Secrets to Surviving the Switch to Digital TV

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I could get alot more channels with an outside antenna than I can with this converter box. Now today, it shut down, there's NO tv channels, on mine or my relative's converter boxes. What good is that????? The only channels you do get with this, when it works, is a channel that never has anything good on, or a news channel that has a still map on half the page, and has a man talking real fuzzy. What kind of tv is that????? We're better off with cable. Or watch tv on the computer.
We want antenna's back. This is communism; like the insurance bill.

Ann of TX 6:20PM June 20, 2010

I love the new digital broadcasting! MORE channels, BETTER quality audio..
but then again I'm a college student living in a dorm where my cable is free! hahah

Sam of AZ 10:19PM September 09, 2009

Its the worse thing that could have happen to TV viewers. There are less channels,
audio is bad, and video breaks up every time an aircraft flies over my building.
Some one or some industry must be highly profiting from this mess. It flies in the face of controlled media access, hence, old school communist totalitarian governments.
While if it was to function properly, it would be great. But as it is now, if you're not rich you don't rate viewing access.

Doris Toles of MD 1:51PM July 26, 2009

Very relevant article. Tivo's actually pushing a similar message about how you can get free over the air signals with OTA. They have a YouTube video about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65wdXjKsgQc”

Cassie of CA 6:43PM June 15, 2009

When I first got cable I Had lots of choices for 5 dollars a mo. Now they sent a bill for 98 Dollars for channels I do not watch and a lot of them in a lingo I don't speak, So I will go to AM radio I grew up with and miss nothing of import with no comercials every few min. Thank You.

Bob Bauer of AR 6:04PM June 14, 2009

1. if you haven't made the opportunity to get a digital TV then you don't deserve to watch TV
2. If you are that stupid and weren't prepared to come off your antenna, again I point to # 1 "...you don't deserve..."

Rory o'brien of CA 1:49PM June 12, 2009

I retired from DC area, returned to home state, purchased a mobile home on a lake surrounded by OH hills--54 mis from major signals. Being an infrequent tv viewer, and strongly opposed to the high cost/low quality cable programming, I was contented with my 2 available network stations accessed with rabbit ears. Now I get zero reception and antennanet.org cannot recommend an antenna because I am informed there is no digital signal in my zip code. Appears our legislators have once more been manipulated by "big business"--this time the cable companies!
I, for one, will not support this latest snafu!

Jane of OH 12:12AM June 12, 2009

I'll be spending less time watching stupid reality shows.
Plus I'll be getting my news unspun from Google instead of watching TV news spinners.

Bokonon of CA 7:16PM June 11, 2009

Most folks with issues had "rabbit ears" for the TV set. A one time $75 antenna would fix 90% of the problems people have with HD-also, after transition, the stations will increase power.
Ok, It's not "free", but for a one time antenna install, it's not too bad. The UHF frequencies can be tricky, so some antenna movement may be needed to find a good signal, but once found, it will stay.
We have no problem with a Dish being stuck on a house, or a cable being run from the street, but people "clutch" at the idea of an antenna. The new UHF antennas are far smaller than the great arrays of old.

Casey of NY 10:46AM June 11, 2009

I helped out my old aunt in LA to hook up a digital indoor antenna to an old TV with digital tuner. No converter box was needed and she got so many stations after doing the scan. She did say that she'll get rid of her cable. Haven't heard anything bad yet from it the new stuff. Had more problems with my dishnet service losing signal in rain/snow etc. Have AT&T Uverse now but think I'll check out the new digital antenna.
Dex in Chicago

Dexter M Stockdreher of IL 2:29AM June 11, 2009