1mercury1

Aaron62

Man I disagree and agree with you 100%.

Disagree about the transition being a waste because it needed to happen eventually. Digital signals are much more efficient than analog. If you don't have a TV capable of HD, then your missing out on about half of the benefits DTV has over analog.

Agree with you about the reception problems. I do think that digital signals are a huge pain in the rear to pick up. I've had trouble with different family members getting flaky reception after they connected their converter boxes (well actually I helped them do that) but when you get everything set up right and a clear picture, it's worth the upgrade.

Aaron62

What exactly are you asking with the poll?

1mercury1

The clearer picture is a benefit, except that the signal is not as reliable. With the analog you could get a decent picture and even watch channels with static. The new digital "static" is like watching a skipping DVD. Even with the best anttena the "static" is still there, especialy when the wind picks up. The only time I generally watch TV is when the weather is bad and it's almost impossible to watch anything at all. P.S. the poll is which are you for.

Boo-Ray

A ploy? maybe...but the transition to digital does offer advantages

- free up broadcast spectrum for public safety communications
- parts of spectrum has been auctioned to companies for improved and broader wireless services
- improved picture
- improved sound
- multicasting
- future interactive services and data streams

If you're using your TV for weather only, why not skip the transition altogether and use your computer for weather updates?

1mercury1

You just dont get it !!! I dont watch the weather I watch TV when the weather is bad and when the weather is bad the digital signal deteriorates to the point that you cannot stand to watch, let alone use any of the features you have been so kind to point out Captian Obvious. Next time read whats been written.

cowboyup4christ

then you need to look at tvfool.com see where tour transmitters are on which band they are broadcasting UHF or VHF then pick a good antenna to start a UHF VHF combo antenna is weak on the UHF side so you will get a crappy signal if you need UHF get a UHF antenna and point it to the transmitters and you should improve t your reception antennas are good for about 10 years and then they start to loose signal gathering strength, this wasn't as noticeable on analog but digital is non forgiving.

1inxs

The wind shouldn't and won't affect your reception unless there is something else wrong. If we had your location and particulars, I wonder if we couldn't work it out to where you get a stable signal? I can understand your frustration. Crappy reception would frustrate me too. My OTA DTV is picture perfect. We get 75 mph winds up here and it doesn't affect my signal at all. OTA DTV is clearer than cable or analog OTA. I wouldn't trade my DTV for anything. Let us know if you think there's anything we can do to get you up and going.

Trip

If you're surrounded by trees, wind CAN affect your reception as the trees move around and change the reflections of the signals off the leaves. I think having a good outdoor antenna arrests this in many cases, as I do not have wind problems despite having a lot of oak trees around my house.

- Trip

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KJ4IEA

Comments are my own and not that of my employer or anyone else.

Orrymain

What I agree with is that it's putting a lot of people on the ropes, people who can't afford to pay for cable or fancy converter boxes. There's no option. There are probably a lot of citizens who aren't going to have TV now at all. Frankly, I may be one of them. I'm struggling to survive financially. I'm a hair away from pulling the plug on cable, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get a converter box or not, assuming I can even find one (see my post about Out of Converter Boxes). There's no real accounting for people in difficult places for reception or those in financial difficulties. I've also long been frustrated by cable putting so much into HD. It's not fair to the rest of us. I don't have an HD TV. I can't afford it. I have a very nice 52 inch TV that's fading but still works. I bought it when life was good to me financially. Now it's not. I don't have money for a new one of any size. And I know I'm not even the bottom of the barrel. People are hurting and 2009 isn't the year to be putting the screws to us.