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Many switching to DTV Tuesday
Published Saturday, February 14, 2009
Even though the mandatory date for TV stations to make the switch to digital broadcast has been extended until June 12, many stations are poised to make the switch Tuesday.
Likewise, those who receive their TV signal via antenna are also preparing for the historic transition, either by purchasing a digital-ready TV or a converter box for their existing television set.
Handy TV Appliance in Clanton continues to sell about 20 converter boxes a day, sales associate James Rhodes estimated.
“We’re still selling them, and right now we still can get them,” he said.
But people are not adjusting to digital very well locally, Rhodes indicated. Signal strength seems to be sporadic in most areas.
“Rabbit ears do not work on them,” Rhodes warned.
Despite some difficulties, TV sales have also picked up due to the upcoming switch. Rhodes attributes half of those sales to the switch, though the troubled economy has done its part to counter the spike in sales.
“I’ve noticed in the past two months that TV sales have picked up,” Rhodes said.
Coupons issued by the government to assist people in the purchase of a converter box are still being accepted, but the company must first approve them through a Web site, Rhodes said.
“The funds on them are getting kind of slim right now,” he noted.
Some stores in the Birmingham area have reportedly turned down some coupons, he added.
For more information about the DTV switch, and for helpful tips, visit www.tvfool.com or antennaweb.org.
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Comments
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on February 15, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, if people aren't ready for the digital transition, so be it. They've been given plenty of "heads up" time. Oh, and besides this transition making history, Barack Obama is going to be the first and ONLY African-American-Caucasian president to be part of this one-time event. WOW!
Posted by rmims404 (Roger Mims) on February 15, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've seen so many "crawls" on the screen and ads about the dtv switch, I'm sick. When I watch Andy Griffith reruns, channel 21 in B'ham is always running that annoying crawl at the top of the screen. If there is someone that doesn't know about the dtv switch, then they don't need a tv because they probably don't watch tv. Personally, I would not depend on an antenna for my tv because we live in a fringe area as far as reception goes. You will have to have a somewhat tall antenna with a good signal booster to get a steady signal when they go all digital. There will be none of this snowy tv picture, the picture will be there or it won't. The antenna must be pointed strictly at the stations transmitting tower or you won't get a reliable signal. If your budget will allow, I would suggest either satellite or cable TV. The expense of an initial antenna setup and maintenance on it will be very high. Think about this also. What if you spend $200.00 or more on an antenna and the signals are not strong enough? Good luck everyone.
Posted by rmims404 (Roger Mims) on February 15, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe my antenna has to be aimed to the north because it's a directional VHF/UHF antenna. I can get analog signals without pointing directly north (B'ham stations) but I get no digital signals unless it's pointed directly north. I live approximately 42 miles from B'ham (as the crow flies). I get nothing period unless the booster is powered up. Luckily, I have DirecTV, so I rarely use the antenna. The people that live in the metro areas close to the stations transmitting tower should not have any trouble getting "free" TV, but those of us in rural areas will have to have a somewhat high antenna with a signal booster, or all the shows will look like some of those weird '80's music videos. I do agree that "rabbit ears" will work with a strong signal and digital signals have no snow, just pixel freeze with weak signals.
Posted by ilovepitbulls (anonymous) on February 16, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I totally agree with you on that one eagle, they have had long enough. If they don't have it, it's not our fault they are too lazy to get one. Now if you people are going through financial problems ( which I can relate to) I understand.
Posted by Paradise (anonymous) on February 16, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DTV signals aren't up to full strength or on their final frequencies. I don't know if the locals that switch Tuesday will be on their new and final frequency or not. If so, you'll need to re-scan for the DTV and if those that changed were allowed to go to final frequency and full power, then you'll get a better signal but at a different place, thus the need for the re-scan. Those channels that are above 13 in their final frequency will come in better. For Chilton County there is only 1 degree of separation between the Bham stations so you should be able to pick them all up without a antennae movement. Go to antennaweb.org and you will see that 6, 10, 13, 21, 42 & 68 are within a degree of each other so one point will get them all, but the ABC33/40 tower is in Anniston, 35 degrees apart from the others and 10 air miles further, so there are going to be hard to get and a repoint to receive. A good station that is probably going to be lost to most. I got out my mom's old rabbit ears right after first of year just to see if I could pick up anything at all on a small kitchen DTV we had got to replace our 30 year old (still good, but too much clutter with a converter box) and to my surprise the cheapo junko rabbit ears pulled in every DTV station but 33/40. I am about 20 miles closer, near Shelby County line, but I think a correct antenna would bring in the B'ham stations just great in Clanton. There is no such thing as a Digital TV Antenna so don't get double talked on that. If you have a good Antenna now then that is all you need. Most of the DTV frequencies will be in the UHF range, but several are in the VHF range, so there you go, nothing special, just need any brand name quality. Also, the shorter you can make your coax run the better and yes you will need an amplifier for those cloudy/stormy days to keep the signal strength up, but it is worth it as the picture over antenna is twice as good as the picture over cable or dish and if you drop your locals from your dish, you soon pay for the very best antenna set up with the very best picture that you will love. Too bad the Beards, Rays, Carters aren't around anymore to trust on explanation of antenna for DTV, but you can probably find a local store that has an old pro with real common sense. A Winegard HD 7084P or equal with appropriate amp for your run length of coax and number of TVs you have connected will bring you a Mona Lisa picture you will love if your current set up doesn't do it for you. I think Radio Shack has them, not sure about the savy. Handi probably has an equal. You know the locals. In this case I would say don't go to Wally World unless you technically know exactly what you want and they have it. IMO
Posted by kdnichols (Ken Nichols) on February 16, 2009 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope all the stations make the switch Tuesday. Sick & tired
of the notices and count down mess.
Posted by urentitled2myopinion (anonymous) on February 17, 2009 at 5:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kw you forgot to mention how sometimes when you let go the pix went fuzzy, I remember those days too. Our children just don't understand. Mine will walk around for 5 minutes looking for the remote so they can turn down the volume and pass the T.V. several times in the process.It's like they do not know there are buttons on the sset for that purpose.
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on February 17, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Paradise, write a few more paragraphs and you might could get that published.
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