what is .1 .2 on channels?

UserName2 · 06-11-2009, 10:52 AM

On my converter box I have channels .1 .2 channels next to channel 24 now?

DTVuser2009 · 06-11-2009, 10:59 AM

You could call them 'extra channels'

That's what is known as 'Multicasting' which is one of the best advantages of Digital Television aside the great picture. it allows any one broadcaster (such as FOX or ABC) to have more than one channel on the same space which with analog TV only allowed one channel. now you can get as many as double your original analog channels from the Digital Television.

The .2 could have a extra channel such as THIS or RTN (classic movies, TV, or music services) or a 24/7 weather radar. it could also have interactive services in the future. an example of one of mine follows:

Digital Channel 25.1 is ABC. 25.2 is RTN (Retro TV Network, like TV Land)

Digital Channel 14.1 is NBC. 14.2 is 24/7 Doppler Radar. 14.3 is THIS TV network (movies, some classic TV, cartoons in morning)

So enjoy those extras. and keep in mind that after the transition many others can occupy those 'dot channels' in the future so periodically rescan your digital converter box or digital TV (if you have one) to allow those channels to show up in your program guide. a few extras may come up soon after.

Aaron62 · 06-11-2009, 11:09 AM

also known as subchannels.

Orrymain · 06-11-2009, 11:42 AM

This is something I'm really excited about. At least two of my local channels announced these 'point' channels recently, and I really didn't understand what the heck they were talking about. One is broadcasting classic TV shows that I can't wait to see again, and another is doing all movies. I can't wait to explore those.

DTVuser2009 · 06-11-2009, 11:58 AM

RTN and THIS TV sounds like Orrymain.

staticMHZ · 06-11-2009, 12:57 PM

the best thing is, alot of these extra channels are NOT available on the basic analog cable package. (on digital I believe they are).

But why would you pay when you can get them all with an antenna for FREE? (better quality too)

DTVuser2009 · 06-11-2009, 02:04 PM

Besides, TV Land sucks in comparison to RTN.

There's one subchannel that's available on basic cable, actually, two subchannels. MyNetworkTV is on Cable channel 3, and 24/7 Weather is available on Digital Cable.

bicker · 06-11-2009, 02:22 PM

In some cases, a broadcast presents four or five standard definition digital channels, instead of an HD channel (plus a standard definition digital sub-channel).

O-O · 06-11-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

In some cases, a broadcast presents four or five standard definition digital channels, instead of an HD channel (plus a standard definition digital sub-channel).

How many HD subchannels can a 6-mhz digital broadcast hold? 2? 3?