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A new guide to the digital transition coming in February explains how the transition will affect current television transmissions and how you can be prepared. “DTV Transition 101: A Video Guide,” brought to you by Broadcasting & Cable, also gives an overview of digital TVs and antenna, and tutorials demonstrate how to set up your digital-to-analog converter boxes. Full Story »
The digital transition coming to the U.S. in February of 2009 has got some folks excited, others confused and many feeling indifferent about the change. But there is something everyone should be excited about, and that’s multi-casting. Full Story »
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has recently updated the list of coupon eligible DTV converters that are NO LONGER available. If you would like to see a list of the currently available NTIA-approved CECBs (Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes) see this previous article. Full Story »
Here is an updated list of currently available DTV converters that are eligible for the government issue $40 coupon. The DTV converter will allow your non-digital TV sets to display digital broadcast signals. If you are still using rabbit ears on your old set, read on for more information. Full Story »
Who says you need an HDTV to watch high-definition television? You can actually watch HD shows on your computer whether it be a PC or Mac, tower or laptop. You just need a USB device from Pinnacle (an Avid company), or from Elgato (a privately held company out of Germany and San Francisco.) The devices act as tiny receivers, converting television signals and transmitting them to your PC via USB port. Full Story »
In what would think is a move that could be biting their own tail, satellite television provider Dish Network began selling a digital-to-analog converter. The DTV converter allows older televisions that are not digital to enjoy digital transmissions over-the-air. Some might ask, “Why do I need satellite service then?” If you like having a lot of channels to choose from, you may want both. Full Story »
Did you know it’s possible to get high-definition (HD) broadcasts from an antenna over-the-air? There are certain types you can buy, and they range from about $10 to $800. Antennas are available for your rooftop, set-top, and even hidden antennas behind picture frames. Full Story »
If you haven’t got your Government approved DTV converter box yet, here is a current list of the eligible boxes. Major national retailers that are selling the boxes include Best Buy, Circuit City, RadioShack and Wal-Mart. You can find local retailers, online and telephone retailers on the government DTV2009 website.
I got my digital-to-analog converter coupons in the mail today and immediately went to my local Radio Shack to “cash” them in. The letter from DTV2009.gov lists over 30 models, but this Radio Shack only had one model and both units in stock were on display.
How does DTV work?
Digital channels are broadcast over-the-air from local facilities. All you need is a digital television or digital-to-analog converter box. That means you don’t necessarily need cable, satellite or fiber-optic service to get digital or high definition (HD) broadcasts. In fact, over-the-air broadcasting has never been better. Here is a bit of history.
With little more than a year remaining before television broadcasters switch from analog to digital transmissions, a new study found that 74% of consumers remain confused about their options. Meanwhile 61% are completely unaware of the pending transfer.
CEA reports that more than 50% of households in the U.S. now own digital televisions. This is a significant progress, as the U.S. FCC plans to shut off ancient analog broadcasting in favor of the more versatile, higher quality digital broadcast format.
DTV [Digital Television], will completely replace analog broadcasts in February of 2009. Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA said, “I am proud to announce our nation has hit this digital milestone. With 50 percent of U.S. homes able to experience the reality of digital television, we have crossed a critical threshold.”
You don’t need no stinkin’ HDTV…just a USB stick.
Tech guy Gary Krakow of MSNBC recently wrote a review of the Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick, a $129 device that contains an HDTV video and audio card. The stick plugs into your computer and receives over-the-air HD signals. There are no subscriptions to satellite or cable services required because HD signals are broadcast over-the-air as digital television, or DTV.
The Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick works with Windows XP and Windows Vista computers. There is a non-HD model (PC TV) that sells for $99. If you work on Apple computers, a Mac HD stick has just been released that also sells for $129.
There is not much installation involved. You simply attach a portable, telescoping antenna to a metal surface, and plug the device into your USB port. Then, using the supplied Pinnacle Media Center software you can tune the channels. The software also digitally records programming onto a DVD, iPod, PSP or other portable media devices. A remote control is also included for those of you who can’t get off the couch to change the channel on your laptop. Does that make sense?
The Pinnacle HD Pro Stick also acts as a video input card, allowing you to capture any analog source material via a supplied S-video A/V adapter. I’m not sure where they were going with this but if you want to go “back in time” to analog, you have the option.
DTV signals that are captured over-the-air are clear and sharp. There is no snow or ghosting of images as there was in the old days of antenna reception. Krakow says, “From my New York City test lab the PCTV HDTV Pro Stick was able to find and receive more than 20 over-the-air HDTV stations. That’s a lot better than the tuner in my two-year old Samsung direct-view TV can find at any given time.”
The PCTV HD stick is available at major retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City, as well as other electronic retailers and online stores.
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