Something to keep in mind . Most of the digital transmitters aren't running full power so they don't interfere with the analog transmitters and many digital transmitters are using temporary antenna setups until the old analog antennas are taken off the towers so DTV reception might improve after the shutoff date .
Because of DTV, cable & sattelite will start losing customers. Then they will have to pay attention to the fact that people don't want to pay for channels they don't watch, ie cherry picking as you call it and then they may start offering an alcarte menu of channels to get customers back and also transmit the channels in High definition in which they only do a few now.
5 years ago I would have never given up tv. I'm a news & documentry channel type junkie but as gabrielized said I was paying for 90% channels on cable that I never watched. Not only that but the cable picture wasn't all that great. "Cable did a poor job of installing it so the picture was medicore at best"
Well after ditching cable + the cable bill I ended up watching less tv which is good for me cause I sit around too much watching tv anyway, I'm not glued to the 24/7 news cycle of bad news.
Even with a dtv converter box on a standard tv the picture is much better then cable and it includes channel info which I never saw on Cable. Plus in my area has a movie channel that is every bit as good as A & E.
Cut the cable from the big media companies and tell them you will keep your $50 to $100 a month thankyou!
Madame I have to disagree with you. When you were talking about cable not allowing to cherry pick that was because they basically had a monoply, Most people don't even know you can get free tv over the air, The digital change has awakened many people that they have a choice, the choice is get crystal clear high definintion TV for free. In a down economy this is where people can cut back on their cable & sattelite save money & get better picture quality.
Madame I'm 53 & have used cable since the Seventies. It's like Crack cocaine, they get you addicted with some pretty movies & cooking shows. The picture was better then analog. After years of paying for cable you look at it like the electric or water bill, just a bill you HAVE TO PAY, forgetting that really tv is free it's just the Cable and Satellite companies got you thinking you have to have them.
Due to DTV I was able to kick the Cable tv habit. No need to PAY TO see bad news all the time.
The original date was my birthday! I have found at this point, the digital channels aren't coming in, because I am rural. I was able to receive about a 60-70% analog signal, but digital signals have to be clearer or it simply says "no signal" instead of seeing a slightly snowy channel. Apparently when they stop broadcast of analog, digital power might be upped, so the channels might come in better when that happens. They are planning the same for radio!
Apparently with radio though, it will make the FM channels sound like high definition, cd quality. And it will make AM sound like FM radio. I'm kind of looking forward to that, because AM would actually stretch further, and I should be able to get more radio channels. *I hope.*
I wonder how the radio will sound pixellated? I think I may be considered rural, 20 miles out from the Chicago Loop. But still, if I can get other stations, in multiple versions, why can't CBS Chicago get with it! LOL.
oh I hear you! I am more rural than you. Central IL and our digital channels are pixelated too. I have heard pixelated noise on directv when there is a storm... I'm hoping that with the way AM radio waves work, it shouldn't be a big deal. Now the FM channels though... haha Well It's out of our control I suppose.
Something to keep in mind . Most of the digital transmitters aren't running full power so they don't interfere with the analog transmitters and many digital transmitters are using temporary antenna setups until the old analog antennas are taken off the towers so DTV reception might improve after the shutoff date .
synchmaster2 2 years ago
What is that? I've no idea.
Elaina43 2 years ago
If you use cable or satellite, you don't need to know about it. This is TV without either...
gabrielized 2 years ago
LOL - Sue, I was riffing off you - you said "What IS that?!"
heheheehee
Elaina43 2 years ago
LOL, I'm such a space queen, holy crap! lol!
gabrielized 2 years ago
Hail Space Queen!
I, a mere Space Dweeb, salute you.
Elaina43 2 years ago
Because of DTV, cable & sattelite will start losing customers. Then they will have to pay attention to the fact that people don't want to pay for channels they don't watch, ie cherry picking as you call it and then they may start offering an alcarte menu of channels to get customers back and also transmit the channels in High definition in which they only do a few now.
valhala56 2 years ago
That might be the tide that turns me, that's for sure!
gabrielized 2 years ago
I can't wait for that. There are lots of channels I love to watch, and tons that I have never watched!
bjhorton2005 2 years ago
5 years ago I would have never given up tv. I'm a news & documentry channel type junkie but as gabrielized said I was paying for 90% channels on cable that I never watched. Not only that but the cable picture wasn't all that great. "Cable did a poor job of installing it so the picture was medicore at best"
Well after ditching cable + the cable bill I ended up watching less tv which is good for me cause I sit around too much watching tv anyway, I'm not glued to the 24/7 news cycle of bad news.
valhala56 2 years ago
Even with a dtv converter box on a standard tv the picture is much better then cable and it includes channel info which I never saw on Cable. Plus in my area has a movie channel that is every bit as good as A & E.
Cut the cable from the big media companies and tell them you will keep your $50 to $100 a month thankyou!
valhala56 2 years ago
Madame I have to disagree with you. When you were talking about cable not allowing to cherry pick that was because they basically had a monoply, Most people don't even know you can get free tv over the air, The digital change has awakened many people that they have a choice, the choice is get crystal clear high definintion TV for free. In a down economy this is where people can cut back on their cable & sattelite save money & get better picture quality.
valhala56 2 years ago
OK to disagree, these are just my opinions. And it never occurred to me that some folks under 40 have no idea that tv is free - good point!
gabrielized 2 years ago
Madame I'm 53 & have used cable since the Seventies. It's like Crack cocaine, they get you addicted with some pretty movies & cooking shows. The picture was better then analog. After years of paying for cable you look at it like the electric or water bill, just a bill you HAVE TO PAY, forgetting that really tv is free it's just the Cable and Satellite companies got you thinking you have to have them.
Due to DTV I was able to kick the Cable tv habit. No need to PAY TO see bad news all the time.
valhala56 2 years ago
The original date was my birthday! I have found at this point, the digital channels aren't coming in, because I am rural. I was able to receive about a 60-70% analog signal, but digital signals have to be clearer or it simply says "no signal" instead of seeing a slightly snowy channel. Apparently when they stop broadcast of analog, digital power might be upped, so the channels might come in better when that happens. They are planning the same for radio!
bjhorton2005 2 years ago
Apparently with radio though, it will make the FM channels sound like high definition, cd quality. And it will make AM sound like FM radio. I'm kind of looking forward to that, because AM would actually stretch further, and I should be able to get more radio channels. *I hope.*
bjhorton2005 2 years ago
I wonder how the radio will sound pixellated? I think I may be considered rural, 20 miles out from the Chicago Loop. But still, if I can get other stations, in multiple versions, why can't CBS Chicago get with it! LOL.
gabrielized 2 years ago
oh I hear you! I am more rural than you. Central IL and our digital channels are pixelated too. I have heard pixelated noise on directv when there is a storm... I'm hoping that with the way AM radio waves work, it shouldn't be a big deal. Now the FM channels though... haha Well It's out of our control I suppose.
bjhorton2005 2 years ago