What's going on with HD broadcasting?

[dentist90]

I've heard several 'opinions' as to what is going to happen in 2009 when HD TV broadcasting becomes the norm. An Ad on PBS said that if you're currently on cable or satellite you don't have to worry, but if you have an antenna (rabbit ears) you will need a converter. An aquaintence told me everyone that doesn't have an HD-capable tv will need a converter regardless of source.

So, can someone give me the real 411?

[imcarthur]

Yes, except only in the US. The CRTC in Canada is taking a wait & see attitude as far as I can figure out.

Ian

[dentist90]

... leading the way as usual, eh?

[Pazuzu]

The 411 is:

If you use rabbit ears, then you need a digital converter. EITHER your TV has one inside (it's an HDTV) or you need an external one (HD or non). The "free" converters are non-HD. If you're TV is not HD capable, then get the free converter. If your TV is HD capable, and has an internal decoder (HDTV) then you already have the setup ready. If your TV is HD capable, but does NOT have a decoder (it's an HD monitor, or one of the early HD CRT sets) then you want an HD decoder, which is NOT free. The Samsung DTB-H260F is the best on the market right now (and probably will be the last ever made).


If you use analog cable, then you can continue to use analog cable until they make the decision to go digital cable only (might be a few years)

If you use digital cable, then you're clear for the foreseeable future.

All satellite is digital (I think), and will not change in the near future.

all TV sets being sold todat are digital, and 95% of the or more have internal digital decoders, and require no converter box.

[dentist90]

Thx Mike.

[mcuozzo]

All broadcast TV is not going HDTV. It's going Digital.

Currently over the air signals are analog. That will change in February, when these signals go Digital.

So only the oldest, non digital TVs, not hooked up to a cable or satellite box will not work. I can't beleive there are that many out there.

I haven't given it much thought, but I think the TV companies might be behind this whole thing. People can get $80 towards the purchase of either a converter box or a new TV. What do you think most people will do? Yup, buy a new TV.

Here's whats happening http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by mcuozzo

All broadcast TV is not going HDTV. It's going Digital.

How much more HD do you need over the air? There's lots already!

Currently over the air signals are analog. That will change in February, when these signals go Digital.

MOST OTA signal is digital right now. I get 2 or 3 digital channels for each analog channel.

So only the oldest, non digital TVs, not hooked up to a cable or satellite box will not work. I can't beleive there are that many out there.

Or HD capable sets that do not have a decoder. I have one of each, and do not plan on getting rid of either (I'll put my Sony HD CRT against any LCD or Plasma).

I haven't given it much thought, but I think the TV companies might be behind this whole thing. People can get $80 towards the purchase of either a converter box or a new TV. What do you think most people will do? Yup, buy a new TV.

That's a joke, right?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by mcuozzo

All broadcast TV is not going HDTV. It's going Digital.

Very good point. Everyone thinks you need an HDTV. You don't, you just need a digital tuner. Of course, many new TVs are HD capable, and ALL new TVs have a digital tuner. And unless you watch TV via rabbit ears or antenna, it's a moot point anyway.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

So basically it's something that will adversely impact the poorest people.

Too bad we have dish service (and my wife actually uses it). I'd love an excuse to kick television out of this house permanently and completely. I despise it. Total waste of time.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'd be willing to bet that most people in the projects have a TV and cable. I'm sure we're paying for it. Isn't that a basic human right?

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

So basically it's something that will adversely impact the poorest people.

No it will impact suburbia if you don't want to pay $50 a month for TV (as in too cheap to buy cable).

They picked the poorest system they could and is almost unwatchable on windy and or rainy days due to poor multipath rejection.

[teenerted1]

dont know what it happening in the great white north

but in the USA, signal is going to DIGITAL from ANALOG. some programs are taped in HD, has nothing to do with how it is sent out. co-worked uses rabit ears and loves the shows in HD. not sure if he has gotten the box yet but come february 2009 without it you will probably get snow IN HD

they explaned the whole thing on all the ads they have been running forever...and pbs has a more dumbed down version

if you have rabit ears GET a DIGITAL converter
if you have cable with a box NOTHING needs to be done
if you have satalite with a box NOTHING needs to be done.

if you cant understand this how did your figure out the interweb?

[imcarthur]

You might note that the OP lives in British Columbia, so all of your info about the FCC mandated transition in Feb 2009 means nothing north of the border.

Here's our announcement:

CONSUMER NOTICE

After August 31, 2011, all analog televisions will require a converter box in order to receive Canadian over-the-air broadcasts using an antenna. At that time, all over-the-air broadcast signals in Canada will be in digital-only format. Canadians using satellite or digital cable services should see no change.

U.S. television stations broadcasting over-the-air into Canada will make this change sooner, in February, 2009.

source: Office of Consumer Affairs

Ian

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

dont know what it happening in the great white north

but in the USA, signal is going to DIGITAL from ANALOG. some programs are taped in HD, has nothing to do with how it is sent out. co-worked uses rabit ears and loves the shows in HD. not sure if he has gotten the box yet but come february 2009 without it you will probably get snow IN HD

they explaned the whole thing on all the ads they have been running forever...and pbs has a more dumbed down version

if you have rabit ears GET a DIGITAL converter
if you have cable with a box NOTHING needs to be done
if you have satalite with a box NOTHING needs to be done.

if you cant understand this how did your figure out the interweb?

HD is SEPERATE. The signal can be digital and NOT HD. However, some over the air broadcast stations are in HD. Some are not. It depends on the station. Again, digital is NOT the same as HD.

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

dont know what it happening in the great white north

but in the USA, signal is going to DIGITAL from ANALOG. SOME programs already are taped in HD, has nothing to do with how it is sent out. co-worked uses rabit ears and loves the shows in HD. not sure if he has gotten the converter box yet but come february 2009 without it you will probably get snow IN HD

they explaned the whole thing on all the ads they have been running forever...and pbs has a more dumbed down version

if you have rabit ears GET a DIGITAL converter
if you have cable with a box NOTHING needs to be done
if you have satalite with a box NOTHING needs to be done.

if you cant understand this how did your figure out the interweb?

changed it for the ones that didnt understand my post the first time

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

co-worked uses rabit ears and loves the shows in HD. not sure if he has gotten the box yet but come february 2009 without it you will probably get snow IN HD

No. I explained it complete earlier. If your coworker (or anyone) is already watching digital or HD over the air, then they do not need anything else, they already HAVE the decoder somewhere (probably in the TV). You ONLY need the converter box if you do not use cable or satellite, AND you use rabbit ears on a non-digital television. That's it, nothing more. It will be the same in Canada in 2011 as it will be here in 2009. Period.

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

No. I explained it complete earlier. If your coworker (or anyone) is already watching digital or HD over the air, then they do not need anything else, they already HAVE the decoder somewhere (probably in the TV). You ONLY need the converter box if you do not use cable or satellite, AND you use rabbit ears on a non-digital television. That's it, nothing more. It will be the same in Canada in 2011 as it will be here in 2009. Period.

well bully for him...them fancy thin tvs do everything now.

[scottmandue]

I wonder if I could set up a high power analog TV transmiter in Mexico and send free pirate TV into the USA?

[dad911]

Originally Posted by mcuozzo

..... People can get $80 towards the purchase of either a converter box or a new TV. What do you think most people will do? Yup, buy a new TV.

Here's whats happening http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html

I've seen coupons for converter boxes. How does anyone get $80 off of a new TV?

Frankly, IMHO this should have changed years ago. The broadcast quality of standard TV hasn't changed in 50 years.

[Dixie]

They picked the poorest system they could and is almost unwatchable on windy and or rainy days due to poor multipath rejection.

Let me dispel this myth. I'm one of those who watch Over-the-air (OTA) digital TV (Yes, I'm "too cheap" to pay $50 for 30 channels of crap. The free crap is sufficient.) Our reception is great. No matter what the weather is, the reception is ALWAYS better than the analog channels.

BTW: The broadcast towers are about 20 miles away. We pick them up using a small gable-mounted outdoor antenna.