers’ loss. As for Washington knowing this will likely leave a good bit of rural America without an OTA signal...they don't care. As usual, they saw the dollar signs. As we all know, inside the Beltway, cash trumps the public interest every time. Some will have DTV and HDTV and those of us rural folk who refuse to be ripped off by DTV and DISH will have NOTV And that's the sad truth.  | |
| | Lazlow
join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO
| After the drop of analog, a lot (not all) of the stations will be turning up the power of the digital signal. Take a look at:
»www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=···temid=29
Make sure to look at the before and after cutoff data for your area. | |
| 
RangerTX
Premium
join:2006-05-17
Los Angeles, CA | Lawsuit time I am sure once the country will switch, lawsuit will be flying left and right from those that are pissed they can't watch t.v.
--
i am not a lawyer but I do play one on the internet | |
| | | | | | | 
C0deZer0
Oc'D To Rhythm And Police
Premium
join:2001-10-03
Davenport, FL | Re: Boxes If you still need a STB, it's not unencrypted. | |
| | | | | | | | |
C0deZer0
Oc'D To Rhythm And Police
Premium
join:2001-10-03
Davenport, FL | Bye Bye free TV? So is this the end of free TV programming? | |
| |
Arctic nut
join:2006-11-26
Thief River Falls, MN
·HughesNet Satellit..
·Alltel Axess
| Re: Bye Bye free TV? said by C0deZer0 :So is this the end of free TV programming? No. It means the end of full power stations broadcasting in analog. Digital will still be free to those within range of the transmitter. | |
| | 
ablack6596
join:2005-01-28
Scarsdale, NY | It's still free TV... You just need a digital tuner instead of an analogue one now. | |
| 
CUBS_FAN
You're Killing Me
join:2005-04-28
Chicago, IL | Annoying Lets hope by February they get all stations to broadcast in full screen. Watching the 10 O'clock news in HD is annoying when they are flipping back & forth between full and standard formats. | |
| | sharksfan3
Premium
join:2004-02-16
Poughkeepsie, NY | Re: Annoying I assume by "flipping back and forth" you mean HD studio shots VS SD 'on the scene' shots.
The reason for this is because SD/HD require different cameras. A lone camera man can only operate one camera at a time. | |
| | |
CUBS_FAN
You're Killing Me
join:2005-04-28
Chicago, IL | Re: Annoying So will that become the standards of Digital and HD television? Let's hope not  | |
| | | | sharksfan3
Premium
join:2004-02-16
Poughkeepsie, NY | Re: Annoying I think you are confusing "Digital" with "High Definition" and "Standard Definition". | |
| | | | |
CUBS_FAN
You're Killing Me
join:2005-04-28
Chicago, IL | Re: Annoying So will that become the standards of HD format and SD formatted television? Let's hope not | |
| 
dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| Over the air digital Is a joke. sure when it comes in it looks great assuming:
There are no clouds
There is no rain
There is no wind
get any of these and its worse[unwatchable]
--------------------------------------------------------
Another downside to digital is it is "all or nothing" meaning when conditions are right it looks fabulous, have an iffy signal all you get is a black screen[no more snowy but watchable screen] all this so the damned cellphone companies can have more spectrum to rape and gouge with.
--
When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee | |
| | NeonFire
Premium
join:2007-10-20
St John'S, NL
·NBTel now Aliant
| Re: Over the air digital said by dvd536 :Is a joke. sure when it comes in it looks great assuming: There are no clouds There is no rain There is no wind get any of these and its worse[unwatchable] -------------------------------------------------------- Another downside to digital is it is "all or nothing" meaning when conditions are right it looks fabulous, have an iffy signal all you get is a black screen[no more snowy but watchable screen] all this so the damned cellphone companies can have more spectrum to rape and gouge with. That's great considering all of the OTA analog channels my family currently gets are snowy. I guess whenever Canada switches, there's no more TV for people living in rural areas that don't want to subscribe to satellite. | |
| | mworks
join:2006-06-13
Faison, NC
| I'm ready I live near wilmington and they have been very proactive in helping people make the switch. They did it with things like booths at the beaches, mailing out flyers, phone calls, etc. They didn't just announce it on tv and hope people made the necessary changes. They also involved the council on aging to make sure the older people understood what needed to be done. I don't think it will be a difficult change for people in the area.
One thing I see repeatedly is people thinking the switch to digital means switching to HDTV. It doesn't. The requirement is the station broadcast in digital, they can continue to use regular SD broadcasting. Some stations cannot afford to switch to HD and will continue to send all signals in SD. Digital is just a different way to get it to your tv. | |
| 
Fox McCloud
Crazy like a fox.
join:2006-07-23
·Embarq
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
|  Let the Market Handle It
I enjoy my digital HD channels, but I'm going to miss analogue too; I'm supposed to get 6 different digital versions of PBS (1 of which does HD on Friday nights), but I cannot get any of them....and ABC only functions when it wants to, so in likelihood, I'll lose 2 channels via this whole fiasco.
One thing is for sure, I'll be replacing all the coax in my house with quad-shielded coax to help the signal out a bit, and I may consider getting a more powerful amplifier as well; I may not be able to get the digital versions of 16, but at least with that setup, I'd hope ABC would come in crystal clear, and all my other channels would come in stronger, as well.
Those who are saying that everyone with satellite will not have to worry...consider this (this only applies to Dish people, with DirecTV locals are included); you have to pay an extra $5 a month just to get locals with Dish...so there will be a few that still probably won't get their locals (though they *can*).
Fortunately Dish is rolling out a $10 package which includes a number of "family" esque programming....and for $5 more for your locals, it'll be a very tempting package for a lot of people.
--
"True Patriotism is more closely linked with dissent than it is to conformity and a blind desire for safety and security...I accept the definition of patriotism as that effort to resist abusive state power." -Ron Paul | |
| | | dustman81
join:2002-05-28
Stow, OH | Re: First city? They mean first city to be all digital OTA, not first all digital cable system. | |
|
PhilthyPhil
@EPIX.NET
| Lousy DTV transmission scheme The point most people seem to be missing in this DTV fiasco is that the United States picked a most inferior system for transmitting DTV. The 8VSB system used in this country is vulnerable to multipath, airplane flutter, and rainy weather. The result: Your pictures will freeze up, pixellate, or just disappear, leaving you with a blank screen. Contrast that with the European COFDM system, which is very robust. I saw the two systems demonstrated side-by-side in Baltimore nine years ago. I was in a condominium overlooking the Inner Harbor, with a window facing away from Baltimore's trademark candelabra TV tower. The analog on channel 45 was unwatchable on an indoor antenna, with multipath bad enough to obliterate the sync pulses, causing the picture to bend and tear. We could not receive 8VSB except by placing the antenna on the windowsill. Whenever anyone walked past the antenna or touched it, the picture disappeared. With COFDM, I had perfect pictures and sound. When a technician touched the inner conductor of the F connector on the cable going to the COFDM set-top box, there was perfect reception! Ironically, the groundwork for the COFDM system was laid by Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey!
Granted, the new chipsets in the DTV converter boxes and receivers are better than the ones that existed in 1999. But the same problems still exist with DTV reception in many parts of the country. As long as we are using 8VSB, rolling out a new chipset is like putting a Band-Aid on cancer.
Germany made a successful switch to DTV, using the COFDM system, in 2005. But millions of Americans will lose TV service in this country because a corrupt FCC and Congress have saddled us with such a poor transmission system.
In emergencies, battery-operated portable TV sets won't work anymore, as they are analog and there are no such DTV receivers available. A portable DTV set probably wouldn't receive anything anyway due to the shortcomings of the 8VSB system. Radio? There isn't much local service on radio these days, with a lot of stations being voicetracked by out of town, out of touch "talent" or simply running satellite-delivered programming. So much for serving the public interest, convenience, and necessity! The Almighty Dollar trumps all!
Could we be seeing the Great TV Riots of 2009? | |
| | | |
|
|
·
