Analog to Digital TV Conversion - Comments Page 1

Bob, Good stuff, but might it be worth adding a big bold comment right at the start of this article to make it clear that it only refers to the USA and that the situation regarding the analogue to digital tv switchover in other countries is different?

Will broadcast be in 4x3 standard or 16x9 widescreen after feb 08?

EDITOR'S NOTE: The digital cutover will be in Feb 2009, a year from now. And you may be confusing Digital with HD. Even when all TV broadcasting is in Digital, there will still be both Standard Definition (typically 4x3) and High Definition (typically 16x9) broadcasts.

I still don't see anything that states whether we need an individual converter box for EACH TV in our house. Can the cable company's cable connect to the converter before entering the house? And, why are we getting TWO $40. vouchers?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I think you answered your own question -- one converter per analog TV. And note that if you are getting your TV signal from cable, the entire issue is moot.

Forgive me, because I'm about to be unfashionable. To me this is a huge expense waiting to happen. I do understand that, since I have cable, I will continue to get a signal, though it will continue to be analog because my set is as elderly as I am. But I cannot believe that the cable monopolies in the United States will not use this excuse to double or triple their fees. Furthermore, if you wish to get the allegedly superior signal, you must buy a new television, which is particularly hard on the elderly, the poor, and other classes that Congress doesn't pay much attention to. In other words, this is a TV tax passed by Congress, and I feel like the child saying, "The emperor is wearing no clothes." I do hope I'm wrong.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Anne, no new TV is required... just the signal converter. With the $40 voucher, it should carry little or no cost.

Does ANYONE have any information regarding some type of converter to use with an am/fm/tv band radio...since the signal obviously, will no longer be available for use. I have two almost new Sangean radios specifically for the purpose of listening to tv on my radio..and I fear these will now be useless for that purpose, unless someone has come up with a conversion system of some kind. Any information will be most appreciated.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If your radio has a place to attach TV antenna leads, then I think you should be able to insert the digital-to-analog converter between the antenna and the radio. If the antenna is built-in, you're probably going to have to buy a new radio. Unless you can get the UHF band... that's where the digital TV signals will be.

Anybody have any idea how this will play out north of the 49th parallel?

EDITOR'S NOTE: The CRTC set a date of August 31, 2011 for the digital TV cutover in Canada. For other countries, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_digital_television_deployments_by_country

Bob thanks for incorporating the info that I had mentioned on Low Power stations into this piece. This is one of the most comprehensive articles on the DTV conversion that I have ever seen. You rock!

Some sales clerks have no idea that several stations have been broadcasting DTV for years (on an auxiliary channel). Maybe the clerks should read this.

You missed a VERY IMPORTANT story: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/11/technology/digital.php

Basically, w/o a cable hookup regardless if you live in a large metro area or somewhere in the boonies you may never again get [free] TV reception.

EDITOR'S NOTE: That's not what the article says. Some market research firm has released a study asserting that some (small) percentage of people may not be able to get (1 or 2) channels. The FCC studies disagree. We'll see...

I've tried on 4 separate occasions to apply for a pair of the television coupons. All times have been unsuccessful. I appreciate the upgrade in technology -- and, of course, your explanation. But when you have to keep "fighting" the website and still end up with nothing, there's something wrong with the process. Oh well. I'm betting my husband and I will be stuck paying full price for the converter boxes. And heaven help the folks who do not have computers or have a lower frustration threshhold.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have trouble with the website, call 1-888-388-2009.

Bob: Interesting gotcha for this government program. You can get a free $40 coupon from the digital TV website that is good for 90 days. When you take it to your friendly local electronics store to buy the converter box (Radio Shack and Best Buy in my town) the clerk at the store says, "Sorry, we don't have any converter boxes in stock. Come back later." What happens if "later" happens to be more that 90 days?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I guess it's a good idea to wait until this fall to get the voucher.