TV Signal

Since you have cable, then no, you do not need to do anything other than ignore the well meaning messages.

If you just have an outside antenna, like I do (cable is not available, and the $400 the installers wanted to put in $15/mo satelite service is to much in my mind) means to keep using my old TVs I need to get a converter box.

What it means is starting about Feb 17 2008 the Feds are requireing TV stations to stop broadcasting analog signals (so more folk can have cell phones and other toys). For folks that use an antenna, the TV stations are broadcasting an ADDITIONAL signal for digital television (called DTV sometimes). To watch the DTV signal on the old TV, a converter box is needed. If someone goes out and purchases a new TV in 2008 they are ALL supposed to be DTV capable, even if they also recive the old type TV signal (analog).

I have found the DTV signal to give a clearer picture than my analog signal. But it sometimes 'pixelates' or 'freezes' because the DTV signal isn't quite strong enough and fades in and out. Folks tell me I am wrong, but it happens regularly where I live and no one wants to drive out here to fix it if I am wrong.

All that to say: It sounds like you are fine. ... Ignore the well meaning messages.

G'day- the pixellating & freezing you are getting is directly elated to SIGNAL QUALITY- in most cases a GOOD antenna is required- what was adequate for analogue is no good for digital- the wind moving ant or rain etc is enuff to stuff up signal- in my case i invented a new compact outside antenna with 6 CU elements which not only delivers perfect digital but also perfect analogue !!!. (We are talking vhf/uhf- wide band!). Anyone could do it- just experiment!!. Cheers.

Do you have a link for a DIY project version?

No and yes. No; you do not HAVE to connect to a cable system and yes it does mean that once TV broadcast signals become digital, your analog receiver will no longer get any picture. In other words no more TV for you if you have an old analog reciever.

Recently I have seen some ridiculous low prices for TVs and upon making some queries I discovered the manufactures were clearing out their inventory of old analog products. After the changeover date these sets wil be useless without an additional converter box. With so many analog sets out there, you can bet there will be a more than a few products available to convert the digital signal into analog so the older sets can continue to be used. More than likely it will look similar to the old converter boxes cable companies used to offer. You may also find you need a new and better antenna for best reception.

This link should provide all the information you need. http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html

The Date for the last analog broadcasts is February 17, 2009. This is the law.

You will need a converter box which the government is allowing compensation for

or you will need a TV or VCR (Digital Video Recorder or whatever) that will receive

digital broadcast signals (digital tuner). You will also need an antenna taylored to

your needs depending on your distance from the stations you want to receive in

your area.

Regards,

Keywalker

To bad it is going to keep me from getting ABC and PBS, and NBC fades in and out of digital usability, so it is ok about half the time.

The analog signals I get are grainy at best, but unless they up the power, it looks like my news will come from CBS and Fox! ... At least that way I can stay 'Fair and Balanced' ;)

I have an amplified antenna, and a booster, in addition to one 'digital' tv and another TV with a converter on it.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. It seems as though i can watch pretty much anything i want whenever i want over the internet now. TV may be obsolete before long.

I doubt TV, like radio, will 'die' totally for a long time.

There is lots of 'cheap' one way bandwidth available and as long as we want to listen to it, and advertisers can make a buck, it will be there.