wvbike_99
West Virginia
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Joined: 04/05/2004
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When the change comes next year will the new HDTV's work with the existing RV antenna and the signal booster that comes on most RV's?
Have been thinking about that and thought I would ask.
Thanks
wvbike_99
2000 Tundra SR5 4x4 Ext. Cab
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KeninAZ
SE AZ
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Joined: 06/22/2002
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Yes
I am assuming you already have a high definition TV. Or are you referring to digital?
If your current TV does not have a digital tuner you will need a converter to watch TV from an over the air antenna.
Most cable companies and the satellite companies are already digital in that their receiver is your converter.
And you amplifier only increases the signal level. It could care less about anything else it's just looking for frequencies so it will work fine.
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wvbike_99
West Virginia
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Joined: 04/05/2004
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I now have the old type of TV in my RV now but was planning on buying a new one for when the change comes next year. I was just concerned if the antenna was ok for the new type. So I guess all will be OK?
Thanks
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hwybnb
Southern California
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Joined: 05/02/2001
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Understand that the 2009 conversion has nothing to do with HDTV. It is a conversion to digital broadcasting. That will include both Standard Definition and High Definition programming.
You do not have to buy a new TV but if you continue to use the old one you will need a converter box to watch over-the-air broadcasts. You wiii be able to continue watching satellite broadcasts without a converter box. For Cable TV the answer depends on the cable service provider. Most will probably continue to provide analog service that will work with your existing set but some might not.
If you buy a new TV it should work with your existing antenna as well as with cable and satellite broadcasts.
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reset
Full timer - Where ever I'm parked
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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Yesterday I connected my Sharp digital TV to the batwing antenna and I'm getting perfect picture quality. I only get 6 digital channels but I'm currently at Slab City where TV coverage is poor anyway. No need to buy a new antenna.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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There will be NO change next year that has anything to DO with HD TV. The requirements for receiving HD will REMAIN just what they are today. If your HD TV is working properly today it will continue to work properly after the switch to all DIGITAL TV occurs next February.
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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Joined: 12/06/2007
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If you choose to buy an HD TV now, you will get both the new digital signals that most stations are televising now plus the old analog stations(stations with whole numbers; 2,4,24, etc.) As of February 2009, tha analog siganls are no more. Analog signals, on level ground carry farther than digital: 90 miles -vs- 60 miles, so after the change your favorite station watched while camping might not come in, until stations set up better transmitters.
Mark
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
In the 50's they had two kinds of frequencies. Very high frequencies (much higher than AM and FM radio stations transmitted on) and Ultra High Ffrequencies. Rather than have hte homeowner tune into station that transmitts on frequency 129.8852 (like a standard radio)) that assigned stations channel numbers 1-13 on VHF and 14 - 69 on UHF.
When they change to digital brodcasts, the "Spread" between channels can be lower than in the 50's. The new brodcasts will still be in the frequencies used by channels 14 and 69. The channel numbers will in many cases stay the same, even thought the frequency will not be the same.
Bottom line is the frequencies have changed a little bit but will stay wintin the old channel 14-69. Wingard has come out with a better antenna booster, enhancing the higher frequencies.
I have a HD set to replace a failed front TV last year. The old Wingard antenna works - but a indoor boosted antenna works even better. I guess if I buy a upgraded wingard antenna and booster, I can get better signals. My factory installed antenna is 1997.
Fred.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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I'm going to answer the OP's question with a question.. Both questions have the same answer
OP's Question: Will the existing antenna work when we all switch to digital
My question: Does the existing antenna work now for channels 14-69? and 7-13?
Digital will be using mostly UHF TV channels 14-59.. May use 7-13 in some markets
The company selling the special UHF only HDTV antenna, Their antenna won't work well in all markets yours will
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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jim isham
stevensville, michigan
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Joined: 03/30/2002
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This from the FCC's web site:
"Question: What are the channel assignments for digital television?
Answer: Under the FCC spectrum plan, we have provided most existing broadcasters with access to a 6 MHz channel for digital broadcasting within a core digital TV spectrum, i.e., TV channels 2 to 51. Because of the limited availability of spectrum and the need to accommodate all existing facilities with minimal interference among stations, however, during the transition some broadcasters would be provided DTV channels outside of this core spectrum (channels 52 to 69). These broadcasters would have to move their DTV operations to a channel in the core spectrum when one became available. Broadcasters whose existing NTSC channels were in the core spectrum could move their DTV operations to their NTSC channel at some time in the future. Broadcasters whose DTV transition channel and existing NTSC channel were both outside of the core area could obtain a new DTV channel when channels in the core spectrum are recovered.
After the transition period (2006), the VHF channels (2-13) will remain available for DTV and the analog TV service will end on all channels."
FCC DTV FAQs
Michigan's Sunset Coast
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