HD TV-Love it, hate it!

[Pilot]

So we were satisfied with our old TV arrangement, taping most of our favorite shows so we could fast forward thru the ads. Then, here comes the change to HD.

So we got a converter box. Now we have 2 remotes to fiddle with, 3 when you count the one for the VCR and just having the converter box plugged in gives a buzzing feedback if I want to listen to AM radio in another room. But we had planned all along to move that set to the bedroom and get a real HD TV--of course, that didn't help the radio.

We got a good deal on a 47" LG with a blu-ray player for just $1,200. That was only the beginning. Then $400 for a cabinet to put the tv on and the blu-ray player in. But the cabinet blocks access to our built in vacuum valve hookup in the wall and looking around the living room, there's no good other place to put it. The vacuum outfit wants $380 to install another valve in a new location. And of course, the VCR won't record HD shows, so now we need a DVD recorder, and since we aren't on cable or satellite, we need one with a tuner. It looks like there are only a couple made with tuners, and I have always had problems with Panasonic products, which is the only brand anyone carries around here, but I can get a Toshiba with a tuner that also plays VHS tapes, and I won't be taping after Feb. 17--$269.

So, $1,200 + 400 + 380 + 269=$2,259. So we can watch "free tv".

Does it ever end?

Who thought up this change to HD, anyway? Oh, yeah, it was put thru by politicians. That explains a lot.

 

[EddieWalker]

So we were satisfied with our old TV arrangement, taping most of our favorite shows so we could fast forward thru the ads. Then, here comes the change to HD.

...Who thought up this change to HD, anyway? Oh, yeah, it was put thru by politicians. That explains a lot.

I thought the change was to a digital signal. HD ( High Definition) is an extra that you can pay for, but isn't required or even available in some places. We're on satellite, so everything is already digital for us. Only TV's that got their signal over the air from an antenna that are not capable of reading a digital signal are affected.

Eddie

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Next month is the HD cutover for OTA stations, unless the Govt screws it up like their talking about doing.
HD is great where I live, best thing that ever happened to tv since color. Best Buy has a great HD converter box, Insignia brand I think. Put the Converter box in front of the VCR, then you still can record, just gotta tune the converter instead. I have a VCR/DVD recorder with an HD tuner, so it acts like a converter and can record the HD programs onto DVD. I also just got an HD USB stick for my laptop, I can now also record HD OTA on my computer, and yes it comes with it's own remote. there are many options out there.

 

[8934]

Get a HD DVR, could not live without mine. Makes it easy to zap commercials!!

 

[jinjimbob]

As Eddie says, the FCC only requires a digital signal be transmitted, HD can be provided if the local stations want to, they don't have to.

For a good device, go see a Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK, DVD/VHS and includes a digital OTA tuner. $280
No new tv is needed, but I know you wanted one anyway, what guys doesn't?

I can't get any OTA tv signal where I live, so I just use Netflix and Bit torrent, better than any service out there.

 

[RayMunising]

For a DVD recorder with tuner I'd recommend a Philips DVDR3576H DVD Recorder with 160GB Hard Disc and Built-In Tuner. It has a very good tuner, better then the Insignia converter boxes on our 2 other TVs and it has a 160GB disk that allows you to record 100+ hours worth of shows without using a DVD disk. It's a great feature for those weekly shows we record. We got ours through walmart.com but they don't have them anymore so we got a second one for my parents through Amazon.com. Cost is around $280. The only thing I don't like about it is the remote. I don't think the buttons are arranged very well and they're quite small. Also you can't control the TV volume and TV on/off from the Philips remote like you can with the Insignia remote. Other then that we're very happy with it. It's very easy to use.

 

[john_bud]

Similar to Pilot, I got the converter box. The signal was weak on 3/4 of the stations. Great! Bought a new antenna for $250. Very little change. But the new antenna is too large for the rotator. Found that out after buying a replacement $100. Bought a new amplifier for the antenna. $100. Little better. Raised the antenna on the roof to get over some trees that don't affect the analog signal. Little better.

So add up the costs and free tv isn't free. And I still don't get the low number channels on digital signal but I can see them plain as day on the other TV without the converter box. Grrrr.


Now, I do like the stations that do come in. Clear as a bell.

 

[jk96]

JohnB your experience sounds exactly like mine. With the proper antenna, amplifier, and line of site I think you'll be able to pull in as many and maybe more channels than analog. However if your in a low area with lots of obstuctions, or surrounded by hills like me there are going to be a lot of people who are disapointed that thier channel choices are much more limited. Sounds like directv and cable may hit the jackpot.

Edit: JB - are you using a UHF/VHF combo antenna. Some lower channels are located on VHF frequencies while most higher numbers are UHF. Also here's a good link to show what you should be able to get. You can also edit the antenna for height to see the varied results. Also shows station direction. I was able to pull in a few more channels than what the site showed when I added the amplifier.

AntennaWeb

 

[2manyrocks]

Can you use netflix and bit torrent for television? If so, how do you do that?

Millions of otherwise good TV's are going to the landfill at time when not everybody has the $ to replace them.

 

[Chuck52]

Maybe this is an extension of the original thread, but since some of you are apparently much more conversant than I about this stuff....

I have DirecTV and the HD recorder from them. Is it possible (perhaps I should say easy, since all is possible) to move recorded programs to a computer, or to DVDs from that box? I don't see this as pirating content if it is for my use, since I already legally recorded it.

BTW, even if, like me, you spring for the extra cost HD option with DirecTv, it is almost amazing what you don't get without even more extra cost.

Chuck

 

[ToadHill]

I have 3 issues with this change.

I live near Canada and like to watch hockey on some of the Canadian stations, I haven't yet figured out how this change will effect reception.

I use a satellite for my reception at home. I have a new HDTV but to get HD Direct TV wants an extra $10 per month. I can't see why I should pay extra if the broadcast is already in HD.

I have only an antenna at the farm so I bought the box and hooked it up. I live near the top of a hill and my house is at 1800 ft. The highest hill in the county is at 2000 ft. but even with a almost new antenna on a pole 25 ft above the house I can only get two of the 6 local stations on the box. If the weather gets bad I can't get any. Looks like I'll be spending more time reading on rainy days.

 

[JB4310]

There was talk about delaying the digital only broadcasting date, I think Obama was considering it, don't know if that was resolved. There will be x# of millions of people who wont even be able to watch the nightly news and as those who wanted the delay put it, might not be a good time with all the economic uncertainties to be leaving millions people in the dark, not a big confidence booster.

I see no reason for the change over right now, to many people, mostly elderly and poor are not ready. This was a Govt mandate, not something the broadcasters wanted, and it's not that the Govt wants you to have a better viewing experience, it's all about freeing up valuable band width so they can sell it to the highest bidders.

JB.

edit; corrected the hd reference.

 

[Richard]

Get a HD DVR, could not live without mine. Makes it easy to zap commercials!!

I used to read comments like this and took them with a bit of "pfffft" in my thoughts...

Then I got one. The "pfffft" was on ME!!!

Even my wife is complaining when she's watching tv in the bedroom (dvr is in living room) that she can't pause, rewind or watch something she's recorded.....

I think this affection to the DVR took about...oh... 35 minutes to grab us from the time we set it up?

 

[randy41]

as others have pointed out...the change is from analog to digital tv not from analog to HD tv.

 

[jk96]

I use a satellite for my reception at home. I have a new HDTV but to get HD Direct TV wants an extra $10 per month. I can't see why I should pay extra if the broadcast is already in HD.

Are you talking about the Directv broadcast. If so, it is digital but not HD. Your standard directv signal is in 480p or 480 lines. When you upgrade to the HD package you can receive the HD programs at 1080i or twice the resolution of standard directv. If you have a true HD television there is a very big difference in picture quality. I have the same tv in our living room and bedroom. The living room has an HD receiver, the bedroom has a standard receiver (hardly watch it so I haven't upgraded).
The picture quality difference is huge. I'm hooked on HD but do agree that the mandate will leave some less fortunate individuals in the dark.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

I've had several of the dtv converters from Radio Shack for several months now. I love it. I can actually get more stations than before plus they're clear. I'm happy with the switch.

M.D.

 

[2manyrocks]

Another poster wrote: "I have DirecTV and the HD recorder from them. Is it possible (perhaps I should say easy, since all is possible) to move recorded programs to a computer, or to DVDs from that box? I don't see this as pirating content if it is for my use, since I already legally recorded it."

Probably a copyright violation unless you can show that you had a license to the original content that allowed you to copy it onto the other media format.

 

[tommu56]

I bough a converter box for my cabin. analog got like 8 fuzzy stations with a "75 mile" antenna (I'm in the boonies about 60- 70 from most stations).

Hook up the box now I get 2 pbs stations that I didn't get before each with 3 channels picture is great on them as good as regular cable. don't get any of the original fuzzy stations I was upset.

I called the fcc to see about what I can do the lady I talked to was verry responsive and said that some stations ate not simulcasting both some are doing it on the back up transmitter and it is usually lower power and some aren't even going to broadcast till the 17th.

I politely asked her who made the decision to go cold turkey she said this conversion was mandated by congress and they (FCC) were just administering the mandate.

The bottom line even though you by a convector or digital tv like me you might not have tv reception after the 17th.

I guess I'm going have get an bigger antenna and rotor and maybe a tower to mount it on, where do I sign up to get my coupon to pay for them ?

Sorry for the long rant.

I just am not happy with the way the forced it on us it should have been seamless like when uhf came along (I'm showing my age)

tom

 

[JB4310]

I think it's OK to rant, this is the 21st century and people are going to be sitting in the dark as far as tv reception goes, like living in a third world, well maybe that's not a good comparison, cause most 3rd world countries have tv reception.

I heard it's either a great picture or no picture at all, no in between, a snowy/fuzzy picture might not be that great but is better than no picture at all.
Looks like alot of folks out in the boon docks are gonna have to get satellite.

JB.

 

[Sackett2]

going to be a bit generic in my phrasing, just want to point out where some of the conversion ideas came from. don't know the fine points, just what was told to me long ago.
Way back in the early 2000's I was talking to a guy about widescreen tv/movies. At that time it was mandated that the industry convert over to a widescreen format in 2007. The reason, the sales guy was saying, was that there was a stalemate in the tv manufacture and tv broadcasting world. The Manufactures wanted the tv stations to make more widescreen tv shows before they changed the manufacturing plants, the tv broadcasters wanted there to be more widescreen tv's out before they changed how they made shows. Eventually the FCC stepped in and mandated the change.
Don't know why it was moved to 2009, perhaps the "HD and digital" formats required some additional time constraints.