Queue up for a digital set top box coupon for CT-100, etc...

[Phil Nelson]

Originally Posted by peverett

if glitches or periods of poor reception occur, prepare for complete garbage, pixellization,freeze up, and no sound. Unlike analog, there is no getting by with a somewhat snowy picture, it is either good or nothing.

I can second that. We live in an area where reception ranges from good to so-so using rabbit ear antennas.

Last week, I experimented using an analog TV and our Panasonic DVD recorder with digital tuner.

On the weaker stations, the digital signal often pixellated, broke up, froze, etc., becoming pretty unwatchable. In many cases, the digital receiver would display a No Signal message and require you to press Enter to try again.

The analog signal from the same station was always watchable, even if with some snow or ghosts.

I agree with an earlier commentor that this change may leave a lot of people behind, particularly older people living in remote areas. People like my parents, both in their 80s, who don't know analog/digital from shineola.

We live not too far outside Seattle, but the local cable company announced long ago that it will never run cable down our road, because there are too few customers. So the only choices are an antenna or a satellite system, which not everyone can afford.

We'll see . . .

Phil Nelson