Comments on: Some Viewers Lose In Digital TV Switch

Even Those Who Bought Converter Boxes Could Lose Certain Channels

[godseyesore-2009]

I''ve already found this to be the case. Even with the local network already broadcasting in HD, the picture is lousy. I suspected this was a boondoggle for industry and NOT anything to do with consumers.
More fallout of failed republican ideals...

[walt1944-2009]

The country will switch to digital broadcasting on February 19, 2009. This is a government-mandated switch, ordered by the Great Emperor Bush II (WHO ELSE???) to supposedly free up more analog space for law enforcement to use, to arrest more people and order more coffee and donuts!

In reality, however, the switch, which forces you to buy a "digital" TV, or buy a "digital" coverter box (PROVIDED THAT EITHER OF THEM WORK!) or subscribe to cable TV (IF YOU REALLY WANT TO GET A MAJOR RIPOFF!) or satelite TV (A CHEAPER RIPOFF!), is only meant to "seperate" you from whatever money you might have, which these days isn''t much!!!

It''s another classic example of Bush "trickle UP" economics which makes corporate America rich while Corporate America provides you with non-working, possibly dangerous made-in-China junk, or "baits and switches" you with services they promise you, but refuse to deliver unless you pay more!!!

It''s just "business" (but is really extortion!)!

SIG HEIL, AMERICAN BUSINESS INTENDS ON MAKING ME THEIR "PATRON SAINT"!!!, BUSH!!!

[docpeter1953]

This process has been handled very badly and as noted by others it''''s not without cost, something completely ignored by all the cheery tv ads. There should have been fewer ads and more planning and preparation by the Feds; they dropped the ball.

Posted by greeneyes222 at 10:41 AM : Dec 25, 2008
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Actually, since the Fed. Govt. wants us to spend our way out of this recession, now is a good time for the 2% to get a new TV, and cable or satellite service. Lets have the 2% to their spending too.

Of course I am being facetious.

[greeneyes222]

"Interesting how the headline makes it sound dire, yet in reality most stations will reach more viewers than before. "

I''m always surprised how little regard some people have for others as long as they''re not affected.

It IS dire for those who live in rural or mountainous areas. That 2% isn''t spread evenly.

This process has been handled very badly and as noted by others it''s not without cost, something completely ignored by all the cheery tv ads. There should have been fewer ads and more planning and preparation by the Feds; they dropped the ball.

[emddd40x-2009]

Another, unmentioned bonus for those who are loosing signal coverage. Maybe they''ll finally be motivated to get off the couch and find other things to do.

[joni1972-2009]

i got my mom two coupons and she put up on on her tv and it got her about five more ch,s and they were good. on the old one the pic,s were fuzzy and would not come in right. now with the box and just the rabbit ears what good pics with out moving the ears. i thank ill go hook up the other today

[guest173]

one tip for getting more channels, keep rescanning for channels, but what I did was first go to the Menu Option on the Converter Box and look at the Antenna Strength Meter. Keep rigging it, I got our antenna line with a paper clip and a clothespin hooked up to a big picture frame, and then found a good spot where the Antenna got up to over 50% strength (it doesn''t stay that way for long), and then rescan for channels. Once the channels were scanned in, they seem to be saved, and then it didn''t matter after that if the antenna strength went back down, the channels still work for the most part. Just look for a sweet spot when you''re scanning for channels, at least that''s how we did it for our RCA walmart brand converter box, it took a couple hours but eventually got it to work without having to buy the outdoor antenna they keep saying you need. I only got this for PBS and now it comes in finally after some rigging.

[wl7bzh]

If you''re reading this, you can easily find entertainment with fewer commercials.

[clearclarity]

We hooked our box up last month, and lost nearly all the channels we got before. We are not happy with the new digital system.
Sure buy another antenna...what a joke.
Neither of us know if we even have a job to go
back to after the holidays, and people are telling us to spend more money.
What part of "the money has run out" don''t folks understand. This digital mess was handled poorly, and once again those in rural areas with way less than than national avergae income loose out.

[omnibus66]

Of the approximately 85 million converter box discount coupons sent out, only about 15 million have been redeemed. The signals may be there, but many fewer will be watching.

[tvgenius]

Interesting how the headline makes it sound dire, yet in reality most stations will reach more viewers than before.

And don''t forget-- one thing they''re not telling you: Once the switch has been made, you''ll need to re-scan your digital receivers (converter box or built in to your TV) since a lot of stations will be ''moving'' their digital signal, even though the number you see will stay the same.