So is it just that stations stopped broadcasting OTA signals? I used to be able to get CBS, NBC, FOX, and 3 public channels. Now I get the public, and CBS, and NBC. I get a fuzzy fox but no sounds no matter what I do.
In some cases I can get only the HD (channels with a 3.1 type of number), in some cases I get the HD and a standard for the same channel.
So does it make a difference if I put a converter box between my digital television and the antenna? I have a box for the kids 13" analog tv that I could try.
phenrichs wrote: So is it just that stations stopped broadcasting OTA signals? I used to be able to get CBS, NBC, FOX, and 3 public channels. Now I get the public, and CBS, and NBC. I get a fuzzy fox but no sounds no matter what I do.
In some cases I can get only the HD (channels with a 3.1 type of number), in some cases I get the HD and a standard for the same channel.
So does it make a difference if I put a converter box between my digital television and the antenna? I have a box for the kids 13" analog tv that I could try.
To try to answer/clarify your questions--
The stations didn't "stop broadcasting OTA". They changed to broadcasting digital OTA at different frequencies than before. All the stations you used to receive are still there, but you may not be getting a strong enough signal. As for the "3.1" type of channel number, the new digital arrangement permits stations to simultaneously broadcast several channel which would have numbers like 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, etc.
If you have a TV capable of receiving the new digital signals, which you obviously do, then you DO NOT want to use a converter box. All it does is receive the digital signal and turn it into an analog one with lower resolution.
The chances are that what you is a better antenna, possibly one that can be turned and directed at the TV stations if they are not all in the same direction. It used to possible to find a "compromise" position for the analog antenna which would give you decent pictures on all the local channels. The digital signals are not as forgiving and it may be necessary to point the antenna at each station.
Sandie & Joel
2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2009 Chevy Malibu LTZ with ReadyBrute tow bar/braking system
Official WiFiRanger Ambassador WFRAMB303
Follow our adventures on Facebook at Weiss Travels
j.p.f. wrote: I hate to have to re-program the TV every night.
it takes my TV 30-40 minutes to re-program every day when we get to a different camp ground, it's a pain.
then when it is finished programing I get the new stupid channels like 3.1.13,3.1.14,3.1.15 or 12.4.1 or 56.6.2?
I want my analog TV back.
I take it then that the old channels must have been smart if the new ones are stupid. Spend more time outside and you'll be too tired to watch TV.
We recently spent several nights at Stephen Foster State Park in White Springs, Florida. I could pick up one station fairly well sometimes, and one with the freezing picture. Both were from Gainesville, Fl. We have the standard batwing crank up antenna with the snap on addition that helps with the new frequencies. The coach also has a built in antenna booster.
I purchased a RadioShack® High-Gain HDTV-FM Signal Amplifier
Model:15-321, and wired it into the system after the built in booster in the coach. After that, we got two stations from Gainesville, Florida (48 miles) and two from Valdosta, Ga (again about 48 to 50 miles). All four stations were very clear. Since the two cities are in opposite directions, it did require rotating the antenna.
Fred
Fred & Vicki
Richmond Hill, Ga
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor/Freightliner/330 Cat
2000 Honda Odyssey toad w SMI Silent Partner braking system
Tire Sentry monitoring system
My first reaction to this "problem" is to ask "What in the world is so good or entertaining on television these days that would make you want to spend 30-40 minutes finding a signal?"
Your programming must be one heck of a lot better than we get here because we are to the point now where the television rarely is turned on and then only to replay about five or six programs that we record. I'll bet we don't watch over ten hours of television a week anymore--the "reality" shows are awful, the sports shows so full of talking head babble that is intolerable, and the news channels so biased one way or the other that the news isn't "news" anymore.
Thank goodness for Netflix, the internet, and good books!
Could the brand of the converter box have anything to do with the quality/quantity of channels received?
Ours is an RCA and never seems to get as many channels or strength of signal as my Brother-in-law's converter (can't remember his brand at the moment).
Count me in the "fuzzy picture better than pixelated/frozen picture" camp... also the horrible sound freezing/skipping is awful too and makes me jump for the mute button!
mosseater wrote: No, no, no. You guys are missing his point. He wants analogue back, not just the television. And I agree! Digital is great when it works, but useless when there's interference. I too would rather watch the Superbowl on a slightly fuzzy channel than not at all because it freezes, jumps, and blacks out.
X2 we live in the country and have satellite TV. It's our only option.
When we had analog reception and if bad wx knocked out the satellite reception, we could/would watch the antenna connected TV for wx storm warnings, etc in our area. Not an option now. So much for progress.
Quote: There is no comparison to a good HD 1080p television versus old analog set.
Yes there is ... a properly adjusted (sharply focused, color corrected, not overly saturated color, contrast not over-driven, black level set to true black instead of grey, etc.) 480i television that is actually getting an analog signal -> as opposed to a good HD 1080P television that is not getting a digital one.
(BTW, I see plenty of folks watching good HD 1080P televisions getting a digital signal but with their screen images so much out of proper adjustment as to make me wonder why they have the "high tech" television in the first place.)
Our TV says it will take up to 30 minutes to scan for channels, but it only takes a few. Somehow it seems like the religious channels come in wherever we are. (Is that a sign from God? ) PBS is usually good, and the rest are iffy.
On the plus side, I can watch old shows from the 70s and 80s all day long on channel 32.2 that isn't available on the locals from direcTV when I'm at home.
Offline
) PBS is usually good, and the rest are iffy.
