DTV Q&A

With a converter box do we need a special antena.

Thank you, Chuck

You do not need any special "digital DTV" antenna. You will need a good outdoor antenna (preferably on a rotator) hooked up to the converter box. Indoor "rabbit ear" antennas are not recommended due to poor design and reception capabilities. Hope this helps & good luck!

I couldn't get through the phone line so I am e-mailing my questions. 

1.  Will all old antennae and rabbit ears work on the converter box and old tv's?  I have heard some antennae may not work.  Our antenna is over 30 years old.  How do you know before 2-17-09 if your antenna will work? 

2.  We have a vcr/dvd combo.  Will it work on the new digital tv or the old analog tv?  It doesn't have the capability to know 3.1 or 3.2 channels etc when you set the channels to record.  We have both digital and analog tvs. 

If the vcr won't work will we be able to play the dvd player?  Now we set the tv to channel 3 to play the vcr combo.  Will channel 3 be gone to record and to play recorded tapes? 

I have all my home movies transferred to dvd and would hate not being able to play them or not being able to transfer my new movies to dvd after 2-17-09.

3.  We have satellite now but not local channels.  Would the converter box be the first thing the antenna goes to or to the satellite receiver box, then to the vcr, then to the tv?

4.   When you use the converter box what will the channel numbers be?  Channel 3 or channel 3.1, etc.? 

Hope you can decifer my questions.   

Thanks, Janice

1. The condition of the antenna is probably more important than how old it is...as long as it is in good shape and of reasonable size, it should work fine. You'd probably want to replace the "lead in cable" (the wire that goes from the antenna to the TV) if it is that old however as it is probably pretty rotted by this time. "Rabbit ear" type antennas are not recommended to be used because of poor design and marginal signal receiving capabilities (at best.)  The best thing to do to see if the antenna will be adequate, is to inspect, change out the lead-in and hook it up to see what you can get . . . keep in mind that Channel 3 is difficult to get over the air without a good antenna. Good news is that we will be moving to a different (and much easier to receive channel) on the day of conversion. You (and your converter/set) will still find the signal at channel 3 though, only with greatly improved quality and reception.

2. Your combo machine should work fine if you install a digital converter box AHEAD of it coming off the antenna. The converter box would then treat the combo unit as any other analog TV, as it converts the digital signals back to something the tuner in your combo unit will "recognize."  You will still be able to play back both your VCR tapes and DVD's using the combo unit as you always have done.

3. That depends on the satellite receiver box you have...most of them have a connection of an off-air antenna. If that is the case, you would connect the antenna to the digital converter box first, then feed the output of the converter to the antenna input of the satellite receiver then onto the VCR, TV etc. as you do now.

4. The channel numbers you see would depend on the box you have . . . you probably just see a single number to keep things simple.

Hope this helps and good luck! This is going to be interesting . . .

I've always recorded my soap opera on a TV with an attic antenna.   If I have that converter box connected to my TV, will I still be able to record my soap on my VHS tape?  Thanks  Phyllis

Yes, you'll still be able to use your VCR as long as it "follows" the converter box (the converter will feed the VCR as if it were a TV set.) Hope this helps...good luck!

I have my convert box and have hooked it up and on unhooked it  a few time and get channel 8, 41, 17,  and a few others but cannot get channel 3 at all.  I live in Grand Junction MI.  So I'm a not ever going to get channel 3

This is likely signal/antenna problem. You need to be using a good outdoor antenna...the Channel 3 signal is difficult to receive with anything else i.e., "indoor rabbit ear type antenna."  There is good news though...when the conversion happens, we will be moving to a different channel for our digital transmission . . . the change will be pretty much transparent to you...you'll still find our station at channel three, the biggest change will be that reception difficulties will be greatly reduced. Likely, you won't have any further difficulties then . . .

I listen to Channel 3 news audio on a shirt-pocket portable radio
(Icom R-1). 

Can you recommend a digital receiver for me?  Thanks.

Bryan

I don't know of any radios which will decode the new digital audio yet. I'm sure that someone will create/market something eventually. We had several questions relating to the same subject, so the need is obviously there. Good luck!

THank you for your help,,,!

I did have one more question...a internet site was advertised where we can go and get a coupon ... I believe it is the government site you mentioned in your response...

Can you give me the internet address so I can get a coupon(s) please?

Thank you again,

Lorri

You can try going to www.dtvanswers.com. There is a link there which will direct you to information on obtaining coupons.

Does the converter box have to be hooked to an electrical outlet?   I have a combination weather radio and tv that is portable and I am wondering if it will work on batteries or will it have to have electricity.  Thanks for the answer. 

Yes they do require an AC outlet. The converter boxes are similar to a cable box and are not made to be portable.

If my TV was made it 1992 can a converter or my cable vision make it digiral?

If you have cable service you don't have to do anything. Your cable box does the conversion for you.

If you receive your signal from an antenna the converter box will work with your TV.

I have two television sets both purchased within the last 2 years. I am currently connected to DirecTv. If I ever choose to not be connected to satellite, will I still have to purchase a box for my televsisons?

If your TVs have a digital tuners then you will not need the converter boxes. All the newer TVs do have digital tuners but you should check the owners manuals to confirm what type of tuners the TVs have.

We have all analog TV sets with Comcast cable--will we still need digital converters?  We have been told we would by some and no by others.  Very confusing.

Joanne

You do not need converter boxes if you have Comcast Cable. The cable box you have is already doing the conversion for you.

I have two questions for you.  We have a summer home up north that has an antenna.  We already have a converter box, but have not yet hooked it up.  Our place only gets two channels now. 

1.  Will we be able to get more channels after we hook it up; and

2.  We have a VCR/DVD player hooked up to the TV.  Are there additional instructions for hooking up with this?

Thanks so much for your help.

Dianna

You probably will not get any more channels with the converter box.

If you are currently feeding your antenna to your VCR then you need to plug your antenna into the converter box and then the converter box to your VCR.

Will my old UHF/VHF antenna work or will I need a special digital antenna.

If your current antenna is in good working order now it will work for digital signals too. If you have weak analogs signals then digital reception might be questionable on those channels.

I have a Sanyo VCR and an RCA TV and are receiving converted Digital signals now.  I can record direct by using the record button on the VCR, but I can't record using the VCR timer.  Is this a setting problem on the VCR or am I stuck buying a DVR? 

Thank you for your help.

LJC

It sounds like a setting problem with your VCR. If you can record using the record button then the timer should work also. With most VCRs in order for the timer to work you need to have the VCR powered off after the record schedule is set.

When I scan for stations on the converter box, I not get all the stations that I get with the antenna -  WHY!!! 

If you are receiving an analog signal that is weak (grainy or snowy picture) then the digital signal probably is not strong enough for the digital receiver (converter box) to lock on to.

Hi. I am currently hooked up to cable tv. I just have basic and family. My tv is about 12 years old. Do I have to do anything?

Thank you for your help.

 Kathy

No, you will still receive all your channels from your cable system. The digital transition only affects over the air viewers receiving TV signals with an antenna.

I installed a Zenith convertor box (recommended by consumers report) on our older TV. I did end up receiving more channels but now Channel 3 and Channel 8 sometimes hang or stutter step. I check signal strength and it very good.

Mike in East Leroy

It sound like a signal issue. You say the signal is good but the digital receivers need a stronger signal than analog receivers. If can get an analog signal in but it has a grainy or snowy picture the digital receivers will not lock to a weak signal. Our current digital signal is on a low frequency which hinders the reception. In Feb. 2009 when the switch happens we will be moving to a higher frequency which will help your reception of our signal.

 Do I need a converter box for my Analog TV if I have Charter cable service?

Thom

If you have the Charter "digital cable" with the set top converter box, you are all set. If you subscribe to the "expanded basic" service without a box, you will eventually need to get a digital set-top box from Charter. Hope this helps. Good luck!

We have been using the converter box for awhile and notice it shuts down after a couple of hours if the TV is turned off.  Why?  This makes trying to record a program while away from home impossible does it not?  Why does it time out?  Can this be over-ridden?

That's an interesting question. I've not heard of this happening before. As long as the converter box is turned on, it should stay up until it is shut off again. You might have a defective box . . . they are not supposed to work this way! I'd try exchanging it for another one with the retailer where you got it.   Good luck.

So as long as I have cable or dish I shouldn't have to do anything right.

That's correct...if you currently subscribe to "digital cable" or satellite service, yu shouldn't have to worry about a thing...they will be doing all the conversion for you. If you subscribe to cable service and are not using a set-top box, you may be required to rent a set-top box eventually. Hope this helps. Good luck! 

currently have cable and over the air.  I can get 8.1, 17.1, 41.1 and 52-1 over the air but I can't get your 3-1 from my antennae here in Portage.  Is that going to be changing soon like a boost in power or am I not going to be able to get your digital signal here?

On Charter cable, if you have a digital tuner in a TIVO or TV, are you going to need there set top box?

Thank You.

Ralph

Our digital signal is currently difficult to receive in some locations due to improper antenna types (too small) and competing external interference. Good news though...on "conversion day" we will be moving to a different digital channel (channel 8) You'll still find us (or rather your set will) at 3.1 like always due to something called "channel mapping" but the result of all this is that reception and signal strength will be greatly improved. As far as Charter goes...if your TV is newer and has a true digital DTV tuner built-in, you are all set...if not, you'll need to rent a digital set-top box from Charter for a monthly charge. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I have Charter cable in my home.  However I just have extended basic stations.  I do not have a cable box.  Do I need to get a converter box?

Thank you,

Joan

No. You will still receive your channels through the cable system. If want to upgrade to the digital cable package then you would need a cable box.

I am lucky enough to be able to listen to any type of media I want to at work all day using my headphones. I listen to a radio that has a TV-band, a weather-band, and AM & FM stations.The radio is rather small and has a small antenna. My cord on my headphones also works as an antenna. I listen to the TV all day and will really miss it if i can't listen to it. after Feb. 09.

I would like to know if I will lose the TV signal in February and if so, what type of portable TV (small) can I purchase to pull in a signal at work? I can't watch the TV so I don't need to see it but it cannot be large. We hvae a lot of mechanized equipment around us so I need something that would pull in the stations well.

Thanks for your help. I can't find an answer to this question anywhere.

Cordially,

Sheryl

Thats an interesting question. Unfortunately, radios that tune in TV sound won't work anymore. Perhaps someone will start making one that that has a digital TV band tuner in it. I'm sure there will be small portable TV's as well....something on the order of a 4-5" LCD screen that will tune the digital signals. How well it will work around equipment is anyone's guess....it will have to be tried to find out. Good luck.

We have satellite, however we get our local stations from an antenna. Since we have two recievers, we need to get two of the boxes I'm sure. Thanks for your help.

If your receivers have a digital tuners for the local stations then you will not need converter boxes. If they have analog tuners then you will need converter boxes or exchange your sat receivers for receivers that have digital tuners for the local stations.

If someone lives in an area that has rather inconsistent and poor cell phone receptions (over most of Barry County), will we also have poor tv reception with digital ?

The digital TV signals come from the same location as the current analog signals. So if you receive a strong analog TV signal now then you should be able to receive the digital signal. If the current analog signal is weak (snowy picture) then receiving the digital signal will be challenging. Digital receivers do not lock on to a weak signal like analog receivers will.

We listen to TV while doing yard work. Will the radios work without a converter?

Unfortunately, no. That affects me personally, because I have one of those too!  Sorry . . .

We received the coupons in the mail.  I just looked at them and they expired 6/5/08.  Will retailers still take them?  Can we get more if they won't?  Are we just out?

Thanks

Thats pretty nutty isn't it?  Leave it to the government to send you something that is already expired. Guess the only thing you can do is try . . . You might also try calling 1-888-DTV-2009 which is the number to obtain coupons and explain to them what you told me...they might be able to advise you better. Good Luck!

I use the local cable provider for our several TVs, but we do not use one of the provider's digital boxes for any set.  Will we need to rent one of those boxes to continue receiving a simple cable menu, i.e., no digital channels?

Thanks,
Bill

If your TV's are new enough to have the necessary "digital DTV" tuners built-in (made within the last two years), you won't have to worry about a thing. Charter has told us that they will continue to carry their "analog" cable service (what you currently use) for at least a year after the conversion date (presumably to allow people to get the newer digital TV sets) BUT, if you want to use the sets you have after that time, you'll need a digital set-top box for each TV not equipped with the new DTV digital tuner. Hope this helps, and good luck!

I saw your e-mail address on TV 3 News.  Here are my questions.

1)   Do you need a converter box for each tv that is not digital ready?

2)  TV's purchased after July 2005 - can we be certain they are digital ready?

3)  We have one TV which was purchase close to this July 2005 cutoff...  How can I find out if my TV is digital ready?

4) What is the approximately cost for a digital box?

5) We currently have Charter Communications service - should we anticipate an expense from Charter Comm for any of this change to digital.

Thank you for your help

Lorri

Whew! Thats a lot of questions...so here goes.

1. You will need a converter box for any TV that is NOT equipped with a digital tuner (i.e., a "new" set) if you want to receive signals over-the-air using an antenna.

2. TV's that new SHOULD be okay . . . best thing to do would be to consult the owners manual that came with the set...that should tell you. What you are looking for/need is a built in "digital DTV" tuner.

3. See #2 above. Check the manual...going the manufacturers website may also be an option . . .

4. The "converter" boxes cost $70-80. With a free coupon, they can be had for around $40.00. Basically the government is subsidising part of the purchase.

5. If you have Charter service, you won't have to worry about anything, since they will be doing all the conversion for you...ESPECIALLY if your TV's have the necessary digital tuners built in. If you have any older sets/those with out digital tuners, they will probably charge you for a digital set top box (monthly charge.)

Hope this helps you out. Good luck!

Will the unidirectional ant./power booster work with digital signal or will a booster be required in our travel trailer?

You can use the same antenna and booster as long as the digital signal is strong enough. Typically the round RV antennas are not that great for digital signals due to the fact that a digital receiver will not lock on a weak signal like an analog receiver will.

My television is 15+yrs old,  I subscribe to cable but

is my picture quality and sound going to be the same?

Thank You

If you are on cable than nothing will change. The quality will be the same, unless you have a digital subscription and a digital TV.

Whats going to happen to my 12 volt tv I use for camping.

Unless someone comes up with a converter box that runs on low voltage (12v) it will not be usable any more. I have heard from others with similar questions, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone doesn't start making something to address this problem. I haven't heard of anything yet though . . .  Good luck

My older TV gets the signal from a satellite dish. Will I need to connect to a black box?

JAK

No. The satellite service providers will be doing all the necessary conversion for you, so you won't have to worry about a thing. Good luck!

Maybe you can answer a question we have about broadcasting digital.  We have an outside antenna, 3 widescreen new digital TVs and have beautiful pictures.  BUT....why does WWMT and other stations only put out the small picture in the middle with bars on the sides for many programs?  Channel 16 WNDU in South Bend now has the full picture at news time.  The CBS Early Morning Show and CBS Evening News with Katie Couric are on small screens too.  We now watch NBC or ABC news because of this.  Why have a large screen with only partial picture?  When prime-time programming comes on, we get the beautiful full screen.  Thanks for explanation.

This is because the Networks (CBS, NBC, ABC etc.) are broadcasting only a portion (usually the "prime time schedule) of the full broadcast schedule in full "High Definition" with the widescreen (16x9) picture. Gradually the studios are being changed over for full widescreen production, but this takes some time and is VERY expensive. Expect to see more and more widescreen Hi-Def programming soon . . .  (CBS by the way leads the industry in the amount of true Hi Def programming being produced by the networks.) Good things are coming!  Keep watching!

I was looking at a VCR/DVD player recorder that is HDTV ready.  Will I be able to get HDTV without any thing else or do I still need a converter for my analog TV's.

Thanks, Sally

If the VCR/DVD unit you are looking at has a digital tuner than you will not need a converter box unless you have more than one TV.

How much will it cost me to switch over my tv that has rabbit ears.

Thank You

The converter boxes are about $80 and the government coupon is $40 so your cost is about $40. You may need to get a better antenna to pickup all the local stations depending on where you are located in reference to local stations transmitter sites. If you have stations that are weak analog signals (snowy picture) the digital signal will not be strong enough to receive with your rabbit ears.

How do you tell if your T V is Digital or not?  We have Dish Network. Will our T V work whether it is digital or not?

The age of the TV is a good indicator of its "digital readiness."  All sets made within the last two years are required to have digital tuners built into them, so they wouldn't have a problem. If you are on cable or satellite TV (Dish Net, or Direct TV) the conversion will be done by them, so you won't have to worry about a thing. Hope this helps!  Good luck!

I have a mobile dog grooming unit( self-contained) with a portable radio/tv that receives fair reception when I'm at a location. I'm assuming what an RV would have with an antenna. Anything I can do to continue to recieve reception.

Thank-you,

Carrie

You can still use a converter box for a RV but the typical round RV antennas do not work very well for digital signals due to the "fair" reception you receive. If you have a better quality antenna it should still work with a converter box or digital TV.

Hi, I sent for and received 2 coupons for the dtv and I was able to get one. 'Each time I went into 'Wal-mart or Meijers they didn't have them in and didn't know when they would have more in. They would say call us and we can tell you if we have them. I didn't have the time to call them all the time to see if they have them. So guess what my coupon has expired for the second one. I e-mailed where I had gotten the coupons before and the wrote back and said they were not authorized to send out replacement. I would like another one but doesn't look like I will be able to ,Is there any way to find out if I could or not. Thanks

Sorry you had the trouble getting your boxes. I've never been able to figure out why a time limit was put on the redemption of the coupons. It seems like they should get you another one (coupon). I think you will have better luck going to a place like Best Buy or Circuit City for the converter boxes since they buy things like that in quantities that Meijer or Wal-Mart never could. I've not heard of any one having trouble getting a box at Best Buy. Good Luck!

What is going to happen to the emergency broadcasting service during a power outage. Do these converter boxes work without electrical power. I had to use my 5" dc powered rabbit eared tv during the storms on 6/6 and 6/7 this past month because all power and cable was out in my area. What if it's for a long time or worse, an attack and the power is out for weeks or more? Russ 

That is a very interesting question, and a big problem!  The converter boxes DO require a source of 120v electrical power to operate. Without a generator, that might be an issue. I couldn't rule out that someone might built a converter box that would have a battery back-up, but I haven't heard of any yet. Radio would probably be your only source of information under those kinds of circumstances . . . Thanks for mailing, and good luck!

I have cable with Charter TV for 5 TVs in my home. However, only one is hooked up to the receiver and digital/HD receiver. Will my other TVs that onlt receive basic cable receive a signal??

Thanks

Dan

My sources at charter tell me that the "analog" cable service will be available for your other TV's for at least a year after the conversion...thereafter, you'll need to contact Charter to get additional receivers (or as an alternative, you'd need new TV's equipped with digital tuners, rendering additional converters unnecessary) Hope this helps. Good luck!

I have perfect reception with my rooftop antennae, so when I received my coupons for purchasing the converter boxes, I was excited.  If my reception is excellent with a rooftop, it is supposed to be excellent with the converter box while adding additional channels I was previously unable to receive.

My question:  WHY CAN'T I PICK UP WWMT, AND THE CW-7 WITH THE CONVERTER BOX?  Ninety percent of the time I get a picture with bars going through it, and no audible sound -- maybe every third or fourth word.  

I had to unhook the box in my living room, as almost all of the evening programs I watch are on CBS.  ALL OTHER CHANNELS COME IN crisp and clear and have full sound. WHAT GIVES??

Also,  my VCR is not equipped to record channels listed as 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, or 8-1 or 8-2.  The whole reason for the coupons was to help us meet expenses.  If I have to replace my VCR with some other piece of equipment how cheap is that going to be?   

You are likely getting external interference. There are signals that under the right conditions are interfering coming into the area from both Wisconsin and Illinois. Channel 3 is liable to have this happen just because there strong signals competing with what you want to watch. There is good news however . . . we will be moving to a different channel for our digital signal on the conversion day . . . it will technically eliminate most of the interference issues and should result in clear pictures for the great majority of our viewers.  As far as the VCR goes, as long as it "follows" the converter box once the conversion happens, you'll be able to use it as you always have, because the converter box will be outputting analog channels that the VCR will be able to use. Hope this helps....good luck!

I have a dear friend that is on Social Security and cannot afford her utilities, taxes, insurance, house payment and food on her measley little check each month.  Are there coupons available for free or greatly discounted converter boxes for these types of people?  If so, please e-mail me and I will get her the info.

Thank you very much.........................Yvonne

Good news!  Yes there are coupons for reduced costs for converter boxes. You need to go to www.dtvanswers.com or call 1-888-DTV-2009 for information on how to obtain up to two coupons.  Good luck!