Analog to Digital TV Conversion - Comments Page 2

How do you update your dvr to reflect digital channels (6.1) vs. analog channels (6)? I am hoping that I do not understand one of the comments correctly, and that it is possible.

EDITOR'S NOTE: My guess is that these channels would have a "normal" number, just somewhere else in the list. ie: 361, 362, etc.

Two questions, please:

(1) If we use a converter box after the changeover with our present analog TV, will the picture quality probably be worse or about the same as it is now with analog TV and an outside antenna? As it is now, some of the channels we receive have a degraded signal due to distance and/or other interference.

(2) If we buy a new digital TV and use the same outside antenna, can we expect any better reception after the digital changeover? Thank you.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The FCC says your signal should be better. Others say your mileage will vary.

Can I still use my old Analog TV with a Digital Conversion box with an outside antenna and receive free TV?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, that's the gist of the article.

It seems that most TV commercials and websites discussing the analog-to-digital conversion begin with something similar to: "If you own a television that has an analog tuner which uses an over-the-air antenna, and do not have cable or satellite service, you will need a converter box".

It seems that the following would be a little more accurate and informative: "If you own a television that has an analog tuner which uses an over-the-air antenna and do not have cable or satellite service, or do not own a device such as a VCR with a built-in digital tuner, you WILL need a converter box".

However, since many households will still have more analog TVs than VCRs or other devices with digital tuners, it may still be worth applying for a coupon if it means getting the converter for little to no cost. In any case, there will soon be thousands of discarded converter boxes available as older TVs are replaced.

We've got analog TVs and receive basic reception through a cable (antennas don't work here). Our understanding is that our provider will do the digital conversion when the time comes. However, they (Time-Warner, whose customer service leaves a lot to be desired) insist we still need a converter box. Likewise the local retailers, but I'm sure they just want to make sales. We're not sure what to believe. We've applied for the coupons anyway but haven't received them yet. Can anyone help us with this?

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's important to note that the FCC is NOT requiring cable TV providers to switch to digital -- only over-the-air broadcasts. So I think the local retailers (and probably the TW reps) are wrong. However, it's possible that Time Warner is transitioning from analog to digital as well. If so, that would be a DIFFERENT converter, usually called a set-top box. And Time Warner would provide that for you. My advice, wait until TW notifies you by mail that you need such a device.

If an analog TV is set up to receive broadcast signals thru a VCR, can a single converter box at the VCR be used, or would this arrangement require separate boxes for the VCR and TV?

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have a your antenna connected to the VCR, and the VCR connected to the TV (in series) then I think only one converter would be needed.

In Orlando Florida Brighthouse moved our local government channels (which are cable only - not broadcast) to Ch 198 & 199. Since most TV's - even new High Def TV's - don't go that high everyone needs to obtain a set top box from them. This is the result of the State removing local government regulation of the local cable company's. So the massive announcements that you don't have to worry if you have cable tv are simply not true in some cases. IE: if you are not already paying for a set top box and the cable company does some fancy foot work.

EDITOR'S NOTE: That really has nothing to do with the Analog to Digital switchover. Your cable company might still be broadcasting those channels in analog, even though they have high channel numbers.

I am still confused as to whether I can record with my vcr after the change. It looks like I can not set the vcr ahead of time to record when I am not there. When can I record?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I think you can use the timer, but you may not be able to select a channel. One solution: select the channel manually. Not so good if you want to record multiple programs on different channels, though.

Just wondering if you can run two tvs off one box somehow? O are separate boxes required?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've not tried it, but I assume a Y-splitter would work fine.

While all of the reasons I've heard seem valid and it may even be more efficient, I still can't help beleiving that our government doesn't have an alternate reason for which we may never know. I have several theories; paranoid as they may be, but hey: They've done worse and I wouldn't put much anything past this administration.

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.