Word of caution buying a TV or VCR thats not DTV ready for the transition June 12th.

[maxnude]

In a few days on June 12th, 2009 all ANALOG television transmissions in the United States will turn off forever.

Make sure that any set bought before or after this date has what's known as;

1. A OTA off the air DTV Digital television tunner known as a ATSC digital tunner.

2. A QAM tunner if you expect to receive digital Cable TV Clear [unscrambled] channels without a set top cable box.

Any TV or VCR built after March 2007 must have the DTV tunner ASTC built in.

All over the internet, e-bay, etc. sellers are selling what look like new portable LCD TV's, monitors with tunners etc. Many of these say they have digital tunners, but most have for 25 years, but do not have DTV or digital TV transmission tunners [ATSC] and will stop working or be able to receive OTA or Off the Air digital TV transmissions without a DTV converter box or converter as of June 12th, 2009.

Be wise and ask questions before you buy, as many online sales are final.

If your on Satellite or Cable reception your with or without a Cable box your Analog TV will still work, but its nice to have all the DVD and aspect ratios, wide screen, and HDTV capibilities of the newest flat panel sets.

BTW OTA Off the air digital TV [Many TV Stations already transmitting] have excellent HD transmission at full HDTV resolution of 720P and 1080P.

Links that will explain the technology, formats, and transition:

http://www.dtv.gov/

http://tv.about.com/od/accesspries/qt/ChooseAntAntWeb.htm

http://search.findtarget.com/cb/hotsheet.php?q=DTV%20information%20and%20transitio n&style=hs_1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsc_tuner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSC

[countryguync]

We got our two coupons back in August 2008 and went to Wal-Mart to by our converter boxes. Wal-Mart sells the MAGNAVOX converter for $49.95 each. With the $40 coupon that leaves just $9.95 plus the tax (on the 49.95 price). The picture is very good and I love being able to switch to the letterbox mode during movies or PBS nature shows.

One word of warning! ANTENNA
What kind of antenna do you have? You will need a GOOD UHF antenna, preferably up on the roof. It must be pointed toward the stations transmitter. If you live in an area such as mine where some stations are located in another direction you will need to get another antenna for those stations. We bought a 4 bay bow-tie. about $50 from True-Value Hardware. By the time we bought antenna cable and a tripod mount and 10' mast we had around $120 invested but now we watch TV for FREE. No more $37 a month Dish Sat bills to pay. We now get new channels that run classic movies and old TV shows like DRAGNET, IRONSIDES, etc..(remember hippies and afros?

www.antennaweb.com

[PeteINA]

One word of warning! ANTENNA www.antennaweb.com (http://www.antennaweb.com)

I think you meant www.antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org) ? This web site gives a wealth of information, including a map that helps you determine what direction to orient your antenna(s). Or, better - get yourself an antenna with an amplifier and possibly a rotor so that you can turn the antenna to properly receive the new and improved digital signals.

There are a couple of other very helpful web sites that have escaped my memory ...

Pete.

[maxnude]

If you use the link I posted, and fill out your City, State, Address, & Zip, you will get a detailed database listing
of digital DTV OTA Off the Air Channels in your area: [A area near Sacramento, CA was used for the example]

Re:
http://tv.about.com/od/accesspries/q...eAntAntWeb.htm

PeatINA is Correct on the link for the detailed list: www.antennaweb.org

My link has additional antenna information links + www.antennaweb.org

DTV Antenna [Only DTV digital OTA Off the Air Channels Selected/Shown]

Type Call Sign Channel Network City, State Live Date Compass Heading Miles From Frequency Assignment

* yellow uhf KOVR-DT 13.1 CBS STOCKTON, CA 174° 22.9 25
* yellow uhf KQCA-DT 58.1 MNT STOCKTON, CA 171° 21.0 46
* yellow vhf KXTV-DT 10.1 ABC SACRAMENTO, CA 174° 22.9 10
* yellow uhf KCRA-DT 3.1 NBC SACRAMENTO, CA 175° 22.4 35
* yellow uhf KTXL-DT 40.1 FOX SACRAMENTO, CA 176° 20.7 40
* yellow uhf KTFK-DT 64.1 SAH STOCKTON, CA 174° 22.9 26
* yellow uhf KTXL-DT 40.1 FOX SACRAMENTO, CA 176° 20.7 55
* yellow uhf KOVR-DT 13.1 CBS STOCKTON, CA 174° 22.9 25
* yellow uhf KXTV-DT 10.1 ABC SACRAMENTO, CA 174° 22.9 61
* yellow uhf KMAX-DT 31.1 CW SACRAMENTO, CA 174° 22.9 21
* yellow uhf KSPX-DT 29.1 ION SACRAMENTO, CA 174° 21.1 48
* yellow vhf KVIE-DT 6.1 PBS SACRAMENTO, CA 176° 20.7 9
* yellow uhf KCRA-DT 3.1 NBC SACRAMENTO, CA 174° 21.1 35
* yellow uhf KVIE-DT 6.1 PBS SACRAMENTO, CA 176° 20.7 53
* green uhf KTNC-DT 42.1 SPA CONCORD, CA 195° 54.1 14
* green uhf KMAX-DT 31.1 CW SACRAMENTO, CA 174° 21.1 21
* green uhf KTFK-DT 64.1 SAH STOCKTON, CA 195° 54.1 62
* red uhf KUVS-DT 19.1 UNI MODESTO, CA 114° 49.5 18
* red uhf K45HC-D 69.1 TBN SACRAMENTO, CA 174° 21.1 45
* blue uhf KTNC-DT 42.1 SPA CONCORD, CA 194° 52.9 63
* blue vhf KCSO-LD 33.1 TEL SACRAMENTO, CA 114° 49.4 5
Note:
The above listing is a conservative prediction of stations received. Depending on the specifics of your installation,
you may be able to receive stations that do not appear in this list.

I use to get 6-8 analog TV channels with an outside antenna some ghosts, snowy and interference.

With only an inside rabbit ear antenna I get most above Plus some others not listed. [About 21 DTV channels]

The advantage of DTV is that reception is either perfect or nothing at all. There is no ghosting, in and out, snow, or interference lines, or shadows.

Another advantage is OTA Off the Air DTV transmissions are at full High Definition HDTV resolution [If the station is upgraded] automatic 16:9 or 4.3 aspect ratio, and on screen detailed signal specifications, and Dolby and surround sound home theater audio. One Station can have for example have .1, .2, .3 and so on separate media channels such as weather, and other network feeds on the sub channels.

Most stations in Northern California, and the San Francisco Bay area have been transmitting DTV for quite a while now.

Nation wide, all analog Television broadcast channels will be turned off forever on June 12, 2009 with the exception of very few local very low power stations in remote areas.

Fry's Electronics the other day had DTV converter units for $4.95 after the -$40 Gov. Coupon.

I RV and camp out at my local nudist resort sometime in areas without power. I was fortunate to find some of the last available AC & DC powered DTV converter units from Winegard. Model RCDT09A to use with a small DC powered CRT TV in the field; and just ordered a small flat panel LCD DTV that is battery powered for travel or portable use anywhere.

If you intend to buy or receive OTA Off the Air DTV Digital Television without set top boxes or converters, remember to positively be sure the television has a DTV or digital ATSC tuner.

The existing analog TV's & VCR's with analog NTSC tuners will cease to receive OTA Off the air transmissions in about two week or on June 12, 2009 unless they receive Analog RF ch 3 or 4 signal or composite or component Video and audio signals from Cable or Satellite boxes.

Cable ready NTSC tuners on analog TV's and VCR's will still tune in unscrambled cable channels directly or scrambled and premium pay channels through the cable company set top box.

Satellite receivers/set top boxes usually feed VCR's or TV's via composite or component video and audio cables, or as last resort via analog RF channel 3 or 4 input to the TV or VCR.

You will enjoy the huge difference in digital OTA HDTV, or Digital TV via Cable or Satellite system Hi Definition Video and Audio programming.

[maxnude]

Are you DTV Digital TV Ready? [U.S.A. Customers]
Click on the Text for Information and Count down (http://www.kens5.com/dtv/)

[maxnude]

DTV TRANSITION

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/consumerist/2009/06/Coupon_Program_Update.jpg

Three Million People Are "Totally Unprepared" For The Digital Transition

By Carey, 8:00 AM on Sat Jun 6 2009, 3,315 views

We all know the switch to digital transition is next Friday, June 12. Most of us already have cable, or satellite, or digital converters. But not three million Americans, who according to Nielsen, are still "totally unprepared for the transition and will lose their reception."

The government has spent more than $2 billion to ease the transition to digital television, and in the last few months has cut in half the number of households that are unprepared for the final conversion on June 12. But the latest survey by the Nielsen Company indicates that as of the end of May, more than 10 percent of the 114 million households that have television sets are either completely or partly unprepared.

Michael J. Copps, the acting head of the Federal Communications Commission, said that the people most likely to lose reception are society's most vulnerable - lower-income families, the elderly, the handicapped and homes where little or no English is spoken. The transition will also hit inner-city and rural areas hardest, he said.

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke chalks up the disturbing numbers to pure old American laziness. "There are so many people who are always waiting until the last minute, whether it is college students doing term papers, or people filing taxes, or people like me who wait until Christmas Eve to do their shopping," he said.

The government advises people using digital converters to rescan their channels on Friday to make sure all their stories are in the right places. If they're not, or if you have other questions, ring up the government's $40 million hotline at 1-888-CALLFCC.

Last-minute DTV Tips (http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/06/lastminute-dtv-tips-7-days-to-go-.html)

The Digital TV Transition [FCC] (http://www.dtv.gov/)

[The New York Times]
READ MORE: (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/06/technology/06digital.html)


Pasted from:
http://consumerist.com/5281004/three-million-people-are-totally-unprepared-for-the-digital-transition

[maliakei]

Wow. This is a Very useful & informative thread! I gave up TV altogether because this switch over from analog to digital seemed too confusing, frustrating, and costly. I could not seem to get any straight answers either. Several years ago, I had a small TV set with an antenna. No cable. I rarely watched TV except for a few local channels once in a while and that was good enough for me. Now that TV set is long gone. If, in the future, I want to buy another television set then it sounds like a converter is needed rather than just plugging it into the wall getting 1 or 2 local channels for free.

[countryguync]

Wow. This is a Very useful & informative thread! I gave up TV altogether because this switch over from analog to digital seemed too confusing, frustrating, and costly. I could not seem to get any straight answers either. Several years ago, I had a small TV set with an antenna. No cable. I rarely watched TV except for a few local channels once in a while and that was good enough for me. Now that TV set is long gone. If, in the future, I want to buy another television set then it sounds like a converter is needed rather than just plugging it into the wall getting 1 or 2 local channels for free.

:eek:WRONG! You buy a new tv set today and it will already have a digital tuner inside. Just plug it in, connect the antenna and run the channel scan. Then sit back and enjoy more local channels than you can shake a stick at. All with nice clear picture. ENJOY FREE TV AGAIN!!

[maxnude]

maliakei,

[QUOTE] I want to buy another television set then it sounds like a converter is needed rather than just plugging it into the wall getting 1 or 2 local channels for free./QUOTE]

Incorrect; You only need a converter box with an old analog TV or VCR if you plan to receive OTA Off the Air DTV Digital Signals.

If you have cable, no DTV converter box is required, or if you have a TV Set manufactured after March 2007. [It will have the digital ASTC tuner for OTA Off the Air DTV transmissions.]

What you have to watch for is being sold a analog TV & the seller not disclosing IT DOES NOT HAVE A ASTC DTV DIGITAL TUNER. [Dont be fooled by all the acroynms and terminology like "EDTV" [Enhanced Digital TV] "Digital tunning" "Standard Definition" "HD" TV etc. Even some Flat Panel thin TV do not have the DTV Off the Air tuner, or the DTV ClearCable "QAM Digital DTV tuner.

United States government mandates

The FCC has issued the following mandates for devices entering the US:[1][2][3]

By July 1, 2005 all televisions with screen sizes over 36 inches (91 cm) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner

By March 1, 2006 all televisions with screen sizes over 25 inches (64 cm) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner

By March 1, 2007 all televisions regardless of screen size, and all interface devices which include a tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.

It should be noted that devices manufactured before these dates can still be sold without a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.

The lack of digital tuners legally must be disclosed to consumersand most name-brand retailers have incurred onerous FCC penalties for non-compliance with these requirements.[4].

The current regulations are specified in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).[5]

At the bottom of this link there is many technical links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television


Information on OTA Off the Air and Cable Digital DTV Tunners:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsc_tuner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner

[maliakei]

:eek:WRONG! You buy a new tv set today and it will already have a digital tuner inside. Just plug it in, connect the antenna and run the channel scan. Then sit back and enjoy more local channels than you can shake a stick at. All with nice clear picture. ENJOY FREE TV AGAIN!!

Really? Is that so? I don't even own a television set anymore and have been without TV for quite a while. Okay! Seeing there IS such a thing a Free TV again then I want to be sure about buying something worthwhile. Nothing fancy, just something simple. What brand would you recommend? Thanks.

[maliakei]

maliakei,

[QUOTE] I want to buy another television set then it sounds like a converter is needed rather than just plugging it into the wall getting 1 or 2 local channels for free./QUOTE]

Incorrect; You only need a converter box with an old analog TV or VCR if you plan to receive OTA Off the Air DTV Digital Signals.

If you have cable, no DTV converter box is required, or if you have a TV Set manufactured after March 2007. [It will have the digital ASTC tuner for OTA Off the Air DTV transmissions.]

What you have to watch for is being sold a analog TV & the seller not disclosing IT DOES NOT HAVE A ASTC DTV DIGITAL TUNER. [Dont be fooled by all the acroynms and terminology like "EDTV" [Enhanced Digital TV] "Digital tunning" "Standard Definition" "HD" TV etc. Even some Flat Panel thin TV do not have the DTV Off the Air tuner, or the DTV ClearCable "QAM Digital DTV tuner.

United States government mandates

The FCC has issued the following mandates for devices entering the US:[1][2][3]

By July 1, 2005 all televisions with screen sizes over 36 inches (91 cm) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner

By March 1, 2006 all televisions with screen sizes over 25 inches (64 cm) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner

By March 1, 2007 all televisions regardless of screen size, and all interface devices which include a tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.

It should be noted that devices manufactured before these dates can still be sold without a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.

The lack of digital tuners legally must be disclosed to consumersand most name-brand retailers have incurred onerous FCC penalties for non-compliance with these requirements.[4].

The current regulations are specified in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).[5]

At the bottom of this link there is many technical links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television


Information on OTA Off the Air and Cable Digital DTV Tunners:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsc_tuner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner

Okay! I will save this info. Which brand would you recommend? I hear flat screens have reduced price since last year & the year before. Thank you for all your comments. You have been very helpful.

[maxnude]

maliakei,

My favorite brand is "Samsung" Flat Panel LCD HDTV 1080P Full HD resolution.

Sony
Toshibia
Sharp
Visio
Viewsonic
Westinghouse
Polaroid
LG
Panasonic
Philips


Most of the consumer electronics stores like Circuit City, Good Guy's, and CompUSA have closed, moved, gone out of business, or consolidated. CompUSA went to online web selling and merged with Tiger Electronics, FL.

In Northern California about the only mass merchandisers left are Fry's Electronics, Costco, Sam's Club, and Walmart.

Fry's, Costco, Sam's Club, and walmart have huge working displays of many makes from 17" to over 62" LCD, Plasma, and projection set on display.

Online, Geeks, and CompUSA have the best pricing for brand names, new, opened box, and sometimes factory refurbished units with new warranty.

I have seen top brands from 17" LCD flat panels for den, patio or bedroom as low as $199 to 32" for as low as $350-$450.

Here are some links for comparison and pricing:

www.geeks.com/
www.costco.com
www.frys.com
www.samsclub.com
www.walmart.com
www.compUSA.com
www.tiger.com

[maliakei]

Thanks, Maxnude for the links.
I will check out Costco & WalMart.

[NBD]

Thanks, Maxnude for the links.
I will check out Costco & WalMart.

Costco also extends the warranty on any televisions they sell which is an added bonus.

[countryguync]

When you go to the store and view the different televisions you should check out the difference between LCD and other types of sets. The LCD sets have a screen that does not reflect light back at you. So NO glare from sunlight coming in from a window or a lamp next to your chair or couch.

[maxnude]

LCD Flat panel HDTV's have taken over and out selling all other type of display technologies, in weight, electrical efficiency, performance, price, and portability.

High end large screen [60"+] Plasma TV's have slightly better contrast ratios [blacker blacks] and resolution but weight hundreds of pounds, get warm, and are power hungry, do not work at high altitudes, and get burn in if left on stationary images. High end large Plasmas cost several thousand dollars.

[maliakei]

Getting an LCD television set sounds like a good bet, although I don't need a high end model and certainly not 60" or larger. Bigger doesn't always mean better, especially with those findings! A 16" set would suit just fine and see there are LCD available in that size. Thanks!

[maxnude]

maliakei,

Costco Online, and Local has just what you need, a 16" and three 19" LCD HDTV's for under $199

http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/Search/392164f.jpg

Hot Buy
Westinghouse
Dual Hinged 16" LCD HDTV
$129.99

_________________________

http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/Search/384490f.jpg

**
Hot Buy
Westinghouse
19" LCD HDTV
$149.99

_________________________


http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/Search/423758f.jpg*

Proscan
19" LCD HDTV
$179.99

__________________________

http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/Search/351919f.jpg*

Vizio
19" LCD HDTV
$199.99

______________________
I believe you can order online and have delivered to you at home or to your nearest "Costco Warehouse Outlet"

Costco Online: www.costco.com

URL/Link for Costco online "Televisions" pages:

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4001374&ViewAll=53&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=2341&Ns=P_Price|0||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&lang=en-US&topnav=cat&topnav=

[maliakei]

Seeing actual pictures with prices & dimensions really are very helpful. Funny how years back I paid for a more bulky, less sophisticated TV set vs. what is available now.

Compare to this 1950's advertisement for a 16" Motorola TV at $219.95 !!

Link to see/read more : http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.designsdelight.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/vintage-magazine-ads-for-television.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.designsdelight.com/vintage-ads/vintage-ads/&usg=__FD6c7Gp2juN6N_hOFaqmSFxDE70=&h=1056&w=761&sz=304&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=S07-1MtT8x-M1M:&tbnh=150&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3DVintage%2BTelevision%2Bprice%26gbv%3D 2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

[maxnude]

Its amazing that the FCC and U.S. has been trying to change over to DTV Digital Television format for 6 years, and finally made it. [After many delays, one By president O'bama this year from February to June.]

I guess not many realized that most all stations have been dual transmitting "Analog and DTV Digital TV format since last year.

Peeps not ready after all the media, FCC, TV stations, and newspaper coverage on the subject have no one to blame except themselves.

Government rebate coupons for $40, and sales of STB Set top Box DTV converters have been as low as $4.99 after rebate applied.

Media say's consumer hot lines, FCC, TV Stations and stores like "Radio Shack" have been overwhelmed by more than 3,000,000 people not ready, and complaining there OTA Off the Air television channels not working and just went to snow.

How did it go for You? Any unique problems or stories?

[Fitz1980]

Media say's consumer hot lines, FCC, TV Stations and stores like "Radio Shack" have been overwhelmed by more than 3,000,000 people not ready, and complaining there OTA Off the Air television channels not working and just went to snow.

How did it go for You? Any unique problems or stories?

I do not envy the people manning those hot lines or at the stores. They are literally having to deal with the "least sophisticated consumer" helping people with this stuff. There's a woman who I work with who I was trying to explain it to and I literally had to give her a class in TV technology and she finally said "this is too much" and we just walked to Radio Shack after work so I could show her what she needed. She had a hard time hooking it up and told me that she was on the phone for like 30 minutes trying to get everything working.

[geoguygal]

One more website that folks should know about: www.tvfool.com

Very useful--you can use the "Online Maps" and get a good idea of any station's digital broadcasting range. You can also enter your address and it will give a listing of which stations you should receive and the signal strength of each plus the compass setting for each transmitter site. Comes in handy when you're trying to aim a directional antenna.