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Morgan Wick
Guest
I know the "HDTV transition" (everyone has to get an HD set) is a big one. Any others?
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How many misconceptions about the DTV transition can you think of?
Another is that cable or satellite TV subscribers still need to purchase a converter box to watch TV. Most cable subscribers can get along with the "analog" feed for at least a couple more years, while satellite subscribers already have a set-top box that does not need any add-ons. Satellite customers still might need the converter box to receive local channels (most likely if they want to watch one of the subchannels), but not the national networks.
From the DTV public service spots:
Misconception: By law, all TV has to be digital in 2009.
Truth: Only full-service stations are mandated to be digital by 2009.
Misconception: The reason for the law is because digital is so much better than analog.
Truth: More efficient use of spectrum, recovery of 18 channels for other uses, etc. The only thing I really know is that the law was NOT enacted because digital is so much better than analog.
With information like that being disseminated, it's no wonder people have no clue as to what the digital transition will bring.
Misconception: By law, all TV has to be digital in 2009.
Truth: Only full-service stations are mandated to be digital by 2009.
Misconception: The reason for the law is because digital is so much better than analog.
Truth: More efficient use of spectrum, recovery of 18 channels for other uses, etc. The only thing I really know is that the law was NOT enacted because digital is so much better than analog.
With information like that being disseminated, it's no wonder people have no clue as to what the digital transition will bring.
There is so much misinformation and misconceptions that it will be amazing if anyone is left with over the air reception.
On a more positive note, when people eventually see the high quality of the digital over-the-air signals, more selection than analog, and the price (free is good) then over-the-air can give satellite and cable a serious run for their money, literally.
And if the economy has a serious downturn, luxuries like cable and satellite television will be sacrificed.
On a more positive note, when people eventually see the high quality of the digital over-the-air signals, more selection than analog, and the price (free is good) then over-the-air can give satellite and cable a serious run for their money, literally.
And if the economy has a serious downturn, luxuries like cable and satellite television will be sacrificed.
Morgan Wick said:
Misconceptions among the general public, or among those involved in the industry?
(I think the other posters have handled the misconceptions among the general public.)
It seems pretty much everyone who has any connection with the industry is totally convinced all DTV is UHF.
(particularly frustrating when it includes those selling UHF-only antennas to DTV set-buyers. The NBC station I work for is on DTV channel 10, and on Transition Night the CBS and PBS stations in this market will also be moving to VHF...)
Y'know, I wonder... if low-band VHF is really as bad as everyone seems to think... or if the problem was just WBBM? I've heard lots of complaints out of Chicago but nary a one out of Cleveland (WKYC-2/NBC) or Rapid City. (KOTA-2/ABC)
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kenglish
Guest
1. The "Switch to HDTV" (even our station manager keeps saying it):
All full-power TV stations have to turn OFF their analog stations at midnight on 2-17-09. They only HAVE to carry one SDTV channel. Everything else is gravy. No one HAS to go HDTV.
2. "If you have Cable or satellite, you'll be fine":
If you have Cable or DBS, you'll still get exactly the same programming on 2-18-09, as you did the day before....no more, no less. But, although Cable has to provide the analog service of the PRIMARY channels of the locals for 3 more years, they can (and will) change everything else over to Digital, ASAP. So, why buy Basic Cable to get the same local channels (and, often, without the subchannels) that your Digital TV or STB can get free? And, in 3 years, you'll have to upgrade to Digital Cable anyway.
With DBS, many locals aren't even being carried. So, you won't get all of your locals. With a new TV or STB (and antenna), you'll get them all. Plus, DBS often needs upgrades of your dish, your wiring, and ALL of your receivers to get HD.
3. Stations are all running low-power, or "they won't broadcast HD until 2-17-09":
Most full-power analog stations are already operating a Digital companion channel, with most at, or near, full power operation. Some will "tweak" after February....raising their antenna to the top slot on the mast, optimizing their power, etc. Some will change channels. But, most stations are NOT still running low power, and most have been on the air for years.
4. "A UHF antenna is all you need":
Although the majority of DTV stations are UHF, many will operate on 7-13, and a few will be in 2-6. A UHF antenna is optimized for UHF channels, and may not function properly on VHF. Many will receive VHF High Band (7-13), but may not work well on-axis (that's why some folks who use antenna rotors swear they work. They are off-pointing the antenna for out of band channels). And, the UHF antenna may not present a proper impedence match at VHF frequencies, allowing reflections to propogate from the antenna end of the cable. This can cause extra multipath, which might be "just too much" for your tuner to correct.
I'll think of some more......
All full-power TV stations have to turn OFF their analog stations at midnight on 2-17-09. They only HAVE to carry one SDTV channel. Everything else is gravy. No one HAS to go HDTV.
2. "If you have Cable or satellite, you'll be fine":
If you have Cable or DBS, you'll still get exactly the same programming on 2-18-09, as you did the day before....no more, no less. But, although Cable has to provide the analog service of the PRIMARY channels of the locals for 3 more years, they can (and will) change everything else over to Digital, ASAP. So, why buy Basic Cable to get the same local channels (and, often, without the subchannels) that your Digital TV or STB can get free? And, in 3 years, you'll have to upgrade to Digital Cable anyway.
With DBS, many locals aren't even being carried. So, you won't get all of your locals. With a new TV or STB (and antenna), you'll get them all. Plus, DBS often needs upgrades of your dish, your wiring, and ALL of your receivers to get HD.
3. Stations are all running low-power, or "they won't broadcast HD until 2-17-09":
Most full-power analog stations are already operating a Digital companion channel, with most at, or near, full power operation. Some will "tweak" after February....raising their antenna to the top slot on the mast, optimizing their power, etc. Some will change channels. But, most stations are NOT still running low power, and most have been on the air for years.
4. "A UHF antenna is all you need":
Although the majority of DTV stations are UHF, many will operate on 7-13, and a few will be in 2-6. A UHF antenna is optimized for UHF channels, and may not function properly on VHF. Many will receive VHF High Band (7-13), but may not work well on-axis (that's why some folks who use antenna rotors swear they work. They are off-pointing the antenna for out of band channels). And, the UHF antenna may not present a proper impedence match at VHF frequencies, allowing reflections to propogate from the antenna end of the cable. This can cause extra multipath, which might be "just too much" for your tuner to correct.
I'll think of some more......
There is not just misconceptions...there is also outright fraud. From TV salesmen telling people they have to have a brand new HDTV to continue to recieve TV, to that Ohio company claiming to sell a DTV convertor for Free without a government coupon (if you buy an extended warranty for $99).
This transition will not be as smooth as it appears to me. Most of the problems will occur on February 18, 2009, after the analog signals have been shut off. The Wilmington test is coming up in a couple of months, and everyone needs to keep an eye out on the results.
This transition will not be as smooth as it appears to me. Most of the problems will occur on February 18, 2009, after the analog signals have been shut off. The Wilmington test is coming up in a couple of months, and everyone needs to keep an eye out on the results.
w9wi said:
From what I've heard, it's a definite maybe. The biggest problem plaguing WBBM DT-3 is apparently its lack of power, or so one engineer I talked with said. He pointed out that the station would not be allowed to operate at more than 4.4 kw of power. That's not enough to overcome the noise issues. He concluded that 100,000 watts on DT-3 would be incredible. There are a few stations in the low-VHF bands that will be operating at much higher power than what stations can use during the transition period, and it may help considerably. WMC-TV in Memphis will be operating at 43.5 kw, assuming they don't petition for another channel while WTVF in Nashville will operate at around 25 kw, both on channel 5. That may be enough power, especially for WMC-TV, to overcome the noise issue. Now, whether or not it will be enough to overcome the wavelength problem is still a question.
Probably the biggest misconception I've heard regarding this transition is the idea that it will go smoothly. Granted, the majority of the population uses cable and satellite. However, the last survey I saw still said a majority of the population was unaware of the transition or what it means. The fact that snake oil salesmen can convince people of all sorts of different things, like that they'll need a new TV of they'll get no reception, indicates awareness probably is pretty low.
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MotoMuzak
Guest
dhett mused~
"Misconception: The reason for the law is because digital is so much better than analog.
Truth: More efficient use of spectrum, recovery of 18 channels for other uses, etc. The only thing I really know is that the law was NOT enacted because digital is so much better than analog."
Dhett--
Did you know that there actually *is* a PSA ad circulating right now that specifically stated that misconception as somehow being the reason?
It starts out with various pictures of modern digital devices--a cell phone, an Apple I-Pod (or something like it) and a widescreen TV set. The lady announces "Did you notice how digital technology has made pretty much everything so much better...especially TV?" She then goes on to say that "digital technology has made TV so much better that it's required to be all digital by law next February, blah blah blah your regular TV won't work, blah blah blah, cable or satellite, blah blah blah blah....."
You can see it on Weather Plus; I think they show it at least 1,000 times a day........
"Misconception: The reason for the law is because digital is so much better than analog.
Truth: More efficient use of spectrum, recovery of 18 channels for other uses, etc. The only thing I really know is that the law was NOT enacted because digital is so much better than analog."
Dhett--
Did you know that there actually *is* a PSA ad circulating right now that specifically stated that misconception as somehow being the reason?
It starts out with various pictures of modern digital devices--a cell phone, an Apple I-Pod (or something like it) and a widescreen TV set. The lady announces "Did you notice how digital technology has made pretty much everything so much better...especially TV?" She then goes on to say that "digital technology has made TV so much better that it's required to be all digital by law next February, blah blah blah your regular TV won't work, blah blah blah, cable or satellite, blah blah blah blah....."
You can see it on Weather Plus; I think they show it at least 1,000 times a day........
I'd think that would depend on the market. Here in Charlotte, people who have converter boxes, or digital ready tvs already set up to recieve digital channels shouldn't have to do anything---all stations are up and running with their post-transition facilities, but in some other markets, a re-scan will probably be in order (save your instructions) since some stations will be changing channels/etc. So far, I've helped 4 people set up their digital converters, and in each case I've found their existing rabbit ear antennas were not adequate. I've shown them my silver sensor and advised them to get one similar to that--several have come back with new "rabbit ears" that also don't work. In each case, I've ended up ordering a silver sensor (at their expense) from amazon.com. In all cases, they have been delighted with the results---a fantastic picture, much better than they were getting in analog, and more channels (subchannels). We're about 25 to 35 miles from the various towers, so I imagine if you go much further out an outdoor antenna would be in order for most viewers, BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is being said about any of that---so I'D say people should start talking antennas, and places like Best Buy, RS, and Walmart should start stocking antennas which will actually work more than a few miles from the transmitters.e-dawg said:
Well they are using too many "if" like
"if you have cable you MAY not have to do anything."
The problem with this is cable and dish have a vested interest in keeping your business. They're not going to give any information freely that will cost them business.
As I noted on another thread, with my converter box, even with a silver sensor antenna, I went from 16 watchable channels to 3 channels two of which are heavily pixilated.
For me digital is a BAD thing. I can't put up an outside antenna so it's either move or get cable.
Yet when I went to a forum hosted by WCIU (Channel 26) they insisted EVERYONE who could get their signal could get it on digital as well. Well that isn't true and when I told them, they said "that can't be true." Well I get crystal clear WCIU and their two low power stations come in crystal clear. I can't get anything with their digital signal.
But again we won't really know till after digital transition about the problems. I just happen to be one of the unlucky ones in this transition but that's my problem.
The thing is the government clearly wants no stop to this transfer and is using these "if" words and such so that congress doesn't push back the date.
The other big "lie" is that the frequencies are needed for emergencies. Wrong, we could simply use cell phone frequencies." I mean what's more important more frequencies so rich people can buy even more cell phones to gab unnecessarily or to give free TV to people.
I'm not against the technology, I looked up the UHF problem from the archives of the Chicago Tribune, about requiring UHF on all TV sets. Tribune was staunchly against the requirement saying let the market decide. Of course the Trib owned a VHF stations and had a vested interested in seeing no more independent TV stations sign on.
"if you have cable you MAY not have to do anything."
The problem with this is cable and dish have a vested interest in keeping your business. They're not going to give any information freely that will cost them business.
As I noted on another thread, with my converter box, even with a silver sensor antenna, I went from 16 watchable channels to 3 channels two of which are heavily pixilated.
For me digital is a BAD thing. I can't put up an outside antenna so it's either move or get cable.
Yet when I went to a forum hosted by WCIU (Channel 26) they insisted EVERYONE who could get their signal could get it on digital as well. Well that isn't true and when I told them, they said "that can't be true." Well I get crystal clear WCIU and their two low power stations come in crystal clear. I can't get anything with their digital signal.
But again we won't really know till after digital transition about the problems. I just happen to be one of the unlucky ones in this transition but that's my problem.
The thing is the government clearly wants no stop to this transfer and is using these "if" words and such so that congress doesn't push back the date.
The other big "lie" is that the frequencies are needed for emergencies. Wrong, we could simply use cell phone frequencies." I mean what's more important more frequencies so rich people can buy even more cell phones to gab unnecessarily or to give free TV to people.
I'm not against the technology, I looked up the UHF problem from the archives of the Chicago Tribune, about requiring UHF on all TV sets. Tribune was staunchly against the requirement saying let the market decide. Of course the Trib owned a VHF stations and had a vested interested in seeing no more independent TV stations sign on.
M
MotoMuzak
Guest
:'o( Wooops....sorry, my bad........ :'o(
(Please don't "take me outside" and beat me up. I get way more than my fair share of that in a single moto at the bike races. ;o)
Mark--
"For me digital is a BAD thing. I can't put up an outside antenna so it's either move or get cable."
If you live in an apartment or condo, you could do like I did: go to Home Depot and buy a five-gallon plastic bucket, a bag of concrete mix and a length of fence post. Then go to Radio $hack and purchase an outdoor antenna and some mounting hardware.
Mix the concrete up according to the directions, fill the bucket up with it, put the piece of fence post in the middle of it and let the concrete dry, preferrably overnight. Then mount the antenna to the top of the post. Then set it on your balcony, wire it into your TV, converter box or stereo and enjoy. This gives you a sort-of "portable" outside antenna, kind of like the "satellite-dish-on-a-tripod" thing.
I am in a third-floor unit and I have a clear view of pretty much all the Portland transmitters directly to the south, as well as most of the satellites in orbit over the western half of the nation.....I think the Depot sells the posts in 6-foot lengths so you may want to either saw some of it off or leave it as it is, depending on your surroundings (hills, trees, mountains etc.) and how far you are from the transmitters. (That's the length I bought anyways; I then shortened it to four feet because of my location and to make it easier to manage.)
Kind of a "quick & dirty, D.I.Y. thing" but it works, especially if you live in a place where they won't let you physically mount antennae to the building like I do.
(Of course, you'll want to ask the landlord/manager first before putting the antenna out. Apartment managers sometimes can be really, really picky about that kind of stuff......)
(Please don't "take me outside" and beat me up. I get way more than my fair share of that in a single moto at the bike races. ;o)
Mark--
"For me digital is a BAD thing. I can't put up an outside antenna so it's either move or get cable."
If you live in an apartment or condo, you could do like I did: go to Home Depot and buy a five-gallon plastic bucket, a bag of concrete mix and a length of fence post. Then go to Radio $hack and purchase an outdoor antenna and some mounting hardware.
Mix the concrete up according to the directions, fill the bucket up with it, put the piece of fence post in the middle of it and let the concrete dry, preferrably overnight. Then mount the antenna to the top of the post. Then set it on your balcony, wire it into your TV, converter box or stereo and enjoy. This gives you a sort-of "portable" outside antenna, kind of like the "satellite-dish-on-a-tripod" thing.
I am in a third-floor unit and I have a clear view of pretty much all the Portland transmitters directly to the south, as well as most of the satellites in orbit over the western half of the nation.....I think the Depot sells the posts in 6-foot lengths so you may want to either saw some of it off or leave it as it is, depending on your surroundings (hills, trees, mountains etc.) and how far you are from the transmitters. (That's the length I bought anyways; I then shortened it to four feet because of my location and to make it easier to manage.)
Kind of a "quick & dirty, D.I.Y. thing" but it works, especially if you live in a place where they won't let you physically mount antennae to the building like I do.
(Of course, you'll want to ask the landlord/manager first before putting the antenna out. Apartment managers sometimes can be really, really picky about that kind of stuff......)
Myth: Digital TV has better picture quality
Reality: It does if the channel being transmitted is in high definition, or if you've previously suffered from bad multipath distortion - but a "bit-starved" digital channel can actually look WORSE than a good analog signal.
Myth: You need a special antenna for DTV, or there ARE special "HD-ready" antennas
Reality: Complete tosh. Analog, digital, or trigital, an antenna cut for a certain set of frequencies will receive whatever is transmitted on them. And the frequencies used for digital are largely the same as analog, except channels 51-69 will no longer be utilized for any TV (except if some LPTVs will get special permission?) and digital transmissions on 2-6 will be rare.
Myth: Your analog TV won't receive digital signals; you'll need a new "digital" TV.
Reality: As long as your TV has composite jacks, or even if it doesn't (and you have an RF modulator), you'll be able to watch digital TV with a cheap converter box, as long as you're in the range.
Reality: It does if the channel being transmitted is in high definition, or if you've previously suffered from bad multipath distortion - but a "bit-starved" digital channel can actually look WORSE than a good analog signal.
Myth: You need a special antenna for DTV, or there ARE special "HD-ready" antennas
Reality: Complete tosh. Analog, digital, or trigital, an antenna cut for a certain set of frequencies will receive whatever is transmitted on them. And the frequencies used for digital are largely the same as analog, except channels 51-69 will no longer be utilized for any TV (except if some LPTVs will get special permission?) and digital transmissions on 2-6 will be rare.
Myth: Your analog TV won't receive digital signals; you'll need a new "digital" TV.
Reality: As long as your TV has composite jacks, or even if it doesn't (and you have an RF modulator), you'll be able to watch digital TV with a cheap converter box, as long as you're in the range.
w9wi said:
You haven't heard anything from Cleveland? Go check out the Cleveland thread on AVS, look around. A good number of people just gave up on WKYC. Haven't heard anything out of KOTA, but I can tell you from my own reading that:
WBBM is horrible.
WWMT is horrible.
WKYC is horrible.
WSKY is horrible.
And first-hand, WBRA-DT is horrible. All of those are moving off of low-VHF (WBRA recently filed an app to move off channel 3).
Fact is, the electrical noise from vacuums, blenders, shredders, etc trashes low-VHF. E-skip trashes low-VHF. Lightning DESTROYS low-VHF (breaks up every time lightning strikes anywhere between you and the transmitter). Every little thing damages low-VHF.
That is not a misconception, I promise you.
- Trip
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