Digital TV Conversion Question

[disney junky]

I have a silly question. Why? Why did we need to make this conversion? Why can't people who wanted to continue to receive a TV signal through a regular antenna continue to do so without having to buy a converter? This morning there was a clip on TV about how the local inmates need converter boxes for the TV's they have in their cells, and these boxes are special because they need to be clear so as not to be able to hide contraband. I'm sure this is being repeated across the land. So someone is making a bundle on this required conversion, right? But somehow this whole thing was pushed on the public. In layman's terms, can anyone answer this?

Will we all eventually be required to subscribe to satellite radio?

 

[Scurvy]

The very short answer is that there is a limited frequency that things can be transmitted on. By changing TV transmissions to digital, it frees up the spectrum currently used for TV to be used for emergency broadcasts and other uses. Short term that means some hassle, but it does benefit everyone in the long run. They've been publicizing this for years, so I am really surprised everyone isn't ready yet.

I'm sure someone else can explain better - several people on here know quite a bit more about it than I do. In fact you might want to check out the thread about the possible delay of the switch, there's some good information on it.

No, we won't be required to use satellite radio - though I highly recommend it; it's must better than terrestrial radio!

 

[disney junky]

The very short answer is that there is a limited frequency that things can be transmitted on. By changing TV transmissions to digital, it frees up the spectrum currently used for TV to be used for emergency broadcasts and other uses. Short term that means some hassle, but it does benefit everyone in the long run. They've been publicizing this for years, so I am really surprised everyone isn't ready yet.

I'm sure someone else can explain better - several people on here know quite a bit more about it than I do. In fact you might want to check out the thread about the possible delay of the switch, there's some good information on it.

No, we won't be required to use satellite radio - though I highly recommend it; it's must better than terrestrial radio!

Thanks. Makes sense. I think what has surprise me, and we have had cable forever, is the number of elderly here in central PA who have remained quite content to receive the three or four local stations and now are being thrown into a tizzy because it's change, gadgets, things that are confusing to them.

 

[thumperbelle3]

Scurvy is right about freeing up the bandwidth of frequency. On 9/11 police and fire rescue and EMT's had a lot of trouble communicating over their radios because the bandwidth was exceeded. The decision to change to digital began after that day.

 

[lvanleer]

My question is what happens to all those battery powered lantern/tv/radio combos or portable tvs that people use when camping or at sporting events.....they're not digital are they?.......so do they become obsolete after February 17th?

 

[Scurvy]

My question is what happens to all those battery powered lantern/tv/radio combos or portable tvs that people use when camping or at sporting events.....they're not digital are they?.......so do they become obsolete after February 17th?

The lantern and radio parts should still work. The TV parts won't (I don't think, at least), unless someone comes up with a converter for them and I really doubt that would be worth fooling with.

 

[Geoff_M]

Scurvy is right about freeing up the bandwidth of frequency. On 9/11 police and fire rescue and EMT's had a lot of trouble communicating over their radios because the bandwidth was exceeded. The decision to change to digital began after that day.

I agree that the push to restructure the spectrum largely took place as a result of the analysis of it after 9/11, but the biggest reason for the communications struggles on 9/11 itself wasn't due to the limitation of frequencies, it was due to the fact that much of the NYC emergency communications system relied on equipment and antennas that were... on top of the WTC towers!

Another post-9/11 reason for the change is that afterwards Homeland Security has spent tons of money purchasing new advanced communications equipment for police/fire departments all over the US.

 

[hoosll]

Portable camper TVs and radios which receive TV audio will no longer work.

 

[bicker]

I have a silly question. Why? Why did we need to make this conversion? Why can't people who wanted to continue to receive a TV signal through a regular antenna continue to do so without having to buy a converter?

The frequencies that analog channels are currently using are needed either for emergency services, for new technologies, or to make room for digital channels, including avoidance of interference between channels.

 

[disney1990]

Portable camper TVs and radios which receive TV audio will no longer work.

I thought that, but I can't see to find a portable digital tv/radio.

 

[bicker]

[wrong thread]