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Post by Mahnarch on Aug 13, 2008 0:12:02 GMT -5
I finally got my duece of coupons for converter boxes when the big Digital TV change over.
They give you a big list of box brands and I'm wondering if there's anyone here who's bought one or two.
What's everyone's experience?
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Post by tractakid on Aug 13, 2008 2:56:10 GMT -5
Main thng is 1) Number of channels you will watch 2) A good electronic program guide Then you need a good signal  Which as my Dad won't put an external aerial up is rather hard to get... |
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Post by Phil on Aug 13, 2008 12:52:47 GMT -5
Number of channels is a big deal to me. I hate tvs with 4 channels.
I remember going to a motel once that advertised having HBO. Well it was 3 local channels and HBO.
Now I ask 'how many channels does your cable service get?' If its not enough I don't stay.
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Post by Beangirl on Aug 13, 2008 13:08:49 GMT -5
I feel lucky. I have basic cable. No converter here.
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Post by grape on Aug 14, 2008 1:03:35 GMT -5
I have digital cable. What's a converter box? Is it that little thing that connects from the incoming cable signal to the TV? I have Cablevisión which actually is the mexican version of Comcast. and the box thing is from Motorola. It lags a bit though and has to load when first plugged in, but gives a nice picture. |
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Post by tractakid on Aug 14, 2008 3:01:15 GMT -5
There are 4 different systems here in England.
1) Normal analogue TV (phased out gradually until 2012 (Olympics YAAY. Me 18 YAAY))
2) Digital TV.
a) Freeview (one off payment for the box which has the ability to recieve 30 ish channels
b) Freesat (similar to freeview except more channels)
c) Subscription (pay anything up to £40 a month to get pretty much every channel there is to get, less to get a selction)
I have freeview in my room, recieved by indoor aerial, as that is the only place with good enough signal. The other TV's in the house have analogue by cable. The TV in the lounge has a set top box which is a subscription box which recieves an analogue version of sport and miscellaneous channels, as Milton Keynes does not have fibre-optic cables, so no cable digital TV.
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Post by Mahnarch on Aug 15, 2008 0:01:16 GMT -5
I get 3 channels, now.
ABC, NBC and CBS (on occasion) and I'm happy with that, so far.
I used to get Fox17 but, my newest pair of rabbit ears never picked it up, nor did my rooftop aerial.
So, anything I gain is a bonus.
I just don't want to buy a junk box, eh.
***
tractakid,
If your dad won't get a roofmount, you'll just have to go out and get your own!
You got a job, right?
They only cost a few quid.
Don't forget to 'ground' it, for lightning strikes.
....I don't remember how much a 'quid' is but, if it's $50 - that's what I meant.
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Post by tractakid on Aug 15, 2008 11:48:36 GMT -5
Lol a quid = $2 No I don't have and don't want a job yet |
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Post by Mahnarch on Aug 16, 2008 19:51:35 GMT -5
OH,,,then I guess an antenna will cost several hundred quid.....
***
I got one!
I went down to Best Buy and picked up an 'Insignia' brand box.
I now have a whopping 15 channels - and, holy crap - they come in crystal clear!
I'm picking up 3 different ABC channels. 3 NBCs. 2 PBSs. CW7 (whatever that is). CBS 1 and 2 and a couple others that look like infommercial channels.
It's awesome.
I'm watching 'Legally Blonde' right now!
....errrr, No I'm not! I'm watching.......Monster......Trucks.
Yeah. Monster Trucks.
With chainsaws mounted on their fenders.
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Post by edlin on Aug 19, 2008 13:19:35 GMT -5
Ooo, trucks with chainsaws. The wonders of modern TV. ^_^ I see you have already decided on converter boxes. The edlinfan household has Magnavox boxes, which work well enough -- besides, they are extremely small!  Perhaps if you are lucky you will find a local channel that shows only reruns. In my area, CBS has a sub-channel called "Retro Television Network" (RTN) that airs programs from the '70s and '80s. I would post more, but I'm too addicted to Knight Rider and The Incredible Hulk right now.  |
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Post by Mahnarch on Aug 22, 2008 23:43:07 GMT -5
I bought one, so far.
I still have another coupon to use, yet.
I'm still wondering if another brand might give me more channels (I doubt it, though).
I get all my 'local' channels only, they're crystal clear, now - instead of fuzzy and have some ghost images.
The only bummer is: if the channel isn't 'that good', it tells me there's no signal - instead of showing a fuzzy screen that you might get 'some' viewing out of.
Where did the edlinfan household purchase their Magnavoxii?
I may look into one for my other purchase, as well.
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Post by edlin on Aug 23, 2008 23:03:31 GMT -5
The edlinfan household purchased their Magnavoxii at Circuit City. =P
Make sure they were manufactured recently (i.e. newer than April) as the old ones had an annoying glitch (high-pitched humming mixed with the audio).
The "perfect reception or no reception" seems to apply to DTV in general, btw. Even the built-in tuner of the edlinfan household's HDTV does this.
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Post by Mahnarch on Sept 2, 2008 22:51:26 GMT -5
I'm glad to see that the edlinfan household has the same reception or nothing as I do. At least it's not just me.
At what height does the edlingfan household have their antenna? - as I tend to get a lot of clipping and what-not, also at the bottom of the channel spectrum.
My antenna only surpasses my roof by 5ft (ground mount).
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Post by edlin on Sept 3, 2008 0:23:43 GMT -5
The edlinfan household ( ) utilizes an ancient UHF antenna which is wedged against the house's eaves by some concrete blocks. Our reception is hardly stellar, for obvious reasons. For a while we used an antenna in the house's loft, which provided generally awesome reception. It was maybe 15-20 feet above the *ground*, pretty much the same height as second-story rooms. If you live in the middle of nowhere or there is no line of sight between your antenna and the transmitters, you may require something more substantial. |
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Post by fartinggurl on Sept 4, 2008 20:36:53 GMT -5
We have digital cable at my house. My favorite digital channels to watch are BBC America, the Game Show Network, and Fuse TV.
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Post by im_an_alien on Sept 6, 2008 21:55:27 GMT -5
We have comcast. Comcast/on-demand FTW. Also, we don't need converter boxes, though I wonder if it's still possible to get them (keep one, for whatever reason, and sell one on ebay ) |
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Post by dannyboy on Sept 7, 2008 12:05:02 GMT -5
Ebay is a good way to go. People have made a fortune staying home unloading what was presumably obsolete stuff.
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Post by Mahnarch on Sept 7, 2008 18:41:12 GMT -5
Hey!!! This ain't no discussion fer you 'big city' folks with yer fancy 'Cable Teleradio'.
Now, Us antenner folks is gonna stand over 'ere and adjust our poles....
***
I don't think Ebay will be good for convertor boxes in the near future - as technology advances and the older boxes become worthless dust collectors.
It'd be like buying a bunch of VCRs back in the early 80's to sell now.
........actually, I have an entire box of 8-tracks in my bedroom (mostly Kiss and Deep Purple) and a box full of Atari games....and two full consoles, with over a dozen controlers.....hmmm.....
OH MAN!!!! I'M GOING TO BREAK OUT THE ATARI!!!!
w00t!
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