Digital TV

[onetooloud]

How many out there still do not have any form of cable or satelite Tv?

I have regular old antenna on the roof Tv. I had sat Tv, but found it to be to much of a distraction and got rid of it. I didn't want to wast my time in front of the tube.

Well I bought the adaptor or convertor box and hooked it up. I haven't noticed any great differance. We'll see.

What channels are currently being broadcast in digital localy. I'm only able to find one WJAC. Its hard for me to think that they are the only ones.

The bottom line at this point is I believe rather than gaining more channels with better quality I will be losing alot. That is unless noone else at this time is broadcasting in digital.

I'm thinking the FCC pulled a fast one to sell air space and is giving free Tv veiwers the shaft.

[JackANSI]

I'm thinking the FCC pulled a fast one to sell air space and is giving free Tv veiwers the shaft.

I've tried the OTA digital TV (PC TV tuner card) and didn't notice anything different. The signal was clearer overall, but to anyone stuck having to pick up a converter box, it wouldn't be worth it.

The FCC/Government in general was under pressure from a multitude of angles to do this. The pressures from wireless providers, cable/sat tv, and expiring licenses/declining income on broadcast license fees all took their toll.

I definitely don't think this is a bad change at all. Using the least amount of spectrum to get the job done is in everyone's best interest. The RF spectrum is just clogged with crap and there is only so much available.

http://sss-mag.com/pdf/freqchrt.pdf

Take a look there between 50Mhz and 1000Mhz and you'll see that TV did occupy quite a good amount of that. Those are very efficient frequencies; requiring minimal antennas and power levels for good range, good atmospheric range with a nice drop off, but still able to gain penetration in a residential setting (good for having multiple stations broadcasting across the country without interfering with each other, part of the original reason TV was put there), and its cheap/easy/reliable to build efficient transmitters in that range too.

A majority of those TV ranges sit idle, just reserved, outside of major metropolitan areas. Which in my opinion is a total waste of space. But in order to allow usage of that idle range, the areas where there is less idle range need to be changed as well.

I know it sucks to be forced into a change, but the US was hitting the limit as to what it could fit in the available spectrum. If we want to stay close on the heels of europe and asia in terms of wireless technology, this was a required step.

[Ron]

You don't notice a difference because you still have the same TV and are using an adapter. In addition, your old antenna is likely VHF and the new digital broadcasts are over UHF. I'm guessing that the converter handles this, and not very well guessing from your experience.

I have two LCD TV's with digital tuners and the FREE high-def broadcasts from WJAC (NBC) and WPSU (PBS) (with a $15 UHF antenna) are absolutely outstanding. The quality of over-the-air HD broadcast is definitely as good as HD over cable or satellite.

It makes me sometimes wish that I was in a more metropolitan area or non-mountainous area where I could get free HD from all of the major networks.

[Colton]

[hijack]
You'd think with all this new technology thats out, I'd be able to get some sort of broadband where I live, thats not retarded high latency satellite... anyways, continue on!
[/hijack]

[MeYatch]

new hijack

I've been wondering for a while now, who is going to get the broadcast range currently used by TV? Is cell phone reception going to improve? To the point where I can actually have one at my house?

[onetooloud]

All the reasons for this are clear to me money in someones pocket.

Yes I understand the bandwidth issuses and the need for airspace. I see it everytime theres a story about wireless anything.

All I'm saying at this time is thats not how its being sold to joe public (Joe the plumber).

[Ron]

[hijack]
You'd think with all this new technology thats out, I'd be able to get some sort of broadband where I live, thats not retarded high latency satellite... anyways, continue on!
[/hijack]

They do have wireless broadband internet, but it's asynchronous. Your upstream still has to be dial-up, which makes it worthless for what you want to do with it I'm sure.

[onetooloud]

I've been reading about this coming for years.

Your wirless mic you just bought is also a target. Wireless gutiar transmitter reciever same thing.

Theres a ton of stuff eating up airspace.

[Colton]

[hijack]
You'd think with all this new technology thats out, I'd be able to get some sort of broadband where I live, thats not retarded high latency satellite... anyways, continue on!
[/hijack]

They do have wireless broadband internet, but it's asynchronous. Your upstream still has to be dial-up, which makes it worthless for what you want to do with it I'm sure.

I might just get a plan for my cell phone, and USB it. My phone sends and recieves pictures about ten million times faster than my dial up.

[Ron]

new hijack

I've been wondering for a while now, who is going to get the broadcast range currently used by TV? Is cell phone reception going to improve? To the point where I can actually have one at my house?

If you don't have cell service now, it's doubtful that the freq band change will make any difference. You'll only get it if a wireless provider thinks it would be profitable to build a cell site closer to your house. It's all about capitalism.

[Ron]

[hijack]
You'd think with all this new technology thats out, I'd be able to get some sort of broadband where I live, thats not retarded high latency satellite... anyways, continue on!
[/hijack]

They do have wireless broadband internet, but it's asynchronous. Your upstream still has to be dial-up, which makes it worthless for what you want to do with it I'm sure.

I might just get a plan for my cell phone, and USB it. My phone sends and recieves pictures about ten million times faster than my dial up.

I was thinking that would be a good option for you. I'm waiting for FiOS to hit State College, then I'll be happy.

[lonewolf]

What channels are currently being broadcast in digital localy. I'm only able to find one WJAC. Its hard for me to think that they are the only ones.

Here is a thread with some info: http://rockpage.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=141885

Ray, all of the local digital broadcasts are on the UHF bands now, so you need a good UHF antenna. I can't get WJAC in Hollidaysburg, so chances are, you are too far away to get WTAJ.

The only other channels I can think of in your area are ABC/FOX 8/23. They have 2 transmission towers, so you may be able to get that with a good UHF antenna. The tower for your area is on Laurel mountain in Ligonier.

If you have a directional UHF antena on the roof, you should aim it towards Ligonier. If not, 1st try the $5 UHF bowtie antenna at Radio Shack--for UHF, they are as good as anything you will find under $40, including the cheap amplified ones. If that doesn't work, you may have to get a more expensive multi-tier or amplified UHF antenna.

[lonewolf]

new hijack

I've been wondering for a while now, who is going to get the broadcast range currently used by TV? Is cell phone reception going to improve? To the point where I can actually have one at my house?

The current TV broadcast range is being re-used for digital TV.

About 99% of TV stations that were on the VHF channels 2-13 are now broadcasting in the higher frequency UHF bands.

[Ron]

Also check out http://www.antennaweb.org

They have a form you fill out with your address and they will give you a list of all of the digital stations which are close enough for you to receive, their compass headings, and the type of UHF antenna you will need to pick them up.

[JackANSI]

A bit more technical resource is:

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSear ... raphic.jsp

You can really get a feel for how many people are using the airwaves and how important it is to funnel everyone into the smallest spectrum possible. (in Blair alone there is over 500 active licenses)

Without this kind of regulation I assure you, you would not reliably get anything over the air (think about what comes in your unregulated email inbox). Its not totally to make a profit for FCC hooligans. They mainly charge for their service so that the common tax payer isn't footing the entire bill for the regulation service the FCC provides. (Same with those auctions you heard about)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Co ... Commission

Personally I feel the FCC (up until January 22, 2001 anyway) was the least corrupt government agency.

[The Shadow]

This should be helpful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH37RiYfHT8

[ToonaRockGuy]

[hijack]

Anyone else have problems with WHVL out of State College (channel 97 on Atlantic Broadband digital) coming in really, really shitty? I've had digital cable for 4-5 years now, and that is the only channel on my system in which the signal totally blows chunks. What gives?

[/hijack]