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Digital TV Transition: Good or Bad?

By: Jake | September 07, 2009 | Category: General

Happy Labor Day!

I'd like to give a big thanks to our blog editor Tonya and the representatives from the Energy Information Administration, Department of Education, Department of Interior, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Housing Finance Agency, National Park Service and the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services who blogged while I was away. I also liked the "Your Turn" pieces we did while I was away and today I wanted to get your opinion on the digital TV transition.

My experience hasn't been too great. I really thought the digital TV transition would allow me to live without cable TV, but yesterday, after two months without it, I had my cable reinstalled. I didn't do it because I wanted to catch the new season of Mad Men or watch reruns of Housewives of New Jersey.

Though the content on the stations leaves a little to be desired, I got cable because I don't many channels. Two big network stations in my area switched to a format that my digital TV doesn't receive. The channels that do come in on my antenna have weak signals. If I move or even breath too hard I lose reception. I tried buying various TV antennas but none of them work and since I live in an apartment I can't exactly put an antennae on my roof (though I've thought about it). I'm not the only person having trouble. One person compared it to the 50's when her parents would tell her to be still if something they wanted to watch was on.

It's been a couple of month since the transition, but today I wanted to get your opinion on the digital TV transition. Has it been good or bad for you?

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Comments (23):

Posted by Peter on September 07, 2009 at 08:50 AM EDT

I went through the transition with great disappointment. I got dozen of channels, but they would freeze and I gave up. Ive only heard of one person who liked it so far with great reception. So far I think it is a bust!

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Posted by Andy on September 07, 2009 at 10:22 AM EDT

Hi Jake!
Well tv transition has worked fine for me! I also live in an apartment but the advantage is, my apartment is the very last one at the top of the building! haha!
It is like my very little penthouse without being a real penthouse!
anyway i just got cable..
and i am just waiting now for the season premiere of desperate housewives!

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Posted by Susan Swalius on September 07, 2009 at 10:52 AM EDT

It couldn't have come at a worse time. I have a fairly new TV digital ready. Had cable but due to circumstances beyond my control. (Out of work since Feb) Need the money I spent on cable to eat cause they cut my food stamps as well. Anyway, I can't get what you would think would be the strongest signals, no fox at all, not even a hint of a signal. But pulling in all the religous channels just fine (someone up there must like them LOL) Its gonna be a long winter. My favorite channels are the educational channels cable offered but won't be blackmailed by anyone to watch TV. Also when I had the cable disconnected and the guy that came out to unhook it told me you cant get free TV mame and when I call WOW the operator tried to tell me the very same thing (and I knew better) I argued with them. That day when I finally figured out what the problem was. I called them back and told them they were lucky I was not reporting them to the FCC. How can they tell a customer sorry now that you have disconnected you get NO TV. Bogus!!!!!! I live in a suburb of Cleveland not in some rural area. Plus I put a digital ant on my roof. Like I said gonna be a long winter no job no TV and I live by myself guess my dogs will have to learn somemore tricks. Maybe I'll hook an ant up to them. LOL.

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Posted by Unknown on September 07, 2009 at 02:14 PM EDT

It isn't that great for cable users either; my cable company did an upgrade to my area and I began having troubles with internet and TV signals. They say I have to replace the 56 cable that is in my walls to clear up the problem.

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Posted by Lowell S. on September 07, 2009 at 02:27 PM EDT

DTV is a pain. Bring back analog!!!
VHF 2-13 real channels are major league UNDER POWERED.
UHF are Underpowered.
We are Back in the 1950's of tv.
NO ONE in Government will take any compants on DTV.

AS a person who work In Public Saftey THIS IS an accident that will happen when the public can not get the EAS emergency information to save there lives.

GET OFF the pot and FIX THE VHF BAND OF DTV and let them use the power they need to seen.

Lowell S.

Ham
GMRS
skywarn
part 90
part 95
part 97
ADEC
FEMA profesional development
Is 300
Is 400

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Posted by Wall'E. on September 07, 2009 at 03:34 PM EDT

My experience is not good at all. I don't get all the channels, plus it fades in and out. Please tell the, FCC, they need to do a better job for the people.

Thnx.

Wall'E.

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Posted by Thrilled on September 08, 2009 at 08:43 AM EDT

I love the DTV, of course i put up a good antenna, pointed it in the right direction and made sure everything was right, before my analog signal was cut.

before DTV I had 6 channels, now i have 22, 11 of these are PBS variants. I love the variety and selection, though there is a bit of repetition with my 3 PBS affiliates available in the greater Cincinnati area, but hey, i can watch Sesame Street 3 times a day!

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Posted by hunmanik on September 08, 2009 at 10:42 AM EDT

It is widely agreed that digital channels on RF frequencies 7-13 were generally underpowered, thanks to FCC underestimations. These issues are getting resolved, slowly.

But at the same time, digital reception of RF 2-13 also requires learning how to buy and properly orient a decent VHF antenna, info we didn't need to know before. For many people it's easier to complain than to learn, it seems.

By the way, the transition is still ongoing! There are still two analog broadcast stations where I live, one translator station and one Class A station.

Anyway, we've gone from 7 analog broadcast channels to 10 total analog and digital channels here as of today. One of those original analog stations went off the air altogether rather than going digital. But overall I'm pleased to have more choices, and very pleased for the much better picture quality.

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Posted by AJ on September 08, 2009 at 01:06 PM EDT

No difference... I had cable prior to the transition, and nothing changed. I'm still happy with my reception and selection.

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Posted by Joan on September 08, 2009 at 01:32 PM EDT

I already had the "bare-bones" basic cable, so no change to the reception. However, my cable provider took advantage of the switchover to remove several of the channels I was getting. To continue receiving them I would have to "upgrade" to a more expensive package.
Foul play, cable company.

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Posted by Laurie M on September 08, 2009 at 05:31 PM EDT

It has just been AWFUL!

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Posted by ncj on September 08, 2009 at 06:28 PM EDT

I have found the conversion terrible. I have some sets on cable but I use converter boxes for two sets that I only watch news on . Often there is no signal and I get fewer channels with analog.

It also costs more in electricity as the converter box AND the TV needs plugging in.

My dad who was always against cable couldn't get public TV and now has cable someone who cannot afford it.

I'm sorry but please return us to analog.

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Posted by ms sherman on September 08, 2009 at 11:49 PM EDT

Used my gov't cards to purchase two converter boxes and two antennas. To date I can't even get PBS or the local stations. The 2 stations that I do receive freeze regularly or no signal. The best thing out of all this I'm much more productive, my house is cleaner than it ever has been. The addiction I had for TV has now been transferred to HULU, and its free

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Posted by Lowell S. on September 09, 2009 at 12:30 AM EDT

Hello All,
On the Vhf 2-13 it is nice to see someone admit it was not done right.
I use the 30 foot antnena with 6 + db and over 50 db boost with a all most 300 foot height gain over the ground locations of these VHF stations and still I do not get them.
When you grant a station 1% of the power it ran in analog someone is not doing there JOB. (WLMB) v dtv40 actual 5
This station is 20 miles from my location and I have NEVER seen it on dtv. The FCC Cuts Stations power by 80 to 99 % and then say it will take time to fix it. Cover the same area with 99% less power.
That is like saying heres a candle now lets light up RFK statium.

GET Out of office and into the real world and test this in the real world not on a computer that says we all have a 30 foot tower with a 6 dbi Anttena.

Here is a list of messed up vhf in my area. V-DTV Channel
detriot 2
toledo 11, 13, 5
kalmazoo 11, 35
flint 12
Grand rapids 3,8, 13
Angola, ind

Uhf
Lansing 23 (wkar)

Ok It has been 3 months and we are now just talking about this. Lets fix it before it will cost lives.

You ask how: The FCC can do any of the following:

a. More Power

b. Move the 36 stations in 2-6 to uhf

c. Move station in 7-13 to uhf

d rerun vhf models in the real world not fantisy island modeling

ie: indoor anttenna with 0 to 3 db

Ps I have yet to meet anyone that has gained channels

I even lost 3 dtv station I had prior to june 12

wkar
toledo 11,13

Let get this fixed, before People die to lack of information.....

The ball is in you court FCC.

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Posted by Disappointed in DC on September 09, 2009 at 01:50 PM EDT

Digital TV Transition--Bad, Very Bad. This is the worst TV reception I have ever experienced. We've wasted money on new HDTVs, converter boxes for the older TVs, new $30 antennas and $40+ signal boosters. The average American consumer has been had! DTV only benefits those who have stock in any service or product that supports DTV. It started with the $40 coupon for non-existent $40 converter boxes, then expensive antennas to accompany the boxes and New HDTVs, now if you want consistent reception (most of the time) you need to pay monthly fees for cable. I've had it with TV. We only use it for news and a few kid shows, other than that, we have no use for it. I cannot see any benefit in having more channels when not one of them can be seen for 30 minutes without repeated, unnerving interruptions. What can we do to recover from this capitalistic catastrophe?

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Posted by Anne on September 09, 2009 at 03:53 PM EDT

Oh, I'm glad to see this on your blog! We've stopped watching tv because of the conversion--before we got every analog channel more or less ok. After the switch: no Fox, no CW, no ABC. We have 3 NBCs (wheelchair rugby was pretty cool to watch on their sports channel), CBS, and PBS--but never all of them at the same time. I'm disappointed, especially with the new Fall season starting soon!

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Posted by JC 37601 on September 09, 2009 at 08:51 PM EDT

I receive local cable very well on my digital TV. However, the digital channel guide is wrong and the TV listing channel has not been updated. Comcast customer service has no answer.
Customer service is non responsive to technical questions due to their lack of knowledge. I want to receive QAM digital channels on my computer but the cable company can not provide technical data to help me make a good choice of which digital tuner to buy. Of several thousand customer feedbacks at one national internet dealer, only about 45% are satisfied with the reception with QAM tuners - all brands. Apparently there is no standard (electronics, software) across delivery methods of signal and in signal processing. WHERE IS THE FCC IN ALL THIS? I'm not a happy camper!

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Posted by Luke on September 13, 2009 at 01:31 PM EDT

I have had a converter box for a year now, and before the all-digital turnover, I used to enjoy the free DTV channels. I could get only about a dozen channels, but it was enough to keep up on news and sports.
With the all-digital tansition, all the channels are lost. Now I get nothing at all. What changed? Why was I able to get digital channels before the cut-over and get none now?
I live in NYC, and there has been no new construction that would explain the dissapearance of the free channels.

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Posted by Michele T Beyer on September 13, 2009 at 04:31 PM EDT

To Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina.

Are you so desparate for money that you are a pawn for the political party. By calling Prsident Obama a liar boosted your fund raising money by $200,000.00, than your entire years as a Conggressman. So that is what the Republician party is all about... money...money .. money. Why don't your earn it. Try getting any insurance when you work for a minimum wage... lets see how it works... I dare you to get insurance working 40 a week, and lets throw in a child. If you can do this for two years... and have insurance then I will owe you an apology.. if not stop screwing with those who only have enough for basic substance, not any luxery such as doing laundry... maybe a movie or what ever.

You are truly a coward if you can not do this for 2 years... You are not man enough... but go ahead destroy America for the almight dollar you earn, by defaming the President.

If the Republicians would do their job and not try to screw those who have nothing else to give.. maybe you would have more support.

You are such a coward you do not allow outside to post their comment in oppostion to your own... true america.

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Posted by No Longer Watching on September 17, 2009 at 08:17 PM EDT

Conversion has been great since I have pretty much given up on watching TV and gained untold time to read and do other things. I really have not missed much. ABC and CBS no longer come in even though I bought a special antenna and live only 25 miles from Chicago. I miss Jeopardy and Oprah, but I can live without them and do not think it would be worth the aggravation of dealing with cable companies to subscribe to any of their services given what I hear about poor service and uncontrolled rate hikes.

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Posted by Dissappointed in Miami on October 14, 2009 at 04:01 PM EDT

Miami broadcast television reception is horrible. We totally lost and Channel 33 and Channel 10 (ABC), and get a few other channels only sporadically if we position the 4th new antenna in the appropriate few inches just under the ceiling.

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Posted by Diisappointed in Miami on October 14, 2009 at 04:44 PM EDT

I have heard that the conversion to digital TV happened in Germany smoothly and without any problems. In the United States we seem to be having big problems and bad television reception. Should the FCC be ashamed at what it has done to this nation?

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Posted by Unknown on October 29, 2009 at 10:54 AM EDT

We had sporadic TV reception for a while ,but now nothing,haven't watched it in weeks,the kids have been watching show on HULU.
It's more interesting to keep in touch with people and do other things,maybe we will be better off without TV.

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