DTV transition "Soft test" on 11-20-08 in Chicago - Page 7 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

zane · #91 09-21-2008, 07:12 PM

High school kids are doing some neat stuff, can't imagine the college level.
What I am hearing is the cell phone will be your personal connection.
Dock it in your car for tv, watch espn or nick for the kids. Dock it at home for tv-internet there etc. Of course the goverment will know where you are always as a side effect. Sounds like it will happen fast once it gets rolling. More people that get the channels, the more they make, follow the $$$$$$$ signs they will.
The cable company will probaly adapt and survive, you are right.

newhallone · #92 09-21-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NowhereMan 1966

I've experienced that too where I get signals better at night. Sometimes I can receive Youngstown, OH and Altoona/Johnstown, PA on my DTT-900 box using a set of 1959 Rembrandt rabbit ears and a Commodore 1702 monitor as a TV.

I have been using Commodore monitors to watch tv for years. They work great except they sometimes hate macrovision!

I don't blame them.

edison64 · #93 09-21-2008, 08:39 PM

So, did any one see the soft test?? I watched from an ant tv and dish, didnt see any test was I the only one who missed it?????

peverett · #94 09-23-2008, 08:30 PM

It looks like the soft test did not go as well as expected.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com:80/id/26858298/

Tell me again why this change is being made?

*zenithfan1* · #95 09-23-2008, 08:38 PM

The link is not working for me.

peverett · #96 09-23-2008, 08:52 PM

I just clicked on it and it works for me. It is copyrighted, so I do not want to just copy it.

The headline is "Complaints pour in after digital TV test" on MSNBC.

*zenithfan1* · #97 09-24-2008, 06:45 PM

Interesting, still not working for me. Stupid MacBook....

freakaftr8 · #98 10-07-2008, 05:39 PM

Good lord this is hillarious!!!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/36608/talk...sten-cable-psa

ihmeyers · #99 10-07-2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I'm going to miss analog DX'ing and knob-turning when DTV fully takes over.

I'll second that. Some of my earliest childhood memories is how for a stretch of time we could get a TV station from Baltimore most mornings before our local signed on. (we lived on the North Shore of L.I. so that was a pretty good feat).

I haven't done any TVDX in many years but the thought of never being able to do it again leaves me sad.

electroking · #**100** 10-07-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freakaftr8

Good lord this is hillarious!!!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/36608/talk...sten-cable-psa

Would be happy to watch it, but it's unavailable outside the U.S.A.
Makes you wonder why this is called World Wide Web...

radiotvnut · #**101** 01-12-2009, 10:27 PM

OK, our local ABC affiliate did a 5 minute DTV soft test during the first part of the 10 o'clock news tonight. It was pretty much just a 5 minute message over the analog channel stating what was going to happen at 11:59 PM on 2/17 and if you were seeing this message, your set needed to be upgraded. They added that if you were seeing this message and you were using a cable or sat. provider; then, you needed to contact your provider and ask them when they plan to carry digital signals. Then, they gave some phone numbers to call if you needed help. I wonder how many calls they will receive due to the test.

I need to dig up 3 VCR's so I can record the bitter end for the 3 main stations.

peverett · #**102** 01-13-2009, 12:01 AM

I hope they do one of these "soft tests" when Chicago is living up to its name as the "windy city". I would like to see how many calls are received then.

Jeffhs · #**103** 01-13-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihmeyers

I'll second that. Some of my earliest childhood memories is how for a stretch of time we could get a TV station from Baltimore most mornings before our local signed on. (we lived on the North Shore of L.I. so that was a pretty good feat).

I haven't done any TVDX in many years but the thought of never being able to do it again leaves me sad.

TV DXing will still be possible after the transition. It will only be a bit different than it is now; that is, you will see a picture only when the stations are strong enough to be watchable (not necessarily city grade).

What "local" TV station were you getting on Long Island? That area normally gets its TV and FM reception from New York City, unless your area had its own local TV station, as I think at least one city in that area has. I looked on TVRadioWorld.com and found that there is at least one TV station on the air on Long Island, on channel 55. I don't know if it's still there or whether its analog signal has gone off the air in favor of digital.

Jeffhs · #**104** 01-13-2009, 12:53 AM

Cleveland had its DTV "soft test" a couple of weeks ago; I don't remember offhand what station ran it. I didn't see any kind of signal interruption since I have cable, nor did I see any messages to the effect that analog TV will end on 02.17.09. I guess the system was set up so that if you have cable, satellite or AT&T U-Verse, you would not see this message as these systems are prepared for the transition.

BTW, from the "here we go again department": The DTV transition will likely be pushed back yet again. First it was 2006, now it is February 17 this year, and who knows how far it will be pushed back the next time? I wish the powers-that-be in charge of DTV would make up their minds and stick to a firm date for the transition. I read a blog on Broadcasting and Cable.com recently, in which it was mentioned that some full-power analog TV stations have already discontinued analog broadcasts and are fully digital; further, the article stated that many if not most OTA TV stations have a firm commitment to end analog broadcasting on 02.17 even if the transition date is changed, meaning that they have already hired contractors to dismantle their analog antenna facilities and are also having their digital antenna systems optimized for full-power operation; this will almost certainly improve DTV reception in all parts of a television station's coverage area. The same article mentioned that an FCC official is against the date change because it will result in consumer confusion and other problems, so I just don't know whether they will eventually see the light and leave the transition to occur on 02.17 or if the date will be pushed back, resulting, as I said, in confusion and who knows what other problems. The National Association of Broadcasters, moreover, has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on public service announcements which state the DTV transition date as 02.17.09; these PSAs are still running on local TV stations. If the date is changed, these announcements will of course immediately be rendered incorrect, which will add to viewers' ire.

Sheeeeeeeeeeesh.

peverett · #**105** 01-13-2009, 10:11 PM

I, for one am glad they may delay the switch. They actually should do the switch as the UK is doing, in waves, not all at once. In this way, the lessons could be learned from the early switchers that could be applied to later switches. Another lesson from the UK switch-offer people who cannot receive DTV even with new TVs/Antennas, basic satellite TV-paid for by Verizon and other companies who benefit from the spectrum sale.

In addition, I think that the TV stations in Tornado Alley that dismantle their analog transmitters(instead of just turning them off) may be making a big mistake. If my experience with DTV in poor weather is any guide, they may want to turn them back on come April, May, June.