DTV to Analog Converters showcased with vintage TVs - Page 3 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

compucat · #31 09-28-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorfixer

Question: How do your older TVs fair when faced with closed caption data insertion from these boxes? Are you seeing the data on the screen during the retrace?

i'VE TRIED TO atsc TUNER ON MY zENITH ROUNDIE AND ON MY 1957 rca 8" metal portable. Ther are no artifacts on either set from closed captioning. The only thing that shows up is Macrovision from the DVDs.

old_tv_nut · #32 09-30-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OvenMaster

I have two questions.

1. Are they implying that tube-based television sets might be picking up electrical interference from all the digital RF being sprayed in the room from the converter boxes themselves, because they're connected to indoor antennas and in the immediate vicinity of the converter? If so, they're not making that very clear and they're implying it's the receiver itself that's at fault.

2. " LG’s box used a $12 bow-tie antenna. RCA used a more advanced “smart” antenna, and Broadcom used a “smart” antenna from an antenna company it bought, Pause TV."

I'm getting the very strong impression that the converter boxes mentioned are integrated units with indoor antennas. Why is there no mention of boxes that could have an outdoor antenna connected to them for improved reception range? Will those even be offered, or will enterprising people have to jerry-rig a solution?

Tom

The boxes are required to have an antenna input, not a built-in antenna. They can take any existing antenna indoor or outdoor. The purpose of hooking them to indoor antennas was to prove that they did not require an outdoor antenna.

old_tv_nut · #33 09-30-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgadow

You know, the other week I brought home an 80s RCA console. While it was sitting in the back of my truck, with no antenna whatsoever, I plugged it into an extension cord and sat there and watched, in color, fairly clear, the 6 o'clock news. No blue screen, no digital artifacts, no locking up. What a great system! Hey, let's get rid of it!

Brian, you should recognize that this indicates a weak point in the design of old TV's - if the cable/input to the tuner were better shielded, you would have a more difficult time picking up anytihg without an antenna. This was a bone of contention between cable companies and TV manufacturers for many years, with the cable system becoming regulated against signal incursion, but old TVs still being subject to external pickup. This is especially a problem in communities with stations on channel 3 or 4, the same as a cable box output, but also applies to any channel that is picked up by a cable-ready TV.

Kiwick · #34 10-01-2007, 07:06 AM

Most older European sets are very sensitive and are receiving quite well even without any antenna... in fact the exposed center pin of the set's coaxial antenna socket is just enought to pull in the stronger local signals...

NowhereMan 1966 · #35 10-03-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I'm really afraid this whole digital thing is going to bite someone in the butt unless things are improved between now and early 2009. I suspect s..t will hit the fan when people turn their TV's on in 2/09 only to be greeted with snow instead of the analog signal they were used to receiving.

Heh, I'm surprised that Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton hasn't entered the fray saying that this will really hurt the poor that get only "peasant vision" (over the air TV, saw that term on www.urbandictionary.com) via antenna. I just don't like who ATSC is being forced on us, it is wrong.

radiotvnut · #36 10-03-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NowhereMan 1966

Heh, I'm surprised that Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton hasn't entered the fray saying that this will really hurt the poor that get only "peasant vision" (over the air TV, saw that term on www.urbandictionary.com) via antenna. I just don't like who ATSC is being forced on us, it is wrong.

Maybe we should clue Al and Jessie in on what's about to happen! Yes, I'm one of those who only receives "over the air" television. The reason is because I'm not paying $55 and up to see worthless garbage on TV. When I had cable; I only watched the news and the 2 or 3 channels that showed older programs. The modern programs don't do a thing for me. I'm seriously thinking of purchasing DVD's of some of my favorite older shows.

NowhereMan 1966 · #37 10-03-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

Maybe we should clue Al and Jessie in on what's about to happen! Yes, I'm one of those who only receives "over the air" television. The reason is because I'm not paying $55 and up to see worthless garbage on TV. When I had cable; I only watched the news and the 2 or 3 channels that showed older programs. The modern programs don't do a thing for me. I'm seriously thinking of purchasing DVD's of some of my favorite older shows.

Well, I was thinking of writing a "hey Jessie" and "hey Al" letters. Perhaps I will. I know in my case, I have basic cable, sometimes it's tough to afford that but I mainly watch The History Channel and TV Land, along with ABC Family come Christmas time. Except for NASCAR, Steeler Football and so on, I don't watch a lot of TV but I did see "Ken Burns - The War" on PBS on my 1964/66 Sony B&W as I was on the computer. It only gets TV over the air. If it was only me and not my mom as well, I think the Sony would get the most use even if it is a B&W set because I'm on the computer a lot. I think I have a quick winter project, letters to Jessie and Al.

fsjonsey · #38 10-04-2007, 01:03 AM

What happens to all the portable sets and LCD handhelds? Do we get portable ATSC tuners to go with them too?

NowhereMan 1966 · #39 10-10-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsjonsey

What happens to all the portable sets and LCD handhelds? Do we get portable ATSC tuners to go with them too?

So far as I know, we will be SOL on that one.