Analog to Digital TV Conversion - Comments Page 6

I'm a little confused about how it will affect recording tv shows using my vcr. Can I still record shows with my vcr after the dtv switch? Or will I need a new vcr? I have a normal vcr and a digital television. What will I need?

EDITOR'S NOTE: See the section "What About My VCR, DVD Player, etc?" in the article.

I just bought a HDTV, what do I need to do to get the regular, non-cable, free stations before the switchover date?

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have a new HDTV, it will definitely have a digital tuner. So there should be nothing to do. Some UHF channels already contain digital broadcasts. If you can tune into those channels, you're good to go.

I have fitted the converter box and can receive the channnels. However, channel 7 at times says weak signal, Channel 5 and 9 sometimes fragment. Can you advise me as to how to correct this?

I have hooked up the converter box and now the DVD player won't work. I was wondering if I have it hooked up wrong or how I can get it to work. Could you please help me out with this?

EDITOR'S NOTE: In what order did you connect the devices?

Well, I've got some major issues with the "gift card" program - we ordered the cards when they were first offered, and none of the stores we frequent had boxes each time we checked. The cards expired, and we're told we're out of luck.

So, I've got 2 questions:

1. For our analog set, we'll need to buy the converter box, but also need a new DVD player. I notice there are some DVD players which list digital to analog conversion among the specs. Is there a dual purpose device which will function both as a DVD player and a converter? Seems as if it would make sense.

2. We have a digital set, with an antenna. Portland already has a wide array of digital stations, and they come in quite well on our set. We love all the extras on our local PBS affiliate. We tend to get a bit of interference, with audio stalling and stuttering, and the video does this mosaic kind of distortion (like a stalled DVD). Is it better with cable, or will transmission improve over time?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've read that the NTIA is considering the idea of extending the expiration dates on the coupon cards, but I wouldn't count on that. Maybe you could have a friend or neighbor order cards, if they don't need them for themselves. As for the digital DVR, the "digital to analog conversion" probably means it will convert digital media (DVD discs) to be played on analog TV sets. I'd guess you still need the converter box. And as for the stuttering problem, do you have any fluorescent lighting near your TV? Turning off the fluorescent lights in my family room solved this problem for me!

Your article says: Your VCR, DVD player, camcorder, gaming systems and other equipment that interfaces with your television will continue to work, no matter what kind of TV you have. . . [but] if you currently record TV shows the digital-to-analog converter [and] if you want to watch digital TV on one channel, and record something on another, you'll need TWO converter boxes.

Just checking an issue that falls in the cracks here. I have cable and do record on a DVR and/or VCR while watching other shows. Will the DVR/VCR work without a converter box?

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have cable, then all of this is moot for you.

I have two tv's only one is hooked to cable will it hurt to hook my converter box to cable. Second are all converter boxes the same, I don't know witch one to buy. thanks

EDITOR'S NOTE: Your cable signal is probably analog, so I would not recommend connecting it to the converter box. As far as I know all the converter boxes work pretty much the same. Check at your local electronics store or look on eBay.

I found out that my PIP (picture in picture) is worthless on my tv now. how so i set up two converter boxes on 1 TV?

We have been setup on the converter box since Oct. 2008 and love the quality of the picture and new channels. I use the converter box to scan for new channels weekly since we are so close to the conversion date. Since the begining of 2009 we have been having a lot of problems with no signal or a lot of distortion. I also noticed just last night that when set on 1 channel other channels try to share the same channel. It's almost like the channels are changing themselves. Any suggestions?

Is there a digital tv-band radio converter for analog tv band radios in the near future? I have two almost new, expensive am/fm/tv/weather radios which will be useless for the tv band if someone doesn't come up with a conversion idea soon!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Unless there is an external antenna, and a way to insert the converter between the antenna and the device, you're out of luck.