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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*
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
