Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

[wajajaja02]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

the point of digital transmission is the expansion of channels in the spectrum, it allows more to be transmitted within the frequency. such as cnn now has 12 different views simultaneously on their channel labeled cnn. your tv can break it down to watch each one. like your vhf radio has side band for talk channels.
All Internet traffic moves at the same speed the speed of light, when they refer to data speed that is a misnomer referring to capacity of the network components not the travel speed. and of course the maximum realized can be no greater than that of your computer to receive what it is sent.
a new antenae to match the converter may be in order, read the instruction with the unit, I have satilite, and wish I didnt, its an expense but air tv just is not a option, 75 miles from nyc, poor reception

 

[bowman316]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

sat is cheaper than cable, by far.
when there is no monopoly, the prices come down

 

[mthieme]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

Somebody forgot to tell that to Verizon.
They sell DTV for $53 month.
This is about the median for what DTV/Dish charges ($30-$63 month).
If you want internet with your dish, that only leaves Hughes starting at $70 per month.
Where did I miss the part about this being cheaper?

 

[arboldt]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

The February conversion only pertains to broadcast ("on-air") signals. If you use cable or satellite you should not be affected. Theoretically.

The FCC has required the cable and satellite companies to continue to carry analog signals for two years. So two years from now, if you have only analog capability, you're SOL unless you have a converter box.

There's been talk of some investigation (by whom I dont know) of cable companies changing channels that used to be included in basic or standard packages to digital in order to increase their revenue.

There is a simple solution. During the summer when we spent a lot of time at the lake without a TV, we got used to reading (books -- remember them?). Even though we have digitial converter boxes for our TVs, I can't remember the last time we turned them on. Amazing how much more time we have to do things we really enjoy.

 

[rwise]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

the point of digital transmission is the expansion of channels in the spectrum,

Well no that is not the point, the government wants these frequencies for there use, that is the point!

 

[bowman316]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

Somebody forgot to tell that to Verizon.
They sell DTV for $53 month.
This is about the median for what DTV/Dish charges ($30-$63 month).
If you want internet with your dish, that only leaves Hughes starting at $70 per month.
Where did I miss the part about this being cheaper?

you can get direct tv and dsl from verison, for about 70 total. about 35 for each. and when vios makes it way over here, that may be the way to go.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

I'm interested in Fios, but it's going to run about $135 month for internet, phone & TV (3 total, 1 HD). Don't know if taxes are included in that. This price is locked in for two years.
There might be an added expense to mount the equipment outside too.
I'm currently paying half that for everything although for lesser services - not looking to increase any bills right now.

 

[wuttja]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

In Wisconsin, we recently had AT&T U-Verse move into my area. I dumped my cable company (Charter) and switched to U-Verse. So far I'm very happy. TV and internet all come in via the internet. It's a fiber optic service that is brought into the house via the regular copper phone wires. The number of HD channels is significantly higher and the prices are lower. It's still too much for TV and internet, but it's cheaper than cable with more services and I didn't have to have one provider for TV (satellite) and one for internet. Several nice features include controlling my DVR via the internet so I can schedule shows when I'm not at home. Also, whever AT&T wireless is provided (like Starbucks, airports, etc) I have free access.
Not everyone has had a positive experience and has switched back to cable or satellite, but so far I'm very pleased.

 

[rwise]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

Just keep an eye on your bill with at&t, and dish network will not keep all of at&t's promises! My SIL works at dish and is always griping about this

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

Just a question for the experts here.

Are there no more digital sat free to air channels to be received in America?

I canned all my cable services here (Germany), and get close to 700+ free channels now from one digital satellite. I still have to pay for the mandatory German government channels though, even if I don't watch them. Only about 80 sat channels (30 or so in English) are worth anything, but this is still way more than I have time to watch. This whole setup, everything included, small antenna, all cables, tuner, and hardware, complete, cost about $100, and no monthly fees. Took me about two hours to unpack, install, and turn on.

Is this no longer a option in America?

Has free, advertising sponsored TV just disappeared from North America?

 

[getinmerry]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

One thing that nobody has mentioned yet is that most stations that are broadcasting in HD already, won't go to full strength until the February deadline. I wouldn't spend a ton of money on fancy antennas just yet unless you've verified that the stations that are dropping out are already running at full strength.

I live 4 miles away from our local CBS and ABC transmitters. Neither one are at full strength yet. Even with a roof-top HD antenna and an amplifier, both these stations drop out frequently. Our NBC transmitter is about 40 miles away and is perfect- it's running at full strength.

Look before you leap on this one.

Chuck

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

Is this discussion only about "High Definition" reception?

 

[joed]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

There are many FTA stations in North America. Most of them are foriegn language however. Anything else is what we call wild feeds, networks feeding the signal across the continent to local stations. They move around and are difficult locate at times as there a multiple satellites that you need to search. You need a dish with a motor.

All the good stuff is encrypted.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

There are many FTA stations in North America. Most of them are foriegn language however. Anything else is what we call wild feeds, networks feeding the signal across the continent to local stations. They move around and are difficult locate at times as there a multiple satellites that you need to search. You need a dish with a motor.

All the good stuff is encrypted.

Thanks joed!

This is what I was afraid of. Trying to plan for the return home, and still keep cost low, while staying globally connected.

 

[slia67]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

One thing that nobody has mentioned yet is that most stations that are broadcasting in HD already, won't go to full strength until the February deadline. I wouldn't spend a ton of money on fancy antennas just yet unless you've verified that the stations that are dropping out are already running at full strength.

I live 4 miles away from our local CBS and ABC transmitters. Neither one are at full strength yet. Even with a roof-top HD antenna and an amplifier, both these stations drop out frequently. Our NBC transmitter is about 40 miles away and is perfect- it's running at full strength.

Look before you leap on this one.

Chuck

Where can you find out if they running at full strength yet?

 

[mthieme]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

One thing that nobody has mentioned yet is that most stations that are broadcasting in HD already, won't go to full strength until the February deadline. I wouldn't spend a ton of money on fancy antennas just yet unless you've verified that the stations that are dropping out are already running at full strength.

I live 4 miles away from our local CBS and ABC transmitters. Neither one are at full strength yet. Even with a roof-top HD antenna and an amplifier, both these stations drop out frequently. Our NBC transmitter is about 40 miles away and is perfect- it's running at full strength.

Look before you leap on this one.

Chuck

If you have that amp turned on - you're not going to get the stations 4 miles away...way too close for that.

 

[getinmerry]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

If you have that amp turned on - you're not going to get the stations 4 miles away...way too close for that.

With or without the amp, they are spotty. I originally thought I was overdriving the signal, so I removed the amp...same problem. I get them pretty well when there's cloud cover but if there's precipitation...forget it.

You can sometimes get the information from the station's website on current signal output, but with our local CBS affiliate, the info wasn't posted. So I called the engineering department and they gave me the info readily that currently they're only running at the minimum required output until February.

Chuck

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

We had direct TV giving us the spiel about switching from Comcast to Direct TV. We did the math. After the one year period it would cost us 20 dollars more then we pay now. We would have to get a dsl connection (yuck) and go back to a standard phone. Comcast has a reduced price on tv to get their high speed internet. We have dsl at work and I get no where near the 1200 KPS downloads I normally get with comcast. Also when going to dish you have to have each TV modified for the dish. The intro package comes with up to 4 tvs but if not on the intro the cost is real high.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

With or without the amp, they are spotty. I originally thought I was overdriving the signal, so I removed the amp...same problem. I get them pretty well when there's cloud cover but if there's precipitation...forget it.
Chuck

You already had the same thought.
Out of curiousity - what antenna do you have?
I've shopping for one now and am considering a Winegard 7698 which is probably overkill for my area.

 

[getinmerry]

Re: Have Gone Digital on Home TV-Question

You already had the same thought.
Out of curiousity - what antenna do you have?
I've shopping for one now and am considering a Winegard 7698 which is probably overkill for my area.

I have the middle-of-the-road Radio Shack antenna with a Channel Master two-stage amplifer. It works pretty well, but would work better if I got the rotor to go with it. I'm waiting until February to make final judgement on what I need.

Chuck