Converter Box Contest at DTVUSAForum.com
DTVUSAForum.com is having a contest giveaway for two digital-to-analog converter boxes. Two lucky winners will be selected on June 20th, 2009 (that’s less than 2 months away). For complete contest details and how to enter visit: Converter Box Contest at DTVUSAForum.com
To enter the contest, contestants must complete two tasks.
Task #1: Register for free to DTV USA Forum (If you’ve alreay done so, great, you can skip step #1.)
Task #2: Give your thoughts (Minimum 50 words) on DTV at this post: What are your thoughts on the digital transition? All written words must be original, not copied and pasted from other websites on the web! Your entry will be disqualified if you copy and paste from another user or website.
TV Stations still planning for the Digital Transition on Feb. 17th, 2009
Although the digital transition has been postponed by Congress, television stations have been given the option to shut off their analog signals any time before 6-12-09. With millions of consumers still on a waiting list for DTV coupons, 491 television have asked the FCC for permission to transition to digital only broadcast signals on 2-17-2009. That’s less than 5 days away.
The FCC website has given permission to all but 123 TV stations to make the transition on 2-17-2009 citing the following reason:
…the primary concern of the Commission is to ensure that viewers relying on over-the-air television do not lose access to local news, public affairs and emergency information before they are ready for the full power television transition to all-digital television service.
How do I know which stations are still switching to DTV on February 17th, 2009?
You can reference the FCC’s list of 491 stations intending to transition on February 17th, 2009:
FCC List: Part A
FCC List: Part B
For a list of the 123 stations who must meet additional guidlines requested by the FCC before they proceed with their digital transition on February 17th, 2009:
FCC List: Click Here
These Lists are too confusing, how else can I tell if I need to upgrade my television before June 12th, 2009?
A simple Google search using your city name, state name, and channel number (or channel affiliate call sign, ie: ABC, NBC, or Fox) will provide you with links to the respective websites broadcasting television signals in your area.
Stations like KSPR - ABC in Springfield, MO are providing viewers with a “Countdown to Digital Television” timer and information about their plans to transition to DTV on February 17th, 2009.
Indoor DTV Antenna Reviews
What is the best DTV antenna for my house, apartment, or condo?
It’s one of the most common questions we receive here at tvconversionhelp.com and at our forum www.dtvusaforum.com. One of the most important factors in determining which type of antenna you’ll need for receiving dtv signals, is by figuring out how far TV broadcast towers are from your house or dwelling. Estimating this distance might be difficult to do on your own, but we’ve found a useful website that’ll calculate the distance for you (free). www.tvfool.com - Just click on the “Start Here” at tvfool and enter your zip code for detailed broadcast tower distance results from your location.
Indoor antennas
A good indoor antenna can receive digital television signals approximately 15-20 miles away from broadcast towers depending on your area topography. Your results may vary depending on objets like hills, mountains, or trees that can deflect signals from reaching your antenna.
On to the reviews…
Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna
Positive:
Easy Setup
UHF and VHF Elements (Recommended by most news channels for indoor reception)
Preassembled
Amplified and optimized to receive both UHF and VHF channels
High-gain antenna array can be oriented horizontally or vertically for optimum reception
Strong fit and finish
Negative:
Slightly directional design may require adjustment for some channels depending on location from broadcast towers
The bottom line:
One of the most visually appealing DTV antennas to hit the market this last year. #1 seller at Amazon for indoor antennas, and highly regaured at HDTV and DTV forums as the goto antenna for indoor digital television reception.
Product Description:
Product Dimensions: 5.4 pounds
Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
ASIN: B0007MXZB2
Item model number: HDTVA
Antennas Direct DB2 Multi Directional HDTV Antenna
Positive:
Easy setup!
Preassembled
11.4 dB Gain, Strong performance across entire UHF band (Channels 14-69)
Fit and finish is good
Negative:
Not the prettiest looking anenna on the market
The bottom line:
Performance designed antenna that may go the extra distance over the Terk HDTVa antenna with receiving digital signals. The author of this article uses this antenna, and has it situated behind the TV cabinet out of view from anyone in the living room.
Product Description:
Product Dimensions: 4 x 19 x 12 inches ; 5 pounds
Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
ASIN: B000EHUE7I
Item model number: DB2
Winegard SS-3000 Amplified Indoor UHF/VHF Antenna
Positive:
Easy Setup and minimal adjustment needed with mounting
Preassembled
Scatter Plane Technology To Receive Indoor Direct and Reflected Signals
Negative:
long profile design may not be suitable for placing this antenna on a small table or on top of an equipment cabinet
The bottom line:
This antenna is a close tie with the Antennas Direct DB2, but offers better VHF performance and may provide better performance across the UHF band too.
Product Description:
Product Dimensions: 27 x 4.5 x 5 inches ; 3.3 pounds
Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
ASIN: B001DFZ5II
Item model number: SS-3000
WINEGARD SS-3000 AMPLIFIED INDOOR U/V ANTENNAHIGH-PERFORMANCE INDOOR ANTENNA; SCATTER PLANE TECHNOLOGY TO RECEIVE INDOOR DIRECT and REFLECTED SIGNALS; PRECISION-MOUNTED ELECTRONICS FOR ULTRA EFFICIENT TRANSFER OF DIGITAL SIGNAL; COMPACT DESIGN FOR ANY HOME DCOR; RANGE UP TO 30 MILESZONE 1 (YELLOW/GREEN) ;
DTV postponed to June 12th, 2009
The digital transition has been postponed from February 17th, 2009 to June 12th, 2009 after the House voted to approve the delay this afternoon. President Barack Obama will need to sign the bill before the delay becomes official, but has said he will do so once it lands on his desk.
What you need to know about the DTV Delay:
All TV broadcasters now must stop broadcasting analog signals after 6-12-2009(Known as the digital transition) Broadcasters can choose to shut off their analog signals any time before 6-12-09. If your broadcaster decides to broadcast digital only signals and your analog TV does not have a converter box, you will not receive that specific station’s channel. Even though the DTV delay bill has been approved, expired coupon holders still cannot reapply to the dtv coupon program. There may be ammendments added to allow expired coupon holders to apply again, and as these details become available, we’ll update this post.
The delay may confuse some consumers due to a provision that allows for broadcasters to choose to transition to digital only signals ahead of the 6-12-09 date. TVConversionHelp recommends visiting your local television channel’s website for information as it becomes available on their plan to transition to DTV.
Second Vote set for DTV Delay on February 4th, 2009
The Senate has approved a second bill to delay the digital transition from Feb. 17th, 2009 to June 12th, 2009. Before becoming official, the House will only need a simple majority vote in favor of the bill to pass as opposed to the 2/3 majority vote needed for last weeks defeated bill.
With the delay expected to pass this go around, the Senate’s new bill has made some concessions to allow television stations the option to delay or proceed with the digital transition on Feb. 17th. Broadcasters have complained that a delay would force them to incur unnecessary costs by having to broadcast both analog and digital signals for almost 4 more months.
If the delay bill does pass, are television stations going to choose toshut off analog broadcasts anyway on Feb 17th, 2009?
ARSTechnica reported,
Republicans, however, argue that current FCC rules would still prevent many stations from transitioning ahead of the pack.
and the reasoning?
In a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission today, Barton and Stearns also question whether the revised language will truly make the delay voluntary, suggesting that “because of interference concerns, most broadcast stations would not be allowed to transition under current FCC rules until around the time that all broadcast stations transition.”