DTV transition: Smooth going for most

The transition to digital TV has been relatively tranquil.
[ Photo courtesy of woodleywonderworks. ]

Despite some trepidation about how the shut-off of analog TV broadcasts would go, by most accounts the switch to all-digital over-the-air TV broadcasts went fairly smoothly, with no widespread outages reported.

There also appeared to be ample supplies of DTV converters for last-minute shoppers, although the FCC did report that there were some shortages of antennas. It’s recommended that you shop online if you can’t find a converter box or antenna at a local retailer.

Make sure to rescan channels
The FCC, which monitored the DTV switch by 971 full-power stations last Friday, said it received more than 315,000 calls to its toll-free help lines. The most calls came from the Chicago area, followed by Dallas-Ft. Worth, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore markets.

Of those calls, almost 30 percent had to do with digital converter boxes; the FCC reported that most issues were resolved simply by having the callers re-scan their converter-box tuners to receive stations that had moved to new frequencies.

So if you’re still having any problems, try rescanning the channels; also, some stations will be upping the power of their broadcasts, so you might get a channel you previously couldn’t. If problems persist, you can still call the toll-free help line, 1-888-CALL-FCC, or visit the DTV website for more information.

Also, note that 118 stations have agreed to maintain analog “nightlight” broadcasts for up to 30 days after the transition. These stations will continue to broadcast emergency and DTV transition information via analog signals in the evening for those who haven’t been able to successfully make the jump to digital. Here's a list [PDF] of the nightlight stations.

The FCC said it is still continuing some grassroots efforts—both walk-in centers and door-to-door campaigns manned by volunteers from the FCC and others groups, such as AmeriCorps—to ensure no one is left behind. Call the FCC hotline to see where you can find help. And if you still need to get a DTV converter box, there’s still time to apply for a $40 coupon (two per household) to offset the cost of a box. You can either call the FCC hotline, or visit the DTV website.

How did it go for you?
If you’re among those who receive their TV signals via over-the-air broadcasts, we’d like to hear how the transition went for you. So drop us a note and let us know about your experience: did the jump go smoothly with no problems, have a few hiccups that have been resolved, or was it a complete nightmare you’re still trying to unravel? We’d like to hear your story. —James K. Willcox

Comments

[everett whitney]

Gene -05 Aug - "No TV w/o Converters..?"

Somewhere, I 'offered' a reply same day?

There are "aMANY" different means of "seeing Today's TV !

One is to go to:

www.tivo.com

and, look for their daily Web Specials! Been around for a decade(+) - actually, they began this whole concept of recording onto a hard drive! Usually begin @ $179 / $199 for O.T.A..

Another IS to realize that 100% MUST eventually buy at least ONE, proper, Brand Name TOP Tier HDTV and SOON!....

Connect it to an appropriate Outside Antenna System w/ Quad RG-6 coax and you WILL see / receive all (8) of the national networks in superb, excellent picture quality O.T.A.-free HD!

Yet another { if in an environment wherein No Outside Antenna w/o a Court Battle ?} is to buy / get / insist upon the very least, all new, limited channel local cable -[ours w/ COX has 22 for exactly $11/ monthly]- BUT - we also DO get all of those 8 national networks via the internal "QAM" tuner now on all Top Tier HDTVs!
AND - never a set top of any sort nor any added fee!

everett

[everett whitney]

.. GENE ..

FORGOT -- the most important part of limited channel cable IS that ours (COX) is exactly $11/month! And, with our Sony TV, we also get (8) national networks in 'HD" for ZERO added fee!

PLUS - NO set top box / no federal coupon Converter, either .... just Perfect reception, free maintenance!

everett

[everett whitney]

TO: Gene - "Only Way To See TV ..."

NOT-AT-ALL-TRUE !

It's has been posted herein Many Times that federal coupon Converters are ONLY a short, very temporary means of getting a little while more out of a picture tube set! Never meant to be a permanent "FIX!"

All that wish to watch DTV will have to buy eventually at least ONE HDTV from the Top Tier Brands - - certainly, never any of these terrible, "Disposable / Throwaway"sets, either.

ALL now have an internal "DTV" tuner - a.k.a. "ATSC" - - - with that PLUS an inexpensive, very plain Outside Antenna - one DOES see all (8) of the national networks in 'HD" at ZERO charge!

IF an antenna is not-in-the-works, simply DO get the very cheapest-possible, all-new, limited channel cable . . . again, ALL new Top Brands have inside a "QAM" tuner which will also let the TV get those same (8) national networks in 'HD" for ZERO added monies plus never any set top cable box! Better for those unable to crawl around on top of the Roof!

There IS great TV w/o federal coupon Converters!

everett

[Gene]

I've been researching DTV converters. There doesn't seem to be one that actually works reliably. Many seem to be manufactured solely to cash in on the gov refund, and are pure junk.

Reminds me of cell phones, which took 15 years of development after they were commercially introduced to actually work dependably.

But such a lag is intolerable when this is the only way to receive TV.

[polly]

this whole thing is crap. I tried different atenna's with all different results. I get cbs then I don't. I get abc then I do n't. I cant't be tthe only one going crazy. why isn't anyone else going crazy. Why aren't we hearing about this on the news?

[everett whitney]

Frustrated: "We're trying Indoor antennas first..."

That's NEVER going to provide for 100% reliable, In-All-Seasons & Weather DTV Reception, in my experiences!

Summer Foliage, extremes in weather - including Temperature swings and / or Very Heavy rain - and so on WILL each bring about Constant "fiddling about!" I, as well, have read their statement re: "start w/ Indoor first" and never will understand why?

To need to change the physical location of indoor antennas, wiggle the elements, or otherwise go thru gyrations each & every time one changes the channel or has a weather change IS utter maddening nonsense, IMO!

One only uses O.T.A.-DTV to avoid the very high monthly costs of full-featured local cable HD service - so - to spend (1) - (2) - (3) months' equivalent having an appropriate antenna system installed is NOT a foolish endeavor or expense, seems to me.

"IF" you might have any possibilities whatever, seriously consider trying a Channel Master # 5646 "combo" antenna for markets transmitting in both VHF + UHF - it is under $30 + shipping (no tax except NY + KY) at www.solidsignal.com.

Mount this inside your attic, above the garage or anyplace there's the needed clearance.

For TV Markets that use strictly / only UHF Band, another excellent solution for Attic antennas IS the DB-4. Ours DID work & I've installed others that have for extremely-close distances as well. These by their nature are Much "smaller" / more compact & DO go into crawl spaces even!

everett

[Frustrated]

Follow-up: We're trying indoor antennae as a first step, as recommended by Consumer Reports. They're both UHF/VHF (no splitters). We're now had some success in getting better reception on PBS (channels 8 and 30) and NBC (11) by adjusting the antennae, but we still have some pixelating. All of these channels are pretty close to our in-town location; NBC, which is the worst, broadcasts from less than four miles away.

So, couple of questions:
1. Would adding an inexpensive amplifier be worth trying? We live less than a mile from a couple of big transmission towers, probably for FOX and CBS. We get those stations, and I'm wondering if an amplifier would interfere with that (solving one problem, causing another) or whether it's worth trying.
2. Any idea if an indoor digital flat antenna might provide better reception?

Thanks for any insights.

Footnote to fellow-poster Mike: You're right, the earth still circles the sun. I'm grateful for that, because even we Luddites emerge from the rocks and enjoy the sunshine once in a while. And if I can't clear up these transmission problems, that may be more often in the future — the silver lining, perhaps.

[everett whitney]

TO: Tammy - "Where are my Channels?"

"IF" this link is live, it shows all your available channels (cross the fingers) . . .

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Stations.aspx

Now, get rid of any {indoor, special HD , amplified ...} unit. Return it for a full refund, please, as it IS completely inappropriate for your Home!

Needed IS a very high gain "Combo" - - a.k.a. VHF / UHF - - antenna unit, mounted STRICTLY outside atop your roof ridge plus a modest mast.

www.solidsignal.com

(1) which "might" be adequate w/b the Channel Master # 5646.

Connect that with a single length of Quad RG-6 Coax directly from that antenna connection to the "RF" input.

www.monoprice.com has this in 50'w/ prepared compression terminals under $8.

All your TV Towers are sufficiently-close so as to NOT need any Rotor assembly.

Good viewing!

everett

[Tammy]

Frustrated - we just set up our box and antenna and are having the exact same problem as you. Zero NBC, no PBS, and CBS is sketchy. We live in Conyers - 25 miles east of Atlanta.

[Mike]

The transition came and went. The Earth is still revolving around the sun, the ATM's still work, and the US taxpayer is still on the hook for an obscene amount of money wasted by politicians to buy the votes of the few Luddites crouching under their rocks.

Move on... there's nothing left to kvetch about.

[everett whitney]

FRUSTRATED - " PBS + NBC too weak.."

After checking on 'FCC" broadcasting Maps, the two stations - 'WPBA @ 30.1' plus WXIA @ 11.1'
are NOT at fault.

With due respect, it must be your outside antenna system, instead.

Is it as high as possible, preferably mounted along the ridge as well as atop a 6'- 8' long mast ?

Is it connected via a Quad RG-6 Coax, without ANY splices, directly from the antenna to the input terminal of the Converter?

Heaven Forbid that you are attempting to utilize any sort of " Special HD Amplified SUPER" indoor model?

everett

[gshall]

I live in a rural area on the US-Canadian border, and the nearest US stations are over some hills from me, while the big-city US stations are fairly far away. I receive TV over the air, but had already bought a digital TV. I no longer receive any US stations at all. Probably wouldn't with a rooftop antenna, either, so, farewell to the networks from us.

[Frustrated]

The picture quality for stations we do get with digital is excellent, but here's our big complaint (and it is a BIG complaint:

Although we live in the middle of Atlanta (hardly an isolated area), the converter boxes and UHF/VHF antennae are properly installed, and we rescanned channels as instructed, we can no longer reliably get PBS channels (there are two in our area, one 10 minutes from our home). Sometimes the signals are there, sometimes they're not, sometimes they break up. Taxpayers support PBS to the tune of $400 million a year (according to its Web site), but this government-required transition is costing us reliable access to these channels. I called both stations and was told by one engineer that PBS in this area was allotted weaker frequencies/signals than commercial stations.

We're also not able to get one of the major networks (NBC); its signal is virtually nonexistent. And once in a while we lose CBS. We do get reception on other stations.

We've also lost the use of a five-inch B&W battery-operated TV we used in the kitchen to monitor news while cooking, and during emergencies such as tornado watches/power outages. Replacement cost for a small digital model? About $200.