Further commentary on digital TV

[jhetley]

The converter boxes do not pass analog signals through to the analog tuner of the existing set, nor does the box contain an analog tuner.  This means that a whole slew of low-power local stations and "translator" stations in remote areas, which are not required to go digital next year and which won't go digital because of the cost, will be left out in the cold.  SOL. 

This does not affect us, personally, as the non-digital local stations (UHF) are Happy Christian Fellowship or "Bonanza" rebroadcasts...

Comments

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

There are supposedly some converter boxes that do pass analog signals through. I haven't actually seen one myself though.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Not seen in this ecosystem. We must be outside of their nesting range.

I checked WalMart, Circuit City, RadShack, and Best Buy, all the locations listed in the cover letter that accompanied our "coupons" from Big Brother. RadShack was the only store that even carried two brands of converters, and I suspect that all of the boxes (made in China) contain the exact same components and circuitry. They listed the same features in identical language, anyway, and Best Buy's version was openly a "house brand" rather than anything recognizable.

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

I finally acquired one of these beasts this afternoon. (I waited and didn't ask for a coupon until I knew I could buy a converter with analog pass through.) Best Buy now has two varieties of them - Apex and Insignia. I got the Insignia version. It does do a good job of passing through analog signals. I hope that the digital situation improves by February because right now it is a disaster. NBC comes in really, really well in digital, along with their associated weather broadcast. So does the local infomercial station.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Some people around here have discovered that you *really* need a good signal. Since most of Maine is rural, with hills and such, and a lot of areas don't get cable, you will likely hear screams and cursing come next February . . .

I had to fiddle a lot to get all stations on an indoor antenna, and we are located right in the Big City.