Technology Blog

posted by on Jun 6

As you know in less than a year (February 17, 2009) TV signal will change from analog to digital. It says that it will produce better sound, better picture, and more channels. The thing that grinds my gears is that you will not get dropped signal or no signal if you live 35+ miles from the broadcasting tower. I had tested one of these DTV converter box. It is a RCA DTA 900. CNet and Consumer Reports says it is the best one right now because the video and audio does not glitch up or distort with small small boxes, and loose sound as badly as Magnavox, Insignia or the Zenith DTV Box for a mid price DTV box. When I tested the Box with a Phillips 50db amplified antenna, I got

• Up to 3 main TV stations (up to 5 different channels)
• Low signal strength (usually have boxes, bad sound, or freezes for a while)

With regular analog signal, I get:

• Up to about 12 channels
• Not as good signal, but viewable (fuzzy static sound in a couple of channels, and static on TV screen)

Overall, DTV is not a good idea. Even though you can get more channels, through sub-channel, it can’t get a signal. People who live 35+ miles from the broadcasting tower will have to get a outdoor antenna and set it up on the roof (attic is possible for some antenna, but it will gain less signal than putting on the roof) or ultimately switching to a cable or satellite company. The Insignia and the Zenith DTV converter box are the same. Fortunately I have a satellite for my TV. I test it in-case if I have to live with over the air TV for a while.

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Continued here:
Is Digital Television Switch a good idea?