Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

CaptainTom · **DTV converter -** 12-24-2008, 09:52 AM

I have Dish on my main TV's, but in my office I have an old TV and get my signal via rabbit ears. It's a crappy signal usually.
I got a DTV converter box and hooked it up as directed.
NO SIGNAL. Is it because the signal here is so bad, or is it because the stations aren't broadcasting digitally yet ??

zepp · 12-24-2008, 10:17 AM

It's because you've been a bad bad boy and the TV Santa isn't broadcasting to you this year.

HO HO HO (don't shoot your eye out)

Santa

CaptainTom · 12-24-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zepp

It's because you've been a bad bad boy and the TV Santa isn't broadcasting to you this year.

HO HO HO (don't shoot your eye out)

Santa

But I thought I had put that little incident behind me ! The Grand Jury didn't think it was such a bad thing, at least after I offered to take them all to the Virgin Islands on the next Rolando Gomez Glamour shoot.

kenw · 12-24-2008, 11:12 AM

the digital signals are much weaker than the analog. if you have a weak analog signal, it is very possible that the digital one is too weak to be useable.

mattman · 12-24-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I have Dish on my main TV's, but in my office I have an old TV and get my signal via rabbit ears. It's a crappy signal usually.
I got a DTV converter box and hooked it up as directed.
NO SIGNAL. Is it because the signal here is so bad, or is it because the stations aren't broadcasting digitally yet ??

Tom - digital signals are much weaker than analog so a good antenna is needed. I would assume you hooked the rabbit ears to the converter box? There are many digital signals from the local TV stations. Go to your local RadioShack (shameless plug) for any additional advice or ideas. Also, make sure you have everything connected correctly.
One thing to everyone, if you go to your local Wallyworld and get the RCA brand of converter box, they have a 52% failure rate!

Basically, they are a piece of crap! RadioShack carries the Digital Stream models and they rate at the top of the class.

RKEnnis · 12-24-2008, 12:25 PM

My understanding is that most DTV channels are being broadcast on UHF, and rabbit ears are really VHF antennas.

You need a UHF loop antenna at the very least, ideally you would get some sort of powered UHF/VHF antenna. Or a roof antenna, which is best is. Of course, not everyone can accommodate one

BTW, unless you're into using a separate remote for volume and channel changing, I highly recommend a converter with a universal remote. Many of the base model converters don't offer one.

(Shameless ANTI-Radio shack plug: Last time I was there, the salesman blew off my request for the electrical components I was looking for, and instead spent my entire visit trying to sell me a phone. The salesmen at my local Radio Shack haven't offered worthwhile advice in quite some time...)

studiocygnet · 12-24-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

But I thought I had put that little incident behind me ! The Grand Jury didn't think it was such a bad thing, at least after I offered to take them all to the Virgin Islands on the next Rolando Gomez Glamour shoot.

I think I was on that grand jury, wasn't I?

AndrewCCM · 12-24-2008, 01:55 PM

A lot of people are in for a rude awakening with DTV. Signal drop outs, pixelation and weak signals. I feel bad for those that do not have some alternative service.

Jake · 12-24-2008, 01:58 PM

I didn't know that about digital signals being much weaker than analog.
Ive got an antenna that picks up all (most) the digital channels but very few analog.

Hogleg 44 · 12-24-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

A lot of people are in for a rude awakening with DTV. Signal drop outs, pixelation and weak signals. I feel bad for those that do not have some alternative service.

Yeah! I was watching Ch 5-HiDef (OTA) earlier today, and the picture froze for about 30 seconds. The sound continued on, but the picture was frozen.
The TV? the Station? who knows?
It ain't perfect yet!
But it sure looks good when it's working!

AndrewCCM · 12-24-2008, 02:14 PM

The darn thing about digital.. Those that can stand to watch fuzzy weak broadcasts in certain areas or on occasion will soon be watching a "signal not found" or pixelated stuck image and intermittent audio.

Then again, I haven't messed with a UHF antenna in quite some time. They may have boosted all the digital signals since I last tried.. It's probably been a year or more since my last attempt... Also, perhaps the ATSC tuners are better now too..

JohnT · 12-24-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogleg 44

Yeah! I was watching Ch 5-HiDef (OTA) earlier today, and the picture froze for about 30 seconds. The sound continued on, but the picture was frozen.
The TV? the Station? who knows?
It ain't perfect yet!
But it sure looks good when it's working!

I noticed the same thing on my dad's TV w/rabbit ears at the nursing home and was wondering what was happening. Once they move him to one of the renovated rooms, however, he will have cable so the picture will be better.

chamstra · 12-24-2008, 03:23 PM

You need to make sure you have an HD/digital antenna. Radio Shack, or Best Buy, or Circuit City will have them. Traditional rabbit ears will not work for an HD/digital signal.

Digital signals differ from analog you will either get the signal or not, you will not get "snow" on weaker channels as with analog. Basicall you either get the signal or ou don't (kind of an either an on or off). The freezing you see is a loss of signal and what was there is "cached". Depending on how far frrom the towers you are you may need a larger roof top or attic antenna.

CaptainTom · 12-24-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

You need to make sure you have an HD/digital antenna. Radio Shack, or Best Buy, or Circuit City will have them. Traditional rabbit ears will not work for an HD/digital signal.

That is contrary to everything I've read so far about the HD Conversion.?

So, the signal is too low, because I have a bad analog picture as it is. I guess I'll spring for Dish in the office, and be happy with a zillion channels instead of the four I am almost seeing now.

Thanks for the help. Anyone need a DTV box for $15. Insignia from RS, rated very highly..

bburton · 12-24-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I have Dish on my main TV's, but in my office I have an old TV and get my signal via rabbit ears. It's a crappy signal usually. I got a DTV converter box and hooked it up as directed. NO SIGNAL. Is it because the signal here is so bad, or is it because the stations aren't broadcasting digitally yet ??

They're broadcasting in digital right now. Make certain that the little switch on the back of the converter is set to "CH 3."