Shut down of analog broadcasting

[bluemando]

So I'm as ignorant as they comes w/ regards to airwaves etc. I know that analog TVs won't be receiving signals as of Feb. 19, 2009 or thereabouts. Does this have any effect on analog radio broadcasts? Stupid question probably, but I'd really like to know.

Thanks
Johern

 

[Johnd]

No. Just television. Don't through out that am transistor just yet!

 

[bluemando]

No. Just television. Don't through out that am transistor just yet!

Thanks John.... A friend called me the other day from my old hometown in Florida --I'm in MA now; Go Patriots!-- and (he) asked me to check the Internet for a Mini State 9000 antenna. I told him that maybe he should reconsider as analog TV was being phased out. Since then I heard that non-cable and Satellite users will be able to buy a box of some sort that will transform analog signals into digital, costing about $50. Do I have all my ducks in a row on this matter? I don't want to misinform him, as he's ready to pull the trigger on that antenna.

Thanks
Johern

 

[markw]

TV will still be broadcast on the same frequencies, only in a digital format.

Thanks John.... A friend called me the other day from my old hometown in Florida --I'm in MA now; Go Patriots!-- and (he) asked me to check the Internet for a Mini State 9000 antenna. I told him that maybe he should reconsider as analog TV was being phased out. Since then I heard that non-cable and Satellite users will be able to buy a box of some sort that will transform analog signals into digital, costing about $50. Do I have all my ducks in a row on this matter? I don't want to misinform him, as he's ready to pull the trigger on that antenna.

Thanks
Johern

Any antenna that works well now will work well after the analog lights go out. FM radio is unaffected by this.

It's the TV tuners that will need to change, not the antennas. The current NTSC (analog) tuners will lo longer work but many newer sets have the required ATSC (digital) tuner that's required for digital TV built in.

Older sets will require an external ATSC tuner or a cable/satellite box.

Trust me, If the antenna you recommend works well now, it'll work better with digital signals on an ATSC tuner. I'm currently receiving digital (and HD) broadcasts with tremendous quality on my Toshiba 32HL66 with a solid old RCA VHF/UHF/FM rooftop antenna that we installed in the early 70's.

Oh, it also serves well for my FM antenna and is being amplified. split and sent to three tuners and the Tosh TV as well.

 

[3db]

Any antenna that works well now will work well after the analog lights go out. FM radio is unaffected by this.

It's the TV tuners that will need to change, not the antennas. The current NTSC (analog) tuners will lo longer work but many newer sets have the required ATSC (digital) tuner that's required for digital TV built in.

Older sets will require an external ATSC tuner or a cable/satellite box.

Trust me, If the antenna you recommend works well now, it'll work better with digital signals on an ATSC tuner. I'm currently receiving digital (and HD) broadcasts with tremendous quality on my Toshiba 32HL66 with a solid old RCA VHF/UHF/FM rooftop antenna that we installed in the early 70's.

Oh, it also serves well for my FM antenna and is being amplified. split and sent to three tuners and the Tosh TV as well.

WOOHOO A legit excuse to get a new TV.

All my sets are analog but are connected via satelite/dish. I guess I may have to replace all of my receivers

 

[Halon451]

WOOHOO A legit excuse to get a new TV.

All my sets are analog but are connected via satelite/dish. I guess I may have to replace all of my receivers

No kidding - I might even be able to convince the missus that we need to upgrade to a new flat panel HDTV, even though in all honesty we won't be affected by the change because we're already subscribed to digital cable.

Now, the question is - would I be that sheisty? Would I prey upon her lack of knowledge to better my system? Oh, the moral dilemna...

 

[markw]

Maybe, maybe not.

WOOHOO A legit excuse to get a new TV.

All my sets are analog but are connected via satelite/dish. I guess I may have to replace all of my receivers

The need for ATSC (and HD) tuners only refer to receiving programing OTA, or via an antenna.

If you use satellite or cable, you don't need it. It's all handled in the external cable/satellite boxes they provide.

...but I won't tell your wife if you use it as an excuse for a new TV. We all stick together here. It's kinda like the "Guy Code".

 

[bluemando]

It's the TV tuners that will need to change, not the antennas.

My friend(s) are traveling musicians who live in a moble home. They pretty much put their "electronic money" into equipment that is used for their show. So basically they are happy with their old crt tv and have little interest in buying a "fancy smancy" new one. From what has been said here I gather that the rumor that there will be a way to convert digital signals to analog via some sort of conversion box is for-real, so there's no reason for panic. As for me, I'm thinking about getting a new tv just before the next (2009) Super Bowl )

Thanks
Johern

 

[markw]

It's tumored that converter boxes will be available for < $100

My friend(s) are traveling musicians who live in a moble home. They pretty much put their "electronic money" into equipment that is used for their show. So basically they are happy with their old crt tv and have little interest in buying a "fancy smancy" new one. From what has been said here I gather that the rumor that there will be a way to convert digital signals to analog via some sort of conversion box is for-real, so there's no reason for panic. As for me, I'm thinking about getting a new tv just before the next (2009) Super Bowl )

Thanks
Johern

Also the government is supposed to be issuing $40 coupons (two per family) for these babies. Keep yer eyes peeled.

But, all is not lost. I just got back from WalmArt (refilled my $4.00 perscriptions and got cat food) and checked out the TV section.

All TV's that had tuners built in, and this includes basic CRT's, advertise they are able to receive digital broadcasts and, yes, they work on today's analog broadcasts, too. Remember, these are not fancy HD sets, just yer basic 19 to 27 inch CRT's that start at under $200 or so, some with DVD and VHS players as well.

These lok lile they are perfect for the mobile crowd that doesn't really want HD or hivh cost.

 

[Halon451]

Also the government is supposed to be issuing $40 coupons (two per family) for these babies. Keep yer eyes peeled.

Interesting. I did not know that. I guess they had to figure out a way to force the transition somehow, noting that most of the opposition would come from lower income families. Something to sweeten the pot I presume.

 

[Soundman]

Also the government is supposed to be issuing $40 coupons (two per family) for these babies. Keep yer eyes peeled.

But, all is not lost. I just got back from WalmArt (refilled my $4.00 perscriptions and got cat food) and checked out the TV section.

All TV's that had tuners built in, and this includes basic CRT's, advertise they are able to receive digital broadcasts and, yes, they work on today's analog broadcasts, too. Remember, these are not fancy HD sets, just yer basic 19 to 27 inch CRT's that start at under $200 or so, some with DVD and VHS players as well.

These lok lile they are perfect for the mobile crowd that doesn't really want HD or hivh cost.

Yes, this is true. Most stores should have already phased out their old analog tv's so any new TV should work just fine.

 

[DD66000]

One thing I can see happening, after analog shuts down, is the loss of transmission, during bad winter weather.
Already, in my location, when a winter storm has come across the mountain top, that has most of the station antennas, all digital channels have been lost. But in most cases, the analog signals were still on.
So, after the analog gets shut off, and a winter storm hits, it will be quite possible that there won't be any signals at all while the storm is raging.