who likes channel 55 the tube

[jasondm4]

i think theve been doing pretty good lately when it comes to programing as far as there transmitter goes thats a different story. I just added local channels to my dish network programking so its nice and clear now. I really enjoy watching Matlock / Magnum P.I / Rockford Files and americas funniest home videos.

 

[jras20]

i think theve been doing pretty good lately when it comes to programing as far as there transmitter goes thats a different story. I just added local channels to my dish network programking so its nice and clear now. I really enjoy watching Matlock / Magnum P.I / Rockford Files and americas funniest home videos.

I'm wondering how can I get UHF channels better out in Lavaca county? I know I can get 2 8 11 and 13 but nothing beyond that. I dont understand it. I'd like to be able to get those channels also.

 

[stevenNOLA]

i think theve been doing pretty good lately when it comes to programing as far as there transmitter goes thats a different story. I just added local channels to my dish network programking so its nice and clear now. I really enjoy watching Matlock / Magnum P.I / Rockford Files and americas funniest home videos.

I'm wondering how can I get UHF channels better out in Lavaca county? I know I can get 2 8 11 and 13 but nothing beyond that. I dont understand it. I'd like to be able to get those channels also.

Try a Channelmaster 4228. If it doesn't receive the UHF channels, probably nothing will.

 

[gbranch]

The gain of the 4228 drops off pretty significantly above about channel 50. It's design is really targeted at UHF digitals, which are all below 50. There is a mod that I have seen that entails snipping off a bit of each bay, which increases the gain on the upper channels and decreases on the lower channels. I know that my 4228 does a horrible job on analog 56 and 58.

At channel 55, a long yagi like the now obsolete Rat Shack U-120 would probably be a better choice.

 

[jras20]

I'm aprox. 84 miles from the Houston Radio & TV towers, Thats probably pushing it with any UHF antenna?

 

[stevenNOLA]

If you are trying to receive the Missouri City stations, you should have no problem. 55's analog tower is in Splendora, on the same stick as 1069 the Point's and has a crappy signal, even in Houston. I doubt it you will receive it since you live >100 miles away. KTBU's digital transmitter is in Missouri City (with most others) and is on channel 42. You will have better luck with it if you decide to get a digital receiver. I have one and can't watch analog tv anymore.

Steven

 

[ChuckTiller]

I'm glad you can afford it. I cannot.

 

[jras20]

I'm glad you can afford it. I cannot.

I dont even plan on upgrading my analog TV's to HDTV. Much less buy a new one.

 

[CW]

The gain of the 4228 drops off pretty significantly above about channel 50. It's design is really targeted at UHF digitals, which are all below 50. There is a mod that I have seen that entails snipping off a bit of each bay, which increases the gain on the upper channels and decreases on the lower channels. I know that my 4228 does a horrible job on analog 56 and 58.

At channel 55, a long yagi like the now obsolete Rat Shack U-120 would probably be a better choice.

Ahh where do you get the info that "all digitals are below 50"?? That is incorrect...
KBMT in Beaumont is on 50 with their DTV....I know of a few in Dallas also....
There will be 50 and 51 left after the 700MHz band change over to public safety two way use...any antenna that has gain at 49 will still show gain at 51...its only 12 MHz higher....and an UHF antenna doesnt drop off that fast!!
Now difference between 20 and 50? Yes, I can see that...but if it has decent gain at TV 47-49, it WILL work fine at 50 and 51.
Jras, as for your question, yes, 84 miles will be pushing it for UHF digital....In digital, its either there or its NOT....analog, you can get snowy....but digital must be above the threshold or you wont see anything.

Chuck, Walmart now has the 32 in Polaroid HDTV WITH built in DVD for less than $700....AND one antenna connector!!!
I paid $300 more for mine over a year ago with NO DVD and two antenna inputs (one analog, one digital).......In a year you will WANT to buy an HD.......the picture and surround sound is fantastic!!! (watching golf or another outdoor show on HD really shows you the colors and details....especially you can see sweat on a cheerleader's...

 

[CW]

i think theve been doing pretty good lately when it comes to programing as far as there transmitter goes thats a different story. I just added local channels to my dish network programking so its nice and clear now. I really enjoy watching Matlock / Magnum P.I / Rockford Files and americas funniest home videos.

I'm wondering how can I get UHF channels better out in Lavaca county? I know I can get 2 8 11 and 13 but nothing beyond that. I dont understand it. I'd like to be able to get those channels also.

Is your TV antenna made for UHF reception??? Also you may need a preamp or better cable depending on loss/length. You should be able to pick up most of the analog UHFs ok (maybe noisy) since you can get the Vs ok...check your TV and make sure there is no separate antenna input for UHF as well.

 

[stevenNOLA]

The gain of the 4228 drops off pretty significantly above about channel 50. It's design is really targeted at UHF digitals, which are all below 50. There is a mod that I have seen that entails snipping off a bit of each bay, which increases the gain on the upper channels and decreases on the lower channels. I know that my 4228 does a horrible job on analog 56 and 58.

At channel 55, a long yagi like the now obsolete Rat Shack U-120 would probably be a better choice.

Ahh where do you get the info that "all digitals are below 50"?? That is incorrect...
KBMT in Beaumont is on 50 with their DTV....I know of a few in Dallas also....
There will be 50 and 51 left after the 700MHz band change over to public safety two way use...any antenna that has gain at 49 will still show gain at 51...its only 12 MHz higher....and an UHF antenna doesnt drop off that fast!!
Now difference between 20 and 50? Yes, I can see that...but if it has decent gain at TV 47-49, it WILL work fine at 50 and 51.
Jras, as for your question, yes, 84 miles will be pushing it for UHF digital....In digital, its either there or its NOT....analog, you can get snowy....but digital must be above the threshold or you wont see anything.

Chuck, Walmart now has the 32 in Polaroid HDTV WITH built in DVD for less than $700....AND one antenna connector!!!
I paid $300 more for mine over a year ago with NO DVD and two antenna inputs (one analog, one digital).......In a year you will WANT to buy an HD.......the picture and surround sound is fantastic!!! (watching golf or another outdoor show on HD really shows you the colors and details....especially you can see sweat on a cheerleader's...

Chuck, digital TVs are very inexpensive. They don't have to be HD to enjoy the reception quality. They only need to have a digital tuner.
For example, Best Buy has tube TVs with digital tuners starting at $99 for a Dynex 13" and a 24" for only $159.


Greg, KLFY-DT Lafayette LA is on 56. A channelmaster 3021 with no amplifier at 45 miles (in my mother's attic) works perfectly.

 

[TexasTom]

I'm glad you can afford it. I cannot.

Digital televisions are not that expensive anymore. There are several smallish (14" to 24") standard definition digital televisions available for under $200. That might or might not fit your budget, but it is a surprise to many folks who assume that the relatively expensive flat panels advertised in the Sunday advertising fliers are the only televisions that will work with digital broadcasts.

 

[jras20]

The gain of the 4228 drops off pretty significantly above about channel 50. It's design is really targeted at UHF digitals, which are all below 50. There is a mod that I have seen that entails snipping off a bit of each bay, which increases the gain on the upper channels and decreases on the lower channels. I know that my 4228 does a horrible job on analog 56 and 58.

At channel 55, a long yagi like the now obsolete Rat Shack U-120 would probably be a better choice.

Ahh where do you get the info that "all digitals are below 50"?? That is incorrect...
KBMT in Beaumont is on 50 with their DTV....I know of a few in Dallas also....
There will be 50 and 51 left after the 700MHz band change over to public safety two way use...any antenna that has gain at 49 will still show gain at 51...its only 12 MHz higher....and an UHF antenna doesnt drop off that fast!!
Now difference between 20 and 50? Yes, I can see that...but if it has decent gain at TV 47-49, it WILL work fine at 50 and 51.
Jras, as for your question, yes, 84 miles will be pushing it for UHF digital....In digital, its either there or its NOT....analog, you can get snowy....but digital must be above the threshold or you wont see anything.

Chuck, Walmart now has the 32 in Polaroid HDTV WITH built in DVD for less than $700....AND one antenna connector!!!
I paid $300 more for mine over a year ago with NO DVD and two antenna inputs (one analog, one digital).......In a year you will WANT to buy an HD.......the picture and surround sound is fantastic!!! (watching golf or another outdoor show on HD really shows you the colors and details....especially you can see sweat on a cheerleader's...

So I guess when analog TV dies I wont be able to get nothing with my antenna? I got the secound strongest Winegard HD TV Antenna thats about 20 feet up in the air.

 

[stevenNOLA]

The gain of the 4228 drops off pretty significantly above about channel 50. It's design is really targeted at UHF digitals, which are all below 50. There is a mod that I have seen that entails snipping off a bit of each bay, which increases the gain on the upper channels and decreases on the lower channels. I know that my 4228 does a horrible job on analog 56 and 58.

At channel 55, a long yagi like the now obsolete Rat Shack U-120 would probably be a better choice.

Ahh where do you get the info that "all digitals are below 50"?? That is incorrect...
KBMT in Beaumont is on 50 with their DTV....I know of a few in Dallas also....
There will be 50 and 51 left after the 700MHz band change over to public safety two way use...any antenna that has gain at 49 will still show gain at 51...its only 12 MHz higher....and an UHF antenna doesnt drop off that fast!!
Now difference between 20 and 50? Yes, I can see that...but if it has decent gain at TV 47-49, it WILL work fine at 50 and 51.
Jras, as for your question, yes, 84 miles will be pushing it for UHF digital....In digital, its either there or its NOT....analog, you can get snowy....but digital must be above the threshold or you wont see anything.

Chuck, Walmart now has the 32 in Polaroid HDTV WITH built in DVD for less than $700....AND one antenna connector!!!
I paid $300 more for mine over a year ago with NO DVD and two antenna inputs (one analog, one digital).......In a year you will WANT to buy an HD.......the picture and surround sound is fantastic!!! (watching golf or another outdoor show on HD really shows you the colors and details....especially you can see sweat on a cheerleader's...

So I guess when analog TV dies I wont be able to get nothing with my antenna? I got the secound strongest Winegard HD TV Antenna thats about 20 feet up in the air.

Your television will receive no television stations except for low-power stations (if any in your area). If I remember correctly, they are not required to be digital only when full-powered stations must be digital only in 2009.

 

[ChuckTiller]

Allow me to explain. I have 2-32 inch televisions, 3-25inch televisions, 1-20inch and a very old 12 inch B&W Kmart TV from 1989, which has a great picture. In fact all of them have great pictures. I am not in a position to replace all of those.

I don't have to be sold on HD. I've seen them, I like them. However, there is a lot of life left in the TVs I have. I intend on using them as long as I can. I don't appreciate being forced to change. Even if the cost was $200 each, that would cost me $1200 to replace the ones I have. At $300, it would be $1800.It might as well be $18,000.

 

[jras20]

I feel the same way. I have a 27" flat screen analog TV which works great, exellent Picture with my outdoor antenna. & direct TV. I have a 20" TV and a TV tuner card on my computer. I guess plus 2 other 25" tv's in the living room. I guess all of those TV's will be trashed? I'm not buying a 200$ converter right now. I got HD Radio, but I'm about to go back to analog because it drops out to much right now. I'm a little diffrent I'm not that impressed with the new HDTV's I think mine has a better picture then they do. My HD Radio sounds great, when it picks up the HD signal.

 

[stevenNOLA]

Jras, I have one of these USB TV tuners for my notebook...works quite well. You can find it for a little less on other websites.

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/PCTV+Tuners/PCTV+Analog_Digital+PVR/PCTV+HD+Pro+Stick

 

[jras20]

So what will happen to the regular analog channels, will those transfer over to HD when they kill analog? or will the VHF no longer be around? If thats the case I wont be able to get anything any more even with a HD Tuner.

 

[jd]

So what will happen to the regular analog channels, will those transfer over to HD when they kill analog? or will the VHF no longer be around? If thats the case I wont be able to get anything any more even with a HD Tuner.

Yes, you will. With a good antenna you should be able to get all the full-power stations you get now, but in almost every case they won't be transmitting on the same channel where you're accustomed to seeing them. When the "big switch" happens the stations aren't going away; the channels some of them are currently on (upper UHF above 52) are going away. Because those channels are being reallocated for public safety and other uses, the existing stations had to find other places to go with their digital signals. And since UHF is preferred over VHF (especially channels 2 though 6) for digital broadcasting because it's less susceptible to "skip," many current VHF stations elected to switch to UHF channels. As mentioned earlier, low-power stations and translators are being given extra time to make the switch to digital-only, so you would still be able to receive them for a while with an analog TV.

You can get a lot of info on the FCC website: www.dtv.gov/DTV_booklet.pdf It should answer some of your questions about the coming conversion from analog to digital TV broadcasting. Also check around for HDTV forums on the web; you can even find some message boards which discuss local topics.

 

[jras20]

So what will happen to the regular analog channels, will those transfer over to HD when they kill analog? or will the VHF no longer be around? If thats the case I wont be able to get anything any more even with a HD Tuner.

Yes, you will. With a good antenna you should be able to get all the full-power stations you get now, but in almost every case they won't be transmitting on the same channel where you're accustomed to seeing them. When the "big switch" happens the stations aren't going away; the channels some of them are currently on (upper UHF above 52) are going away. Because those channels are being reallocated for public safety and other uses, the existing stations had to find other places to go with their digital signals. And since UHF is preferred over VHF (especially channels 2 though 6) for digital broadcasting because it's less susceptible to "skip," many current VHF stations elected to switch to UHF channels. As mentioned earlier, low-power stations and translators are being given extra time to make the switch to digital-only, so you would still be able to receive them for a while with an analog TV.

You can get a lot of info on the FCC website: www.dtv.gov/DTV_booklet.pdf It should answer some of your questions about the coming conversion from analog to digital TV broadcasting. Also check around for HDTV forums on the web; you can even find some message boards which discuss local topics.

Thanks for the info JD, I downloaded the booklet I'll check it out later.