Okay, I know that in February of 2009, all the tv stations are switching over to digital. And there won't be anymore analog signals. I understand this whole concept.

I know that on the tv's where I now have Directv, I don't need to do anything.

However, in one of my rooms, I have this lovely little analog tv (connected to a vcr), so when i wish, I can go in that room and just watch my tapes.

I really can't get any broadcasting with the rabbit ears on that little tv.

I have tried so get a better signal by using aluminum foil, and moving the antenna around, but actually it's all fuzzy, so I mainly use this to watch my vcr tapes.

I have applied for one of those coupons that they are offering so I can save on the new converter box. From what I udnerstand the converter box connects to the antenaa and tv and I can then get reception. Clear reception, right??

CAN I USE THIS BOX NOW?? Or is this box only for Feb of 2009. That's where I get confused. I've been to the sites and they really don't answer that particular question. I know that I can go to my nearby Radio Shack and buy one of those converter boxes.

I know that all tv stations broadcast in both analog and digital. I know this.

I'm talking RIGHT NOW, TOMORROW, if I went to Radio Shack, bought one of those converter thingees, hooked it up to my little analog tv set, well, WILL I THEN BE GETTING A NICE CLEAR PICTURE??

If this is so, that would be great. I don't have to worry about taping Boston Legal, or NCIS, because I can use the VCR that is connected to the little analog tv.

I only have vcrs, no tivo or anything like that. Alan and I tape everything, and we swap tapes. So for us, vcr's work just fine.

So is this converter box applicable for now, or are they applicable for 2009?

I hope somebody out there in computer land, who understand these things, well, that they know the answer to this one.

I priced the converter box at slightly over $40 bucks or so. And with the coupon, it will come out to $6.99 or so. So it's really cheap.

But I was on one of the sites and this is what confuses me.

It said:

IF YOU GET A GOOD ANALOG SIGNAL, THEN YOU'LL GET A GOOD PICTURE WITH THE CONVERTER BOX.

HOWEVER, IF YOU DON'T GET A GOOD ANALOG SIGNAL, AND YOU HAVE NO PICTURE (WHICH ESSENTIALLY IS WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE MOMENT), IT SAYS "YOU WON'T GET ANY PICTURE".

So what does all this mean?

Right now, I can't watch anything on the little tv with the rabbit ears.

Will I ever be able to?? And when??

Hope someone knows, and I thank you much.

Melody

It sounds like that last bit says it all -

[IF YOU GET A GOOD ANALOG SIGNAL, THEN YOU'LL GET A GOOD PICTURE WITH THE CONVERTER BOX.

HOWEVER, IF YOU DON'T GET A GOOD ANALOG SIGNAL, AND YOU HAVE NO PICTURE (WHICH ESSENTIALLY IS WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE MOMENT), IT SAYS "YOU WON'T GET ANY PICTURE".]

I suppose it you wanted to try the converter box - you could buy it and ask about being able to return it if you don't get a picture.

As I understand it the box just makes it so the new digital signal is can be picked up by the antenna and sent into the TV.
The digital signal must "travel" in the air in a similar way as the old analog signal. That must be why they say if no decent picture before digital, the box won't help get a better picture.

Yes they are broadcasting now - My aunt showed me her new TV {built in digital tuner} we saw all 4 OPB channels - before with antenna - got 1

Jo:

What is 4 OPB? Going to bed now, will check this forum tomorrow.

Thanks so much for responding.

Well, I'm till confused. Why do you have to have a clear analog picture to get a clear digital picture. It's two different signals.


From what they make it to be, they say "From Feb 2009, you won't be able to get any analog signals anymore, you'll get digital.

So why should you have to get a clear analog picture to get a clear digital picture?? I'm very confused. I'm also 60, maybe that's why??? lol

I have NEVER gotten any good reception with rabbit ears. That's why we got cable.

Now I have friends who have a little tv in their kitchens. Some of them get reception , some of them DO NOT GET RECEPTION.

They are the ones who asked me also "will this converter thingee work in my kitchen?"

Good Lord. Now we have to resort to posting questions on computer forums, just to find out MAYBE if we'll continue to get tv signals.

I think I'll move to MARS.

lol

Melody

OPB is Oregon's Public Broadcasting station - our version of PBS {public broadcasting station}.

with analog we only got one channel - now with digital we will get 4 channels of it. {10-1, 10-2, 10-3 etc}

I was hoping the signal thing would be like AM & PM radio signals-
one travels a same distance from the ground and the other goes in angles and bounces -- don't ask which is which cause it's a long time since I read about that...

I'm not really sure about the signal science part of the TV change.

But if you think about so many cell phones and wireless computer signals are flying around and they don't collide or interfere with each other - it has to be because of differing wavelengths or numbers.

I can't believe that!!!

I saw one today in a catalogue here in Ozzie Land at $189

I'm not happy about that! ..

Basically these digital converter boxes take digital signals and convert them so an analog tv can show them. As long as the analog tv has good reception for the analog signal, it will be able to use the digital converter box. In your case the digital converter box will most likely not work for your tv.

SEE??? That wasn't so hard!!!

Someone FINALLY EXPLAINED THE WHOLE THING TO ME.

AND I UNDERSTOOD IT!!!

Now here's another question.

Why don't I get a good analog signal using my rabbit ears. Everyone in my area did before the World Trade Center (because that's where the transmission came from (at least this is what we have been told).

then, after the World Trade Centers fell, no one around here got transmission, and everybody got cable or satelite.

So I'm just curious as to why some people are able to get a picture and some don't???

Thanks so much for your knowledge.

Melody