*** Analog Shutdown's Coming...You Ready? *** - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mgburg · #1 01-29-2009, 02:40 AM

The House voted down the Analog Shutdown Extension Proposal that had passed the Senate a few days ago...

So, how's everyone here set?

You ready for "bug fights" on the old boob-tube on this coming 17th?

Are you wishing the Government to come and hold your hand 'til the 12th of June?

Need more time to do what you've been warned about for the past 5 years?

BTW, how are those taxes coming too?

pawoSD · #2 01-29-2009, 02:46 AM

As far as I'm concerned, if people haven't taken advantage of the gov program to get themselves a cheap converter box (though they'd need to buy/install an antenna too most likely)....they deserve whats coming. Time to give in to the digital age!

I am on cable, and hardly watch much TV anyways....most of my media viewing is online...hulu....torrents.....web sites......way more convenient.

I have a feeling there's going to be a surge of morons on the stores and phones come Feb 17/18th.....lets have a moment of silence for the techies that will have to deal with them.

Oh, and our taxes are all set already!

mgburg · #3 01-29-2009, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

.....lets have a moment of silence for the techies that will have to deal with them.

Thank you for the thought...you wouldn't believe the questions that have been asked...

What's scarry? These folks are ACTUALLY licensed drivers and they may be the very same road you're traveling on!

pawoSD · #4 01-29-2009, 02:54 AM

I'm a techie.....thankfully I have yet to come across any of these analog people!

I'd probably run for my life....

iwrock · #5 01-29-2009, 03:17 AM

Where is the "Whats a TV option?"

mgburg · #6 01-29-2009, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

Where is the "Whats a TV option?"

The last two...maybe?

KarTek · #7 01-29-2009, 05:34 AM

There was no option for a Tivo so I just chose converter box. I dumped the satellite service and bought a Tivo HD recorder that down converts. I have a great looking JVC 25" set and I'll use it until it drops dead. I also have a new Sony in the other room hooked directly to the brand new, old fashioned antenna I just installed on the roof. Even my analog channels look 95% as good as the digital.

It'll be nice to get that extra 5%...

MS Fowler · #8 01-29-2009, 06:21 AM

The people who Congress found that were not ready for the changeover, are the same people that would not be ready in May, or June, or whenever. They will find the money, and buy the box when they can no longer watch Opra! or their soaps because they missed the deadline.

rs899 · #9 01-29-2009, 06:53 AM

We bit the bullet over the last year and replaced all our tellys with HDTVs (all 720p- good enough). We get everything over the air (no cable or sat) and live in a fringe area, 30 miles from the transmitters. The new digital signal has been much better than living with the snowy past.

ramonajim · #10 01-29-2009, 08:13 AM

Don't currently own a television....... much to the chagrin of the youngest kidlet when he comes to visit

so the 'big switch' just ain't much of an issue for us!

75Sv1 · #11 01-29-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

As far as I'm concerned, if people haven't taken advantage of the gov program to get themselves a cheap converter box (though they'd need to buy/install an antenna too most likely)....they deserve whats coming. Time to give in to the digital age!

I am on cable, and hardly watch much TV anyways....most of my media viewing is online...hulu....torrents.....web sites......way more convenient.

I have a feeling there's going to be a surge of morons on the stores and phones come Feb 17/18th.....lets have a moment of silence for the techies that will have to deal with them.

Oh, and our taxes are all set already!

I already have a converter box, I bought off a neihbor. He bought a few to many. I haven't hooked it up yet. Now the original commercials were that you only needed the converter box. Some of the recent adds, mention that you might need a new antenea. I have been watching a shows on what they mean by anteana. Some is to replace just the top mast. Others is you will need to have that mast 30ft to 50 ft, depending on your regional topography. Its a bit more than the $40 converter box. They are actually promoting that it will be cheaper to purchase cable. Also claiming $10 per month for basic cable service.
Tom

aklim · #12 01-29-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

As far as I'm concerned, if people haven't taken advantage of the gov program to get themselves a cheap converter box (though they'd need to buy/install an antenna too most likely)....they deserve whats coming. Time to give in to the digital age!

Ah, but Sir, you do realize that by your even suggesting that people should be responsible for their own actions is heresy. You deserve to be burnt at the stake for that.

MTI · #13 01-29-2009, 11:25 AM

Hawaii did the conversion two weeks ago. Now the only things being broadcast on the analog frequencies is a program loop explaining what you need to do to convert.

Brian Carlton · #14 01-29-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75Sv1

Now the original commercials were that you only needed the converter box.

Every single advertisement over the past five years mentions "converter box". No mention of any other hardware than "converter box".

Well, I tried the converter box at my Mom's place and the digital signal with the analog antenna is basically useless..........not strong enough for the TV to work with.

So, it appears that all the statements made are BS...........you can't run the digital signal via an analog antenna.

mgburg · #15 01-29-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

There was no option for a Tivo so I just chose converter box. I dumped the satellite service and bought a Tivo HD recorder that down converts. I have a great looking JVC 25" set and I'll use it until it drops dead.

The TiVo does exactly what a converter box is suppose to do...so that was the right selection...no problem...

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

I also have a new Sony in the other room hooked directly to the brand new, old fashioned antenna I just installed on the roof. Even my analog channels look 95% as good as the digital. ... It'll be nice to get that extra 5%...

An antenna is an antenna is an...you get it...a coat-hanger wire is a "digital antenna" - so don't go wasting money buying anything labeled "DIGITAL ANTENNA" - all you're paying that extra money for is the colored ink on the box spelling out the word "DIGITAL" ...

View Poll Results: * DTV Ready? Or will you be television-free on the 17th? *
"I've had my "stuff" together since before bread was sliced."	2	9.09%
"I've got everything that my bank allowed me to have."	0	0%
"I've got Satellite/Cable, so I'm all set...I don't need no stinking coupons!"	13	59.09%
"I've got the converter boxes and will wait for them to burn up before I buy a new set."	5	22.73%
"I have coupons, but haven't used them yet."	0	0%
"What's a coupon?"	2	9.09%
"Books/magazines don't need electricity...and I'm smarter for it."	0	0%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll