[Grovenet] Digital Electronics

[Marian Cakarnis]

Hi,

We have DISH because cable isn't available out here, but we didn't want to
pay the extra $5.00 for the local channels, so we've always used a plain old
antenna.  The antenna worked pretty good, better sometimes than others.
About a year ago, we upgraded to a new HDTV and wow!  What a difference!

All of a sudden, we couldn't receive our local channels until we figured out
they were all broadcast digitally, but the channels are different.  Channel
2, is now on channel 2.1 (yes, that is 'two-point-one'), 6 is on 6.1, 8 is
on 8.1 and 10 is on 10.1, 10.2 & I think 10.3.

The programming for channel 10.1 & 10.2 is often very different than what
you receive on 10.  It seems to be an East coast thing.  

Anyways, the reception we now receive on the digital local channels are just
amazing.  Some of the shows on channel 10 are really awesome.  

So it seems all the channels broadcast in digital, but not on the same
channels you are used to using.  I'm not sure how this all works with the
converter box and an older TV set, but hopefully this information will add
to the tiny bits of information that everyone is collecting.  Someday Chuck
will have it all figured out and can shed the light on the rest of us!

We still have another older TV that is totally reliant on the rabbit ears
and I'm looking forward to finding out if I can get better reception on it.

Marian


-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
Behalf Of Kristy Gravlin
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:37 AM
To: Forest Grove local interests list
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] Digital Electronics


> 
> Kristy, do you get any of your stations on translator stations. (do
> you get channel 2 with your antenna on a number other than 2? Like
> say channel 55 or 37?) If so, then you will be concerned with analog
> passthrough capability.  All the major channels will have to
> broadcast digitally, but the translator stations that boost the
> signal to outlying areas can keep on broadcasting in analog after
> Feb. So you'll still have to have the analog signal get to your TV by
> passing through the converter box. Most converter boxes don't have
> passthrough capabilities so you have to look for it.
> So if you live way out in the boonies and use all translator stations
> you don't have to do anything. If you get some of each you need a
> converter box with passthrough. And if you are like us, get all the
> major stations directly but just with an antenna, any converter box
> will work.

I'm on vacation in Illinois at the moment...but here's what I think I get
there:
2/6/8/11 as expected
22 and 49 I think (is 49 Fox? I get that on Channel 3? ... at least in the
low numbers someplace.)
I didn't know it was exciting to be able to get 22.
(If something there didn't make sense, I admit I have to readjust when I go
back and forth because the channels are "almost...but not quite" the same.
For example 2-CBS, 5-NBC, and 7-ABC here...and 10 is PBS.)

Most of them have good days and bad days...that is with a good picture and
sound, or with snow and static. They wait till nothing else of "value" (I
use the term loosely, of course) is on all the other channels, and then the
one thing I might choose has little picture and obnoxious sound. Ain't that
always the way?!?

The set is maybe three years old? I plugged it in and it worked. That's my
level of expertise. I do depend on that TV for background noise. And I am in
the hills just before the foothills west of Banks. I assume there is still
no cable available.

I have cable here in Illinois ... and one could get hooked. 8-)
Kristy


_______________________________________________
GroveNet mailing list
GroveNet at rdrop.com
http://www.rdrop.com/mailman/listinfo/grovenet