Digital TV is for the birds

Off-topic
1

(not sure where the expression “for the birds” came from, but if it’s uniquely American, it means worthless)

We do not subscribe to cable or satellite services, but have antennas on top of the house to bring in the signals from local television stations. In response to the slew of TV commercials advising us to prepare for the February 9, 2009 conversion from analog to digital TV, we applied for and received our coupons from the government, then purchase our converter boxes.

We had heard that we might bring in some subchannels when using the boxes, which is true. We now have several more channels from which to choose. But many times during a broadcast now, the signal will pixelate for a minute or so or sometimes a whole channel will disappear, sometimes for quite awhile. Except for a rare thunderstorm or so, we never had this problem with good ol’ analog TV.

Whose bright idea was this digital TV thing anyway?

2

It only does that when the signal is low.
We just have “bunny ears” on top of our tv and just recently got digital tv as well. When that happens we can usually adjust the bunny ears and get it in better. But it is nice to have the non-digital channel to fall back on. I’m really going to miss them. I guess digital is a little better quality though. I sorta like it.

3

Yes, I know. But the point is that the apparent strength of the digital signal is not that of the analog signal. Perhaps stations will boost digital signal strength when February 9 rolls around.

4

Bruce, name a technology, particularly a new one, that people don’t gripe about?

“for the birds” is supposedly a reference to birds picking food out of horse and cattle droppings and the quality that represents.

5

Landfill methane collection and reuse?

6

You got me there. A quick news search didn’t turn up a single opponent.

7

yes, a bit crap isn’t it? my parents bought a digital box a couple of years ago but don’t have it connected for more or less this exact reason, I presume that digital signal strength will improve before the switch over (2012 is the final date in the UK)

8

We’ve just used fiOS for the past year or so and loved it.

9

Bruce, do you still have a problem keeping bears away from the entrance to your cave, or has their population declined?

This move to digital is actually being done FOR you. Your kids are almost grown and gone, and after that, who is going to get up and fiddle with the antenna for you every time the picture needs adjusting?

10

Agreed. I can tell when the wind blows just by watching TV. My antenna is in the attic. I think this is some sort of conspiracy by the television manufacturers. :roll_eyes:

However, there is not much on TV that is worth watching. Six minutes of show followed by 4 minutes of commercials is rediculous.

I can hardly wait to sit back and laugh when the general public starts raising Cain next February. Despite all the advertising, I bet there will be tons of people who will start whining next year when their TV’s stop working.

11

Wow TV must be terrible for you in America, I’ve had sky digital for years and it’s fine… just a little disturbance in storms. Digital is cool because now I can record any program I want and watch it when I want, and rewind and pause live TV… It’s great :smiley:

You’ve just been conned into terrible digital TVs lol!

12

Stop watching TV altogether. Problem solved.

There’s so much crap on, and in between that crap is even worse crap that we call commercials.

Most major network TV shows, as well as a lot of PBS stuff, can be watched for free online, with no commericals.

13

Digital is way better than analog, but it does have the downside of getting zero picture when the signal is weak, versus the snowy picture you get when the signal is low on analog.

One thing you might check is http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx you only need to put in your address, so don’t worry about it asking for your name or e-mail address. It will give you the directions that the various signals come from and you might be able to vastly improve your signal strength by pointing your antenna in the right direction. You might also consider adding an amplifier to your antenna.

The other difference is that the digital comes through on UHF, not vhf so an an antenna optimized for uhf signals will get better signal as well.

With an antenna set up that can consistently get 75% signal you get pristine picture and sound, better picture and sound that you’d get with cable actually. Also HD

14

Have to agree, haven’t had a TV of my own for four years of uni, don’t really intend to buy one now I’m leaving home.

15

I remember when watching TV was free! Once you bought the TV that was it. There was less commercials too. That was before digital.

Sure we only had five channels and had to get up to change the station, but we love it!

I love my TIVO more.

16

a new KH hub and crank. a quality GUni.

Bruce,

I’m with you, and reluctant about making the transition.

It’s very wrong that it is foisted upon us.

Maybe we can petition to stop the madness!!!

Billy

17

“for the birds” is an expression referring to the fact that birds enjoyed sitting on TV antennas on your roof.

18

I’M THINKING WE SHOULD ALL GET tattoos of TV antennas and rabbit ears, with teh slogan “never forget,” cuz one day they will forget, except for our tattoos.

C’mon Bruce. are you with me?!

Billy

19

Many stations are outputting a strong signal yet on the HDTV channels, so if you are father away, you’re going to have more trouble getting the signal. Digital channels are also on UHF for now, which has shorter range, and has a harder time getting through buildings and other objects than VHF. Right now each TV station uses two “channels” to broadcast, one for analog and one for digital. Come February 2009, or soon after, the TV stations will have to only use one of these, so they may use the VHF ones then, which should benefit you.

You probably need to adjust your antenna to work better with UHF.

20

uhm go Comcast?