Digital TV converters

[james_t]

Having financial priorities at this point other than new TVs or a satellite dish, I was one of those poor souls whose TV was going to go blank next February when all the analog signals bite the dust.

So when they announced that the government was going to send out $40 off coupons for the DTV converter boxes I hopped online and signed up for my two. They arrived in the mail a couple weeks ago.

Wal-Mart was a bit mystified because I was apparently the first to bring one in, but someone dug up an instruction sheet (they basically run the things like a credit card) and I got the normally $50 converter boxes for $10 each.

I hooked up the first one last night. I lost channel 55, the Fox station in Fort Wayne - according to their Web site, their digital signal goes full-strength this summer - but now all the other channels are sending two to four subchannels each, so I'm ahead by a few channels. (Channel 39, the PBS channel, for instance, seems to have channels 39.1 and 39.3 with regular PBS content and channel 39.2 for PBS Kids content.)

I'm going to hold off hooking up the second box so that we can access Fox when we want to, though I probably will once their digital signal goes full strength.

Anyone else tried this out yet? How did it go for you?

[troublesome one]

I haven't done it yet but I'll have to for a couple of my TVs.

Since each of the local stations phase in the digital signal when they're ready, you'll have the hiccups like Channel 55. I may wait until November or so and everyone should be up and running.

Of course, I could spend my stimulus check on the converters in May just to offset the recession.

[gwenz3]

Do you happen to know the website to get the coupons for the DTV converter boxes? I've tried searching and can't find anything yet.
Thanks

[hairypumper]

Do you happen to know the website to get the coupons for the DTV converter boxes? I've tried searching and can't find anything yet.
Thanks

I found the link on wane.com, I think all the tv stations have links on their sites. I haven't got mine yet, it's been over a month since I signed up. How long did it take everyone else?

[james_t]

You can apply at http://www.dtv2009.gov

I think it took about a month and a half for our coupons to arrive.

[jennyk]

I didn't buy a converter box, but the last TV I bought could receive a digital signal and I've been using that since I moved into my apartment back in August. I was very sad that I couldn't get Fox-55 (no American Idol, much to my dismay and my fiance's relief when he's over on Tuesday/Wednesday nights!), but I like getting some of the subchannels. Channel 33 and its subchannels come in OK, but they get sort of scrambled sometimes. Being the giant dork that I am, I've enjoyed having more than 1 PBS station. I watch their "Create" channel sometimes, which has a lot of travel and cooking shows that I enjoy watching. Having 15's weather radar is nice, too.

I like having a nice, crisp picture with over-the-air channels - and it's free! - but I don't like that when the signal is not being received well, it's scrambled and unwatchable instead of just snowy like on analog TV.

Now, if there were just some better shows ON TV, I'd be really happy...

[hairypumper]

Is the scrambling weather related? Does it happen often?

[jennyk]

I don't think the scrambling is weather-related, because it happens even when it's nice out. It's usually better in the morning and worse in the afternoon/evening, it seems. It's been worse this winter than it was when I first moved in, but I also moved my TV over about a foot at one point and I don't think the bunny-ears pick up the signal as well. Or something.

[james_t]

It may be the rabbit ears. Our house has a high-amp TV antenna outside that all the TVs are hooked to, and I haven't noticed any scrambling to this point. Of course, it's only been a couple days.

[happygolucky]

It may be the rabbit ears. Our house has a high-amp TV antenna outside that all the TVs are hooked to, and I haven't noticed any scrambling to this point. Of course, it's only been a couple days.

I have an external hdtv antenna for local stations, it runs through the DISH DVR receiver so it converts it for me. I will only need two convertor boxes for my other tv's that are not hooked up to a receiver for DISH. I did this to save 5 bucks a month and don't have to pay for locals through DISH.

One thing to keep in mind........If you are looking to buy a new tv, look for one with a built in tuner, this will save you from purchasing a convertor. If you have locals through a cable provider or satellite provider you will not need one, unless you want to save money and hook up an external antenna.(satellite only) (Cable will automatically come with locals)

For those "country folk" :) most external antenna's will receive an HD signal, the only thing a convertor does is receive a DIGITAL signal. Some people get this confused with HIGH DEFINITION. Totally different. Only some shows and sports are boradcast in HIGH DEFINITION. you will only see the HD if you have a HDTV. *there is a difference for the non-believers*

55 FOX s u c k s right now, no signal strength at all. I have a good friend that works for DISH and he told me people in fort wayne can't even get 55! Hopefully they will boost their signal.

I get 5 south bend channels now.

I get 15-1, 15-2, 21-1,2 &3, 22 - 1&2, 33 - 1,2 &3, bunch of 39's and 46- 1 &2. **21-2 is the CW channel out of Fort Wayne.**

It seems confusing but it really isn't. Remember if you use an antenna for locals you will need the box unless you have a new tv with a built in digital tuner.

[happygolucky]

It may be the rabbit ears. Our house has a high-amp TV antenna outside that all the TVs are hooked to, and I haven't noticed any scrambling to this point. Of course, it's only been a couple days.

Scrambling does occur from time to time. Remember we are dealing with invisible signals.

Some factors that effect the scrambling are: heavy rain, lightning, extreme wind, etc. Other factors are the signal coming from the station. If the station is having problems then you will have problems. Normally the best days are clear days.

I have noticed the signal strength at prime time shoes seems to be reduced a bit. I don't know why.

If the signal scrambles normally the picture looks like a checker board for a second and fixes itself. Other times the signal will scramble and loose it's signal. it should come back with in seconds as long as nothing serious happened to the station or you antenna.

[gwenz3]

Thank you for the links, I applied this morning.
Gwen

[Mamma73]

So if I have digital cable i need to do nothing? Also, all "extra" channels, for example 21.1, 21.2, 15.1 and 15.2 they all have different programs on? So instead of just one program on channel 21, you are getting 3 different programs for channel 21 (21.1, 21.2,21.3)?
Just wondering if the only reason people purchase cable is for a variety, well it sounds as if this new digital "thing" will give more variety.:stupido2:

[james_t]

So if I have digital cable i need to do nothing?

From what I understand, this is the case. Your digital cable box should handle converting the digital signals for your analog TV.

[happygolucky]

So if I have digital cable i need to do nothing? Also, all "extra" channels, for example 21.1, 21.2, 15.1 and 15.2 they all have different programs on? So instead of just one program on channel 21, you are getting 3 different programs for channel 21 (21.1, 21.2,21.3)?
Just wondering if the only reason people purchase cable is for a variety, well it sounds as if this new digital "thing" will give more variety.:stupido2:

you guessed it. Your cable provider may only allow you to see some of the available channels. 21-1 is wpta abc Fort Wayne, 21-2 is the CW fort wayne, 21-3 is the local radar channel fro WPTA

15-1 is CBS fort wayne, 15-2 is the local radar channel.

33-1 is nbc, 33-2 is another channel and 33-3 is a round the clock weather report from Indiana's news center. It also gives surrounding areas forecasts.

So yes, if you have for example MEDIACOM: you will not need to get converter box is all your tv's are hooked to MEDIACOM.

[Radio Guru]

Here is the scoop on digital stations.

Fort Wayne has been actively transmitting on digital for more than 3 years.

Channel 55 is on a back-up transmitter and will remain until June of 2008. They were struck by lightning 2 years ago and dropped to 300,000 watts output power. 55 will be the weakest of analog stations until then.

Satellite and cable subscribers will need to do nothing. The digital conversion only affects the users of antennas.

Digital signal is more difficult to receive. It does take a decent antenna typically with a booster to recieve reliably.

Digital signal is more directional than analog.

Radio/tv signals are line-of-sight. If point A being your antenna, can see point B being the transmitter, the signal is perfect. Trees, houses, hills all affect the signal quality. Things like wind, day, dark, will have no change in the signal. Its almost like watching a flashlight beam at 1/4 mile away.

Digital tv is different than high definition tv. Digital tv converter boxes are not designed to have component or HDMI output. They only convert back to the 4:3 aspect ratio.

Digital stations can stack up to 6 sub channels within the one main channel. This is how you get the dot 1 and dot 2. All the way up to dot 6.

An 80 foot tower with an extreme fringe antenna, booster, and rotor will receive 56 digital stations in Angola. Channel 23 is an Indy station rebraodcast from Kokamo and does come in here.

Digital stations are all or nothing. Pixelization occurs when you get down to 35% signal.

Most of the FCC approved converter boxes do not pass analog antenna if even if powered off.

There are 4 ways to obtain the FCC coupon. Mail, phone, internet, fax. All the details are at www.dtv2009.gov

Hope this helps.