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+--- Thread: When TV Goes All Digital (/showthread.php?tid=62556)
When TV Goes All Digital - Sam* - 09-21-2008
We don't have cable tv. We've gotten the digital converter. It's awful. We won't have watchable tv after they take analog away. The problem is a week signal.
My ten-year-old son has gotten it into his head that when the tv stations stop broadcasting analog, they will have more bandwidth to send out a stronger digital signal. In other words, after they turn off analog, our digital signal will get better.
I think my son is wrong, but can't base it on anything? Anybody know what the real deal is on this?
Thanks,
Sam*
Re: When TV Goes All Digital - Gareth - 09-21-2008
What kind of antenna are you using, where is it located? Have you visited: http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
to see how far you are from the towers?
I went through four different antenna models and three positions (inside, attic, roof) before finally settling on an acceptable solution. I still need a bigger antenna and better positioning to bring in ABC, but I'm not willing to go up in size to the giant roof mount antennas (OTA is a back-up to digital cable for me).
Re: When TV Goes All Digital - Sam* - 09-21-2008
Gareth. Those are great resources.
What is OTA?
Just in terms the dialog with my son, I'm still looking for the answer for a more authoritative answer on whether digital signals will get stronger when broadcasters stop broadcasting analog.
Re: When TV Goes All Digital - AlphaDog - 09-21-2008
"OTA" = over the air
Re: When TV Goes All Digital - Dick Moore - 09-21-2008
I believe that the signals will not be appreciably stronger, but who knows? We are in a location (deep small valley with hill between us and stations) that means no amount of antennafying will get us a signal. We use DirecTV.
Re: When TV Goes All Digital - Harooneneutics - 09-21-2008
Some stations are still broadcasting their digital signals at low power on a temporary channel--we have two stations in my area that are that way. In Feb. 2009, they will be moving their (full-power) digital signal to the permanent frequency that their analog signal is currently on (e.g. the ABC affiliate in my area is currently broadcasting low power on channel 58 but will be moving back 24 (their current analog channel) after the transition date.)
But many channels are already broadcasting their digital signals at full strength.
So it's possible that you could still get a stronger digital signal for some channels. Or it's possible you won't. I ditched my amplified rabbit ears and put an antenna on the roof. The difference was night and day on channels I receive through the converter box.
Re: When TV Goes All Digital - Forrest - 09-21-2008
Another vote for a better antenna. If you don't want to put one on the roof, there are some models that can be installed in an attic that give almost the same reception as a roof antenna.
Re: When TV Goes All Digital - BigGuynRusty - 09-21-2008
No more bandwidth will be available, the bandwidth has already been allocated.
It is signal strength that you are missing, get a better antenna.
BGnR
Re: When TV Goes All Digital - incognegro - 09-21-2008
even over cable, digital TV is POOP.
lots of glitches and pauses make it just as bad as analog, IMHO.
proof positive you CAN polish a turd.
Re: When TV Goes All Digital - BigGuynRusty - 09-21-2008
incognegro wrote:LOL!!
even over cable, digital TV is POOP.
lots of glitches and pauses make it just as bad as analog, IMHO.
proof positive you CAN polish a turd.
The Cable Company is taking a pristine digital signal and compressing it, rather badly.
Of course it looks bad.
BGnR