Analog to Digital TV Conversion - Comments Page 4

Hi: I have a very old tv with no input jacks
(phono or cable types). Will it be possible to
convert this tv to receive any broadcast signal at all. This is a pre-1975 classic space helmet
tv from the late 1960's or early 1970's. Appreciate any advice. Thanks. WRC

EDITOR'S NOTE: If it has a place to connect an antenna, then it should work. You may need one of those gizmos that converts a coax input to the two little U-shaped antenna connectors.

I purchased a converter box. The store (Best Buy) said I could hook it up right away, and get better reception. When I did, the box scanned for channels but found none. (I normally get 10 channels with my antenna) A call to the converter box company got the response that probably none of these channels was currently broadcasting in digital, and that I should check antennaweb to find out. When I did antennaweb's search for my location, it said "There are no digital stations predicted to serve this location." What does "predicted" mean? Never? What good is the box then? I have a limited income- I don't want to have to purchase a new antenna or subscribe to cable (or purchase a new tv). They make it sound like simply purchasing the box will solve all the transition problems.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Predicted means that is their best guess, given the info in their database today. The conversion to digital signals will not take place until Feb 2009. So I'm not surprised that you don't get any digital channels now. Wait until next Feb to install the box.

I would like to know: WHY? There is almost nothing on TV here worth watching, even the news is no longer local. I'll just stop watching. CB

I currently receive free over the air TV reception on 5 channels in our area with rabbit ear antennas connected to the set. I got a converter box in preparation for the Feb 17, 2009 event. By connecting the antenna to the box and then to the TV, I only receive 1 channel. The other channels are not powerful enough to allow reception with the converter box. I don't have the money to spend on a new high-end antenna system. ($200 - $800) So it seems that just by getting the converter box and hooking up the antenna won't guarantee the same level of reception. Any low cost suggestions to improve reception? I don't want/won't pay for cable.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't think that testing the converter box at this time will tell you anything useful.. There are no digital signals yet for you to pull in.

I've not seen anything here about the use of a signal booster on the antenna. Will the booster affect the digital signals? Will it work with the converter?

EDITOR'S NOTE: My guess is that you have an ANALOG signal booster, which will not work with a digital signal. The silver lining: digital signals are supposed to be stronger than their analog coutnerparts.

Scott: You talk about Analog and Digital signal boosters being different? Can you provide some info on where to find a digital signal booster? Radioshack and other places don't mention the need for different boosters.
TIA

My parents have analog cable, and have for years used a dvd/vcr combo with the cable. Recently the combo unit began to malfuntion and I have tried to replace it. With the conversion there are no dvd/vcr units made to work with the analog cable. I don't know how to hook the new units.

How do you hook up these new combo units with analog cable to be able to watch dvd/vhs movies and record off of tv on the vhs?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I think you may be confused about the analog/digital issue. Even after the Feb 2009 broadcast TV switchover, there will still be cable broadcasts in analog. The FCC has not required cable operators to swtich from analog to digital -- just over-the-air TV broadcasts are affected. I'm pretty sure you can still buy a DVD/VCR, plug in your analog cable, and it will work fine. Search for "DVD combo" at Overstock.com and I think you'll find what you need.

I just hooked up a converter to my old TV. WOW! I was surpised at the improvement of quality for Channels 2 & 4 here in Cutler Bay, FL. Another surprise was that for some channels there are as many as 3 or 4 different programs being broadcast as say 6-1,6-2, 6-3, and 6-4. I did not know that these even existed until now. My advise is, if you know you are going to get a converter, get it now and enjoy some great improvement in the reception of the weaker channels that you now recieve.

I have read all the comments and they are very informative. One question I didn't see an answer to: While traveling, I use my laptop computer hooked to the trailer antenna to watch local channels. Do I need a converter for the laptop? I am not talking about TV via the internet, this is strictly local channels over the airwaves. Your help would be appreciated. Thank you.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, you will need a converter between the antenna and the laptop's TV tuner input card.

Two things: Does anyone know how this law/bill got passed initially? I've done a little digging and can find neither the origin of this movement, nor any resistance. It's almost like the government knew they were dealing with TV watchers, therefore expecting nothing but complacency.

And secondly--and forgive my rant here--that really stinks about the VCR thing. As a life-long cheapskate, I've relied on my VCR to tape shows for me while I'm away, and sometimes they are on different channels. I thought I would be OK with this change as far as this is concerned, but I didn't know that the converter was more than just that. It's the "remote control" if you will. Again, that really stinks.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't think there's a Vast Conspiracy behind this... I understand it frees up bandwidth for emergency services.