DTV 101: A Consumer's Guide to Digital Television

[Firebirrd85]

Dude it doesn't matter what box you buy. The signal strength sucks ass. Seriously with the old system I could get stuff from the next state now with this digital shit the picture breaks up and I can BARELY get my locals which are 29 miles out.

[RockeyJesse20]

shit i rather make my own antenna and its almost out of time!!!!!!!!! X0

[69franco]

anoher annoying, money wasted reminder.only 1% of the population uses antennae. with the computer age, this is useless and annoying.

[TooFreshproductions]

no shit

[georgef551]

Actually, it affects about 30 million TV's, you may have heard 20 million, but it was later found to be a bad underestimate, hence the 6/12/09 deadline.

In most cases, it affects secondary TV's (kitchen, bedroom, etc.), portables, and those like me, who don't watch enough TV to justify a pay service. Yes, the enderly, too.

Another thing you didn't think of, what if your cable/satellite goes out? DTV a good backup system.

[GodofBigots]

What this video won't tell is that the US Government has taken no action to ensure that the box you buy will work. AccessHDTV box cost me $60. When it failed to work I called the 800 # - it was non working number. The web page offers you no way to contact them by email other than an auto response telling you to call the same dead end #.

AccessHDTV is a scam - don't buy this companies box - they will rip you off!

(Copy and post this message daily if you can)

[thoughtchallenge]

Does the antenna hook up to the VCR then go to the converter or from the converter into the VCR?

Also, can anyone recommend a good 65-70 mile range antenna?

One more thing- I've hear about antenna stacking, can someone tell me how this is done? We receive TV signals from two different regions south and North East, can two antennas be hooked into one cable from differing direction antennas?

[Rynnyx]

Here is my biggest thing.. ANYONE know how to get a surround system to work with this?? i have been messing around with it for over 6 months and still not able to get it to work.

[Gunsnrosesistheshit]

You guys know that digital t.v. can cause brain tumors you know that. HD is nice but not good for your health and that is a fact. I get headaches watching HD.

[pmgodfrey]

2:40

Its all "magnetic waves". The electromagnetic spectrum (x-ray, radio, tv, sound, light, microwave, etc.) is all "magnetic wave".

They make it sound like magic when its not.

Don't get caught up in buying an expensive antenna. There is no such thing as an "high definition" antenna. As long as it's UHF, its fine...the one on your roof or in your attic will still work.

[sk9utube]

TV PARTY TONIGHT!

/watch?v=hFF7jzVfSB0

[Dudtz]

Maybe they ar puting spy cams and microphones in the DTVs and tuners.

The first DTVs with no tuners are probably fine.

Seriously,there are a hundred some analog channels,typically people have 7,8,or less over the air analog,it does not take up that much of the spectrum,just use 20 frequencies or so to prevent overlapping.

[whizkidforte]

I have DirecTV in my home - all TVs have a smart box (save for one, used solely for the Wii) for that satellite service, so I'm prepared! WOOH!!! =D

[Aliendear]

I have the RCA DTA800B1, and although I get only 5 channels, I'm hoping I'll get more after Feb 17, 2009. I'll say one thing, the picture is fantastic, DVD Quality! I just watched a Pink Floyd show on VPTV, the 1994 concert and the picture (and sound) was excellent. I suggest you use the video out jack if you have an input for it, the picture will be DVD perfect. My television is a "flat glass" type, so it has a great image. Absolute picture clarity.

[supertrouper]

One more thing I want to mention. I feel you should only subscribe to cable or satellite dish if you/someone(s) are home often and have time to watch TV. If you aren't always home, and don't watch long hours of TV, you really shouldn't waste money on cable/satellite especially if you aren't going to watch a lot of certain channels/shows.

[rep0eagle]

After 2009 broadcasters will be building NEW towers and increasing the transmitting power, so all you folks who are crying and complaining about the reception just be patient and wait till they shut off the analog.

[supertrouper]

If you all want more hands on info on how to be prepared for the digital era, look at video called "Get Ready For Digital TV PBS" on youtube. It will give you all enough information on how to prepare.

[Cricketmite]

Cable has always been a scam. You pay for a hundred channels and only watch a few. A favorite 24/7 channel might be watched for 2 shows. You pay to get commercials, so then you need a dvr to scip them, or record when you're out. If the converter box can improve the picture quality so regular TV is watchable, cable would be obsolete for me. I figure I can get most any show or picture from netflix, which is cheaper than cable.

[supertrouper]

As for VideoSuperMaster, not everyone can afford Cable so don't call people cheap. Cable/Satellite Rates are always going up and if you aren't home always, having all of those extra channels are a waste of money in my opinion. If you can afford it and want it, then go ahead and subscribe to pay service but if you know you cannot afford it, don't force yourself to subscribe

[VideoSuperMaster]

You could always stop being so cheap and pay for the cable.

[RickJamesThrowinDown]

The airwaves belong to the public. Why pay rent for something that you already own?

[marcello09]

Nice propaganda! But you forgot to mention that many consumers will not receive a digital signal strong enough to produce a watchable channel. You forgot to mention that many consumers will receive fewer, not more, TV channels. You forgot to mention that some consumers will receive no channels at all. Go to Consumer Reports' website for a much more objective and accurate overview of the transition to digital TV. The truth is that, for many of us, the era of free broadcast TV will soon be over.

[rep0eagle]

After 2009 broadcasters will be building NEW towers andincreasing the transmitting power, so all you folks who are crying and complaining about the reception just be patient and wait till they shut off the analog.

[jetfire2004]

I have a qustion, Today i just got a New sony HD tv, its at 1080P, do i still need a converter box, or isnt there something in the HD tv, that will make it digital?

[starlingrock]

no press digital/analog on the remote then select scan for channels or channel search

plz rate and comment on my vids and subscribe btw

[kendpw]

dtv sucks i bought a converter box and channel 7 and 13 which used to come in strong now just stopped signaling every other channel works somewhat ok,i have 2 differant brands f seperate tvs

[supertrouper]

They aren't broadcasting it completely in Digital yet. They are currently providing both Analog and Digital signals so the digital signal isn't strong enough yet. So sometimes if channels have signal problems it can go blank. Just be patient. Keep on auto tuning it and it should come back eventually. I got a converter box too so I understand what you mean. When it is completely digital, the signal should be strong enough then and there should be less of that problem

[Crawlerz246]

i got regular (not digital) cable and a TV w/o a digital tuner. i am still confused: do i still need to buy the converter if my TV is HD capable but its w/o a digital tuner? everywhere i look (tv, etc) comcast says "u needn't worry - we'll take care of it?" what does that mean? they'll provide the box? do i need it if i am not using an antenna?

[dtvtransition]

As long as your television is connected to regular cable, you will not need a DTV converter box.

[Crawlerz246]

thnx cuz i heard some conflicting things.

[whitefoxx52]

free tv? my ass

[jetfire2004]

no there talking abought no cable.

[SPACE1966GHOST]

idk why i need this for my tv tell me why are they changing???

[nobssagittarius3]

You guys are out of your mind, if you think im going to throw away my tv, just because its not compatable to your new devices. If its not portable I have no use for it, as it is anyways.

[Cranceco]

Y que haras cuando el petroleo se acabe y tengas que cambiar de carro?

[CoolStarProduction]

but you have to or you won't see shows again, Well I think cuz I'm a lil confused now

[computerhotspot]

my grandparents have to buy a fing new antenna!!!!! because they live like 100 miles away from a broadcasting station

[drleeland]

What other channels does it offer?

[gccengineering1996]

I have asked Radio Shack when they are getting more boxes in, but they said they don't know. Also truthfully, the coupon expired and its a good thing I still have cable TV still to watch whats going on in 2/17/2009. Without those converter boxes not everyone is going to get a chance to watch TV and there is plan that they will go up soon next year around $89.00 on up.

[hostel969]

Money hungry pigs.

[uomemutube]

This is the biggest internet hoax!

[metalxmustang]

Congress needs to get their dumb selves straight

We don't need this work of a true idiot

This will cost us more than help us

[westkan]

I'm not sure Congress had much to do with this. DTV is more about spectrum management that it's about TV reception quality.

[MarioV1112]

Will channels TNT,TBS,Cartoon Network be on dtv

[ukendcx2000]

yes, in fact those channels are already digital. what's left are over the air local stations. digital is great when you can get it. when you can't get it you don't get it at all, there is no inbetween. i use some cheap rabbit ears works great though.

[wwwy2000]

QUESTION******

if you buy a converter box would you have more channels or not

[windowsvista1850]

yes you will have more channels and better picture and sound than analog

[ANZO89]

and dont forget about the new software, for example you will able to acces the internet in your tv for free and also other advantages, example: may be you are watching a tv programme that you need to vote like big brother, so then you will just by using your remote control instead of using your cel phone or your telephone. all so there will be games to play and other great services

[Tekkenfreek234]

Yeah, I don't have cable or satellite or anything, but I flip through the channels 3.1, 3.2, 9.1, 9.2, 12.1, 45.1, 45.2, 45.3, 45.4, 53.1, 53.2, 61.1, 61.2 via a digital converter box. Before, it was just 3, 9, 12, 20, 45, 53, 61.

[pseydtonne]

This flick states, "With an analog television, your signal is received using magnetic waves."

That's still how all radio and television broadcasting works. We don't just throw "ones and zeroes" into the air without electromagnetic waves when we use wifi.

Please, CEA: keep invalid science out of your presentation. You're talking to the Internet, not couch potatoes.

[westkan]

Few watching the video will ever know there's a problem with that statement. Franky they don't need to, to insure they receive OTA broadcasts come next year. Data insignifica.

[NewPSCity]

wait so how will digital look like. What is the resolution for digital TV. 720p or 1080i. ????

[evlucky7]

I think it is going to be good old Standard Definition, 480i

[ukendcx2000]

480, 720 and 1080. it all depends on the broadcaster. right now not too many over the air are using 1080, mainly like PBS and CBS. 720 is better than analog, as is 480. 480 looks like digital cable did back in the late nineties, slightly better than analog noticeable at first but you get used to it quickly.

[pantyhoseboy84]

Its 2008 people should had already have cable or satelite...thats just plain sad

[NewPSCity]

or Verizon FIOS way better than cable and satellite

[benjaminvlz]

Some people can't afford cable or satelite. Then, there's people who don't watch too much TV. Rather than having to pay for all of those channels that they never watch, they can use an antenna and get a some channels for free.

[bkoblish]

It's too bad you didn't address the fact that with cable or satellite service and a digital tuner/set you can get free local digital television as well, many of these digital multi-cast over the air channels providing additional and unique local content.

[dtvhdtv]

dtv-hdtv(dot)com - Digital TV discussion forum for US viewers.

[Crackster0202]

i think since tv cahnge they should make youtube videos already HD too

[oldschoolwarrior]

None of these video demonstrations talk about how these will work with VCRs. A section on whether we will be able to record multiple shows on a VCR would be very helpful.

[brucegoren]

Horrid - yak, yak, yak. If you can't show it and explain it in two minutes, don't bother. 30 seconds into this crap I was already snoring. Two talking heads demonstrate nothing. Instead of wasting time in the edit bay with composited motion graphics in the background you should have immediately gone to the kind of B-roll you reserved for the final segments and shown us everything spoken about full screen. Who are these two related to? Get them OFF camera.

[Kardall]

I'm sorry, but as much as I kind of agree with you as far as the boring presentation is concerned. The majority of the 40+ year olds do NOT understand what is happening, let alone what the hell they're supposed to do about it. This video is a great starter point, gives a good beginning/solution/goto for the industry's in their area. They will now goto the local shops, get the appropriate equipment, and continue on as tho their life is in the 50's. Let them have fun. Enjoy life... good game.

[skyanchor]

Only 276 views in the first month this video has been on YouTube...not a lot of views for educating the general public in this forum, CEA. Maybe if you got a hold of some talking cats...