Sep 9, 2008 8:02 pm US/Pacific
Digital TV Converter Boxes May Not Always Work
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
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A digital to analog converter box can be used to allow an older television to recieve new, digital TV signals.
CBS
For years, Richard Townsend has been happy watching television with his simple analog signal tuned in with a set-top rabbit ear antenna.
"I get most of the channels on analog regular TV," Townsend said. "Most of 2 through 13 comes in."
But to get ready for the transition to digital television, he followed the Federal government's directions, redeemed a $40 rebate coupon, and bought a digital converter box.
A digital converter box takes the digital signals that broadcasters are beaming out and converts them to an analog form that can be seen on his older set. It's not high definition, but it is a better picture.
But Townsend said "The problem is I only get three channels instead of 11. It's not like what I read about in the newspaper or heard about on TV. It's not working like they said it would."
Contrary to popular belief, James Tuthill says digital signals aren't necessarily stronger.
"Hills, buildings, trees and other structures will interfere with the signal because it has to be line of sight," he said.
Tuthill said the government has not spent enough time or effort to educate people of the change to digital TV and its limits. He predicts when stations turn off analog signals on February 17, 2009 more than one-and-a-half million households nationwide will be cut off.
"People are very passionate about their TV," Tuthill said. "When they turn on a blank screen they'll be angry and many won't know what to do. I suspect 911 will receive calls saying, 'My TV is blank, what will I do?'"
To avoid that, Townsend realized he may need to spend more money to get what was once free over-the-air TV.
"I grew up in the depression and I was trained not to spend money. It means I have to buy cable if I want decent reception and this is forcing me to spend money I don't want to spend. A good antenna on the roof might work, or I'll have to buy cable or a dish," Townsend said.
One thing that might help Townsend with reception is a change on Sutro Tower. The transmission tower in San Francisco has been sectioned in half. In the top half, broadcasters like channel 5 are sending out a traditional analog signal. Stations are also sending out a digital signal from transmitters located on the bottom half of the tower.
That lower position means you may not receive a strong digital signal, especially if you live in a hilly area or have other obstructions. But after February 17th, broadcasters will shut off the analog signals and move the digital transmitters to the top half of the tower.
That process could take a few months and there is no guarantee that your digital signal will be any stronger. Even the Federal Communication Commission admits 5 percent of households that rely on antennas may see problems even with the converter boxes.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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