I miss analog TV signals

I feel like my TV watching opportunities have been commandeered.

I’ve spent the past year and a half desperately preparing for this transition & have now spent an eternity of time & energy (as well as wads of cash on a new digital-capable TV, a converter box & a remote [& replacement remotes]) adjusting the hell out of at least 5 different antennas I’ve tried, connecting & re-connecting cables & doing endless channel scans, just trying to receive whatever is left of my TV signals.



The only cable company that services my area refuses to keep their appointments, either never showing up or showing up at the wrong time & I’ve given up on them. After consistently getting low-quality results from my converter box & its remote, & using a VCR/DVD player that’s a bit worn out but, until recently, was still working, I now can’t get ANY signals whatsoever from any part of my TV setup, no matter what the connections & no one (including the converter box manufacturer) seems to want to help.

I miss my analog signal.

Greetings laustcawz, welcome to the Forum

WOW, you have been through a lot with that, but I'm not sure if you're asking a question (for help) or just venting ?

Now, don't take that wrong, IF anyone can help you, we can, so, if you'd like to provide us with some information, we can start.

One of the first things we need, is a Chart on the reception strengths at your location.

You can go directly to the TVFool website at...
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29
fill out the cells completely, and post the reference link it provides you with, in your next post here.
That link can be found above your chart in "bold type". Just copy and paste it to your post.

Have a good Day !
S.W.

Give us your TVFool.

My situation was hopeless but now I have one of the best reception setups in the area, even rivaling the cable company, lol.

laustcauz,

In some ways my frustrating digital reception experience parallels yours, but after lots of work and hours of testing I don't miss analog TV signals at all. My setup still receives one LP (low power) analog transmitter 38 miles away from me and its' snowy signal visually rises and fades unlike my digital reception which is crystal clear.

Your TV Fool report, based on the maximum possible antenna height will tell us what channels you are likely to be able to receive OTA.

You said you have tried at least 5 different antennas. Please tell us what brand and models you have tried and at what height above ground level. We need to know what type of coaxial cable you are using and how long is it.

What brand/model converter box are you using? Some of them are known for poor performance and reliability, so that may be the problem. If water has entered your coaxial cable it can kill your reception. A bad balun could be the cause: I discovered a bad one in my own system last summer.

Receiving free digital OTA can be a 'black-art' but we are here to help you to achieve it. Please post a link to your TVFOOL report here: the software will automatically conceal your personal information and it will only show the results.

Jim

I feel your pain and though I know it doesn't help much, you aren't alone!

Orry, lets be honest: I've seen your TVfool.

In a half hour I could have you an awesome selection of channels. And I could probably do it with a coathanger and duct tape.

Originally Posted by MrPogi

Orry, lets be honest: I've seen your TVfool.

In a half hour I could have you an awesome selection of channels. And I could probably do it with a coathanger and duct tape.

Maybe not the duct tape, but certainly the coathanger. Someday I'm going to take a small HDTV to work, hook it to a coathanger, and show people what the pay-TV industry is up against.

Yea, not at my work. i can't even get FM in here.

Yes, sigh, I know ... but you are there, and I am here, as is my antenna. Hence, the problem. Back in the old, pre cable days, I was a very happy OTA viewer. We got a lot of bay area channels, especially in good weather.

Originally Posted by n2rj

Give us your TVFool.

My situation was hopeless but now I have one of the best reception setups in the area, even rivaling the cable company, lol.

i wish have that reception quality here is if have luck, ok, if you do not have any luck fine, and later start to think our president lied to us