Is anyone else unable to get a decent digital signal for the remaining "free" stations? We can't get an even feed on any of them and I'm wondering if anyone else is having this problem, too. I'm not keen on an $800 rooftop antennae and I'm even less keen on giving Time Warner Cable one more dime to provide what used to be FREE. More specifically, $29.99 to "install" the most basic package which is $8.95/mo. for one year and then goes to $17.20/mo. . All this for NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, stations we had no trouble pulling in with the analog signal and without having to spend any money!
Digital TV conversion
- Thread starter Bobbin
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Got one plugged it in with the same rabbit ears and it worked great. We even get a few more channels than before.
Bobbin, About two years ago I said "goodbye" to Direct TV and Dish Network. I was really offended by the monthly subscription fee, especially when most of what was available was mindless advertising for products and/or services I would never use. My area is so rural that Time Warner never came out this way. However, I had to have my winter football and PBS so I installed the "best" Winegard off-the-air antenna on top of a 25' pole about 200' from my house. The antenna is on a rotator so I can focus on the stations in different directions. This was an expensive self installation at about $700 for the antenna, rotator, RG6u cable, underground installation, weatherproof cable ends, etc, but the cost has been well worth it.
The nearest TV tower is about 45 miles from my home. Others, in Albany and Schenectady are about 75 miles away. With my new off-the-air antenna I was able to obtain good reception of one channel from the tower 45 miles away. Two other channels @ 75 miles were fuzzy at best.
My large rear projection Samsung TV is fairly new but does not have a digital tuner needed to convert the digital signal to a digital picture. About three months ago I bit the bullet and purchased a Digital/Analog (D/A) converter box using the government sponsored coupon plan. Wow, what a difference! I now receive ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS and the their various substations with perfect clarity and sound. With the converter box one receives either a perfect picture or no picture. Sometimes during heavy weather when the antenna might have been blown slightly off a distant channel the picture will break up into something resembling a modern art collage. A slight tweeking of the antenna rotator corrects this problem. Fuzzy pictures are a thing of the past.
Apparently, the D/A converter box will take even the weakest signal and convert it into a perfect picture. If the signal is too weak one receives no picture or sound.
I now have my winter football (Go Giants) and PBS. That is all I need from television.
And, next winter I will have my new wood stove to keep me warm while watching my Giants win. PBS keeps me entertained and informed.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
John_M
The nearest TV tower is about 45 miles from my home. Others, in Albany and Schenectady are about 75 miles away. With my new off-the-air antenna I was able to obtain good reception of one channel from the tower 45 miles away. Two other channels @ 75 miles were fuzzy at best.
My large rear projection Samsung TV is fairly new but does not have a digital tuner needed to convert the digital signal to a digital picture. About three months ago I bit the bullet and purchased a Digital/Analog (D/A) converter box using the government sponsored coupon plan. Wow, what a difference! I now receive ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS and the their various substations with perfect clarity and sound. With the converter box one receives either a perfect picture or no picture. Sometimes during heavy weather when the antenna might have been blown slightly off a distant channel the picture will break up into something resembling a modern art collage. A slight tweeking of the antenna rotator corrects this problem. Fuzzy pictures are a thing of the past.
Apparently, the D/A converter box will take even the weakest signal and convert it into a perfect picture. If the signal is too weak one receives no picture or sound.
I now have my winter football (Go Giants) and PBS. That is all I need from television.
And, next winter I will have my new wood stove to keep me warm while watching my Giants win. PBS keeps me entertained and informed.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
John_M
Bobbin, I should add that the converter box I purchsed was the "Insignia" brand from Best Buy. This brand is one of many excellent D/A converter boxes available. The price was $60. However the government sponsored coupon plan paid $40 of the cost. This is probably the most rewarding $20 I have ever spent.
John_M
John_M
Here are three sites that will give you a lot of information on antennas.
(broken link removed to http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Welcome.aspx)
http://www.solidsignal.com/about_us.asp
http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/forum/
(broken link removed to http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Welcome.aspx)
http://www.solidsignal.com/about_us.asp
http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/forum/
Yes we have similar problems. Before we could get all major networks, PBS and Fox. We also have a Radio Shack Amplifier. Now we can't get PBS, a real bummer, we can get ABC and FOX using the AMP. but to get NBC I have to disconnect the AMP at the antenna, ain't that nice, and by pass the indoor AMP. Course now I can't get ABC or FOX if I do that, not the biggest lost but good for local news and weather. My neighbor a mile away now gets 19 stations. Go figure. Thank god for the web.Bobbin said:
Ed
I recommend http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/ he is very helpful at helping you chose the correct antenna for your location.
I will be spending close around 200 for my OTA rooftop antennas and connectors in the coming months to give Comcast the boot.
I will be spending close around 200 for my OTA rooftop antennas and connectors in the coming months to give Comcast the boot.
Great web site Dan. Thanks for the heads up. I'll be tinkering a little longer till I run out of patience then its antenna ordering time.Backpack09 said:
Ed
Bobbin said:
My signal with digital OTA TV is near perfect. I upgraded to a digital OTA tuner over 2 years ago because I couldn't get decent analog reception.
You didn't give us much information to go on here. What kind of antenna do you have now? Is it a rooftop? or is it a set of rabbit ears? How long is your antenna cable? What kind of cable is it (RG-6 or RG-59)?
$800 is WAY too much to spend on an antenna. Are you planning to have it installed for you?
-SF
Wow you guys, you've given me plenty to think about! I am all tuckered out from a project in the barn and will try to give you the information requested tomorrow, as well as do the linked reading.
Our experience thusfar has been that the feed quickly becomes "pixilated" (the "Impressionist" syndrome) and then we get nothing. Anyway, more tomorrow, and thanks for the help so far.
Our experience thusfar has been that the feed quickly becomes "pixilated" (the "Impressionist" syndrome) and then we get nothing. Anyway, more tomorrow, and thanks for the help so far.
Bobbin said:
Hmmmm . . . save your money Bobbin. I picked up a decent roof antenna (regular ol' UHF/VHF antenna -- before they were marketing the "HDTV" antenna) and rotor (very useful as sometimes even just rotating the antenna a dite can make a big difference from crystal clear image and the pixellated pic) along with a signal amplifier a few years ago at Radio Shack . . . less than $200 and I paid a guy another $100 or so to install it on my roof. One thing I learned is to not only go with a good cable, but if you need to split the signal between TVs spend the extra money for a quality splitter.
Depending on terrain and where you are you should be able to pull the free stations . . . heck . . . where I'm located (Unity) I can get most of the Bangor stations and Portland stations too . . . although honestly other than the news, Survivor and Amazing Race I don't tend to watch much broadcast TV.
Don't fall for the "digital" antenna marketing. RF is RF, as far as the antenna is concerned. Rooftop or Rabbit ears, you can most likely get away with using your old antenna.
Just as an example...
Here at the office, we wanted to watch the presidential inauguration on one of the 42" 1080p TVs that we have here. Normally, we drive those TV's with computers, running Flash video in the entryway to the office. I took a 6 foot piece of coax cable. I cut one end off, and stripped outer insulation and shielding (leaving the inner insulation intact). I connected it to the TV, and we got perfect over the air HD reception on it for all of the Columbus area channels.
Here are a few thoughts on the subject though...
1) Digital is more susceptible to muti-path interference than analog TV is, so that could be one issue. Since digital is nearly "all or nothing", severe interference could cause your problem. It all depends on what is between you and the tower. Multi-path has to do with the signal being bounced around a bit between the tower and your antenna, causing a slight "echo" effect when the same signal (same digital bits) reach your antenna at slightly different times.
2) The TV stations are putting out a lot less power on their digital broadcast than they are on their analog broadcast. This is partly because digital doesn't require quite as much power, but also because the FCC regulates the TOTAL amount of RF energy from the tower. Many TV stations share their towers with other organizations. Once they turn off the analog broadcast, they'll have a LOT more headroom to boost the power back up on their digital channel.
3) The digital broadcast can't share the same channel as the analog broadcast, so the stations have to use an alternate frequency. They encode information that tells your TV what channel to display. This is why you have to scan for channels to setup your digital receiver. The signals aren't on the channels you expect them to be on. After the transitions, some stations will move back to their old frequencies, others will stay on the new frequency and simply continue encoding the old channel information into their signal for the TV to display.
3a) Most of those alternate channels are in the UHF band, even though the old analog channel is in the VHF band. Frequencies in the UHF band are more "line of sight" than VHF, as UHF frequencies are more easily blocked by buildings and trees. UHF and VHF also have different properties when it comes to "skip" (bouncing signals off of the ionosphere) also. VHF tends to follow the curvature of the earth better than UHF, as UHF tends to continue off into space instead of being reflected or bent back towards the Earth.
4) While most of the "digital" antenna marketing is hype, there is one thing that I have thought of that might actually have some truth to the labeling... Amplified antennas. It is POSSIBLE that a manufacturer is using some sort of special design or signal processing in the built in amplifier that will optimize it for digital signals (and possibly try and clean up a weak signal). In low cost antennas, this isn't likely though.
-SF
Just as an example...
Here at the office, we wanted to watch the presidential inauguration on one of the 42" 1080p TVs that we have here. Normally, we drive those TV's with computers, running Flash video in the entryway to the office. I took a 6 foot piece of coax cable. I cut one end off, and stripped outer insulation and shielding (leaving the inner insulation intact). I connected it to the TV, and we got perfect over the air HD reception on it for all of the Columbus area channels.
Here are a few thoughts on the subject though...
1) Digital is more susceptible to muti-path interference than analog TV is, so that could be one issue. Since digital is nearly "all or nothing", severe interference could cause your problem. It all depends on what is between you and the tower. Multi-path has to do with the signal being bounced around a bit between the tower and your antenna, causing a slight "echo" effect when the same signal (same digital bits) reach your antenna at slightly different times.
2) The TV stations are putting out a lot less power on their digital broadcast than they are on their analog broadcast. This is partly because digital doesn't require quite as much power, but also because the FCC regulates the TOTAL amount of RF energy from the tower. Many TV stations share their towers with other organizations. Once they turn off the analog broadcast, they'll have a LOT more headroom to boost the power back up on their digital channel.
3) The digital broadcast can't share the same channel as the analog broadcast, so the stations have to use an alternate frequency. They encode information that tells your TV what channel to display. This is why you have to scan for channels to setup your digital receiver. The signals aren't on the channels you expect them to be on. After the transitions, some stations will move back to their old frequencies, others will stay on the new frequency and simply continue encoding the old channel information into their signal for the TV to display.
3a) Most of those alternate channels are in the UHF band, even though the old analog channel is in the VHF band. Frequencies in the UHF band are more "line of sight" than VHF, as UHF frequencies are more easily blocked by buildings and trees. UHF and VHF also have different properties when it comes to "skip" (bouncing signals off of the ionosphere) also. VHF tends to follow the curvature of the earth better than UHF, as UHF tends to continue off into space instead of being reflected or bent back towards the Earth.
4) While most of the "digital" antenna marketing is hype, there is one thing that I have thought of that might actually have some truth to the labeling... Amplified antennas. It is POSSIBLE that a manufacturer is using some sort of special design or signal processing in the built in amplifier that will optimize it for digital signals (and possibly try and clean up a weak signal). In low cost antennas, this isn't likely though.
-SF
There are sites that will give you an idea of reception. You can even put gps coordinates and elevations, that works the best. If I can find the sites I'll pass it on, but chances are the antenna sales sites should provide a link.
As FFJ pointed out don't go cheap on the cable, and especially, make sure the connectors are on properly.Same with a signal booster, if needed. Thats something you can add later, usually does not need to be done on the roof.
Rotor- use the sites above to see where you're channels come from. Don't buy a weather master or channel master. I did, lasts about 14 to 18 months. Check 'em out at radio shacks website, and check out the consumer ratings. I plan on going up on the roof and turning my antenna(when I put the new one on) and checking it then. I've got stations in opposite directions, and they may be on the weak side. If one direction doesn't work, I'll lock the antenna in on the stations I get and leave it. I've had an antenna for 10 years, and its all stove to c@t sh!t, from the wind. It is a miantenace item. I'm on the outer fringe of reception, need to keep in good shape. If you need a rotor, google "Norms Rotors", they are a little pricey, but they'll last. Call and talk to "norm" directly.
What I've learned is the bigger the antenna, the better reception. Makes sense. I don't think I paid more than $100 dollars for the biggest and the best. 10yrs ago, it cost me $350 to have antenna,bracket. cable, booster, rotor(piece of crap) put high on top of roof.
But he told me he won't go up there again, too high.
You mentioned barn, might be a good spot for an antenna, just make sure the cable will carry the signal if it's a long ways away.
I've got the digital box, and right now can't get anything. But I used to get analog"wall to wall"(bangor, P.I., and canada) but over the years the signal got weak, damage to antenna, plus the rotor not working. My best channels had been from New Brunswick Canada. If I don't get digital, I'll turn into a Canuck. They've got some decent stuff over there, and good prime time comedy specials. You Hoser! Plus good beer..or so I've heard.
As FFJ pointed out don't go cheap on the cable, and especially, make sure the connectors are on properly.Same with a signal booster, if needed. Thats something you can add later, usually does not need to be done on the roof.
Rotor- use the sites above to see where you're channels come from. Don't buy a weather master or channel master. I did, lasts about 14 to 18 months. Check 'em out at radio shacks website, and check out the consumer ratings. I plan on going up on the roof and turning my antenna(when I put the new one on) and checking it then. I've got stations in opposite directions, and they may be on the weak side. If one direction doesn't work, I'll lock the antenna in on the stations I get and leave it. I've had an antenna for 10 years, and its all stove to c@t sh!t, from the wind. It is a miantenace item. I'm on the outer fringe of reception, need to keep in good shape. If you need a rotor, google "Norms Rotors", they are a little pricey, but they'll last. Call and talk to "norm" directly.
What I've learned is the bigger the antenna, the better reception. Makes sense. I don't think I paid more than $100 dollars for the biggest and the best. 10yrs ago, it cost me $350 to have antenna,bracket. cable, booster, rotor(piece of crap) put high on top of roof.
But he told me he won't go up there again, too high.
You mentioned barn, might be a good spot for an antenna, just make sure the cable will carry the signal if it's a long ways away.
I've got the digital box, and right now can't get anything. But I used to get analog"wall to wall"(bangor, P.I., and canada) but over the years the signal got weak, damage to antenna, plus the rotor not working. My best channels had been from New Brunswick Canada. If I don't get digital, I'll turn into a Canuck. They've got some decent stuff over there, and good prime time comedy specials. You Hoser! Plus good beer..or so I've heard.
Go to (broken link removed to http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Welcome.aspx) to get the exact location of all the antenna farms in your area. If you know Longititude and Latitude type them in, if not the nearest zip code to your location. It will tell you how far you are from the transmitters you are and what compass heading you need to point your antenna to. If will also suggest what category of antenna yu need for your location. ie: Blue, Green, Violet. Also check out hdtvlabs antenna forum. See #6 of this thread for correct web address
I have also installed a roof antenna,after watching tv in my RV in my driveway on its small antenna I was impressed with what I got,I installed the biggest wineguard antenna 120 mile rated on a rotor with a channel master 7777 amp,after some trial and error I can get about 15 stations.Many of them are hd quality but here is the thing,a few stations have gone digital that I got in well before and now I can't find,My tv is a 37" sharp LCD flat screen only a couple years old with a dgital tuner and when I scan for channels in digital air mode I get none,do I need a cnverter box anyway?
Logger, I thought my Samsung, which is "...only a couple of years old..." also had a digital tuner. The owner's manual didn't specify. I called a few dealers, a Samsung repair center and the Samsung USA home office to talk to a Customer Service person. None of these people could tell me whether my tv did or did not have a digital tuner. They all "thought" it was a digital tuner but were not certain either way.
My owner's manual indicates the tv is capable of a digital picture. When I purchased the set I thought that meant it also had a digital tuner. I was very wrong. Purchased and installed a D/A converter box and Bingo! I now receive digital signals.
Are you certain your tv has a digital tuner or are you making the same mistake I did?
My owner's manual indicates the tv is capable of a digital picture. When I purchased the set I thought that meant it also had a digital tuner. I was very wrong. Purchased and installed a D/A converter box and Bingo! I now receive digital signals.
Are you certain your tv has a digital tuner or are you making the same mistake I did?
True... some TV's were advertised as "digital ready", which is not a digital tuner.
If you look at the system specs, an analog tuner will be listed as "NTSC" and, and a digital tuner will be listed as "ATSC".
Also, tv's have been marketed with "digital comb filters" and other such things. That doesn't mean that they have digital tuners.
-SF
If you look at the system specs, an analog tuner will be listed as "NTSC" and, and a digital tuner will be listed as "ATSC".
Also, tv's have been marketed with "digital comb filters" and other such things. That doesn't mean that they have digital tuners.
-SF
Hey, I got crazy and installed one of thse antennas over the weekend as a test before I drop cable. I got the big 110" boom RCA rooftop uhf/vhf antenna from lowes for 89$ and put it in my attic. I am about 35 miles away from the antenna farms but they are spread over about 70 degrees. I pointed it about in the midle. The big directional antenna got many of the available stations to my TV in analog without a converter. It worked so well that I went and got a converter box. Wow. I now have over 30 channels of crystal clear television from an unamplified antenna in the attic. The converter allowed me to receive weak signals from towers and displayed them very clearly.
Seriously, the digital picture is excellent and superior to the analog broadcast and even my old comcast cable. I got lots of channels. Many were non-english or religious so not all of them are usable.
Total cost of 100$ +/-. You don't have to spend a lot of money unless you are way out in the boonies and your towers are spread way out.
Seriously, the digital picture is excellent and superior to the analog broadcast and even my old comcast cable. I got lots of channels. Many were non-english or religious so not all of them are usable.
Total cost of 100$ +/-. You don't have to spend a lot of money unless you are way out in the boonies and your towers are spread way out.
Hey guys, After checking my tv manual I realized it has a separate connection for a digital air ant on the back,after trying it out I can now get about five digital channels and it even has a signal strength meter built in.The bad news is most of my channels are still analog and now that the date has been pushed to june I guess I need to put an a/v switch in to go from analog to digital or buy a converter box anyway.Do the converter boxes really boost the signal?and are there coupons still available?
The coupons are still available but mine took a couple of months. They have a list. A new box is 50-60$ and the coupons give you 40$ off.
Sounds like your TV is a digital TV so it can't display analog signals. That would mean you have no use for a digital to analog converter. The converters don't convert analog broadcast to digital they go the other way only.
You'll need to wait for the conversion of those analog channels so that your modern TV can get them.
Sounds like your TV is a digital TV so it can't display analog signals. That would mean you have no use for a digital to analog converter. The converters don't convert analog broadcast to digital they go the other way only.
You'll need to wait for the conversion of those analog channels so that your modern TV can get them.
I was thinking I could get a converter box with the analog pass thru and hook it up to my analog tv input and be able to get the new digital channels along with the analog ones which is most of them until june
We've had two stations in the central ohio market shut off their analog broadcast already.
Pushing back the date only pushed back the deadline. Broadcasters are free to make the transition at any time between now and then.
-SF
Pushing back the date only pushed back the deadline. Broadcasters are free to make the transition at any time between now and then.
-SF
loggie said:
If you think that your TV is not modern and has an analog tuner then that's a great idea. My converter box allows analog pass through and even has an analog/digital button on the remote. So on your old school analog TV you would turn on the TV and flip through analog channels like normal or turn the TV to channel 3 and then fire up the converter and flip through digital channels via the converter.
The box I bought from radio shack allows that.
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