Benefits of Digital TV?

[Kelly A]

huh?
They are using the same frequencies for digital as analog (albeigh less channel options) so the same amplifier you used for analog will work for digital.

DTV reception requires a very flat bandpass across each 6Mhz channel. Multipath of any sort is very destructive to reception. Leaky cable, poor bandwidth of splitters or cable amplifiers will cause exactly what landtuna mentioned in his post. Also, having too much receive antenna gain too close to the TX site will cause what appears to be, low signal.

The 'signal strength' on the TV set up menu doesn't measure signal level, but signal quality.

 

[landtuna]

Incidentally, I'm now experiencing problems with KSAZ RF channel 10 and, at times, KPNX RF channel 12. My assumption is that the problem is not from the transmitter site, as I used to have no problems. Is my batwing antenna going bad? Is there a problem with the connections between my antenna, the splitter, and the two TVs? Is the splitter the problem? Is there some kind of unauthorized co-channel interference on the two channels? Again, I don't have any problem with my laptop setup.

12.1, 10.1 and 8.1 have always been an issue for me since the conversion. 10.1 was literally unwatchable immediately following the conversion then they fired up 10.2 (a UHF signal) and it was lots better. Recently they must have made other improvements in the primary signal because I don't have the terrible reception I used to have on 10.1. 10.2 seems to have better PQ now as well.

All the RF 8 stations used to be unwatchable but more recently not as bad. Intermittent now.

12 was unwatchable initially as well but very intermittent now.

 

[Kelly A]

You didn't read my post(s) very closely.

Any live TV watching now is usually done via smaller TV's with "bow tie" antennas locally attached. The Magnavox sees only occasional duty watching a local morning show on RF 10 (or 10.2 if 10.1 is having stomach problems) or the midday or evening news (if the wifey turns down her personal volume).

The fact that you can see channels reliably on a bow tie antenna leads to the chance that you may be using an external antenna with too much gain. Another thing to note: The 'Signal Level' in the setup menu has little to do with field strength reception, but signal quality. If you're receiving too many reflections from multipath, the signal level will appear as low, when it fact the receiver is being overloaded by too many signal reflections. Also, leaky cable can introduce multipath to the receiver, also seeming like a low signal.

 

[vchimpanzee]

The fact that you can see channels reliably on a bow tie antenna leads to the chance that you may be using an external antenna with too much gain. Another thing to note: The 'Signal Level' in the setup menu has little to do with field strength reception, but signal quality. If you're receiving too many reflections from multipath, the signal level will appear as low, when it fact the receiver is being overloaded by too many signal reflections. Also, leaky cable can introduce multipath to the receiver, also seeming like a low signal.

Can too much gain be a problem way out in the country? I think my problem is not enough, but I haven't had an outdoor antenna installed. Trees are likely to be a problem and this won't really be definite until the leaves are back out.

 

[KML0224]

Having just OTA TV is great for me up to 55-60 channels of variety programming to choose from and better picture than cable TV.

In Fall River, MA? You must be getting at least something from Boston/Worcester as well. I doubt you would've got ION from New London, CT, as their Montville, CT transmitter was moved well northwest to (Rattlesnake Mountain in) Farmington. It's now from the same site as Hartford/New Haven's CW, PBS Hartford, NBC and FOX affiliates (20, 24, 30 and 61, respectively).

 

[landtuna]

Having just OTA TV is great for me up to 55-60 channels of variety programming to choose from and better picture than cable TV.

I won't argue the PQ advantage because I saw the same thing. As long as the signal is locked in the PQ is great BUT that does depend upon what the station puts on its subnets.

In general my subnets are garbage because the station stuffs 4-5-6 signals on a single RF. The four primary stations usually broadcast one on the primary RF and 2 more on the subs (and at least one of those subs seems to be a weather loop which doesn't use a whole lot of bandwidth). In general though those subs are virtually useless unless you love programming from the 60's or 70's or religious or sales programming. There are a few movie services located on subnets but these broadcast an endless supply of the identical commercial or they broadcast in limited resolution (read: blurry) or less then full screen image. I wouldn't call any of these services valuable to the OTA watcher.

 

[centerfreqradio]

Thanks. I should also say that any well-made antenna should work for you. Get an antenna that would have worked well in the analog days. There is no such thing as a "digital antenna." The antenna doesn't care what kind of signal it picks up. If you see an antenna marketed as a digital antenna, you might want to leave it alone. An old Channel Master with a rotator and preamp, if necessary, will work just fine. It depends on your market, your stations and how far away they are, and your terrain.

Start here to determine what you need: https://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

Thanks Keith for the Antenna info..I'll check into it.....Cable is getting to expensive now with their raising the broadcast TV fees to $14.99 in my area...

 

[TVCOOL]

I get WGBH, WBZ, WCVB, WHDH, WBTS, WFXT, WSBK, WLVI, WGBX, WWJE, Ion Plus Boston, WUNI, and Ion Boston. Sometimes I pick up UniMas Boston but don't pick up WSBE.

 

[e-dawg]

Speaking of ATSC 1.0. If the US government switch to ISDB-T(JAPAN-Brazil-central-south America)/ DVB-T (Europe/Asia) /DTMB (China-Cuba) format like they use in other parts of the world. Will it be superior to the current ATSC format such as multi path and moving objects?